Just not for me...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I am usually pretty easy as a critic, and unfortunately (in this case), I am one to always finish a book, but this book just seemed to drag on, and on, and on, and on... The 2 main characters just seemed to have no flaws, and there wasn't really any ups and downs in the story. I honestly, just wanted more from the story.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Just as expected, very predictable ending. And I am not saying that as a bad thing. I don't really mind a predictable ending when it comes to a romance novel. I want a happy ending

What aspect of Paul Woodson’s performance would you have changed?

His performance wasn't all that bad, I just didn't think that his voice fit the story. He actually has a great voice, and I would listen to another story with him as narrator. When you have a story about an ex-con that hangs out with a bunch of bikers, I expect something deeper, more gravely.

Any additional comments?

To me, this story almost felt like something you would read as fanfiction. Writing was good, but the story just seemed so... picturesque at times. I'm not sure if it was the narrator and the fact that I didn't think his voice fit with the story, or the lovey dove unrealistic story line, but this book just didn't do it for me. This was my 1st book by this author, and there are more by her that I would like to read/listen to, hopefully, I will enjoy them more.

3 people found this helpful

A story to love and fall in love with Tru Blue

I found this to be a different side to Melissa Fosters work. You will be drawn in and taking on an emotional ride that will test your views of single parenting, ex-cons, spoiled rich girls, and more. There was a rich deep depth to the characters of this read that will stay with you for a long time. Its sexy, raw, dark, alluring, and captivating. You find friends, family, and more. Tru Gritt was a man that did do whatever to protect his family. Tru will steal your heart in this heartfelt grapple with family, devotion, friends, respect, acceptance, determination, life's second chances.

Melissa has given me a raw, dirty, dark look into the life of an ex-con that happens to be an older sibling doing what it takes to keep his family safe and cared for. I felt this one was a bit deeper in its emotional connection and had a more darker undertone than anything I have read of hers. No matter what she writes you feel the love, respect, family, friends, loyalty, and hopes and dreams come out clear and strong with each new chapter that you read.

Narrator Paul Woodson was new to my narrator list and he will be there for a while. He gave the male POV strong presence and strength. You could find a connection with him and his characters with each new voice he provided. The audio was clean, clear, and flowed well.

2 people found this helpful

You will truly fall in love.

This is one of my favorite books that Melissa Foster has written. It is a little different from the Love in Bloom series but great none the less. Take a chance on Tru Blue and you will not be disappointed and probably have a new book boyfriend.

Imagine finding out you have siblings that are infants who are living in squalor and that your mom just died. You are now their sole caretaker and have no idea what to do. That is what happens to Truman but he quickly gets help in the form of sweet sexy Gemma.

She helps him figure out what he needs and how to take care of his new found siblings. Knowing she can’t have kids of her own that she really wants, she helps Truman out and begins to become close to the kids and Truman.

This book is one of my favorites but is even better to listen to. The narrator does a great job of transitioning between a sort of grity Truman or Whiskey brothers voice and a more “refined” voice that Gemma and her family have.

1 person found this helpful

LOVE THIS STORY!

Tru Blue is a favorite story of mine. Each time I read the ballad of Gemma and Tru, it feels like the first time. Truman is more than the label that life has painted on his chest. He's a beautiful soul working his way through an ugly situation.  It's hard to walk through a heartbeat with a heartache is just around the corner.  Foster turns the pain into a beautiful love song with a haunting melody that captures the power of forgiveness, even at the price of hope.  The edition of Mr. Woodson makes the journey even more real, because he gives an emotional performance through the eyes of an unforgettable character. (5 + stars)

 

1 person found this helpful

Sigh... Truman

Audiobook Review… Paul Woodson is the perfect Truman. He has a deep, thoughtful, sexy voice that portrays Tru exactly how I expected him to sound. He takes the caring feelings, the fear of ruining the life he is making, and the sexiness of Tru and brings them alive. This isn’t a light and easy book, although there were plenty of fun times in the story. It is rough, tough, and gritty but has all the love, sexiness, and friendships that Melissa Foster is known for.

eBook Review…Tru Blue is Melissa Foster at her best. She brings to this story an absolutely amazingly complex character in Truman. He has lived his entire life, even as a child, protecting and saving those he loves. He even went to prison to protect his brother. The things he saw, the things he did, and the reactions he had have shaped him into the man he is today. Then he meets Gemma.

Oh, Gemma…she is exactly what a man like Tru needs. She accepts him for who he is, she offers him support, not pity or sympathy, and she loves him. The things she is able to do for him are not easy. She offers him support and guidance even when he doesn’t think he needs or wants it. She loves him even when he thinks he is unlovable. She lifts him up when he is down on himself and his life. In return for all this Truman gives Gemma the two things she has wanted her entire life. The first is unconditional love. He just gives it to her, there are no conditions, no do this for my love, he just opens his arms and his heart and lets her in. The second thing she has wanted her entire life?? Well, you need to read the story to find that out.


You have to pick up this standalone story. Truman and Gemma are amazing. Their love is real, with rough spots and all.

1 person found this helpful

Absolutely wonderful

What an absolutely amazing book by Melissa Foster. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started this book, but Ms. Foster hit every emotion I had. I can't tell you how many times I reached for the tissues. Truman tugged at my heart strings the entire way. Truman, a definite alpha is now taking care of his two younger siblings and hasn't got a clue on how to do that. Truman runs into Gemma at the store and she helps him buy what he needs to take care of them. Gemma is instantly drawn to Truman's caring and compassionate way of dealing with the young children. Truman begins falling for Gemma and wants to share his past with her so they can hopefully have a future. Truman show us his softer side when it comes to his family and it makes you fall in love with him even more. I cannot wait to see what else Melissa Foster has in store with this series!
Paul Woodson brought this book to life in the audio version. Reading it brought tears my eyes, but listening to it was even better. He did an amazing job narrating this wonderful story.

1 person found this helpful

Can’t Help Falling In Love With Tru!

What a wonderful heartfelt love story! Tru and Gemma’s Story is so beautifully told by Melissa Foster! My heart just exploded with love for Tru! Hot, sexy, always trying to do the right thing! And Gemma his soul mate who fell head over heels in love with him! This has got to be one of my absolute favorite books by Melissa Foster! I also listened to the audible and fell in Love all over again!

1 person found this helpful

Heartfelt

What a witty, humorous, sweet story. Tru had been in prison for six years and he loved to paint. His brother called him and needed his help with their mother. When he got there his brother was beside his dead mother, a baby and a toddler. Tru took the kids with him. After cleaning them up, he took them to WalMart to get food and clothes for them. Gems was in there looking at baby clothes, wishing she could have children. She saw Tru with the kids and helped him pick out stuff for them. Then the adventure begins! What a fantastic job Paul Woodson did with the narration of this wonderfully written story!

1 person found this helpful

Easy to fall for Tru!

Alpha male, single dad, fiercely loyal, second chances at happiness, what is there not to love about this book? Melissa Foster has begun the Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor series. Truman is fresh out of jail and finds out his dead mother has two small children. Being a devoted and compassionate man, he takes these two in. He is determined to make a good life for them, and as he is attempting to buy them supplies, bumps into Gemma. And our story begins. I was so wrapped up in this book, and I tried to pinpoint what it was that drew me in so much. Gemma is a spoiled rich kid, but knows there is more to life than what is expected of her. Yes, I love that, but that is not the draw. Truman is an ex-con with a loyalty to family beyond all compare. That is not what pulls at me. It's the combination of opposites attracting, finding the good in people, believing there is something better and going after it. Foster has woven this story with such love, as we watch the kids flourish, such despair as we deal with hopeless situations and addictions and such chemistry found between Gemma and Tru, I was falling from the first chapter. It's a wonderful story.

Paul Woodson brings this story to life beautifully. As Truman, he gives us a lot of emotion as he works through his life challenges. He has an over protectiveness that is easily felt in his tone, and a warmth that makes your heart sing. As Gemma, he adds that sass and spark to the mix, as she too finds her way to an unexpected life. He extracts her personality and lets us have all the feelings this story has. It was a fantastic listen.

Tru Blue says it all

Melissa Foster creates characters that grab your heart while their story grabs your throat. Truman and Gemma come from different sides of the tracks but because of their backgrounds they become people who are true at heart. I loved their journey!