Tru Blue

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 of 3 people found this review 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 of 1 people found this review 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!

Loved Tru and Gemma!

I love bad boy/single dad romances and this was a great way to begin The Whiskeys series. Truman will do what every it takes to protect and take care of those he loves. He paid the ultimate price and is now trying to rebuild his life. When his mother suddenly dies, he discovers that he has a baby brother and toddler sister he never knew he had. There was never a doubt that he will take them in and care for them. When this big bad clueless man is fumbling thru shopping for necessities late at night, Gemma happens to notice, and steps in to help. Gemma can't help but swoon over the patient, loving, gentle giant. They come from two very different worlds, but fall easily and completely for each other. As their worlds collide and secrets come to light, they must decide if their love is strong enough to endure. I enjoyed Paul Woodson's deep, seductive voice that easily lured me into this story, bringing it to life. His inflections were spot on and his intonations help to make this romance even more captivating! I really enjoyed this heartfelt, sexy romance and am excited to find out more about the Whiskeys!

Good book!!

This was a heartwarming read that I could not get enough of once I started! The issues addressed in this book are ones that can be relate-able with the addiction issues, abuse, suicide and single parenthood. Truman and Gemma were well written characters that were believable with the issues that they were dealing with. They were strong with a sense of family importance especially with how Truman stepped up to take care of Kennedy and Lincoln, siblings that he did not know about as well as getting his other brother, Quincy the help that he needed. Gemma was a strong character in that she stepped in to help Truman as well as dealing with her issues with her mother and her feelings with her father's suicide. Their story moved along well and had me hooked from the start. The narration by Mr Woodson was performed well and was entertaining. He did well bringing the characters to life.

Very enjoyable story :)

4 stars

This was a very good story. I liked both Gemma and Truman and enjoyed their story.

Gemma is the owner of a "Princess store" where little girls can come to dress like a Princess (any kind of Princess) and have parties/events. Gemma was raised by rich parents that never gave her any attention and she felt the lack. Gemma moved away from her family's money and social ties to start her own life and to hopefully find love and happiness.

Truman is an auto mechanic that was in prison until 6 months ago. Truman was thrown in jail for manslaughter but didn't commit the crime. He came out a lot harder than when he went in but he's still a good guy under it all. When Truman's mother dies and he finds out he has a young brother and sister that need taken care of, he turns his life upside-down to take them in and give them a home.

Luckily for Truman, he happens to meet Gemma the night he gets the kids...while he's in a Walmart desperately trying to figure out what supplies to buy for the kids. Gemma sees his distress and at first, she wonders if he's kidnapped the kids or what is going on. After watching him with the kids and seeing how sweet and caring he is with them, Gemma offers to help him figure things out. In return for her help, Truman offers to fix a dent in her car and this leads to their second meeting and the eventual start of their relationship.

This story is a bit of an insta-love story but they don't drop the L-bomb immediately, it's just awfully quick. But it doesn't seem rushed, it's more like they just met and everything fell together just right so they knew that what they had was "right". Gemma has a motherly heart so she didn't have an issue with the kids...she really loved the kids from the beginning. There was a bit of drama when she found out about Truman's prison time because Truman didn't feel her could tell her the truth without betraying his brother. Thankfully, Gemma was able to accept it and start a relationship with Truman but the whole situation caused some definite difficulties. Gemma and Truman just clicked with each other though and it allowed them to work past the issues facing them and make a good life with the kids so they end the story starting on a HEA as a family.

This was a very enjoyable story. Gemma was a pretty normal woman but she was very likable and I didn't have any complaints with her character. Truman was great, he seemed tough but he was really a big teddy bear inside. He's very protective of those he cares about and he applied that liberally to Gemma and the kids. Things went quickly but it worked...I really liked how Gemma and Truman clicked and went with it. Overall, I liked both the characters and story very much so I'd recommend it. :)

Great narration. Sweet story.

Well, I try not to judge a book by its cover, but holy exploding ovaries, people! Just look at it!!! It’s sigh worthy. Is it any wonder that Gemma fell for Truman?

The book is an overall light read, something that surprised me given the heavy topics addressed: imprisonment, drug addiction and death. I think the topics were handled sensitively without having the story spiral downwards into a pool of angst.

I found the romance between Truman and Gemma to be quite smooth sailing, with most of the drama coming from external sources. In addition to getting to know one another, they learned to rely on each other; something neither felt comfortable doing with others. Truman was my favourite character. His steadfastness and commitment to his family never wavered.

I have no idea why, but I enjoy romance audiobooks narrated solely by men, and Paul Woodson does a great job in bringing Truman to life. The tone and pacing were spot on and his female voice was pleasant to listen to.

Heartfelt Romance

I loved this story so much. It really tugs on your heart strings. Gemma and Truman have similar yet completely opposite pasts. These two have a great chemistry and wonderful supporting characters as well. A definite recommendation. Also loved the narration.

Tattoed guy and a baby--how sweet!

This book dealt with some heavy issues: drug addiction, murder and abandoned children. The hero, Truman, is an ex-convict. He had a really harsh past, but is all about taking care of others. Gemma, on the other hand, had an upbringing with lots of money and all the trappings...everything except the love she craved from her parents. When the two come together, they find the love they both need. It's not always easy. Can they forge a lasting bond, or will the past may come back to tear them apart?
My very favorite part of the book was towards the beginning when Truman has taken over the care of his much, much younger siblings and is trying to figure out what babies and toddlers need in Wal-Mart. Gemma comes to the rescue of the hard core, heavily tatted man in a very amusing scene.
I listened to the audio version of Tru Blue and it was very welcome to have a different narrator, Paul Woodson, for her book after to listening to many by the same narrator. He did a great job and the gruffer voice was appropriate for the story.

All the FEELS!!!

Any additional comments?

A very sweet, feel good story which had me swooning and my ovaries exploding!! This is a great story for when you are after a book that will leave you with happy heart feels and goosebumps!