ARC Review: Ever After by Jude Deveraux

Ever After
Author: Jude Deveraux
Series: Nantucket Brides, Book 3
Publication: Ballantine Books (June 23, 2015)

Description: New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux’s eagerly awaited third novel in her blockbuster Nantucket Brides trilogy continues the spellbinding saga of the Montgomery-Taggerts, set on an island steeped in beauty and unforgettable romance.

Life is anything but perfect for Hallie Hartley, a young physical therapist who has given up nearly everything—even her love life—for her beautiful blonde stepsister, Shelly. Though Shelly’s acting career has never taken off, she has certainly perfected the crocodile tears to get what she wants—which all too often means Hallie’s boyfriends. When Hallie arrives home early from work one fateful day, she makes two startling discoveries that will turn her life upside down: Not only has a mysterious relative left Hallie a house on Nantucket, but Shelly has been trying to steal it. Desperate to put her troubles behind her, Hallie impulsively flies to Nantucket.

New trouble, however, has already settled into Hallie’s guest room in the form of her newest client. Hallie is told that wealthy, young James Taggert has injured his leg in a skiing accident. Assuming that the devastatingly handsome man has led a charmed life, Hallie is surprised by Jamie at every turn throughout his recovery. His attentions draw her out of her shell—but he has a dark secret, and is tormented by nightmares that only her presence can keep at bay. She suspects there’s more to his injury than he’s letting on.

On this gorgeous island rich in history, magic is everywhere, even in Hallie’s own backyard. As Jamie’s relatives arrive for a wedding gala, something wonderfully unusual is in the air. There’s an aura of romance—enhanced by a pair of matchmaking ghosts and a colorful island legend. In their own little corner of the world, Jamie and Hallie unravel the timeless secrets of their own hearts, and a very special story of True Love destined to last forever after.

My Thoughts: The third book in Deveraux's Nantucket trilogy was just as wonderful as the first two books. Our heroine is Hallie Hartley; our hero is James Taggert. Hallie is a physical therapist and Jamie is in need of one. Hallie has inherited a house on Nantucket which she almost never finds out about as her younger stepsister has decided to impersonate Hallie and steal her house. Hallie walks in just as Shelly is signing the papers accepting the inheritance. To get away from her scheming stepsister, Hallie decides to go to Nantucket and use her skills as a physical therapist to assist a man who has torn all four ligaments in his knee.

This story is filled with Montgomerys and Taggerts including a group that Hallie refers to as the "naked cousins". Jamie has come to Nantucket to get away from the constant cossetting of his huge family. Hallie doesn't know it (she thinks he is an idle playboy) but Jamie was a soldier injured in a Humvee attack in Afghanistan. He is suffering from a number of physical injuries and is also suffering from nightmares and PTSD.

The story also has ghosts. The house Hallie inherits was once the home of two beautiful young women who died tragically of fever just after one of the girls' wedding. They have been determined to help the residents of the house find true love ever since.

In addition to Jamie's secrets, other obstacles to a romance between the two are Jamie's twin brother Todd who is suspicious of Hallie's motives and Hallie's life-long crush on her hero and next door neighbor Braden who is now a lawyer.

This was a very nice story about two people who are both dealing with scars that seem to prevent them from falling in love. I liked the romance and I really liked seeing the cameos from characters in other books in the trilogy.

Favorite Quote:

She looked about the pretty room. "I don't know if there are ghosts here, but I'd certainly like some help right now. Everything in my life is changing and I don't know if it's for good or bad. I like this man Jamie a lot. I tell myself he's not for me, but then I see him and...I don't know, I'm drawn to him."

I got this eARC from Penguin's First to Read program. You can buy your copy here.