EARTH’S THE RIGHT PLACE FOR LOVE by Elizabeth Berg

5 stars

This charming, warm, emotional coming-of-age story and romance takes place in 1947 Missouri, when times seemed simpler, and society found itself on the rebound from WWII. Arthur, a shy, unconfident, kind, and compassionate 16-year-old, grows up in the long shadow of his dashing, charming, athletic, and intellectual older brother Frank, a high school senior and aspiring writer. The boys share a room and share confidences at night, and Arthur relies on Frank as his best and perhaps only friend. Arthur has a deep crush on one of the it-girls in his class, Nola, who in turn has a crush on Frank, who in turn is falling in love with his young English teacher Mary. Much of the book centers on sorting out this triangulation.

But darkness also rips through this novel as a powerful underbelly to its small town idyllic, nothing-much-happens-here surface. Their house is far from happy, as their war veteran father fights his demons. The father often drinks to excess, picks fights at bars, and at home takes out his frustrations by beating on Frank. Their mother stands by, not intervening. A tornado destructively rips through town, much like their father’s out of control emotions. Frank’s affair with Mary has unexpected, deep complications.

Ultimately, love conquers all and indeed Earth seems like a perfect place to nurture love. The warm, folksy lessons of this book stay with you long after you finish reading.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.