True to Me (A By the Sea Novel) by Kay Bratt
Just finished this amazing book and I can honestly say it was amazing! I couldn’t put it down – in fact, I finished reading it in the middle of the night because I couldn’t stop reading!
This is a heartwarming story of Quinn and how her life is turned upside down when her Mother passes away and reveals her Father is not her biological parent. That is all she says …
You learn about acceptance, love, forgiveness, kindness and even some Hawaiian words!
A great read from a great author – highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy.
#truetome #netgalley

True to Me is the first book I have read by author Kay Bratt. This was such a heartwarming story of forgiveness, secrets that had been kept for years and a young woman's journey in finding out who she really is.
Once I sat down to read I didn't put the book down until the very end.
I found myself totally engrossed in the story and the descriptions of Maui had me seeing the beauty of the island.
Loved the book!!
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

I've read many books by Kay Bratt and so I expected to enjoy this book. I actually loved True to Me and couldn't put it down. I liked the pace that the story unfolded and was engaged the entire time. I appreciated discovering the wonders of Maui along with Quinn.

True to Me follows Quinn McGuire in her quest to find her true self. This beautifully written novel is set on the tropical island of Maui where Quinn seeks to find her father, a man she didn’t know existed until her mother’s deathbed confession. I loved everything about this book from the Hawaiian language to the family traditions practiced on the island. I was so surprised as the story began to come together at the end. I honestly couldn’t have predicted the outcome! I hope you will read True to Me and I hope you love it as much as I did. Five Shining Stars! Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

This book is a heartwarming story of long kept secrets, forgiveness, and a young womans journey to find herself. It is filled with amazing descriptions amd relatable characters.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Kay Bratt for the Advanced Readers Copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Loved this! Quinn is an accomplished woman who always did what others expected from her. The loss of her mother takes her on a quest of finding the family she always hoped it exists. She thought this is as simple as it sounds: use the DNA test to find a match, go to Hawaii to honor her mother's last wish, come back and continue on the same path. Things don't always go as planned and if you believe in "everything happens for a reason" you will understand why her mother waited until the last minute to reveal something very personal. This will completely change Quinn's life and especially the way she sees herself and the path she chooses for her future.
I really liked that the story takes you to a different side of the life in Hawaii, away from what tourists usually see/do, that not many have the privilege to know.
Looking forward to reading the sequel....

I absolutely loved this book,. From the title of the book to the last word, in the story I was hooked.. Well written, the storyline was easy to follow, the characters were well developed and the descriptiveness was amazing. Can’t wait for the next book by this author.

Kay Bratt  has done it again!  She reeled me in to the mystery of young woman's journey as she tries to discover the truth about who she really is and learn the secrets her mom kept from her all of her life.  I could not put the book down, I loved how each turn of the page brought more depth to the story, making me yearn for more about Quinn and her journey of self discovery as she fights for the truth abut her identity.  I enjoyed how an old feathered friend made an appearance during one of Quinn's outings with Liam!  (Clever Kay!)  Quinn learns so much more than she ever dreamed possible about herself and others characters. This journey that started, through grief brings about answers and connections to her past.  The best part of the story is knowing there is more to learn about the other characters and means there could be sequels, I can't wait!  Last night, I could  not put the book down and stayed up most of the night reading, tonight, I shall sleep and dream of being in Maui and visiting many of the places in the story.  I can feel that ocean breeze and see the waves lapping up on the sand!   
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Kay Bratt never disappoints!! Another great book!! Finding out the person you thought was your father actually isn't your father and to make it worse it's the last words your mother says to you before she passes away!! I love how Kay incorporates some of the ways of the Hawaiian people into this book! An absolute must read!!

“True to Me” was written by Kay Bratt for you and me. What a fabulous book!!! I started it on a Thursday afternoon and two days later, I finished it. I know it’s a cliché, but I couldn’t put the book down. It was that riveting.

The story is set in Hawaii. I wasn’t fond of Hawaii at all before I read the book. Through Kay Bratt’s knowledge of Hawaii, descriptions of the island, characters, and dialogue, I came to love Maui. The customs, the foods, the families, and the island itself all became alive with every word.

But unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and so must a book. “True to Me” is a masterful masterpiece. A contagious read. I highly recommend it for everyone. I can’t wait for the movie!!

“True to Me” is another Kay Bratt spectacular novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Kay Bratt has done it again. I started True to Me on a long car ride home, got home, walked in the door sat down and continued to read until it was finished. To say this is one of my favourite books I have read this year would be an understatement. As an avid reader it is rare to come across a book that captivates my interest so fully and True to Me did just that. I found myself immersed immediately and deeply into the journey of Quinn and her quest to seek answers to who she is genetically through DNA.
The vivid and descriptive way of writing brought the imagery and beauty of the island of Maui to life so much so that one could almost hear the waves gently rolling in and feel the warmth of the sand between your toes! I cannot wait to read the next installment in this series!
Thank you to Net Galley for my advanced review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have always wanted to visit Hawaii, unable to but then a book took me there I thoroughly enjoy the books by Kay Bratt and this was no exception. She sets the pace, makes it easy to know the characters, and ends with an easy to read VERY enjoyable book. Quinn is placed in a difficult situation after her Mother tells her a secret on her deathbed. The secret leads Quinn to Hawaii, leaving behind a fiancé whose questions only add to all the trama on the Island. Can Quinn find herself back to who she really is and wants. True To Me reminded me of one thing my Dad taught me...To Thine Own Self Be True. Read this great, easy read, well worded novel and enjoy the time spent with all the characters. (less)

This book was hard to put down! Quinn’s journey to find her family and herself is full of amazing characters and Hawaii is one of the main ones. The descriptions of this beautiful place made me almost feel as if I were there. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Another enjoyable read. Took me to a place I may never get to visit. Quinn finally found happiness. Stayingwith the wrong was not her option..

I think this has been my favorite book by Bratt so far, and that's no small feat (since I've loved them all!) Once I started reading, I absolutely could not put it down. An exquisite tale of family, friendship, and "pono," True to Me left me with a deeper appreciation of myself and all those that I am connected to.

I felt an immediate connection with Quinn, and am in awe of how Bratt carefully crafted such a relatable character who was flawed and vulnerable, yet stronger than she gave herself credit for. From those I loved to hate (namely Ethan) to those I just outright adored (Liam and Auntie Wang), the entire cast was populated with authentic, well-rounded characters and I could have sworn I was on the beaches of Maui there with them. The conclusion was absolutely perfect, though I certainly wouldn't be opposed to a follow-up tale to see where life takes Quinn next.

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and the author for my advanced review copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own!

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. As a lover of anything Hawaii related I have to say I was super excited to be able to read this book before it’s official publish date. I’ve been to Maui 4 times and it’s truly my favorite place in the world. It so magical that once you’ve been on the island, it’s almost like you’ve left a piece of yourself there when it’s time to go back home. But getting back to the book...I have all great things to say about it. I love the author’s style of writing. The chapters flow so nicely and she has a wonderful way of making you feel connected to all of the characters. And I honestly did LOVE all the characters in this book especially Quinn, Liam, Kupuna and Maggie. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I will say that I hope to see more of Liam in the sequel. There was a big shocker at the end of the book that I did not see coming at all. I love the bonds Quinn formed when she was in Maui trying to find out about her family. And I also liked the way the story all came together in the end. Also after being in Maui so many times I can honestly say that the author did a wonderful job in describing the beauty of the island. She took me back to many of the places that I‘ve been blessed to see.

My favorite line in the book was “But the article stated it was much more, that aloha meant “love,” “peace,” and “compassion.” More than a word, a life of aloha meant the heart was overflowing, and when using it, one should be sincerely happy to see the person they said it to”.

This is not my first book by Kay Bratt and it will definitely not be my last. I highly recommend True To Me and I look forward to reading many more books by this author.

Thank you to Net Galley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I absolutely LOVED this book. Not only is it a great story of using a DNA test in trying to find a long lost family, but it's a great venture through Hawaii and the cultures there. A woman finding her own strength to live for herself and capture her own dreams. The people she meets in her search for her family are extraordinary characters that I fell in love with. The scenery, the people, the story behind the story all make for one awesome read!!! Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC. All opinons are my own.

"Whatever you find at the end of the day, it will not change the person you are. But you may need to dig deep and find forgiveness for all that has transpired."
This quote is the theme of this beautifully written novel.
Quinn goes to Hawaii following her Mom's death. She needs to find an answer to her mom's final statement that her father was not her biological father.
The answers and peace that Quinn seeks must be in Maui where her mom grew up.
However, this trip is way more than Quinn will ever imagine!
You will find heartbreak, love, family, friendship, forgiveness and mystery throughout this incredible journey.

Well written and heartfelt, I found myself emotional so many times as I was reading. I definitely needed tissues!
I loved it!
Well done!