Cover Image: True to Me

True to Me

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Member Reviews

Author Kay Bratt has completely captivated me, yet again, in this beautifully written novel filled with secrets, love, and forgiveness. Quinn has resented her father for more years than she cares to admit, but her mother's deathbed confession puts Quinn's life in a complete tailspin. Promising to take her mother's ashes back to Maui, Quin intends to find out the truth about her birth. Starting her search in her mother's birthplace, Quinn begins to put the puzzle together as she learns more about her mother. Leaving her life behind, including her fiancé, Quinn begins to see the beauty surrounding her and with the help of some new friends, finds that Maui has the power to heal. I was completely mesmerized by this beautiful story and was drawn in from the very beginning. Author Kay Bratt writes with passion, straight from the heart! The emotions I felt as I was reading Quinn's story only added to the magic. I cannot wait to see more from this amazing author! I would like to thank NetGalley and the Author for this Advanced Review Copy. All opinions and thoughts are solely my own.
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I always love books by this Authors, she has a very compelling way of telling a story.
Quinn Maguire, is living a predictable life, with a good job, a handsome although controlling Fiance and a nice apartment, but when her mother dies, this life she knows is put on hold as she will go on a journey she never expected.
On her death bed, her mother tells Quinn that the absentee father she has always heard about and resented is not her real father after all.
Her mother asked her to take her ashes back to her homeland on the island of Maui,  and now Quinn has even more reason to go, and try to find out who she really is and why she was never told the truth.
This book has some wonderful characters, who draw you into their lives as well as the native Hawaiian customs, it is a story about family and its importance, about respect  and definitely about a pace of life that Quinn has been craving without even knowing it.
The story has some mystery, some romance and some cleaning up of a past, which is all she has known.
A wonderful story which mainly takes place in Hawaii. So readable, I did not want to put it down for too long.
Looking very forward to her next story, which seems to follow some of these characters.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book.
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Kay Bratt's True to Me is not only about Quinn's personal journey of discovery and the road to healing, but it's also about the beautiful island of Maui and the people who have their roots there.

The twists and turns in Quinn's life kept me turning pages, wanting to know how she'd find the truth about her life, the when, where, who - all the things. The memories, emotions and discoveries of Quinn's journey are skillfully woven into the beautiful descriptions of many of Maui's most gorgeous places through the talent of the author. 

If, like me, you've never had the pleasure of a trip to Maui, reading this story will make you feel as if you were there, climbing to the waterfalls or on the narrow winding road to Hana.

Pick this book up and take a beautiful trip to Maui that is filled to overflowing with many emotions, much love and insights into the heritage and love of family that makes the people of Maui so special.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC at my request. All thoughts in this review are my own and happily given because I loved this book.
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I don't even know where to begin with all the ways in which this book was wonderful. Grateful to the author and publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this upcoming novel. Kay Bratt is one of the best in her genre. The loss of a mother, a deathbed confession, a trip to scatter her mother's ashes. The journey leads our main character to places she never thought possible. It forces her to reevaluate her life, her relationship and who she is. There is awful betrayal in this book, secrets, but so much love, hope and happiness. I laughed and I cried. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and did not want it to end. I do believe there will be a sequel and I will wait impatiently for it to come around. This book is a must read.
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I began looking forward to the sequel after reading the first chapter.   So many similarities to my life.  Kay did an amazing job showing all the emotions of Quinn.  Lots of twists and turns I didn’t see coming.  Kept me hooked till the end.
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True to Me is a heartwarming story about a women’s journey as she seeks to learn about her mother’s past and determine her own future.  Quinn Maguire has just lost her mother, and her mother’s deathbed confession has shattered her world and everything she has ever believed to be true.  Quinn’s fiancé, Ethan, wanted them to combine scattering her mother’s ashes in Maui with a vacation and what he feels can be the start of the rest of their lives together.  Quinn can’t do this, she and her mother were their own little family, and now she needs to go to Maui alone to see if her whole life has been a lie.

As I said, True to Me is a heartwarming story and a pretty good mystery as Quinn tries to unravel all the facts and rumors she’s learned about her mother’s past.  However, I think I am in the minority of readers that didn’t totally love this story, as I had some serious issues with it.  The pace was slow and the tale predictable until about two-thirds of the way through.  Many events just did not ring true to me.  Although Quinn is supposedly successful in business she is a very awkward person, and not usually in an endearing way.  It’s obvious that her relationship with Ethan was missing something but she kind of scrapped it pretty quickly, but then again had what seemed to be an overly dramatic reaction when she found out about Gina (“body going into a fetal position as she fought to protect herself from the onslaught of thoughts and the sudden nausea”), especially considering the attraction that seems to be building between her and Liam.  Overall a lot of confusing signals.

Quinn isn’t really very likable until we are well into the book, so it’s hard to feel sympathy or empathy for/with her as she experiences a lot of her struggles.  There is a good mystery and a lot of action and danger as more and more facts becomes known and a very enjoyable cast of supporting characters, and in the end I was rooting for Quinn to have her happily ever after, wherever that may be.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of True to Me. All opinions are my own.
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This is an amazing book.  Kay Bratt at her best.  Don't get me wrong all of her books are amazing.  But,  True To Me is exceptional.  This story hits every emotion, every relationship in life, every life issue, hertigage, DNA and more.  You will run the  gauntlet of emotions while reading thru twists and turns.  I don't want to give details.  You need to read this and experience the story first hand.   I hope this book is made into a movie.  Move over Nicholas Sparks, Danielle Steele, Kay Bratt is on the rise.
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I will leave a review on Amazon or B&N Dec 10, 2019

I received the ARC of True to Me from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion of this book.

My first book by this author, and I found it amazing. It contained so many emotions from deceit, betrayal, forgiveness and redemption. Quinn is determined to find out whom her birth father is after her mothers death, I thought the book was so well written it seemed like I was right there in the book following along beside Quinn to find out what would happen next. I would highly recommend this book to others.
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This was such a great read! Interesting and descriptive, touching on quite a raw subject that many people find out later on in life, it didn't disappoint. Well written and definitely worth reading.  

Quinn has a good job, fiance ad whilst without feeling you were being 

Quinn Maguire has a stable life, a good job, a fiancé, and a home, but everything changes, when on her mother's deathbed, she learns that who she thought was her father wasn't.  Wanting to learn more, she heads off to Maui, her mother's childhood home.  

Uncovering her family history is more than she could have imagined, but it also leads her to learn more about herself!
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Kay Bratt writes with her Aloha Spirit in this book. What an empowering story! Quinn is finally strong enough to find herself and takes us on an emotional heartwarming story while doing so. I couldn’t put this page turner down!  No doubt you’ll  love it too!!
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Quinn Maguire has it all, a good job, a handsome fiance', a stable, normal life.  That all changes, however, when her mother reveals a secret on her deathbed.

After her mother's passing, Quinn decided to go to Maui to spread her mother's ashes, as requested, and search for the truth.  Who is or was her father?  Is he still alive?  Does she have more family, or is she truly alone in this world?

Quinn's quest for truth in Maui gives her time away from her fiance' and the time to reflect on who she was, is, and will be...and, if Ethan is the man she should marry after all.  

Beautifully written.  This is a story that takes us on a journey for truth and revelation about life, love, and finding one's true self.
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Looking for an inspiring read that is uplifting and fun? Kay Bratt's latest book is just the ticket. True to Me takes you to Hawaii with a heroine who is looking to wrap up some loose ends in her life. Quinn Maguire's time in Hawaii leads to new friendships and a love of the island she is discovering. But it is mostly a journey of self discovery. Quinn came to Maui to find out more information about her roots and is met with many more questions than answers. Following along on her journey of self discovery, we learn that for Quinn, answers about her own past will come only when she has discovered more about her inner self. Bonus? The author's descriptions of special spots in Maui that Quinn and friends visit have made me add Maui to my list of places to visit!
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Quinn thinks she knows the path her life is on, she has a fiancé, a good job and her future looks bright.  Then on her mother’s death bed confesses that her MIA father that Quinn resented for the last 30 years was not her real father.  Before Quinn can ask any questions her mother is gone.  Quinn decides to return to her mother’s childhood home in Maui.  Quinn is determined to discover her mother’s relatives and try to understand what had cause her mother to leave.
Time away from her life has given her clarity and slowly Quinn is becoming who she was meant to be. Will Quinn stay with her fiancé who questions her every move? Will Quinn through DNA testing find out who her relatives are?  Will Quinn decide she wants to return to her fiancé and life off the island? Will Maui, the home of her mother tempt her to build a life their?
This is a delightful story about a woman’s journey to learn how to be true to herself.  It is about family, friends and forgiveness.  I enjoyed reading this story and the twists and turns along the way.
Thanks to Netgalley for the complimentary copy.  The thoughts and opinions are my own.
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This book, part mystery and very emotional, as well as about forgiveness and family, should be read by everyone. Quinn was raised by her mother. Her mother named a father, but on her death bed she told Quinn he wasn’t actually her father. Quinn feels she must find her father, and any other family she may have. Through a DNA test, and help from a friend, she is able to find her family.The author’s writing style makes you feel you are right there with Quinn through her journey. I read this book in one day, because it was so good and I couldn't put it down, I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing. All opinions expressed here are my own.
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One of my most treasured books ever! Author, Kay Bratt, knows how to tug at one's heartstrings. This book made me laugh and cry as I felt such a connection with her protagonist, Quinn. Bratt delves into familial relationships and takes the reader through a gamut of emotions. This book is a true gem!
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Kay has done it again! This was a great book to read.  Hard to put down. Quinn is on a journey to find out who she is. Her mom has passed away and Quinn travels to Hawaii to spread her ashes. She encounters some problems along the way. Quinn has the courage to step out and take charge of her own life and overcome her fears. This is a great book about  finding the truth and forgiveness. . I can’t wait for the sequel to come out!  Thank you to Netgalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
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A riveting tale of forgiveness, family, and friendship (old and new). I was captivated from the first chapter and struggled to put this book down when reality intervened. I enjoyed traveling with Quinn to Maui and picturing in my mind the places mentioned that I experienced years ago. Quinn’s journey to understand her mother’s past so that she might understand herself was very realistic as were the emotions she had to cope with as each stage of her journey brought unexpected revelations. Kay Bratt has a real gift to craft and weave words and storylines together to make her stories come alive in her books. I hope that she is working on another installment to this story because I feel there is so much more to explore in each of the characters and Quinn’s journey is not over.
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Oh, how I loved this story!
Let me start by saying that I have long been a fan of Kay Bratt's writing, and have read every one of her books. True is Me is so very different than any of her others. Set in Hawaii, though I have never been, I felt as though I was experiencing the beauty, lifestyle, traditions, and culture of Maui. I fell in love with the main characters in the story, and came to care about the outcomes of each of them. What I liked most about this book is the fact that family is who we love and who loves us, and that we can have deep, loving relationships with our family of choice. Quinn, the central character in True to Me, uncovers some tightly kept family secrets after her mother delivers a hint just before she dies. The mystery involved kept me turning pages long into the night, and I was rewarded with a beautiful saga, rich with deep emotion, that had me shedding silent tears in one of the last scenes. I highly recommend reading True to Me by Kay Bratt.

I received a pre-publication copy to read in exchange for my honest review. ♥
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Another great book by Kay Bratt. Kay will lead you on a tour thru Hawaii while you're beside the main character and rooting for her to find her roots. I could almost feel the sand between my toes and see the sunsets on the ocean. You will also learn a little of the lingo of the islands and the traditions of the people there. You will get pulled into the storyline of Quinn after her mother tells her a secret on her deathbed that sends her back to her mother's homeland of Hawaii. It's a quick read that you will have a hard time putting down and hoping it never ends. Crossing my fingers for this book to be a start of a trilogy.
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Kay Bratt has written a beautiful heartfelt novel with “True To Me”.

Quinn’s truly emotional journey was one that instantly drew me in and had me right there with her through the happy and the sad times. Complex and tear jerking at times! I loved this story and found it hard to put down!

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for an emotional journey!

I received this book from the author in exchange for fair and honest review.
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