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True Blue Forever
At the fifth grade honors program, three eleven-year-old boys are captivated by a brilliant little red-haired girl named Jeana Russell as she recites the poem she wrote. They know this girl is special, and each boy secretly vows to win her heart.
Jeana thinks she'll never find a boy like the men in the novels she loves to read, so when Mickey Royal moves back to Alabama from Washington after the death of his father, Jeana is baffled by her instant attraction to this three-sport athlete with the bluest eyes she's ever seen. Wade Strickland is Jeana's childhood friend and the first boy she ever kissed. When Mickey arrives, the two boys are set on a path to violence from their first encounter. Billy Joe DuBose is Jeana's wise-cracking best friend. Jeana doesn't know how he really feels about her, but his love for her is clear to everyone else.
How will the lives of these four teenagers change on their journey to adulthood, and which boy will ultimately succeed in winning Jeana's heart?
Jeana thinks she'll never find a boy like the men in the novels she loves to read, so when Mickey Royal moves back to Alabama from Washington after the death of his father, Jeana is baffled by her instant attraction to this three-sport athlete with the bluest eyes she's ever seen. Wade Strickland is Jeana's childhood friend and the first boy she ever kissed. When Mickey arrives, the two boys are set on a path to violence from their first encounter. Billy Joe DuBose is Jeana's wise-cracking best friend. Jeana doesn't know how he really feels about her, but his love for her is clear to everyone else.
How will the lives of these four teenagers change on their journey to adulthood, and which boy will ultimately succeed in winning Jeana's heart?
- GenresYoung Adult
452 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2003
3 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Sterling Scarbrough
21 books44 followersJoyce is an intelligent Southern woman weary of seeing herself and her peers portrayed in books and movies as either post-antebellum debutantes or barefoot hillbillies á la Daisy Duke, so all her heroines are smart, unpretentious women who refuse to be anyone but themselves. In addition to her novels, she has short stories featured in several anthologies.
Joyce has lived all her life in southern Alabama, she's the mother of three gifted children, and she's been married for over 30 years to her husband Tony—a public school teacher, coach extraordinaire, and the love of her life.
Joyce has lived all her life in southern Alabama, she's the mother of three gifted children, and she's been married for over 30 years to her husband Tony—a public school teacher, coach extraordinaire, and the love of her life.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 13, 2013
I received this book as a prize for a Sandy Hook auction from a local Mobile author who also is a member of the same writer's guild as I'm in. So yea, I'm pretty special. :) I don't usually read this kind of book but I was surprised at how fast I got sucked in to the lives and loves of Jeana, Mickey, Billy Joe and Wade. The red-headed beauty with brains and her three helpless-to-fall-in-love-with-her jocks.
It could be the Southern, laid-back writing style, or my own personal high school experiences flooding back, or maybe it's just the sweet reminder of a true blue forever kind of love that lasts through O'Henry-type sacrifices.
I really enjoyed this book and plan on ready more from Mrs. Scarborough.
It could be the Southern, laid-back writing style, or my own personal high school experiences flooding back, or maybe it's just the sweet reminder of a true blue forever kind of love that lasts through O'Henry-type sacrifices.
I really enjoyed this book and plan on ready more from Mrs. Scarborough.
December 8, 2016
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
*I received this book as part of a Vlog tour in exchange for my honest review*
Jeana, Wade and Billy Joe have made it to senior year! Mickey and Jeana are still madly in love, Wade is still a pain and Billy Joe is still the best friend Mickey and Jeana could ask for. Just as Jeana and Wade think they can become friends again, tragedy strikes and Jeana must make the most difficult decisions she's ever had to make.
GAAAAAAH, I have so many problems with this book... I really enjoyed the first quarter of the book when a lot of the action occurred and the tragedy struck. But as the story progressed I became more and more frustrated. I still think that the relationship between Jeana and Mickey was extremely abusive. I didn't like them together at all! Everything could have been easily avoided if they had been responsible with their actions, which I would like to point out they were preaching about through out the entire book than blatantly disregarded because Jeana overreacted to something. Half the things Jeana did had no logic whatsoever behind them if she had sat and actually thought about what she was doing. SO MUCH FRUSTRATION, SO LITTLE TIME.
I did enjoy the story for the most part though and I did find the book hard to put down because I wanted to know what would happen next. I still love Billy Joe and I did like his relationship with Jeana. It was very obvious to see how much he cared for her.
Overall, the trilogy was enjoyable, but it did have its problems for me.
*I received this book as part of a Vlog tour in exchange for my honest review*
Jeana, Wade and Billy Joe have made it to senior year! Mickey and Jeana are still madly in love, Wade is still a pain and Billy Joe is still the best friend Mickey and Jeana could ask for. Just as Jeana and Wade think they can become friends again, tragedy strikes and Jeana must make the most difficult decisions she's ever had to make.
GAAAAAAH, I have so many problems with this book... I really enjoyed the first quarter of the book when a lot of the action occurred and the tragedy struck. But as the story progressed I became more and more frustrated. I still think that the relationship between Jeana and Mickey was extremely abusive. I didn't like them together at all! Everything could have been easily avoided if they had been responsible with their actions, which I would like to point out they were preaching about through out the entire book than blatantly disregarded because Jeana overreacted to something. Half the things Jeana did had no logic whatsoever behind them if she had sat and actually thought about what she was doing. SO MUCH FRUSTRATION, SO LITTLE TIME.
I did enjoy the story for the most part though and I did find the book hard to put down because I wanted to know what would happen next. I still love Billy Joe and I did like his relationship with Jeana. It was very obvious to see how much he cared for her.
Overall, the trilogy was enjoyable, but it did have its problems for me.
March 24, 2012
Let me start by saying, TRUE BLUE FOREVER is my favorite book...ever.
Jeana Russell recites a poem at her fifth grade honors program. Three boys in the audience fall hopelessly in love with the flame-haired young lady.
"One day she'll be my girl."
The story follows the teen years of Jeana, Mickey, Billy Joe, and Wade, and though all 3 boys fight for her affections, her heart belongs to only one. You will root for Billy Joe and weep for Wade as they come to the realization that she is hopelessly in love with Mickey.
If you enjoy quality fiction, then True Blue Forever is for you. This novel has believable characters that become so real, you want to reach in the story and hug them! This tale of adolescent love is so compelling, it will make you laugh and cry, and will definitely help you remember your first true love. True Blue Forever is a must read, and sure to become a classic. Sometimes love is sweet, sometimes it is magical, and once in a lifetime it is true blue. Bravo, Ms. Scarbrough!
Jeana Russell recites a poem at her fifth grade honors program. Three boys in the audience fall hopelessly in love with the flame-haired young lady.
"One day she'll be my girl."
The story follows the teen years of Jeana, Mickey, Billy Joe, and Wade, and though all 3 boys fight for her affections, her heart belongs to only one. You will root for Billy Joe and weep for Wade as they come to the realization that she is hopelessly in love with Mickey.
If you enjoy quality fiction, then True Blue Forever is for you. This novel has believable characters that become so real, you want to reach in the story and hug them! This tale of adolescent love is so compelling, it will make you laugh and cry, and will definitely help you remember your first true love. True Blue Forever is a must read, and sure to become a classic. Sometimes love is sweet, sometimes it is magical, and once in a lifetime it is true blue. Bravo, Ms. Scarbrough!
August 13, 2016
Sooooo sweet. The characters were easy to relate to & I couldn't put it down after the first half. Cried through the last few chapters.
"...he either liked her the way she was or he could find some other girl to make weak in the knees."
"And, although there was never a shortage of adoring females willing to put up with his obnoxiousness in exchange for riding around with him in his yellow Corvette, Jeana made sure he knew she wasn't interested in ever being one of them."
"...she wondered how the boy who had made her feel so safe and protected could be the same one who had hurt her today."
"Then you're the artist, because I didn't exist until you kissed me."
"What mother wouldn't be proud of a daughter who possesses the kind of selfless love that most people spend their entire lives searching for?"
"...he either liked her the way she was or he could find some other girl to make weak in the knees."
"And, although there was never a shortage of adoring females willing to put up with his obnoxiousness in exchange for riding around with him in his yellow Corvette, Jeana made sure he knew she wasn't interested in ever being one of them."
"...she wondered how the boy who had made her feel so safe and protected could be the same one who had hurt her today."
"Then you're the artist, because I didn't exist until you kissed me."
"What mother wouldn't be proud of a daughter who possesses the kind of selfless love that most people spend their entire lives searching for?"
July 17, 2012
Let me first say that this is not my “usual” kind of book, however this book was recommended to me so I took a chance. The story begins simple enough but then as the pages began to pass a complex gem emerges with the ability of penetrating straight through you. The story is a roller coaster that straps you in and takes you on the scenic route into a young girls journey through those later years of high school, and that time period in everyone’s young life, where you figure out who you really are as a person. I found this story profound with an easy southern touch. Joyce Scarbrough’s talent for weaving a tale is evident and her ability to delicately put words to paper is inspiring. I found this story simply a delightful read.
July 27, 2012
It's just a good ass book. The woman can flat out write. I've never been let down by anything I've ever read from her, but she exceeded expectations with this one. Authentic locales and characters made me feel like I was at vigor with them.
December 14, 2016
**I received this book for free as part of a Vlog Tour in exchange for an honest review**
Here is the link to my spoiler free review of the entire trilogy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUIHk...
Here is the link to my spoiler free review of the entire trilogy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUIHk...
December 27, 2016
I have done a full review on this book on my BookTube channel if you would like to hear more of my thoughts. Link here: https://youtu.be/lL0UOn2Heeo
Disclaimer: I received this book for free as part of a Vlog Tour in exchange for honest review.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free as part of a Vlog Tour in exchange for honest review.
January 23, 2017
Compulsive reading here. Read it in two nights--haven't done that in a long time.
Entertaining and heart-felt characters with a strong voice.
P.S. And the teaser in the back for the author's next book is perfect.
Entertaining and heart-felt characters with a strong voice.
P.S. And the teaser in the back for the author's next book is perfect.
December 19, 2016
Enjoyable and entertaining
July 27, 2022
Loved it! I lived in Chickasaw, went to Vigor High School, K.J. Clark, Peter Joe Hamilton as well. It was last of the 1960's and the first of the 1970's. My hometown growing up ... the Wonder Years!
Sweet memories!
Sweet memories!
Read
February 15, 2020I wish I could get the time back I spent reading this.
Just not impressed.
Just not impressed.
June 21, 2019
Just finished reading the True Blue Trilogy and all three books are amazing!! I was drawn in and hooked by the first book, True Blue. Let’s just say I missed a lot of sleep because I didn’t want to put the next two books, Royal Blue (book 2) and True Blue Forever (book three), down. These are all great reads!! The author makes you feel like you are there with the characters, supporting, rooting for, and believing in them. They are so realistic and definitely bring you back to your childhood.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews