I can see effort in the making but not enough results, unfortunately.

The book is about pen pals, Ella and Chaos used to exchange letters without knowing each other, they had Ella's brother in common and a whole war going on in between, since Chaos is special ops. When Ella's brother dies due to Chaos's fault, he can't face Ella and never answers or even opens any of her letters. Many months later, comes the last letter from the brother entrusting Ella under Chaos's care. He knows she'll never let him close if she knew all the truth, that's why he introduces himself under his real name Beckett and starts their relationship from scratch. He also knows she hates liars.

I wish I could have have done a better job at the synopsis, I actually think it's a good trope. Makes me remember of one of the few Nicholas Sparks book I liked, though I forgot the name. Let's take care of the lonely but strong willed woman after her beloved was killed in the war. I also loved the characters, both Ella and Chaos are people I would love to meet and become friends with.

Kudos for descriptions related to the army and dispatches and what-not. I read the writer has lived through all that, and you could see while reading she had a great ability to fool readers or she knew it. And she does, you can count on reading about what it really feels to have a special person to you sent away to war. Of course I can't tell what is true and what is her imagination, but that was satisfying.

And this is where it derailed.

The scenes with the kids are cute (Ella has two kids), I liked their connection as twins and their interactions with both Ella and Chaos. I didn't like how they sounded too much older than their ages. Ella says they've been too much around adults, but I don't think it explains it well. But that wasn't a big issue, just a reason to frown a bit.

The thing is that this book dragged. And dragged. And dragged some more. The writing needs serious cleaning—which is not the writer's fault, edition could have told her that. I'm sure lots of people enjoy having to read five pages for what could have taken five lines; it's visibly not my case. In addition to this, the events weren't that interesting. I kept reading because I was curious about how Chaos was involved in the brother's death, and how Ella would find out about it all. The death was actually very shocking, made me gasp when I learned how it happened. Chaos's involvement? Blah. Ella's reaction? The one you predict from page one.

So this book drags, there are no plot twists to make up for it, and the conclusion... What the hell? Why? Of course I won't spoil but was that necessary? I do have to say I cried at this or that point of the book despite all, but I didn't enjoy this reading. I know I'm minority from the ratings out there, so bear it in mind as well.


Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

I had not read any prior books by this author and what an incredible story to introduce me to this author’s writing!!
This read was absolutely outstanding!
Top read of 2019!!
Powerful, solid and sensitive writing, I was completely enthralled by this emotional story.
E-mo-tion-al!!!
If you don’t like heartache and pain in a book...
Do. Not. Read. It!!
Captivating and poignant story of love and loss is the most heart wrenching and exquisite manner.
It is unlike any military romance I’ve ever read.
I honestly don’t know what to say about this story to give it justice because it’s a formidable and powerful story that will stay with me for a very long time.
Yes it’s heart wrenching and it’s a cry fest. However it was also inspiring about the trials and tribulations of life.
That’s what made it appealing that writing could evoke such strong emotions
I didn’t know what to expect and it was the best way to enjoy it...blindly!

This has been a very difficult review for me. See, I've been following Rebecca Yarros since her first book and I'm a fan of her stories. So it hurts a little to say that I wasn't bowled over by The Last Letter.

When Beckett promises his best friend Ryan that he would take care of his sister Ella if he didn't make it home from their military service, it wasn't a hard choice. Through the letters Beckett aka Chaos has shared with Ella and vice versa, he's pretty much in love with her by the time he gets to her. And she really does need him. I adored how each chapter started with one of their letters.

After being abandoned by the father of her twins, Ella is raising her twins alone. She also runs a resort. She's got her hands full, and her cup runeth over so to speak with bad news. Ella gets so much thrown at her and my heart was very heavy for all she goes through in this story. It's a good thing Beckett is there, even though they don't really accept each other at first.

The romance and love story between Beckett and Ella was sweet and one of the best parts of this book. They have a bit of a rocky road getting together and a few trust issues to work out, but I did love how Beckett took care of Ella even when she pushed him away. The issues I had with this book centered more around the content outside of the romance between these characters.

The sad parts of this story shredded me. I'm talking buckets of tears and boxes of tissues here. Normally that would be okay for me, but there was so much sad in this book that it didn't balance nicely with the good and I was left feeling sad at the end, even with a very inspirational ending. There just wasn't enough page time to recover from the things that happen toward the end of the book. So for that reason, I can't give this five stars, even though the writing and way the story is told is superb. Rebecca Yarros clearly put her heart and soul into this book, which is exactly why I struggled with this review.

So in a nutshell, if you are in the mood for a good cry, this might be the book you are looking for. There's a nice love story in there too.

An ARC was provided for review.

Could the tears rolling down my cheek be an indication of just how deeply The Last Letter affected me??

When a soldier gives each assignment everything he can, what does he have at the end of the day? For Chaos – there was no one to write home to. A soldier without a family that devoted everything he could to his military family. Ryan is one of the soldiers in Chaos’ platoon with a family waiting at home. A simple suggestion from Ryan for his sister Ella to write to Chaos, opened a door that began to creek open on its rusty hinges. A connection that Chaos never expected, but quickly realized that he couldn’t stand to do without.

Those words upon paper from Ella began to appear without cause. Moments that Chaos learned of Ella’s life with her twins and their newly thriving business. The two began conversing and sharing as much as Chaos was allowed to divulge. As the highs and lows in Ella’s life transpired across the miles, Chaos found himself looking forward to each letter that came his way. Then tragedy changed the course that these two had embarked upon’ leaving them both broken and shattered. What neither realized in that moment was how Ryan would once again lend his brotherly guidance in a way that both desperately needed.

The Last Letter is the latest release from Rebecca Yarros, and it is one I will not forget anytime soon!! With a plot that embroils itself into the lives of soldiers, The Last Letter is also a journey of faith and love. It’s the type of book that you think you are ready to begin, but quickly find that it sears your soul with the heartbreaking story that unfolds with the turn of each page. The story is ruthless, inspiring, and one that will grab your soul and spit it back out. Yeah…..it’s going to be a ride that you definitely will never forget!

While I am determined to make sure I don’t spill the beans on any of the details in the plot, I will share with you the emotional rollercoaster that I found myself pulled towards. The story is one that is full of hope, longing, tragedy, and rebirth. There isn’t really any emotion that skipped out on me while reading this book! My heart took a tumble and then was lifted up time and time again. A true roller coaster that left me wrung out from the journey.

One thing is certain – The Last Letter is unlike any other book Yarros has penned to paper. Every ounce of love, desperation, devotion, and heartache is delivered through the words that flow so freely in this book. An unforgettable story that left me with tears clinging to my lashes, but I wouldn’t trade that feeling in a million years!!

I knew going into this read just from that cover and the blurb it would require Kleenex. Still, I chose. Willingly.

Full disclosure. That cover. That blurb. My need to read something outside my comfort zone. IDK, The Polar Vortex?
Their combined forces screamed, "Pick ME!"

Contemporary military-themed romances are NOT my typical genre because I require a HEA or at least a HFN, and lets be real, war and death, no winners here. So when I came across this new-to-me-author, saw she lives the military life with children of her own, I was comfortable that my reading ♡ would be safe in her hands. I wanted raw honesty with a side of believable. At least I hoped.

I was so glad I didn't pass this one by.

There was a lot about this author's writing style and the plot format that worked for me. Learning about characters thru letters doesn't always work, but it truly was the glue that held Ella and Beckett's story together. So kudos that the title and cover represented their journey to each other.

I've not said much about their journey, and I won't. You really just need to go in with the cover and blurb as your guide. Because there was a lot I didn't see coming...more than a few fresh twists on what I expected to lean toward a Nicholas Sparks/Hallmark movie-like plot. Color me impressed that I was wrong about that assumption.
Did I mention already I was so glad I didn't pass this one by?

This story drew me in and will stay with me for a long time.
I've shelved it a a re-readable favorite.
That is recommendation enuf IMHO.
Well done, dear author. Well done.
My reading wish came true.

Voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For a letter to be the last one, there’s the implication that there were others that preceded it, and that is absolutely the case when it comes to the letters that the main characters wrote and the path that was chosen and taken based on the powerful exchange of words and the honesty woven throughout the sentences and paragraphs that filled the pages. And Rebecca Yarros uses her hero and heroine’s letters to shed light on the journey these two took apart as they weathered their respective trauma and endured more pain and suffering that any one person deserves. Every letter written mattered - each and every insight and truth that found their way onto the paper offered insight into their hearts, their minds, and their souls, because it was easier to be open and honest when the words are for someone who may know you on a deep level due to what is shared between you, but because there’s not a face to go along with the content of the letters, circumstances allow for the writing to be a cathartic act, and due to the nature of the lives that these two have had to live and struggle through, there’s no greater peace than sharing your heart and your soul with someone who doesn’t have the chance to fracture the remaining pieces of a more than fragile being…at least that’s what Ella thought…

There are a tremendous amount of layers to Ella and Beckett’s story, and the creative way that Yarros integrates the present-day moments that Ella and Beckett share with the intimate letters of the past allow readers to clearly see and understand just how embedded these two are in each other’s lives and have been so for quite some time, even when they’re thousands of miles away from one another and at least one’s identity is concealed for reasons that are explored and explained as the story continues.

Ella and Beckett are completely broken characters dealing with loss - coping in the only ways they know how - living with regret, with grief, and with overwhelming loneliness. Their pain resonates from the pages of the book; in fact, it’s so thoroughly fleshed out that pain becomes its own antagonizing and cruel character, holding on as tight as possible to these two struggling souls. Readers feel the intense emotions that the characters experience…every fracture made…every tormented thought that exists in their psyche and it’s difficult to not get lost in the maelstrom of feelings, thinking that there is no way out for these two…no way to deal with everything in a completely productive way, which means that Ella and Beckett will have to delve even further into the darkness, closing in and pressing on their hearts and their souls, before ever finding their way back to the light…before …to the hope they once had.


The Last Letter is so much more than a military romance…it’s so much more than two broken souls finding their way to one another despite the pain and grief that haunts them daily. It’s an overwhelmingly emotional journey - one realistically portrayed to convey life’s hardships…life’s cruelties…but also life’s second chances. It’s a story of lessons…a story of life…a story of loss, but ultimately, it’s a story of family…of brotherhood…of finding hope in the darkness…of realizing one’s worth. The characters’ journey becomes ours as we weather the storm with them, experiencing the highs and lows of their lives

Rebecca Yarros knows her way around military romances because she lives that life every day and has for decades, and while she may not have endured the level of loss and devastation that her characters have, it’s easy to tell from the story itself and the emotions that it evokes that Rebecca Yarros lived and breathed this book, opening herself in ways that not many authors can do, especially when it comes to devastating and traumatizing situations.

The Last Letter is hauntingly beautiful…it’s raw and resonating…it’s a story of friendship, of perseverance, of commitment, but in the simplest terms, it’s a story of love…love of self…love of family…love of a lifetime.

5+ Poison Apples

I have come across many authors from favorites, known ones and debut authors but none like Rebecca Yarros. The story line alone just grabbed me and even now after hours of finishing it I am still in tears and emotionally wrecked with The Last Letter. Ella may seem she needs help but one thing about her is looks can be deceiving. She is tough, brave and courageous in a way that just makes you love her more. Beckett now is more than just an ex Army man but one filled with love to give just doesn't know it. Here is a man who thinks he is not worthy of having a family or love in his life. These two were beautiful together and the kids Maisie and Colt will just break you. Then we have Havoc, yes even the cute labrador will get to your heart as well. This is one of those books that you have to read and Rebbeca Yarros will just enchant you. There are not enough words to say how beautiful this book is definitely touched this readers heart and if ever made into a movie will so be there in the front seat. Loved it.

"I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own."

With The Last Letter Rebecca Yarros creates a world wherein their exists much need for love and forgiveness. This is such a beautifully book but I have to say it was incredibly hard to read at times. It's the book that makes for the feels. At one point I found I was reading page by page and I'd have to stop to wipe the tears from my face. I thought at one moment it might be never ending - and indeed it mostly was. So against conventional thought about loving a book and gobbling it down, I read this at a snails pace (thereby extending the sadness and angst I felt).

When Beckett Gentry, a.k.a. Chaos, shows up at Solitude in Telluride he knows the uphill battle he'll face with Ella, once his pen pal and sister to his now deceased brother in arms Ryan MacKenzie. With the letters Ella sent to Chaos, and vice versa, we've got a good picture of Ella and her life in Telluride and her children, twins Masie and Colt. Ella is enduring a mothers worst nightmare and is forced to make choices that will weigh on her for a long time. Neither Ella or Beckett have family outside of themselves and I LOVED watching how the relationships formed between Beckett and the family. As Beckett endears himself to the MacKenzie family he proposes a solution to help ease the burden that Ella carries and complicates their relationship.

As their relationship deepens, there are some full on “ovary” explosion moments. Becketts regard for Masie and Colt gives Ella the confidence she needs so that she can begin to relax more in his presence. We know Beckett has a secret that he is sure will put a major wedge between them and he is right because there is one thing Ella won’t tolerate and it’s lies, even of omission.

“I don’t know what parts of you— parts of us— are lies or truths. I want to be strong and say that we’ll get past it, because we love each other so much, but I don’t think that’s possible. Not now, anyway. I don’t have enough strength left in me for this. Ryan’s death took it. Maisie’s diagnosis took it. I should have known you’d take it, too, but I trusted you, and now I don’t have anything left to give.”

There is one really major plot twist near the end that left me heartbroken. Honestly I couldn’t really read through the situation the first time through. I skipped parts and even when I went back to re-read it I sped through. I’m not sure I’ve ever been so confused by the direction the story took. But authors make choices for their story and it took me a few days to come to terms with it. That said, Yarros’ writing is first rate. The characters are all well developed and everything is wrapped up with an epilogue that left me with a smile. I HIGHLY recommend this as a #MustRead!

5 stars — It takes a lot to get full 5 stars from me nowadays. 4.5 rounded up? Not as much, but full 5 stars? Yeah…I’m a bit stingy with those. But this book. This book just kind of burrowed into my heart and stayed there. It’s the kind of book that had me thinking about it, and its characters, even when I had to set it aside to do other things. And while I was sucked in, I can say that I wasn’t as bummed as I normally might have been when life interrupted…because it was nice to take time in the middle to ruminate over what was happening with our characters, and prepare myself for any potential heartaches I thought might be coming.

And yes. It’s a Rebecca Yarros novel. So if you’ve read her Flight & Glory series, you won’t be surprised to find yourself shedding tears. And for me there were a lot of them. I might even hate her a little bit for it. No offense Ms. Yarros, but I had to use MAKEUP to fix my face because of you. 😛

You see, she made me fall in love. And when you love, you have the potential to be hurt. It’s a central theme of the book, and it’s its own strange irony that Ms. Yarros made me fall in love, and then put my heart through its paces. And there were so many characters to love in this story.

We have Ella…Ella who has been hurt, and is guarded, and super mama-bear protective. Ella was everything I expected. She was strong, vulnerable, sassy, sweet, and stubborn as fuck. GAH! I was so cranky with her at times, even if I understood why she was the way she was.

We have Beckett…oh sweet Beckett. My heart ached for him more than anyone. He was so sweet, and vulnerable, and earnest, and WORTHY OF LOVE. He went through so much, and because of the way he was raised, it took him a long time to understand his value. So yeah, I was also cranky with him at times (though I was probably less harsh on him).

And then we have the twins. They were a surprise to my heart. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m not a big kid person. But you couldn’t help but fall in love with Colt and Maisie. They go through so much, and yeah…at times they didn’t act their age, but I was okay with it. While I loved them on their own, what stood out to me most was their interactions with Beckett. I LOVED watching Beckett fall in love with them right alongside Ella. I loved seeing the three of them develop this bond. Through them we got to see to the depths of Beckett’s heart.

And this review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Havoc. I LOVED what his character brought to the story, and particularly what he brought to our understanding of Beckett. The relationship they had with one another was both fascinating and enviable. I love learning about little niches of the military, and this is one that I don’t think many people know about.

As for the romance? Well, Ella and Beckett together gave me all the butterflies. I loved how their relationship developed, how they got to know one another through words, how it moved slowly and built trust, and it made it that much more satisfying when we got to the steamy scenes. By that point I FELT their connection. And wow, their physical relationship was hot. But in truth? It was the emotional connection they had with one another that made this book stand out above the rest.

Lots of great little side characters, from Ada and Larry, to Hailey, to Dr. Hughes, to Emma. They didn’t have big parts, but they added to the story.

This book captured my heart, tortured it at times, delighted it at others, and generally left me feeling spent but happy.

I originally said I wasn't going to review this book because of how it completely devastated me, but then that goes against everything I'm always preaching when it comes to reviews- how it's unfair to other readers if there are only glowing reviews for a book. So this is me, trying to write a review without raging like I did on Goodreads, or spoiling any of the actual story. At least on GR I could rant under the spoiler tag so if no one wanted to be spoiled they could ignore.
Another reason I'm posting a review is because I really think I need closure from this book. I'm hoping this will help purge the overwhelming anger I've been feeling. Although every time I see this book pop up the anger starts boiling over again.

The Last Letter had the potential to live up to the 5* reviews I read. It had the potential to become a favorite. It was heartwrenching for sure, but I was invested in, and enjoying, the story - Beckett was so, so wonderful, like bbf material wonderful, the kids were darling, and Ella was such a strong character. And no doubt the writing itself was beautiful. But then I got to the most devastating, heartbreaking, shocking, and yes traumatic, scene I have ever read in a book, a scene that I will never be able to unread, a scene that completely and utterly ruined this book for me and literally broke my heart. I honestly will never, EVER, understand why the author felt it necessary to go the route she did, as the story was enough of a roller coaster of emotions as is, without that added heartbreak.

I feel utterly manipulated, not only by the author, but by all the 5* reviews that talk about how beautiful this story is, how it's a must-read, how it's a journey not to be missed. This is a journey I wish I had never taken.

Beckett is Ryan's best friend, the boy he met upon entering the army, the friendship is so strong that when Ryan's younger sister asks if she can write to any of his mates, Ryan points to Beckett.



Beckett is a suffering man who has moved from foster home to foster home all his life. He is closed his heart, not having friends or wanting to bond.



When the worst happens to Ryan, he feels the need to help the girl and take care of her and her kids for his friend.



Ella is a strong woman, has become a mother very early and takes care of her children with all dedication, besides taking care of the B & B that her grandmother left for her.



Even with everything that is going on by herself, she does not want help from Beckett and rejects him, but Beckett is an enchanted prince, gentle, patient and careful and will gradually break down his own and Ella's walls.



Their love story is very sweet, painful and strong, Beckett does not give up on Ella and proves to her his worth. I loved almost all the book, I was only sad with the ending chosen by the writer, for me erased almost all the brightness of the plot and I really saw no need to add this drama to everyone's life.



As I read the synopsis and see the cover I already knew that it would be a very strong drama that the reason I was not so angry, but I confess that it irritated me enormously instead of being moved. This left the ending less warm and without the vibration of a good Happily Ever After .



3,5/5 stars

MAJOR TISSUE ALERT!

Rebecca Yarros’s work is new to me, so when presented with the opportunity to review her latest novel, The Last Letter, I jumped. I reached out greedily, making “gimme hands” and grabbed that ARC. I’ve read the story twice, and I’m still reeling about it—not necessarily in the best way.

The Last Letter begins with the usual military trope—a rugged, handsome soldier who’s a bit of a loner except for his one comrade. In this instance, the soldier is Beckett (Beck) Gentry, and his buddy is Ryan MacKenzie. Ryan has a sister, Ella, who is a single mom of twins, Colt and Maisie. Ryan sets up Ella and a reluctant Beckett as pen pals, complete with the proverbial shipments of delicious cookies. Through their letter exchange, Ella and Beck bond. When tragedy happens, Beck finds himself (along with his black lab, Havoc) headed to Telluride, Colorado, home to Ella and her twins. Beck is following the last wishes of Ryan, as laid out to him in Ryan’s “Last Letter” (i.e., “if you’re reading this the worst has happened).

This reader wishes she could say that the death of a character’s sibling was the singular tragedy in The Last Letter, but it’s not, and to say more would spoil the rest of the story. However, I would be failing as a reviewer if I did not add that I think the plot twist towards the end of the story was almost gratuitous, and for some, could be a severe trigger.

Rebecca Yarros writes beautifully—I could not put this book down. Told in alternating POV’s, Beck and Ella are solidly written characters. All the major characters in this book are well-fleshed out—the reader connects immediately with Beck, Ryan, and Ella. It’s the abundance of tragedy (even with the HEA) that makes recommending The Last Letter such a difficult call. Just keep the tissues handy.


⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

This is a beautiful emotional book that pulls at your heart. The Last Letter was everything I hoped for and more. Words cannot express how much I loved this book!

Ella has lost everyone she loves and is now doing everything she can to save someone special. While her brother was deployed she became a pen pal with a stranger and slowly fell in love with him. They are open and honest with each other and Ella is sad when the letters stop.

Beckett is such an amazing hero. He did not have an easy life at all and had no family. Once joining the military he got a family. Now after losing someone important to him he does the last thing he asked of him, to help his sister. Beckett did not realize how much he would grow to love the small town life and Ella and her kids.

This was such an emotional read that had in tears at time and then happy the next. I could not put this book down once I started and still think about it. The Last Letter has made my top read list of 2019. I highly recommend this book! You don’t want to miss this beautiful journey Rebecca Yarros takes you on.

Feels 3
Steam 1
Storyline 4
Overall Rating 4
Kindle eArc provided by Author

Rebecca Yarros weaved an incredibly beautiful story of the bond of friendship, family, forgiveness and second chances in The Last Letter. The whole meaning behind The Last Letter is heartbreaking so I knew going in this one was going to be an emotional roller coaster.

Ryan and Beckett are best friends serving together in a special op division. Beckett is the quiet one, he has no family and no one to talk to outside their unit so Ryan takes it upon himself to ask his sister Ella to be pen pals with Beckett or Chaos as he is called. As Ella starts writing a reluctant Chaos finally reads the letters and they form a beautiful friendship that they both really needed.

“Those letters were the one thing I had just for me. The one place where I could be open and honest without judgment or expectation.”

When Ryan is killed in the line of duty his Last Letter is to his best friend Beckett asking him to go to Telluride and help his sister Ella. To be there for her and help her since he no longer can. Beckett being the loyal friend he is does exactly what Ryan’s letter asked.

“Somewhere between letter number one and letter number twenty-four, I’d fallen in love with her."

When Beckett arrives in Telluride things don’t exactly go smoothly. Ella is angry her brother sent Beckett. She is a strong, independent mother and doesn’t need help from him, in her mind he will just end up leaving like everyone else always does. She soon starts to see Beckett is a man of his word and the friendship they formed changes into something more, and it’s a beautiful thing to see them both open up to one another the way they do. I loved Beckett and his fierce loyalty and kind heart. Thing is Beckett has a secret, a big one he is keeping from Ella and secrets don’t stay hidden forever. Can they find peace and forgiveness and the love they both so truly deserve?

“You gave me a glimpse of the life I never thought I could have.”

There were so many things I loved about this book. I loved how the author gave us Ella and Beckett’s letters throughout the book, just when we needed to see them the most. I loved their devotion and loyalty. My heart broke over and over again for Ella as she endured so much pain and loss. More than anyone should ever have to. That’s the one reason this book wasn’t a 5 star read for me. I feel like the Author just put so much into one book. Tragedy after tragedy and it was just too much in one story for me. I felt like it all just couldn’t fit in the pages. I am usually a huge crier and I did tear up at several points in this book but those last few chapters broke me. With that being said it was beautifully written with amazing characters.

This reminded me a lot of The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks but definitely better.
This story took me by surprise because I knew that something horrible had happened to Ella's family but what came next!?....oh boy.
It wasn't just an average military romance, it was a story full of ache, heartbreaking moments, love and healing.

A couple of things.

1. I truly loved this book. I couldn't put it down and I read 70% of it in one day.
2. I'm a fan of Ms. Yarros and I truly believe this is the best book she has written.
3. I loved all of the characters, not one single thing wrong with any of them for me. Beckett is definitely one of my favorite male MCs ever and Ella...well how can you not love her. She's a strong and loving warrior momma. Colt and Maisey? LOVED them to bits.
4. I would've rated this book 5 stars easily except for one thing that just absolutely broke me and I can honestly say that I haven't felt that gutted in a very long time. At this point, I feel the need to tread very lightly but this plot point definitely took away some of my overall enjoyment of the book.

It's taken me quite a while to figure out what to say about this book and frankly, I'm still thinking about it...

Reviewed by Sharon Thérèse at Kindle Friends Forever

I am lost for words! Very occasionally, do I come across a read which simply takes my breath away; this one did much more than that. The prose in certain sentences and paragraphs was of such exquisiteness, I couldn’t have possibly moved on in the story without rereading them. This stand-alone romance is for me, women’s fiction at its very best. Heart-wrenchingly beautiful, compassionate and emotional, getting through the book without shedding tears I found impossible. My warning ladies; a man-sized hanky is a must because otherwise, you’ll find yourselves wiping your sniffles on your sleeve!

Letters from the heart are written. Whether they’re all received, read or even replied to remains to be seen. One of them will change a man’s life and here is where I stop. I want you to enjoy this book as much as I did, so I’ll try my hardest not to go into too many details. What I can say is Rebecca Yarros’ characters are stunning, ridiculously easy to connect to and if it were ever possible, I’d want them in my life. Having not had the pleasure of reading this author’s works and even though I’d read the synopsis, never did I expect Beckett Gentry and Ella MacKenzie’s journey to be so soul-searchingly crushing.

‘How much damage had been done to him through the years?’

Beckett is a man of few words. Not such a good communicator at the best of times, what I adored about him was he had no use bad language because all said and done, other words in the dictionary exist to express one’s feeling. And his efforts to do the honourable thing literally bowled me over. With a heart of gold and righteousness that goes above and beyond, he had me sitting back and thinking about how one can lose track of simple actions like thoughtfulness, making us a better person.

“I was good with confidence, but arrogance was a deal breaker. Arrogance got men killed...kids, too”

If there were ever an award for the best mum to be had, I wouldn’t hesitate to vote for Ella. Hardworking and strong-willed, her unwavering commitment to her twins is nothing less than exceptional. Honest to the core, lies have no place in her life. Unfortunately for her, they exist and when they come to light, the consequences are devastating. Questions arise and go unanswered so why then, is Beckett there by her side through thick and thin? Why so much secretiveness, who is he and where did he come from? I got the impression that the timing was all wrong at the beginning of their story; certainly, the geographics didn’t help matters.

“You’re not a big people person, are you?
“That obvious?”
“Absolutely.”

All unravels at a steady pace, but this is not to say I was overjoyed with what was happening. In fact, I was left speechless. But not in the respect that I felt saddened by anyone’s actions because in this story there is no room for judgment. Just the whole poignant past and present sorry state of affairs none of them had bargained for.

“Sometimes I think I don’t really know you,”
“You might not know much about my past, but trust me, you know me, and that’s more important.”

Not only did I fall hard for Beckett and Ella, but my goodness me, the children. They stole the show, they squeezed my heart and Havoc! Dog lovers, you’re in for a real treat here. Given moments of sheer joy, I was fooled into believing that all was not lost when in fact, that safety net the author had shrewdly conjured up in my mind simply disappeared into thin air. Perseverance to overcome what was thrown the protagonists' way will make even the most hardened reader bawl their eyes out. But above all, the benevolent affection, the emotion that I literally lived from the first page to the last, showed me that true love has no boundaries whatsoever.

‘But the lies were woven in with the love, and that was the killer.’

Corner-cutting delicate health issues Yarros most certainly hasn’t done. She’s told it as it is with a frankness that’s quite alarming and at times, even before turning the next page to see what was or wasn’t going to transpire only seemed to add to my anxiousness. Every imaginable blow hits intensely. She’s woven a tale I, for one, will never forget and despite the ugly cries leaving me spent, her beautifully written words were narrated with the utmost graciousness.

‘I hadn’t been lying when I said I could kiss her forever. She was a thousand different kisses in one woman, the soft and tender, the deep and passionate, the hard and desperate. I never knew who I was taking in my arms, and yet they were all Ella.’

Five stars aren’t enough! That simple. Read this book; you won’t regret it. Bravo to the author and so looking forward to reading more of her works.

“Someone once told me that swearing is a poor excuse of a crap vocabulary. It makes you look low class and uneducated. So I stopped.”

Rebecca Yarros you are a truly talented writer. You ripped out my heart and put me back together again. I laughed, cried, smiled, swooned. Rooted for, cried some more, fell in love with this little family. Cheered, held my breath, and sobbed my eyes out all in the span of this novel. And a little piece of my heart was left behind with this book after I closed the last page.

Beckett and Ella are amazing, I have so much love for them. The twins, Maisie and Colt. Havoc. Ryan. Each one of theses characters and more made reading this story, worth every minute of my time.

This family, the love through each page, the unknowns and twists, the emotional ups and downs The Last Letter brings, make for a story you need to read. It was a constant struggle between never putting my kindle down and speeding through, to having to set the book aside for a few moments to take a breath, compose myself and jump right back in.

I have never cried reading a book as much as I did while reading The Last Letter. My heart hurts from the beautiful and painful journey this story has taken me on. But I will look back on this book for years to come and never forget each heartfelt, raw, deep, emotional poetic word that graced the pages of a novel that I am so glad to have read.

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros is one of my top read for 2019 to-date. It was emotional and heartbreaking and completely consumed me. I am not even sure where to begin, except that this book left me drained in all the best ways possible. I cried and then cried some more and yet I could not stop reading.

Beckett and Ryan are best friends in the military. Ryan knows Beckett has no one in his corner, so he encourages Beckett to become pen pals with his sister. At first Becket is reluctant, but with time, he comes to enjoy the back and forth. When tragedy strikes, can Beckett step up as Ryan wants him too?

Ella is a very strong and determined and doesn’t like to ask for help, but sometimes a person needs it. She is raising her twins, trying to run a business and deal with some heavy personal issues all while trying to maintain her communication with Beckett. How much can one person take before it all becomes too much?

The emotional journey in The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros was raw and gritty and captivating. I felt the author’s heart and soul with every word I read. This book is so much more than a romance. It was about loss, heartbreak, family, and love. Two lost and broken people who might just be what the other needed. But can they survive everything hat life throws at them? I cannot recommend this book enough.

Future Reader of The Last Letter,
I want you to imagine a book that will change your heart forever. I want you to imagine a book that will open your soul wide open, and burrow itself within you in the most honest way. I want you to imagine a book with a story that will move and touch and evoke every single emotion you have. I want you to imagine a book that provides you with a reading experience that will physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally affect you on the deepest of levels.
I want you to imagine a book that will sear itself and its characters to you forever.
I want you to imagine a book that will immediately become one of the best books you’ve ever read.
I want you to imagine a book that is quite unlike any other you’ve read before.
Can you see it?
Can you feel it?
Can you imagine it?
Are you ready for it?
Because The Last Letter is that book I just described. Honestly, it’s more than just a book. It’s a full bodied experience. One you will live and breathe and feel every ounce of through Rebecca Yarros’s exceptional writing. From start to finish this book and its characters will take ahold of you with all that they have, and they will never let you go.
They will own you, they will move you and break you and build you up again, and in the end they will shatter you in the most eviscerating and wonderful way with their emotional power, their meaning, and their heart.
This book is one that you NEED in your life, it is a book that I will never forget reading, and it is hands down one of the BEST books I have EVER read. I can’t say any of those things enough. And if there’s something you take away from this review, besides that you should read this book, I hope it’s knowing that this book is unlike any other. It is in a true league of its own and deserves every accolade you can think of because what Rebecca Yarros creates and brings to life within the pages of this book is truly everything.
And I mean everything.
When I finished this book I did so with an ache in my chest and tears streaming down my face, which is how I actually spent much of my time while reading this incredible story. And you know what? I LOVE that that is the level of affect this book had on me. I love that this book made me cry until my tear ducts actually hurt. (I didn’t even know they could do that.) I love that this book, its story, and the emotional journey with these characters made my heart and chest literally ache for them. (Honestly, it’s still aching as I write this review.) I love that every word of this book and so many of the moments I got within it left me literally breathless at times. (That is not an exaggeration. Read this book, and you’ll understand what I mean.)
I love that this book tore me apart in ways I didn’t know were even possible, and how in the same breath it put those broken pieces of myself back together again.
There were times when reading The Last Letter that I felt broken. That I felt an insurmountable amount of pain with what was unfolding on the pages in front of my eyes. There were moments when I couldn’t even see the pages of what I was reading because I was crying so hard. There were times that that was because I was so happy or so moved, but there were also times that that was happening because I hurt and felt so much for these characters. There were so many times when reading The Last Letter where I wanted to jump in and hug these characters fiercely.
And you know what? I loved that. Because those were just some of the many things that showed me how extraordinarily and deeply connected I was to these characters and their story throughout this entire journey with them.
I felt this book. I lived it and breathed it too. Every word, every sentence, and every single page because of what Rebecca Yarros so thoughtfully and magnificently created with her writing.
Now I know I’ve gone on about the feels of The Last Letter, and I’ve probably scared you a bit (take a deep breath and don’t be scared!), but there’s something else I want you to know about this book….
It. Was. Beautiful.
Heartbreakingly, authentically, viscerally, touched every single piece of my soul, beautiful.
And I know there are many people who have read this book that might not agree with that particular adjective to describe it, but I honestly think it’s the most perfect adjective to describe The Last Letter. Because this book, its story, its characters, and every dynamic emotion it gives you are beautiful…because life is beautiful.
This book presents a love story that is authentic, real, messy, complicated, and layered, but it also simultaneously presents the most exceptional story of family, of friendship, of realities we never want to have happen, and of circumstances that sometimes come to be. The Last Letter is as much about the incredible love story of Beckett and Ella, as it is about their own struggles, their fears and doubts and worries, and the many overarching effects of what happens when life puts you on a path you never wanted to be on in the first place. It highlights the interweaving nature of life itself and how the connections that might threaten to tear us apart, might be the only thing that actually keeps us together.
This book is all of that and more, and it is beautiful.
So yes this book will bring you to your knees, it will make you ugly cry and question everything that comes to be for these characters and their love and their lives, but in the end it is gloriously beautiful because it is real. It is probably the realest story you will ever have the chance to read.
It is real and flawed, unfair and sweet, affirming and honest, amazing and crushing, shocking and debilitating, and everything in between.
It is life. And it is beautiful.
And you will feel that and know that and believe in that with this book every single step of the way.
Rebecca Yarros so eloquently and meaningfully captures the many dynamics of the realities and lives and loves she gives you in The Last Letter. Her words bring this world and her story to life in such a vivid way that will connect you so deeply and truly to her characters, their experiences, and everything that unfolds in this book. From start to finish you will be wholly consumed with what comes to life on the pages of this book and what it evokes in you and in these characters along the way.
If you haven’t caught on yet future reader, this is the part where I tell you that I won’t be telling you much more about The Last Letter. There are many reasons for that. I don’t want to spoil a single second of what you get in this book or take away from the phenomenal reading experience it will give you. I also honestly don’t feel as if I can do this story, these characters, or the events of this book the justice they deserve. My words just aren’t good enough.
But you know whose words give The Last Letter the justice it deserves?
Rebecca Yarros.
Her words make this book the exceptional thing that it is. Her words give you these characters and every facet of who they are. The good, the ugly, the broken, the trauma filled crevices and the cracks that are yearning for love and for more. Her words let you live the life of this book, and I promise you you have never lived like you will when you experience The Last Letter with Ella, Beckett, Maisie, Colt, and every other amazing character of this story.
So dear future reader, as I prepare to leave you, I want to say goodbye with a few parting thoughts.
The Last Letter is a book that will give you everything. And I do mean everything.
This book will shake you to your core, have you believing in endless power and meaning of all kinds of love, and will have you in the thick of glorious, unadulterated emotion with its characters through every word.
This book will most likely make you cry. It will make you feel. EVERYTHING. It’ll definitely have you feeling what these characters are going through on the most authentic of levels, and you will absolutely love it because it will have you in the heart of this book.
This book will give you one helluva love story. It will show you every up and down and in between of what Beckett and Ella share, and you will be beyond enamored with those two. Their journey together isn’t easy, but it is beyond worth it.
This book will give you a world and a story and a group of dynamic characters that you will never want to leave, but when you ultimately reach that end, just remember…every end is a beginning and nothing as remarkable or special as this book, ever truly ends.
This book will remind you that you are enough, that you can triumph over the many obstacles and struggles life may throw your way, and that life may break you and throw you through the wringer, but it can also bring you the most amazing joy and meaning if you let it and if you’re open to it.
So are you ready future reader of The Last Letter?
Are you ready to be amazed? To be made breathless? To feel it all and then some?
To live the life of this extraordinary book with these characters?
Are you ready to leap into this book heart first with an open mind and soul?
Are you ready to take that leap?
Don’t worry even if you’re not ready now, you will be. Just like I was. And when you take that leap, when you open those pages of this book, and when you begin to experience the literal amazingness of The Last Letter, it will be one of the most incredible reading experiences of your life.
So take a deep breath future reader. Open your eyes, grab some tissues while you’re at it, and fall into this book.
Heart first, soul open, and mind ready.
It would be wrong not to.
It would be wrong to miss out on The Last Letter and all it is waiting to give you.
Trust me.
One of the best books you’ll ever read is waiting for you…and that book is The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros.
With all my love and a heart that is still overflowing with love and feels from this book,
Megan