(4 stars) – a fun premise for a story

The premise of this story is such an interesting idea, and I love what Rachel Fordham did with it.

I loved the main characters & the town, though there were a few times the vocalized enthusiasm for it seemed a little overdone.

There were some elements of the plot that begged credulity as well. It’s a wonderful, heart-warming story, though, and I enjoyed reading it regardless. Just shift your inner critic into neutral and go along with the sweet ride.

*Clean romance level: sweet kisses
*Religion: generic Christian, we learn the main characters read the Bible & they discuss faith in God’s Providence a few times, nothing remotely excessive

I have a small confession. I absolutely love the Hallmark Channel series Signed, Sealed, Delivered. If you haven't seen it, I'll just tell you it's about a group of slightly oddball characters who work in the dead letter office in Denver, Colorado. Every episode finds them on a race against the clock to deliver a letter to an unsuspecting recipient. It's so far from reality that each episode includes a disclaimer that the actual USPS dead letter department does not function like that at all. So I have a pretty high tolerance for unreality.

I said all that to introduce the topic from Rachel Fordham's newest book Yours Truly, Thomas. It centers on Penelope Ercanbeck, a young woman who works in the dead letter office. One day she comes upon an undeliverable letter from a man named Thomas, to his love, Clara. She is unable to deliver the letter, or any of the ones that follow.

Penny becomes obsessed with Thomas and Clara and tries to find where Thomas lives. She then writes him a letter, and eventually travels to the the town where he lives in order to meet him. I found that just a bit creepy and kinda stalker-ish. Of course Penny and Thomas begin to fall in love, but he doesn't know she has read his letters and is the woman who wrote to him.

The crazy thing about this plot line is that the book is set somewhere in the 1800s. It really makes Penny's actions even more implausible. A young woman who travels across the country to meet a man she doesn't know seems almost normal in our internet age, but back then it probably wasn't something that happened often.

Penny's opinions on love and marriage were also bothersome to me. She criticized her friend for wanting to marry someone who could offer her a better and more peaceful life than what she had. Penny thought love should come with butterfly feelings and romantic letters. And while those things are a nice part of marriage, no long-time relationship can be built on only those things.

I wanted to stop reading this book several times because I was annoyed. But, overall, the story itself (while implausible) was well-written. I did really want to know how the book would end. I thought there were a few random plot twists, but it did come to a nice conclusion.

I was a little bit disappointed in this book. But I think fans of historical fiction will enjoy it. This is Rachel's second book, and the first I've read. I can't say that I will jump to read her future books, but I wasn't so disappointed that I would never read one.

I enjoyed going back to Azure Springs in Yours Truly, Thomas. The residents of the town are welcoming to newcomers. It is like visiting old friends. Penny Ercanbeck works in the Dead Letter Office where they try to get letters to their intended destinations. She is particularly taken with love letters and dreams of having a man write to her one day. When Thomas’s letters to Clara come across her desk, they touch her heart. She feels like she knows Thomas and wants to help him. Penny ends up traveling to Azure Springs where she takes up residence in Margaret Anders yellow boarding house. What follows is a sweet story that will touch your heart. I thought Yours Truly, Thomas was well-written, and it progressed at a gentle pace. I enjoyed the letters that were interspersed throughout. Lettering writing is a lost art today which is such a shame. I remember looking forward to getting correspondence when I was younger (pen pals). Penny’s dog, Honeysuckle (aka Honey) is a sweetie who provides comfort to Penny as well as a listening ear. Honey’s antics in Azure Springs had me chuckling (and happy my dogs do not like mud). Penny’s first encounter with Thomas as well as her second provided plenty of giggles. I always enjoy a book that brings out a variety of emotions as did Yours Truly, Thomas. I like how Thomas’s backstory was slowly revealed. As I got to know him, I understood why God led him to Azure Springs and why Penny was sent to aid him. Friendship, understanding, love, forgiveness, grief, family drama, heartache and humor in one thoughtful, heartfelt story called Yours Truly, Thomas.

I liked how differently this book started from many others. I loved the letters being a big part of this story. It was fun to learn a little story about how the dead letter office worked back in the past. I enjoyed reading about Penny and Thomas. These two characters each learned a lot of lessons when they made it to Azure Springs. I did a bit of laughing and crying through this book. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

"Yours Truly, Thomas" is a Christian romance set in 1883 in America. Penny is extremely romantic and has longed to receive love letters since she was a child. As an adult, she hasn't received a single letter of her own, but she delights in reading the love letters that end up at the Dead Letter Office. Her heart aches if she can't find a way to send these letters on to the intended recipient. When heartbroken, longing letters signed by Thomas end up in her hands, she's determined to get his letters to his true love so she'll forgive him and go out west to join him in Iowa. But when reuniting the two turns out to be impossible, she's left deeply worried about the man she's come to care for but hardly knows.

I cared about what happened to the main characters (even though extremely romantic characters do not often appeal to me). Penny's ideas about love and what makes a loving marriage change slowly throughout the story. She's a caring, kind person. Thomas endeavored to become a better person after a terrible accident revealed to him how selfish and uncaring he'd been in the past. The two bring out the best in the other, so they're a good match. The historical setting provided a backdrop for the action. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.

The synopsis of this novel really drew me in. Although I'd never read a book by this author before, I've read a lot of great books from the publisher and thought to give it a go.

Unfortunately, it fell a bit flat to my reading. It gets off to a good start, and it was great to learn about the Dead Letter Offices. However, from the moment the heroine steps foot into Azure Springs, everything seems to slowly sink into a mire of simplistic romance and less-than-believable scenarios. It became increasingly difficult to connect with the characters and their actions. Sometimes, the characters also seemed to have this clairvoyant knack of pre-empting what the next person would and/or should say, lending the narrative a choppy sort of flow.

Overall, it's a good story which I give 3 out of 5 stars. It's easy to read and has an interesting plot. While I appreciate the amount of work that has gone into the production of this novel, I think it could have been much better with a bit more depth and nuance (at least, according to my tastes).

Many thanks to Revell and Ms Fordham for proving this ARC through NetGalley.

How wonderful to be back in Azure Springs again! After being introduced to it in Rachel Fordham's last novel The Hope of Azure Springs, I was pleasantly surprised to see myself back there again with a new cast of characters.

Penny is a delightful romantic determined to make sure heartbreaking letters from Thomas to Clara reach their destination. Her diligence in hunting down the couple leads to a surprising turn of events, and she soon finds herself in the town of Azure Springs, meeting the heartbroken Thomas.

Thomas is a man who can't seem to forgive himself. But then he receives an encouraging letter from the dead letter office that helps him to start changing his outlook. Little does he know the new girl in town (Penny) is the one who wrote it. What will he do when he finds out she knows more about him then she's letting on?

Their meet-Q is romantic and funny, and you are rooting for this couple from the get-go. I loved the lesson we all need to hear about forgiving ourselves. In our hearts, we know God forgives us, but for those who suffer from lingering guilt over past mistakes, sometimes it is harder to forgive ourselves.

Another beautiful story from Rachel Fordham you won't want to miss!

This fun, lighthearted book took a couple of pages to hook me, but once it did, I couldn't put it down. Penny & Thomas have such interesting stories. The town of Azure Springs, Iowa is filled with quirky, lovable characters. This is an absolutely FUN book to read! I'm so glad I kept reading past the first few pages.

I really enjoyed this historical romance. It came at the perfect time for me. I was extremely stressed out and was in need of an escape to a much simpler time and place. This trip to Azure Springs was just what I needed. The romance was sweet without being sappy. I loved how the letters were woven in through out the story. Thomas was a great hero, and Penny was his perfect match. If you like stories of second chances this is the book for you.

I received a free copy of this book for review from the publisher and Netgalley.

Have you ever wondered what happens to letters that can’t be delivered for some reason? Penny works at the dead end office opening mail that can’t be delivered hoping she can figure out where they really need to be sent to. I would love that job. Can you imagine the letters you may read of someone looking for a lost love? Penny takes her job serious and is determined that one such letter needs her extra care in delivering it to the rightful owner.

Thomas has poured his soul out to a woman in letters that reach Penny’s desk. They are moving and very personal which causes Penny to go the extra mile and find this woman. I think Penny was starting to have feeling for Thomas who she has never met. Going on an adventure Penny finds herself in the same town as Thomas.

Penny is a good character and I think she is looking for a purpose in her life and someone to love her. Maybe that is why she has started a friendship with Thomas. She knows his thoughts and has read his inner most struggles so perhaps she can help him forget about this woman he has been writing to.

There is a bit of mystery surrounding Thomas that I couldn't wait to find the answer to. Why did he keep writing this woman who it seems he has hurt emotionally? What dark secrets from his past is he running from? The author does keep my attention as she writes a story that is emotional and filled with danger. It is a great lesson in forgiveness and vengeance. Anger can cause someone to do things they wouldn't normally do. In this story the author does a great job showing what grief and anger can do to someone and it sure hit home for me.

Letter writing use to be the best way to correspond between people. Today we are all texting, emailing, leaving messages and losing that personal relationship by not writing our feelings down so so others can read them. I would love to get letters in the mail from people. Maybe someday we will pick up letter writing again and have words to cherish and keep.

I received a copy of this book from Librarything's Early Reviewers Program. The review is my own opinion.

While this isn't the first time I've heard of the Dead Letter Office, it is probably the first time I paid attention to what it would be like and what happens there. I loved learning about the people who are letter detectives, trying to figure out how to correctly redirect a misdirected letter or package.

And, oh, how I loved the characters!

Penny, with her wide-eyed, idealistic views about love and romance. Her tender heart caused her to weep when reading the letters of complete strangers, though she was merely doing her job. That she would pray over the people she read about was so touching Despite experiencing tragedy, she maintained optimism and did what she needed to continue.

Thomas was such a broken man, having seen the tragic results of his callous attitude. When we first meet him here, he is changing and becoming a man to be admired. I enjoyed watching him mature and become a man the entire town respected and stood behind.

Combining tender moments with light humor, spiritual growth, and elements of mystery and danger, Ms. Fordham has written a story I highly recommend for readers of Christian historical fiction.

Penny Ercanbeck is a clerk in the Dead Letter Office in Washington DC. Her job is to try and return letters that have been misaddressed or the person has moved to the correct person. When she comes across a set of love letters from a Thomas to his love, Clara, it sets her life in a direction she never expected to go. She wanted to have a love and receive letters just like Thomas was writing.

There were so many things to like about this book. I loved revisiting the town of Azure Springs, Iowa. It was filled with an old time small town feel and warm, caring and supportive citizens who definitely looked out for one another. Margaret the B&B keeper was such a wise and motherly figure to both Penny and Thomas. Honey was a rascal of a dog who added humorous touches throughout the book. Add in a very unlikeable villain who spent his time drunk, badgering the townspeople, or picking on his wife. Finally, a sweetly developing romance between Penny and Thomas that made me want to cheer for them as they overcame the obstacles that beset them. And topping this all off the unique use of letters throughout the book. Fordham also included a good spiritual thread that depicted the growth that both Penny and Thomas made as they learned self-forgiveness and dependence on God's will. Penny's father's gems of wisdom were also a delightful touch. Put this all together, and Rachel Fordham created a read that I couldn't put down.

This book reads well alone even if you have not read Fordham's first book, The Hope of Azure Springs.

It was so much fun revisiting Azure Springs again. I feel like the characters are friends that I could stop in and have a cup of tea and a piece of pie with.
Can you remember the last time you wrote a letter ? I can't either though I do remember having a foreign pen pal as a teen. What fun that was.
This book is about those unfortunate letters that can't be delivered for various reasons.
They then end up at the dead letter office.
Postmistress, Penny work at the dead letter office and she is a compassionate soul and letters by a man, Thomas touch her heart. She makes it her mission to find the recipient of these letters, with unexpected results mind you.
She also even meets, Thomas in quite the undignified way, let me tell you. Not in a bad way but it's quite funny. I loved Penny's dog, Honeysuckle aka Honey. Ah, that dog is always up to mischief. You'll love reading about his antics!
As we find out Thomas's backstory we see he is a broken man unable to forgive himself, looking for a new start in Azure Springs.
Compassion,forgiveness,understanding and a little mischief make this a very enjoyable story you'll want to revisit more than once. I know I will!
Published July 2nd 2019 by Fleming H. Revell Company

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Yours Truly, Thomas

by

Rachel Fordham


Synopsis: For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people's mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more--a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient. Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn't expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never really expecting a reply. When Penny's undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring--perhaps too much--for the one who wrote it.

My Thoughts: I have to say that I fell in love with this book from the very first page. The character's come to life and by the end of the story you want to read more. This is a book about forgiveness, work on what to do with ones future and it has several funny parts. I have never heard of a Dead Letter Office, which I found very interesting. I love how Penny was so attached to Thomas letters and she came to care about him so much that she wanted the letters to make it to their destination. You see from the very beginning how Thomas and Penny's relationship developed. There was a connection with both people even though Thomas didn't really understand why.

About the Author: Rachel Fordham started writing when her children began begging her for stories at night. She'd pull a book from the shelf, but they'd insist she make one up. Finally, she put her love of good stories with her love of writing and she hasn't stopped since. She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington.

Recommend: I will be happy to recommend this book to all my friends. It is a great Christian Historical Fiction that people will fall in love with.

Disclaimer: I received this copy from the author and Baker Publishing Group in return for a honest review

Yours Truly, Thomas is a great read. This is the first tine I have heard of the Dead Letter Office. So, it was fun to learn something new. I enjoyed getting to know Penny and admired her determination to find the recipient of the dead letters. I found her story to be entertaining.
Yours Truly, Thomas gets five stars from me. I highly recommend this book for readers who love sweet and clean historical fiction.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Thomas was headed west in a wagon train, running from his past, when an injury left him stranded in Azure Springs, where the townspeople seem determined to keep him from wallowing in his misery. Slowly, he comes to see that maybe Azure Springs is exactly what he needs—and that maybe he can be a better man than he was in the past.
After her beloved father’s death and the loss of her family’s wealth, Penny has survived the best she could, finding a job working at the Dead Letter Office. Often intrigued by the letters, Penny is particularly touched by a letter from Thomas to Clara; her soft heart wants Thomas, who seems so sad without his lost love, to have a happy ending. Penny, who longs for love in her own life, is determined to help Thomas’s lost letter make it to Clara. Although she isn’t supposed to get so involved, she can’t help caring—and perhaps caring too much.

This started out a little slowly for me, but I really enjoyed it overall. Penny is just this bright, sunshiney type character, and I loved seeing her impact on Thomas’s life. I love stories of people changing for the better, so I just adored Thomas, who is so tortured by his best but desperately wants to be better than he was. The romance was just really sweet and I loved it. The writing is simple but that went really well with the storyline and the setting and everything.
4 stars.
I read a review copy provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Excellent story! Penny works in the dead letter office in Washington, DC, and becomes interested in a series of letters that come through from a man named Thomas. The letters are heartfelt, and she discovers the lady the letters are written to is deceased. Through more detective work, she discovers where the letters are written from and decides to visit the little town, not knowing that someone from Thomas's past has followed. Trouble comes with her, as their friendship grows. It's a lovely story that I will enjoy reading again!

Yours Truly, Thomas
By Rachel Fordman
Working in the Dead Letter Office has been both entertaining and dull, but when a letter from a man named Thomas crosses Penny's desk her life will be forever changed. Hoping to solve the mystery of this letter Penny finds herself following a trail that leads her to Azure Springs, Iowa. Who will be behind the provoking words and what will become of Penny when this hunt is over?
First off, I looooved this book. From the Dead Letter Office to Penny’s passionate and probing personality this book had me enamored. I have loved reading historical books and taking a glimpse into what the past might have looked like. Never have I heard about the Dead Letter Office however and I was intrigued by the idea and mystery of reading someone’s mail in order to find its home. “The letters are not meant for you. Their contents are to be read and then forgotten.” I would have a hard time as Penny did forgetting the letters that ended up in the dead-end bin. My meddling nature would have done the same thing Penny did.
Be sure to add this to your reading list for an adventure you’ll not forget.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review which I’ve shared here. For more reviews head on over to https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com

Title: Yours Truly, Thomas

Author: Rachel Fordham

Pages: 322

Genre: Christian Historical fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Can you fall in love with someone through letters? This was a question that I never really thought about till I read Yours Truly, Thomas. This new book by Rachel Fordham answered that question and then some. The dead letter office played a huge part in the story. I knew that the dead letter office was a modern thing I didn't realize that it had been a part of the USPS since almost the beginning. Apparently there have always been lost letters.
Two of the characters are bought together thought a letter that ended up at the dead letter office. All in all, this book was a sweet read. I am looking forward future books from this author.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone

Even though Penny and Thomas are in different states through the first half of the book, I was drawn in. And when they finally meet in Azure Springs (in a very memorable way), the story gets even better.

Revisiting some of the Azure Springs residents is an added bonus, but Thomas and Penny’s romance are what had my heart. Will Penny find the love and life she so desperately longs for? And can Thomas forgive himself and become the man others see him as?

Rachel Fordham gives readers a tale of releasing yourself from past mistakes and striving to become the best God made you to be, with a touch of humor, a little mystery, and more.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.