When I started this book, I thought it was quite a gentle read; enjoyable but not really a page turner. But that all changed about half way through and I raced through to the end, unsure how it was going to work out. I really enjoyed the relationship between Stevie and Micah; likewise the friendship between Elsie and Nelly and then Elsie's romance kept me turning the pages.

The author didn't shy away from the tough topic of assisted dying which I appreciated, and the past and present storylines dovetailed nicely. Overall it was an engrossing read that kept me engaged right to the very end.

The Book of Last Letters was an absolutely amazing and heartwarming book. I can easily recommend it to anyone who wants to read a beautiful novel.

The book itself is set in two timelines: past is WWII, the main character is nurse Elsie and the other line is Stephanie’s in the present. Both times are perfectly enjoyable and fascinating with the true facts behind the story.

What a wonderful book, telling a thoughtful story of Elsie and Nelly 2 nurses in 1941 and also stevie (Stephanie) in the present day, who’s lives are interwoven with a book of last letters. Elsie makes a book for the injured servicemen to write their last thoughts and words to give to their loved ones should anything happen to them, fast forward to the present day and stevie ends up with the book, trying to find out how and why the book was made. A thoughtful and beautifully written book with 2 wonderful stories merging into one. Loved this book.

Easily a five-star read! You know what I love more than a book that focuses on seniors? I love books about British seniors even more!! The characters in the present day story were wonderful and made me smile. I liked Stevie a lot with all her flaws and layers. I loved that she worked at a seniors care home and how involved the residents got in her project. In the story from the past, I really liked Elsie and enjoyed hearing about her experience as a London nurse during the war. As a healthcare worker, I could relate to some of the chaos that the hospital was going through and dodging that creepy guy at work that always seems to pop up! Nelly was such a firecracker! She would've been a great friend to have. And I was so curious about the Golds throughout the book. They could star in a sequel!
Fantastic read, I highly recommend this! Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for this advanced copy.

"The Book of Last Letters" by Kerry Barrett, is a absolutely stunning novel. It is historical fiction based on a true story about a WW2 nurse that recorded the last letters of gravely injured military personnel for their families. This book will absolutely bring you to tears. It's emotional and heartfelt.

Synopsis
1940- Elsie age-21, is a nurse at "South London District Hospital". She begins sending upbeat letters to the injured victim's families to reassure them their loved one is accounted for and safe. What began as an occasional letter turns into a "last book of letters" as a loving way for the terminal patient's to say goodbye to loved ones. However, one person's dying request could turn into a fight-for-life situation for Elsie. Will Elsie honor the wish?

Present day:
Stephanie (Stevie) and her twin brother Max were raised by their Nan for much of their childhood. Max is now serving time in prison. The twins parted on bad terms. Nan has dementia and lives in the "Tall Trees" residential home. She rarely recognizes Stevie anymore. When Stevie stumbles upon an antique scrap book, she learns to fully embrace the impact of last words and the tremendous courage demonstrated by those that bravely paved the way for us.

"The Book of Last Letters" will be published March 30th.
Standing ovation to Kerry Barrett for this outstanding 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ novel!

Thank you NetGalley and H.Q. Digital, for the honor of reviewing this e-book. I loved every page of it!

What a beautiful emotional story. Loved everything about this book when Elsie worked as a nurse during the sec second world war she decided to keep a scrapbook where patients could write messages in the hope that they would be past on to their loved ones ,and when it was found eighty years later by Stevie she tries to find out what happened to her..The stories of both women are amazing and beautifully written by the author so that the story flows effortlessly and it is difficult to put down. I really recommend it

This is the first book I have read by Kerry Barrett , I loved it. It flipped back and forth between 2 time frames but intertwining the 2 stories. A must read.

Story set in two different decades,one during World War Two and one during present times ,linked by the book of last letters. An engrossing and intriguing story and the memory book a fabulous idea. Characters especially in the early story were great. .

Being a huge fan of WWII historical fiction, especially based on real life events, I was incredibly excited to be able to read an ARC of this book and it did not disappoint. The book follows two timelines, one of Elsie who was a nurse during WWII who was ultimately faced with an awful discussion during the Blitz of London. The other time line was present day which focused on Stevie, an artist who refinds her motivation to paint while working as a care aid in a senior living facility. During her exploration of the past she finds her passion, support from her residents and love. This book did an amazing job of pulling into both story lines and kept me reading until the very last page.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

aw i loved this book and being a fan of historical fiction it was right up my street and one i could definitely read again.

A really lovely, cosy read although being set in WW2 there is also a lot of sadness. The characters are wonderful in both timelines and the story just flows seamlessly.

An easy read, with likeable characters. Switching between the modern day and 1941 kept the storyline engaging.

A good read for when you just want to curl up with an easy book.

This was such a brilliantly emotive read. A quick and easy read that is so gripping and engaging right from the start, I couldnt put it down. It is well written with well developed characters and a storyline that was both heartwrenching and uplifting.
One of the best books I have read this year, I loved it. Perfect for historical fiction fans or anyone who just wants a really great read.

The Book of Last Letters is lovely to read. The emotional stories in the letters and the story of Elsie's friend is tragic, but probably more common in the circumstances. The switch between Elsie's story and Stephanie's is well done and easy to follow and it has a lovely ending when you find out what happened to the characters from the wartime storyline..
I would thoroughly recommend this book.
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Just fantastic!
the dual aspect on war torn London in the 1940s with the air raids, bomb damage and daily horrors is beautifully told through the eyes of Elsie, a nurse who works in temporary wards set up for injured service men and civilians and who has suffered the great loss of her brother in the war. Motivated to help other families deal with those losses she encourages her patients to write stories, poems, messages or memories that she promises to pass on if she can. With a beautiful romance and a horrifying stalker Elsie uses the book t communicate with her true love.

Fast forward to Stephanie, who comes into possession of the book of last letters during the course of an art project grant application. Stephanie is so inspired by the book that she decides not only to use it as the basis for her mural but also as a talking point for the residents of her Nan's home, encouraging them to connect with her, with each other and with estranged or distant family and friends. Stephanie opens the sealed pages of Elsie's book and discovers the basis of a great love story that she is determined to follow to its conclusion, falling into her own story on the way.
There is nothing not to love about this book, which in places will move you to tears!

Elsie is a nurse in London during the time of the Blitz. When an airman asks her to write to his family she decides to make a book of letters so that any of the men can write their last letters home. As she goes back and forward to the hospital during the blackout she doesn't realise that someone is watching and following her and out to cause the worst kind of trouble in her life. My heart really went out to Elsie who seemed to be one of the nicest people you could meet. She has very hard decisions to make that change the course of her life.

Present day and Stephanie is now how she used to be, Her nan is in a care home suffering from dementia and her brother is in prison. What her brother did has affected Stephanie's mental health and she no longer feels she can continue with her love of painting.
As she tries to improve her state of mind she decides to apply for a grant to paint an outside wall at care home. During this time a book of letters is found in the basement dating back to WW11 and the hospital where Elsie worked which is now the care home.

I loved the story of the letters which is based on a true story. Both stories were intriguing especially when eventually they became one. The residents in the care home were mostly a lovely bunch of people, their characters are very well written and provided much of the light relief through the book.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good read.
Really enjoyed this book.

1940: Elsie is a nurse at a casualty clearing hospital, along with her best friend Nelly. When she writes a letter for an incapacitated patient it inspires her to create a book that every patient can be involved in. The book brings her, and so many, deep joy…. But will it also be her undoing?

Present day: Stephanie, or Stevie as she prefers, is treading water. Working two part time jobs and struggling with her fractured family she seems to have no energy or inclination to change her circumstance. Until one day she hears about a grant for a community art project and meets a historian who tells her about the history of the care home she’s working in and shows her a remarkable book of letters and stories. Can this book help her to reclaim her life?

I really enjoyed this dual timeline story. I liked all of the characters (with the obvious exception of Jackson!) and I felt they were all realistic and well rounded. I loved the bond between Elsie and Nelly particularly.

It’s a nicely written and charming book, even more so when you learn it’s based on a true story! I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys dual timeline historical fiction as it’s well worth a read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this book about a nurse during world war 2 and her book she had her patients write their thoughts in during the Blitz. There is a second story about an artist who ends up
with the book. Part history and a little love story. I didn't know until I finished that this was inspired by a true story. Many thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this book. It will be released in March 2022. An easy five stars.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. It captured the atmosphere of the war and I do enjoy stories set in this period. and It worked well running alongside the present day storyline. The continuity of the book being used at the care home also worked well.

The writing was quite simple and did fit the story, though I did find it a little immature in places, as were many of the characterisations. M

It was well rounded and had a satisfactory conclusion, though it was pretty obvious for most of the book. In spite of this it was an interesting enjoyable read.

Elsie is a nurse in London at the beginning of the war. When an injured airman asks her to send a message to his loved one she has an idea for a book. A book to be passed round for everyone to leave messages, notes or drawings if the unthinkable happens.
But one patient makes a heart breaking request. and it will change her life forever.

Present day and Stephanie is at odds with herself. Her Nan has dementia and her brother is in prison.
Then she is shown a book of wartime letters and Stephanie is determined to find out who Elsie was and what happened to her.
There are secrets to uncover along the way and in places not far from home.