Thank you NetGalley and Aria & Aries!

Connie did her part for the war, got married to a man and for the most part did the things society expected of a woman... except for one thing and that was to bare children. Despite efforts Connie remained childless. Through the years her relationship grew to be monotonous, mundane and out right maddening. Both Connie and her husband at times were stubborn and immature. Through Connie's courage she is able to fight for the life she wants and not the life others want or expect from her.

The Letter Reader in multiple ways was not what I expected. I expected to read a story that was surrounded by a woman who censored letters during the war. What I read was a story that was surrounded by a woman living life in a cold marriage who happened to censor letters many years ago. Though this was not what I expected I still enjoyed the story of Connie and her determination to live the life she not only wants but also deserves. This is a simple read and could be a great pallet cleanser.

I enjoyed the dual timelines and the letter writing. This book is great for fans of historical fiction.

The story takes place in two timelines. One of the timelines was set in 1941 during World War II, and the other timeline was set in 1976. The timeline during World War II was really interesting to read. I found the second timeline harder to connect with, because it felt unrealistic at several points. Overall it was an enjoyable read.

Casey's writing puts the reader right in the letter reader's own shoes. For fans of historical fiction, romance, dual timelines and women's fiction.

Following the story of a malcontent housewife, Connie, The Letter Reader follows Connie's journey as she navigates the dissatisfaction of her predictable life against the duties and responsibilities she had as a 1940s letter reader during the war.

Connie is struggling with her husband wanting a life that is steady and never changing. She longs for a change of pace, or even a change in what they eat on any given day of the week. This leads her to reminisce about her days as a young woman as a mail censor during WWII. What happened to the people in the letters? What is going to happen to her next as she learns more about what she is willing to settle with for the rest of her life.

The Letter Reader offers a unique narrative for a timeframe that is well covered and saturated in the historical fiction market. This makes it a refreshing read and deviation from the normal home front stories we see on our bookshelves.

I fought this was an enjoyable read. I liked both timelines, I didn’t have a favorite although I liked the beginning and found it interesting and a little exciting.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

I love historical fiction books based on WWII and especially if they include a dual timeline. This book was a little different focus. I enjoyed experiencing Connie’s work as a letter censor. I can’t imagine having the opportunity to read the private thoughts, emotional feelings, bad news, secrets, etc. of the authors of the letters. Arthur was a little irritating in that he was so controlling. I just know I could not handle a relationship like that. I enjoyed watching Connie grow and develop and learn to stand up for herself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

A really enjoyable read that engrossed me right from the start and held me all the way through. I loved the characters too

The Letter Reader is the latest historical fiction work from author Jan Casey. The story is told through a dual timeline narrative, flitting between Connie’s experiences as a letter censor in 1941 and her life with husband Arthur in 1967. It is an easy and enjoyable read which isn’t as hard-hitting as other historical fiction works due to the slightly more reserved subject matter but still has powerful and emotional elements.
The focus on Connie’s work censoring letters during the war was fascinating and an area of Second World War history I knew little about. It was clearly very well researched by Jan Casey which made the story feel authentic to the time period. I really loved all of the supporting characters introduced within this timeline and could have read a whole book solely focused on their experiences as letter censors.
It did take me a little while to warm to Connie as a protagonist for a reason I can’t quite put my finger on but I gradually saw her for the compelling and strong character that she was. I really enjoyed her character development and seeing her grow as a person as she reclaimed her identity as more than just a housewife. It was also lovely to slowly see her start to explore more of the culture of the 1960s outside of the more traditional and dated lifestyle she had been living with Arthur. We also get a powerful exploration of the grief Connie experiences following the loss of her mother and the grief she experiences as a result of infertility preventing her and Arthur becoming parents.
Arthur’s controlling nature and sexist ideas were very well written. Looking at his traditional ideas surrounding gender roles through a 21st century lens meant that I at times found his treatment of his poor wife utterly infuriating but I enjoyed seeing his gradual character development over the course of the novel.
This novel does take a slower pace and the build up to Connie choosing to break free from Arthur’s control and start tracking down the authors of the letters did feel unnecessarily lengthy. But the pace did pick up from the point that Connie goes down to London and that final third of the story was more enjoyable a read, ultimately increasing the book’s star rating for me. When reflecting post-read I can understand more why Jan Casey might have chosen to make the earlier chapters slower-paced as it’s more reflective of the time it might take a woman such as Connie to gradually build the courage to break free from a controlling spouse.
Overall, The Letter Reader is an enjoyable and easy historical fiction read ideal for anyone interested in the 1960s as a time period alongside the Second World War. It was my first experience of Jan Casey’s writing but I look forward to catching up on her other works.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk and the post is linked.

The Letter Reader by Jan Casey is a dual timeline novel. The novel takes readers between 1941 (through the war years) and 1967. I decided to read this book despite my ban on books from World War II (there has been a glut of books on this topic, and I needed a respite) because I had not read a book about postal censors. Connie Allinson joins the WRNS in 1941 and is posted as a letter censor (her husband wanted her to do something safe). For those who are nosy, it would be the perfect occupation (as well as those who are curious). It would be exciting to find a letter written in code. I had no idea that some postal censors traveled around from post office to post office to complete their duties. The war years part of the story was interesting, but I did not enjoy the 1967 portion. It was boring and repetitive. Connie is a housewife whose husband likes a strict routine. He wants chores done on a certain day of the week, he has a meal schedule, and he gives Connie the bare minimum for housekeeping (aka the household budget). Connie is bored staying at home and wants to get a job. I do not understand why she asked her husband’s permission to get a job (it was not needed). I would have gotten a job and then told him about it (fait accompli). Connie finds her thoughts consumed by certain letters that she read during the war. She wonders what happened to the people who wrote the letters. When Arthur, her husband, suggests Connie visit London every two months for three days (he is so generous) to catch up with her brother and sister-in-law, Connie jumps at the chance. It will give Connie the opportunity to do some research at Somerset House. I did find it odd that she would venture to find information on people who wrote letters. Connie signed the Official Secrets Act plus many people do not like “knowing” (there is knowing that your letter could be read and having someone show up saying they read your letter) that someone read their personal correspondence (much less remembered it twenty years after the war). I found the story to be long with mixed pacing. While the war year chapters flew by, the other chapters did not. I did not find the ending satisfying. The Letter Reader is a historical tale with a rough war, censored letters, a repetitive routine, a humdrum husband, and facing the future.

My goodness me!!
I am lost for words at just how incredibly emotive this book is, I was hooked from the first page and swept away to another time and place.
The story is compelling, emotional, atmospheric, and poignant to the time with engaging characters whom you will become instantly invested in learning their story and following their journey.
Brilliant!!

I was incredibly lucky to have been sent a complimentary paperback copy of this book and will be sharing a full review and showcasing the book on my Insta in the coming weeks.

1941 – With her husband, in the Royal Navy, Connie wants to play her part and finds herself, joining the WRNS and finds herself reading letters to help the war effort. Part of the Censor unit, her job was to make sure nothing and no one was put at risk by the slightest comment.

1967 – the war is over, but for Connie she finds herself trapped more than if she had been captured in the war. Her husband, now working as an engineer in a power station, does everything to make sure Connie doesn’t have to do anything. Connie’s life is predictable, boring and controlled. Without any children, there marriage is crumbling, but only on Connie side. Her husband sees nothing wrong.

Connie wonders what became of all the people whose letters she read, some still stay in her memory. What if she could find out about there lives after those letters passed through her hands?

When the opportunity to come to London on her own and a chance remark from her sister-in-law leads her down a different path, she sees that maybe her life could be much more fulfilled than it ever has. In fact like it was during the times she was a censor, when she had friends, a purpose and her own thoughts.

This is a fascinating novel, as I learnt about the censorship of the letters during the war. The thought having never occurred to me that someone must have been reading them all. It is always nice to see a different aspect of the war spoken about in historical fiction that sometimes what we are used to.

The anger I felt on Connie’s behalf from the treatment by her husband was palpable and when she won the little victories by changing items for dinner I positively cheered. In 1967 it was accepted and there were probably a lot of women in Connie’s position who never had the chance to escape. Sadly there probably still is women in that position, the control now as a name and is considered unacceptable. If anything this book is for all those women to show there is a way out.

If I am honest, it perhaps made for uncomfortable reading and I would have liked a lot more on the postal censorship, but all of that aside this was an excellent book from an author I have not encountered before. Great for those who want to see another aspect of how Second World War impacted lives.

This author is new to me. I have tried a couple of times and for me the wring did not flow. It switches between he war years and 1967. Question, why do authors and editors not check on historical facts? Connies husband used a helmet when he was riding his bicycle. In 1967 we had a stew not a casserole, It was either French windows or French doors. Younger readers would not now this, or others might not bother, for me continued errors spoil the read. I never got as far as where she looked into the letter writers, however she mentioned that Connie signed the official secrets act, this lasts a lifetime. So she might have broke the rules. Sorry, this is not for me.

I enjoyed the WWII portion of the story, but didn't care much for the 1960s part. I had a hard time connecting with the characters.

This is a quiet and contemplative look at a woman who serves as a WREN during WW II. Connie's job is to read other people's letters, watching for codes or info that could be used by the enemy. She loved these glimpses into the lives of her fellow citizens and the sense of purpose her life had while se served. Fast forward to 1967 and her life is mundane, routine. Her husband of thirty years is smothering her with his need to keep her safe and their home life a constant. Why did they fight the war if not to preserve this life they had before? Connie is heartbroken over their inability to have children of their own and yearns to get out of the house. These two conflicting desires will collide. Examining the life of this couple in the 1960's made for a fascinating juxtaposition between the two generations. Connie observes the freedom in attitude, hairstyles, and clothing choices (disposable dresses!) and recognizes that her generation gave them this opportunity. Yet, the younger people seem to take in stride as if it were owed to them. I struggled with rating this one. The character study is top notch, but the story made me sad. It would make a wonderful book group choice.

Thank you to Aria and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely book which I can recommend to lovers of WW2 fiction. Two seperate timelines and a wonderful insight into the life of a letter censor with the WRNS. A fascinating, atmospheric page turner.

A deep exploration into the impacts of our actions in life and the silence women often face in the world. In 1941 Connie works for the WRNS censoring letters so the enemy cannot gain information. She learns people's secrets and lives vicariously through them.

In 1967 Connie is stifled by domestic life. A wife without a child is expected to silently, and happily fulfill her home duties while she craves her previous freedom. On a trip away from her husband, Connie searches for the authors of the letters and lives she censored, hoping she can find her own freedom through the discovery.

I did struggle to sink into this book, the pacing at the start is difficult to track but things smooth out about a third of the way through. I did enjoy that Connie's separate, fictional lives mirror the everyday life of modern women. In war, women were allowed to take pride in their work, then give it up when the men return home. Now many women are expected to strive and achieve in the workplace, then come home and become a homemaker in the evening. Two separate people living in one body, achieving fully at each.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #ariaaries for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I picked this up since the story came across as being very different. It is a mixed bag – unique story, good character development, slow pace & inadequate follow-through on some aspects.

A story told in two timelines.
During the period of the war in 1941, Connie Allison has the chance to contribute to the war effort by being a censor while her husband Arthur is in the Navy. Connie has to check correspondence to check for any codes or inadvertent revelations which can be risky to the war effort.
In the other timeline in 1967, Arthur has taken up a job in Doncaster and Connie is getting frustrated in the small town. They do not have kids, and Connie feels she can take up a job. Arthur is very controlling of Connie and strict ideas on what she can do (including what she will cook) and all expenses she will incur will need his prior approval. Her friends/neighbours also sense what she is going through and are the only local support for Connie. Connie becomes more and more vocal about her frustrations and Arthur allows her to visit her brother and wife in London once in two months. Connie is also curious on how some of the people whose letters she read many years back are doing.

Connie’s role as a censor, and how she does her job diligently provides a view of a very different contribution to the allied war effort. The pace is quite slow, but the character development of both Connie & Arthur is very good. I loved Connie’s character and was rooting for her to be brave. I expected more from the track involving Connie wanting to know of the people whose letters she had read in the past. The last sections are well-written and I liked how the story ended.

Thanks to Netgalley, publisher Aria & Aries and the author for a free electronic review copy.

My rating: 3.5 / 5.

In the 1940s, Connie becomes a wartime censor in the WRENS, reading letters which come to haunt her. At 30 she is older than most of the other women there, but she is adept at her work, and she enjoys it. Her one big regret is that she listens to her husband Arthur's advice not to be posted to Bermuda. Although the work upsets her at times, she finds it exciting, and likes the travel that her job involves.

Several years later, in 1967, Connie lives a boring and childless life with Arthur, who only gives her housekeeping money, and won't let her work. She is very unhappy with her life, and misses her exciting wartime work. Can Connie improve her life?

I enjoyed this time-slip story, but I preferred reading about Connie's work during the war to reading about her dull life with Arthur. The tale was well-researched, but I kept wondering whether Connie would have had to sign the Official Secrets Act. I am sure that she would have had to do this, and, looking at it from that light, I felt that some of the story wouldn't make sense. Some authors have Epilogues or a note about the background to the story. I would have liked to read one.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.