This book is like You've Got Mail, but make it historical fiction x Romeo and Juliet! Instead of a chat room, there is a letter tree. Instead of a big book mogul stealing a bookshop, we have two shoemaking families locked in a feud. Instead of the streets of New York, it's the Buffalo, NY Zoo in the 1920's. There's a darling housekeeper, a snarky parrot, and Big Frank the elephant!

There was so much to love about this book, and I give it a solid four stars! I felt like, when the explanation of the feud finally comes to light it felt underdeveloped. I felt similarly about the character development of the two main characters. It felt very abrupt. I felt like the set up for the story was rather long, and I had a hard time getting into it. But when it started moving, it was a fun story!

𝑻𝒘𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔...𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚...
𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒈𝒓𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆, 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒎𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒚...

Bradshaw Campbell shoes used to be an empire: two best friends and their families, making quality shoes. Until the war. Now, it is 1924 and the war is over, and Bradshaw Shoe Company is the enemy of Campbell Shoe Company; no longer friends but sworn enemies.

Laura Bradshaw, daughter and heir of the Bradshaw Shoe Company, loses her mother in tragic accident when she is in her teens. Feeling alone, she writes poetry and leaves it in her favourite tree in the Buffalo Zoo, planning to return and finish it. When she returns, she finds a letter written to her by a stranger- and this letter begins a back and forth exchange between two people who are not known to one another in the flesh, but know the true heart and mind of one another.

When a new business opportunity has all the wealthy businessmen of Buffalo interested- including Laura’s father, Laura finds courage to protect her family in the most unlikely source.

I loved the idea of this story- anything with Romeo and Juliet, enemies to lovers vibes is always great! The story flowed well and held my interest. I did find at some points I was wishing for a bit ‘more’ - it comes across as a YA read and doesn’t go into a lot of the love storyline as much as I would have liked. That is a personal preference though and not a critique of what the story actually is.

I’d recommend this one to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, or enemies to love romance tropes!

This is a great choice for readers who like a slow, sweet romance with interesting historical details and a hint of mystery. Laura and Isaac are just a sweet couple, and I liked seeing both of them learn to stand on their own feet and stand together, not just bow down to the expectations of their fathers.
I loved the setting in Buffalo, NY and the glimpses of the zoo and the happenings around the area in the 1920s, like a person going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. (The setting might have been my favorite thing about the story--although I'm biased because I grew up just two hours outside of Buffalo and miss upstate NY!)
I also really liked the mystery element, with Laura and Isaac trying to figure out what caused the rift between their families.
The story felt a bit slow sometimes, but overall, I really liked it! 4 stars.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Set in 1924, this sweet, touching novel finds Laura Bradshaw and Isaac's Campbell coming into adulthood. Laura has been corresponding with a mysterious friend for years - something that began when she left a letter hidden in a tree hollow at the local zoo. An avid animal lover and bibliophile, Laura is forbidden to leave the house unless her father approves her activities. Her escape to the zoo provides her only outlet in life until her father's business demands she date a dashing business associate. The letters she writes and receives have been lifeline to her through the lonely teen years. Isaac is a sought-after bachelor who really has no interest in the shoe business - rather he would love to try his hand at journalism. But his father refuses and is grooming him to take over when he retires. Mystery, intrigue, and sweet romance all wrapped in the history from the roaring twenties will have you enjoying this latest novel by Rachel Fordham I was gifted this copy by NetGalley and all opinions are my own

The cover of The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham is beautiful. It helps you visualize the letter tree that is in the zoo.

I found the pacing of The Letter Tree to be slower than other Fordham novels. The premise is business partners who had something come between them, so they split the business. There are now two shoe stores, the Bradshaw's and the Campbell's. There are two small mysteries. One is why the two families are feuding, and the other I will let you read more about.

I like Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell, but I had a hard time connecting to either one. I enjoyed the letters they exchanged. I didn't care for Laura's father, but I don't think you are supposed to 😂.

The story is well-written and well-researched for its time period. It has secrets and mysteries, is an enemies-to-lovers trope, with themes of reconciliation, and love covers all vibes.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A feud caused by family secrets causes a rift that Laura and Isaac don’t seem to be able to overcome—until they work together to try to mend fences.

You’ve Got Mail meets Romeo & Juliet. Great story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rachel Fordham is well known for her sweet historical romances and this was another beautifully sweet historical. Set a few years after The Great War, this story follows the heirs of the feuding families, Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell. In this mash-up of Romeo and Juliet and You've Got Mail set in the roaring 20s, this story had a lot going for it! Laura and Isaac were separated in their teenage friendship when their families split ways and inherited the hate for the other, but both have their "letter friend" with whom they are corresponding via the Letter Tree. When they each find out that the other has been their long-time pen pal, they begin to soften towards each other. And when they find a common enemy, they come even closer together.

This book had many wonderful elements. With the backdrop of the early 20s, there was a lot of culture included in the story including prohibition, pole sitting, and various fashions. I enjoyed the character development set in the story as well - not only of Isaac and Laura, but also side characters. The romance in this novel was super sweet and had a fun "enemies to lovers" trope to it. As an animal lover, the fact that the zoo played a prominent role in the story was fun for me as well. And with a book-loving heroine, I definitely had someone I could relate to. There were a couple of mysteries included as well, which made the story much more enjoyable to me. And though I'm not familiar with Buffalo, there is a scene in Niagara Falls, which is a familiar place for me and it was fun to "see" the Falls through the eyes of the characters a hundred years ago. The faith thread in this book was subtle, but themes of forgiveness were prevalent throughout. All in all, this is a book I'd definitely recommend to fans of historical romance. Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

Laura and Isaac are star-crossed lovers. As children, their fathers owned a shoe factory together. Isaac's uncle goes to war, Laura's mother dies, and the factory splits in two.

Laura's father is a difficult man and she dreams of escape. She accidentally begins a correspondence with an unknown boy, using the Letter Tree as their delivery medium.

I enjoyed the letters shared by Laura and Isaac, but failed to connect with the characters. The story progressed slowly as the author wove in several plotlines.

This was a clean read though there was no faith elements. This book was a combination of Romeo and Juliet and You've Got Mail.

These star-crossed lovers get a happy ending.
I recieved an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

I loved this book. It is You've Got Mail mixed with Romeo and Juliet set in 1924. I adored the letter exchange in the book. What a beautiful way to get to know someone. Isaac Campbell and Laura Bradshaw were friends as children before their families had a falling out. Then they became enemies. Through many, many letters and years of unnecessary heartache things just might turn around for everyone.
This book has romance, intrigue and wonderful interactions. I would highly recommend reading this book.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.

Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell were once childhood friends. Their fathers co-owned a shoe company in Buffalo, NY in 1917. For unknown reasons, their fathers split the business and became enemies. The split tore the two friends apart. At the same time Laura’s mother was killed and her father became angry, distant, and overprotective. As a result Laura grew up extremely sheltered. Her only friend, besides her motherly housekeeper, is a boy she met through letters exchanged in a tree in the Buffalo Zoo. As she grew up she came to realize that the only way to escape her father’s house is to get married. Without any friends, she seriously considers the attractive and wealthy young man her father wants her to marry for business purposes.
It turns out that Isaac is her secret letter writer (unknown to him also) and when he learns that his friend is considering marriage and cutting ties with him, he panics and suggests they meet for the first time. What follows is a story of love, regret, and a few mysteries too. I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read of this author’s and this one is no exception. I liked the characters. I liked Laura’s innocence and Isaac’s protectiveness for her. I like how she learned to stand up for her hey. I felt their sadness over the possibility of never being together. I definitely recommend this story.
This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review.

The Montagues and Capulets have nothing on the Campbells and Bradshaws on Buffalo, New York during the 1920s. The feud starts during World War I. The children, Isaac and Laura, are torn apart and don't understand why their families hate each another. Laura wrote a poem expressing her distress and put it in a hole in a tree in the park, and a boy wrote her back. Over seven years they continued to write, even when the tree became included in the zoo. When Isaac and Laura realize they are writing to each other, they determine to uncover the cause of the feud, stop letting parents control their lives, and end the feud.

The Letter Tree, by Rachel Fordham, explores the current culture of the roaring 20's (flag pole sitting, speakeasy's, money scams, the "modern woman", while writing a can't put it down story. I highly recommend this book. I was allowed to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

I only got about 40% through this book. It was well-written but the story just didn't grab me. It seemed to move slowly and I became impatient for it to get to where I knew it was going to go. Both Israel and Laura seem miserable even though they have every advantage. I have read other books by Rachel Fordham (The Hope of Azure Springs) that I enjoyed and still consider her a good author.

While I've always enjoyed historical romance in the past, lately I have found that it has been more difficult to find historical reads that grab my attention... but right from the start, this one grabbed me and held me throughout. It definitely had a great Romeo and Juliet feel to it (with a much happier ending).

Isaac and Laura were friends as children, until there was a falling out between their parents for reasons unknown to them. The feud that followed ran deep. The one person that Laura found to turn to was her unknown letter writing friend with whom she would swap letters with via a tree. Of course, it turns out that that letter friend of hers is the son of the enemy. This story was told so well, I loved the letters and the feud, but there was also a bit of mystery that kept me intrigued too. It truly was such a well-balanced story and one that I absolutely adored!

If you're looking for a wonderful historical romance, this is one absolutely not to be missed!

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.

It is amazing how the Lord leads me to books, and This one will now go on my favorites list, because I really loved it! The story caught me from the first chapter where I found two people corresponding by writing letters to each other, and leaving them in an old oak tree close to the zoo. Those letters, who at first were just two people anonymously sharing their hearts, eventually ended up changing their lives and futures. It was so moving, filled with a 1920's love story that is not mushy at all, but so beautiful that it hooked me from the get go, and kept me all the way to the end! I couldn't put it down, and also I also couldn't believe how much I loved this story! Very rarely do I come across such a well written story that I enjoy so much that I wanted to reread it again, but I absolutely will reread it!! I can't wait to see if it comes out in audiobook form. This is my first I have read from Rachel Fordham, and I can't wait to read more. To me, it is definitely a 5 star book, and I can't recommend it enough!

I wish I had liked this book. As a young teen I loved Daddy Longlegs, and the premise of two people developing a relationship through letters hidden in a tree was very appealing. Unfortunately this story was painfully predictable. Laura and Isaac, when they discover one another are from feuding families and are forbidden any relationship. They are pictured as adults, but their attitudes and actions are more like children. The happily ever after ending seemed contrived. I received an arc from NetGalley and am under no pressure for a positive review.

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham. If you're curious to see what a talented author can do with a 1920's Romeo and Juliet and a 1990's You've Got Mail,blended story then read this book. There are two families who used to be in business together as well as being close friends. Then Laura's mother dies and for seemingly unknown reasons, the two businesses split and the families are forbidden to speak to each other. Laura and Isaac were friends but all of a sudden they were told that they must hate the other family. Laura enjoyed going to the zoo and sitting beneath a large tree to write poetry.One day she was in a hurry so she left her poetry in a crevice in the tree. When she came back to retrieve it, it was gone and in it's place there was a letter. If you want to know the rest, you must read this book. This book has do many elements-- forbidden love, what caused the feud between the two families, and many other things too numerous to mention. It comes out on October 31,2023 but can be pre-ordered now. I received the ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and and was under no obligation for a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Buffalo, New York 1924

Ever since Laura’s mother died, she has been banished, so to speak. Her overbearing father, owner of Bradshaw Shoe Company cares for little more than overcoming his rival, Campbell Shoe Company.

One of Laura’s joys in life is the tree in the zoo where she exchanges letters with a mysterious person, but her father intends to match her up with a business associate, who she isn’t sure about.

The Letter Tree started out slow for me but as Isaac and Laura communicated more and realized they were each other’s pen pal (of sorts) and the plot thickens with who Abel Fredricks really was, I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. In the beginning, I really didn’t know if I liked Laura. She seemed so shy but as she and Isaac got to know each other while in Niagara Falls, I saw how brave and courageous she was and Isaac too. It was wonderful to see their natural talents shine without their father’s influence in their lives.

I enjoyed this and would recommend this to anyone wanting a story set during the 1920s and a You’ve Got Mail vibe with a historical hint to it.

My gratitude to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson. All opinions expressed are mine.

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham was a great read! If you are a fan of old fashioned, hand-written letter writing and have fond memories of a pen pal, then this book is for you. It’s a classic star-crossed lovers story set in the 1920s. Very engaging and perfect to read on cool fall evenings. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. (Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for letting me preview this book. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.)

other young ladies from Buffalo’s wealthier families have social lives or even jobs; Laura has her housekeeper, a parrot, and a pen pal she’s been writing to for almost a decade. A mysterious pen pal who leaves letters in a hollow in the old maple tree inside the zoo.

Laura has seldom left her house since her mother’s death and the acrimonious split between Mr. Bradshaw and his business partner, William Campbell. Her father doesn’t want her mingling with anyone who may fraternize with his hated rival. When her father introduces Laura to a potential business partner, she hopes she’ll find a way out of her gilded cage.

But despite the excitement of going out on dates with a handsome, charming man, Laura can’t help but feel Abel Fredricks seems less than genuine. If only she could meet the mysterious letter writer who has become her confidant and best friend over the years. She can’t help but wonder about his identity.

Isaac Campbell has dutifully done what his father asked over the last decade. But he’s itching to do something real and meaningful. His father expects him to live a life of leisure, but Isaac wants to involve himself in the family shoe business and discover ways to best Mr. Bradshaw.

His mother wants him to find a wealthy young lady and get married, but Isaac feels as if his secret pen pal is the only real woman he knows. When he discovers her identity, he has a new mission in life—put an end to the ridiculous feud between his father and his former business partner.

Can Isaac and Laura discover the root cause of the feud and overcome the hate their families have taught them?

What I Loved About This Book

You'll love The Letter Tree if you love sweet historical romance books with a dash of mystery and intrigue. Readers who struggle with difficult family members will relate to Laura and cheer for her as she struggles to break out of her cage.

Fordham’s attention to historical details will delight lovers of historical fiction.

The Letter Tree
By Rachel Fordham
Oct. 31
Thomas Nelson
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
* historical fiction
I loved this book! It was an endearing book to read about two feuding families and how it affects all around them. I especially enjoyed the letters left in trees throughout the book over a period of 7 years.
Magical and Unique. Mrs Guskin was one of my favorite characters.
5 stars