What a sweet, lovely book! Ms. Fordham has many well-received titles under her book, but this is the first I've experienced. The story sets us in and around the bustling metropolis of Buffalo, New York, not long after the first World War, with much of the plot centered in the zoo, which apparently still exists today. There's a fun side-trip to Niagara Falls, and the author succeeds brilliantly at making the reader feel fully immersed in the time and place. Scions of a classic Hatfield/McCoy rivalry, Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell were friends as young children but then raised to be fierce enemies. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and when two lonely young adults accidentally begin a lasting correspondence with a "stranger," the plot thickens. I thoroughly enjoyed The Letter Tree and look forward to trying more of the author's work. My one criticism: grammatical mistakes made it through the editing process: a "to Isaac and I" and a "between Isaac and I" got through, setting my teeth on edge. It's sad that the author doesn't know better but even worse that HarperCollins lets such slop pass.

Here is my review of the audiobook, The Letter Tree, written by Rachel Fordham and narrated by Kira Fixx. The story takes place in Buffalo, NY, in 1924 and follows the story of two families who are competitors in the shoemaking business and have been feuding for years.

Laura Bradshaw, the heiress of the Bradshaw Shoe Company, has had a quiet life since her mother's death seven years ago. She has been at the beck and call of her father and has only three friends in her small world - her pet bird, Mrs. Gaskin the housekeeper, and the boy with the pinecones she has been writing letters to since she was just 14 years old. Laura loves fairy tales, books, and animals.

Isaac Campbell is the heir to his father's Shoe Company, but he feels he has no power within the business. The only exciting part of his life is the letter between him and the mystery woman he writes to using the Letter Tree.

I enjoyed discovering the family history between the Bradshaws and the Campbells and what caused the feud. The story was full of drama, confusion, friendship, mystery, suspense, and respect. The audiobook narrator did a fabulous job, and she really kept me immersed in the story. She does great male and female voices.

The Letter Tree
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I Loved this story! It was a great sweet Historical Romance that kept me wanting & turning the pages. I loved that it had handwritten letters in the story hidden in a tree. No one writes letters any more hardly. "If the eyes are windows to the soul, then letters are the gate way to the heart." I love the sweet romance mixed with mystery. I also love that the Author told you at the end what was Fiction and what was Historic. A great book!!
Thank you Netgallery!!

A sweet Romeo & Juliet (without the dying) love story. A little suspense thrown in for good measure!
Would have liked to see the characters fleshed out a bit more.
Enjoyed this narrator.
Would be interested in reading or listening to more books by this author.

Wow is how I am going to start this review.
I was given complimentary audiobook from author and netgalley. I also want to apologize for a late review. I absolutely love this audiobook. The narrator does amazing job. Yes this book took me longer to finish. But not because I didn’t love or I was getting bored. I didn’t t want to miss a moment with these characters. A modem day Romeo and Juliet story without death. I related to these characters so much. I love to jounral and read lots of books. The idea of two people writing letters for seven years. Is so sweet and romantic.
I will be adding more books from this author to my tbr.
I really enjoyed the writing style and the world the author created. Definitely be buying my own copy of this book. So many notes of my own I would love to add.
Laura and Isaac getting mixed up a family feud. With the lack of communication of both their families sadden me. I have to say that there was nothing that I would change or didn’t like about this audiobook.
Definitely a book that is a favorite for me 2023. I highly recommend this audiobook.
About Book:
This book is set in the 1920’s in Buffalo New York.
Laura a 21 year old who has been kept from the world. Writing letters at young age to stranger. And loving the zoo and reading books. Since the tragic death of her mother. Laura father is has become a stranger in the home. Only caring about money. Hatred towards his former business partner the Campbell’s. Laura’s father will do anything to over power them. Even have Laura only date a whom he sees profitable.
Issac Campbell a young rebel searching for his mark in the world beside his father’s business also a shoe company. Issac father has warned Issac he would cut from the family. He he has anything to with the Bradshaw’s.. Issac who find a poem he a maple tree decides to write the author of the poem.
Will these two ever know who each is? Read this book.
Thank you to netgalley and author and publisher. For allowing .me read such a beautifully written love story. Felt like I was there with these two characters. Definitely hold a place in my heart.

This is one of those books that captivates you, takes you to a different time/place, and holds your interest so much you can't stop thinking about it even when done. What a great story and great escape from daily life. I loved the way this story, in many ways, mirrored the classic story of Romeo and Juliet - even referencing it many times though out the novel. I loved how there was a love story that really pulled on your heart strings and made you feel as the characters did - pining after one another for many years and drawing out their reunion in the end. There is also an element of mystery and adventure in this novel with many smaller themes under the main love story.

All around great read and I have already recommended it to many others.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for access to the audio production of The Letter Tree.

Much as the title suggests, a tree—a towering maple with plentiful nooks to deposit letters—is the key figure in this book. The setting is the bustling city of Buffalo, New York, a thriving industrial centre in the 1920s. The tree is an unwitting accessory in the courtship of two young people of prominent families. Laura Bradshaw’s family owns the Bradshaw shoe factory. Isaac Campbell’s family owns the Campbell shoe factory. Prior to 1917, the year that the United States entered the war, the families were partners and friends, their children happily growing up together.

Two things happened that year that split them apart in active hostility, abruptly ending the friendship of 14 year old Laura and 16 year old Isaac. Isaac’s young uncle Morton, to whom he was very close, was unable to get out of the draft and very reluctantly donned a uniform. Shortly before he shipped out, Laura’s mother was hit by a car and died. These seemingly unrelated incidents triggered the break, turning friends and business partners into bitter and vengeful rivals. The children, though by then mostly grown, were never permitted to ask why.

Seven years later, the lonely and awkward Laura, while visiting the local zoo, her sanctuary, writes a letter just to express her anxieties, how much she misses her mother, and how much her father resents her. She deposits it in the maple tree. Young Isaac finds it and responds. This begins a lengthy and increasingly affectionate correspondence between anonymous letter writers.
As both are now of courting age, and both families are eager to find worthy matches for them, they are increasingly thrown into the same social circles. Not knowing the other’s part regarding the letter tree, they continue the hatred pressed upon them by their parents.

As they each come to defy their parents’ rigid expectations and learn to speak and act for what they want, they also untangle the family mystery, find out what happened to Morton and Laura’s mother, Catherine, and, most important, they open their eyes to the lessons of the letter tree.

The characters, including Laura’s hired companion, Mrs. Guskin, a wise widow who tries to guide her as a mother would, and the enticing suitors the two are obliged by their parents to cultivate, are interestingly drawn. At times they all veer into good/bad, honest/duplicitous stereotypes. Laura and Isaac are endearing, but their inability to ‘get’ what is going on is at times frustrating. They go from knowing who is the other writer to dismissing that knowledge in a beat, as though they’ve forgotten the evidence overnight, or sooner. On the whole, however, there are enough Romeo and Juliet overtones to keep readers interested. Laura even has a mackaw named Tybalt. And the lovers don’t die in the end.

When I say I couldn’t put this book down, I mean that I read the entire book in less than 48 hours! The details of the story as well as the language and the style of the writing made me feel like I was taking a step back in time. The transformation of the two main characters was awe inspiring. After the first chapter, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to wait to hear how the story ended. There is so much to be learned from a love story like this, and even though this is set in the past, I think it can really resonate with young people today. I can see this book turning into a movie. Great story, great writing. 5 stars for a historical fiction romance.

I was really excited about this book I loved the concept, but it feel flat for me. It started off really well and then was a struggle to get through. The cover and title are beautiful.

This was a story reminiscent of You've Got Mail but set in 1920s America near the Buffalo Zoo. The posting point was a tree and the letter exchange came about inadvertently but was long lasting.

An enjoyable if often predictable story of life between the wars, feuds and romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC

In a Nutshell: After a long wait, I read a novel that delivers exactly what it promises and exactly as per its genre. Loved this beautiful story with loveable lead characters and an old-world charm to its writing. Think ‘Romeo & Juliet’ crossed with ‘You’ve Got Mail’ in a Jazz Age setting.

Story Synopsis:
Buffalo, New York. 1924. It has been many years since the Campbell and Bradshaw families feuded, split their joint shoe business, and stopped speaking with each other. No one knows the reasons behind their fight, not even the heirs of the families.
Laura Bradshaw, 21, loves books and animals. However, after the death of her mother, her father has been focussed only on his shoe company, and wants Laura to marry a new business partner to expand the company. The only source of joy in Laura’s life, other than her pet parrot and her loving housekeeper, is her mysterious pen pal, with whom she has been exchanging letters since seven years by using a hollow in the maple tree at the local zoo as a ‘letter box’.
Isaac Campbell, 23, wants to be more involves in Campbell Shoes, but his father is reluctant to give him a greater role. His overprotective is only concerned about him getting married to the right girl. Isaac finds respite only in words of his secret friend who, through her letters, has provided the comfort and friendship he needs.
Do Laura and Isaac know that they are corresponding with the “enemy”? What will happen when their families learn about the letters?
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspectives of Laura and Isaac.

Bookish Yays:
😍 The prologue set in 1917 gives the book the perfect start.
😍 Laura and Isaac are wonderful leads for this story. As they are still young adults, their actions sometimes seem impulsive. But on the whole, they are carved in a way that made me root for them. Both have vulnerabilities that they overcome with the support of their loved ones and with their own determination.
😍 I loved the role of the maple tree! It has a properly sketched presence in the story that justifies its being the title of the book. It was nice to see many key scenes occur under or around the tree.
😍 Many elements from the Jazz Age are a vital part of the storyline. From flagpole sitting competitions to daredevilry in a bid to set new records to the dance halls, the story incorporates enough of historical events without anything seeming forced. The beautiful writing further enlivens the spirit of the era.
😍 The story is neither fast nor slow, moving ahead at a relaxed tempo that worked well for me. This gives the characters and the plot enough of breathing space.
😍 I loved how good old letter writing had a role to play in the union of the star-crossed lovers. The letters are used well in the plot, and through them, we get an added glimpse of the developing feelings of the lead pair.
😍 As this was a book by a Christian publisher, I expected it to have a strong thread of faith. But there’s hardly any religious content herein. I didn’t mind this, as I anyway don’t like overly preachy stuff. Plus, the Christian tag ensured that the romance stayed clean, with only a few kisses.
😍 On that note, I loved the romance!! It was my kind of a love story – a slow, steady growth of friendship to love, but also with shades of enemies to lovers. No steam, no silly antics, no whiny females or buff males. Just two regular people falling for each other based on a connection of souls and not bodies. Perfect!
😍 There are also two mysteries in the book – one connected to the rift between the Campbells and the Bradshaws, and the other connected to a secondary character. Both were interesting, and both were resolved satisfactorily.
😍 The author’s note at the end clarifies the facts and the fiction. I love how she began her note by saying that she loved reading such notes and historical clarifications as a reader, and hence writes the same for her readers. Thank you!

Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 Other than Laura’s housekeeper Miss Guskin and Isaac’s best friend (Forgot his name!), the remaining secondary characters are mostly clichéd. Be it the parents or other potential love interests, none broke the mould. This was the biggest shortcoming of the story, as all the goodwill gained by the good characters was nullified by the stock ones.
😐 The Buffalo zoo also has a vital role to play in the plot. Courtesy Laura’s love for animals and the zoo being a frequent location in the story for a rendezvous, we get a great glimpse of the animals therein. It is a bit too cutesy to be realistic, but this wasn’t meant to be literary fiction, so the focus stays on the positive side of the zoo.

🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 10 hrs 39 min, was narrated by Kira Fixx. She does handle the narration well, though I admit I had a tough time getting used to the high pitch of her voice. The accent didn’t cause me any trouble though. She had a lovely smooth way of speaking out sentences that suited Laura’s personality perfectly. I’d have loved to see a male narrator voicing Isaac’s chapters, though Fixx does handle male voices fairly well.

All in all, this is exactly what you would expect from a historical romantic drama, plus a little more. It might not be path-breaking fiction and is mostly predictable, as is common with this genre. However, it delivers on everything it promises.
Definitely recommended when you are looking for a soothing historical read with a lovely mix of sweet romance and family mystery. Not for those who want insta love or steamy action.

4.5 stars, happy to round up.

My thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Letter Tree”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.

The Letter Tree
By: Rachel Fordham
Narrated By: Kira Fixx
Review Score: 3 Stars

Why Was This Book “Just Ok”?
I love a good historical fiction novel. Add in a Romeo and Juliet type story, and you have the makings of a really intriguing novel. This book dragged for me at times, and it felt like many of the storylines simply took too long to come together.


Do I still recommend it?
Yes, I think the story itself is interesting enough, and people would enjoy it.


———

The Letter Tree was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing. Thank you for allowing me to read this book!

Release Date: Out Now!

I was really intrigued to start The Letter Tree. I love the setting, and how 2 characters have lives that are more intertwined than even they realize.

What made this book just ok for me was the length. The story itself is interesting enough, but it felt like that were so much extra detail that wasnt necessary. It was a bit slow at times, and that really made it hard for me to stay interested.

I also felt that there were quite a few story lines going on all at the same time, and it took too long to bring them all together.

I know so many more people may like this book more than I did. And, to be clear, I did like it, but I did not love it.


#bookstagram #books #readingnow #boogiereadsbooks #fivekeyfeels #audiobooks #audiobook #fiction #arcreview #netgalley#boogiesbulletpoints #justokthursday

This book is set in spring but I actually thought it felt like fall with the zoo in Buffalo, NY (during Prohibition) being the setting. There's a bit of mystery and a lot of romance. There's a lit of references to fairytales and Shakespeare since Laura is a big reader, thanks to her mother. Laura and Isaac definitely share a lot of parallels with the most famous star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.

Now that I have a daughter of my own, stories about mother-daughter relationships definitely hit different, especially since I've never had a great relationship with my own mother. I thought Laura's love of her mother and grief over her death was sweet and genuine feeling.

I definitely recommend this one, especially if you love historical romance!

If you're a fan of Romeo-and-Juliet-style romances, you'll want to check this one out.

Laura Bradshaw was raised in Buffalo, NY, by her single father. Her mother was killed years before when she was struck down in the road by a passing vehicle.

Isaac Campbell is a sought-after bachelor who just wants to feel useful and needed. But his father continually pushes him toward a life of leisure and entertainment.

Both Laura and Isaac are the offspring of former business partners and now rival shoe manufacturers that have been feuding since around the same time that Laura's mother died.

Laura and Isaac both have a secret pen pal that makes their lives bearable, until they finally realize after all these years that they've each been writing to their sworn enemy. The problem is, through their letters, they've fallen in love. So the question becomes, how can they ever be together when both their fathers would move heaven and earth to prevent their union?

Everything ultimately ties back to the mystery behind Laura's mother's death and the splitting of the Bradshaw and Campbell shoe factories. So, Laura and Isaac set out to find the truth so they can set the future on a different course.

I truly enjoyed this story and how special books and writing were to each of the main characters. As someone who shares that passion, it touched my heart and made me feel especially close to them.

Well done, Rachel Fordham! And thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

This was a beautifully moving and romantic mash up of Romeo & Juliet and You've got mail set in 1920s Buffalo, New York that sees two childhood friends torn apart by their feuding families only to reconnect years later when they start exchanging letters in a special Maple tree at the Brooklyn Zoo.

Rachel Fordham was a new to me author and I honestly had zero expectations going into this story but imagine my delight when I just couldn't put it down!! Full of family drama, sweet first love and friendship, animals, books and so much more.

This was also great on audio read by a new to me narrator, Kira Fixx. HIGHLY recommended especially for fans of stories like The zookeeper's wife or authors like Pepper Basham. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!

I went into this book blind without knowing it was a perfect blend (forbidden love trope) of Romeo & Juliet with "You've Got Mail" vibes - but in 1920s New York. Yes, please! That was so much fun to discover on my own!
My heart sank as I neared the end of the prologue with a scene that's a similar, recent, devastating reality in my life (I'm sure it's a very rare trigger for most people). However, I was able to skip over the details easily. It was dealt with often as it was a big event in the main character's life, but the author handled it in a gentle, thoughtful way. I think I was able to do a little processing and grieving right along with our main character, so I felt bonded with her from the start. It's hard not to love Laura's high standards, kind heart, and fierce determination. The author also made it easy to despise the "new guy" in town and the awful girl who plays a spiteful trick on Laura! The historical context and super sweet romance was a definite page-turner late into the night. I simply had to see how everything resolved itself - there was so much! I loved the realistic ending and will definitely look for more from Rachel Fordham. A recommended CLEAN ROMANCE BOOK.

Look for the release tomorrow - October 31st, 2023!!!

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley & HarperCollins Christian Publishing/Thomas Nelson for the Advanced Reader Copy for my honest review.

I loved every minute I spent listening to The Letter Tree. The story drew me in and the main characters captivated my attention. I loved the way the historical setting added to the story without taking over the story.

The Letter Tree tells the story of a friendship that develops out of chance, heartbreak, and the inevitable growing pains of learning to find a place in the world. When Laura's mother dies in a tragic accident, she finds herself hiding poetry in a tree in the park. When she goes to retrieve her hidden writings, she finds a letter waiting for her, from a young man who sought refuge in the tree. So begins years worth of anonymous, back and forth letters.

Circumstances change, as they are wont to do, and Laura finds herself considering marriage as an escape from her unhappy home. Will her pen pal best friend be able to overcome the reality of their situation and find a way for them to be together in person instead of just in letters? And what happens when Laura discovers her best friend is the son of her father's greatest enemy?

This book kept me engaged and delighted me the whole way through, with just enough twists and turns I didn't see coming.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Fordham, and the publisher for an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own!

Thank you to the publisher & Netgalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this story. The characters, the setting, the relationships, the family history, and history of an area in Upstate NY. Mystery & a sweet romance combined into one.

Especially loved hearing about the zoo & Delaware Park (a place I frequented in graduate school). The narrators of the audiobook were great & kept me engaged throughout. Also loved the Author’s Note at the end to hear how the one elephant wasn’t fictional afterall.

Highly recommend!

THE LETTER TREE
Rachel Fordham
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I listened to this one and I absolutely loved it!!! It’s a story of navigating your way through the messiness of family, working toward reconciliation and finding the real truth!!!

The Campbell and Bradshaw families are feuding but no one will speak about why!!!! Laura Campbell lost her mother and stays home and reads. She also enjoys going to the zoo and starts leaving letters/poems in a tree. Someone finds it and writes back!! This goes on for years and the two are going to meet but when the other person realizes it is Laura, he cannot reveal himself.

Laura’s father wants her to marry a business associate but Laura tries and realizes that he is not who everyone thinks he is. She must find her pen pal and see if they have a future!!

This is a love story that I loved and listened to it quickly as it was so good!!!!

This was such a sweet romance. I loved how the Bradshaws and Campbells came together through their anonymous letter writing to each other. It’s tough to find sweet, clean romances these days and this was just perfect.