Seven Letters

I loved this book. The cast of characters from Kate, Ozzie and Gottfried - to Nan and Seamus, just draw you in. Milly too. The story is lovely and gut wrenching at times. Good read, recommend to everyone:

This is a lovely story about the beauty and meaning of place and the ones we love despite ourselves. Kate Moreton has gone to the Blasket Islands of Ireland. She wants to work on her PhD about the famous writers who once lived there. She intends to finish her research and then head back home to Ireland. But instead she falls in love, with the beautiful, deserted islands and their wisps of memory. She also falls in love with Ozzie, a man who share her passion for the land. This is a book you can truly immerse yourself in, the kind where you lose track not only of time, but of where you are

Although I lived in England for many years, I never got to see Ireland. Reading this book made me regret not seeing Ireland. The descriptions of the land were wonderful and I did have to look up many mentioned places to learn more. Kate is in Ireland doing research. She meets Ozzie, a fisherman, and there is an instand connection between them. The love becomes intense, so intense it engulfs them completely. There is a tragedy, a separation and finally Kate knows the real Ozzie. An emotional, heart-wrenching story with an absolutely perfect ending!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kate is a doctoral candidate. In order to truly get to know her research subject she travels to Ireland for a year long project on a scholarship. She's supposed to be studying the Blasket Islands and on her very first day there, happens to befriend a very elderly Irish bazillionaire who then introduces her to her smokin' hot American war veteran grandson who just wants to be an Irish fisherman with a heapin' helping side dish of raging alcoholism, but not like, the kind of alcholism that leads to blacking her eyes or anything, the handsome brood-y kind. /s. You're probably confused by the 4 star rating after that intro.

Honestly the I rolled my eyes through the first 1/3 of this entire book because of the above shenanigans. She marries this dude after knowing him for what seems like WEEKS. Even with knowing all of that. But then.....the CHARACTER GROWTH. It would cause spoilers galore for me to explain what happens, but I cried in the last 1/3d of this book. It went a lot of places I wasn't expecting it to, she spends a lot of time on her chic and elegant therapist's couch staring at birds and gorgeous scarves, she ends up in Italy with her best friend running down a rabbit hole trying to figure out what happened to above husband, Syrian refugee camps, but the protagonist undergoes some pretty deep growth and I ended up being pretty happy I didn't give up on it after the first 1/3rd.

4.5 Stars!!!
I love when a novel touches your heart! Seven Letters is J.P. Monninger’s second novel and just like the previous novel (The Map That Leads to You), I was completely captivated from start to finish! This novel was set in the picturesque and magical country of Ireland which is what initially had me excited to dive in, but the original and moving storyline is what kept me hooked. The cast of characters were extremely endearing and I really enjoyed feeling like a fly on the wall through the journey J.P. Monninger has created for them! Seven Letters is a fantastic romance novel packed with depth and emotion—I highly recommend this gem to everyone!

** I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
This is a quiet story about a couple who has an instant connection but is not fully prepared for all that entails.
This book is beautifully written. There is nothing crazy or out of control but there is a real look at what can happen when you sink yourself into someone and then the world breaks in. It looks at the choices we make and how Pride and fear can get in the way. Everyone has broken pieces. Sometimes they cut those closest to them.
There were some places where the story drug a bit and the timeline was a little murky. All in all it is not only a love story about a couple but also one about a woman falling in love with a country.

Many thanks to Net Galley, JP Monninger and the publisher for the ARC.
I can never resist a tale set in Ireland. Not knowing anything about the Blasket Islands intrigued me even more. It did not disappoint. The descriptions were so realistic that I became transported. Romance driven novels are not my usual genre but I did get swept up in the intensity, drama and genuine love between Ozzie and Kate.
A solid 4*

Kate Moreton is a PhD candidate at Dartmouth who has an opportunity to go to Ireland to do research on the Blasket Islands. She is very serious about doing her research and vows not to get involved in a love relationship. Kate meets Ozzie, a handsome fisherman who is Irish-American, living now in Ireland and quickly forgets her promise! The two enter into a relationship that proves to be as rocky as the Irish coast! A powerful story that will have the reader turning pages as quickly as possible to see how the story ends. Endearing characters and beautiful locations that are described in such detail that you will see the landscape and feel the sand under your feet! A solid four stars for this emotional story!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

I received an ARC of this novel from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in exchange for my review. The Map That Leads to You by J.P. Monninger was one of my favorite books of last year so I was thrilled to be given a review copy of Seven Letters and it did not disappoint. Monninger writes in a way that completely draws you into the characters and plot until you look up and hours have passed and you are still deeply engrossed in the story.

This is the complicated love story of Kate and Ozzie, who meet in Ozzie's home near The Blasket Islands in Ireland. Kate is writing her dissertation on The Blasket Islands and spends a semester in Ireland to research them. She falls in love with Ozzie, who is suffering from PTSD. Their love is beautiful and complicated, and it makes for a fabulous story. I highly recommend this one!

This book was sent to me to review.

Ireland setting caught my attention
Ireland is the place I always want to read books set there. I dream of going myself,
for now I will books that take me there.

A PhD student is researching Blasket Island population.

The descriptions led me there.
I love her inner dialogue.
I loved the message of love-
there are no villains, just humans trying to be good at a difficult thing.

I enjoyed this book.

A surprisingly different story, one of lore and love but also of conscience and humanity. Kate is an intelligent and captivating character, even if I wanted to throttle her a time or two, and the supporting cast is as varied as they are enchanting. The plot is originally driven by a historical Irish settlement and Kate’s research, but twists and weaves itself into a richly social and humanitarian sea.
Monninger’s voice is heard throughout and whether I was chuckling at her witty dialogue or nearing tears with Kate’s heartache, I appreciate the journey she took me on.

A gorgeous novel the setting the people Kate ,Ozzie the rest.of the Island inhabitants I was drawn right into the story the lives of the characters the setting.This is the type of book you sink into and sail away from your life into the story,#netgalley #st.martinspress.

Seven Letters is a bit wordy in some areas, but the characters were interesting and the plot was good. This book was a bit of a surprise for me.

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced read in exchange for this review. Kate is a doctoral candidate at Dartmouth studying Ireland and the history of Blaskets. She gets the opportunity to go to Ireland herself and does not expect to fall in love so quickly with a man named Ozzie. Tragedy strikes and soon their love is tested.
What I loved most was the author’s ability to describe the scenery of Ireland. I’m not sure I bought Ozzie and Kate’s love story. It all happened so fast and then suddenly it was fast forward to 2 years later. I was worried Kate was going to throw away her hard work for something that I wasn’t sure she was completely sure about. I think Ozzie’s character could have been more developed. This certainly would have helped me, as the reader, be more convinced of their love. I did enjoy the book overall, however.

A breathtaking view of love loss and Ireland. When the love of your life doesn't fit in your version of where life should be moving towards what do you do?

I really enjoyed this book. The feeling of belonging to a place that one has never been is one that I truly understand. A wonderful story.

Endearing story of a doctoral researcher in Ireland who finds much more than she came for. Sensitive and poignant writing, a plot that keeps you reading and guessing, and how grace, redemption and salvation can come to rational people making irrational decisions. Definitely upped my interest in Irish history and desire to visit the land and legends. Thank you to Netgalley, Ms. Monninger, and the publisher for the ARC.

My first J.P. Monninger title was "The Map that Leads to You" and yes, I sing the Maroon 5 song in my head every time I think of it. I was delighted to see his name and couldn't wait to read. "Seven Letters" did not disappoint. Kate is a flawed character who is true to live, which is what I loved most about her. Ozzie, what can I say about Ozzie. We all have our demons and having lived through this time in my life of uncertainty and learning to trust and figuring out who I am as a person and in the context of a relationship, I enjoyed watching this story unfold. I have already recommended it to friends.

I enjoyed the story and it kept me turning the pages.
I’m not too sure about the relationship between Ozzie and Kate. I loved the description of Ireland, made me want to go. If your looking for a romantic book, definitely check this one out. Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the early copy

After this book disappeared off my Kindle, I downloaded it again. I had already read it and loved it!

I very much enjoyed this book; 4.5 stars. This will probably not be the selling point for most readers, but one of the aspects of the book I enjoyed the most was the research on, history of, and exploration of the Blasket Islands off the west coast of Ireland, as Kate Moreton, the protagonist, learns more about her family history and works on her dissertation, which focuses on narratives of the former residents of the islands, especially the women who lived there. [Of course, having Irish ancestry, a degree in History, and having enjoyed the time I have spent in Ireland (though never on the west coast), that aspect of the story was a perfect fit for me.] The author created wonderful characters to assist Kate in her research and to really experience Ireland at its purest with Nora Crean (Gran), Seamus, Ozzie (the grandson of Gran and the eventual love interest of Kate), Bertie, and some of the University of Limerick staff, especially Daijeet. The burgeoning relationship between Ozzie and Kate, which does not get off to the most propitious start, is entertaining, enjoyable, romantic, and passionate.

Of course, the happiness cannot last, and Kate begins to realize that there are aspects of Ozzie's personality (which is shaped in part by his service in Afghanistan) that she does not really understand and possibly cannot handle; their marriage is not what she imagined. The second half of the book focuses on their separation, Kate trying to figure herself out, and her life becoming undone again when Ozzie re-enters her life in a most unexpected and unfortunate way, but the unexpected event gives her the opportunity to better understand her husband and herself. The book explores love, loss, expectations, how we really don't know each other or even truly know ourselves, and the power and grace of being vulnerable with someone.

I received a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

This is one of the best books I've read this year. It's a love story full of adventure and characters that come alive in the most wonderful way. It's definitely not a run of the mill love story. I was at times surprised and heartbroken as the story progressed.

Kate is a college professor who is studying the people who once lived on Blasket Isand off the coast of Ireland. Once landed in Ireland, Kate is looking for a seat on a crowded bus and just as she sees a vacant bench Kate is invited to sit with an older gentleman. He tells her the vacant seats must be reserved for someone important. A well appointed elderly lady is helped into those seats. Kate helps this woman and is given a card with her phone number. Nora or Gran wants to repay Kate's kindness with a visit to her home. This is where she meets Ozzie Nora's grandson.

Don't miss the chance to read this book. It's great! I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from the author and St Martin's through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are completely my own.
#SevenLetters #NetGalley

I received a complimentary advanced copy, which I voluntarily read and reviewed of Seven Letters from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What a tragically beautiful love story! I became completely engrossed in Kate's quest for knowledge of the Irish Blasket Islanders, as well as her life, and fell head over heels in love with Ozzie. Well done.
--A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and J.P. Monninger for the ARC.

A sweeping saga of love and loss. From the halls of Dartmouth to deserted islands in Ireland you will follow the beautiful and tragic relationship of Ozzie and Kate. The prose is beautiful and you can almost feel the chill of the wind and taste a drink by a peat fire. Misunderstandings and skewed expectations can take a toll on any relationship, and this new relationship is no exception. Sometimes you really don't know what you had until it is gone. Many issues are explored in this book and you will find it on your mind long after you finish reading,

As soon as I read the first letter I knew I was going to love this story. And oh I did!

This isn't a traditional romance story in beautiful Ireland. It is a deep, soulful, character-driven story of love, loss, brokenness, sin, and redemption. Kate is Irish through and through. Her dream of seeing the Blasket Islands and finishing her dissertation is finally coming around. She will be able to live by the sea and finish her research regarding the islands and how even her own family had been evacuated.

But life is never as tidy as that. When Ozzie comes along, it's as if their souls knew each other at once. There was a palpable feeling of connection in the way the author told this story. The descriptions of the sea, the saltiness you could almost taste, the wild beauty of the islands and the warmth of the people. Ozzie and Kate are an island in a vast sea of people.

I don't want to give anything away with this review. Just read it. And now I shall make myself a nice cup of tea and read it slower and savor all of the feels it has to offer.

Brilliant Work!

NetGalley/ October 8th, 2019 by St. Martin's Griffin

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, since it was a romance, but the scenery and the characters had me from the start. It was for the most part a peaceful, dreamy read, but then there were the rough seas, both literally and figuratively! I found it hard to put down.
I'm really glad that I didn't read enough reviews or spoilers to be clued in on the ending, and I would suggest that you also resist that temptation! You will thank me later. I found it interesting, lovely, peaceful, exciting, maddening, sad, poignant, rueful, retrospective, thoughtful and hopeful. Many thanks to Net Galley, JP Monninger and the publisher for the ARC, in return for an honest review.

SEVEN LETTERS by J. P. Monninger is a beautifully-written and romantic novel about love, family and the meaning of home. Set mostly in present day Ireland, the vivid descriptions of the settings transported me there with the characters. The story is told from the single point of view of Kate Moreton, a Ph.D. student at Dartmouth University who ventures to her father’s homeland of Ireland to research the history of the people of the Blasket Islands for her dissertation. Soon after arriving in Ireland, Kate meets Ozzie, an Irish-American fisherman who is struggling with a past that haunts him deeply. Against her better judgment, Kate falls desperately in love with Ozzie and puts everything in her life on hold to pursue a life with him. Their journey together is both moving and heart-wrenching as they deal with tragedy, misunderstanding, separation and redemption. I truly enjoyed this compelling and emotional story of love, loss and forgiveness and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

After reading 'The Map That Leads to You' (which I adored), I couldn't wait to read this book. Although not quite as much of a favorite as the previously mentioned novel, 'Seven Letters' as magical, and romantic and will make all lovers of romance and women's fiction quite happy.

I received a copy of Seven Letters By J.P. Monninger from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I give Seven Letters by J.P. Monninger 5 stars! What a beautiful depiction of Ireland and magical storytelling of the myth in the beginning. Absolutely enchanting! The love between Kate and Ozzie is beautiful, yet haunting. A story of love and loss. A powerful read and I definitely recommend this book.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. In this book we get to meet Kate Moreton and Ozzie Ferriter and I just loved this story. I loved getting to see where Kate and Ozzie end up and their journey to the end. This book was such an easy read and I highly recommend this title you will not be disappointed.

I received a copy of SEVEN LETTERS on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and author.

FIVE stars and here’s why:

The book drew me in from the get-go. I thoroughly enjoyed J.P. Monniger’s first book – THE MAP THAT LEADS TO YOU. Once again, the author has a beautifully written story here that is very hard to put down. Total book hangover. Each person experiences life and death and tragedy in their own unique way. The author portrayed emotionally raw characters who are dealing with death and anxiety and life in different ways. I found it to be a real page-turner. Once again, I fell in love with the story and rooted for the characters. I realize it’s one of these stories that stays with you long after you finish reading it. It’s been two weeks and I’m still thinking about it. Highly recommend.