The Letter Tree

Long ago his words had stolen her heart, and now here he was, holding it in his hands. ~ Laura

If the eyes are windows to the soul, then letters are the gate way to the heart. There is just something about a handwritten letter. It is personal, it can be liberating, soothing, telling, unrestrained. There is a peace in putting pen to paper, letting your thoughts and feelings flow freely, allowing pieces of your soul to be bared. A release, an unburdening, a comfort. Letters are one of my favorite aspects of Rachel’s stories. She loves incorporating them and it is always special to experience the characters hopes, dreams, and fears this way.

The Letter Tree is the story of two feuding families, once close friends and business partners, William Campbell and Stanley Bradshaw, and their children Isaac and Laura. When William’s brother is drafted to the war and Laura’s mother dies in a freak accident, the world as Issac and Laura knows it crumbles. The business is split up, the children no longer allowed to see one another, and the families become mortal enemies.

Laura seeks solace in the park and zoo that she had spent so much time in with her mother. In a rush to get home undetected one afternoon, she hides a poem she penned in a tree. On her trip back to retrieve it, she finds the letter missing and another in its place. For the next seven years she exchanges letters with her letter friend, only to realize that it is the one person in the world she cannot befriend.

This story is a sort of Romeo and Juliet/You’ve Got Mail mash up. The feud is fierce between the families and any type of relationship that Laura and Isaac could have together would be strictly forbidden. But years of secretly communicating with a not-so-unknown stranger has laid the foundation for a beautiful, tender bond. Can they bring their families together by uncovering the mystery of the rift?

There are so many sweet moments in this story. I love how Isaac cares for Laura and tries to protect her even though he is supposed to hate her. Laura loves fairy tales and animals. Throughout the course of the book she finds her voice and some backbone, and she is determined to fight for the future she wants.

Loved this one, as I love all of Rachel’s books! She is an auto buy author for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

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

This is the first book I read by Rachel Fordham and OMG…. I loved it.

The story, set in the 1920s, is about two families, the Bradshaws and Campbells, once close friends now enemies, which gave me Romeo & Juliet vibes. The world was described beautifully and the little details were amazing. It actually felt being there. The main characters are Isaac Campbell and Laura Bradshaw. I loved Laura and instantly connected with her, cause of her dreams, fantasy and love for animals. Her visits to the zoo and the memories of her mother and the emotions were well felt. The highlight for me was ‘her’ Maple tree, where for 7 years, she wrote and received letters from an ‘unknown’ person. The letters are so heartfelt that you just fall in love with handwritten letters again. Isaac is the sweetest protective guy and gosh, if I could fall in love with a fictional character, it will be him.

I can not wait to read more of Rachel Fordham books as this one was incredible. One of the best books I have read so far and definitely a must read if you like forbidden love, friends to lovers or enemies to lover tropes.

*Book Releases Oct 1, 2023*

Ever since I happened upon @rachel_fordham 's novels I fell in love and she is now one of my top 20 authors. So getting to read one of her upcoming books was a dream come true!

Her books are full of hope, romance, and heart. I absolutely love the main characters Isaac Campbell and Laura Bradshaw. It was amazing to read the letters they each wrote to each other and that trope of Friends to Lovers while also living the setting of real life Enemies to Lovers.

I loved that both Laura and Isaac just have the best hearts and good intentions. Laura's love of animals, whimsy and fairy tales rubs off on you and you want to dream and wish with her. Isaac on the other hand is such a protector and someone who you just want to gravitate towards.

The setting of early 1920's New York was perfection as well and I loved how Rachel described everything from the Brooklyn Zoo to the fringe dresses. It was just perfection.

If you are looking for a way to make time go faster while waiting for this book's release make sure to read the previous novels from Rachel Fordham. Her first one The Hope of Azure Springs will always be one that makes me cry when she pulls on my heartstrings and then swoon as the characters fall in love.

Seriously you cannot go wrong with any of her novels!

This is a beautifully written, sweet, heartfelt story that takes place in update New York, in the early 1920s. Two childhood friends have not been able to see each other or talk to one another for years because of a disagreement between their families.

The Bradshaw’s and the Campbell’s were business partners in the manufacturing of shoes and close family friends, until they were not. Nobody seemed to know exactly what created the rift between the two families who are now competitors in the shoe business. Neither of the families have spoken to each other for years.
At age fourteen, Laura Bradshaw loses her mother to an accident when a car hits her crossing the street. Sometime later, at a park near her house, Laura stuffs a poem she wrote into the hollow opening of her favorite tree. When she goes back to get the poem a few days later, instead she finds a letter addressed to the poem writer. She responds with another letter that she places in the tree. This exchange of letters using the tree as a mailbox, goes on for seven years. The letters provide a welcome escape for Laura from her solitary, dull, lonely life.

Such a heartfelt, fascinating story as the letter writing continues for many years. When the identify of one of the writers is accidently discovered, it causes an unexpected dilemma. This is a fascinating story of commitment, the revelation of unscrupulous business dealings and the forgiveness of long-held grievances and secrets.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Historical Fiction filled with a family feud, star crossed young love, and characters who love animals! I enjoyed every bit of this lighthearted story. Thank you #netgalley for the #ARC !!

This was my first Rachel Fordham novel, and it won’t be my last.

A beautifully written story about two families, once best friends and business partners, turned enemies.
The split between families tore two childhood friends, Laura Bradshaw and Issac Campbell apart.
After a young Laura lost her mother in a car accident, she wrote a poem but quickly hid it in a tree so no one would find it. A young boy came upon the poem and wrote a letter to the anonymous girl. And the letters exchange continued for 7 years anonymously.
As an adult Laura is often trapped in her house and can only escape to the Zoo for short periods of time, she’s looking for a key to her freedom. Isaac wants more responsibilities with his fathers company and they both want answers to why their families hate each other.
I adored Laura from the beginning, her love of animals and books and how kind her heart stayed throughout her circumstances, she’s also very brave. Isaac is so sweet and caring, I loved that he was brave enough to take things into his own hands regardless of the consequences.
The love Issac and Laura have for each other is so sweet and the lengths they have to go to be together is quite the journey.
I loved every word of this story. It flowed beautifully, the descriptions sucked me in like a movie. I highly recommend this for any romance reader out there.

I received a free copy for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I am loving this book so much! I am so blessed that God has given me the gift of reading and writing.
I'm going to start my review by saying this, Mrs.Guskin is a good woman and is a blessing to Laura Bradford. Laura is lucky to have her. I wish I had someone like Mrs. Guskin!
She's full of wisdom and wonderful advice like this one;
I love this quote from the Letter Tree because too often we give our hearts to the wrong men and vice versa;
Make sure he’s coming back for the right reasons.”
“It’s not a bad thing if my dating Abel helps Father, too. I may want to leave here, but I don’t wish ill on Father. "“You’ve a generous heart, but you don’t have to make Abel fit into it.And as for your father, he’ll have to decide if he wants to be happy. again— you can’t force it. Whatever happened before, it wasn’t your fault. "
“You go and have agood time. And remember: the right man will want to know all of you.”
I wish this were the case in all relationships especially in mine.
God gave us a choice to choose who we want.
Sometimes, it doesn't always make sense.
I'm like Laura I am afraid to close the door on someone so.we can each move on. He's who I thought would be a friend for life but I guess not.
This was a wonderful story and I love the idea of putting letters in a tree. Sort of like a pen pal! And at a zoo of all places! "Sigh"
This fueding between the Campbell and Bradford families I didn't much care for but it definitely makes the story interesting!
In my opinion, this is the best novel that Fordham has ever written! I loved every minute of it!
I will be adding this one to my keeper shelf as well and I look forward to her next story!
I highly recommend this beautiful story.
Thanks Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own!

This cute historical romance had me from the beginning and I didn't wanna stop reading until I was finished. I loved this so much it was a great book.
I just reviewed The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham. #TheLetterTree #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I wanted to add a little extra on to this review. I have been following this author on facebook for quite some time and really appreciate the genuineness about her and love for the foster care system. I highly encourage you to check her out there!



This was such an endearing book to read. The author takes the reader through a family feud and how it affects all of those around them. Woven throughout the book are the letters that are left in the tree over a period of 7 years. This was such a magical and unique aspect to the story! My favorite character was Mrs. Guskin and how she took such a motherly role with Laura!



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

What a beautiful story of forgiveness that unfolds from a decades long feud and forbidden romance.

The Campbell and Bradshaw families have been business partners and best friends. When a tragic misunderstanding causes both the company and friendship to break apart, the youngest Campbell, Isaac, and Bradshaw, Laura, are forced to abandon their friendship.

Struggling with the sudden death of her mother and loss of her friend, Isaac, Laura finds solace in writing poetry and secret letters which she hides in her favorite tree at her favorite place, the Buffalo Zoo. A mischievous young Isaac finds himself stranded up that very tree in the zoo where he discovers the poem which leads to many letters between the two. Unbeknownst to them that they are trading letters with their sworn enemy, an undeniable bond forms between them. When they discover the identity of their secret pen pal, they must work together to uncover what created the feud in order to correct the past and protect the future.

A story filled with mystery, heartbreak, and joy that stays with the reader long after the last page is turned. I loved how the story centered around the letters where Laura & Isaac opened their hearts to their mysterious pen pal. This is definitely a must read!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
I really liked this story. It takes place in Buffalo, NY in the early 1920"s. It like to read about that period in history, and I also liked the zoo setting and the animals. I thought the plot line was also interesting because not too many people write letters anymore (especially secret letters). I liked the romance as well as a little mystery. This book was a winner for me. Rachel Fordham is becoming one of my favorite authors, and I can't wait for her next book!

This tale of star-crossed lovers does exactly what it sets out to do. Add in a bit of mystery and a family feud and you have a winner! The Bradshaw and Campbell fathers may not like each other, but their children certainly do. This book follows their progress as they (re)discover each other and find ways to mend fences. The connections to Romeo and Juliet and You've Got Mail can be a bit heavy-handed at time, but I was swept into the world of 1920s Buffalo. Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC; all opinions are my own!

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

Rachel Fordham uses elements famous in Romeo and Juliet and Rapunzel to tell a story of loss, feuding families, and love. Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell have two things in common: shoes and feuds. Once friends, the two were forced to sever contact when something ignites a long-lasting feud between their families.

Laura Bradshaw wrote a poem about her grievances and hid it in a maple tree. Isaac Campbell found her poem, which prompted him to write her a letter. This exchange turned into a long correspondence between the two.

Laura is a strong character who knows what she wants out of life, but her dreams are overshadowed by the dreams her father has for her. Isaac struggles to prove himself worthy of playing a role in his family’s shoe business.

Mrs. Guskins and Charles greatly encourage Laura and Isaac to take control and do what they want for a change. I enjoyed seeing these characters morph and grow into adults who want to grab the world by the horns and squeeze out every possibility.

This book has a classic feel, and it’s one that I won’t forget.

I want to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.

An absolutely delightful book! I just finished reading this story and what a story! It captivated me from the very first chapter. Letters and majestic trees, the combination of these two makes my heart soar. I loved the idea, the story line, of corresponding with a secret friend. 😊

Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell find themselves in the middle of their families feud. It’s ultimately up to them to find a way to end the insensible differences amongst their parents.

The entire story kept me engrossed at all times. The feud and the secrets were very well written. I usually read historicals set in the 1800’s but thought to give this time period, 1920’s, a chance since I love this author’s writing. And let me tell you it was a delight to read. It transported me to the period, I’d pictured it all in my mind. The characters’ attires, the music they listened to, the books they read, the vehicles they drove, events surrounding the time and cities where the novel took place, everything was historically accurate, well researched facts. I appreciate when authors take their time to research and incorporate all those tidbits making their work more appealing to us readers, at least to me 😉

I always find it so neat to be familiar with settings used throughout a novel and the scene at Niagara Falls was fantastic. For one that has experienced the park and taken the Maid of the Mist tour, the descriptions of the falls were on point.

I felt deeply for Laura and Isaac. You cry with them in their dire moments but you also celebrate their victories. I loved Laura’s transformation, from her resigned and submissive conduct to one of resolution and courage. Isaac’s resolved was commendable too. I loved them both 😁
And who’s not going to love Mrs. Guskin? She was such a beautiful soul 😍

And what a sweet epilogue! It melted my heart 💕💕💕 In a true R & J fashion, ladder and all 😄

Laura 💚 Isaac

A beautiful story of forgiveness. A family feud that seemed like it’d never be mended but like the famous Roman poet Virgil wrote, “love conquers all”. A Romeo and Juliet story in a different era.

And I appreciate the Author’s Note stating the historical facts and the fictional ones.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Fiction through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham begins at a tree in the Brooklyn Zoo. At first, the story seems a little intriguing with the concept of a blind person that Laura Bradshaw crafts letters to and sticks into the trunk of a tree. I love the idea of Laura missing her mother and clinging to her books, which remind her of her mother. My father taught me my love of reading, and he passed away eight years ago. There are some books that I look at, and they remind me of him. Laura was a nicely developed character with hurts and a deep longing for love, animals, and her happy-ever-after. Isaac, on the other hand, is a man who, at the beginning of the story, really did not have any goals and dreams. As the story progresses, he changes and matures. The plot flowed well. I enjoyed the twist to the Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet type story. Now don’t think this is a Romeo and Juliet story because it is not. Just some similar ideas in the plot. The writing is fantastic and kept my attention throughout the entire story. Overall, The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham may start to read like a familiar story, but it moves delightfully through the imagination, capturing those moments of innocent love while trying to seek justice at the same time.

I received a complimentary copy of The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

A significant family feud provides the backdrop to this wonderfully entertaining novel. Just when you think there is no solution, you're reminded that love conquers all.

The idea of corresponding with a secret penpal is a delightful conceit that keeps us turning the pages. I was pulling for Laura and Isaac to find a way to mend the dispute between their families.

The author does a wonderful job of transporting the reader to the 1920s, and I appreciated how the research never got in the way of the story.

The settings are great, and now I really want to go to Niagara Falls!

The side character of Mrs. Guskin is a delight as well.

Loved the epilogue -- a heartwarming conclusion to an immersive and entertaining read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-galley; all opinions are completely my own.

Rachel Fordham has a way of writing such sweet heartfelt stories. The Letter Tree is one such story.

Reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, two feuding families have separated Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell. Friends since childhood, their lives take a turn when their fathers split the business they were once partners with. Laura's mother died in an accident seven years prior and Isaac's uncle died in the Great War. But what happened for their families to become such sworn enemies?

Laura leaves a poem in the hollow of her favorite tree. When she returns a few days later to retrieve the poem she finds a letter which starts years of correspondence with an unknown writer. When the identity of the writer is discovered, it poses a new dilemma.

I found this story to be deep with emotion, as you find Laura and Isaac sharing their deepest thoughts with each other, not knowing it is their mortal enemy. How to resolve the distance between families as the mystery unfolds.

Good clean historical romance.

I received a complimentary an e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I LOVED this story! I enjoyed that a portion of this story takes place at the Buffalo, NY Zoo. This story takes you on a delightful trip to 1920s Buffalo NY where so much is happening after the Great War. A story of love and hate; you can't help but root for the heroine!

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

This modern day Romeo and Juliet story by Rachel Fordham has held me captive and unable
To put it down.. Once I started this story it was all I could think about and needed to know how it ended. It is filled with intrigue and mystery but also a beautiful love story in the midst of tragedy. This is a story of love and forgiveness told like only this author has a way of doing. I will be thinking about this story for a while

I am so thankful to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.

The Letter Tree was such a wonderful read! The concept of the letter tree itself felt fresh and was a unique way to build a bond between two people whose families were enemies. I loved the layers of mystery in the story- why was Laura's mom going to the war office? What was going on with Isaac's uncle? I wish there was a little more to the big reveal, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Beautifully written and wonderfully engaging, I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves a good love story and historical setting. Will definitely be checking out other books by this author!

I received a free copy o this book in exchange for my honest opinion and feedback.

A family feud that keeps two friends apart. A tree that holds letters that are exchanged over the years. A family secret. A father selling his daughter off to the highest bidder for a business deal. This book had it all! I loved the setting in the 1920s. Its such an interesting time in history. Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell were so sweet and I enjoyed watching their growth as people and in their romance. The details about the zoo and the pole sitting and the people that went over Niagara Falls in barrels were so interesting. I haven't read any books by Rachel Fordham before this one and I will definitely be reading more. The writing was captivating and flowed so well. Definitely check this one out!

Oh, but I loved this book! It's not my favorite time period. I'm not much of a flapper fan, but this book drew me in and I just wanted to step into the pages and tell the characters what to do. I mean they're great but I wanted them to figure out the truth and miss out on all the bad things.

This book read super quickly for me. I loved the character relationships and the dynamics of them.

Laura and Isaac used to be friends. They thought they'd be more someday. And I have to believe that their parents thought so too. But then something happens. And they don't know what. But it breaks their families up. Not only just their friendships but their shoe business. Now two partners are two rivals.

Laura is lonely. Her mother died being struck by an automobile and she saw the whole thing. Her father is not exactly loving and attentive to her. Thankfully she has a good housekeeper who is also a friend. And she has her letter tree.

What is a letter tree you might ask. It's a tree in the park (well now the zoo) that Laura stuck some poetry one day so her father wouldn't catch her with it. And a boy happened to find it when he climbed the tree to get away from a man he threw pinecones at. Neither knows the other's name.

But what happens when they find out who the other is? Can they move forward and have a relationship? Or will their friendship be gone forever?

And what about the man Laura's father wants her to court and marry? Should she marry him just so she can get out of the house?

Things just aren't adding up. Add in a letter from someone who might have information about the feud and it is a wonderful fast-paced mystery of sorts with some bits of suspense thrown in as well. Oh, and you can't forget the romance!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

THE LETTER TREE by RACHEL FORDHAM is a beautifully written book in which the stories of Rapunzel, Romeo and Juliet and the movie “You’ve Got Mail” blend together in a delightful romance that takes place in Buffalo in 1917, with unforgettable characters, both human and animal, and a well worked out plot. I love the sensitive way in which the author describes the characters’ feelings.
Laura Bradshaw would rather spend her time with her pet macaw, Tybalt, her books, and mucking out Big Frank the elephant’s enclosure at the zoo, than being a society girl. However, her father, whose entire focus since his wife died seems to be in making Bradshaw Shoes more successful than Campbell Shoes, insists on her impressing Abel Fredricks, who is offering him a good investment opportunity. Laura feels that marrying Abel could help her escape her father’s rigid rules and the house that has become her prison. However he does not know her like her “pinecone-throwing friend” does…..
Isaac Campbell has been forbidden to so much as speak to a Bradshaw because of the feud between the two families .His mother arranges a dinner party to which she invites all the eligible young ladies she can find, but he has no interest in any of them, preferring to dream of the “wishing girl” with whom he has been exhanging letters for seven years at the letter tree at the zoo. ……
There is mystery and betrayal, hatred and misunderstanding. Will there ever be forgiveness and reconciliation?
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I cannot recommend this lovely novel highly enough. It is one that I will read more than once.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own,

This story was amazing. It was the first I had read by Rachel Fordham, but it will not be my last! A "modern day" Romeo & Juliet (except set in the 1920s) but doesn't end in death. The letters the passed back and forth were sensational & I loved the conflict in the story. Not your typical romance conflict. This is a MUST read.
Thanks netgalley for a free ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

A beautifully poignant romance encapsulated in an original plot that delivered palpable chemistry, family drama, and a beautiful redemptive journey. The author skillfully captures the essence of the time period, immersing readers in the rich tapestry of Buffalo's society. The backdrop of the Bradshaw and Campbell shoe empires adds depth and intrigue to the story, setting the stage for the complex dynamics that unfold. The feuding families represent the barriers and prejudices that Laura and Isaac must overcome to pursue their desires and find true happiness. I was captivated by this emotional story.

I received a free advance review copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to post a favorable review. The opinions stated here are my own.

LOVED, LOVED!!!

Oh my, this book was adorable and witty and oh, so very romantic! This is a mix of Romeo and Juliet and You've Got Mail set in 1924 New York.

As heir to a large company, Isaac Campbell could have any woman he wants but he can think only of the women he has been exchanging letters with for the last several years. He doesn't know her name or what she looks like but decides he must act on his feelings when she writes that she is beginning to court a man her father wants her to marry.

Laura has wished to meet the man behind the letters for years but she has to be practical. He is a dream, and marrying her father's business associate will make her father happy and allow her to leave her gilded cage.

When Isaac realizes his pen pal is none other than Laura, the childhood friend he was forbidden from seeing after their fathers entered into a bitter feud, he must find a way for them to be together before it is too late.

What to Love:

1920s setting
You've Got Mail
Family feud
Dual POV
The letters
The zoo animals
Niagara Falls
The dung heap
Isaac's romantic gestures
Endearing side characters
The suspenseful moments
All the sweet kisses!

The characters were delightful and the setting was perfect. How romantic is it to leave letters for your sweetheart penpal in a tree at the zoo?

This story is sweet romance at its best! It's a stars-in-your-eyes romance, the kind that metaphorically sweeps you off your feet and gives you heart flutters and so many happy sighs.

This may be my new favorite book from this author. I absolutely adored this one and it has definitely earned a spot on my favorites shelf! Highly recommend for anyone who loves historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell had been freinds as kids but 7 years prior the friendshp between the two families split after Laura's mother died. The Bradshow and the Campbell familes have shoe factories and are competitors of each other. There is haterd between the two families. Laura is sort of a recluse since her mother died. Her only joy is her rowdy bird and her books. She has developed an unknown friendship with a mysterious stranger she exchanges letters with via a hollow in a tree located in the zoo. The ones exchanging letters are Laura Bradshow and Isaac Campbell but neither party knows who the other is until one day Isaac happens to find out. How can he continue a friendship with an ememy of his father? This is a story of star-crossed lovers. Can they overcome the haterd between the two families? This book got its inspiration from Romeo and Juliet and the modern tale You've Got Mail but this story has a happier ending.. What I liked about this book is that the two main characters were able to overcome the haterd that was between the two families.

I received this book compliments of netgalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Letter Tree
by Rachel Fordham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Series: None
Rated: 5
Obtain: Borrow or buy
Back of the Book: “Mere words can’t end their families’ feud, but the Campbell heir and the Bradshaw heiress plan to write a future together.
Buffalo, NY, 1924
Laura Bradshaw adores stories with happily ever afters. But since her mother died seven years ago, the Bradshaw Shoe Company heiress has been as good as locked away in a tower. Her overbearing father cares little for her dreams, throwing himself instead into his tireless takedown of his competitor, the Campbell Shoe Company. However, Laura has been gifted with a reprieve: a mysterious friend with whom she’s been exchanging letters.
As heir to the Campbell Shoe Company, Isaac Campbell is a sought-after bachelor who has never felt an inkling of desire for the women who constantly bat their eyes at him. His thoughts are consumed by an oak tree in the Buffalo Zoo—or rather, the mystery woman he exchanges letters with courtesy of the tree. She’s been one of Isaac’s only joys in a life consumed by his father’s tireless hatred of Bradshaw. A hatred that, Isaac is coming to realize, may affect him more personally than he ever imagined.
When Laura’s father orchestrates a match between her and an important business owner, she resolves to pursue her only chance at freedom. But Isaac believes their story isn’t bound for a tragic ending. He’s certain there’s more to the Bradshaw-Campbell feud than meets the eye. And he won’t stop digging until he uncovers the truth that might bridge the divide between him and the woman whose words have captured his heart.”

Impressions: I loved this sweet historical romance; it was Romeo and Juliet in the 1920’s. I think the whole story was well written. The characters were charming and easy to cheer on as they navigated their situations. There was suspense, romance and a happy ending. What more could a girl ask for!?

Quotes: “‘ A friend told me that I’ve spent too much time thinking about what I want to get away from and that I should instead consider what I want to go to.’” -Sometimes shifting our focus is all we need to initiate a fresh perspective.

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://thebluestockingbooknook.wordpress.com

Rachel Fordham delights readers with her heartwarming novel "The Letter Tree". Estranged through no fault of their own, childhood friends Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell unwittingly continue their friendship, unaware of the other's identity. Their unique method of communication is whimsical, emotional, and sweet.

With her exceptional talent, Rachel Fordham crafts a beautiful story with endearing characters and an engaging plot. Animal lover Laura is a delight, and her pet bird Tybalt has his own distinct personality. Isaac is steadfast and true, an ideal hero. Secondary characters are interesting as well, especially Abel Fredricks. The author brings the 20s to life with details of speakeasies, flagpole sitting, and going over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

Forgiveness is an important theme here, as two feuding families make peace. They're both victims of assumptions and misunderstandings. In hindsight one thinks "how did this even happen?" Yet, people react due to their feelings, not facts, all the time.

After reading Fordham's stellar debut novel, "The Hope of Azure Springs", I've been a dedicated fan of her work, and I've read all of her books. This author's prose is lovely, and she never disappoints.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an ARC of this outstanding read.

According to Rachel Fordham, author, the idea for The Letter Tree arose when she thought about the movie You've Got Mail and the Shakespearean novel Romeo and Juliet. I definitely got those vibes.

Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell are caught in the middle of their fathers' feud over business. Once partners, their fathers now are independent, successful businessmen. Over the years following the company breakup, Laura has been writing anonymously and placing letters in the knot of a maple tree. She immediately began receiving a response. Isaac accidentally found the anonymous first letter and began corresponding, also anonymously.

Will the once childhood friends ever learn who is on the other end of the letters? Will the truth of the business breakup ever be fully known? Will forgiveness be in the future for the families?

Full of exciting adventures, The Letter Tree is definitely a five-star read.

A copy was provided for my review. All opinions are my own.

This book was so good!
The plot was very different from other books I’ve read- really interesting and intriguing.
Just like the description it was a mix of Romeo and Juliet and You’ve Got Mail- so much fun to read.
I loved the mystery aspect of this romance it really held my interest. I also loved that this book was clean and sweet without being cheesy.
This may be my new favorite by this author.

I loved this read and kept page turning for answers.

Friends whom in the end teach their families to hate one another, to the point that they disown their own spouse in their minds, very sad.

The author does a great job of bringing the story alive, and there are actually two main stories here!

My mind could put together who was leaving the notes for one another, but the way the story was woven together was awesome! I didn't see some of the answers coming the way they did, great job!

This was a page turner read, and when I finished I wanted more! Be sure to read the author's notes!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

Once again, Rachel Fordham provides the reader with an original, clever and wholesome story about two people who have to take a risk to find their true destiny in life, including love and healing among family members. Laura and Isaac are friends, then split apart by a feud between their families. Both of them seek solace at the zoo and with reading letters from a mysterious pen pal that secretly leaves letters in a tree. This story is lovely, fun and original. I like the fact that the plot keeps evolving, twisting, turning and so much fun! There are villains and unsung heroes too! My favorite part is how Laura deals with the precious items that her father sells (no spoilers here) and how she deals with it. Just lovely! Also, the character Tybalt brings a few good chuckles too! Enjoy!

I have come to rely on Rachel Fordham for a great story with real history thrown in! I enjoyed every minute of reading her newest book, The Letter Tree.

Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell used to be friends as children. But their feuding fathers snuffed out any hope of friendship or romance between them. Lonely Laura left a letter in a hollow of a tree at the Buffalo Zoo and has been communicating with a secret friend for years. She feels like this man knows her inside and out. Isaac Campbell is the unsuspecting writer on the other end. He loves the woman behind the letters and compares other woman to her. When the two find out their respective identities, can Laura and Isaac overcome their own prejudices and discover what drove their fathers apart?

I loved all the characters in this book, even the elephant at the zoo. The descriptions of life in the 1920's are top notch. My favorite part was when Isaac first discovers Laura's identity. It is very reminiscent of the first meeting in You've Got Mail. You won't be disappointed in reading The Letter Tree!

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham is an exquisitely crafted Christian historical romance by talented wordsmith, Rachel Fordham. Set in the early 1920’s, this captivating story takes place in New York. I was immediately invested in the characters and their stories.

This is the tale of two families, Bradshaws and Campbells. They began as business partners in manufacturing of shoes and were close family friends for a time. What happens to dissolve both the partnership and friendship is a mystery for most of the book. Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell, children of the feuding parents, each lose someone they love which dramatically changes their world. Laura pours out her heart into a prose that no one will read. She tucks it into her favorite tree and leaves it. Days later she goes back to retrieve it and to her surprise it has been replaced with a letter from an unknown person.

I loved this beautiful story. There were twists and turns, a mystery, romance, history, and a Christian message. The story was fascinating, and I could not put the book down until I had finished it. This is a page-turning delight!

The characters are artfully designed. Laura stole my heart. I rejoiced and cried with her. All of them are believable and very realistic. I loved the way the setting was vividly described. The homes and restaurants sounded amazing.

I highly recommend this delightful story. It would make a fabulous reading group choice. There is so much to discuss. I give this award worthy novel a 5 out of 5 stars rating. A copy was provided by NetGalley, but these are my honest thoughts.

I loved this book. Just everything about it. I especially loved the idea of two strangers exchanging notes, using a hole in a tree as a mailbox. Issac and Laura knew each other as children, but after Laura's mother passed away and a family feud ensued between the Campbells and the Bradshaws, their friendship ended. It was all about loyalty to family.

It started when Laura hid some poetry in the tree. She didn't want anybody to see it. Then Issac, still a rapscallion of a kid, found it and left a note in its place. He didn't know who had written the poem and when he left his note, he didn't sign his name. When Laura went back to the tree to retrieve her work, she found the note instead. This started a campaign of writing notes and letters between them that revealed their hopes, dreams, and what was in the hearts to another person they did not know. But their words mattered. What was said carried each of them through some difficult times as well as some happy times. They got to see what was in the heart of the other without something like physical attraction muting the importance of that. What isn't to love about that?

Laura Bradshaw is a bit of a recluse, mostly because her father doesn't want her going out with the wrong people and putting a mark on the family name. Her mother is gone and her best friend is the housekeeper, Mrs. Guskin, and Laura's pet macaw, who has a colorful vocabulary. She loves books and animals and spends a lot of time at the zoo, mostly to drop letters in the tree to pick them up. She doesn't tell anyone, but Mrs. Guskin knows something is up and lays money aside to help Laura pay for admittance to the zoo. Laura is caught up in fairy tales and longs for a prince to save her, but it seems her prince is Abel, rather than the letter writer. She wants to please her father and he likes Abel... you get where this is going.

Issac, on the other hand, is a socialite. He's seen with the right girls at the right time and gets noticed. He knows his father wants him to take over the shoe factory someday and plans for that, but he discovers he has other talents. His father doesn't give him a whole lot of responsibility and it drives him nuts. He wants to do something and be his own man.

It's been a long time since I've wanted two characters to get their happily-ever-after like I wanted Issac and Laura to get theirs. The family feud was their biggest obstacle, but there were other things that were holding them back, too, that made the two of them turn into amateur detectives, another element of the book that I enjoyed.

Ultimately, this is a book packed with emotion, revelations for everyone that I didn't expect, and a true love wins ending. The epilogue was fantastic and had me laughing out loud.

Great read!

.

I was hooked from the start of the book when Laura and her mother were talking about books. I start to smile when the remainder of the plot is revealed since this book reminds me of Romeo and Juliet with its retelling of You've Got Mail. I like how the story evolved into something meaningful and unexpected. I've enjoyed several of this author's books, including this one.

When an author makes it plain in her writing what is fact and what is fiction, I enjoy the story even more. The author does that in her note to readers. The Buffalo Zoo itself serves as the setting for her story. It was fun to virtually visit those places in the book. It was interesting to find that the rivalry between the Bradshaw and Campbell families was based on a real family feud. As I read it, I found it impossible to put this endearing, compelling story down. I wondered about how Laura and Isaac's plan for learning about their family's dark secrets would work.

Reading this book is a wonderful way to unwind, as the author transports you back to 1924. Your book club will love it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

Such a sweet, clean romance, complete with great, imperfectly relatable characters.

If you're me, and you passionately dislike Romeo and Juliet, The Letter Tree does an exceptional job of using the trope intelligently. First, it allows the characters to have more depth than just being attracted to each other, despite their family's feud. Secondly, they are friends first-and-foremost, also slightly more mature. They put aside their feelings and focus on trying to heal the rift between their families.
To all Romeo and Juliet fans out there: I know it's supposed to be one of the greatest love stories of all time, but to me, they will forever be immature kids who knew practically nothing about each other and who end up dead, painted as victims of their families not being able to make peace. Not at all my idea of a romantic ending.

Laura and Isaac are also caught in a 1924 family feud. They were close growing up, but a secret puts a wedge in their dads' friendship and splits their shared shoe factory into two competing separate companies. As collateral damage of this, Laura's mom dies and Isaac's parents become overprotective of him. Both kids are taught to hate each other as part of their new family dynamics, but they find a way to keep their souls connected through the letters they exchange in the nook of a tree.

Their love story is a tale of friendship, mutual support and respect. Laura is smart, kind and forgiving. Her most inspiring trait is her compassion towards her father, even when he hurts her, although her independence and love of animals and a simple life is also in the top 3. She trusts that happiness and the good in people can endure and push away the pent-up anger and pain.

Isaac longs to be seen as more than a care-free, untrustworthy youngster who should make sure he makes the best out of his youth. With Laura's help, he eventually grows up into an independent man, deserving of respect and the love he spent years yearning for.

Reading this book was like a drink of hot cocoa on a rainy day.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson--FICTION for the ARC.

The Letter Tree is a delightful young adult story about the different stages of a friendship. In this storyline, Laura and Issac were besties as very young children but were pulled apart as their families feuded. After her mother died, Laura was kept on a tight leash by her father. But she found an outlet for herself by writing letters to an unknown person delivered through a tree in a zoo.
The point in history is 1924: after WWI, the 1917 flu, and before the 1933 depression and WWII. This is a period of manufactory increase and growth. Both families prospered but were mostly driven by greed and competition of each other's business.
Both characters are young adults from families who require marriage to be based on alliances in business, money, and social standing while love is not considered to be the basis of a successful marriage or important.
Young adult readers and others will enjoy the unveiling of the mystery of the authors of the letters and the chase involved to find answers to the family feud. It is not surprising that denial of communication and miscommunication plays a pivotal role in the lives of the letter-writer friends.

I want to give this all the stars! I devoured it in one sitting and my entire day has been delightful. Rachel Fordham has carefully crafted the perfect mashup of You’ve Got Mail and Romeo and Juliet, and I am so satisfyingly happy.

Laura and Isaac are the perfect combination and watching their story unfold was captivating. But I have to brag on Mrs. Guskin and Mr. Shaffer—two of the most wonderful background characters I’ve had the pleasure of meeting!

And then there’s Big Frank, and Tybalt, and so many other characters you’ve just got to meet. This is one of the best stories I’ve read this year and I plan on reading it again.

My thanks to the publisher for an advance copy. My review is true and honest and unsolicited.

I loved it! The setting in the Roaring 20s, the slow build romance, the allusions to Romeo & Juliet, and the happy ending warmed my heart. There was a bit of mystery in there, too, but nothing violent. I highly recommend it!

I absolutely adored this book!

I loved it so much, I would say it is one of my favorites of the year - and I read a LOT of books!

The characters are likeable and really draw you into the story. I found myself running back to sneak in a few minutes of reading every chance I could get.

I will be purchasing a copy for my home library to reread over the years. HIGHLY recommend.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

“There are so many people in this city, and somehow, we manage to find someone who stands out from the crowd. Love is an odd thing.”

I absolutely adored this newest book from Rachel Fordham!

Somehow she managed to give us both enemies-to-more and friends-to-more in the same story. Add in some Romeo and Juliet vibes, ‘You’ve Got Mail’ vibes, forbidden love, a family feud, secret letters, mysterious unknowns, all set in the roaring twenties and you’ve got a recipe for a fantastic story with a sweet happily ever after.

The Campbells and the Bradshaws were once friends and business partners, but a rift tears the two families and their business apart.

When Laura Bradshaw loses her mother at the tender age of 14, she grieves through writing. Circumstances cause her to leave her letter in a tree in haste.

Isaac Campbell, heir to the Campbell shoe factory and sworn enemy of the Bradshaw family, happens to find Laura’s writings hidden in the tree.

Intrigued, he writes back and a secret friendship begins between the two young people. The ‘letter tree’ is their mailbox and while they never sign their names, they begin an unlikely friendship that will be tested.

This story was fantastic. I loved how the story unfolds and how the friendship between Isaac and Laura changes from expressing themselves through their writing to face-to-face.

There are some mysterious elements too and the full story unfolds bit by bit.

If you’ve seen the movie You’ve Got Mail, you are going to love The Letter Tree and the similarities it holds. I can’t leave this review without mentioning how much I loved the Mrs. Guskin. She was the sweetest housekeeper, friend, and motherly figure to Laura.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to @netgalley and @ThomasNelson for this ARC. Laura Bradshaw can spend all day in the Buffalo Zoo. When she finds she is short on time, she stuffs the hollow tree with her poetry so she can get home before her father arrives. Isaac Campbell is looking for respite under a tree at the zoo and finds Laura's poetry. In turn, he leaves a note. This starts a decade long friendship through letters. Little does each know, they are children of rival shoes company owners. They aren't even allowed to speak each others names at home or public. Can their relationship look past all the hate? This was a really cute book with a mystery thrown in and reminded me a lot of "You've Got Mail". #TheLetterTree #RachelFordham #ThomasNelsonPub #Oct2023

The Letter Tree
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From Publisher Thomas Nelson:
Buffalo, NY, 1924
Laura Bradshaw adores stories with happily ever afters. But since her mother died seven years ago, the Bradshaw Shoe Company heiress has been as good as locked away in a tower. Her overbearing father cares little for her dreams, throwing himself instead into his tireless takedown of his competitor, the Campbell Shoe Company. However, Laura has been gifted with a reprieve: a mysterious friend with whom she’s been exchanging letters.
As heir to the Campbell Shoe Company, Isaac Campbell is a sought-after bachelor who has never felt an inkling of desire for the women who constantly bat their eyes at him. His thoughts are consumed by an oak tree in the Buffalo Zoo—or rather, the mystery woman he exchanges letters with courtesy of the tree. She’s been one of Isaac’s only joys in a life consumed by his father’s tireless hatred of Bradshaw. A hatred that, Isaac is coming to realize, may affect him more personally than he ever imagined.
When Laura’s father orchestrates a match between her and an important business owner, she resolves to pursue her only chance at freedom. But Isaac believes their story isn’t bound for a tragic ending. He’s certain there’s more to the Bradshaw-Campbell feud than meets the eye. And he won’t stop digging until he uncovers the truth that might bridge the divide between him and the woman whose words have captured his heart.
******************
My review:
Again, historical fiction is a big draw for me. I enjoy a glimpse into another time and this peek into the 1920's was fabulous. Laura is sheltered and almost ignored by her angry widowed father. She's pushed towards Abel, a businessman that her father wants in their orbit. Abel seems great...at first.
The back and forth between Isaac and Laura and and their shared need to find out the history of their families was intriguing. The mystery of the two families grabbed me and I had to know the source of the feud. I imagined many things and finally it all came together. Occasionally the story was overly simple but then again, maybe that was the time period as well. I rooted for Laura the entire novel.
And they all lived happily ever after...4.5 stars rounded up to 5!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for an advance digital copy of the book.

What a beautifully written story that grabs your heart.

The Letter Tree is just a perfect book for anyone that loves animals, historical fiction, family dynamics mystery and/or romance. This book hooks you in the first few pages and it is hard to put down. The story is set after WWI during the roaring 20's. Reading about the clothing, dancing, drinking, and everything else is really interesting. This is during a time in America when the role of women is changing fast..

The idea of a letter tree is just so original. Letters that go back and forth between two people and mean so much to both of them. I love the setting of the tree in the zoo. They both spent time with the animals on the way to and from the letter tree.

This is my first Rachel Fordham book and it will not be my last. I enjoyed this book so so much.

What a wonderful love story! This is a Romeo and Juliet/You’ve Got Mail story set in 1924 Buffalo.

Rachel Fordham has woven a beautiful story of forbidden love between members of two feuding families. It starts with anonymous letters exchanged in a tree in the park and continues for seven years as they share their hopes and dreams and ultimately love blossoms.

I loved the process of finding out who the other actually was and it kept me turning pages to find out how they would resolve their families’ differences.

If you like:
the 1920s
Young love
Feuding families
Animals
Fairytales
A Mysterious Letter providing clues to unknown family situations
Pineapple upside down cake
…And more you will love this book!

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

This was an outstanding read by Rachel Fordham, I couldn't put it down. Loved it! #netgalley #rachelfordham

The wealthy Bradshaw and Campbell families have been feuding for years, but no one knows exactly why. When Laura Bradshaw discovers who has been leaving her letters in a tree near the city zoo, will the mystery finally be solved? Find out in this intriguing work of historical fiction with a touch of mystery and romance set in the Prohibition years.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham is a captivating story set New York, in the early 1920s.
The whole storytelling is breathtaking. It has well-developed characters, a silky smooth flow, and is engaging from the start to the end.
I found myself so caught up in this remarkable story. I was left turning the pages late into the night.
You will not be able to put this book down until you turn the very last page. Rachel Fordham does a beautiful and spectacular job of interweaving the place and time along with her characters. I can’t wait to read more by Ms. Fordham.
A sweet romance that kept the pages turning!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

Have you ever wanted a book to end so that you could know what happens and yet at the same time don't want to finish it because you love being with the characters? That's how I felt with The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham.

Rachel has long been a favorite author. Her writing style draws the reader into her finely crafted world. This book is told in the third person point of view and has a wonderful romance at its heart. There are other storylines that compliment the romance that have a bit of mystery to them. Overall, it is a well rounded book. I particularly enjoyed the cameo appearances made by the animals!

I am a fan of stories told through letters. This book uses that element of some storytelling well, but it includes some Romeo and Juliet vibes as well. One of my new favorites from Ms. Fordham.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Letter Tree, by Rachel Fordham, is a wonderful story of two childhood friends who are not allowed to see each other anymore. After the death of her mother, Laura is not allowed to go out, but she secretly finds to go to the zoo and leaves a anonymous letter in a tree. A young man, Isaac, finds it and writes back. For many years they are secret pen pals and don’t know each other.

This is a well written, easy to imagine story with strong characters. I could imagine the letters in the tree, the secrets between Laura and her companion, and even the smells of cleaning in the zoo. I just loved the way her companion looked out for her and kept her secrets. I enjoyed how both Laura and Isaac feel about the ongoing feud of their fathers. I appreciate the strength Laura and Isaac have and how Isaac makes the decision to follow his heart for his future.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

This was the perfect stroll through 1920s history, with characters and situations I will long remember. Isaac and Laura are star crossed due to a feud between their families, so must find their friendships elsewhere. But a tree in the zoo (which I LOVED reading about) served as the perfect place to stash her hopes and fears…until it began a years long correspondence with a unknown person. The mystery about the true reason for the split between the two families, the advent and intention of Abel, the travels they take…all served as the best backdrop for Laura and Isaac’s true love story to begin. The cast of supporting characters helped move the story forward and seasoned it to perfection. I was privileged enough to receive an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and listened to the stunning audiobook as well, and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

I adored this book with it’s Romeo and Juliet meets You’ve Got Mail vibes.

After the death of her mother, Laura writes a poem expressing her feelings and places it in the nook of a tree. However, when she goes back a few days later to retrieve the paper, she finds a reply letter instead. Laura and her mysterious pen pal keep exchanging letters for the next seven years forming a close friendship. But there’s one rule: they must not share their names.

This is a story of a secret friendship turned into forbidden love. I loved the 1920s New York setting and all the descriptions of the decade including fringe dresses, prohibition and the Brooklyn Zoo. This is a slower paced story but it flowed effortlessly. The letter writing was my favorite part of this story! I love the concept of two people falling in love over letters. With so many obstacles in their way, I loved how both main characters came together to solve the mystery over their feuding families.

This was such a tender and sweet story and one that I definitely recommend.
I also enjoyed the audiobook. The narrator did an excellent job portraying both main characters.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for both eARC and ALC. All opinions are my own.

I became completely drawn into this story and the heartache and sorrows and hope and desires that was woven throughout the story. The longing for friendship and being accepted and loved pulled at my heart. The beautiful friendship of the two people writing letters left at the Letter Tree was so incredibly touching. I have enjoyed all of this author's books, but this one was truly incredible! Loved it so much and the rich history throughout the book!

Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell are forbidden from seeing each other. Once upon a time they were best friends but a family feud stands in their way of being friends. Isaac finds a new friend in a pen pal and comes to discover that there's more to the story behind the family feud than meets the eye. I loved watching him dig and try to discover what truly happened. All of the twists and turns that happen along the way were so intriguing and kept me engrossed in the story!

Beautifully written! I loved how it all played out and merged together! A must read for Rachel Fordham fans! If you love historical fiction, family drama, a little mystery and suspense and sweet love stories, pick up this book or audiobook!

Content: Clean. Some moments of mild peril. Some sweet kisses.

I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Oh I truly loved this story! I loved the descriptions of New York, the clearly laid - out character ARCs from the very beginning. I love a good historical fiction novel based on actual places! Such a well thought out book.

Thanks to NetGalley for this Advanced reader copy! All opinions are my own!

I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh take on love and feuding families! The Letter Tree is a captivating and page-turning story that I could not put down. Set in the 1920's in Buffalo, NY. Two families (the Bradshaws and the Campbells) once close experience the loss of friendship, shared business, and now hatred rules the day. The children Isaac Campbell and Laura Bradshaw grew up together and are forced into the family feud.

After Laura Bradshaw witnesses her mother's death at age 14, her world falls apart. She escapes to the zoo and park across the street as often as she can. Thank goodness for her sweet old housekeeper Mrs. Guskin, more like an advocate and grandmother to her. Mrs. Guskin encourages her to get out daily, and has a signal in the window if her restrictive father returns home early.

"For seven years, this tree had been her mailbox-the gateway connecting two worlds." The "Wishing Girl" and her "pinecone-throwing friend" have namelessly corresponded via the maple tree and this correspondence has been a lifeline for each of them.

I absolutely enjoyed every page of this compelling story. I highly recommend The Letter Tree for lovers of addicting historical fiction with a thread of mystery.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a beautiful story with hints of You've Got Mail and Romeo and Juliet. Forbidden love, friends to enemies go lovers, family feuds - so many great elements in this story. So beautifully written. This is one I will read again and again!

This was a humorous story set in the 1920s. I loved the glimpse into the culture of the time, including the daredevil stunts that drew crowds and the prohibition climate. The mystery elements were handled well and the characters quickly became beloved. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

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

Rachel Fordham gets me every single time! Even when I think the setting or timeline isn’t really going to be my thing, she draws me in like few authors can and I’m hooked and satisfied by the end. In fact, I’ve never read just one of her books and always end up getting more! The Letter Tree was absolutely no exception and may be my favorite of hers so far!

A cross between Romeo and Juliet and You’ve Got Mail, this historical Christian romance, The Letter Tree, is Rachel Fordham’s best thus far drawing the reader into the story from beginning to end. All of the twists and turns that happen along the way were so intriguing they kept me engrossed in the story.

This well written character-driven historical story by Fordham is told from two points of view, Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell, the children of feuding fathers/owners of opposing shoe companies. Her character development is superb and with her outstanding scenic descriptions she allowed me to fully enjoy the picturesque visits to the zoo and letter tree in this sweet romance well deserving of five stars.

I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When a book captures your entire being, you know it is an inspired work from the very heart of Rachel Fordham. Such was the case with The Letter Tree, emotion after emotion engulfed my soul, my spirit. Long for a happy ending but not wanting it to end.
Pre-order your copy today, it releases Oct 31st.

I hope you will follow this gifted novelist just as I have.

I. Received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review

** “God gave you good desires. Aim for them.” **

Rachel Fordham brings us a delightful “Romeo and Juliet” meets “You’ve Got Mail” tale with “The Letter Tree.”

It’s 1924 in Buffalo, N.Y., and Laura Bradshaw has very little to look forward to. With an overbearing father and a mother who passed away seven years ago, she feels trapped. Forced to hate her shoe factory owning father’s competition, the Campbell family, she has few friends and is allowed to participate in few activities.

The one thing she has come to rely upon — the Letter Tree located inside the Buffalo Zoo and the letters she finds hidden inside it. For the past seven years, she has been placing letters to an unknown person inside a hole in the special tree. She has no idea who the identity of her special pen pal is, but it fills her world with a special glimmer (“Like her very own fairy tale, this secret exchange felt magical, whimsical — and hopeful”).

Isaac Campbell seeks to get away from his father’s strict ways. He wants more for himself than just occasionally working at their family’s shoe factory. But as circumstances suddenly are placed in his life, he begins to find a better purpose and a hope.

Fordham does an incredible job of developing a plot filled with real places and based-on-true-life people and experiences, including a giant elephant named Big Frank. She develops a story filled with tension, drama, romance and mystery. And she creates intriguing and enigmatic characters, some you will definitely want to root for and some not so much.

She also fills “The Letter Tree,” which is due out Oct. 31, with some great themes, like God gives us desires and will help us achieve them; the desire for freedom and to be rescued; choosing bravery; hate can become habitual; and finding our meaning and purpose.

Fans of historical fiction will love this story.

Five stars out of five.

Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

. I really liked this book. In fact, I read it in less than a day. Being an avid letter writer, the whole concept of the letter tree just appealed to me. There were a few spots that I found a little predictable, but they didn't bother me. This seems like it was just the right book for the right time for me.

This was such a cute historical romance. I love the idea of a Letter Tree and the whole storyline was so well written. I have only read a couple of books by this author but this is my favorite so far! I loved this book.

Set in New York in the 1920's, this story is about two people writing letters using a tree located in the Zoo as their swapping place.

If you are looking for a sweet historical romance that you cannot put down, look no further!

Another great one from Rachel. I couldn’t put it down. The characters were so relatable and they pulled double time at your heart strings. This is definitely a must read and a reread over and over.

I loved every minute I spent within 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!

I absolutely love stories that take place in the Roaring 20’s! Combine that with a forbidden Romeo & Juliet love story and nods to romantic favorite movie You’ve Got Mail and you have one amazing story! Rachel Fordham is a favorite author who interjects the perfect amount of romance, emotion and faith. From the start I was pulled into this story of childhood friends whose fathers become bitter business rivals/enemies with the children caught in the middle and banished from seeing one another again. Through anonymous, secret letters, these would be enemies develop a beautiful friendship which turns to more as the years go by. But what happens when they discover who each other’s secret pen pal is?

Feeling alone after her mother’s death, 14 year old Laura Bradshaw writes an anonymous poem and places it in a maple tree at the Buffalo Zoo. When she goes back to retrieve it, she’s surprised to find it gone and a letter from an anonymous boy (Isaac Campbell) in its stead. As the letters continue for seven years between “wishing girl” and “the boy who threw pinecones,” their fondness for one another increases. When they each discover who’s behind the letters, they have to decide whether to continue their relationship or the feud between their shoe manufacturing families.

The feud is intriguing and I was definitely pulled into the mystery behind it. Isaac hires a private investigator when his father refuses to provide answers, but also does some sleuthing on his own. There’s also another mystery surrounding the suitor Laura’s father has chosen for her. Everything leads up to an exciting conclusion with all the pieces to the puzzle revealed.

I loved this book! I loved the letters between Laura and Isaac. I’ve always thought it would be fun to exchange letters with someone in a secret location and this book fulfilled that romantic wish. I enjoyed how they each found out separately who their secret pen pal was and their complicated, forbidden relationship after. Both want to see the feud end and I loved how they worked together to solve the mystery and save their families’ businesses from potential ruin. I also loved the way they encouraged each other to develop new talents and forge new paths.

I loved the feel of the Roaring 20’s glamour with flapper dresses, jazz, and Prohibition. I enjoyed the historical 1920’s Buffalo, NY setting with attention to the details of the times and the Buffalo zoo. In addition to the sweet romance, I also loved the touch of humor and faith. Loved how the author created well developed, endearing side characters. I adored Mrs. Guskin, the housekeeper who’s a kind confidant & mother figure to Laura, and Isaac’s friend Charles with his long engagement.

Highly recommend this heartfelt, tender, enemies to lovers romance with forgiveness, faith, and mystery! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

Thank you so much @uplitreads for the copies of this lovely story 🤍

Sometimes a book just comes right when you need it and that was The Letter Tree for me this month! It just felt like a hug in a book.

I loved that it made me feel so cozy, while still having an addictive plot and mystery. Also the swooniest romance!

“the children of the feud.”

“She stepped closer to the maple that was, in many ways, more than a beloved tree. It was memories. It was comfort. It was hope.”

Rachel Fordham spins a Christian historical romance novel that is at once warm, engaging, entertaining, and filled with truth for today. Her latest novel, The Letter Tree, is a mashup of You’ve Got Mail and Romeo and Juliet with touches of Rapunzel and Cinderella mixed in.

I was a little confused at first as to where
“B,” NY is. Eventually, we are told it is Buffalo, and we are there in the year 1917, when we see young Laura Bradshaw lose her mother in an accident. Ten years later, we see the effects the accident had on her father, Stanley Bradshaw, owner of a successful shoe company, and by extension, on Laura. Laura’s activities have become very restricted by her father, and she is nearly a recluse. Her one friend is a pen pal whose responses she finds in a branch of a tree at the zoo.

The magic of this story lies in the mystery of who Laura’s pen pal is; when we find out, and the two letter writers find out, what will they do with that knowledge? It could be the key to re-chart their lives or to doom them to destruction. They and their families.

There is just enough mystery, romance, truth, emotion, and suspense to make this a very enjoyable, feel-good read.
Obviously both Laura and Isaac’s characters have decisions to make that will cause or delay their growth. As the reader, we’re unsure which path each will choose.

My favorite secondary character, though, is Mrs. Guskin. The Bradshaw’s housekeeper is so much more to Laura. Her presence and advice is invaluable. She is the treasure map that helps the young people find gold in this story. How I loved her wise ways!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“You are not a game piece. And you are not responsible for your father’s choices.”

“Even apart, we battle together.”

“The dream, like all dreams, faded, replaced by reality—and the truth was, she missed her friend already.”

“The children joined ranks with their parents, dutifully rallying for a cause they didn’t understand.” So true today!!

“the avenue of if only led to nowhere but the land of aching hearts.”

“Hiding from the past wouldn’t change it.”

I thought this was a beautifully written story set in the 1920's. I love historical fiction but haven't read much in this time period. It was wonderful to get to know more about it. Two adults who knew each other well as children because their fathers worked closely with each other are torn apart without knowing what happened. Their fathers suddenly hate each other, and their shoe factories are suddenly competing against each other but these now adults, Isaac and Laura, have no idea why there is a feud. They've had to grow up "hating" the other family without a reason. When Laura begins putting a letter (poem, actually) by mistake in a tree at the zoo and Isaac finds it, it begins a wonderful friendship between the two of them to reconnect although they don't know the identity of the other! What will happen when their identities are discovered? How will the reason for the feud be found out? And, who is the mysterious villain that is part of the subplot? I enjoyed this story from beginning to end! The fathers of both main characters were awful and needed an attitude adjustment!

I don’t always gravitate to historical fiction but in this case, it was necessary to the plot for the story to be set in the 1920s when the times were beginning to change but women still had little power in society. Some of the tropes from Romeo and Juliet as well as You’ve Got Mail were given a new twist to make for an original and engaging story. I was enchanted by the idea of a tree hollow where letters could be left anonymously for another person. What is more romantic than finding another person with whom you can share your deepest, most tender thoughts and feelings and know you will be understood and accepted? Who could ask for a better foundation on which to grow a true love and eventual marriage? The book was steeped with romance before Isaac and Laura even had their first wonderful kiss (which took a while to accomplish due to their feuding families and other obstacles in their way). It was excellent and I enjoyed it thoroughly from start to finish. This was my first Rachel Fordham book but it won’t be my last. Highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

#TheLetterTree #NetGalley

Two families from New York in the 1920s, one shoe business, divided into two businesses that hate each other. Laura Bradshaw has been visiting her letter tree in the zoo and has no idea who her pen pal is, but she feels comfortable sharing her thoughts with him and he with her.
Issac Campbell is tired of his father not letting him be a part of the business and wants to find out what happened to cause the Campbell and Bradshaw feud but his father refuses to tell him.
A book about how hated can keep growing if you continue to feed it. I enjoyed reading this book.

I enjoyed every minute of The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham. This is a truly delightful story that I devoured in two days! I was engaged from page one, and hated whenever I had to put this book down. I very much appreciated the nod to Romeo and Juliet. I like that Fordham captured the best aspects of Shakespeare’s play and utilized them in a manner that isn’t depressing or violent. I love Laura and Isaac the best. Laura, the heroine, often refers to herself as Rapunzel — locked away in her tower by her very controlling and very angry father. The way Laura’s father treats her really made me sad, but I love how Laura makes the best of her present circumstances. She gets knocked down a lot in this story, but she always picks herself back up. I enjoyed watching Laura find her inner strength and power. I love when a character grows into herself and realizes that standing up for herself is perfectly OK. Some of my favorite moments with Laura are when she is working hard at the zoo. It takes quite a strong woman to do the things Laura is tasked with. I definitely don’t want to work at a zoo. LOL! As far as Isaac goes…what a great hero. He is kindness and compassion personified, and he always strives to do what is right even when what is right is the difficult thing to do. Isaac is all the best qualities of a man. He is strong and courageous and valiant and smart and handsome. In many ways, he is the perfect Prince Charming to Laura’s Rapunzel. I really loved following along as Isaac and Laura reconnect and strengthen their long-lost friendship even though their childish fathers want them to hate each other. I did enjoy their journey to romance very much, but what I loved even more about these two is how they strengthen one another. Laura is strengthened by Isaac to believe that her dreams matter and that she should not hesitate to reach for the stars, and Isaac is strengthened by Laura to hone his writing skills and take a chance at publication. The way these two characters encourage one another is my favorite aspect to this lovely story. Honestly, how they supported one another is quite inspirational.

The Letter Tree is a lovely story I won’t soon forget. If you are a fan of well-written, highly engaging Historical Romances filled with character turmoil, lots of action, and timely themes, then you will adore this book!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham is a heartfelt romance. Under her father’s watchful eye Laura Bradshaw shares company and with only her family’s housekeeper and a parrot. Her secret is that she is able to exchange letters with someone in a tree. Isaac Campbell is the bachelor that everyone wants to know in Buffalo. But Isaac is thinking about the person he is exchanging letters with in an oak tree at the zoo.

If you take You’ve Got Mail mix it in with a redemptive Romeo and Juliet tale and a dash of mystery you will have The Letter Tree. I felt myself lost in this delightful character driven story that shines a light on unforgiveness and how it destroys us. It was a pleasure to watch the beautifully written characters transform in the story, and I enjoyed walking through life with them. It was a pleasure to learn about the animals in the Buffalo Zoo, flag pole sittings, and Niagara Fall stunts from the 1920's. Such intriguing historical information. Isaac is a wonderful hero who learns to stand on his own and sacrifice for love.

This is a beautifully written, redemptive, heartfelt story. I was all in from the beginning to the end. I highly recommend!
I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a review.

The letter tree brings Romeo and Juliet and you’ve got Mail together in a charming roaring 20s era story. Isaac and Laura grew up as childhood friends. Their parents were in partnership, and they dreamed that their lives will always be connected. But when tragedy occurs, all connection is broken. Laura is devastated. Her mother has passed. Her friend has betrayed her, and her father has become a ghost. She finds her self sitting by her favorite tree. Writing her poems, when someone comes along, she worries that they will find her poems silly, so she write hides them in a small opening in the tree. This is the beginning of her many years of letter writing, and the stranger that writes back.
This is really a lovely story of devotion, faithfulness, and true compassion. It is full of intrigue, suspense and sweet romance. The characters are well defined, and have spirit and determination.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It's the 1920's in New York. A girl has lost her mother and starts writing letters and leaving them in a tree. A young man finds them and they begin a friendship. What will happen when they come face to face?

This is a *Must Read* book!! It's a beautifully written story that holds your attention from the first page until the last. I loved everything about this book!
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oh the love of a Rachel Fordham story…her turn of phrase and writing style always places me right into the middle of the story…the time, the setting, the fashion…just the stories would be enough to capture my interest but the way she puts pen to paper makes them so much more memorable and inspiring.

Slow burn, emotional, forbidden love, coupled with letters that bear the very heart of the scribe, meld perfectly together to create a memorable love story. Include both shady and endearing secondary characters, perfect pacing and a search for answers to the past and you have another excellent tale to read and reread. This story will be my favorite until Fordham releases another.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.

Set in the 1920s, this book is a little bit of You've Got Mail meets Romeo and Juliet. Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell grew up together, but after their father's company split, a feud broke out and Laura and Isaac were forbidden from seeing each other. During this time, Laura Bradshaw lost her mother and her father became overbearing. One day Laura hides some of her poetry in a tree in the park across from her house only to come back for it later and find a letter written to her in it's place. Laura and this mystery pen pal decide to not reveal their identity to each other for many years, but continue to write frequently. Isaac is tired of living in his father's shadow and wants to do something for himself, but his mother just wants him married. Isaac can't help but compare the women he meets to his mystery pen pal. Will he and his mystery pen pal ever meet? Will Isaac ever figure out what called the Bradshaw-Campbell factory to split and cause this terrible feud? This book is a wonderful story filled with romance and mystery. Highly recommend this book!

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.

YES🎆

I loved this.

The Letter Tree is a Romeo and Juliet mixed with You've Got Mail retelling. I admit the Romeo and Juliet part made me nervous for the ending, but don't worry.

We follow Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell. Their dads own rival shoe companies. They aren't allowed to be friends. Little do they know that they have been communicating all these years through anonymous letters. It's a adorable.

My fave part was the characters. Fordham's characters are unmatched in my opinion. We get Laura and Isaac's perspectives throughout, which is also a highlight. Isaac made me swoon so hard.
Laura and Isaac were dynamic and interesting. Their scenes together were filled with tension and unspoken feelings and I ate it up.

BUT they did communicate. They didn't let things go too long and made sure they were clear with each other the people around them about how they felt.

The side characters shined as well. Mrs. Guskin, Mr. Cannon, and Charles - loved!

The romance was so so cute. I loved Laura and Isaac together.

There was very light faith content.
It was clean with mild kiss scenes.
Highly recommend!

*I was given a free copy to read and review by the author and Net Galley. This is an honest review.

How did I miss this book when it came out? The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham is a delightful romance that every historical fiction fan will love.

Laura Bradshaw loves happily ever afters and fairy tales. She imagines her prince charming coming one day to rescue her from her tower, where her father has imprisoned her ever since her mother passed away. Well, not really. But she feels trapped because of his behaviour toward her. His hatred for her mother and his hatred for a rival shoe company, Campbell Shoes, has made her life miserable and lonely. Her only solace is her anonymous pen pal, whom she has been writing to for years through a tree. Yep, a tree. She wrote her heart out one day and stuck her poem in a hole in a tree. Little did she know it would be answered, and she would find a BFF in a mysterious stranger.

Isaac Campbell is the heir to Campbell Shoes and has no idea the letter he found in a tree belonged to Laura Bradshaw, the daughter of his father's sworn enemy. As his correspondence with Laura grows into a desire to meet his "mystery woman," he has no idea that long-held secrets and family feuds are about to be exposed, changing their lives forever.

Rachel Fordham has created a book that not only has a Romeo & Juliet vibe, but it also has an added mystery man and a secret that will keep you guessing until almost the very end. If you like historical romance, you will love The Letter Tree.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Thomas Nelson through NetGalley for my honest review.

Brilliant. I absolutely loved this story. I loved the characters and the secret friendship through the letters and the "letter tree." So fun! Highly recommend.

What a stunning story! This book is a perfect example of why the forbidden love trope is one of my favorite tropes. This was absolutely beautiful. I love how Isaac and Laura showed emotional growth, and their amount of chemistry is incredible. They are a match made in Heaven. The family feud is also very realistic. I love this book and I am so happy I got to read it. To historical fiction fans, I highly recommend it!

I’ve long been a fan of Rachel Fordham, so I’ve been anxiously awaiting a new release since she has changed publishers, and I have to say that I’m not disappointed. If you love epistolary story lines, then this is definitely going to be one of your favorite parts of the book. It was really difficult to puzzle out how the feuding families of Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell could come to terms with each other. I found that the storyline did drag a little in the middle for me because I didn’t see the delightful plot twist coming. Laura is a huge animal fan, so the setting of the Buffalo New York Zoo in 1917 is the perfect setting for the hollow opening in the maple tree that has wrought a friendship.
This is her sixth book, and I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed each one and can easily recommend any of them. Her debut novel, The Hope of Azure Springs (which I highly recommend), is still probably my favorite. Yours Truly, Thomas is also an epistolary novel, so if you enjoy that style of writing, that would be an easy choice for your next Rachel Fordham novel. She’s been described as writing “Little House on the Prairie” style books for adults, and I feel that is an appropriate comparison. She takes historical fiction that has true to life occurrences and brings them to the best ending that can be wrought from each situation.
I purchased a copy of this book from Baker Book House and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham was a modern-day fairy tale whose prince and princess struggled to find the courage to face the villains, Hate and Greed, and to take a step of faith outside the confines in which their fathers had placed them. It was “Rapunzel” meets Romeo and Juliet meets You’ve Got Mail (with a twist). Through a torrent of emotions, a mystery (or two) to solve, some suspenseful moments, and a bit of divine providence, Fordham refused to allow her characters to remain stagnant.

For reasons unknown to them, Isaac Campbell, the “prince” of Campbell shoes, and Laura Bradshaw, the “princess” of Bradshaw shoes, were split apart at a young age and taught to hate each other and the rival companies. While Laura was kept out of social circles until it served a greater good for her father’s company, spending time in her room with her macaw and conversing with her housekeeper, Isaac was encouraged to enjoy life and leave the inner workings of his father’s company alone. Both felt stuck in the roles handed to them and longed to do more, be more than what was allowed.

The story moved at a steady pace, and I was fully invested. I loved the idea of the letters passed through a maple tree that started with a sad girl’s poem. No names, no details, just words that expressed feelings and dreams. And when it was finally time to reveal the people behind the words, the tug-of-war of emotions that followed was expertly written and even entertaining.

Though Laura and Isaac were easily my favorite characters, I wouldn’t be doing the story justice if I didn’t throw a little special light on Mrs. Guskin. She was the warm light shining in the Bradshaw household, a grandmother-like figure who served with patience and gave Laura the small taste of freedom she was seeking.

I enjoyed the backdrop of the Buffalo Zoo and Delaware Park and appreciated the fact that this story took place in Western New York, the complete opposite end of the big city New York State is often confused for. Of course, adding in Niagara Falls complete with a daredevil was the icing on the cake. The one snag I found with this, though, was the fact that I got caught up in details. I was unsure for a while whether they were in Niagara Falls, NY or Ontario as the hotel they stayed at was a Canadian hotel. That obviously was not enough to take a star away from the well-deserved five stars this story earned, but it did trip me up a bit. But an author has the luxury to do whatever they want in their story. That is the beauty of fiction.

I highly recommend The Letter Tree to anyone who loves a story of overcoming life’s adversities and stepping out in faith, a story where the characters learn and grow, and find out who God created them to be.

I'm an absolute softie for anonymous pen pal romances, and this was no exception. The tagline said "Romeo and Juliet meet You've Got Mail" and I said "yes please" (sidenote @ my friends who, like me, are obsessed with "Divine Rivals" this year, read this next. trust me. ...unless the fantasy element is what you liked about it... still read this but it's just hisfic soooo)

Thrilled to report that this was delightful. I read it in two days because I didn't want to put it down. It had the perfect amount of angst without being too much, and while it did fall into the tropes that are typical of this kind of story, it did put a twist on some of them that I very much enjoyed! I was rooting for Laura from the first page, she deserves the entire world, and I'm thrilled that Isaac is happy to give it to her, haha! (I'm not really an enemies-to-lovers girlie, so this "our parents are enemies but we used to be friends and don't really have beef" energy was PERFECT) The romance is definitely the most driving force of the book, but there's a bit of a mystery plotline as well. The mystery didn't have the most exciting finale, but again, the romance is the key thing, and it's adorable.

I laughed a lot, and cried a little, and it was perfect for me personally, tbh. Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to listen to "She Loves Me" on repeat. 5 stars!

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**

What a beautiful story of a young boy and girl growing up friends, then ripped apart by their families’ feud.

Laura and Issac have known each other forever. Their families are the Bradshaw and Campbells- their heirs and competitors of two magnificent shoe companies. The families were once one large company and have since had a HUGE feud (that no one knows the real reason) and they hate each other now.

Laura is forced to follow her father’s wishes and Isaac wishes for more as his father hands him menial tasks.

Each writes letters to a special friend, by way of the Letter Tree, a beautiful maple in the Buffalo zoo.

Fordham shares the story is born from the Adidas/Puma feud a couple decades after this novel is set, along with the zoo being such a beautiful, historical element. I am now off to read more about this Puma/Adidas feud I know little about.

I loved Lara’s persistence, Isaac’s calming quality and the mystery of Alex. Ruth was NOT my favorite by a long shot, which is a true testament to Fordham’s ability to write great characters!

The audio is great (save the investigator’s voice) so I recommend it too!

“The Letter Tree” by Rachel Fordham is a charming tale of how hidden letters can change the world for two lost souls and their entire communities. Seven years ago, a letter hidden inside a tree helped Laura Bradshaw to endure the tragic loss of her mother and gave her something to look forward to in her sad and lonely life, living with her overbearing father, with no joy in sight. When Isaac Campbell, the original letter-writer learns that Laura whose name he doesn’t know, is going to be pledged to another, he begs her to meet him and reveal her true self. That’s when he realizes that she is the only daughter of his family’s sworn enemy. Can the grown-up children of feuding parents bridge the bottomless chasm between them? Or is the bitter, strife-torn divide far too deep and ever too wide to be crossed? Read on to find out what happens in this awesome book penned in true Rachel Fordham style. You won’t want to miss a single one of Rachel’s books, which are well worth reading, in an enchanting, captivating world of their own, that you will want to linger in, long after you put the book down.

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, all the emotions you would find after a tragedy such as this Laura is overprotected with few, if any friends, except for a pen pal she corresponds with by letters exchanged through a tree in the Buffalo Zoo. As we take this journey with Laura we find what an amazing story this is. Highly recommended..

You Will Not Want To Put This Book Down!

I was so mesmerized by this story. I did not want to put it down. It was so fascinating and trying to puzzle through certain pieces of this puzzle was entertaining.

I look forward to searching out more books by Rachel Fordham.

Audiobook: Narrated by Kira Fixx
I enjoyed listening when I couldn’t sit down and read. Kira Fixx did not distract me from the book with her reading.

I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sparkling, moving, and original. I loved it from start to finish.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson--FICTION, Thomas Nelson for accepting my request to read and review The Letter Tree.

A lovely story where a young lady of 21 romanticizes love and marriage. The synopsis sums the book up in its entirety and Fordham writes the complimentary story.

If I had the physical book I would have had 1924 paperclipped where I could see it. However, I had the E-book and had to virtually elbow myself a couple of times. Seriously, I found the societal differences sweet and part of the charm. While waiting on the Keurig (one coffee & one hot chocolate) and a search for the audiobook (Thank you Hoopla.) I was able to go from start to finish in just a few hours. It was not as if I wanted to rush through, it was me wanting the story to continue on when I had to get up.

The book did not disappoint. It is simple and smart. The author does not go over the top. This could be a grandmother telling her granddaughter how her grandparents met.

Would definitely recommend for young readers transitioning to adult books, as well as gifting adult Christian readers, particularly women, and adults in general. The book is light and clean.

As for the audio: The narrator was part of the attraction.

THE LETTER TREE
BY: RACHEL FORDHAM

"The Letter Tree," written by, Rachel Fordham is a magnificent and very special historical romance that is so wholesome and classy. I really loved reading this and even though it takes place in the early 1920's it has a contemporary feel to it. I really applaud the author on keeping this romance clean except for some kissing that happens after the the female main character named, Laura Bradshaw and the main male character Isaac Campbell organically come together by way of feud, then friendship, and finally a romantic relationship. I'm also very impressed by Rachel Fordham's insight being a self-identified reader herself for taking the initiative by knowing what I know I crave the answers to after finishing reading a great historical fiction novel. She has eliminated the guesswork of what was actually factual or fictional by answering the questions and more in a helpful Author's Note. I wish that all authors would take that initiative.

In the prologue Laura witnesses her mother getting run over by a car and losing her life. They had been out having a lovely day together shopping and her mother has just bought Laura a book of fairy tales, when she tells Laura she'll be right back. Laura was only fourteen years old and has had a gaping hole in her life by losing her loving mother.

Laura lives with her father who doesn't allow any talk about what happened to her mother. He also doesn't discuss why he hates his old business partner who he used to manufacture shoes with the Campbell family. Laura is now twenty-one and her father is always too busy competing with his now enemy the Campbell family who they split up the company of making shoes seven years ago. Lucky for Laura she has a wonderful housekeeper who lives with the Bradshaw's and is more like a grandmother. Laura loves animals and going to the zoo where she has a secret letter writer whom they exchange letters by leaving them in a majestic tree.

Isaac Campbell is two years older than Laura and he didn't go to college, and he works for his father who never gives him any responsibilities at the shoe factory. He is the eligible bachelor and his meddling, but well meaning mother tries fixing him up with young women he doesn't have any interests in. He goes to the zoo at night because he can have some time away from home. Because he made a large donation to the zoo, he can go there after hours, gaining admittance from a friendly security guard. Him and Laura have been leaving letters pouring out their hearts to each other in their letters that they leave inside the tree. They are not aware of their identities of who each other are and who they are writing to each other. The reason being because they have blindly listened to each of their family's hate one another. It's not a spoiler to reveal this because it takes place within the first 5 percent of the novel.

Laura and Isaac were friends as children and they just accept that they are a part of this feud. This is a beautifully written story that the author says in her Author's Note that it is a combination of Romeo and Juliet and You've got mail. As the novel progresses the reader is given more background material, and it was difficult witnessing these two kind and thoughtful adults who had so much that they shared in common which is relayed in their hand written letters. It was hard knowing what they each left each other in their tree in the zoo, not communicate in person. I'm so grateful to have discovered this allegorical tale by my good friend Rosh's excellent review. Be sure to read her review here on Good Reads.

What really stands out for me in "The Letter Tree," is that this historical fiction that is written in a literary fiction style has not been done before. Sure we have all read Romeo and Juliet in our Freshman year of High school. We all remember viewing the movie starring Meg Ryan in 'You've got mail.' I loved them both. I loved the play written by Shakespeare although I'll admit it took a little while for me to fall in love with it. What makes this wonderful is that it's not the usual stories already told within the over saturated market, filled with insta-love and meet-cutes that happen to be so popular at the present time. So, if that's your end game you will not find it here. This definitely won't be for you, so I wouldn't recommend it to the reader who enjoys that common trope. No judgement here.

What you will find is two characters that are sketched full of empathy for each other's heart aches and difficult family circumstances. They have each suffered a profound loss which makes their relationship built by a genuine caring about each other built with kindness and mutual respect. They have no idea that they are writing to the person that they have been forbidden by the patriarch of each family to not associate with one another.

It is the 1920's and Laura is being pressured by her father to enter in a romantic relationship with a young man who promises her father that if he makes an investment in his *unknowable scheme* he will be gaining the upper-hand in the rival Campbell shoe company. She needs a chaperone because of the era so she agrees to date this young business man named Abel, who she hopes that she is making a good impression on. She knows next to nothing on what we today know the important character traits to look for when picking a good partner leading to a healthy marriage. All Laura has is her love of books and animals and her trusted stand in grandmother who is the housekeeper. Mrs. Guskins is the only one besides her pen pal who seems to understand her and who she can relate to.

Isaac has lost his young uncle who was like an older brother to him in the Great War. Like Laura he feels a visceral heartbreak of losing the only family member he could turn to who gets him. For Laura she deeply misses her beloved mother who left her a library of her books. When you lose the person who you could most depend on who you shared a deep and abiding love who made you feel seen and heard, but most importantly understood, it is a life altering wound. I really connected to these two characters Laura and Isaac because I lost my only sister who I felt closest to in a tragic accident on December 27, 2012. I talked to her on Christmas day for hours and she was so bubbly and warm and I miss her everyday. She had moved to New York and decided not to come back for Christmas because she was planning on moving in with my family and my father in January. She was closer to me than a best friend and I loved her more than any best friend that I have in my life. So I understand how deep the wound feels by never getting the closure from getting to say goodbye when losing a person who you have the most profound attachment to. Later when talking to my father after we lost my sister he told me that she was crying on Christmas day because she didn't come home for Christmas and she was alone when they talked on the phone. Yet, she was a pillar of strength and an anchor for me and listened to me for whatever I was venting about never giving me a clue how down she really felt. I still feel bad that I didn't know how hard of a time she was having during our last conversation because I would give anything if I knew that on Christmas 2012 that would be our last conversation. Usually I'm very good at reading people, I was too self centered about myself and will always wish that I could have cheered her up and just listened to her. Just listened. Since then my two sons have both moved out and are no longer needing that magical Christmas morning waking up with over bursting Christmas stockings and a living room filled with all of the toys they wanted. I miss watching their faces light up from viewing their innocent excitement from seeing that they were filled with joy that Santa delivered what they had expressed they were hoping to receive. Those days are behind me and even though I didn't like all of the tedious gift wrapping witnessing their easy to fulfill their happiness are some of my favorite Christmases.

So I really was moved how these two people who were both matured by their own tragic losses managed to validate to one another how they could put themselves into sharing what the other one was feeling. They got one another in ways that their remaining families didn't. I love the concept of exchanging hand written letters into their favorite tree at the Buffalo, NY zoo. It was or is this country's third oldest zoos. They did this for seven years so when Laura is twenty-one years old and starts being courted by abel her father's business partner, she writes a final farewell letter to Isaac thanking him for his friendship, but saying good-bye.

Isaac is crest fallen when he gets his last letter from Laura whom he doesn't know her identity and she doesn't know his either. They were in agreement in keeping their names anonymous. Isaac whose mother keeps arranging parties inviting the Buffalo societies youth he isn't interested in participating in. His best friend Charles is to soon be married to his true love. Charles doesn't understand Isaac's reluctance in not being more enthusiastic about courting the abundance of young women, who are over aggressive in the mating game. Isaac's heart belongs to his *wishing letter girl* who has just written her final letter to him. Can he learn who his true love is by writing to her and telling her that he would love to meet her in person at the Buffalo zoo? What are the chances of Laura returning to this beloved tree to retrieve his letter since she's already through exchanging letters? I couldn't help rooting for these main characters throughout the 85% remaining intrigue that switches back and forth between these two main characters.

There are a couple of mysteries that are woven into the plot. This gem of a novel really stole my heart and it is worthy of its Five Plus, Plus Sparkling Stars! There are very few other readers who have read this and of the ones who did everyone has rated it five stars that I'm aware of. This is one that I will never forget and a top reading experience of 2023.

Publication Date: October 31, 2023 Available Now!

Thank you to Net Galley, Rachel Fordham and Thomas Nelson--FICTION for generously providing me with my eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheLetterTree #RachelFordham #ThomasNelsonFiction #NetGalley
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THE LETTER TREE
BY: RACHEL FORDHAM

"The Letter Tree," written by, Rachel Fordham is a magnificent and very special historical romance that is so wholesome and classy. I really loved reading this and even though it takes place in the early 1920's it has a contemporary feel to it. I really applaud the author on keeping this romance clean except for some kissing that happens after the the female main character named, Laura Bradshaw and the main male character Isaac Campbell organically come together by way of feud, then friendship, and finally a romantic relationship. I'm also very impressed by Rachel Fordham's insight being a self-identified reader herself for taking the initiative by knowing what I know I crave the answers to after finishing reading a great historical fiction novel. She has eliminated the guesswork of what was actually factual or fictional by answering the questions and more in a helpful Author's Note. I wish that all authors would take that initiative.

In the prologue Laura witnesses her mother getting run over by a car and losing her life. They had been out having a lovely day together shopping and her mother has just bought Laura a book of fairy tales, when she tells Laura she'll be right back. Laura was only fourteen years old and has had a gaping hole in her life by losing her loving mother.

Laura lives with her father who doesn't allow any talk about what happened to her mother. He also doesn't discuss why he hates his old business partner who he used to manufacture shoes with the Campbell family. Laura is now twenty-one and her father is always too busy competing with his now enemy the Campbell family who they split up the company of making shoes seven years ago. Lucky for Laura she has a wonderful housekeeper who lives with the Bradshaw's and is more like a grandmother. Laura loves animals and going to the zoo where she has a secret letter writer whom they exchange letters by leaving them in a majestic tree.

Isaac Campbell is two years older than Laura and he didn't go to college, and he works for his father who never gives him any responsibilities at the shoe factory. He is the eligible bachelor and his meddling, but well meaning mother tries fixing him up with young women he doesn't have any interests in. He goes to the zoo at night because he can have some time away from home. Because he made a large donation to the zoo, he can go there after hours, gaining admittance from a friendly security guard. Him and Laura have been leaving letters pouring out their hearts to each other in their letters that they leave inside the tree. They are not aware of their identities of who each other are and who they are writing to each other. The reason being because they have blindly listened to each of their family's hate one another. It's not a spoiler to reveal this because it takes place within the first 5 percent of the novel.

Laura and Isaac were friends as children and they just accept that they are a part of this feud. This is a beautifully written story that the author says in her Author's Note that it is a combination of Romeo and Juliet and You've got mail. As the novel progresses the reader is given more background material, and it was difficult witnessing these two kind and thoughtful adults who had so much that they shared in common which is relayed in their hand written letters. It was hard knowing what they each left each other in their tree in the zoo, not communicate in person. I'm so grateful to have discovered this allegorical tale by my good friend Rosh's excellent review. Be sure to read her review here on Good Reads.

What really stands out for me in "The Letter Tree," is that this historical fiction that is written in a literary fiction style has not been done before. Sure we have all read Romeo and Juliet in our Freshman year of High school. We all remember viewing the movie starring Meg Ryan in 'You've got mail.' I loved them both. I loved the play written by Shakespeare although I'll admit it took a little while for me to fall in love with it. What makes this wonderful is that it's not the usual stories already told within the over saturated market, filled with insta-love and meet-cutes that happen to be so popular at the present time. So, if that's your end game you will not find it here. This definitely won't be for you, so I wouldn't recommend it to the reader who enjoys that common trope. No judgement here.

What you will find is two characters that are sketched full of empathy for each other's heart aches and difficult family circumstances. They have each suffered a profound loss which makes their relationship built by a genuine caring about each other built with kindness and mutual respect. They have no idea that they are writing to the person that they have been forbidden by the patriarch of each family to not associate with one another.

It is the 1920's and Laura is being pressured by her father to enter in a romantic relationship with a young man who promises her father that if he makes an investment in his *unknowable scheme* he will be gaining the upper-hand in the rival Campbell shoe company. She needs a chaperone because of the era so she agrees to date this young business man named Abel, who she hopes that she is making a good impression on. She knows next to nothing on what we today know the important character traits to look for when picking a good partner leading to a healthy marriage. All Laura has is her love of books and animals and her trusted stand in grandmother who is the housekeeper. Mrs. Guskins is the only one besides her pen pal who seems to understand her and who she can relate to.

Isaac has lost his young uncle who was like an older brother to him in the Great War. Like Laura he feels a visceral heartbreak of losing the only family member he could turn to who gets him. For Laura she deeply misses her beloved mother who left her a library of her books. When you lose the person who you could most depend on who you shared a deep and abiding love who made you feel seen and heard, but most importantly understood, it is a life altering wound. I really connected to these two characters Laura and Isaac because I lost my only sister who I felt closest to in a tragic accident on December 27, 2012. I talked to her on Christmas day for hours and she was so bubbly and warm and I miss her everyday. She had moved to New York and decided not to come back for Christmas because she was planning on moving in with my family and my father in January. She was closer to me than a best friend and I loved her more than any best friend that I have in my life. So I understand how deep the wound feels by never getting the closure from getting to say goodbye when losing a person who you have the most profound attachment to. Later when talking to my father after we lost my sister he told me that she was crying on Christmas day because she didn't come home for Christmas and she was alone when they talked on the phone. Yet, she was a pillar of strength and an anchor for me and listened to me for whatever I was venting about never giving me a clue how down she really felt. I still feel bad that I didn't know how hard of a time she was having during our last conversation because I would give anything if I knew that on Christmas 2012 that would be our last conversation. Usually I'm very good at reading people, I was too self centered about myself and will always wish that I could have cheered her up and just listened to her. Just listened. Since then my two sons have both moved out and are no longer needing that magical Christmas morning waking up with over bursting Christmas stockings and a living room filled with all of the toys they wanted. I miss watching their faces light up from viewing their innocent excitement from seeing that they were filled with joy that Santa delivered what they had expressed they were hoping to receive. Those days are behind me and even though I didn't like all of the tedious gift wrapping witnessing their easy to fulfill their happiness are some of my favorite Christmases.

So I really was moved how these two people who were both matured by their own tragic losses managed to validate to one another how they could put themselves into sharing what the other one was feeling. They got one another in ways that their remaining families didn't. I love the concept of exchanging hand written letters into their favorite tree at the Buffalo, NY zoo. It was or is this country's third oldest zoos. They did this for seven years so when Laura is twenty-one years old and starts being courted by abel her father's business partner, she writes a final farewell letter to Isaac thanking him for his friendship, but saying good-bye.

Isaac is crest fallen when he gets his last letter from Laura whom he doesn't know her identity and she doesn't know his either. They were in agreement in keeping their names anonymous. Isaac whose mother keeps arranging parties inviting the Buffalo societies youth he isn't interested in participating in. His best friend Charles is to soon be married to his true love. Charles doesn't understand Isaac's reluctance in not being more enthusiastic about courting the abundance of young women, who are over aggressive in the mating game. Isaac's heart belongs to his *wishing letter girl* who has just written her final letter to him. Can he learn who his true love is by writing to her and telling her that he would love to meet her in person at the Buffalo zoo? What are the chances of Laura returning to this beloved tree to retrieve his letter since she's already through exchanging letters? I couldn't help rooting for these main characters throughout the 85% remaining intrigue that switches back and forth between these two main characters.

There are a couple of mysteries that are woven into the plot. This gem of a novel really stole my heart and it is worthy of its Five Plus, Plus Sparkling Stars! There are very few other readers who have read this and of the ones who did everyone has rated it five stars that I'm aware of. This is one that I will never forget and a top reading experience of 2023.

Publication Date: October 31, 2023 Available Now!

Thank you to Net Galley, Rachel Fordham and Thomas Nelson--FICTION for generously providing me with my eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheLetterTree #RachelFordham #ThomasNelsonFiction #NetGalley
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My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Romance, Historical Romance
Spice Level: Low (kissing book)

Set in the 1920s, one of my favorite book eras, this story caught me immediately. The feud between the companies and the fall out felt genuine. I liked the love interest and was vested in both Laura and Isaac.

The way this novel unfolded was beautiful. I loved the progression of the letters exchanged within the tree to the secret of the writers to the speaking to one another.

It's the perfect pace to enjoy everything going on in the 20s while keeping the main story and mystery moving along. I didn't know how Abel would play out in this story, and I loved how he brought in a different part of the era.

This book gets all the stars! It's one I would read again for the pure joy of it.

I highly recommend it.

Happy reading!

Yes! What a perfect blend of Romeo and Juliet and You've Got Mail. I loved the setting especially, since I used to intern at the Buffalo Zoo. The romance was very sweet and I especially love the letters that the characters corresponded with through the tree. There is also definitely some fun aspects of a mystery going on as well. I love Rachel Fordham's books and can't wait to pick up the next one. FYI I hardly ever preorder books, but I'm so glad I did with this one.

Rating: 5/5

Read it for the:
- hidden identity trope
- forbidden love/Feuding families
-1920s New York City setting (prohibition era)
- Mystery elements
- exchange of letters

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 :
Romance: Clean (kissing only)
Trigger warning: death of a parent

𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Set in a lush backdrop of 1920 Buffalo, New York, The Letter Tree tells the story of a tragic feud between families, and a sweet love story that was born despite all odds.

I loved the reading experience of the letter tree. Laura was a kind, but spirited young woman, trapped by the grief of her widowed father. I enjoyed watching her grow into her own as the story progressed, and loved her sweet character. Isaac on the hand out was more outspoken at first, but was of like minded kindness. Their unexpected friendship through anonymous letters added depth to each character, and strengthened their romance. Sweet but not without its moments of angst and impossibility due to their circumstances, Isaac and Laura were meant for each other and defied all to be together.

What shined throughout the entire story were the well researched historical facts the author sprinkled into the story. With vivid descriptions, I could picture the roaring 20’s in full color on the pages. I found the mentions of the Buffalo Zoo and its animals interesting and unique. The dual mysteries of finding the root cause of the family feud and questionable business dealings added to the excitement of the read. A good emotional conflict was found in the strained relationship between Laura and her father, and Isaac and his parents. All of these factors added to the overall plot to make for a page turner.

A intriguing read with a romance between star-crossed lovers, The letter Tree may be my favorite book by Rachel Fordham yet.

I've always been rather partial to Rachel Fordham's The Hope of Azure Springs and thought that nothing she ever wrote could possibly surpass that debut novel of hers. However, The Letter Tree has accomplished just that!

As with any Fordham novel, there are elements of sweet romance and strong family ties. The Letter Tree is quite different than her other novels, though. It definitely has a touch of Romeo & Juliet storyline but with the addition of a 20th century New York backdrop.

This is such a beautiful story of friendship and love rediscovered but, more than that, it's an adventurous tale of true forgiveness.

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

The story is set with a feud between two families who used to be in business together as shoemakers. It is set in Buffalo, New York in 1924. The 20-something daughter Laura Bradshaw has been taught to avoid the dreadful Campbell family. One good friends, the two fathers are sworn enemies. Both fathers want their individual businesses to survive into the next generation, but they are not willing to work together.
Living an isolated life, Laura finds a years-long pen pal in a person trading letters with her in a tree at the Buffalo zoo. In a quest for friends, she dates a promising, young business partner for her father. However, he seems more interested in the alliance than the girl.
It is an endearing story, even if you can guess the outcome. The twists and turns in this coming-of-age story make it engaging to read.

This story was all the nostalgic, old-timey vibes I hoped it would be. Something about the theme of letter writing when in a book just is a yes for me.
I loved the characters and their journeys.
I loved the atmosphere and setting. Such a cool read. I can’t wait to see what this author writes next!

#BookReview: THE LETTER TREE by Rachel Fordham

Why did it take me so long to pick up this book? It was absolutely captivating, a page-turner that I couldn't put down. It had everything I could ask for in a book: compelling family drama, a touch of sweet romance, and an intriguing mystery woven with suspense.

I was astonished to learn that Isaac and Laura had exchanged letters for seven years through the "Maple Tree." Their sweet correspondence, spanning years without ever knowing each other's names, solidified a deep friendship built on shared experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, captivated by the engaging characters of Isaac and Laura. Their likability and shared goal of ending the feud made them easy to root for. It was such a heartfelt story, and the way they joined forces to achieve this was particularly satisfying.

Rating: 5 stars
Pub date: 31 Oct 2023 (out now)

Thank you Thomas Nelson--FICTION and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first book I've ever read by Rachel Fordham and it won't be the last. Her writing captured me and I felt transported to this time period and setting. I absolutely love when exchanging letters is part of a story. I love how letters give you insight into what a person is thinking and feeling at certain point in time. Isaac and Laura have been exchanging letters for the last seven years never knowing the identity of the other person. Their fathers were once business partners until a feud happened and any contact between the families was banned by both sides. Isaac and Laura have no idea what happened and only know they aren't allowed to be in contact with the other. When it is revealed that the other is their mysterious pen pal their treasured friendship is in jeopardy. What do they do? I adored these two characters and did not like how their families were treated them and pushed into various situations without a thought for their feelings. I was so glad that Laura had the housekeeper Mrs. Gaskin as not only someone to confide in but someone who loved her like a mother. I loved the mystery of trying to figure out what happened to cause the rift but also watching the love develop and was cheering for them to figure out a way to overcome the obstacles before them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I started listening to the audio, but then since I was graciously given an e-arc from the publisher and NetGalley, I physically read it. I completely agree with the description that it is a great mash up of Romeo and Juliet and You've Got Mail in set in the 1920's. There were even times in my head that I would hear Meg Ryan's voice as the letters were being read.

What I liked most was the character of Isaac, he was a true gentlemen even through the circumstances that he were presented to him. I liked how much he truly cared for Laura. The other character I enjoyed was Mrs. Guskin, Laura's housekeeper/confidant. I enjoyed their friendship and how much Laura confided in her. Seeing Laura's character growth change throughout the story from being not so strong and brave to being a woman not afraid to stand up and make her own decisions was inspiring to me. I enjoyed cheering her on as she made her way through several trying situations.

I liked the overall redemption and theme of forgiveness that found it's way woven throughout the story. This was the first book I've read by Mrs. Fordham, but I plan to read others by her soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the e-arc of the book. All opinions are my own.

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham is a beautifully written historical romance. This book in set in Buffalo, New York beginning in 1917 and through the roaring 1920s -where alcohol and prohibition existed,

A blend of stories similar to Romeo and Juliet, You’ve Got Mail, Rapunzel and Cinderella, It's the story of the love affair that grew between childhood friends Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell, and their feuding families. Their Father's were previous business partners in Bradshaw and Campbell Shoe Factory.

Although Laura and Isaac were childhood friends, when their fathers separated the company into two competing shoe manufacturers, the children were forbidden to associate with each other.

This feud did not stop them from remaining friends. Laura's love of animals and a frequent visitor to the Buffalo Zoo, Laura hides some poetry in a tree at the Zoo. It becomes known as "The Letter Tree" and the unofficial Post Office for both Laura - later known as (The Wishing Girl) and Issac (The Pinecone Throwing Boy) who finds the poetry and begins writing back anonymously.

Seven years go by, the pair have continued being pen pals through their letter writing and communication. Not knowing who they are communicating with as they never met. Even though they both wish to find out who they each are. Eventually they work it out and the twist and turns in the plot of the story begins.

Laura has now grown up and meets Abel Fredricks, a business investor and scammer. Attaching himself to wealthy business owner's daughters pretending to wine and dine them into false relationships to gain a buck or two. Convincing the wealthy parents to invest in fake deeds to land holdings with oil underground and steal all of their family fortunes and riches.

Issac discovers the true colors in Abel as he hires a private investigator to discover not only Abel true intentions but also uncovers another family secret. One that could save his family and the feud between him and Laura.

Will he save and rescue Laura from embarrassment and destruction?

Will the family feud be restored to the memories of their childhood.

Is there a happy ever after. Let's just say all romances can prove to be fruitful if the right person is chosen.

Will that be the case for Laura and Issac - Childhood friends to lovers.

I really enjoyed this book and am happy to add it to collection of treasured novels. I rate this book 5 stars.

Thank you netgalley for this copy and this is my honest review.

Rachel Fordham's The Letter Tree takes us to the roaring 20s, and is reminiscent of a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, but fear not—the tale leads to a happily ever after. The dual POV and charming letter exchanges add a sprinkle of You've Got Mail charm. Rachel delivers a sweeping story that’s Enemies to Lovers but not really because they are friends to more who are just caught between their family’s anger! I just loved how this story unfolded!

Laura Bradshaw, yearns for her fairy tale escape from the clutches of her overbearing father, who has consumed himself in business and desire to crush his rival in business, Campbell Shoe Company. Isaac Campbell is the town's most sought-after bachelor, but he’s enchanted by his mysterious Wishing Girl pen pal.

Their journey gracefully goes between serene moments and heart-racing revelations, holding readers spellbound till the very last page.

One of my favorite quotes:

“God gave you good desires. Aim for them.”
“You’ve got to know what it is you want- not just what you don’t want.

What I loved:
🌳 The Letter hiding place
🌳 Forbidden Love
🌳 Family reconciliation
🌳 The romantic gestures
🌳 Tybolt the 🦜
🌳 Wonderful side characters
🌳 The mystery

If you are looking for a good book to cozy up with this winter, then I recommend picking this one!
Thank you @tnzfiction for the e-arc to read. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this gentle, historical read! I have read each of Rachel Fordham's stories, and they are well written and full of historical details, making one feel like they are in the series. I highly recommend picking this book up!

This book will give you Romeo and Juliet vibes all the way through. Two families, the Bradshaws and Campbells, own shoe companies are best friends. Something goes wrong, horribly wrong, and they go from being best friends to complete rivaling families as well as companies. The Letter Tree follows the lives of Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell, who at one time were the best of friends but their families rivals have driven stakes in their relationship. As time goes along Laura and Isaac decide that the feud has gone on way too long and they try to figure out what caused the feud. They have held their lives together by having penpals that they write their letters to, and leave in an big hollow tree in the zoo. As they discover that they don't want the feud to last any longer, there meetings become more than forced hatred. I loved the way the friendship grew. First book by Rachel Fordham, great experience.

Set in New York in the 1920s, The Letter Tree is a captivating read featuring a heartwarming forbidden romance and a mysterious family feud. The story drew me in immediately with the tragic prologue and kept me turning pages expectantly. I love the charming epistolary element of the story. Driving the story are endearing characters, main and secondary, who kept me vested in the outcome. The seamlessly infused historical events aptly and interestingly reflect the spirit of the Roaring Twenties Era. I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely historical romance and highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this story. I loved how the story showed how misunderstandings and hate can cause divisions but when were are willing to find the truth and let go of the hate we can find peace. I loved how Laura and Isaac were able to find the truth and help their families start to heal. I also love their romance and how they fell in love through the letters that they wrote over the years to their secret friend. I really liked the characters and seeing their vulnerability and honesty. I thought this was a very well written story.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.