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jesslolsen's review against another edition
2.0
This was a really sweet story, and an interesting concept that had a lot of potential to be an awesome story. There were just a few things that stopped me rating it highly… (Note: Im using he goodreads rating scale and giving it a 2, meaning that "it was ok", not the normal rating scale that would mean this score was absolutely terrible)
Firstly, the writing style was very basic conversational, and didn't have any 'deep' or profound moments in it. I had to make a conscious decision to keep reading through it, even though it was a bit annoying at first, but I guess that is a compliment to the story line being intriguing enough to hold me.
Secondly, the characters were a bit too nice for my liking. Maybe thats just how respectful people were in 1939 and 1973 and I'm just too jaded by the rude and abrupt ways of 2015, but even the story antagonisers were a bit too easy to hand over information and were a bit too soft to add any strong mystery to the plot.
It's not a very long story, and moves quite steadily, so I didn't feel like I had to wait forever to get to the point, and given the cheaper price point than most kindle books ($3.99 AUD) at the end I didn't feel too cheated. I would recommend this book to people who are after something light and super easy to read without having to think too much, but there are plenty of other books on my 'To Read' shelf that I would rate higher than this.
Firstly, the writing style was very basic conversational, and didn't have any 'deep' or profound moments in it. I had to make a conscious decision to keep reading through it, even though it was a bit annoying at first, but I guess that is a compliment to the story line being intriguing enough to hold me.
Secondly, the characters were a bit too nice for my liking. Maybe thats just how respectful people were in 1939 and 1973 and I'm just too jaded by the rude and abrupt ways of 2015, but even the story antagonisers were a bit too easy to hand over information and were a bit too soft to add any strong mystery to the plot.
It's not a very long story, and moves quite steadily, so I didn't feel like I had to wait forever to get to the point, and given the cheaper price point than most kindle books ($3.99 AUD) at the end I didn't feel too cheated. I would recommend this book to people who are after something light and super easy to read without having to think too much, but there are plenty of other books on my 'To Read' shelf that I would rate higher than this.
sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
5.0
A great read. Enjoyed the storyline and characters.
jenna_brooke's review against another edition
3.0
Predictable with mediocre writing, but still mostly an enjoyable quick read.
brigid94's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
kimikat273's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sad but heartwarming story of two women - one from the 1940's and one from the 1970's - whose lives become linked by an unposted letter. Once I had picked this book up I quickly discovered I could not put it down! Beautifully written, with characters that I really cared about, this book had me smiling and tearful in equal measure. I will definitely be looking out for more by this author in the future. Small warning - story contains depictions of abusive relationships and child death.
moniquemaggiore's review against another edition
5.0
At first, I did not think I would like this book, but as I kept reading I found it harder and harder to put down. This book was amazing and it ended well. Throughout the book there were a lot of twists and turns that just kept me guessing. This is a wonderful love story that will break your hearts. Hughes writes a well written story with characters that were so real.
tidybex's review against another edition
3.0
I was immersed in this book from the start; the story and the characters drew me in, and were believable. Then we get to part two. Rather a huge coincidence, or a huge heap of faith, and not entirely believable. However, this book did make me cry, and is probably deserving of a 3.5 score. I just love a happy ending!
bianca89279's review against another edition
3.0
I've received this novel via NetGalley, thanks to the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
This wasn't a bad novel, but it felt familiar like I read the story before.
Tina is a battered wife in the 1970s. She volunteers in a second-hand shop, and there she finds a letter in a donated suit. The letter was from 1939 and it was addressed to Chrissie. Touched by what she read, she decides to find out more about the sender and the addressee.
There are quite a few characters and stories from different decades. I thought the characters were unidimensional, not developed enough. While I liked that the story was written in the third person, there was a lot of head hopping going on - I found that distracting.
Given that this novel had lots of elements that usually tug at my heartstrings: a sad love story, a battered woman, stories about the odious Catholic nuns and their treatment of unmarried mothers, child death etc., I felt detached and unengaged through most of it.
In many ways, this novel felt like one of those LifeTime (?) movies, which can be enjoyable, but they're no Oscar winners.
This wasn't a bad novel, but it felt familiar like I read the story before.
Tina is a battered wife in the 1970s. She volunteers in a second-hand shop, and there she finds a letter in a donated suit. The letter was from 1939 and it was addressed to Chrissie. Touched by what she read, she decides to find out more about the sender and the addressee.
There are quite a few characters and stories from different decades. I thought the characters were unidimensional, not developed enough. While I liked that the story was written in the third person, there was a lot of head hopping going on - I found that distracting.
Given that this novel had lots of elements that usually tug at my heartstrings: a sad love story, a battered woman, stories about the odious Catholic nuns and their treatment of unmarried mothers, child death etc., I felt detached and unengaged through most of it.
In many ways, this novel felt like one of those LifeTime (?) movies, which can be enjoyable, but they're no Oscar winners.
jolantheerb's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet story of reconciliation, but also how small decisions can impact lives across generations.
A shopkeeper discovers a letter that was never mailed and decides to find the intended recipient. The letter leads her on a journey of discovery and also changes the lives of those whose lives hinge on the contents some thirty years later.
Some language and also scenes that may be disturbing (domestic abuse).
A shopkeeper discovers a letter that was never mailed and decides to find the intended recipient. The letter leads her on a journey of discovery and also changes the lives of those whose lives hinge on the contents some thirty years later.
Some language and also scenes that may be disturbing (domestic abuse).