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349 pages
First published February 9, 2017
'A Thousand Letters' was my second book by this author and while I didn’t love it as much as the first, I liked it. If you are fan of second chance romance stories, then you don’t want to miss this one. Stacy Hart’s newest release was utterly emotional, equally heartbreaking and heartwarming, full of angst and it will keep you glued to the pages from beginning until the end. Stacy’s storytelling was fantastic, addictive; her poetic, lyrical prose being so wonderfully done. If you are looking for a beautifully written story that will make you feel and make you believe in second chances and forgiveness, then you must give this one a try.
“It felt like yesterday. It felt like another lifetime. It felt like I relived the moment every single day.”
Years ago, Elliot and Wade used to mean everything to each other. They were planning a future together, but their relationship changed when Elliot refused to abandon her family, marry and leave with Wade. The last time she saw him she was seventeen, but she never stopped loving him. For two years she wrote to him, at first begging for forgiveness, later on accusing, being angry and hurt. For two years she hoped Wade will answer her, but he never did.
“Her name in my mind was a curse I couldn't escape, a ghost that haunted me day after day, year after year since I'd seen her last so long ago.”
Seven years later, Wade comes home for the first time since he left, his family and the girl he never stopped thinking about. His father is dying and he can’t do anything about it. He’s devastated and all he wants is to enjoy some time with his father and his two younger sisters. What he doesn’t expect is to be so affected by Elliot’s presence. The past he’s been running from (Elliot) makes him feel so angry, betrayed and filled with regrets.
“She was all I'd ever wanted, and she was here, right here. All I had to do was reach out and touch her.”
Wade’s father, who has been like a father to Elliot for years, means the world to her. She’s devastated that he’s dying and she’s devastated by Wade’s cold behavior. She doesn’t know how to deal with everything, but to be around Rick, Wade’s father, she’s willing to endure anything.
Inspired by Jane Austen’s 'Persuasion', 'A Thousand Letters' was an emotional, heartfelt story that really touched my heart. The author’s vivid storytelling made me be invested in these characters’ story from the very beginning.
While I can’t say I loved either of the two main characters, I have to admit they were pretty well-developed. Elliot, to be honest, wasn’t my kind of heroine at all. She was weak, too submissive for my liking and for a good part of the story, a doormat. I like my heroines to be strong and independent, but sadly Elliot wasn't like that at all. Her explanation for being so weak for such a long time was simply ridiculous, in my opinion. However, she had multiple qualities I liked. She was sweet and caring towards her nephews, her best friend and Rick. I really loved her kindness and gentleness. Wade was a flawed hero I sympathized with in some way. He was annoying and infuriating for a good part of the story, so I had a hard time liking him and connect with him.
“When he reached for me, when he pulled me into his side, I melted into him. His arms wrapped around me, and I closed my eyes, sure now that it was a dream, a beautiful dream. I was whole again in his arms.”
These two characters’ relationship was complicated, to say the least, and full of angst and drama. I loved them together at some point in the story, but the miscommunication between them got on my nerves at times. Also, the romantic aspect here was not as developed as I wished it to be. I needed a few more scenes with them as a couple, in the present, but also in the past.
One of my favorite characters was Rick, Wade’s father. He was pure and simply wonderful. Sweet, caring, and kind, Rick plays an important role in Elliot and Wade’s road to happiness. I loved his wisdom, his love for his children and his love for Elliot.
All in all, 'A Thousand Letters' was a great, heartfelt, second chance romance. While I didn’t fully love this one, I’m sure many readers will love and will be very moved by these characters’ story.
"I thought I could forget you. I even convinced myself I had, for a time. But it was impossible. You left a mark on my soul I couldn't erase.”
"Life is short, so short, so precious, every minute, every day. Don't let the people you love, the people who make you happy, the people who bring you joy —don't let them go. Hang on to them, even when it hurts. When it seems impossible. Hold on to the things that breathe life into you. Listen to your soul and honor what it tells you. Live. Fight for what you love.”
“…I needed someone to blame, and I chose her. I wanted to blame her for everything: Dad, my life, us. What is wrong with me? Why do I destroy the things I love?”
“Because you don’t know how to give or receive love anymore. You’ve been this way as long as I’ve known you.”
“I don’t want to feel like this anymore.”
“Then you’ve got to change.”
“I don’t know how.”
“I do.”
“Man, I fucked up.”
“I know you did.”
“What should I do?”
“Buy her something. Do you want to go get a beer?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool.”
Home is not a place, Not a smell, Not a face, But a space In your heart. -M. White
I existed in the space between our hands, between the beating of our hearts, between the breaths we slowly sipped, savoring the moment I'd imagined for so long.
"What is wrong with me? Why do I destroy the things I love?" "Because you don't know how to give or receive love anymore. You've been this way as long as I've known you."
"You are loved and cared for, with or without me. So please, don't break or bend. Don't crumble and fall. Stand up tall and face the sun and remember me."
Why had I done this to her? Why did I keep hurting her when all I wanted was to love her? Why was I so broken? Why couldn't I do the right thing? Why couldn't I be who she deserves? The whys had been on me the whole time
"Don't cry." He reached for my face, and I leaned forward for him to cup my cheek. "I can't help it. What will we do without you?" And to that, he only had one answer, and he gave it to me with strength his body no longer possessed, but his soul always would. "Live."
But I didn't know how to face my past. I'd been running for seven years, and there could be no full stop.
I carried the weight of my choices around with me always, and no one knew. No one needed to suffer along with me.
Why had I done this to her? Why did I keep hurting her when all I wanted was to love her?
"My regret was infinite. And that regret had made me lonely. Angry. It had changed me, twisted me into the man I was now. And now… now it was impossible to see a way back. I told her now or never, and that mistake would haunt me until the day I died."
Well, we know by now that after seven years, she's still waiting for Wade, right?
I was in love with a girl who had dreams, a girl who loved quietly and without expectation. But the girl before me had her dreams dashed, and she loved submissively, putting everyone else before herself until she found herself buried and gone.