The Berlin Letters is a fascinating dual-timeline glimpse into East Berlin from the day the Berlin Wall was first erected to the day it began to be toThe Berlin Letters is a fascinating dual-timeline glimpse into East Berlin from the day the Berlin Wall was first erected to the day it began to be torn down. The first generation perspective takes us all the way from 1961 to 1989, giving us a glimpse of the heartache and the tears and the years. The second generation perspective spans exactly one week in 1989, providing a fast-paced style that makes you feel our heroine’s fear and urgency. And yet, with the two points of view interspersed with each other, it is somehow neither too slow nor too fast.
The Berlin Letters contains some of my favorite themes: epistolary and code breakers. Katherine Reay’s skilled research is evident in every page and coupled with the way she portrays family relationships, we have another 5-star read in The Berlin Letters.
(Disclosure: I received a digital review copy from NetGalley.)...more
A cute rom-com about two authors, with an email message starting each chapter. What's not to love?! I appreciated the themes of strong friendships forA cute rom-com about two authors, with an email message starting each chapter. What's not to love?! I appreciated the themes of strong friendships for both the hero and heroine--especially the way her friends encouraged her to turn to prayer....more
Am I allowed to love the third book in a series the most?!
I loved everything bookish and epistolary about "Authentically, Izzy." I positively adore thAm I allowed to love the third book in a series the most?!
I loved everything bookish and epistolary about "Authentically, Izzy." I positively adore the pure delight that is "Positively, Penelope."
But "Loyally, Luke"? His wry sense of humor, his careful craftsmanship, and his endless patience with his sisters make him a humble hero in every sense of the word. He aims for that delicate balance between fixer and friend. And he's loyal to home and family.
Pepper Basham writes books with characters who feel like friends—and in this case, they feel like family, because Luke reminds me of the best men in my life (my husband, daddy, brothers, and guy cousins).
I honestly didn't expect to love Positively, Penelope as much as I loved Authentically, Izzy. But Pepper has outdone herself. Positively, Penelope wasI honestly didn't expect to love Positively, Penelope as much as I loved Authentically, Izzy. But Pepper has outdone herself. Positively, Penelope was positively delightful!
When the heroine carries a Mary Poppins bag and channels her inner Maria von Trapp, you know you're in for a treat. Penelope is one of those perpetually positive people who are not always understood by others. But when she lands on Skymar to help save the Darling Theater, her belief in the healing power of cookies and dancing will endear her to the hearts of the entire Darling family.
But will she find a leading man who is worth giving up her home and family for? Or is it possible that "some of the best characters played the secondary roles"?
If you love musicals, Julie Andrews, or good clean romance with a bit of intrigue, then don't miss this new release in the Skymar series by Pepper Basham.
I kept seeing this book mentioned, and the fact that it was an epistolary finally made me check it out. Weird, wacky, and totally Weirdly fascinating.
I kept seeing this book mentioned, and the fact that it was an epistolary finally made me check it out. Weird, wacky, and totally unpredictable, I was fascinated enough to keep reading.
I'm not sure it's a book I would recommend, but I definitely learned more about Antarctica than I knew before. Definitely an original tale!...more
A delightful combination of romcom and epistolary! Dear Henry, Love Edith was such a comedy of errors in mistaken identity, yet there was a depth to tA delightful combination of romcom and epistolary! Dear Henry, Love Edith was such a comedy of errors in mistaken identity, yet there was a depth to the characters' hopes and aspirations that made the hilarity more believable. A fun read!...more
A companion to book two of Clark's Heirloom Secrets series, this sweet novella set in 1929-1930 is an adorable nod to the 1940 film The Shop Around thA companion to book two of Clark's Heirloom Secrets series, this sweet novella set in 1929-1930 is an adorable nod to the 1940 film The Shop Around the Corner (complete with an epistolary theme!)....more
Cecily is a movie buff and a coder in a job she loves--except for her boss. But her personal life has brought loss upon loss proving (it seems) that eCecily is a movie buff and a coder in a job she loves--except for her boss. But her personal life has brought loss upon loss proving (it seems) that eventually, everyone leaves.
If you have a sister, you'll want to read "Postcards" with a box of Kleenex handy. This first person novel is told entirely from Cecily's point of view, with the addition of text messages and (what else?) postcards.
I may have only seen a few of the many movies referenced, but the epistolary aspect of the book (not to mention the gentle nod to the storyline of one of my favorite movies!) puts "Postcards" firmly on my favorites list (even if Kleenex are required).
You'll also want to read Elizabeth's "Operation Romance" series before or after bawling your way through "Postcards," in order to meet some of the supporting characters in Cecily's DC area community.
Trigger Warnings: car accident, cancer, loss....more
A summer romance and an undelivered letter. A grieving innkeeper who talks a lot and an incognito author with writer's b“You had me at ‘lost letter.’”
A summer romance and an undelivered letter. A grieving innkeeper who talks a lot and an incognito author with writer's block. Lake Season is an enjoyable split-time with letters that bridge the past to the present.
While some of this storyline was rather predictable, there were a few plot twists I really hoped would happen--and they did. Lots to love about this story...more
A letter cloaked in mystery. A daring student of medicine. And a house full of hurting people in need of love.
This unusual story drew me in with all iA letter cloaked in mystery. A daring student of medicine. And a house full of hurting people in need of love.
This unusual story drew me in with all its mysterious facets. But my biggest question was always: Would the love note ever be delivered to the one for whom it was written?
In a style that reminded me a bit of George MacDonald's novels, The Love Note took some unexpected twists and didn't wrap up all the loose ends for every character. I wanted to re-read it immediately just to see if there were sub-plot hints I'd missed in my haste to find out what happened.
But The Love Note left me pondering the power of words. Truly, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." (Proverbs 18:21).
(Disclosure: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions are my own.)...more
“Any story that begins with a library is bound to be an excellent tale.”
Hope Between the Pages is an exquisite split-time novel from Pepper Basham th“Any story that begins with a library is bound to be an excellent tale.”
Hope Between the Pages is an exquisite split-time novel from Pepper Basham that begins in the library of the Biltmore Estate in 1915. I knew from the very first page that I would love this book, but I had no idea how the story and its characters would thread themselves into my imagination.
This tribute to the friendship, love, bravery, and selflessness will leave you with tears in your eyes but a smile on your face.
Any story that has a library and a bookstore, love letters and literary references, is bound to be an excellent tale indeed!...more
A moving epistolary themed story! A beautiful blend of historical WWII facts with a fictional epistolary friendship that will touch your mind and yourA moving epistolary themed story! A beautiful blend of historical WWII facts with a fictional epistolary friendship that will touch your mind and your heart....more
Christy Martenson has woven a tale rife with laughter and loveable characters. But Halstad House also brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.
PoiChristy Martenson has woven a tale rife with laughter and loveable characters. But Halstad House also brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.
Poignant. Sweet. Positively delightful. Halstad House is one of those books that invites you into the story and makes you feel like you're friends with the characters. Whether you're laughing at Allie's latest capers or empathizing with Grace's journey toward restoration, Halstad House is sure to touch your heart.
If you're already a fan of Love, Mary Elisabeth, I think you'll be delighted to meet Grace Halstad's daughter Allie. If you've never read Christy Martenson's work before, you're in for a treat....more
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