I’m fully aware I’ve dropped off the map. I forgot to do my June wrap-up, and it’s probably just gonna end up morphing into my July one. 

BUT ANYWAY I read a great book recently. 

And regardless of my former absence, I think you guys should know that it’s good. So I’m here with a book review. 

Enjoy. 

Letters to the Lost

Synopsis:

Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother’s death, she leaves letters at her grave. It’s the only way Juliet can cope.

Declan Murphy isn’t the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he’s trying to escape the demons of his past.

When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can’t resist writing back. Soon, he’s opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they’re not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.

Good stuff:

• Theme communication

Theme is an interesting thing that I don’t usually see done well, especially in modern YA books. And this one did it in a really cool way. Like, it wasn’t just telling me the theme through what the characters learned, I was also learning it myself.

A+ on the theme front.

• Characters

Yeah yeah I always hit this point on things that I like, but SERIOUSLY. 

Even the side characters, or the characters I disliked, they all got really cool development moments. Everyone felt so real and had so much depth, it was amazing.

• Not over-the-top on romance

This, I appreciate since I don’t usually like romance. I have to be eased into this genre. xD 

There was a lingering kissy moment near the end, but I can’t contest that. It was kind of earned after all the rest of the book. 

• Cool format

I really liked the concept and the way they pulled it off, integrating the letters and emails into the book’s narrative. Chapters weren’t too long, and the notes between the two main characters was a good way to start things off in an interesting way. 

• Great ending

Just… know you have a very good ending to look forward to. It wraps things up very well, even if it wasn’t exactly how I expected. 

 

Bad stuff:

• Language

Honestly I didn’t think the language was too bad, since Juliet actively dislikes swearing and only slips once that I can think of. And Declan makes an effort to clean up his language. It’s there, but not to excess. 

• Mature content

I’d definitely put it as PG-13. There’s nothing I felt I couldn’t handle, but it addresses death a lot, alcoholism is touched on, there’s an element that deals with suicide, plus another spoilery and mature element. 

 

Anyway, that’s that! 

Hope you guys take the time to check it out, it’s cool. 

Peace out, peeps,

~writefury