Written by Melanie HudsonI loved it! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
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My thanks to the author, Melanie Hudson, her publisher, One More Chapter and Netgalley for providing me with a free digital copy of The Last Letter From Juliet to review.
The blurb:
A story of love not a story of a war…
A daring WWII pilot who grew up among the clouds, Juliet Caron’s life was one of courage, adventure – and a love torn apart by war. Every nook of her Cornish cottage is alive with memories just waiting to be discovered.
Katherine Henderson has escaped to Cornwall for Christmas, but she soon finds there is more to her holiday cottage than meets the eye. And on the eve of Juliet’s 100th birthday, Katherine is enlisted to make an old lady’s final Christmas wish come true…
Military Romance
Historical Romance
Historical Fiction
My thoughts:
I was drawn to this book by the enigmatic cover, but ultimately chose to read The Last Letter from Juliet because the blurb hinted at a dual timeline, taking the reader between the 1940s and the present. I didn't take much persuading as I am very fond of the earlier era, and do love a dual timeline story.I was hooked almost immediately. Uncle Gerald invites Katherine to stay in Angels Cove for Christmas to add weight to his side of the argument about its name. Should it be apostrophised, and if so, where should the apostrophe be placed - before or after the 's'. As Katherine reads his invitation, we hear her thoughts on his words tinged with sarcasm - my kind of humour.
Katherine is a widow but has yet to come to terms with her loss. She believes that one day she will be able to move on with her life, but not quite today. Accepting Uncle Gerald's invitation opens the door to a way for her move on; to celebrate Christmas with others, and not be alone.
Juliet is approaching her 100th birthday and has led an amazing life. She learned to fly at a young age, performed in her father's flying circus, and went on to fly for the Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War. She has, however, lost people she loved dearly along the way, and is now preparing for a reunion 'over the rainbow'.
The story is well researched and thoughtout, taking the reader back in time through Juliet's own hand-written memoir. Reading it, and because she has not been told otherwise, Katherine believes Juliet to already be dead. When she discovered Juliet is alive and living nearby, she feels she has to meet this amazing woman. Juliet seems to be expecting her, and asks for Katherine's help to 'go out with a real bang'.
I found this to be a very emotional story, and like Katherine, I wanted Juliet to live forever. The last few chapters were read through misty eyes with a huge lump in my throat.
The Last Letter From Juliet is a thoroughly engaging read; a tale of love, loss, friendships and heroism, and one which I would wholeheartedly recommend.
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