The Letter Tree + Giveaway

Romeo and Juliet meets You’ve Got Mail in 1920s New York when hidden letters change everything for two lost souls and the community around them.

Seven years ago, a letter left inside a tree brought Laura Bradshaw an anonymous friend who helped her navigate the tragic loss of her mother and gave her something to look forward to despite the overbearing hand of her father. Life would be far bleaker, if not for her beloved Letter Tree, her dear friend, and her secret trips to the Buffalo Zoo. But even these rays of light are threatened when her father decides to play matchmaker in order to further his business goals.

When Isaac Campbell learns that his letter friend is destined to court another, he balks at the suggestion and begs her to break her rule of namelessness and meet him. Her words have endeared her to him, he’s ready to fall at her knees and beg her to choose him—that is until he sees her face. The stranger he’s become so attached to is not a stranger . . . but the only daughter of his family’s sworn enemy.

Can the grown children of feuding parents bridge the chasm between them? Or is the divide too deep—and too wide?

My Review:

published in 2023

Old family secrets are at the heart of this Romeo and Juliet style romance (with a better ending!) I’ve heard other readers compare it to You’ve Got Mail as well and, though I’m not a fan of that movie (the bookstore dies, people!) I can see how that comparison can be made. Again, with a much happier ending. 🙂

As children, Isaac and Laura were the best of friends but a rivalry between their fathers tore them apart and they have both been living with the extreme fallout of a contentious feud ever since. Everyone has to pick sides, including servants and factory workers and the two haven’t set eyes on each other in years.

Until a tree is turned into a mail box of sorts and two lonely people begin exchanging letters using pseudonyms. A friendship is born (or should I say revived?) and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next…plot twist!

Mystery and romance in 1920s New York. Loved the historical details, especially about the Buffalo zoo. Made for an immersive read and kept me engaged right to the end.

48 thoughts on “The Letter Tree + Giveaway”

  1. Haha the “You Got Mail” connection is selling point for me 😉 but because of the mysterious letter writing not the bookstore closure haha. On a related note, I recently watched a movie on PureFlix with a very “You Got Mail” premise (but about an art store; starring Jodie Sweetin). The art store closed and I couldn’t remember if that was how “You Got Mail” ended haha.
    I like Rachel Fordham!
    Enter me, please! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I’ve been wanting to read this one! I read her Beauty and the Beast retelling, Beyond Ivy Walls, and it was amazing! I loved it so much😍 So I’m excited to now go back and read this one as well!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. First off, I love the cover – from the 20’s clothing to the faint detailing of the elephant behind and beneath the zoo sign. Also am drawn to stories of this era. And as you know, I love second chances. 🙂 Then you read the storyline and your review and one wonders – Why haven’t I read this book before now? Well, maybe its because our TBR list is always overgrowing and often times a fabulous book like this gets a bit lost in it. However, the retro reviews remind us to get with it, bump the book up and hope now is the time for reading it.

    Thanks you for the fabulous chance to win a copy of THE LETTER TREE, which would allow me to do just that!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    Liked by 1 person

  4. This, indeed, sounds fun. Loved her “Yours Truly, Thomas” ~ stayed with me and that’s the kind of author I like, to remember fondly their previous writings. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House kathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com

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  5. Wonderful review, Kav! Don’t enter me as this is calling to me on my Kindle. I really enjoyed Beyond Ivy Walls & when they had a super good sale on the ebook of The Letter Tree, I snagged it. Thanks for reminding me I need to read it!

    Liked by 3 people

  6. You’ve Got Mail is one of my favorite movies! So I probably would love this book 🙂

    I especially love the plot, secret love letters hidden in an old tree….such romance *sigh*. And a forbidden love that really shouldn’t happen, well, you’ve got me intrigued for sure!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I’ve only read Rachel’s debut novel. Need to catch up on reading her stories. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

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