Review: The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck

Book Description

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress comes a story of long-lost love and its redemption in future generations.

Romance has never been actress Chloe Daschle’s forte—in life or on screen. But everyone knows who to call for a convincing death scene . . . and it might be killing her career.
When Chloe is given a peek at the script for an epic love story, she decides to take her destiny into her own hands and request an audition for the lead female role, Esther Kingsley. The compelling tale, inspired by family lore and a one-page letter from the colonial ancestor of scriptwriter Jesse Gates, just might break her out of this career-crippling rut. Jesse would rather write about romance than live through it after his past relationship ended in disaster. But once on-set together, the chemistry between Jesse and his leading lady is hard to deny.

Centuries earlier, in the heart of the Revolutionary War, Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow wrote their saga off the silver screen. Esther’s Loyalist father opposes any relationship with Hamilton, but Esther must face her beloved father’s disapproval and the dangers of war in order to convince Hamilton of their future together. Hamilton has loved Esther for years, and on the eve of battle pens the love letter she’s always wanted—something straight from the heart.

Set in stunning upcountry South Carolina, The Love Letter is a beautifully-crafted story of the courage it takes to face down fear and chase after love, even in the darkest of times. And just maybe, all these generations later, love can come home in a way not even Hollywood could imagine.

The Love Letter is written from 4 different character perspectives in two time periods.  In the present day we see the story through Chole and Jesse, and in the past during the Revolutionary War, we see it through Esther and Hamilton.  Throughout the story the reader is taken back and forth through time, but this is not at all confusing, the time shifts flow easily form present to past and back again.  The characters and setting descriptions make the reader feel as though they are transported through time to the Revolutionary War.  The author does a fantastic job making the reader understand some of the difficulties that both sides of the war faced.   The historical portions of the story were my favorite, though I didn't love the direction that Esther and Hamilton's story went.  I understand why it was written that way though.

I had a harder time relating to Chloe and Jesse and I think it's because the Hollywood actor/actress lifestyle is just harder to understand.  I loved the idea of the movie being based on a letter that Jesse found from his ancestor.  I liked the growth of both Jesse and Chloe throughout the book.  I loved the direction that their story ended.

For a star rating I give The Love Letter 4 out of 5.

Rachel Hauck is one of my favorite authors.  The Wedding Dress is my favorite book of all time and I have enjoyed every book of hers that I have ever read.


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to write a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance to the FTC regulations.

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