The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros Published by Audible Studios on April 23, 2019
Pages: 432
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Teddy Hamilton, Jennifer Stark
Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Amazon Audible
Beckett,
If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.
I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.
My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.
And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.
So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.
Please don’t make her go through it alone.
Ryan
Even with the focus on a loved one’s death, I was oddly engaged with The Last Letter. Unfortunately, the unrelenting tragedies eventually wore me down.
Ella is a force to be reckoned with—resilient, strong, protective of her kids, and fiercely independent to a fault. I love single parent stories, and Colt and Maisie are remarkable young children. It is Ella’s pride and complete unwillingness to forgive others that is beyond frustrating. Her stubbornness defies rationale and is unnecessarily costly.
Beckett is an honorable man. He does nothing but try to help Ella, her kids, and the community, and to honor his commitment to his deceased best friend. I admired Beckett’s selflessness, and I particularly enjoyed the bond he shares with Colt and Maisie, but he may as well walk around with a sign on his back that reads “Ella, Please Kick Me”. It’s not a particularly fun read when the hero you’re rooting for keeps reminding you of how unworthy he is of love.
The end of the book is emotional overkill. RIP to any enjoyment I may have found. Some may find inspiration in the trials these characters endure, in their conflicts with each other, and in their ultimate growth. For me, despite the quality of the writing and my affinity for the characters, the end doesn’t justify the depressing journey.
About the Audiobook
I am always impressed with Teddy Hamilton’s work, so it is not a surprise that I loved his narration. This was my introduction to Jennifer Stark. She convincingly portrays Ella, Griffin, Cole, and Ella with distinction and emotion. I especially loved her little girl and little boy voices. These narrators make the The Last Letter as enjoyable as possible.
Buy The Last Letter
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About Rebecca Yarros
Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and a lover of all things coffee, chocolate, and Paleo. She is the author of the Flight & Glory series, including Full Measures, the award-winning Eyes Turned Skyward, Beyond What is Given, and Hallowed Ground. Her new Renegade Series features Wilder and the upcoming Nova, and is sure to keep your heart pounding. She loves military heroes, and has been blissfully married to hers for fourteen years.
When she’s not writing, she’s tying hockey skates for her four sons, sneaking in some guitar time, or watching brat-pack movies with her two daughters. She lives in Colorado with the hottest Apache pilot ever, their rambunctious gaggle of kids, an English bulldog who is more stubborn than sweet, and a bunny named General Fluffy Pants who torments the aforementioned bulldog. They recently adopted their youngest daughter from the foster system, and Rebecca is passionate about helping others do the same.
Great honest review. I’ve heard so many mixed reviews about this book. I don’t really like characters who aren’t willing to forgive, so I know that Ella would probably rub me the wrong way.
Thanks! It was highly recommended to me so I felt bad that I didn’t care for it.
I hope your next read is better!
I loved this book, but I get what you meant about the end. I think it didn’t need to go there.