“The Last Letter From Juliet” by Melanie Hudson

Title: The Last Letter From Juliet
Author: Melanie Hudson
Publisher:  HarperCollins
Year: 2019
Genre(s): historical fiction, romance
Part of a Series: No

Rating: 

Summary: When Katherine is summoned by her uncle to a small English town for Christmas, she settles into a small cottage and finds the memoirs of its previous owner, Juliet Ralston. A trained pilot, Juliet finds adventure and love during England’s darkest days as she and her love fight the Nazis and to be together. Will Juliet’s story help Katherine find her own love for life again? And will she be able to grant Juliet’s final wish?

Review: I really enjoyed this book. I liked the format where Katherine – and therefore by extension the reader – was reading Juliet’s memoirs while also following her adventure in Angels Cove. That really helped both stories play out.

Both Juliet and Katherine are compelling heroines for different reasons. Juliet is a spitfire who is loyal and kind. She is willing to do what she believes is right, even if it hurts her. Katherine is lost, still grieving the untimely death of her husband, and the readers can relate to her journey to find herself again. Juliet comes into her life at just the right moment and watching Katherine’s journey was just as fun and satisfying as watching Juliet’s.

Romance is a big part of this novel and really does motivate at least Juliet’s plot. But I must give kudos to Ms. Hudson for Katherine’s romance plot. I find myself shipping her with a character who was absent for most of the book!

Juliet and Edward’s romance, though, is the main feature of the book. And it’s one that readers will love. It epitomizes that the course of true love is never smooth but they manage to overcome almost all the obstacles put in their way. Hudson creates a dynamic and beautiful romance between two well-matched characters. One can’t help but root for them.

It was clear that Hudson did her research into flying, airplanes and World War II. She created a vivid world that drew you in and made you want to keep coming back, just like Katherine felt compelled to keep reading Juliet’s memoirs. Brava to her.

Bottom line: An excellent read filled with romance and adventure that will tug on your heartstrings.

Sex: Some mentions, nothing graphic.

Moonlight Musing

Have you ever taken a risk for someone you loved?