Another great one from Rachel. I couldn’t put it down. The characters were so relatable and they pulled double time at your heart strings. This is definitely a must read and a reread over and over.

This was such a cute historical romance. I love the idea of a Letter Tree and the whole storyline was so well written. I have only read a couple of books by this author but this is my favorite so far! I loved this book.

Set in New York in the 1920's, this story is about two people writing letters using a tree located in the Zoo as their swapping place.

If you are looking for a sweet historical romance that you cannot put down, look no further!

The Bradshaws and the Campbells have been feuding for years, though no one else has ever known why. Isaac Campbell and Laura Bradshaw, though childhood friends, were forced to share the hatred and (at least for Laura) the loneliness that entailed. But by chance she found a secret, anonymous pen friend at much the same time as the feud started, and they've been passing notes via a maple tree in the zoo ever since. When her father pushes her to date a business associate, she reluctantly decides the letters must stop. Then chance brings Isaac back into her life - and he seems reluctant to leave and convinced that there's more behind the feud than they realise. He's eager to uncover it - and hopefully end the feud. Can they somehow bring peace to two broken families - and perhaps find happiness themselves?

This didn't grab me quite as much as some of the author's other books have, but I still enjoyed it and was happy to see the feud finally resolved and Isaac and Laura able to be together. It was fairly clear from fairly early on that they were writing to each other, but waiting for each to realise it and decided how to respond was interesting. And watching them each work to escape from their bondage to a feud they never really wanted to be part of was great. The thread of mystery as to what started it all was done beautifully, keeping me guessing and intrigued. All in all, a good read.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

I loved this book! It’s 1920s historical fiction but also had some romance and mystery elements present as well. I loved the letters between the main characters and the fact that they came from rival families. If you love Romeo & Juliet and the movie You’ve Got Mail, you’ll love this book! Highly recommend picking this one up!

The Letter Tree is a lovely 1920s era clean historical romance. There are themes of friendship, forgiveness, empowerment of women, and personal freedom in decision making. For those expecting Christian fiction since the book is published by Thomas Nelson, you unfortunately won’t find any faith content here, but if you enjoy romance novels, you will enjoy this book.

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Set in 1924, Laura Bradshaw, the heiress to the Bradshaw Shoe Company, feels trapped in her life by an overbearing father. Since the death of her mother seven years ago, her father has done all that he can to takedown the Campbells and their shoe company. Once friends, the Bradshaw’s and Campbell’s are bitter enemies. However, Laura’s only peace has been found in exchanging letters through a tree in the local zoo, with a man she has never met. As heir to the Campbell Shoe Company, Isaac Campbell is a sought-after bachelor who has never felt an inkling of desire for the women who constantly bat their eyes at him. His thoughts are consumed by an oak tree in zoo and the woman who writes him letters that fill him with hope. When Laura decides to stop writing in the hope that a relationship with a business colleague of her father will take her away from her stifling existence, Issac is devastated. However, Issac begins to wonder if there is more to the Bradshaw-Campbell feud than meets the eye. He does all that he can to uncover the truth so that a future with Laura is possible.
I so enjoyed reading of a relationship that develops before the couple actually meet. Despite the obstacles faced by them, they are determined to overcome the feud that has kept them apart. Issac is a determined young man who, in his love for Laura, will stand up to his parents, knowing what he wants his future to look like. A sweet, clean romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A tender love story mostly told through letters.
I loved reading the letters in the book. Letters are a lost form of communication. I loved that Wishing Girl and Pinecone Throwing Boy, AKA Laura and Isaac have been leaving letters in a hollowed trees for years but not knowing the is with of the other.
A bitter quarrel cost both families dearly and it was interesting to delve into the truth behind the feud. Ultimately, the valuable lesson is learned that life is too short to waste time on grudges.
I loved the zoo setting and all the animals but especially Big Frank the elephant.
My favorite character was Mrs. Guskin. She was the sole of discretion and the voice of reason while being a friend and mother figure for Laura.
Read this gentle romance of the 1920s before the world changed into more harsher times.

. I really liked this book. In fact, I read it in less than a day. Being an avid letter writer, the whole concept of the letter tree just appealed to me. There were a few spots that I found a little predictable, but they didn't bother me. This seems like it was just the right book for the right time for me.

** “God gave you good desires. Aim for them.” **

Rachel Fordham brings us a delightful “Romeo and Juliet” meets “You’ve Got Mail” tale with “The Letter Tree.”

It’s 1924 in Buffalo, N.Y., and Laura Bradshaw has very little to look forward to. With an overbearing father and a mother who passed away seven years ago, she feels trapped. Forced to hate her shoe factory owning father’s competition, the Campbell family, she has few friends and is allowed to participate in few activities.

The one thing she has come to rely upon — the Letter Tree located inside the Buffalo Zoo and the letters she finds hidden inside it. For the past seven years, she has been placing letters to an unknown person inside a hole in the special tree. She has no idea who the identity of her special pen pal is, but it fills her world with a special glimmer (“Like her very own fairy tale, this secret exchange felt magical, whimsical — and hopeful”).

Isaac Campbell seeks to get away from his father’s strict ways. He wants more for himself than just occasionally working at their family’s shoe factory. But as circumstances suddenly are placed in his life, he begins to find a better purpose and a hope.

Fordham does an incredible job of developing a plot filled with real places and based-on-true-life people and experiences, including a giant elephant named Big Frank. She develops a story filled with tension, drama, romance and mystery. And she creates intriguing and enigmatic characters, some you will definitely want to root for and some not so much.

She also fills “The Letter Tree,” which is due out Oct. 31, with some great themes, like God gives us desires and will help us achieve them; the desire for freedom and to be rescued; choosing bravery; hate can become habitual; and finding our meaning and purpose.

Fans of historical fiction will love this story.

Five stars out of five.

Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

The Letter Tree wasn't for me. I liked the idea of the book and the setting. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get past the pacing. I also did not feel a connection to the main characters. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC.

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When a book captures your entire being, you know it is an inspired work from the very heart of Rachel Fordham. Such was the case with The Letter Tree, emotion after emotion engulfed my soul, my spirit. Long for a happy ending but not wanting it to end.
Pre-order your copy today, it releases Oct 31st.

I hope you will follow this gifted novelist just as I have.

I. Received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review

A cross between Romeo and Juliet and You’ve Got Mail, this historical Christian romance, The Letter Tree, is Rachel Fordham’s best thus far drawing the reader into the story from beginning to end. All of the twists and turns that happen along the way were so intriguing they kept me engrossed in the story.

This well written character-driven historical story by Fordham is told from two points of view, Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell, the children of feuding fathers/owners of opposing shoe companies. Her character development is superb and with her outstanding scenic descriptions she allowed me to fully enjoy the picturesque visits to the zoo and letter tree in this sweet romance well deserving of five stars.

I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions I have expressed are my own.

Rachel Fordham gets me every single time! Even when I think the setting or timeline isn’t really going to be my thing, she draws me in like few authors can and I’m hooked and satisfied by the end. In fact, I’ve never read just one of her books and always end up getting more! The Letter Tree was absolutely no exception and may be my favorite of hers so far!

This book was a true delight! The novel explores the depths and complexities of family bonds and broken relationships. I loved the reader’s perspective of knowing some of the bigger picture that the two main characters, Laura and Isaac, don’t yet know. This created suspense and anticipation as I continued to read.

It was also intriguing to wonder along with Laura and Isaac about the initial rift between the Bradshaw and the Campbells. What could possibly have torn these two families asunder? Speculation abounds, but in the end Laura and Isaac discover the reason their families split while experiencing some adventure and suspense along the way. The book wraps up with a most satisfying conclusion.

Fun fact- I also learned something I’ve never heard before- sitting on top of flagpoles was a thing in the 1920s and people tried to break records for sitting atop a flagpole the longest. Who knew?!

Many thanks to Uplit Reads, Rachel Fordham, and Thomas Nelson for the gifted copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Only two stars. The story was just too predictable and lovey dovey for me. I appreciate the opportunity to read this prior to publication. Thank you Net Galley!

This was a humorous story set in the 1920s. I loved the glimpse into the culture of the time, including the daredevil stunts that drew crowds and the prohibition climate. The mystery elements were handled well and the characters quickly became beloved. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’m always inclined toward a sweet letter-writing romance; so let’s say I was predisposed to enjoy this happily-ever-after story! Take a storyline reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail, throw in a little mystery, some questionable characters, and a feud and you’ve got yourself this flapper-era historical fiction.
The pace felt a bit slow at points and I didn’t connect super strongly with the characters, but overall it’s an easy going plot and enjoyable read!

😇 Christian publisher; sparse faith content; occasional references to God or “higher power”
💋: a few sweet kisses
🤐: no language

I received a complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

This is a beautiful story with hints of You've Got Mail and Romeo and Juliet. Forbidden love, friends to enemies go lovers, family feuds - so many great elements in this story. So beautifully written. This is one I will read again and again!

I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh take on love and feuding families! The Letter Tree is a captivating and page-turning story that I could not put down. Set in the 1920's in Buffalo, NY. Two families (the Bradshaws and the Campbells) once close experience the loss of friendship, shared business, and now hatred rules the day. The children Isaac Campbell and Laura Bradshaw grew up together and are forced into the family feud.

After Laura Bradshaw witnesses her mother's death at age 14, her world falls apart. She escapes to the zoo and park across the street as often as she can. Thank goodness for her sweet old housekeeper Mrs. Guskin, more like an advocate and grandmother to her. Mrs. Guskin encourages her to get out daily, and has a signal in the window if her restrictive father returns home early.

"For seven years, this tree had been her mailbox-the gateway connecting two worlds." The "Wishing Girl" and her "pinecone-throwing friend" have namelessly corresponded via the maple tree and this correspondence has been a lifeline for each of them.

I absolutely enjoyed every page of this compelling story. I highly recommend The Letter Tree for lovers of addicting historical fiction with a thread of mystery.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

Oh I truly loved this story! I loved the descriptions of New York, the clearly laid - out character ARCs from the very beginning. I love a good historical fiction novel based on actual places! Such a well thought out book.

Thanks to NetGalley for this Advanced reader copy! All opinions are my own!