Christian romance about a love letter! This love letter was written to a woman right before going into battle during the Revolutionary War. The same love letter was also the basis for a play, written by the ancestor of the soldier and set to be presented on stage. Enter actress, Chloe Daschle, who is certain that this play will catapult her career forward and she is thrilled to win the leading role. Playwriter, Jesse Gates, is not looking for love or a relationship but cannot deny the attraction between he and Chloe. Enjoyable story with engaging characters and a sweet love story make this a perfect summer reading getaway!

The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck is being published by Thomas Nelson. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

I loved it! This story takes us between two stories. One set in the 1780’s featuring main characters of Hamilton and Esther along with some minor characters, and present day featuring Jesse and Chloe and other great minor characters, including Smitty, Jeremiah, Chloe’s family and a few others. Chloe reads a script for a part in a screenplay and knows she has to have this part. She asked the producer if she can read for that part. She has to be in a movie where the female lead lives. She’s developed a rut she needs out of and this movie will be her ticket. She meets Jesse, the screenplay writer and they develop a friendship. I love the few conversations they have with the back and forth of each of them speaking but the conversation intertwining. In the past, Hamilton and Esther have fallen in love, but the war has put them in a difficult situation. She is forbidden to have anything to do with him and after an incident he is persuaded to join the cause, against the side Esther’s family is on. Will both parties from the past and present work through obstacles that prevent them from being together? Will the war ruin Esther’s chances? Will the movie make it through as Esther dreamed it would? Will Jesse let go of his past and embrace the future? Will Esther’s future be determined by a movie, or what she makes of it? Both stories flow nicely and it’s noted who’s part of it we are reading. Pay attention to dates for the part of the story set in the 1780’s. Questions I was pondering through the reading were all summed up and answered by the end.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. No obligation for a review was required and all thoughts are my own.

I love historical fiction. I also love a great love story. And I love Jesus. Therefore, this book was right up my ally. :)

When I saw The Love Letter on NetGalley, I knew that I had to request it. The idea of a connection, via a letter written during the Revolutionary War, between these four incredible characters, which were centuries apart, was just far too intriguing. I have to say, I was not disappointed.

Generally in a novel where there are two simultaneous love stories occurring, I find that I am usually rooting for one couple or the other, but not both. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe there is generally too much love being spread around, so no one couple gets enough attention. But, that didn't happen in this book. I found myself equally invested in both Hamilton and Esther's relationship, and in Chloe and Jesse's. They were vastly different, but each one tugged at my heartstrings. I found myself relating to each character too. The relationships they had, and their character development in general, was very well done.

I especially loved the care with which Hauck researched the South during the Revolutionary War. I felt completely transported to that time and place. I love when a novel can take you with it, and help you to live within that world for a time - that is the mark of great historical fiction.

There were some pacing issues for me. At times, I felt that Hauck rambled a little with the characters' inner dialogue. It threw off the rhythm of the narrative for me a bit, but she generally got back on track within a page or two. This is the main reason that I had to dock this book a star.

I won't reveal too much on this score, as it is a bit spoilery, but I also enjoyed the treatment of religion and Jesus' love for us in this novel. Some Christian fiction can kind of beat you over the head with the point of Jesus. This one was fairly seamless. The characters would talk about their faith organically. It, for the most part, didn't feel forced into the story. It was something that the characters discovered in the right time for them, which was very realistic, as well as inspiring. I really enjoyed this, and appreciated it. I'm always looking for Christian fiction that is well done, and I can honestly say that The Love Letter falls into that category.

My Rating:
4.0/5.0

I gave The Love Letter 4 STARS. Overall, I thought that this was well-written, and well researched. More importantly, it was a beautiful love story - both for the romantic love story and for the love God has for us.

The collision of the fear and uncertainty of the revolutionary war and the glitzy facade of modern day Hollywood was a bold move to make in a story line, and it was splendidly done. Rachel Hauck handled the historical side of the story remarkably well. Taking a vantage point that many skim over. Giving Esther the heart of a loyalist in love with a "rebel" reminded me that though to me they were revolutionaries and heroes; to some they were traitors. This added an additional depth to the novel.
Chloe and Jesse's connection seemed an obvious plot point from the beginning, but I was delightfully surprised with the direction she took Esther and Hamilton's story.
I appreciated the second chance at love she gave them both and the faithfulness and honesty she attributed to them during their conversation near the end. It added beauty to a heart rending story.
The story was a little more religious than I usually read, but was handled well and never felt overtly preachy. The beauty of the message that God can make much more of our lives that we can was more an underlying theme that resonated with my own experiences.
The characters were well developed and the relationships beautifully woven together to create an overall awe inspiring story.

This is a true love story, but not a real mushy one. It's the kind of love story that settles deep in your soul. It''s interesting how Rachel keeps the reader in the time period of the Revolutionary War and the present. Both time periods are clearly defined and not confusing at all. The formatting for the Kindle made it hard to know who was talking at times. But it did not deter from the book.

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

This was an excellent clean historical romance that alternated between present day and revolutionary was time period. Characters chole, ester, jesse, and Hamilton were well drawn and had excellent chemistry. I kept reading to find out how things would turn out for each character set and was pleased at the end. I thought the conversion to christ parts a bit overdone and some of the characters actions a bit dramatic. Overall a good read and one I would recommend. Thank you net galley for an advanced copy of this novel

This story involves A split time narrative. It begins with an actress who finds the role of a lifetime, based on a true story. The action switches from the Revolutionary War to the modern period. Some parts were very engaging, others wer per fairly predictable. A good read if you're a fan of historical fiction and romance.

I was grateful to receive a copy of this to review. The story and great promise but I have to say for me there were simply too many characters and too many scenarios. The story and characters seemed somewhat superficial as a result. I wasn’t engaged and I found myself skim reading the second half. A shame because the premise is good and certain chapters interesting.

Love Letter by Rachel Hauck is a beautiful story of love found and lost set in both the present day and during the Revolutionary War. But is it lost forever? Hamilton and Esther live on adjoining properties in Cowpens SC and grew up as best friends. Esther family is more affluent but the two families have always spent time together and are good friends. The war, and other issues, finds them on opposite sides as Sir Michael, Esther’s father, is sure England will end it quickly. Fast forward to modern times and film writer Jesse Gates has, by way of Aunt Pat, a love letter written by Hamilton that was never delivered to Esther. He has written the screen play and the studio has agreed to produce it. Chloe, who is famous for dying in every movie she has been in, is slated to play Esther. Will lost love be redeemed through the grace of God and centuries of time? What new surprises will unfold as the story is evolving?
I really enjoyed this book. There is so much going on I could hardly take a break! Rachel Hauck does an excellent job of blending the two time frames and the characters a way is seamless. The characters are very realistic and at times I wanted to cry over their pain. When things were going well I wanted to shout and high five with them. The author is also true to the historical facts of the war in SC while using fictional characters. Esther has a very strong faith in God which comes across as a strength and not preachy. Hamilton was raised by his Uncle, a minister and Aunt but at times questions God. I give this book a solid 5 of 5 stars. History, love and redemption. Awesome!
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I’m a fan of Rachel Hauck, so when I saw she had a new book coming out soon I was excited. However I ended up not being a fan of this one. There were simply too many characters and the two stories and time periods were hard to keep track of. It could that I’m less into this format. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if we just focused on one story. 4 narrators and 2 time periods was too much for me.

The ARC was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I love books with two time periods. The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck is set in the later 18th century during the American Revolutionary War and present day. Two tumultuous love stories in two time periods. Story is told in chapters with each main characters thoughts and words. I especially appreciated the characters real human frailties and how the Lord called and led in each life. Rachel Hauck is an excellent author whom I have enjoyed in the past and look forward to reading her books again. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the author, publisher and netgalley for making this book available to me.

4.5 stars!! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I adored this latest novel from Rachel Hauck, this is a well-written love story that intertwines two time periods beautifully that touch your heart. I absolutely adored Chloe & Jesse's journey. If your looking for a beach read this is definitely one to add to your to-read list.

Last summer, I read The Writing Desk, and I thought I had settled on my all-time favorite Rachel Hauck book . . . but at the risk of sounding like a “love the book you’re with” kind of girl, I just finished reading an advanced copy of The Love Letter, and now it’s my new favorite! Man oh man, that girl can write; even the minor characters of this book (a young African-American South Carolina girl in the late 1700s who basically has the medical skills of a surgeon and an Italian Jew from the Bronx who turns out to be an angel) will entertain and inspire you. The two female characters—historical Esther and modern (and so relatable—with her insecurities and her Diet Coke habit) Chloe—are strong women from the start, but as the novel goes on, it’s fun to watch them grow into even more likeable, courageous characters. The same goes for the men that they love; you will root for these guys and enjoy watching them mature and heal. The setting is dear to my heart because I live in South Carolina, where most of the novel takes place. What I enjoyed most about this book is that there are a few little nuggets left to the reader’s imagination; you’ll still feel satisfied with the ending, but you’ll be able to fill in a couple of details on your own. I also want to add that the cover is beautiful; when did book covers start becoming such works of art? The cover isn’t a deal-breaker when I love an author, but it’s a nice bonus to have a pretty book to carry around!

I don’t agree with the reviewers who have called this one a “light” read. There are war scenes (which can’t be easy to write), relationship conflicts, and tragedies, but thankfully, she’s an author who will never leave you in heartbreak. Also, if you’re a person of faith, then you’ll appreciate the spiritual depth of this story—and if you’re not, I highly doubt you’ll be offended and will probably agree that the references add to the complexity of the plot.

Rachel Hauck’s recent trend of dual-time novels can be summed up nicely with this quote from this book: “Frightening, isn't it? That something I decide today impacts future generations. Beyond my own flesh and blood.” But don’t let the word “frightening” dissuade you from reading these novels, because I guarantee that you’ll close the last page feeling uplifted, challenged, and content. If you’ve enjoyed her other dual-time books, then move this one to the top of your to-read list.

I have very much enjoyed previous books by Rachel Hauck that have a unique mix of historical and contemporary storylines which end up tying together beautifully, so I was excited to dig into The Love Letter. As historical books are not typically my favorite (especially a war story), I did not enjoy that part of it as much, however that is just my personal preference. I did still really enjoy the storyline between the historical characters. The Love Letter was filled with well-developed characters and interesting stories that beautifully tied together both historical and current day storylines in a way that pulled me in and I could not wait to see what really happened with each character.

It was obvious the entire story how the historical storyline with Esther and Hamilton is tied together with the current day storylines of Chloe and Jesse as the screenplay was based on the letter, however I did like that there was still some new developments that were not fully revealed until the end (although it was predictable and I fully expected it), it was a heartwarming touch to the story.

Learning the whole story of Esther and Hamilton was endearing to see the restoration and to see how things worked out for them when they followed God in their lives. I mostly enjoyed the storyline of Chloe and Jesse as they worked together and got to know each other. This story is filled with redemption and loyalty and I enjoyed how the influence of others made an impact on Jesse’s journey towards faith. When Chloe and Jesse were sharing with each other about their past hurts, I liked how it was them each sharing little parts of their story, however there were a couple of times at the beginning especially where it was confusing as to which person was speaking.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley.
Opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.

There were some nice characters and connections in this story. I wanted to keep reading to see how everything resolved. I liked Chloe and Jesse and wanted things to work out well for them in the end. I’m not usually a romance reader, so this was a bit of a stretch for me.

"He'd love to confess his sins and seek forgiveness if it'd bring healing. If his confessor would not despise him by the time he was through. But how could a person not? Jesse despised himself."

Actress Chloe Daschle is known for her death scenes. Never once has she been allowed to live in a movie. Or have a romance succeed. And her career is not exactly on the upswing, either. She is given a tiny peek at a love story, an epic one, a true one, a love story over 240 years old. Chloe is desperate to play the lead, Esther Longfellow, in this move and not just because she won't have to die. She feels a connection to Esther. She auditions for the director and gets the part.

The screen writer, Jesse Gates, based the script on an old letter that has been in his family for over two hundred years. He feels it needs to be told. But Jesse doesn't feel romance could ever be in his future, nor does he feel he can ever be forgiven.

Over two hundred years earlier, Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow have fallen in love, but Esther's father is a Loyalist and forbids any relationship with Hamilton, who supports the Patriots. Hamilton has loved Esther for years, but never telling her, and writes a letter to her on the battlefield, making his love clear to her. Things take a turn then that just breaks hearts.

Set in my own home state of SC, this stunning tale of love lost and won and with an exceptional ending, moved me greatly. Hauck always includes a serious touch of the Divine in her novels and I was comforted to find it here in this offering as well. One of the battles in this novel, the battle of Kings Mountain, actually took place not 15 miles from my home. I've walked the battlefield trail many times. It somehow made the book seem so much more real to me. I am a forever fan of Rachel Hauck.

*I was provided with a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers. I was not expected to leave a review and the opinion stated above is entirely my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoy Rachel Hauck's books for what they are - kind of a beach read mixed with historical relevance, some romance, and a Christian background. This title did not disappoint. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the intertwining storylines, as the chapters switch around to four different characters, but I liked how it all came together at the end.

Wonderful story with multiple powerful messages. Past and present blended well together - seamless. A few twists added dimension to the narrative truly tugging at your heart.

Forgiveness, love, and trust in Him are powerful reminders brilliantly woven in a touching narrative.

Esther and Hamilton, Chloe and Jesse - both couples won my heart. The alternating of past and present was thoroughly enjoyed and really added impact to characters and narrative.

Another favorite by the very talented Rachel Hauck, looking forward to her next book.

I feel like I need to open today with a disclaimer. I am a bit of a Rachel Hauck fangirl. In my opinion she has never written a book that wasn't excellent. Since most of them hit the bestseller lists, I know I'm not alone in my adoration of her stories!

Rachel's latest book, The Love Letter, starts with a beautiful cover. For real, if I could insert emojis here, I would have to use all the heart eyes! Sometimes, simple and stunning is the best way to go. This cover is the best introduction for an amazing story.

I love historical fiction, but, honestly, The Revolutionary War is not my favorite time period. But in The Love Letter the time period really shines! It doesn't hurt that much of it takes place in South Carolina, where I live. I had no idea there was such a place as Ninety Six, but I am now dying to visit there. Road trip, anyone?

I'm getting ahead of myself. Like many of Rachel's other stories, The Love Letter is a dual time romance. In 1781, Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow are on separate sides of the revolution. Hannah's father is a loyalist, while Hamilton's parents were killed by the Redcoats. A terrible tragedy drives Hamilton to join the rebellion. On the eve of a major battle, he writes a letter to Esther, hoping to send it himself, or to have it delivered after his death.

Fast forward to present-day Hollywood. Actress Chloe Daschle has been typecast as a dying girl for most of her life. When she reads the script by a new screenwriter, Jesse Gates, she just knows she can play the part of Esther. She's ready to shake off the embarrassment and mistakes of her past, and live. Jesse wrote Bound by Love based on the story of an ancestor and a never-delivered letter. He's hoping to give Hamilton and Esther the ending they deserved. But, Jesse has another reason for writing Bound by Love. He's hoping to right a wrong in his own past. As Chloe and Jesse work together on the movie, they draw closer together, but can they each let go of their pasts to find the future God has planned for them?

This book did not go how I expected. Ya'll, I cried at the end. Yes, I know it's just fiction. But it's so great to read a book that includes such a wonderful spiritual truth. Even though Chloe had come to Christ, and her life was certainly changed, she was still allowing her past to hold her captive. Seeing her realize that she was free in Christ, no matter what movie rolls she got or didn't get was an eye-opening moment for me.

It was also incredible to see Chloe share her faith with Jesse. He was so broken over what had happened in his past. Seeing his journey towards Christ was one of the best parts of this book. I don't want to give anything away if you haven't read it, (yet!) but his visit with Loxley's parents was such a pivotal moment for me. I think I started crying there, and barely stopped until the end.

I love, love, love to read. I think you know that by now. But when I read a book that I really enjoy and that also contains spiritual truths, it's so uplifting. I think we all have things in our past that we're ashamed or embarrassed about. But God says those things don't have to control us. When we trust Him, and follow Him, we realize that His plans are best. He has a way to make everything--even the stuff we'd rather not remember--work out for our good. When we release the plans we have for our lives, and trust His, He will give us things we never imagined possible. Esther, Hamilton, Chloe and Jesse all learned this lesson.

I finished reading The Love Letter, wiped away my tears, and realized that I felt encouraged in my spiritual walk. I realized I've let things hold me back--things that God says I'm free from. This book is a gentle reminder that in Him I am free, forgiven and loved. What a wonderful thought!

If you want to read great fiction, and a great love story, read The Love Letter. If you want to read a book that will help you become what God wants you to be, read The Love Letter. It's not often that a book like this comes along. It's a true feel-good story, with an underlying message that we all need to hear. You don't want to miss it.

You can order your copy of The Love Letter, here.



I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson publishers for sending me the book to read on netgalley. It's a nice story but predictable and the usual happy ever after ending.