Cover Image: The Love Letter

The Love Letter

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This book was such a beautiful weaving of the past and the present. Hamilton and Esther’s love story was woven with present-day Jesse and Chloe’s just perfectly. I was drawn in to the story right away and didn’t want to put it down. It is my favorite Rachel Hauck book so far and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Rachel consistently pulls her reader into her story. We become invested because she brings us into the characters world. We become entrenched in their world into their life.

Was this review helpful?

This is actually two love stories set at different times. There is the story of Hamilton and Esther who have fallen in love during a time of war. Esther's father is against the union. Esther is an independent young woman who fights for the man she loves even when he tries to push her away.
Then there is the story of Chloe and Jesse in present day. Jesse is a descendant of Hamilton and has found an old love letter from Hamilton. He writes a script based on this letter and Chloe auditions to play the role of Esther
Now, I loved the premise of this story and when I saw all the wonderful reviews
I started to read this book with high expectations. But, while I think it is an okay novel, I didn't really love it.. So I am rating it 3.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are, however, completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Beautiful, captivating, imaginative, brilliantly written. This book was another knockout by Rachel Hauck. She always does an incredible job of marrying historical romances with contemporary stories of love. I love that Hauck prioritizes spiritual elements in her character's journeys because it makes her novels rich, deep, dramatic, stunning works of can't-put-it-down fiction. I highly recommend this book!!

Was this review helpful?

I have read a majority of Rachel Hauck's books. Majority of them I have liked, but a few of them have not hit the mark for me. I LOVED The Writing Desk and The Wedding Shop but didn't like The Wedding Chapel. With The Love Letter, I knew I was getting a time slip novel like the previous three books, so I knew what I was getting into when I read the book. But unfortunately, The Love Letter did not really work for me.

Hauck's writing is great. I have no problem jumping into the character's skin and seeing and feeling their emotions as they move through the story. She does a great job at inviting into the setting and making me feel like I'm right there with the characters. Her story is definitely told between the quotation marks.

But as for the plot, I wasn't really drawn into the novel. The past story appeared to be more interesting than the modern day story. I enjoyed watching Esther and Hamilton's story, but it felt way too soap opera for me. Do they love each other or not? They both claim to be, but there were moments when Hamilton would push Esther away. Their romance was forbidden, so I believe that was its only appeal. In the present story, I didn't really like it at all. It bored me to tears. I kept flipping through the plot, hoping something wonderful would happen, but the story dragged on and on. The ending did surprise me, but it felt a little jarring. I didn't see it coming, so I don't know what to make of it.

In conclusion, The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck did not have the wow factor that The Wedding Shop and The Writing Desk had. I wished for more to the plot and the romances.

I received a complimentary copy of The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Was this review helpful?

Only Ms. Hauck could interweave two love stories, one being modern day Hollywood and the other taking place during the Revolutionary War. I admit, this story was a little hard to get into, but it doesn't take long for the rich characters to grip your heart and hold on till the end. I highly recommend this sweet story of waiting for your true love.

Was this review helpful?

Chloe Daschel has grown up in Hollywood—but for the first time in long career she’s fallen in love with a character and she’s willing to call in a few favors to get the part. Something about the character of Esther Longfellow pulls at her like no other character has done before. The script, a freshman effort by the unknown Jesse Gates tells the epic story of a Loyalist girl and the Revolutionary neighbor who has gone from childhood friend to something more. Maybe Chloe loves the character because Esther is everything she wants to become—strong, passionate, committed, and confident.

Chloe’s life seems more like a modern-day reality show with her disastrous mistake playing out on social media. She’s recently found faith and wants to turn her life around when her friend Smitty gives her a copy of the script.

Jesse Gates has been running for years, ever since he lost Loxley. A love letter from his seventh-great grandpa, Hamilton Lightfoot, forms the kernel of a timeless love story that looks like it will provide the break in Hollywood that Jesse’s been looking for. When he meets Chloe at a wedding, life seems brighter. But can two wounded souls have any hope of falling in love?

It depends.

Hauck expertly weaves the threads of Hamilton, Ester, Chloe, and Jesse’s stories together across the centuries.

Was this review helpful?

Chloe and Jesse’s story was beautiful. I loved the belief in marriage as a covenant and that Chloe, even after so many failed relationships and living in the Hollywood environment she still wanted and chased after true love. Jesse made a great complement to her and their quick attraction was believable.
Esther and Hamilton’s story was a little less interesting to me. Perhaps because I didn’t get to watch the romance unfold but instead watch it unravel and become a casualty to War. It was an interesting counterpoint to Chloe and Jesse’s story and the resolution was lovely.
The religious aspects of this story were a healing element somewhat unexpected but welcome. They were important to the story without being too preachy or too much.
I admit it took me a little while to get into the story but once I did it was hard to put down.

Was this review helpful?

Another winner from Miss Hauck. Love the story within the story. Excellent read!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book! The love story from the past and present how they intertwine is so great. The story of Jesus love, forgiveness, and to trust in Him is a great reminder of His love for us. Rachel did an awesome job with this book and it was a great read.

Was this review helpful?

Rachel has done it again. Another beautiful story of love and patience, weaving together a historical and modern-day romance. I was immediately drawn into this book and couldn't put it down until finished. I am most appreciate of the strong spiritual nuggets throughout the story, keeping Christ at the center of it all.

Was this review helpful?

Unrequited love, in the past and present, play out in a movie script on and off screen. A fledgling screenwriter finds his dream coming true when a studio picks his screenplay for their next movie based on a family heirloom: a letter dating back to the Revolutionary War.

"Fight in a time of war as the man you want to be in a time of peace."

This author is one of my favorites for dual timeline stories, pulling both periods together with creative plot twists, and a bit of divine help. The past story is set in the Revolutionary War, in South Carolina, pitting neighbors against each other, with a love story that seems doomed to fail. I liked Hamilton's character, with his sense of honor, integrity, and his struggle between love vs duty to country. In the present day, Chloe was my favorite with her baby Christian faith working into every part of her life. I like how her freedom from guilt and shame, along with hope for the future and peace came from trusting in Christ, and how she shared that with others. The theme of forgiveness is important in both stories. It was interesting to get a glimpse behind the camera too, and all of the work that goes into making a film. It's not all fun and glamor, for sure. The ending is worth the wait!

Recommend to fans of clean romances with Christian faith elements.
4.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

I have read most of Rachel Hauck's books and love them. With The Love Letter, she did such an amazing job of interweaving the stories that I could not wait to find out what happened to each character. I loved the historical details and will highly recommend this book. Rachel is one of the authors I eagerly wait for her next book to be released and would re-read any of her titles. Thank you!

Was this review helpful?

Another really sweet book from Rachel Hauck. So much heart, so much sweetness!

Was this review helpful?

Loved it! Rachel Hauck's books have real people struggling with real problems and they are not overly preachy in their message. This book is no different. I loved the way the book went back and forth between the historical love story and the current one. I loved the way the connected at the end and did not see it coming! The chemistry between Hamilton/Esther and Jesse/Chloe was superb. I always love when an author can create that chemistry without having the couples go too far physically. This is one of my favorite books that I have read from Rachel Hauck. I could not put it down. It is a great, entertaining read.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Thomas Nelsen through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Oh, how I adore Rachel Hauck. The Love Letter is another fabulously woven tale in two very different time periods but beautifully woven together. I don't know how she manages to captivate the reader so thoroughly and draw me into each of the four main characters, but she does! I feel the emotions of each character; the longing, the heartache, frustration, and humiliation. But even more masterful is how she ties in a message of faith without oversimplifying or badgering. It is such a fine line that takes real skill.

Chloe is an actress who's known as the "queen of the death scene." In every role since she was a kid, her character has always died, never gets the guy and never gets to live. Since she can remember she's always believed in True Love...there was just one man out there for her, but somewhere along the way she got impatient and made some horrible decisions. Now, she's hesitant to start anything or trust what she IS feeling because of her track record.

Jesse is an MIT geek-turned-actor/screenwriter. He left home and a promising career to get away from the memories and feelings of guilt. But it's been eight years and he's just beginning to feel like he might be able to move on. The screenplay he's written based on a single letter of his ancestor's is getting a lot of attention. It could be his big break or bring him the girl he never felt he deserved. Can he move beyond his past and start looking to the future?

The Love Letter is a beautiful modern romance with an intertwining historical tale of unrequited love during the Revolutionary War. I highly recommend it, especially if you are a Hauck fan.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

At first I wasn't impressed with this book, but I realized it wasn't the book, but the fact that the book I had read prior was so amazing that I wasn't allowing myself to really give this book a chance. After allowing myself to fully emerge I was drawn into this world fully engaged and experiencing everything she did. I loved it

Was this review helpful?

The Love Letter is an absolute MUST-READ novel by Ms. Hauck! This is an astonishing romantic story with four main characters. This book, like some of her previous books, goes back and forth between two stories and time periods. One story is set during the Revolutionary War and focuses on Hamilton and Esther’s lives. The other story is set in present day and focuses on Jesse and Chloe. Both stories are interwoven beautifully. As I was reading, I did not want to put this story down. If you have read Ms. Hauck’s books before you will definitely want to read this one. If you have never read any of her books, I highly recommend you try her books. They are fantastic! I love how the stories go back and forth between both couples and by the end interconnect. As a Christian, I also like how she includes faith in God into her novels. Throughout the book, the story will provoke the reader to think about life and their walk of faith. One of my favorite quotes from the book is when Esther said, “To live in faith is to live without regret.” I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed, but will be reminded to follow the One and His chosen path for you.
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed The Love Letter. It was a quick read that held my interest the whole way through.

Was this review helpful?

THE LOVE LETTER by RACHEL HAUCK is a beautifully written inspirational romance, which starts in the eighteenth Century with Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Kingsley, and carries on into present time as their story is told in the film, Bound by Love.
The screenplay was written by Jesse Gates. It not only tells the story of unrequited love in Esther and Hamilton's case, but it also shows the turmoil in Jesse's heart caused by a relationship which ended in tragedy. It is as though he is making things right by finishing their story. Hamilton is Jesse's eight times great grandfather and the inspiration for the film is a letter from Hamilton to Esther where he declares his love for her.
Chloe Daschle, daughter of famous producer, Raymond Daschle and actress, Rachel Hayes, knows all about unrequited love! She is haunted by relationships that ended badly for her. She feels very strongly about marriage and what it really means as opposed to what it has largely become in Hollywwod circles.
She has had some success as an actress, but has become known as "queen of the death scene", as the characters she plays always die! When Chloe reads the screenplay of Bound by Love, she is moved by the story and begs her father's good friend, Jeremiah Gonda, to play the part of Esther.
I don't want to spoil the read for you, so I won't say any more about the story. I really enjoyed the book. Not only is it a love story set against the backdrops of the Revolutionary War and Hollywood, but the strong Christian message is woven throughout the novel. I will definitely be reading The Love Letter more than once!
I was given a complimentary copy of the book by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?