Authors probably cringe when a review starts with something like ‘I am really not a fan of ‘such and such genre ‘ when I see that myself my first thought is why are you even reading it then? So here so, I am not a big fan of romance novels, but I am a big fan of historical and dual time period stories. Ever since reading Rachel Hauck's books The Wedding Dress and The Writing Desk I have become a fan. Both those books grabbed me with the unique stories and characters.

The Love Letter follows along with its dual time period but this time it was a bit softer, quieter almost in the plots. I wasn't totally absorbed in the present day story there were times it was a little too neat and tidy. The historical aspects is usually what draws me right in and I found the letter interesting as well as the connection to Jesse. I would have loved more of that time flushed out.

Faith played a big part in both story lines. The characters are flawed, carrying around a load of guilt. Ultimately The Love Letter is a story of discovering oneself, letting go of baggage and of course love. I can't say I enjoyed this as much as her 2 pervious books but she is still an author I will continue to read more of.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson (via Netgalley) for an advanced copy in exchange for honest review. The Love Letter can be found on at your favorite bookstores starting tomorrow (June 12th).

The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck is a dual romance story set in the past and the present day. The story took me a little while to draw me in but once it got me it wouldn’t let me put it down. (Also, be sure to have some Kleenex ready as the book progresses).
The first story is set in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War and centers on Esther and Hamilton. They have known each other from childhood and now are discovering love. Their problems are they are on opposite sides of the war and status.
The other story is set in modern day Hollywood between Chloe and Jesse. Chloe is Hollywood royalty born into a family of stars. She thinks she is cursed because she has always choses the wrong man in life and always dies onscreen. Jesse is a former techie who has fallen into a new career as a screenwriter and actor. He is also running from guilt from a past relationship.
These four people are all intertwined because a love letter from the past that has repercussions on the present. This story makes you believe in love, faith and forgiveness. I really enjoyed the book and believe you will too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through Net Galley. Opinions expressed are my own.

I am a fan of Rachel Hauck’s books but I struggled to get into this one. I appreciate the story and the message of love and marriage but just never felt connected to the characters. I enjoyed the story of Esther and Hamilton more than the current day. I felt their story was more authentic. Thank you for the opportunity for an advanced reader copy.

Oh how I love dual time-period stories—when the past connects to present day—two stories in one! The Love Letter transitions between the two time-periods seamlessly. I can’t even choose which story I enjoy best. They are so well balanced, and I cared deeply for each of the main characters. Rachel Hauck never disappoints!

Hamilton and Esther, the main characters during the Revolutionary War era) are so interesting, as is their unconventional romance. Their story has a deep, yet innocent love, with numerous, weighty obstacles.

Jesse and Chloe, from present day Hollywood, are so believable. I love how their relationship connects to the story of Hamilton and Esther. They are so easy to sympathize with, and I rooted for them to overcome their pasts.

The Love Letter is an enjoyable love story with a strong element of faith and a substantial ending. Beautiful fiction.


4.5 Stars

Cover: Love
Title: Love
Pages: 352
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
First Line: You see, love stories never worked for her. She never got the guy. In life or on the screen. Instead, she died. In nearly every major role she landed.
I was blessed to receive a complimentary copy from BookLook and NetGalley.

I loved Chloe and Jesse they were wonderful characters and I loved how Rachel brought them together and how their story wrapped into Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow's story. It was amazing how the past and present blended together to create such a wonderful story.
I could not put this book down and just when I thought I knew what would happened next something else happened.
I found myself drawn to Chloe and how she was determined not to let her past shape her future all while clinging onto true love and her views of marriage (and love) despite society telling her otherwise.
The other characters we really well portrayed as well and I loved seeing how their stories played out on the pages in front of me.
It's a book that will have you trying to read it as slowly as possible to absorb all the whole story and not miss any key details.

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

Take a star-crossed couple from 1780 and the Revolutionary War and juxtapose them against a screenwriter/actor and actress in present-day Hollywood and you have a fascinating plot. Add to that a 5-star ending and the result is a book with compelling characters that keeps you up at night -- or distracts you from your "To Do" list during the day. The covenant of marriage is held in great regard as is God's providence and the peace of the gospel. Susan Meissner fans will enjoy this book as well. Highly recommended.

The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck is a dual time era story. One story takes place in the Revolutionary War and the other story takes place in present day. This was my first Rachel Hauck book so I had no pre-conceived notions about her writing style. She has excellent character development. As a reader you really get to know the characters. You feel like they are people you know. You find yourself rooting for them and hoping for their happy ending. The settings are well done. You can feel the homes, the surroundings, the atmosphere and environment.

Rachel Hauck did a wonderful job of switching back and forth between the time eras. It was not confusing at all. The movement was seamless between the dual eras and this helps create the building tension throughout the novel. The historical Revolutionary War tale drives the modern-day tale. What makes this story shine is that it isn't what readers will be expecting, but it will be what readers need. The themes of love, sacrifice and loyalty resonate throughout. Job well done.

I would like to thank Rachel Hauck, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! What a book. This was an amazing story that grabbed me from the beginning. I loved the realness of the characters and how they dealt with life. Chloe had a strength about her that came from her faith in God. I loved how she was able to keep a peace about her as she struggled with her chosen profession. Jesse held on to a lot of guilt that crippled him from becoming the man he was meant to be. I loved how together they were able to learn from one another and grow in the faith-walk. The intertwining story took me a little bit to get into, but once I was in it, I had to keep reading to find out what happened. Hamilton and Esther learned what true love was. I loved their determination, yet they still listened to that voice that said, "Come follow me." I still get chills as I recall how the story meshes together. God has a plan and His plan is the best. That concept was clearly seen in this book. I highly recommend to those that love romance, faith in God, and learning how to overcome fears and guilt. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

A story of four people told across time. Rachel’s stories always make me feel so much. And this one is no different. After I stopped crying it took me a day before I could write a review even!

Dual timelines across generations linking real life with the movies. From the Revolutionary War that divided many families and loves, to the big screen following the story of Esther and Hamilton.

Esther is in love with Hamilton and Hamilton is in love with Esther. But living in upper South Carolina, her father is working for the British. Will Esther have to choose between love and family?

In another time, Chloe is trying to change the direction of her acting career by accepting a role in a Revolutionary War movie being made by Jesse, who has moved to LA to try some acting and screen writing. When he finds a love letter left behind by an ancestor, he writes a screenplay based on the lost love. When Jesse and Chloe meet as she is cast in the role of Esther things begin to happen. That love letter may have a lot more power than one would think.

Rachel is such a wonderful story-teller. She is the only Christian Romance writer that I read. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

Netgalley/ June 12, 2018 Thomas Nelson

The Love Letter is a dual time story that is about a love letter that inspired a screenplay written by Jesse Gates. There is a letter passed down through the generations of his family that was written by his great times six grandfather, Hamilton Lightfoot, who was brought up by aunt and uncle, a Presbyterian minister in Colonial South Carolina. The family was friends with another family in Ninety Six, South Carolina, the Longfellow family, an Aristocratic family. Esther Longfellow and Hamilton Lightfoot grew up together from a young age and grew to love each other. But their love was not to be. He was a Patriot for the young Colonial America and Esther's family's loyalty lie with the Crown. The love letter in Jesse's family was a letter written by Hamilton to Esther but never delivered apparently. This inspired Jesse to write a screenplay that was his thoughts of what may have transpired between them, with hopes to sell it for a movie. He had moved to California several years before and had gotten some acting parts when he sold the screenplay.
Chloe Daschle grew up in the acting world with both of her parents involved in the industry. She had been acting from a young age but was still waiting for a role that would change her career from one where her character always died to one of a happy ending. She saw the screenplay for Jesse's play, fell in love with it, tried out for it and got the part of Esther. As luck or something else would have it, Chloe met Jesse at the wedding of a friend and hit it off, becoming fast friends about this time.
Ms. Hauck's story moves back and forth from the Revolutionary War to modern day and the making of the movie, Bound By Love. Hamilton and Esther love each other but their love doesn't seem to be able to work out. They are from different sides of the war and are personally touched as important battles take place in South Carolina. Jesse is a MIT Engineering grad but something happened in his life to make him leave Boston. Chloe is a new Christian who has grown up in a life where faith was not common. Her parents had been together for thirty five years but never married. She wants a true love happily ever after that means marriage between one man and one woman. This is a winding journey that takes the reader on some emotional ups and downs. The movie production encounters some unexpected trials that are very disappointing but this is a Rachel Hauck story and we know that she has some surprises up her sleeve. The Love Letter has an interesting ending and is a very lovely story that includes romance, trials and personal issues to overcome with faith intertwined! I really enjoyed the historical parts of the story. On a personal side note, there is a plaque on the monument where the battle at King's Mountain took place that has the name of one of my husband's ancestors who was killed in the battle, a Private David Duff. My husband was given the middle name of Duff, named after his ancestor.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Two love stories from past and present with a twist. I enjoyed the historical part of the book but the present day part seemed lacking. Hamilton was a special guy and I truly felt good him. The idea of a love letter from the past bringing Jesse and Chloe together in the present is a sweet idea.

The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck is the most delightful Christian contemporary and historical novel that enthrals from the start. This is a book that is just crying out to be read. You do not want to miss it.
The reader is in for a real treat as the action alternates between 1780 and present day. There are pairs of star crossed lovers who fight their own personal battles against the backdrop of the War For Independence. We are all in a spiritual battle as the devil fights to distract us from God. However "Love had already won." God fights for us even when we do not know Him. God desires us. "God was pursuing her. Her choices led her straight to Him." This is the love story over us all - that God pursues us. He desires a relationship with you and with me.
War is hard. Everyone loses. You can choose to fight with integrity. "Fight in the time of war as the man you want to be in the time of peace." At the end of the war, we must choose to forgive the wrongs or be forever bound. "Loyalist or rebel, you must forgive."
The past collides with the present to affect the future. Sometimes we are constrained by the past. "Just when I think I'm free from the past, it rises... to mock me." When the past becomes a burden, we need to release it to Jesus.
Bitterness and anger can shackle us. Jesus longs for us to know Him and to live in freedom. He calls us to get rid of all bitterness and anger and to come and follow Him and live a life of love. "She chose to love well. Even when it hurt." It is a call to each and every one of us.
Rachel Hauck has drawn wonderful characters. The struggles faced in 1780 are the same struggles we face today. The world has moved on but our need for a Saviour is the same yesterday, today and forever. And so we cry out "Death, you cannot have me!"
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

At first, I had to check again a couple of times, "Am I reading the right book? Is this really by Rachel Hauck?" Yes, it is a little different than some of her others. It has a feel of "The Wedding Chapel" though. 

The two time slip storylines become so melded that you do sort of forget that you are going between different worlds as well as the script written about the historical world. 

Once again, Rachel Hauck challenges us to think beyond the story, beyond what we are reading to search within ourselves what lessons we can learn from the story. 

This story seeks out a love story, and asks you what is love? Is it a feeling or something that we conjure up?  Filled with twists and turns, it gives you a reason to keep on reading. 

I obtained this book from the publisher and NetGalley. My opinions contained herein are my own.

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.