Beckett and Ryan have been best friends ever since they joined the Army ten years ago and have been together overseas for most of that time. Beckett doesn’t have anyone back home after growing up in countless foster homes. Although Ryan’s parents died years earlier, he still has his younger sister, Ella, to write home to. Ryan feels Beckett needs some company and convinces him to be a pen-pal with Ella, but only going by his nickname—Chaos.

Ella is a single mom to twin 6-year olds, Maisie and Colt. She’s been parenting alone ever since her ex-husband left her the moment he discovered she was carrying twins. Ella also took over a local B&B after the twins were born and now juggles being a full-time boss while being full-time mom. Ella enjoys writing to Chaos and she feels they can be open an honest with one another, since they don’t truly know each other in person. The physical distance between them keeps a level of anonymity that makes them feel safe to share. And little does Ella know that Chaos—aka Beckett—feels the same romantic feelings toward her.

When Ryan dies overseas, he leaves behind a letter for Beckett, asking him to lookout for his sister, especially since her daughter, Maisie, is currently battling a rare type of pediatric cancer. So without hesitation, Beckett and his dog move to Colorado to fulfill Ryan’s dying wish. Beckett doesn’t plan to tell Ella who he really is because he only feels that will complicate the situation further.

Ella is hesitant to accept help, especially if it’s out of guilt, obligation, or even worse—pity. But before long, Beckett grows on Ella. She starts depending on him to help with the kids and more importantly, be an emotional support system she never knew she needed. But Beckett knows the lie is still hanging in the air, that he is Chaos. The fact that Ella doesn’t know kills him. And now that they have romantic feelings looming between them, he feels he is betraying her by keeping this secret. He’s scared to come clean, scared that Ella won’t accept him for who he is. But little does he know that Ella has her own fears of abandonment. And if they both choose to be honest with one another, they could be what one another desperately needs.

The Last Letter is Rebecca Yarros’ latest contemporary romance publication. Have a tissue box ready because this is an emotional, ugly-cry read. This isn’t just a story about two people falling in love, but a family faced with heartbreak in the worst ways imaginable. I loved Beckett and Ella as characters—as a couple and individuals. Beckett is loyal, genuine and an all-around dependable guy. Ella is extremely strong and independent, almost to a fault. But she learns to open up and let people into her bubble, even if she’s hesitant. This is also considered a military romance, although the military aspect is pretty minor, which I don’t mind, since I don’t think I could have endured more crying! This was my first Rebecca Yarros read and I can’t wait to read more by her—4.5/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled: Amara and Rebecca Yarros for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What an heartfelt story that really had me so emotional at one point I had a difficult time reading. A perfect 10 star story.

Ella is struggling to keep it together. A young single mother of twins who’s burning the candle by both ends. Beckett shows up at the right time. She needs him even if she doesn’t admit it. They need each other.

This is an amazing story. It was perfectly written to make me feel what these characters were feeling. There were times I had to stop reading because I was emotionally distraught. But at the end it all came together. There are so many things I want to say about this story. Trust me you need to read this.

Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.

5 Stars

Where are my tissues? You will need tissues for this heartbreaking and heartwarming read. This is the first book, I've read from this author and now a BIG fan. And honestly, The Last Letter, is one of the best reads so far in 2019!

I don't even know where to start. Just the synopsis alone breaks you. I knew going into this it was going to be an emotional roller-coaster. The way the author shares the past into the present story line is seamless. The characters' emotions were raw and honest. I felt every heartbreak in these letters between Ella and Beckett (Chaos).

Becket and Ella were pen-pals - I don't want to spoil the story, but these two formed a relationship over the years through letters. And when tragedy strikes Ella life, Beckett is there for her. But there are so many secrets between these two, you don't know if they will be able to overcome everything.

I could not get enough of this book. I can re-read it over and over and still have the same feeling of sadness, hope and love. A fantastic read!

This book was so hard for me. I loved every painful minute as much as I loved every joyful one. The Last Letter had me fighting tears when I read the blurb. I know it was going to be tough. I knew I needed tissues. I thought I was covered. I was wrong. Falling in love with these people was as easy as turning the page. I fought with them, I clung to them, and I sobbed with them.

Rebecca Yarros delivered a family to all her readers. Whether or not you needed one, you now have the best kind in your hands. A loving example of all the best while fighting the worst.

I won't tell you to hold onto your heart because you've already lost it when you decided to read this book. But I promise it's in good hands! Ella, Chaos, Havoc, Maisie, and Colt are all going to make you apart of their story. You are going to love them long after you close this book.

I say that with a smile on my face and tears pouring down. You are going to love them!

Wear waterproof mascara while reading this book. Seriously, waterproof mascara and tissues. If you need a good cry, read this book. Anyone remember seeing Tammy Taye Bakker cry with mascara running down her face on TV? That was pretty much me while reading this book. Cry-a-rama occurred at my house today.

So yeah, I bawled. I also really enjoyed this book that ripped my heart out. Plus, this was a romance book folks. Geeze Louise is all I can say. This one had heart and soul. The long and short of it is that Ryan and Chaos (Beckett) are best friends serving in the military. Ryan decided to have Beckett write to his sister Ella (and vice versa) as Beckett did not have any family and received no letters. So, a pen pal relationship began. Beckett is used to being alone but loves receiving the letters as he learns that being connected to another person is not a bad thing. That it is possible to connect with someone he has never met.

Ella is a single mother to twins who is devastated when her daughter is diagnosed with Cancer. She is trying to hold it all together, take care of her children, fight with insurance, run a business and write to Chaos (Beckett). She is used to doing everything on her own, but maybe this time, she might need someone to hold her up and lessen her burden.

WOWZA! Is all I can say. This book is told in the present and each chapter also has a letter either written to Chaos from Ella or to Ella from Chaos. When Beckett shows up at her door, the reader knows he is Chaos, but Ella does not. As I stated this is a romance, but it is also so much more.

I inhaled this book and I am so glad I did not mull over too many reviews before reading this. The reviews are mixed, and I get it. This is an emotional book which leaves the reader wondering, just how much more can one person take? The main characters in this book are extremely like-able and I rooted for every single one. Which is what pulls on the heartstrings during this book. Their actions and reactions felt real and believable. Ella and Beckett are both good people, the kids are adorable and Havoc, the retired Military dog could warm anyone's heart. Yarros knows how to write characters that will steal the readers heart, right before she rips it out, then places it back in your chest.

The writing was also wonderful and pulled me into this story and deposited me in Telluride next to the lake. So, I mentioned the crying, but it's not all sad. There are happy moments and fun moments. Moments I wanted to cheer with the characters and moments I was happy that good things were finally happening. But this book is about the good times and the love that can come out of heartache. It is about loss, family, love, falling in love, responsibility, grief, heartache and hope. The Author tackles may heavy subjects in this book with grace. This is a gritty, soft, warm, sad, hopeful, heartbreaking, sweet and riveting book. I could not put this book down.

Loved this book. I have a feeling I will be thinking about this book for some time. Romance/women's fiction/cry fest...call it what you want. I thought it was fantastic and boy did it pull at my heartstrings.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh, this one was an utter gem!!!! Romance novels can sometimes seem very contrived and shallow; this one certainly did not!! It has heart and soul, depth, and an emotionally charged storyline! Beckett and Ella "meet" when her brother, a soldier, sets her up as a pen-pal with his best friend, another fellow soldier. What transpires is a heartfelt story that builds and leaves you breathless at times! Have Kleenex handy; but no fear, there is a HEA! Lovers of romance and women's fiction will truly enjoy this one! Thanks to Netgalley and Engtangled Publishing for an advanced copy!

I don’t even know where to start with this review, I really don’t. I guess I will start with the fact that Ms Yarros made me cry – something that doesn’t happen very often. Now, I have the challenge of telling you why I loved a book that also ripped my heart out – more than once.
The Characters: The core unit of the story is Ella, Beckett/Chaos, Colt, and Maise and they are all wonderful. They aren’t perfect people, but the adults own their faults and work to be the team that the kids need. I found myself relating to Ella especially and could way too easily put myself in her shoes. Beckett/Chaos broke my heart and put it back together with how he interacted with Ella and both kids. Colt, Maise, and Havoc (the dog) were little scene stealers who saw through the BS and helped their family be what it could.
The story: Unique, well written, and heart wrenching. Told via letters and real time action, we get to see Ella and “Chaos” get to know each other while he is deployed with her brother. We also see her get to know Beckett as he quietly supports her through one of the hardest times a mother can go through.
The Last Letter is a story that weaves so many multiple threads together that it would be impossible to pick just one. This is a “military” book, a family story, and a romance that also deals with fear, grief, trust, and hope all under the encompassing umbrella of love in all it’s forms. An emotional roller coaster that was hard to put down, this is a book that I will be glad to have on my bookshelf.
(Reviewed for Cocktails and Books)

This was tragedy after tragedy, I couldn't get into the story with the feeling of sadness that permeated the book.

This is the best book that I have ever read, you will feel everything! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic's Read

This review will be a little different than my other reviews, why you ask? This is due to the fact that The Last Letter has taken the top spot as the best book that I have ever read! You will experience so many feelings in this book. Sadness, Joy, Love, Laughter, and Soul Crushing Grief! This is all done in the search for Happy! Her Happy, His Happy and their lives and journey to have their Happy! Through the grief you will experience the loss of innocence, the connection of soul mates and your soul will be cleansed.

You will fall for this entire cast and their dog!

**Warning... This book may take your top spot for favorite books ever.**

5 Heartbreakingly Incredible Blushes....

I’m finding it difficult to put into words how much I loved this book because it was so utterly heartbreaking. It’s going to take me awhile to recover from this one, but that’s not always a bad thing because it means the author did her job; she made me FEEL. You’ve probably been hearing a lot of buzz about this book and rightly so. It’s superbly written. Alternating between letters written while at war and present day, The Last Letter takes us on an emotional journey that ends in a devastating and unfathomable way. This book isn’t for everyone and ordinarily it wouldn’t be for me. But I read it anyway and I’m so glad that I did.

Rebecca Yarros is a new to me author. What I think she does extremely well in The Last Letter is play on the reader’s emotions in the best way possible. Literally one minute I was swooning so hard and the next I was blinking away tears as another piece of my heart broke away. Yarros is an amazing (and gutsy) storyteller. I would read another book by her in an instant.

I want to touch on the characters briefly but I don’t want to give anything away so I’m keeping it as vague as I can. Beckett is our military hero who has witnessed life-changing horror while away at war. Through letters, he falls in love with our heroine Ella before he even meets her. How amazing is that?! Ella is a very young but STRONG female lead. What this woman endures is unthinkable. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. But when Beckett finds her and they begin their journey together, the result is a mixture of swoony, toe-tingling, smiling like a loon romance, protective alpha male instincts, and yes- Heartbreak. Beckett has soared to the top of my all time favorite hero list. He’s incredible. You’ll fall so head over heels for this guy you won’t know what hit you. Just be prepared. You’ll need tissues, maybe some wine, and definitely some recovery time.

Thank you for inviting me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ryan Mackenzie is the life of every party. You can’t help but love him! He joined the Service to escape a difficult childhood, but always had a special connection to his sister, Ella, and her 2 small children. In fact, he plans to get out within the next few months to go hometown Telluride to help Ella with the kids.
Beckett Gentry has no family connections and only one good friend. He had a lonesome, neglected, sad childhood and escaped to join the military as soon as possible. Nicknamed Chaos, he had nothing to lose, so he put himself 100% into being the best fighter he could be. He became a handler for Havoc, the best military dog around. But his friend Ryan knew he needed more, so he convinced him to answer a letter from Ella.
The two begin a long correspondence, falling in love without ever meeting. When Ryan suddenly is killed, Beckett receives Ryan’s final letter, begging him to go to Telluride to take care of Ella and her children, one of whom is battling neuroblastoma. Beckett feels survivor’s guilt, and stops all communication with Ella, who assumes he must have been killed, too. She grieves both men she loved.
Several months later, Beckett makes his way to Telluride to honor Ryan’s request. Ella has no idea who Beckett is, since she has only known him as Chaos. Although the love story is predictable, there are many heart wrenching twists and turns to this excellent, timely story. Highly recommended!

I have been staring at this review for some time now, walking away and coming back to it, trying to figure out where best to begin. I suppose like all things, I should start at the beginning.



The synopsis does not do this book justice. In fact it doesn't even scratch the surface. So all readers will go into this, like I did, not knowing what to expect other than Ryan is going to die.



What it doesn't tell you is that this book will wreck your emotions, make you cry, and (if you're anything like me) make you mad in the process. Seriously. As well written as this novel was, as much as it dealt with some very real and very hard to handle facts, this book pissed me off.



Here is what the synopsis doesn't tell you.

In a roundabout way Ryan is the one that brings his sister Ella and his best friend Beckett (call sign Chaos) together. He suggests she write to him and she does, and for some reason he responds. So this single mom of two kids that she had at the tender age of 19 (while married to an asshole) becomes a "pen pal" to a jaded soldier who is so special ops that he technically doesn't exist. Each chapter contains a letter from one to the other, allowing the reader to get a glimpse into how their relationship started. Except, when Ryan dies and Beckett makes it to Ella, he doesn't tell her who he is. He doesn't tell her that he stopped writing to her because he blamed himself for Ryan's death. He doesn't tell her that he stopped writing to her because he didn't want to hurt her anymore. Or that he had fallen in love with her simply through her letters. All things that can be forgiven.

Instead he chooses to spend the first half of the book breaking down the barriers she keeps around herself, proving to her that he is there for her and won't leave. When she can't afford the life saving treatment her cancer stricken daughter needs, he ADOPTS them. Granted, he wanted to marry her, but she didn't trust him enough with herself. Her kids were fine though I guess because it meant his insurance would basically pay to keep her daughter alive.

And then they find out he's being investigated for fraud. After all, its not every day someone adopts a child without marrying the mother, thus claiming them on their insurance and costing their company something like half a million dollars. And when the agent that is charged with "investigating" them declares that without proof he was invested in them before Ryan died she is going to do everything she can to tie them up in red tape (thus denying payment and claims on treatment still needed for the daughter's health) - Beckett comes clean. He shows the investigator the letters exchanged between himself and Ella. He shoes her the photos the twins had drawn for him.

And what does he get in exchange for doing what was needed to ensure her daughter's continued care? He gets Ella telling him she can't trust him because he is nothing but a liar and not only telling him she never wants to see him again, but taking away his access to the children as well.

Way to be an ungrateful, selfish bitch there Ella. You can call him a liar, justify it in any way that helps you sleep at night, but the fact remains Beckett spent months trying to prove he would be there, he adopted the kids, did everything a father should. And yet she still throws him out of their life.

So Beckett spends more of the book trying to prove to her once again that he is there for her and the kids, and will be there. Her daughter is declared to be in remission. And finally. FINALLY. She starts to let him in.

And then

<b>SPOILER ALERT</b>

<spoiler>The son dies. Yup. After death has been hanging over the sister throughout the entire novel. After the reader has had time to mentally prepare themselves for her death. It is the brother that dies. And in the most freak accident ever. In a place a child never should have allowed to have been in if things like that could happen. Honestly, I was surprised there wasn't a lawsuit mentioned after. What school takes kids on a trip where there is a risk of falling off a cliff? Even if Colt didn't exactly fall off the cliff, the danger was already there.</spoiler>

Even the ending didn't seem like a happily ever after. Sure Beckett and Ella are together, but as she tells her brother during a visit to his grave, she found an engagement ring, but hopes he doesn't ask her yet. AFTER ALL OF THAT YOU STILL DON'T WANT TO MARRY THIS MAN? I had a real hard time connecting with her.

All things considered, I feel this author did a great job portraying survivor's guilt and the demons soldiers of any kind battle upon returning home. I would have enjoyed this story more if one Ella hadn't been such a cold harpy, and two, I would have been prepared for the spoiler. This book didn't make me feel happy, and that was a real problem.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, heartwarming and beautiful. Beckett and Ella have so much baggage and found a bound through the power of letter writing. I knew going in to this book that I would love it because of the premise but Rebecca Yarros had a way of stripping you down to all your basic emotions and piecing you back together. When I was deployed I was never in the immediate constant danger of a spec ops unit, but the fear of never going home is there every day none the less with the irratic attacks that occur. I have been Ella, with my brother deployed and the knowledge that the last goidbye was the last. I'm thankful that The Last Letter exists so more people can walk a mile in the shoes from both sides.

Wow. This book. This incredible book is 6 stars! The humor. The angst and ultimately the roller coaster of emotions will render you speechless! This book by far is the best book I’ve read this year and I would highly recommend it!

2.5 Stars

The Last Letter is well written and emotional, however it just puts too many issues into one book. Ella is a young single mom of twins (aged 5-7 throughout the book), she owns a B&B in Colorado, her parents are deceased, and her brother is in the military overseas. We open to that, which is already a handful for a person, but Ella's problems and tragedies keep growing. Within the first few chapters her brother is killed in action and Maisie, one of her kids, gets diagnosed with a rare cancer, which of course her insurance covers little of the treatment. To top it off, she's developed an intense pen pal relationship with a comrade of her brothers and she believes he died with her brother since his letters abruptly stop around the same time.

Enter Beckett. As readers, we know he is Chaos, the same man that Ella has been writing to. But he doesn't tell her that. Instead he shows up at her door with a letter from her brother saying that he is here to take care of her. Of course, they fall for each other, and of course, Ella's biggest peeve/unforgivable curse is lying. Which is exactly what he is doing by not telling her who he really is. While this is going on, they are dealing with Maisie's illness, running the business, and trying to keep involved with Colt, her other kid's, life. Beckett also has a few issues- he grew up in foster care and his time with the elite military team he was on causes nightmares, etc.

After Ella and Beckett fall in love, the truth about him being Chaos comes out and Ella ends things. Months pass (in which we are not privy to what goes on) but they reconcile eventually and get back together. But this book is not made for happy moments. Immediately after this happens, tragedy strikes again. (view spoiler)

At this point, I can't even conjure up the required emotions for all that has happened. It's too much. It's too unrealistic. How can anyone survive this many tragedies in such a short period of time? I'm too busy trying to calculate the probability of all of these things happening and I'm pretty sure you have a better chance winning the lotto than to have this many, and this rare, of things happen to just one person in this little of time.

The problem is, I really liked the writing. I thought (for the most part) that the characters were well-written and developed. Sure the kids seemed older than their age, but maybe circumstances forced that. And while there were times that Ella annoyed me, she felt human. But I just couldn't get over the amount of catastrophic events that happened to her. It's surprising she didn't become catatonic.

I would still recommend this to people. I think someone who doesn't need their romances based soundly in reality and those who love tragedy with their romance will like this. It wasn't a bad book, just too much for me.

The Last Letter...
I don't even know where to start. I had a sneaking suspicion the book would wreck me beyond recognition, but I don't think that even describes the emotions it evoked in me. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster sometimes. Beckett and Ella were written in the stars, and all of the trials and tribulations they went through, really did lead them to each other.
Beckett... Oh so beautifully broken Beckett... He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. He grew up without a family, and that left him feeling undeserving of someone else's love. He then spent his entire adult life in the military and basically being a nomad. If he never set down roots, then he never would have anyone waiting for him to come home; when there was a very real possibility he would not make it back. And then there's Ella. She's a struggling single mom, whose had more heartache in her short twenty-five years, then most people see in a lifetime. She could have easily given up, but she keeps going because of those amazing kids of hers. The twins are her whole life. When Beckett shows up one day at her resort, and says he's her brother's best friend and he's there because he sent Beckett, she's not sure how to handle that.
Gah... This book. I have the biggest book hangover, that I've had in a long time. Beckett was so perfectly imperfect, and everything Ella needed, but didn't know she needed. Beckett and Ella were amazing characters, but the real scene stealers were the twins. Colt and Maisie were just too sweet to not fall in love with. I loved the theme of blood doesn't make family, love does. That was present throughout the entire story. Beckett loved those kids from the get-go, and he proved it over and over again.
I would give The Last Letter more than 5 stars if I could. There were some very tough moments to read, but I think that's why I loved it so much. Life isn't always pretty, often times it's ugly, and the book captured that. But it's the ugly, that truly makes you appreciate the pretty. Both Beckett and Ella had their fair share of ugly; and just like in real life, they knew that they could get passed it together. I really can't recommend this book enough. If you're looking for an epic ugly cry this is the book for you.

I want to say Thank You to Entangled Publishing, Rebecca Yarros and Netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book for an honest review...

If I could give this more than 5 stars I would in a heartbeat!! I laughed, I cried, I gasped this author knew how to pull you in an keep you until the very end! Ella's brother Ryan talks her into becoming a pen pal to a buddy of his that is in his squad overseas. Throughout the book it switches POV's between Ella and his buddy and at one point you see the letter Ryan wrote to Beckett it was his last letter, asking him to please go to his home town and help Ella out even if she didn't want it, Ella is going through hell raising twins alone, running a successful B&B and finds out one of her kids is sick. So you see the struggle that she is going through with all that and Beckett's struggle in granting his friends last request and hiding a huge secret from Ella. Somewhere along the way they fall in love and just when things start to brighten up tragedy strikes and it takes a lot out of both Ella and Beckett. He is full of guilt but they somehow push past it and survive.

All in all it is a great book and even though it was an unedited ARC I still loved it and can't wait for it to come out so I can purchase it!

I'm a freaking wreck. I gave this five stars because it's a phenomenal story, but please don't read it- it will break your heart over and over. If you think you can handle that, you can't. If you think okay, so I'll have an ugly cry moment and it will be all better, you're wrong. Beckett and Ella and Colt and Maisie have carved a place in my heart as if they are real people I know and love. I'm such a mess over these characters. They are so strong and so amazing and beautiful. The Last Letter will be my top read of this whole year, I'm calling it now.

So, from the synopsis, you already can tell that this book by Rebecca Yarros is one epic emotional read. Being one that does not cry or get too emotionally while reading, my blogger friends were waiting to see if I was in fact human and not a robot. I am proud to report that I am human. There was so many raw moments throughout the story and you get a massive punch that will utterly gut you. The beautiful thing about The Last Letter is you get more than just a romance story. You get a real life feel to the trials and tribulations that Elle goes through. I could not fathom the strength that Elle has. She is a warrior momma. She is a fighter. But then you have Beckett. Fulfilling the wish of his best friend, how he just wedges himself so seamlessly into Elle’s life that he lifts such a burden off of her shoulders. I absolutely adored their connection as well. It is more than physical, but also on that emotional level as well. They mend each other in so many ways.
As a whole, this is one of the most absolutely stunning books I have read in my whole life. It gives you everything and so much more. Finding love when you least expect it, the twists that get tossed at Elle, the fierce love and protectiveness that Beckett has over Elle and her twins. There is love, life, laughter, self discovery and everything wrapped up in this heartbreaking yet so full of hope and living life to the fullest! I have adored Yarros’s words for years but this book is just absolutely everything. Please pick this book up, you may hate me and love me at the same time for this one!

This book, or I should say this author, made me really upset. The Last Letter is on of these books where the writer puts their characters through every horrible thing they can think of to make the story very dramatic. And when you think that after everything the characters endured they will get a happy ending, they don't! I feel so cheated!

I was actually enjoying this book despite all the tragedy that was happening to Ella and her family because it was an interesting and emotional story. I was looking forward to Ella and Beckett getting their HEA after all they've been through. And around 90% of the book things finally started to look up for the couple but instead of ending it on a happy note, the author decided (for an added shock value) to dump another unnecessary tragedy on them. It really pissed me off. This book went from 4-5 stars to 2 stars in a span of few pages. I enjoy heartbreaking books and I can accept tragic endings when they make sense within the story. It wasn't the case with The Last Letter. I feel cheated because this book is marketed as romance and I expect a romance to have a happy ending. This book does not!

So if you want to read a romance where characters get their HEA after going through hell, avoid this book like a plague. But if you want to read a tragedy where bad things happen to characters over and over, you may proceed. Also this book has a lot of glowing reviews so maybe don't listen to me!