A huge Thank You to The author, The publisher and NetGalley for providing the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was heartwarming, and cute, and everything I've ever wanted,

3.25 stars

This humorous romance had a screwball comedy, zany vibe to it. It took me a while to get into it as it was a long, slow starter. I did feel that sometimes the mistaken identity theme was overdone and ventured into just plain silly.

But, as the book went on, it gained strength. Both Henry and Edith were interesting and nuanced characters. Edith in particular was nicely drawn and I was sympathetic to her desire to have some adventure and purpose in her life.

The town was a character in itself and the residents were certainly an overenthusiastic and zealous bunch, if sometimes misdirected. All in all, a fun, light read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Becca Kinzer’s “Dear Henry, Love Edith” was a heartwarming and cozy rom-com.

Henry and Edith’s story was unique, and had me drawn in right from the start. I truly could not put this book down. The first half of the book was really strong, and really gave us an idea of the characters and what they were dealing with. There were also some really interesting plot points throughout that I hadn’t seen in many books before, and I thought they were done exceptionally well! I’m a big fan of the use of letter writing between Edith and Henry (so so cute)

The miscommunication aspect, while a fundamental component of this story, got to be a bit overwhelming at times and it seemed that it was spiralling out of control in certain areas.

Overall, this was a very cute, wholesome story. I’d definitely recommend this book as a nice beach read or maybe a read for a cozy rainy day :)

Thank you to NetGalley, Tyndale House Publishers and Becca Kinzer for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved reading Dear Henry, Love Edith, a small town romantic comedy novel from debut author Becca Kinzer. When I first saw the title, I thought the book was a historical romance. Once I started reading, I found the mistaken identity trope LOL hilarious, especially because I’d made the same initial wrong assumptions as the main characters.

Henry has taken over the family painting and construction business and is struggling to live up to family expectations. He lives in a small town in Illinois, and his niece has promised a friend that she’ll provide accommodation in her home over the summer for a lady named Edith.

Edith is a nurse, and she’s filling in time in Illinois doing overnight volunteering at a women’s shelter while waiting for her passport to arrive. Edith’s grand plan is to follow God’s calling and embark on an overseas adventure by doing volunteer work in South Africa.

Henry’s niece’s kitchen unexpectedly floods, and she talks Henry into letting Edith stay in his home until the kitchen problem is fixed. When Henry learns Edith is a widow who’s temporarily in town doing volunteer work, he assumes Edith is a senior. Edith assumes that Uncle Henry must be a generation older than his niece, and Edith appreciates the opportunity to stay in his home.

Henry and Edith’s first meeting, as strangers in the town diner, is LOL hilarious. They’re drawn to each other, but they have no idea that they’re living in the same house because they’re like ships passing in the night. They start leaving notes in the kitchen that evolve into lengthy letters where they share deeper thoughts and feelings with each other.

I loved how the mistaken identity romance trope played out in the story. The cast of supporting characters in town were quirky and funny and created more misunderstandings for Henry and Edith as the story progressed. Edith’s late husband’s brother, Steve, is the villain who I liked seeing getting what he deserved in LOL situations. I appreciated the faith elements in the story that challenged the characters to move outside their comfort zones and touched on deeper issues.

I recommend Dear Henry, Love Edith to contemporary romance readers who like mistaken identity romcoms with a relevant faith element in the story.

I had no idea Dear Henry, Love Edith was Becca Kinzer's debut novel.
I found out when I finished the book and continued to read the back matter. (yes, the book was so good that I just kept reading 😂) It was mentioned in the "about the author" section.

Dear Henry, Love Edith has everything I love in a book: witty dialogue, quirky characters, small-town, letter communication, laugh-out-loud moments, depth, and vivid details.

It also had one of my biggest pet peeves: miscommunication! However, it was so well done that I enjoyed it. Yes, you read that right 😂.

This story is very much dialogue driven (which I personally love). I mention it here because I know others don't enjoy it as much.

The town was its own character. The way the town gossips would infer something and then run with it was hysterical. The epilogue at the end was epic. If there was every a story I was glad had one, it was this one. I really hope we see more of Henry and Edith...or some of the characters from the story. I have no idea if the author plans for this to be a series, but I certainly hope so. I want more. Regardless, I will be watching to see what she comes up with next.

One thing that made me love this book even more was when Ms. Kinzer mentioned in her note that several of Edith's experiences were inspired by true events (no more details as it would lead to spoilers). I thought it was very cool, and I am glad she shared that information.

I highly recommend Dear Henry, Love Edith to anyone who loves RomComs.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Very cute read. Laugh out loud cuteness. Dual POV with great characters. Would definitely recommend.

This was an ok book. It was not my favorite. I found it a bit boring at time. The characters were annoying and wishy washy. I will go back and read it again at another time to give it another chance.

I had a small amount of pages left of the huge Surrender by Bono (a fascinating tale about far more than just his life with U2) and was due at the hairdressers. So, rather than lugging that with me, I decided to grab a light-hearted read. I took Dear Henry, Love Edith with me, and was instantly drawn in as soon as I started it. I do not usually pick up rom-coms but something had pricked my interest and I asked for a review copy from the publisher then sat on it for a while. But as I began, I realised how well it had taken the age-old premise of mistaken identity and run with it, adding in a lot of humour and keeping the reader, as well as the characters, on tenter hooks.
Here’s how it starts: the recently widowed Edith needs a place to stay while she accepts a short-term nursing position in a small town; the house she is supposed to stay in is suddenly unavailable so the owner offers a room in her uncle’s home instead (he’s convalescing so only using the downstairs). He believes she is an elderly widow and she that he is a grumpy old man – and it stays that way for a while as she is working nights so doesn’t see him. They start writing notes to one another and both begin to share really honestly, believing they are writing to a completely different person. In reality, they are both much younger, and had each fallen for the other when they bumped into them – without realising who they were of course. As the truth unravels they both have to face their fears, and decide where their true life adventures lie.
This debut novel is published by a Christian publisher but I wasn’t expecting much faith element once I began. There is the occasional reference to God and to praying but, in a way, because there aren’t more they seemed a little out of place.
This is a charming, slightly over sweet but also amusing read. I was cheering for the main characters throughout…

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The concept for this book was great. And the first half was wonderful. But the book fell apart in the second half.

This book is outside my genre - while I love a clean romance, the Christian aspect is not one I enjoy reading. However...

I enjoyed the initial misunderstanding and believed it was well set up - when both Edith and Henry mistook each other, imagining the other as a person with advanced age, it set up the possibility of several humorous moments. Their notes back and forth to each other made for an engaging method of exposition, though the font used for Edith's letters was not easy to read digitally. The community of characters built added to the hilarity of the misunderstandings, most of which could have been easily straightened out with some actual communication between the characters.

A sweet read, but the religious aspect, no matter the degree, will keep this from real success.

It's hard to believe this is the debut novel for Kinzer. It is well done and well written. I found it thoroughly delightful. It starts out with a case of mistaken identity. Henry assumes the woman staying in his upstairs is an old lady while she assumes the homeowner is an elderly man. They leave notes for each other on the table as they keep missing each other....at home at least. They run into each other around town quite frequently in the oddest of situations.

Henry and Edith have a funny way of communicating with each other. I loved their witty banter. There were a few small town incidents surrounding them that were hilarious. Through it all, Henry and Edith have baggage that they need to work through if they want to figure out what life is going to hold for them.

This was a fun, lighthearted read. I'll look forward to reading more by this author. Thank you to Tyndale House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Sigh. This book was frustrating to me. It’s plot was frustrating, the setting fairly implausible, and the characters immature.

I enjoy modern, clean romances, but after getting about 70% of the way through I just gave up. It didn’t really improve with time.

I was given a copy of this book for review purposes via NetGalley. This opinion is my own and does not reflect anyone else’s thoughts or words.

I've never laughed so hard while reading a book. Sweet, heartwarming adorable RomCom, there is a case of mistaken identity, a lot of miscommunication, and confusion. The town was a character itself from jumping to crazy conclusions and making wild accusations, sometimes felt over the top and silly, but I loved it, put a smile on my face, maybe this story is what I need to read.

Dual POV, both characters are stuck, Edith is a widow looking for adventure, and Henry is bored and recovering from a knee injury, both live in the same house, but never bump into each other, Henry works days, and Edith works night because some miscommunication they both thought the other person was old, so they start living notes for each other to read. loved the witty dialogue.

The faith thread was present. few pause for personal reflection by the main characters, as they struggle with finding their purpose in life.

I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I found myself smiling as I read the first page, where readers meet a nurse named Edith, who is excited to finally go on an adventure to South Africa. She’s waited for this trip her whole life. The only thing slowing her down is her passport. While she waited, Edith pit stops in a small-town in Illinois. She will be volunteering at a crisis nursery. Lodging plans change at the last minute and Edith ends up staying at Henry’s Hobbs house. Henry and Edith don’t meet each other because Edith is on the night shift and Henry works days. They had originally set things up and communicated through Henry’s niece. So, they start leaving notes on the kitchen table for each other to read.

They strike up a friendship through these notes, hoping to meet sometime soon. Surprising and fun, situations arise. I loved the witty dialogue that makes you laugh out loud. I enjoyed the mistake in identity, as they come to grips with the truth and what they will do about knowing it.

Furthermore, I loved this charming romance filled with heart, and a community of fun-loving characters that make you want to go there. Likewise, I felt that the town’s people were just as much a character in this crazy, loving, humorous novel that talks about genuine love, friendship, forgiveness, second chances and shows two people getting brave enough to chase their dreams.

I enjoyed every minute I spent with Henry, Edith, and the local folks. You don’t want to miss this heartwarming story or this author. She’s one to watch.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

If Becca Kinzer ever starts writing rom-com screenplays, I'll become a movie devotee, going to opening day showings of every one. Because seriously, this book should be a movie. It reads like one--you see every scene in vivid, vibrant color. Not only do you have a cast of delightful characters you won't want to miss, that cast grows with every page of the book (or so it seems) and not once was I confused as to who said what (unless I was supposed to be).

Look, I've never laughed so hard while reading a book--never. In fact, Kinzer is guilty of terrifying my dogs because of how often I busted out in cackles and woke them up.

Not only is the book sweet, funny, and adorably romantic (although I'm a bit scarred for life on the spring rabbit homefront), it has mood-lifting qualities that have earned it a permanent spot on my bookshelves (rare for a rom-com). Because seriously, if I'm EVER having a bad day, I suspect I'll just go over, flip it open, and start reading until I crack up. I doubt it'll take me long, and I hope it involves an epi-pen. Just sayin'.

If all that wasn't enough, the book has both subtle and overt faith elements that offer Biblical encouragement as well as a swift kick in the butler a time or two.

This year is starting out well, and this book is at the top of the list for the year.

Sadly, this book didn't really work for me.

At the start, I would say I was mostly interested and engaged. Until about the 40% mark. A fair amount of miscommunication started to occur from there that was frustrating and felt unnecessary. I really wished those issues had been resolved sooner. Also, some of the shenanigans of the townspeople felt overdone - they were entertaining at first before they became these long extended scenes that pulled me out of the romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tyndale House Publishers and Becca Kinzer for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Both of them like each other without knowing they know each other.
A simple crush turns out to be more than a crush. They have the chemistry, they understand each other, they respect each other. It among the green flag you will ever met. But they both have they own priority, which will they sacrifice? Their future or love? Or maybe they could gain both of it from one of the option. but how?
Edith and Henry never knew they were almost the same age. They both thought the other person is an old swag lady/man. How can living in a same house but never bump into each other? They definitely never did.
The most wholesome I found in the story is how the town has such a personality. They all are such a shipper and such a drama. Living in the town is like living in a comedy. They never fail to make the town any more livelier. And to be honest if I were one of them, Im shipping both of them hard and join their dramas!
Such a enjoyable romcom! Try giving this story a chance and you will never regret it.

Dear Henry, Love Edith
by Becca Kinzer
Pub Date: January 31, 2023
Tyndale House
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
He thinks she’s an elderly widow. She’s convinced he’s a grumpy old man. Neither could be further from the truth.

After a short and difficult marriage, recently widowed Edith Sherman has learned her lesson. Forget love. Forget marriage. She plans to fill her thirties with adventure. As she awaits the final paperwork for a humanitarian trip to South Africa, she accepts a short-term nursing position in a small Midwestern town. The last thing she needs is a handsome local catching her eye. How inconvenient is that?

Henry Hobbes isn't exactly thrilled to have Edith, who he assumes is an elderly widow, dumped on him as a houseguest for the summer. But he'd do almost anything for his niece, who is practically like a sister to him given how close they are in age. Especially since Edith will be working nights and Henry works most days. When he and Edith keep missing each other in person, they begin exchanging notes--short messages at first, then longer letters, sharing increasingly personal parts of their lives.

By the time Henry realizes his mistake--that Edith is actually the brown-eyed beauty he keeps bumping into around town--their hearts are so intertwined he hopes they never unravel. But with her departure date rapidly approaching, and Henry's roots firmly planted at home, Edith must ultimately decide if the adventure of her dreams is the one right in front of her.

Cute story. 3 stars

This is a sweet rom-com with a 1950s vibe to it. There's quite a bit of humor, but some plot points did drag a bit (such as Henry keeping his identity a secret and the reasoning behind it). I liked that we get to see things from both perspectives. The townspeople are enjoyable characters and well utilized with the story, but some of their misperceptions and miscommunications got to be a bit much. There's a bit of a religious angle, but it's not overwhelming. I really enjoyed the use of letters between Edith and Henry to help propel the storyline. This book would be a good fit for readers who enjoy authors such as Bethany Turner.

Lots of fun and humor
This was definitely a new voice for me. I really enjoyed the book - the storyline, and the characters.
It took me a bit to find my footing though....this story is very much dialogue.
And you see things from both points of view, both Edith and Henry.
Initially, there is a case of mistaken identity. Then, things shift when they discover who the other is.
There is lots of confusion, some chaos, and an all around good time thrown in.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading Bethany Turner's books or Melissa Ferguson's.


Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255