A Brief Encounter for our time, The Last Letter from Your Lover is a sophisticated, spellbinding double love story that spans decades and thrillingly evokes a bygone era. In 1960, Jennifer Stirling wakes in the hospital and remembers nothing—not the car accident that put her there, not her wealthy husband, not even her own name. Searching for clues, she finds an impassioned letter, signed simply "B," from a man for whom she seemed willing to risk everything. In 2003, journalist Ellie Haworth stumbles upon the letter and becomes obsessed with learning the unknown lovers’ fate—hoping it will inspire her own happy ending. Remarkably moving, this is a novel for romantics of every age.
MrsNorthman's Review
A captivating story, full of heartbreak, missed opportunities and undying love. Jojo Moyes is one heck of a storyteller!
When Jennifer Sterling wakes up in 1960, she can't remember anything about her life. She's been in a horrible car accident, but no one will give her any details. Her husband takes her home and sort of expects her to be back to normal. He's well off, so she doesn't have to work and she has plenty of friends, but something just feels wrong. She barely recognizes herself, but she knows right away she doesn't belong with her husband.
When she uncovers hidden love letters from the elusive 'B', it confirms to her, what she already knew deep down in her soul. Her heart belongs to someone else. The only problem, she can't remember who he is. We learn of B's identity and how they came to be lovers, as the story switches back and forth from before the accident to after. It's a passionate love affair that's only made more so by his love letters.
"My dearest and only love. I meant what I said. I have come to the conclusion that the only way forward is for one of us to make a bold decision. . . ."
Forty years later, a journalist named Ellie happens to stumble upon one of B's letters and thinks it might just provide the answers she looking for. If she can track down the couple, she might be able to appease her boss with a great story and find clarity in her own situation. She's having an affair with a married man and it's pretty much destroying her. She's constantly putting her life on hold until he can find a few stolen moments to spend with her. Will it be worth it in the end?
Sometimes when you least expect it, someone will come along and change your entire outlook on life. For both Jennifer and Ellie, that's exactly what happened.
". . .know this at least: that somewhere is this world is a man who loves you, who understands how precious and clever and kind you are. A man who has always loved you and, to his detriment, suspects he always will."
There were so many moments that I just loved and a few that left me devastated. The intensity and emotion between Jennifer and Bear was impossible to ignore and is what really drew me to this story. While I don't condone cheating, the circumstances in the 1960's pretty much made it impossible for a woman to ask for a divorce. Which didn't leave Jennifer with many options. She had to be true to herself and follow her heart.
5/5 Fangs
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