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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
"Loss changes our perspective of the world, exposes its instability, and leaves us to gather the pieces of our broken selves and stick them back together."
This story takes place through letters dated 200 years ago, through modern texts and emails. It brings two people together who share same grief and help them in their loneliness in such a breathtaking manner. It had so much depth to make you want to live it.
"Forgetting to savour life's details, such as the taste of fresh scones or the scent of books opened for the first time, is our greatest deprivation."
Caroline George's writing is magical, beautiful and rich. I am in love with her words and their flawless flow. The quotes, they will just make you want to remember them. She has written well built characters and developed them to their fullest. I want to meet Elias Roch, Josephine De Clare. Faith is a best friend you will want and Oliver he is a sweetheart. He will have a special place by the end of the book.
"My father told me that... to live, one doesn't need to be strong and courageous, just awake."
This book is plot, characters and so much more. It is about finding love in various forms, same yet different. It is about shaping our future and fighting for it. Talking more about this will be giving away the story, so you have to experience the feel of these beautiful words and let me know your thoughts.
This story takes place through letters dated 200 years ago, through modern texts and emails. It brings two people together who share same grief and help them in their loneliness in such a breathtaking manner. It had so much depth to make you want to live it.
"Forgetting to savour life's details, such as the taste of fresh scones or the scent of books opened for the first time, is our greatest deprivation."
Caroline George's writing is magical, beautiful and rich. I am in love with her words and their flawless flow. The quotes, they will just make you want to remember them. She has written well built characters and developed them to their fullest. I want to meet Elias Roch, Josephine De Clare. Faith is a best friend you will want and Oliver he is a sweetheart. He will have a special place by the end of the book.
"My father told me that... to live, one doesn't need to be strong and courageous, just awake."
This book is plot, characters and so much more. It is about finding love in various forms, same yet different. It is about shaping our future and fighting for it. Talking more about this will be giving away the story, so you have to experience the feel of these beautiful words and let me know your thoughts.
3.5 stars.
So, this isn't my typical kind of book. I usually stay away from historical fiction. I picked this up because a friend from college wrote it. And I'm so glad I read it.
It took me a while to feel very invested, almost entirely due to my lack of affection for historical fiction (and partly the fact that I am not nearly as romantic as all the characters in the book lol), but by the end my heart was swelling and I was very touched by the story's message. The theme was so pure, so wise, so important. Good Lord, the number of quotes I wish I'd written down. This was so freaking quotable. The historical parts in particular were so incredibly beautifully written.
While I didn't love everything—especially at first, the emails didn't feel realistic, but I did grow used to them pretty easily; I found Josie and Faith to act petty at times; Rashad was awful but not in a way I found realistic; I had a hard time believing Elias's love for Josephine when he only met her once (until I remembered that I'd actually done that myself back in high school, and then was able to forgive Elias and the story in general lol)—Elias's chapters sold this for me. His voice was incredibly charming and oh so quotable. His story—and Josie's—was unexpected and I truly didn't know how the book would end. This theme is one I'll be thinking about for a long time. I would highly recommend this to any lover of historical fiction with a romantic heart.
So, this isn't my typical kind of book. I usually stay away from historical fiction. I picked this up because a friend from college wrote it. And I'm so glad I read it.
It took me a while to feel very invested, almost entirely due to my lack of affection for historical fiction (and partly the fact that I am not nearly as romantic as all the characters in the book lol), but by the end my heart was swelling and I was very touched by the story's message. The theme was so pure, so wise, so important. Good Lord, the number of quotes I wish I'd written down. This was so freaking quotable. The historical parts in particular were so incredibly beautifully written.
While I didn't love everything—especially at first, the emails didn't feel realistic, but I did grow used to them pretty easily; I found Josie and Faith to act petty at times; Rashad was awful but not in a way I found realistic; I had a hard time believing Elias's love for Josephine when he only met her once (until I remembered that I'd actually done that myself back in high school, and then was able to forgive Elias and the story in general lol)—Elias's chapters sold this for me. His voice was incredibly charming and oh so quotable. His story—and Josie's—was unexpected and I truly didn't know how the book would end. This theme is one I'll be thinking about for a long time.
Spoiler
Usually a pet peeve of mine is open-ended conclusions, or endings where the couple we ship don't end up together, but somehow this was definitely an exception. The ending felt very appropriate for the characters.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
After the death of her father, Josie discovers that he owned a fixer-upper manor house in Northern England and goes there to check it out. While renovating, she finds a manuscript and a stack of 200-year-old love letters written to...her. Intrigued, she reads the letters written by Elias, owner of the house during the Regency period, and becomes torn between a love in a time long gone and the present day.
This was a charming story and a fast, easy read. The book switched between time periods, writing styles, and narrators. It’s an epistolary novel told through emails, letters, text messages, and a manuscript. I liked Josie and the rest of the characters, and the story provided a sweet reminder not to take the present for granted.
Overall, this was a sweet, quick read that would be perfect to squeeze in between heavier books. I don’t often read young adult novels, but I think fans of Lara Jean/To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before might like this one— I actually liked this YA story better!
Also, how pretty is this cover?!
This was a charming story and a fast, easy read. The book switched between time periods, writing styles, and narrators. It’s an epistolary novel told through emails, letters, text messages, and a manuscript. I liked Josie and the rest of the characters, and the story provided a sweet reminder not to take the present for granted.
Overall, this was a sweet, quick read that would be perfect to squeeze in between heavier books. I don’t often read young adult novels, but I think fans of Lara Jean/To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before might like this one— I actually liked this YA story better!
Also, how pretty is this cover?!
With thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an audio arc of this book, all opinions expressed here are my own.
Dearest Josephine by Caroline George was an interesting read, told in the form of letters, novel chapters, texts etc. It follows three storylines: Josie today, Elias in the 1800s and a fictional 1800s tale about Elias and Josephine.
Josie’s father has passed away and she moves into an old house she didn’t know he owned. There she finds letters and a novel written by Elias 200 years ago to Josephine...is it her?
I enjoyed this audiobook, the narrator did I good job. Though I did find there wasn’t enough distinction when listening to the novel chapters so I got a little confused sometimes. Although I liked the ending, I’m still unsure what made Elias and Josephine’s love so special and why Josie/Josephine were so similar. Maybe I was waiting for a more fantasy time travel element or something?
Still an enjoyable 3 star read. This book publishes on the 2nd of February. I will post to Instagram and Amazon then.
Dearest Josephine by Caroline George was an interesting read, told in the form of letters, novel chapters, texts etc. It follows three storylines: Josie today, Elias in the 1800s and a fictional 1800s tale about Elias and Josephine.
Josie’s father has passed away and she moves into an old house she didn’t know he owned. There she finds letters and a novel written by Elias 200 years ago to Josephine...is it her?
I enjoyed this audiobook, the narrator did I good job. Though I did find there wasn’t enough distinction when listening to the novel chapters so I got a little confused sometimes. Although I liked the ending, I’m still unsure what made Elias and Josephine’s love so special and why Josie/Josephine were so similar. Maybe I was waiting for a more fantasy time travel element or something?
Still an enjoyable 3 star read. This book publishes on the 2nd of February. I will post to Instagram and Amazon then.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Reread:
This book just tugs at my heartstrings and makes me want to SOB. Like every time I read it I just feel the pain and the grief of the main characters. This book is wild and winding and I sometimes I wonder if the main character is insane but I adore it all the same.
Original Review:
So did I read this whole book instead of doing any semblance of homework. Yes. Do I regret it? I mean, not really.
This book was a slow, soft story about two people separated by time who are grieving for their lost loved ones and each other. Josie’s just lost her dad and so she packs up and leaves London for an old manor house he bought, trying to restore it for her dad. She finds a pack of letters while renovating that seemingly seem to be written to her. Woven in with Josie’s texts and emails to her friends and family is the story of Elias, a young man who is hopelessly in love with a woman he met only once.
Trying to cope with his minor obsession he begins to write a novel, which is also tied into Josie’s story. It sounds confusing and to be completely honest it was in some instances. I really enjoyed it, nonetheless.
I thought the writing was really distinct but Josie’s characterization did suffer at points, given we only saw her texts and emails.
The ending was like pathetically sad and it will definitely stick with me because of how sad it was. I would definitely recommend this if you’re interested in moody, epistolary stories.
✉️📝🧁
This book just tugs at my heartstrings and makes me want to SOB. Like every time I read it I just feel the pain and the grief of the main characters. This book is wild and winding and I sometimes I wonder if the main character is insane but I adore it all the same.
Original Review:
So did I read this whole book instead of doing any semblance of homework. Yes. Do I regret it? I mean, not really.
This book was a slow, soft story about two people separated by time who are grieving for their lost loved ones and each other. Josie’s just lost her dad and so she packs up and leaves London for an old manor house he bought, trying to restore it for her dad. She finds a pack of letters while renovating that seemingly seem to be written to her. Woven in with Josie’s texts and emails to her friends and family is the story of Elias, a young man who is hopelessly in love with a woman he met only once.
Trying to cope with his minor obsession he begins to write a novel, which is also tied into Josie’s story. It sounds confusing and to be completely honest it was in some instances. I really enjoyed it, nonetheless.
I thought the writing was really distinct but Josie’s characterization did suffer at points, given we only saw her texts and emails.
The ending was like pathetically sad and it will definitely stick with me because of how sad it was. I would definitely recommend this if you’re interested in moody, epistolary stories.
✉️📝🧁
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was… unsure of what to rate this book, which is why I’m giving it a 3-star rating. I didn’t particularly LOVE any of the characters, though Oliver and Faith were fun side characters. Josie herself, while I loved that she was finding herself and working through her grief after her father’s death, was just a bit obnoxious. “I’m in love with Elias” was the biggest case of instantly falling in love with someone you know nothing about that I’ve ever seen. Also… Elias and Josephine weren’t THAT great of a love story to be obsessed with. The writing style was also a bit confusing, alternating between letters, the novel, texts, and emails. Overall, still an enjoyable book but one I wouldn’t really recommend as a favorite.
I was… unsure of what to rate this book, which is why I’m giving it a 3-star rating. I didn’t particularly LOVE any of the characters, though Oliver and Faith were fun side characters. Josie herself, while I loved that she was finding herself and working through her grief after her father’s death, was just a bit obnoxious. “I’m in love with Elias” was the biggest case of instantly falling in love with someone you know nothing about that I’ve ever seen. Also… Elias and Josephine weren’t THAT great of a love story to be obsessed with. The writing style was also a bit confusing, alternating between letters, the novel, texts, and emails. Overall, still an enjoyable book but one I wouldn’t really recommend as a favorite.
Thank you to the publisher and TLC tours for the gifted copy.
This book was just okay for me. I would have liked it better if it was just alternating between Josie's point of view and Elias's. The chapters with the novels through me off. I feel like it added an element to the story that was just confusing at times, because I had a hard time of keeping straight what was "real" in his life and what was part of his novel.
Overall, it was an interesting story, but had a few plot holes that I would have liked more explanation. I loved the cover, and I actually really liked Josie's chapters.
This book was just okay for me. I would have liked it better if it was just alternating between Josie's point of view and Elias's. The chapters with the novels through me off. I feel like it added an element to the story that was just confusing at times, because I had a hard time of keeping straight what was "real" in his life and what was part of his novel.
Overall, it was an interesting story, but had a few plot holes that I would have liked more explanation. I loved the cover, and I actually really liked Josie's chapters.
It was fine, but I expected time travel and was disappointed when there wasn't any.
I received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This may be the longest review I'll ever write. I have a lot of thoughts about this one.
First of all, this book is told through a few different narratives. We have
a) Josie's texts and emails to her friends and family
b) Elias's letters to Josie
c) Chapters of Elias's novel
It's also important to note that Josie lives in modern day England while Elias lives during the Regency era.
I really struggled to get through this book for multiple reasons. Let's break them down, shall we?
Reason 1: Because Josie's perspective is only told through emails and texts, it was really hard to connect with any of the characters, including herself. It was all just surface skimming stuff.
Reason 2: Elias's letters to Josephine reeked of desperation, instalove, and naivete. He meets Josephine exactly one time, then he proceeds writes her letters confessing his undying love and devotion to her, tries to locate her so he can propose marriage, and ignores all other perfectly great prospects. It was both unbelievable and eye-roll inducing.
Reason 3: The pacing was so. very. slow. For someone who was obsessed with and falling in love with Elias, Josie sure took her sweet time reading his letters and novel. Seriously. This book starts in June and ends in November. Five months. It took her five months to read a handful of letters and a very short novel. Even with her part time job and home renovations (which don't seem to get worked on very often), that is a long time for someone who is supposed to be obsessed with this guy.
Reason 4: This was the biggest hang up for me. This book felt like having hiccups. You know when you have really big, annoying hiccups and you can't even get a full sentence out without a hiccup interrupting you? This was hiccups in book form. Every time I started to get even a little bit into the story, it was interrupted by a short burst of texts that were not necessary at that point. If the texts could have been compiled and saved for the ends of the chapters, it would have been far less frustrating to me. I think if things had just been rearranged a bit it would have been less frustrating to read.
I have a bonus Reason 5: but it's a spoiler. Suffice it to say, the romance which was supposed to be sweet in the end actually seemed incredibly problematic to me.
This may be the longest review I'll ever write. I have a lot of thoughts about this one.
First of all, this book is told through a few different narratives. We have
a) Josie's texts and emails to her friends and family
b) Elias's letters to Josie
c) Chapters of Elias's novel
It's also important to note that Josie lives in modern day England while Elias lives during the Regency era.
I really struggled to get through this book for multiple reasons. Let's break them down, shall we?
Reason 1: Because Josie's perspective is only told through emails and texts, it was really hard to connect with any of the characters, including herself. It was all just surface skimming stuff.
Reason 2: Elias's letters to Josephine reeked of desperation, instalove, and naivete. He meets Josephine exactly one time, then he proceeds writes her letters confessing his undying love and devotion to her, tries to locate her so he can propose marriage, and ignores all other perfectly great prospects. It was both unbelievable and eye-roll inducing.
Reason 3: The pacing was so. very. slow. For someone who was obsessed with and falling in love with Elias, Josie sure took her sweet time reading his letters and novel. Seriously. This book starts in June and ends in November. Five months. It took her five months to read a handful of letters and a very short novel. Even with her part time job and home renovations (which don't seem to get worked on very often), that is a long time for someone who is supposed to be obsessed with this guy.
Reason 4: This was the biggest hang up for me. This book felt like having hiccups. You know when you have really big, annoying hiccups and you can't even get a full sentence out without a hiccup interrupting you? This was hiccups in book form. Every time I started to get even a little bit into the story, it was interrupted by a short burst of texts that were not necessary at that point. If the texts could have been compiled and saved for the ends of the chapters, it would have been far less frustrating to me. I think if things had just been rearranged a bit it would have been less frustrating to read.
I have a bonus Reason 5: but it's a spoiler. Suffice it to say, the romance which was supposed to be sweet in the end actually seemed incredibly problematic to me.