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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a slog this was to read. And then no payoff? Blergh.
I typically don't read books that are more centered on a romance plot, but after I kept hearing so much buzz about Dearest Josephine, I decided to go ahead and request an ARC of it.
Dearest Josephine is an epistolary novel told in emails, texts, letters, and a manuscript. It alternates between letters written by Elias Roch in 1821, emails and texts from Josephine (Josie) De Clare in 2021, and a manuscript written by Elias.
Elias's part of the novel covers his struggles as the illegitimate son of a lord, who's now come into his father's title. He writes to a Josephine De Clare he met once, even though he doesn't know where Josephine lives and therefore cannot send them.
Josephine's part of the novel covers her life as she moves to the estate her recently-deceased father bought. As she processes her grief and what to do next, she finds the letters written by Elias 200 years ago to someone with her name.
The novel was written by Elias and is basically his daydream about what could have happened between him and his Josephine De Clare. There is also a little bit more to the novel, but that would give away some spoilers.
Because I also received an ARC of the audiobook, I was able to listen to and read Dearest Josephine and ended up finishing it in a day. While I wasn't sucked into the romance of the book, I was very curious as to how the author was going to tie everything together. Was she going to pull in time travel somehow? How was she going to end it?
I liked how George ended the book. It was a very fitting ending and tied everything together.
While the random snippets of texts between Josie and some of the other characters didn't add to the plot of the novel, they did help keep the world of Dearest Josephine feeling fleshed out and gave us some more glimpses of Josie's character.
There were times when the novel part of the book made me confused about what really happened in Elias's real life. Once I got it in my head though that if it was talking about Elias in the third person it was part of the novel, I had an easier time.
Some things I wasn't a huge fan of:
The various break-ups and reunitings between Faith and Noah also started to annoy me a little bit after a while.
I also was surprised by the abbreviated, "oh my --" used throughout the novel. I wasn't expecting that in a book published by a Christian publishing house. Also, for people who are concerned about content, there are several instances of kissing, and a swear word is used frequently throughout the novel, though with its original meaning.
Overall, Dearest Josephine was an enjoyable read. It's in a different genre from what I normally read, which makes it a little hard to decide if I'll read it again. However, if I have a friend who I know enjoys YA romance and asks me about the novel, I'll probably recommend it to them.
Dearest Josephine is an epistolary novel told in emails, texts, letters, and a manuscript. It alternates between letters written by Elias Roch in 1821, emails and texts from Josephine (Josie) De Clare in 2021, and a manuscript written by Elias.
Elias's part of the novel covers his struggles as the illegitimate son of a lord, who's now come into his father's title. He writes to a Josephine De Clare he met once, even though he doesn't know where Josephine lives and therefore cannot send them.
Josephine's part of the novel covers her life as she moves to the estate her recently-deceased father bought. As she processes her grief and what to do next, she finds the letters written by Elias 200 years ago to someone with her name.
The novel was written by Elias and is basically his daydream about what could have happened between him and his Josephine De Clare. There is also a little bit more to the novel, but that would give away some spoilers.
Because I also received an ARC of the audiobook, I was able to listen to and read Dearest Josephine and ended up finishing it in a day. While I wasn't sucked into the romance of the book, I was very curious as to how the author was going to tie everything together. Was she going to pull in time travel somehow? How was she going to end it?
I liked how George ended the book. It was a very fitting ending and tied everything together.
While the random snippets of texts between Josie and some of the other characters didn't add to the plot of the novel, they did help keep the world of Dearest Josephine feeling fleshed out and gave us some more glimpses of Josie's character.
There were times when the novel part of the book made me confused about what really happened in Elias's real life. Once I got it in my head though that if it was talking about Elias in the third person it was part of the novel, I had an easier time.
Some things I wasn't a huge fan of:
The various break-ups and reunitings between Faith and Noah also started to annoy me a little bit after a while.
I also was surprised by the abbreviated, "oh my --" used throughout the novel. I wasn't expecting that in a book published by a Christian publishing house. Also, for people who are concerned about content, there are several instances of kissing, and a swear word is used frequently throughout the novel, though with its original meaning.
Overall, Dearest Josephine was an enjoyable read. It's in a different genre from what I normally read, which makes it a little hard to decide if I'll read it again. However, if I have a friend who I know enjoys YA romance and asks me about the novel, I'll probably recommend it to them.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was super into the idea of the book but when it turned out I was just gonna be reading “emails” the entire book, it lost me. The “texting” too is a bit cringey at best. Once again, the idea was there! But, execution,,, lacking. Also the MC was a tad insufferable and pick me.
Pride and prejudice vibes make this read truly one of the best books I’ve read this year!
I have never read anything like this book before. At the beginning I wasn’t sure if I was going to like but it’s one of my favorite reads this year! What an incredible love story, it was so pure and so romantic! I couldn’t get enough of this book! The love between Elias and Josephine was so wonderful but I loved the love story of Oliver and Josephine it was so sweet and swoon worthy… the ending of the book left me wanting more of the life of Josephine and Oliver and the ending kinda left off to where there could be a book about it an I so hope so! So thankful for an incredible clean romance book!
DNF. I got bored so fast and didn't feel like wasting my time.
Wow! I want to reread it already. I was kept guessing until the end but I love how it wrapped up! Epistolary novels are quickly becoming favorites of mine and this one is very high up on the list!
I enjoyed this book so dang much!
I don’t usually go for books written primarily via letter, so frankly wasn’t too sure about it—but it totally worked. Yes, multiple plot lines (and fiction within the fiction, lol). But such fun, and it captured everything I love about the Regency era, along with all its quirks.
I would like, now, to find an old house in need of restoration. Don’t mind me as I jump on a new mission...quest..thing.
I don’t usually go for books written primarily via letter, so frankly wasn’t too sure about it—but it totally worked. Yes, multiple plot lines (and fiction within the fiction, lol). But such fun, and it captured everything I love about the Regency era, along with all its quirks.
I would like, now, to find an old house in need of restoration. Don’t mind me as I jump on a new mission...quest..thing.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes