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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
I will start by saying that the writing in this book is absolutely beautiful. Simply stunning. However, the plot itself didn't do it for me. I didn't buy the insta-love between Kate and Ozzie, so it was difficult for me to care for them as a couple.
This was an incredibly moving book. All about love and loss in a unique story that I literally couldn’t put down.
I love J.P. Monninger so I would read anything he wrote.
While I did enjoy this book, I didn’t like it as much as Map that Leads to You. I wish there had been more of the “now” story instead of so much from the past.
Seven Letters by J P Monninger begins with a lovely prologue of a man, a fairy, an island, and a love lost. This eerie beginning sets up high expectations for this book. Unfortunately, there is a complete disconnect between the prologue and the rest of the story. The story turns into a love story with an unlikable main character and then a story of the scars of war and never comes back to the promise of the prologue. I was not the reader for this book.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/04/seven-letters.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/04/seven-letters.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
In this touching story by J. P. Monninger, Kate Moreton Has taken a sabbatical and is visiting Ireland. She is a New Englander and what she hopes to accomplish on this trip brings her a mixture of joy and sadness.
When Kate first meets Ozzie Ferriter, a fisherman there, and also a man that is a war veteran, he touches her heart. However Ozzie has an innate sadness that love cannot even conquer.
Ozzie and Kate spent an idyllic time together but things eventually fall apart. Kate feels she has no choice but to return home to leave Ozzie to fight his battles. However something happens that changes Kate’s entire outlook and ultimately her life.
Whenever you read a story with a character that has been affected by war, it is very hard not to be drawn into it. Such is the case with this thought-provoking book. As much is this story dealt with Ozzie’s situation, Kate’s story held quite a bit of depth that kept me turning pages.
The ending of the story was really, really good. I expected one thing and got another, and I applaud the author for keeping me at the edge of my seat page after page. I look forward to reading more by him in the future.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s for this book for review. This is my honest opinion.
When Kate first meets Ozzie Ferriter, a fisherman there, and also a man that is a war veteran, he touches her heart. However Ozzie has an innate sadness that love cannot even conquer.
Ozzie and Kate spent an idyllic time together but things eventually fall apart. Kate feels she has no choice but to return home to leave Ozzie to fight his battles. However something happens that changes Kate’s entire outlook and ultimately her life.
Whenever you read a story with a character that has been affected by war, it is very hard not to be drawn into it. Such is the case with this thought-provoking book. As much is this story dealt with Ozzie’s situation, Kate’s story held quite a bit of depth that kept me turning pages.
The ending of the story was really, really good. I expected one thing and got another, and I applaud the author for keeping me at the edge of my seat page after page. I look forward to reading more by him in the future.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s for this book for review. This is my honest opinion.
Seven Letters by J.P. Monninger is a love story that spans New Hampshire, Ireland and Canada. Although I am usually not a romance reader, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The author’s previous work drew me to this one. Kate Moreton, a professor at Dartmouth in New Hampshire is on a sabbatical in Ireland where she plans on studying and writing a book about the Blaskey Islands. She is soon introduced to Ozzie Ferriter, a fisherman and war veteran. The attraction soon turns to love and plans are made for a life together. But life happens and Kate returns to the US, leaving both lovers broken-hearted. A few years later, the worst news reaches Kate and she rushes back to Ireland. This is a lovely little book, perfect for holiday reading. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Be still my heart! So many words to describe how I felt while reading this book, after reading this book. Maybe beguiled, captivated, charmed, mesmerized. This book spoke to my heart, to my very own fascination with Ireland and reminded me of my LONG AGO trek to this enchanting land. It reminded me of what I wanted to be when I grew up, a historian. A dream set aside for the practicality of life. But I have no regrets and now J.P. Monninger has shared this GEM of a story, I felt as though I lived a bit of it through Kate Moreton. Kate is a brave and passionate woman matched with a brave and passionate man in Ozzie - but Ozzie is a very broken man. A man trying to outrun (out-sail in his case) his demons all while falling deeply and irrevocably in love.
Having traveled to Ireland as a part of her dissertation work, Kate is immediately transported to the subject of her work, the people on the now-vacated Blasket Islands. When she meets Ozzie she really has no idea how much this will change her life, and the spark of physical attraction can't be ignored. Theirs is a whirlwind romance, one that the reader feels in their heart and soul. For me, it had the essence of an EPIC love story; all-consuming, beautiful, soulful and at times, tumultuous. While change is inevitable, Ozzie doesn't manage it well. We start to see how he struggles with his past, experiences neither Kate nor the reader is privy too. They experience happiness and heartbreak, leading Kate to a decision that resets their course.
As the letters are shared, you'll come to expect the unexpected. A healthy part of the book had me on tenterhooks. Ready to cry at any moment. Through Kate's eyes, we understand the deep pang of grief and regret she feels. That try, as she might, moving on is agonizing and seemingly impossible. I grappled with her decisions which is, I believe, exactly what Monninger intended. We take quite the trip with Kate, as she sets out to uncover the truth, to come to terms with the past and present, to be able to heal.
Monninger's writing is prolific, insightful and contains details that indicate experience and/or a great amount of research. The details capture the essence of the characters and places. This is a character-driven story that is rich and deep in their narratives. Kate really is at the center, as the story is through her eyes, and even though she falters at completely considering a 360 view, it's understandable. She has to protect her heart. The cast of characters that support Kate and Ozzie adds so much to the story, drive the pace and the plotline forward.
As I've said this book was all-consuming. I've often seen reviewers say a book as addicting, and all I could think was sure I've read plenty of books that captivate me. But not often do I find myself putting off real life, clamoring to get back to the story as I did with this. There was absolutely no way I was sleeping until I finished. I guess I was addicted. I needed to see their story through to the end. Considering the range of feelings I experienced, what I feared for Kate, I couldn't be happier with how it ended. This is a 5++ star read and one that I HIGHLY recommend.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Having traveled to Ireland as a part of her dissertation work, Kate is immediately transported to the subject of her work, the people on the now-vacated Blasket Islands. When she meets Ozzie she really has no idea how much this will change her life, and the spark of physical attraction can't be ignored. Theirs is a whirlwind romance, one that the reader feels in their heart and soul. For me, it had the essence of an EPIC love story; all-consuming, beautiful, soulful and at times, tumultuous. While change is inevitable, Ozzie doesn't manage it well. We start to see how he struggles with his past, experiences neither Kate nor the reader is privy too. They experience happiness and heartbreak, leading Kate to a decision that resets their course.
As the letters are shared, you'll come to expect the unexpected. A healthy part of the book had me on tenterhooks. Ready to cry at any moment. Through Kate's eyes, we understand the deep pang of grief and regret she feels. That try, as she might, moving on is agonizing and seemingly impossible. I grappled with her decisions which is, I believe, exactly what Monninger intended. We take quite the trip with Kate, as she sets out to uncover the truth, to come to terms with the past and present, to be able to heal.
Monninger's writing is prolific, insightful and contains details that indicate experience and/or a great amount of research. The details capture the essence of the characters and places. This is a character-driven story that is rich and deep in their narratives. Kate really is at the center, as the story is through her eyes, and even though she falters at completely considering a 360 view, it's understandable. She has to protect her heart. The cast of characters that support Kate and Ozzie adds so much to the story, drive the pace and the plotline forward.
As I've said this book was all-consuming. I've often seen reviewers say a book as addicting, and all I could think was sure I've read plenty of books that captivate me. But not often do I find myself putting off real life, clamoring to get back to the story as I did with this. There was absolutely no way I was sleeping until I finished. I guess I was addicted. I needed to see their story through to the end. Considering the range of feelings I experienced, what I feared for Kate, I couldn't be happier with how it ended. This is a 5++ star read and one that I HIGHLY recommend.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Seven Letters by J. P. Monninger
Story of Irish folklore about an island and man wants to go back to his birthplace and he knows once he touches the ground he will age. On the island they stay the same age. She'd not be able to help hmm return to her if he left....
Each phase of the story comes to light from a letter that is written.
Similar to a movie i watched about aqua-man where his mother is the fairy who leaves...
Love the technology and how it's used to introduce others who are not tech inclined as to how it works.
She's on a path to do her doctorate and heads to Ireland and meets many on the way and they come to take her to tie island with a picnic lunch.
The men take her around the island walking and talking about history and how people lived back then.
Interesting: Rock charm and purifying her new space at the university.
Feel as if I'm on a tour of Ireland, so cool that so many details are given.
Kate finds herself attracted to Ozzy, gram's grandson...
Endless days and weeks on the water, new islands to explore to help with her dissertation and she finds time to spend back at her university apartment.
They live like nomads and decide to just go for it. I was surprised!
Not much time for bicycle girls but others she keeps attracting.
Adult situations. Storm at sea does things to their relationship....
News about her research and tragedy strikes as she had just begun her new life and she heads back to where they met to find out the details....
Her BFF comes to her rescue being with her. Lots of travel and very descriptive details of places to visit...
Miracles do happen and love how the ending comes full circle.
Acknowledgments at the end.
Received this review copy from the St. Martins Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
Story of Irish folklore about an island and man wants to go back to his birthplace and he knows once he touches the ground he will age. On the island they stay the same age. She'd not be able to help hmm return to her if he left....
Each phase of the story comes to light from a letter that is written.
Similar to a movie i watched about aqua-man where his mother is the fairy who leaves...
Love the technology and how it's used to introduce others who are not tech inclined as to how it works.
She's on a path to do her doctorate and heads to Ireland and meets many on the way and they come to take her to tie island with a picnic lunch.
The men take her around the island walking and talking about history and how people lived back then.
Interesting: Rock charm and purifying her new space at the university.
Feel as if I'm on a tour of Ireland, so cool that so many details are given.
Kate finds herself attracted to Ozzy, gram's grandson...
Endless days and weeks on the water, new islands to explore to help with her dissertation and she finds time to spend back at her university apartment.
They live like nomads and decide to just go for it. I was surprised!
Not much time for bicycle girls but others she keeps attracting.
Adult situations. Storm at sea does things to their relationship....
News about her research and tragedy strikes as she had just begun her new life and she heads back to where they met to find out the details....
Her BFF comes to her rescue being with her. Lots of travel and very descriptive details of places to visit...
Miracles do happen and love how the ending comes full circle.
Acknowledgments at the end.
Received this review copy from the St. Martins Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.