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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
The writing is lush and evocative and I adore that this historical romance is unique, well written, and not overly inspirational. Emmy and Callie Bullock are not only sisters, they are best friends. They have grown up with wealth and privilege, part of a brood of Alabama cotton farmers. Their cozy life gets turned upside down when their cook's granddaughter turns up unexpectedly and starts getting a lot of unwanted attention from Emmy's fiancé's twin brother. The final straw is when Callie witnesses something she was never meant to see, she blacks it out, but that only makes things more challenging. The sisters are soon separated and the only way they are able to piece together what happened that fateful night is through letters. Heart-wrenching and filled with a cast of great characters. I wouldn't mind reading some more books set in this family's household!
Letters from My Sister is an enjoyable slow burn Southern historical mystery/romance. It’s my first book by Valerie Fraser Luesse and I look forward to reading more. Set in turn of the 20th century Alabama, two sisters share everything from first loves to secrets. Though opposite in many ways, their love for each other forges an unbreakable bond. When trouble comes in the form of a new house guest, the sisters’ lives are forever changed. It’s the story of love, loss, family, murder, amnesia, and a touch of faith.
I thoroughly became engrossed in the Bullock sisters’ story which is loosely based on the author’s own relatives. Callie and Emmy were both likable characters who tugged on my heart strings. Despite it being the early 1900’s South, this close knit, wealthy family treats their African American workers like family.
Emmy is engaged to Knox Montgomery and looking forward to their wedding day. While Emmy enjoys socializing, Callie would much rather climb her tree and go on secret raccoon hunts with her father. Her life is changed though when new neighbor, Solomon Beckett bought the nearby home she’s always admired.
The trouble starts when their housekeeper Hepsy’s granddaughter Lily comes to stay. Lily is gorgeous, and unfortunately attracts the attention of Ryder Montgomery, the very married brother of Emmy’s fiancé. The mystery involves something Callie witnesses that she can’t remember due to a blow to the head. The tension and mystery build as she tries to recall what happened that fateful night.
Along with the endearing Bullock family, I loved Hepsy and her family. Hepsy and her daughter have the gift of sight and I loved how it was portrayed in the story. I also enjoyed the romance between Solomon & Callie. I loved the part where he finds her up in the tree with her petticoat flying. Their love story provided some light, humorous, romantic moments to balance the heavier ones. The title is slightly misleading as the letters don’t appear until well after the halfway mark. However, the letters provide crucial clues to the mystery.
It’s a well written, slow burn mystery/romance, women’s and historical fiction fans will enjoy. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
I thoroughly became engrossed in the Bullock sisters’ story which is loosely based on the author’s own relatives. Callie and Emmy were both likable characters who tugged on my heart strings. Despite it being the early 1900’s South, this close knit, wealthy family treats their African American workers like family.
Emmy is engaged to Knox Montgomery and looking forward to their wedding day. While Emmy enjoys socializing, Callie would much rather climb her tree and go on secret raccoon hunts with her father. Her life is changed though when new neighbor, Solomon Beckett bought the nearby home she’s always admired.
The trouble starts when their housekeeper Hepsy’s granddaughter Lily comes to stay. Lily is gorgeous, and unfortunately attracts the attention of Ryder Montgomery, the very married brother of Emmy’s fiancé. The mystery involves something Callie witnesses that she can’t remember due to a blow to the head. The tension and mystery build as she tries to recall what happened that fateful night.
Along with the endearing Bullock family, I loved Hepsy and her family. Hepsy and her daughter have the gift of sight and I loved how it was portrayed in the story. I also enjoyed the romance between Solomon & Callie. I loved the part where he finds her up in the tree with her petticoat flying. Their love story provided some light, humorous, romantic moments to balance the heavier ones. The title is slightly misleading as the letters don’t appear until well after the halfway mark. However, the letters provide crucial clues to the mystery.
It’s a well written, slow burn mystery/romance, women’s and historical fiction fans will enjoy. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
Thank you to Revell Fiction for a copy of my eARC. All thoughts are my own.
This book published on August 15 so it's out now. It's historical fiction with elements of romance, family drama, and mystery.
I really enjoyed this histroical fiction by new to me author, Valerie Fraser Luesse. This book takes place in 1911 in Alabama and is loosely based on the relationship between the author's grandmother and her relationships with loved ones.
Part mystery, part bond between beloved sisters. and part romance, this story was a gradual build up of characters and events surrounding the Bullock family, their hired help, and their small community. I loved the main character (Callie) and her nature loving ways and I think all readers will find something to love in this story. A few characters even reminded me of my Southern roots including my grandmother.
There is mention of assault, murder, racism, and on page death due to illness. So if those are triggers, tread gently.
This book published on August 15 so it's out now. It's historical fiction with elements of romance, family drama, and mystery.
I really enjoyed this histroical fiction by new to me author, Valerie Fraser Luesse. This book takes place in 1911 in Alabama and is loosely based on the relationship between the author's grandmother and her relationships with loved ones.
Part mystery, part bond between beloved sisters. and part romance, this story was a gradual build up of characters and events surrounding the Bullock family, their hired help, and their small community. I loved the main character (Callie) and her nature loving ways and I think all readers will find something to love in this story. A few characters even reminded me of my Southern roots including my grandmother.
There is mention of assault, murder, racism, and on page death due to illness. So if those are triggers, tread gently.
emotional
mysterious
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
A Luesse novel is like a luxurious chocolate--you have to experience it slowly in order to truly appreciate it's richness.
With that being said . . . although I enjoyed getting to know the characters in the first half of the novel, the story didn't truly take off until the second half. The characters intrigued me enough to stay for the story, but I didn't truly feel invested until halfway through.
Once I was in, though, it was a wild and emotional ride. My heart hurt so many times for so many different situations, but there was redemption for all of the sadness in the end. Above all, Callie + Solomon 4 life. 💛 I was a HUGE fan of their development. I love them so much!
Overall, fans of character-driven storylines and rich storytelling will surely find love in their heart for this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley. All expressed opinions belong to me.
With that being said . . . although I enjoyed getting to know the characters in the first half of the novel, the story didn't truly take off until the second half. The characters intrigued me enough to stay for the story, but I didn't truly feel invested until halfway through.
Once I was in, though, it was a wild and emotional ride. My heart hurt so many times for so many different situations, but there was redemption for all of the sadness in the end. Above all, Callie + Solomon 4 life. 💛 I was a HUGE fan of their development. I love them so much!
Overall, fans of character-driven storylines and rich storytelling will surely find love in their heart for this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley. All expressed opinions belong to me.
Letters from my Sister
Valerie Fraser Luesse
Revell
"Letters from my Sister" by Valerie Fraser Luesse is a touching tale that beautifully captures the deep bond between two sisters, Callie and Emmy. Callie, the adventurous and spirited tomboy, embarks on a journey to find her purpose, while Emmy, the gentle and kind-hearted sister, is certain of hers as she prepares for her marriage to Knox. However, when Knox's troublesome identical brother enters the picture, one sister finds herself compelled to aid a young black woman and her baby in their escape. Can sisters truly keep secrets from each other?
Set in Alabama, this enthralling historical fiction novel evokes a whirlwind of emotions. I found myself drawn to Callie's resilience and wit, and both Emmy and Knox were incredibly endearing characters. The book also weaves a delightful slow-burn romance between Callie and Solomon, their new neighbor. As Hepsy, the wise housekeeper, aptly puts it, Solomon brings the heat
Valerie Fraser Luesse
Revell
"Letters from my Sister" by Valerie Fraser Luesse is a touching tale that beautifully captures the deep bond between two sisters, Callie and Emmy. Callie, the adventurous and spirited tomboy, embarks on a journey to find her purpose, while Emmy, the gentle and kind-hearted sister, is certain of hers as she prepares for her marriage to Knox. However, when Knox's troublesome identical brother enters the picture, one sister finds herself compelled to aid a young black woman and her baby in their escape. Can sisters truly keep secrets from each other?
Set in Alabama, this enthralling historical fiction novel evokes a whirlwind of emotions. I found myself drawn to Callie's resilience and wit, and both Emmy and Knox were incredibly endearing characters. The book also weaves a delightful slow-burn romance between Callie and Solomon, their new neighbor. As Hepsy, the wise housekeeper, aptly puts it, Solomon brings the heat
In the past, I've had the chance to read some other novels by Valerie Fraser Luesse and enjoyed them, so when I saw this one, I was excited to read it. I must admit though, I struggled to get into this one as much as I had hoped and as much as I had her previous works.
First and foremost, I have to say that the story is very well written and I very much enjoyed the history of it. It definitely got off to a bit of a slow start and remained slower paced throughout much of the story as well. That slower pace is something I recall from her previous books as well, so it very well could have just been my mood at the time of reading that made this one harder to connect with... either way, I'd say it took somewhere until 25-30% into the story for me to really start to find myself drawn into these characters as I would have liked.
Despite the slower start and slower pace, there was a lot going on in this story and once I was able to get into it, I did find myself interested to see what was going to happen next with this family. I really enjoyed the relationship between the two sisters throughout the story. Though the title made me think letters might play a bigger role than they did, I didn't find that bothered me at all.
Overall, it's certainly a slower paced read, but one that fans of historical fiction are sure to want to check out for themselves.
**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.
First and foremost, I have to say that the story is very well written and I very much enjoyed the history of it. It definitely got off to a bit of a slow start and remained slower paced throughout much of the story as well. That slower pace is something I recall from her previous books as well, so it very well could have just been my mood at the time of reading that made this one harder to connect with... either way, I'd say it took somewhere until 25-30% into the story for me to really start to find myself drawn into these characters as I would have liked.
Despite the slower start and slower pace, there was a lot going on in this story and once I was able to get into it, I did find myself interested to see what was going to happen next with this family. I really enjoyed the relationship between the two sisters throughout the story. Though the title made me think letters might play a bigger role than they did, I didn't find that bothered me at all.
Overall, it's certainly a slower paced read, but one that fans of historical fiction are sure to want to check out for themselves.
**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book - written by a christian author and published by a christian publisher - portrays seers/psychics in a positive light. Even though the writing is beautiful, and the characters charming, the story intriguing, I would not recommend this book.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story is one of Southern Historical Fiction. It revolves around two sisters, Callie and Emmy and their household in Alabama. It’s starts out with normal family life is Southern Alabama at the turn of the century. Emmy is planning her wedding and Callie meets a new neighbor who will be farming next to them. Then, Lily, a relative of their housekeeper, arrives. Things start to change. Lily is beautiful and attracts the unwanted attention of one of the men in the area. One night Callie us discovered with a head injury. She doesn’t remember what happened to her, but she thinks she witnessed something she wasn’t supposed to see. When Callie goes away for treatment her sister writes her letters and she slowly pieces together what happened.
This one read just like southern living: slow and sweet. I enjoyed the characters and the slow suspense that was added in. The letters didn’t really start until halfway through the story and I think I was expecting more of those. All in all, if you enjoy historical women’s fiction with a hint of mystery you’ll enjoy this one!
*I was gifted this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This one read just like southern living: slow and sweet. I enjoyed the characters and the slow suspense that was added in. The letters didn’t really start until halfway through the story and I think I was expecting more of those. All in all, if you enjoy historical women’s fiction with a hint of mystery you’ll enjoy this one!
*I was gifted this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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:
No
This story was so good! Historical fiction, mystery and the bond between sisters always wanting to protect one another. Callie has always been the wild child of her siblings. She loves the rivers, the woods and most of all the beloved tree she often climbs. Always feeling more comfortable with nature, Callie loves the outdoors until one night when a not well liked man is murdered and friends who are like family have disappeared. Callie is found unconscious below her beloved tree and cannot remember anything of how she got there, but things don't seem to quite make sense as she slowly remembers bits and pieces as she heals. Tragedy strikes her sister, causing another set back and yet Callie is trying to continue to progress with herself while feeling guilty for all that Emmy is going through. Conversing through letters, the sisters bond is still strong as ever until Callie has one last letter to read, and it just might be what it takes to fill in the missing pieces of Callie's memory of that one night. I really loved the Bullock family and all the personalities that the author wrote into each character as they fit into the storyline. I really enjoyed this one and the mystery behind everything. Thank you to the author and to Revell for the free book through the blogger program. This review is of my own opinion and accord.