A review by novel_feelings
Return to Sender by Lauren Draper

4.0

Return to Sender feels quintessentially YA, which is a silly thing to say because YA is a very broad marketing term that encompasses a multitude of genres. It does though. Maybe it’s the quips and banter the characters engaged in; the particular feelings of teenage romance and found families; or the overall sense of being a teenager – that you’re grown up enough to make decisions and have your own opinions, but young enough that you still need the adults in your life to step up and make changes.

One of the things I enjoyed the most about the book is the characters and how they interact with each other. Even the side characters are fun, such as the turtle-loving customer of the post office. The dynamics among Brodie, Elliot, and Levi are fun and tender, and highlights how you can really be yourself when you find your people. I also love the letters and how the writers’ personalities and relationships shine through despite us never quite meeting them.

Grief is one of the major themes in the book. Brodie’s grief over the death of her mother rises up in small reminders, and other characters grapple with different types of loss throughout the story. I appreciated how the book explores the various ways grief impacts each of the characters. I also liked the balance of light and dark in this book: there’s plenty of quips and banters, but there are gentle moments and sad ones.

I also felt that “Return to Sender” effectively illustrated the experience of being trapped in the cycle of domestic violence for the woman and the child in that household. It also touches on the community’s responses (or lack thereof) at times, which becomes particularly compelling as certain relationships are revealed later in the book.

There is also, of course, the plot. The mystery of the dead letters was fun to follow, and while I could not have guessed the answers, I was pleased with myself for recognising a particular literary reference! (I’m being deliberately vague to avoid spoilers.)

Overall, Return to Sender is an enjoyable read with loveable characters and compassionate depictions of grief, loss, and found family. 

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for the review copy.

Review by Priscilla from novelfeelings.com - where two psychologists take a deep dive into your favourite books