bookshelfbytori 's review for:

Dear Future Me by Deborah O'Connor

4.0

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 Dear Future Me is a gripping psychological thriller that explores themes of friendship, memory, and the profound impact our past can have on us. 

At its heart is Audrey, a woman who can’t shake the shadow of her best friend Miranda’s shocking death. Miranda seemed to have everything together—until a letter she had written to herself as a teenager surfaced, pushing her toward an apparent suicide. For Audrey, who shared those formative school years with Miranda, the tragedy doesn’t add up. Determined to uncover the truth, she digs into their past, unearthing secrets that force her to confront both Miranda’s struggles and her own. 

O’Connor uses the device of the “future me” letters effectively. These letters act as time capsules and mirrors, forcing characters to face the promises, fears, and insecurities of their younger selves. Audrey’s investigation peels back the polished surface of adult life, revealing how lingering teenage wounds can shape decisions and identities far into adulthood. 

One of the things that caught my attention about this novel was the idea of writing ‘future me” letters. It brought back memories because I had two different teachers do the same thing for me. The first letter I wrote was in elementary school, and I received a reply in college. In that letter, I wrote, “I hope I never get a dog,’ and as you can see, that didn’t quite turn out as I expected—lol. The second letter was from high school, and I got it after I graduated from college. It was a lovely surprise, as it also included letters from my friends, which made it even more special. I truly believe this book effectively captures how these kinds of letters can influence and shape our lives. Gripping, poignant, and unsettling, Dear Future Me is both a twisty thriller and a haunting meditation on the voices of our younger selves—and how they never truly let us go. 

Initially posted on BookshelfbyTori on Instagram!