Letters To The Lost was a pocketful of heartbreak and heartwarming surprises.
I really loved the author’s other book Thicker Than Water, but I didn’t expect to fall sooooo wholly in love with Letters To the Lost!! PEOPLES, THIS BOOK IS PHENOMENAL. It’s sad and it’s sweet and the characters are so dimensional and complex and real. Except the book was also rudely inconvenient because I didn’t want to put it down and BOOM, there went my weekend in a heartbeat. * The pages just flew past, with me feeling all the things which seems like a health hazard to my emotions.
Yet regrets = I have none.
* DO I LOOK SORRY? I AM SO NOT SORRY ABOUT THIS AT ALL. THIS BOOK CAN STEAL MY TIME WHENEVER IT PLEASES.
- IT FEATURES LETTERS. Which I adore because I’m a writing person myself. I think it’s easier to communicate through writing so, #relatable. HOWEVER, the book isn’t told in epistolary format!! There’s just a letter before each chapter.
- IT FOCUSES ON FRIENDSHIP. Particularly anonymous friendships. Juliet and Declan knew they went to the same school and were the same age but THAT WAS IT. And I feel like that’s how it is with internet friends a bit?!? I LOVED THAT. They learned the deep and vulnerable things about each other and they weren’t hindered by pre-conceived prejudice or judgement. It was so simple and pure and sweet. Until obviously it gets ALL MESSY and aghhhh. My bleeding heart.
- ALSO THEY HAVE EPIC BFFS. Hellooooo my favourite thing. Declan and Juliet are both rather self-destructive littel orbs, but they have the best and most epic friends who are 500% there for them. Declan’s best friend, Rev, comes from an abused home and is now adopted but he has a bucket load of PTSD…and he’s also the sweetest kindest boy who ever existed and I just about started SHOUTING WITH JOY FROM THE ROOFTOPS when I found out he’s getting his own spin off book in 2018!!!! And Juliet has a lovely friend called Rowan who doesn’t let her have panic attacks alone and will forcibly pull her out of depressive episodes with delicious food and hugs. #WomenPowerGoals The emphasis on good, healthy friendships makes the book so so perfect.
- IT’S ALSO VERY MUCH ABOUT GRIEF. And losing family members…so it’s the opposite of a light fluffy book. I did find Juliet’s attitude through her grief to be super irritating. She’s very self-righteous and judgemental. Declan is aggressive and puts on all the “bad delinquent boy” vibes with his criminal record and his terrible attitude at school. But inside they’re both breaking with grief, blame, and anxiety. I can’t even express how well it was written and how I loved them both in the end. They’re intensely flawed characters, and they grow so so much throughout the book.
- I ALSO LOVE HOW IT DIDN’T FEATURE ROMANCE. It skips the cliche where they fall in love without knowing each other (THANK GOODNESS) and it focues on (A) healing, and (B) friendship, and (C) letting go. The book is about dealing with grief and it doesn’t cheapen that with making romance cure everything. Buuut they are absolutely crushing on each other and I SHIP IT.
- ALSO THE MESSAGES WERE SO IMPORTANT?!? It talks about judging and not to assume you know people. You never eeeeever do. This part was just so on point I can’t even express how much I loved it. #IMPRESSED Juliet is unnecessarily cruel to Declan at school (she doesn’t know he’s her anonymous writing buddy) but she later gets called out. Just because someone is “known” to be a delinquent, does it make it right for you to bully them??? Do people just see what they want when it comes to the “losers”??? Do you even give people a chance once you’ve made up your mind about them? You never never never know the whole story so DON’T treat people like you do.
- CHARACTERS WERE, OBVIOUSLY, A+. I loved my sad broken fragile child of Declan whose home life sucks and he feels he doesn’t even deserve to be loved. His sister is dead. Dad in prison. Declan blames himself. Also he’s epic with fixing cars and engines and I actually learnt stuff about cars while reading this! For instance, they have an engine. And I love how Juliet does photography and her relationship with her amazing dad and how she challenges herself to keep going. <3
- AND THE WRITING IS JUST EXQUISITE. Did I mention I was glued to the page?!??? Everything was just so real and complex, and even the secondary characters were immensely dimensional. I wanted ANSWERS but I didn’t want it to end because I loved Declan and Juliet so much. The pacing was perfection, the emotion was brilliantly portrayed, and just UGH THIS BOOK IS PERFECT. I CAN’T.
Basically I’m just going to gush my liver out here proclaiming how good this book is.
It totally took me by surprise because I’m not usually a contemporary fan, but I adore it. Heartfelt and tragic and bittersweet and also hopeful.
Just go read it, fiends.
THANK YOU TO BLOOMSBURY FOR THE REVIEW-COPY. Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer was published April, 2017.
★★★★★
Juliet Young has always written letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother’s death, she leaves letters at her grave. It’s the only way Juliet can cope.
Declan Murphy isn’t the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he’s trying to escape the demons of his past.
When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can’t resist writing back. Soon, he’s opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither of them knows that they’re not actually strangers. When real life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart. This emotional, compulsively-readable romance will sweep everyone off their feet.
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Beautiful review, as always, Cait. This is probably going to be the next book I read and it’s definitely going to be on my TBR. (How dare you expand my TBR again??) All joking aside, your recommendations usually have value.
Also, I think it’s harder to get to know someone anonymously/over the internet because you miss their tells, their scent, their little gestures or the way they smile. These little things are important, too, in my opinion.
Aww, thank you, Alice!! I’m so happy that I read this book.❤️ And your TBR is MOST WELCOME for my meanness. 😂😂
So, I finished this grievously (get it??) beautiful book yesterday. And, you were totally right! I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in one sitting and, as a result, kept falling asleep in school.
But it was SO WORTH IT. I absolutely adore Declan and I can’t even with Rev!! I needed the spin-off yesterday. And the poetry and the metaphors and the guilt and the grief!!! Perfection.
What I’m trying to say is, thanks for introducing me to this wonderful book.
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AFJDSKLAD I AM SO GLAD YOU READ IT SO FAST OMGGG NOW WE CAN FLAIL TOGETHER. Isn’t it perfect?!? Declan is so adorable and tragic and like my heart kind of just broke a few times. And for Rev too. OH REV. I spent most of my original goodreads review saying “I WANT A REV SPIN-OFF” and then lo and behold we get one.😍😍
I know!! I loved the boys so much and every time Declan’s family let him down, my eyes started leaking. And I can’t even talk about Rev right now, he was AMAZING. I think I actually sort of shipped them both, you know. And maybe you should ask for more spin-offs. The world would probably give them again. 😉
Wow Cait is liking a whole lot of contemporary novels of late! I’m glad you loved this one and it sounds so beautiful <33 Yay for wonderful friendships and OMG NO ROMANCE! I'm in need of this book!!Also awesome message about not judging and bullying others without knowing what they are actually going through 🙂 I can see the book has incredible feels and my heart is so scared..wonderful review Cait 🙂
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I’ve been READING a lot of contemporary lately…what’s wrong with me, Uma. SAVE ME FROM ME. 😂 Oh but like there IS romance but like it’s just not the focus and I think it was super well done, not cliche or rushed or instalovey. ❤️ fjsdakld my darlings.
I hadn’t heard of this book, but I’ve put it on my wishlist and may well be tempted to order it the next time I order books :D. Great review! It sounds like there is a lot to like about this book :D.
AHHHH I’M SO PLEASED.❤️ It’s such a good book afjdkslafdj.
I couldn’t help myself and ordered the book online. I look forward to reading it :D.
AHHHHH!! THAT’S SO AWESOME!! Let me know what you think of it?! 🎉🎉🎉
OH MY GOD I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS NOW CAIT! After you tweeted me, I knew you thought highly of it but I hadn’t realised how highly until I saw this review and that you gave it 5/5! I am very excited to read it now, especially since I LOVED Thicker Than Water! Thanks for the fantastic review and for getting me all hyped up!
YAAAAS I’M OBSESSED. 😂 And I’ve been so stingy with the 5-stars this year so this book is super precious to me. ❤️ I hope you enjoy it!!
Oh wow! Rave review. I just have to read Letters to the Lost now – especially for the broken characters and friendships.
Thanks for the rec.
Yes so much raving here, right?!? ❤️ I’m just SO in love with this book ahhh!!!
I love a good novel told in letters. You have definitely convinced me. This is going To be my next read. I have had good luck with contemporaries so far this year! Thanks for the recommendation!
afdsjkald this makes me so happy. 😊😊😂 And honestly I’m very fussy about my contemporaries, so I’m really glad this totally caught me. <3
I have been looking for such kind of book and by the review I totally think it is calling out for me and now I must buy it and READ IT AT THIS VERY MOMENT!!!
I would definitely LOVE every bit of it, Thank you sooo much for as always awesome review and points of views!
”goes to the nearest book shop and orders iit… waits 1 month until it arrives and by that time feels like the world has ended…”
YES YES IT CALLS TO YOU, LIN!! GO FOR IT.🎉
Yay! Brigid is a dear friend and I know this book is good without even having read it yet. (It’s in my queue!) I’m so glad you enjoyed it. <3
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YAS! I’m so glad you’re excited for it!! (And ahh that’s awesome that you’re friends with the author.🎉)
I am very much looking forward to reading this. What is better than letters and NOT settling into all the cliches? Nothing I tell you.
The only thing that might be problematic about this for me is that I WANT LETTER FRENS.
Ahhh I’m glad you’re going to read it! And I know right?! Omg when a book skips over the cliches or turns them on their head I just want to hug it.😍
I saw you reading this on Goodreads (NOOOO, I’M NOT A STALKER, OKAY?) and added to my TBR immediately – I always do this which is why my TBR is so big BECAUSE YOU READ SO MANY BOOKS and you have a very good word taste.
YAS YOU’RE MOST WELCOME TO STALK ME ON GOODREADS. 😂 I do not mind at all hhaha. But yaaas that I am an evil influence on your TBR. And awww, I’m so happy you like my taste!! :’) #DAYMADE
I don’t think I’ve read any nice books on anonymous friendship. Its usually anonymous only if one of the friends is being mischievous, like killing or cat-fishing people. I think its easier to know people without meeting them. I’m a home schooled introvert…so I know. When I talk to people IRL I forget to ask so many questions. Especially names! I always walk away being, “What was that persons name?!” I feel like the internet brings people together. Like there is a bookstagrammer that knows french (I’m learning French), we DM back and forth. I help her with English and she helps me with French. It’s a Win Win! Yay! It’s also cool to find people with similar interests and still be able to interact. Physical letter writing is nice too! I write letters to my grandma and one of my sisters. It’s more one sided (my side), but I keep writing anyway because I know they read them and like them. I love getting snail mail though! I just like opening things, no matter if its a soup can, a book package (the best mail), or just junk mail. I love it all! I also feel like letter writing puts an emphasis on writing. Because I don’t think they teach handwriting in school anymore. When I was in third grade I learned cursive, my teachers used to threaten that when your in 6th grade you can only use cursive, or else your teacher won’t grade stuff. So I practiced, I have normal handwriting today. Though my twin brother hates school, and does not like to advance in anything school wise. He writes like a kindergartner (literally)! One day my dad came up to me and asked if I could write my own signature, I gave him a look, and then he said “Well, your brother doesn’t.” My brother printed his name in scribbly handwriting. Bring handwriting class back! Plus now half the time when I write in cursive people hand me back my paper and say, “I can’t read cursive.” This ends with me giving them a look like, “WHAT?!”
Eek, yes I’ve read some awful anonymous friendship books. Buuuuut, if you’re looking for more, definitely try Simon Vs the Homo Sapien’s Agenda too!! IT’S ADORABLE. 😍 And very positive/healthy relationships.
*homeschooled introvert hi five*
And it’s also easier to find people, like, online who you can connect with. I mean in the book these two meet via a graveyard…which isn’t usual. 😂 BUT YOU KNOW. WHATEVER WORKS.
My handwriting is shocking though.😂I look like a chicken scratching at paper with an inky foot.😂
I loooove anonymous friendship. It’s typically way more honest and rawly human. No faces, no preconceived notions, just thoughts. Thoughts and feelings and LOVELINESS. If there’s letters involved, like legitimate letters, I’M SO DOWN. Don’t get me wrong, I’m down with the email penpal thing as well, but HANDWRITTEN LETTERS ARE THE BEST THING OMG. I’m a sentimentalist. It’s a problem.
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YES EXACTLY. I think it’s somehow easier to be really honest when you’re writing…like it feels less risky or something because you don’t have to decipher the other person’s reaction?? Or something.😂I DON’T KNOW. I JUST LIKE IT.😂
Oh my god I’m now so excited for this!! It arrived the other day from whoever the publisher is and I hadn’t heard much about it. BUT GOOD GOLLY DO I LOVE FRIENDSHIP AND LETTERS.
YAS I HOPE YOU LIKE IT!! And it’s Bloomsbury.😂😂
Aaahhh this sounds amazing.
All my life my closest friends have been those I got to know through writing rather than in person. I used to write legit paper letters to my best friend in high school all the time – she lived a few towns over and I hate talking on the phone, so we were all about the letters! I have many of her letters in a box still 🙂
I have very very few friends that I didn’t get to know through exchange of written words first and foremost..
It is so amazing! And omg SAME. I used to write letters to my friends in highschool, even though we saw each other in person a lot.😂 I always found it way easier to connect that way ahhhh.
I really enjoyed this book so it’s good to see another positive review (not that I haven’t seen others, I just really like seeing folks talk about this book). I totally loved the fact it focused on dealing with grief and how there is not a set timescale for you to ‘get over it’ when it comes to loss. I found it interesting to see how sympathy for Juliet faded after a while and how people expected her to be all better. I also loved the letter aspect of the book. There aren’t enough letters written in the world anymore. I just really loved this book. I need more Kemmerer in my life. I’ll have to try her paranormal books next.
It’s totally underrated!! Not enough people are reading it that’s for sure!! And yes, I really appreciated this angle for the grieving process..it felt really realistic and natural and like it wasn’t cramming in romance to fill the cracks. And YES. Letters are fantastic. And I just love how they met through a cemetery. <3
I've actually owned the first book in her paranormal series for ages but never picked it up?!? Shame on me. I'm definitely going to get onto that now!! 😍
Nice! It’s actually romance free? I haven’t heard about this one yet, but I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Ahh, no! Like I said in my review, it’s got romance but it’s not the focus, and it’s really just a small thing more so towards the end!😜
I instantly thought, “SIMON VERSUS!!!” when I read about the anonymous friendship thing. I must read this book now. Because obviously if you read and loved it, I will too. XD Just kiiiiiiidding! But it just seems like the book I’d like to read — I’m just now getting into the mood of contemporaries and I NEED. MORE. This Declan fellow seems like a smol child. As well as Rev. <3
Also, I need to know: IS THIS IN THIRD PERSON???
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YES! It seriously reminded me of Simon Vs a lot too! I mean not the style/cute levels, but just the way they knew they went to the same school but then didn’t want to meet and ruin what they had. PRECIOUS CINNAMON ROLLS.
And nope, it’s in 1st!
OMGOSH I NEED TO READ THIS RIGHT AWAY GIVE ME IT SO I CAN EAT IT UP AND CRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I love these kinds of books and I think my local library has it so i will go and get it right now
That is exactly the perfect response. GO FOR IT, EMERSON. AND THEN RETURN AND FLAIL WITH ME.
I literally cannot wait to read this book oh my goodness.
EXCELLENT. I AM SO PLEASED.
When I got the email from Books of Wonder (a semi/read:NYC bookshop) about having the author of this book around to their store for an event, I wasn’t sure if I would go. The book sounds really good, of course, but I hadn’t heard many reviews for it or much about it from the people whose judgement I trust.
However, after reading this review, I’m thinking I should do whatever I can to get to that event and meet this author/snap up this book? 😀
I’m not sure how I feel about anonymous friendships. I can’t remember many books I’ve read that have them, but I guess they can be written well? I feel like they’d be used in Romeo & Juliet scenarios, where you’re not supposed to be communicating with the other, but since you don’t know it’s them the letter writing it ok?
Oh well, I’m definitely curious about how this friendship goes, and the BFFs who stand by their friends. Who doesn’t want one that can help you when you’re down?
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AHHHH I’M SO GLAD I CONVINCED YOU!! 😂 That honestly makes my day haha. And omg I think the author is super nice on twitter so I think it’d be lovely to meet her!
OMG CAIT THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY. I just got this from the library and now you’re making me even more excited to read it! It sounds like just my kind of book – strong friendships, beautiful writing, strong characterization, and NO ROMANCE (you knew I was going to love that, didn’t you? xD). Can’t wait to start it. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3
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OMG I’M SO GLAD YOU’VE GOT IT AND I SO HOPE WE TWIN ON IT!! Will you review it?! Although fair warning: It DOES have romance!! It’s just not the centre thing and it’s very very slow burn. 😊
It’s so good, isn’t it? I just feel in love from the start and was hooked all the way through. Thanks for the review.
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I’m so glad you loved it too, Angel!! I can’t even stop thinking about it AHH SO GOOD.😍
I love books that focus on BFFs and friendships rather than romance–they’re so hard to come by! I’ve been dying to read this book for ages now, but now especially after seeing your review 🙂
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
They are sadly hard to come by aghhhhh. But at least this one exists. <3
I’m so glad this one is good! I’ve been eyeing it with great curiosity, plus I loved the theme letters seemed to play. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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LETTERS ARE THE BEST THOUGH. 😂 I love letter-themed books!! I hope you like it if you try it. 😀
This is the first I’ve heard of this book and I’m running to add it to my TBR now. The fact that it has fantastic friendships and characters and sounds emotional, raw, and realistic. That’s exactly the kind of contemporaries I love. The ones that make you feel everything. Great review as always, Cait!! ♥
YAS I’M SO GLAD I CONVINCED YOU!! *flails happily* It’s the perfect kind of contemporary honestly. <3
This sound so good! I love the part you wrote about not making assumptions about people. Even as a grown up(ish) sort of person these days, that is a lesson I still seem to have to learn over and over and over (and etc., you get it) again.
Yes it’s so true! It’s a lesson/message that’ll never get old and it was just so well written here. <3
I also do not usually read Contemporary YA, but I *do* love Brigid Kemmerer’s YA urban fantasy series Elementals. Teens with secret elemental powers and grief and relationship turmoil (sibling/friend/parental/romantic). Kemmerer hits all the buttons.
Will check out Letters to the Lost. 🙂
I really want to read her Elemental books now too!! I actually won the first one AGES ago but never touched it, so I’ll be definitely checking it out now. 😍
THIS BOOK IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND LOVELY AND I WANT TO READ IT SO BADLY. I’m glad you loved it because your five star ratings are like million dollah scholarships. SO MUCH EXCITE.
Omg you make me laugh. 😂 I am stingy with the 5 stars, aren’t I?! SO FOR SURE THIS ONE IS WORTH TRYING.😍😍
Hahaha I’m glad! You totally are, but that’s a good thing! EEK YES.
All of your points in this review make me want to read this book, but I probably won’t for a variety of other reasons. I will definitely recommend it to contemporary readers I know!
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