You can't understand why people choose to do what they do, until you take a second and listen to their heart. However, most people won't open up because of the fear of being vulnerable. Of being displayed.
Declan and Juliet have the same fear, but their hearts ache for someone to understand them. Someone to feel and grasp and acknowledge their pain. For them, opening up was easy because they didn't know whom they were opening up to. When Juliet leaves a letter at her mother's grave, criminal record/loser/vigilante Declan picks it up, reads it, and writes a reply. Their secret exchange revolves around loss and guilt but reveals the truth that people are more than what they appear to be. In the real world, Declan and Juliet attend the same school but know nothing else of each other until fate, destiny, God, or something else brings them together. The story is told from both Declan and Juliet's perspective as well as through letters and emails of correspondence.
I tried to keep by description of Letters to the Lost as objective as possible, but since this is a review, here's my opinion.
I loved the beauty of this book in all its details. First of all, Kemmerer is a mega talented writer. She expresses so much, but the story never feels cheesy. The characters, Rev, Rowan, and Juliet's father present such depth not normally found in side characters. Rev was easily one of my favorite people in this book. Furthermore, the story of loss hits home. We all miss people in our own way, and Kemmerer does a fantastic job of delivering a story we can all relate to.
Last, Declan. I have never read a character like him. Personally, I think he was a bit more well written than Juliet because of the intricacy of his past and people's incorrect perception of him. This character stands as a reminder to me to not judge others based off rumors or first encounters. Trust me, when you get into the story, I think you will appreciate him too.
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The message of this book is that fact that
You have the capability to make your own path.
Declan had to bypass preconceived ideas of what people thought of him. Juliet had to step out of her mother's shadow. You can decide if the pain and grief you feel will swallow you whole or if you will choose to move past your guilt and walk a new path. A message I'm taking away from this book is the importance of being a friend who is present, trustworthy, accountable, reliable, and also a good listener. Rev and Rowan may be side characters, but they had major impact on their best friends because of how they treated them.
I recommend this book but please follow the link below to check our parental guide.
I read Letters to the Lost in less than two days from Overdrive so feel free to snag a FREE copy there too.
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Sophia