Yours Truly, Thomas

Title: Yours Truly, Thomas

Author: Rachel Fordham

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publishing Date: July 2, 2019

Length: 320 pages

About the Book:

For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people’s mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more–a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.

Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn’t expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never really expecting a reply.

When Penny’s undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring–perhaps too much–for the one who wrote it.

My Review:

Rachel Fordham has done it again! As soon as I read her debut novel The Hope of Azure Springs, I was an instant fan, and have been anxiously waiting for the arrival of this one. Although it’s a standalone, it also takes place in Azure Springs, and so we are visited by some of our favorite (and not so favorite) characters from her debut.

I was quite excited to see Margaret (who runs the boardinghouse), return for this novel. She’s like the town “aunt.” She’s caring and compassionate–but will also straighten you out and tell it like it is. She’s both tough as nails and a soft shoulder to cry on. You also can’t forget her witty sense of humor. She’s the perfect blend of what people need to get through the tough stuff in life. I hope if Rachel pens another novel in Azure Springs, that we will get to see more of Margaret. The world needs more Margarets.

It’s quite sad really how lost of an art letter writing has become. In today’s world we take for granted what it took 100 years ago for a person to be able to send a letter or communicate in any way with another loved one. Today we have cell phones, social media, TV and more that are able to connect us with loved ones even when they are across the globe. This novel takes place in 1883. People couldn’t just pick up a phone and call their mom or dad three states over. They couldn’t just jump in a car and drive to Grandma’s. In many ways letter writing was the only form of communication they had and so it was greatly cherished. Yet even with all of the technology we have today–doesn’t it still feel good to receive a letter in the mail? I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time I received a letter just because. However I do remember as a young child getting very excited when I would receive a letter in the mail from my Grandma when she was in Florida for the winter. I also remember sending and receiving letters from friends I’d made at summer camp over the years. There is something about letters that touches our hearts and makes us feel special–no matter what year it is.

Thomas and his letter-writing? Whew.. ladies! Men should read this book and take notes! Thomas was such a wonderful character and I can see why Penny found herself swooning over him. I appreciated that he wasn’t created as a perfect, flawless man–but a man with a past of his own and  desire to learn from his mistakes. He’s a character you won’t quickly forget!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend to historical fiction and romance fans. Once again I find myself impatiently waiting for the author’s next release.

*I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishers. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

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