Historical Fiction Review: The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano

 Book Description:

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words. 

My Review:
I enjoyed reading Willa's story in The Love Note. She's a woman on a mission that goes a bit sideways, which makes for a wonderful story. The characters at Crestwicke won my heart, even the ones who were a bit difficult. I loved the twists and turns the note caused and the story of why the note was written. The setting adds to the story, especially the place where Willa goes to think and pray. Joanna Davidson Politano has written a beautiful story to be savored. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fiction Book Review: The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck

Description:

Romance has never been actress Chloe Daschle’s forte—in life or on screen. But everyone knows who to call for a convincing death scene . . . and it might be killing her career.

When Chloe is given a peek at the script for an epic love story, she decides to take her destiny into her own hands and request an audition for the lead female role, Esther Kingsley. The compelling tale, inspired by family lore and a one-page letter from the colonial ancestor of scriptwriter Jesse Gates, just might break her out of this career-crippling rut. Jesse would rather write about romance than live through it after his past relationship ended in disaster. But once on-set together, the chemistry between Jesse and his leading lady is hard to deny.

Centuries earlier, in the heart of the Revolutionary War, Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow wrote their saga off the silver screen. Esther’s Loyalist father opposes any relationship with Hamilton, but Esther must face her beloved father’s disapproval and the dangers of war in order to convince Hamilton of their future together. Hamilton has loved 

Esther for years, and on the eve of battle pens the love letter she’s always wanted—something straight from the heart.  

Set in stunning upcountry South Carolina, The Love Letter is a beautifully crafted story of the courage it takes to face down fear and chase after love, even in the darkest of times. And just maybe, all these generations later, love can come home in a way not even Hollywood could imagine.

My Review:
When I started reading The Love Letter, I didn't know what to expect. What I found was a story of faith. It took me a bit to adjust to going between Hollywood and the Revolutionary War, but once I got the hang of it, the story unfolded beautifully. Chloe is an amazing character who struggles and faces obstacles; but relies on her faith to help her. And that's not the norm in the acting industry. Esther, also an amazing character for her time, carries the Esther/Hamilton story into unknown territory for that day. The parallel stories create an interesting journey and a superb ending. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.