Juliet Young always writes 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 Declan nor Juliet knows that they’re not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.
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I honestly wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book. I’m so picky about contemporary, especially if it doesn’t have quirky areas. But I read an ARC of Call it What you Want by Brigid and really liked it. So I was like, let me give this bad boy a try!
Declan, my poor boy Declan, had so much going on his life, his past life! He needed someone there to hold his hand, to be a true parent! And Juliet, it took me a few chapters to really like her, but then I did! There was so much below the surface to her! And now, I think Rev might have been one of my favorite side characters ever. There is still so much to discover about him, which luckily the next book is about him!
The words were beautiful, the letters were so touching, and the emotion really had me feeling things. I honestly can’t wait to read the next book. The only thing I wish there would have been was an epilogue, only because I wanted more of the characters after it was over!
In tone and feeling, this is a very serious book. Deep. Thoughtful. Painful. Hopeful. And incredibly well written! The writing was beautiful, it flowed smoothly and I loved the vivid imagery and the way the emotions of each character were conveyed. The characters were complex and compelling. This book speaks about grief, coming to terms with your losses, judgement and assumption based on very limited knowledge and self acceptance. It isn’t heavy handed, neither is anything romanticised. But it dealt with these themes in a very mature and realistic way and it was just a stunning read, enveloping my heart. I really adore Kemmerer’s writing style and Letters to the Lost was simply beautiful and heartbreaking. It’s got deep emotions, unresolved grief and loneliness. It’s one you’ll quickly fall in love with because of the deeply scarred but wonderfully developed characters and the beautiful narrative which is told in both linear and epistolary format. It shows how the pain of loss can leave you feeling adrift at sea and how grieving the ones you’ve lost can affect your existing familial relationships and blind you to seeing the solid support structures right in front of you. It also tackles the topic of first impressions and prejudices. The romance is adorable and incredibly cute. This book delves into the kind of love that exists within a wide range of spectrums that touches on beauty and ugliness, pride and misunderstanding, anger and reconciliation. This is my first Brigid Kemmerer novel. It won’t be my last.
I’ve been wanting to read Brigid’s Elemental series for a while now, but Letters to the Lost was a wonderful first experience with the author because I absolutely loved this story. So well-written and emotionally driven, I was invested from beginning to end and had to take a breather when I had finished.
Both characters had a lot to deal with and perhaps would have continued keeping everything inside if they hadn’t found each other through one of Juliet’s letters to her deceased mother. As a result, they ended up building a deep bond that helped heal their hearts. And even though initially, it came off invasive on Declan’s part, I believed it was meant to happen that way because he was given the chance to share his pain and show that there was more to him than what others had presumed. I mean, Juliet’s story was without a doubt sad, after all, she’d lost her mother so suddenly and thought it to be her fault somewhat. But Declan’s story really pricked at my heart. He’d been let down so much by the people who were supposed to love and care for him. It’s a wonder he survived that long with the kind of pain that lived in his heart. But thankfully he had the support of his best friend and towards the end was able to find some closure.
It’s difficult for me to put into words just how much I liked Juliet and Declan and the overall story. I felt as if I was in every moment with them, feeling their emotions, crying and smiling, and rooting for their happiness. When they had started communicating through letters, and then soon after through emails, I thought it was just fascinating. But whenever they encountered each other in person, having no clue who the other was, I’d get so frustrated with Juliet judging him like everyone else. And not that I’m justifying Declan’s aggressive reactions, but I felt like his anger was due to the way he grew up and because he was always frowned upon. Glad Juliet saw his real side and that both overcame so much by the end.
I could go on and on about how great a story Letters to the Lost is but I don’t want to spoil it too much for you. All I can say is please read it. The writing is wonderful; inviting. It holds your heart captive and you just can’t pry away from the characters. Even days after finishing the story, I’m still thinking about it and still feeling the emotions. I’m now eager to read another Brigid Kemmerer novel.
So much love for this one. If you loved ‘Paper Planes and Other Things we Lost’ you’ll love this one! ~Michele
What a remarkable book! My head is still filled with Declan and Juliet, with this powerful story of two lost teens whose paths cross in unforgettable ways. Tremendous character depth and prose that grabs you on page one and doesn’t let go, plus a story that tears at your heart. Wonderful, wonderful work, Ms. Kemmerer. Truly impressive and beautifully done.
review on my blog
I had heard a lot of hype going into Letters to the Lost that I had very high hopes for it. The book is about a young girl named Juliet. She just lost her mother and is grieving her at the cemetery one day. She decides to leave a note for her mother on her grave.
The next day, she comes back to see that there is a reply to her letter. Initially, she is very upset that someone read her letter to her mom but she begins to start up a conversation with a mystery boy who continues to leave her letters.
Later, she discovers that this mystery boy also goes to her school. It has a You’ve Got Mail vibe to it. She does not find out who the boy is until the very end of the book. The boy is Declan Murphy and he is just as sad and messed up as she is. What starts off as a relationship to confide in each other turns into love.
The stages of grief are shown beautifully. Both characters grow enormously throughout the entire book. I became very invested in the story. I breezed through the book because I was so invested. Letters to the Lost is one captivating book. There was just enough intrigue to keep me guessing in the story.
The author has a beautiful way of telling a story and I will for sure pick up more of her books. I had no idea that this was a series. I guess I will have to continue reading because I very much enjoyed this book. The ending was predictable which dropped my rating from a five to a four. Otherwise, this book was everything that I hoped it would be. It did not let me down.
This is not just a love story. It has depth and growth beyond belief. Anyone would benefit from this book. You can feel the emotion coming off of these pages. Prepare to get emotional while reading this book. I sure did. The relationships in this story are engaging in all the best ways.
Parents may seem like they don’t care or understand teens, but at the end of the day, (most) parents just want what is best for their child(ren) and family. They don’t want to hurt them, but they do make mistakes because parents are only human too.
It doesn’t mean that they don’t love us or care about our well being. It just means that they made the wrong move. It happens.
Teens don’t really understand parents and parents don’t really understand teens. Teens don’t understand what it is like to be a parent and parents forget what it is like to be a teen.
I know that. I have parents too. I made some mistakes and them, trying to teach me right from wrong, ended up teaching me something they shouldn’t have. They didn’t mean to. They didn’t realize it was wrong. I realized that and I forgave them.
This book was really beautiful. It is about grieving and not being perfect and hope. Hope that even though we people are not perfect, we can make our own definition of perfect. The kind of perfect where we make mistakes, realize them, apologize for them and make up for them.
This book is so powerful and so inspiring! It is sad at times, but at other times it left my heart with this full feeling and me smiling like a crazy person. When I got to the end of the book, I didn’t want it to end. I was smiling so big, it hurt and all I could think was: that’s it? That’s all?
And then I flipped through the pages, hoping the acknowledgments was some kind of joke and if I keep flipping through, I’ll get to read more of the story. No such luck, but there was an excerpt of Rev’s character’s story which I was even more happy about because I was so intrigued with his character. He was so complex! Can’t wait to read his story!
Anyway, this book is recommended to anyone who’s ever been at the point where they felt so alone in the world and like no one understands them. This book is proof that maybe they are trying to understand you, but they need a little help getting there. This book is proof that you are not alone in this world and I guarantee you there is someone out there who feels your pain and understands what your going through. You just haven’t written them yet.
This was such a moving read! I really enjoyed all the characters. I highly recommend this!!
I often have to thank my lucky stars that I do take notice when I have been recommended a book to read. After devouring Letters to the Lost, I am now thanking a galaxy of stars because I found this to be such a beautiful and addictive read. I’m sitting here trying to put my thoughts and feelings into words and I’m struggling because I don’t think I can write the review that this book deserves.
I absolutely love the way that the author has penned this story. Her writing style is incredible. The intensity is perfect. I connected with the characters instantly, which allowed me to experience the emotions that they were feeling. My heart hurt so much for Juliet and Declan at times. Their relationship is one that I absolutely adore which of course then made me fear that something, at some point in their story, was going to ruin who they are to each other.
Juliet and Declan’s story is a must read. It is a story about loss and grief, love, expectations, guilt, despair and hope – let’s not forget the hope in all of this. I was so absorbed in the story that I didn’t realise that I was crying until my tears reached the book I was holding. I found Brigid Kemmerer’s words to be so very powerful, her messages touching and thought-provoking, and to be honest this story was so much more than I expected.
I’m a huge fan of epilogues and I was initially disappointed that Letters to the Lost ended without one. Now, having had time to reflect, I actually am grateful to be able to make my own decisions on what happens next for Juliet and Declan…. I want only good things for them both from now on! This book is one that I recommend to everyone to read. I know that this story will stay with me for a long time and I’m certain you will feel the same way too.
Letters to the lost is an emotional and beautiful read.
After losing her mother in a car accident last year, Juliet write her letters and leaves them at her grave. Declan, him, lost is little sister when his drunk father took her in a car ride and lost control four years. Declan trying to fight his past demons and a bad decision he took last year have him doing community service.
One day, Declan will read one letter left beside a grave and will right back. And soon both of them will change from exchanging letters at the cemetery to emails. But of them opens up to each other but decided to keep it anonymous. Except, that they already know each other from school. And aren’t exactly in great terms with each other. What will happens when they’ll discovered the truth…
I adore YA books and this YA Contemporary is fabulous. The characters are excellent. Kemmerer is talented and writes so well. She captures the teen voice and fleshed out three dimensional families – two flawed and struggling characters who the audience roots for!
A great book that presents sensitive topics handled in the right way.
Juliet lost her mom, and her way of keeping in touch is writing letters to her and leaving them in her’s mother’s gravestone. One day Declan reads one of them and replies to her anonymously. Juliet is quite frustrated at first but after a back and forward she finds this stranger knows her pain better than no one.
The correspondence between Declan and Juliet turns more and more personal, they understand and support each other, but they have no idea who the other really is.
Juliet must learn to reconcile her grief with the passion she shared with her mother, photography.
Declan has not forgiven himself after a horrible tragedy, but nevertheless is a good friend to Rev, his neighbor who also has a dark past.
I loved the mystery, the complexity of the relationships, the depth of the characters.
Must confess I prefer Declan’s POV, I relate better to his personality than I do to Juliet’s.
Can’t wait to read Rev’s book.
One of the best books I’ve read…ever!
I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a book more. I couldn’t put it down. Kemmerer’s unique approach to this story with the characters opening up through letters got me hooked at page one. I love, love love this book!
I loved this story! The characters were wonderful, believable and relatable. It is a reminder to never judge a book by its cover.
A very nice layered young adult book. Not too many of those around anymore. I enjoyed it quite a bit actually.
I LOVED this book. The storyline, all the characters, the fact that Juliet and Declan do find their way to each other and that Declans home life works itself out. I cried throughout the story. I’ve just bought the next book about Rev.
It was definitely different than what I normally read..but the writing was very descriptive..you felt as if you were there. Good characters..nice hook at the end…hope she writes another book that continues this story. Anyone could read this book..enjoyed it.