Letters from home lift John Caldwell’s spirits during his tour of duty in Iraq. Phoebe Honeycutt, otherwise known as Aunt Bee to all the kids in the neighborhood, fills an empty place in his life through her letters and cookie care packages after the death of his grandmother. But what John doesn’t realize is that Phoebe isn’t the doddering old lady he believes her to be. And when they come face … face to face at last, her delicious cookies aren’t the only things he wants to sample.
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What a truly beautiful love story. Even though Phoebe Hunnicutt is only twenty-five years old, the neighborhood kids, especially young Tommy, calls her Aunt Bee. When Phoebe first writes to Specialist John Caldwell it is to notify him that his grandmother had passed away. His letter thanking her began what would be many letters back and forth along with boxes of cookies for John and his team. John knew that the children called her Aunt Bee and assumed that she was in her sixties. When they finally meet, she is not in her sixties and their attraction to each other is evident. John knows that he will be signing up for more years in the military and has no business becoming involved with Phoebe. Will a shocking announcement for John bring them closer together or tear them apart? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
This was a quaint, low key romance with lots of feels. I loved the letters to a soldier aspect with its old world charm of falling in love through correspondence. Even though both John and Phoebe were hurt from a previous relationship, I was ready to knock some heads together with their constant woebegone thoughts. Maybe because of the constant pity party, I felt the story lagged. I loved Tommy, the rambunctious little boy. I laughed at the antics of the seniors. Overall, this was only an ok read for me.
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
This is the first book I’ve read by Jo Barrett, but it won’t be my last. Letters from Home gave me all the feels and I absolutely loved it. I sure hope the author will write a book about Michael Baldwin in the future, hint, hint. This book is mainly centered around Phoebe “Aunt Bee” Honeycutt and Specialist John Caldwell. John is serving in the military and Bee is tasked with writing him to let him know his Grandmother Agatha has passed away. John looks forward to Bee’s letters and care packages and when he gets leave, he returns to Stokesdale to meet Bee in person and thank her. He’s shocked to see a gorgeous, young woman, instead of the grandmother type he had been picturing. They both fight their attraction, but when the Pleasant Oaks Matchmaking Mafia gets in on the action, all bets are off. I won’t leave any spoilers, but I will say I’m so happy Tommy was finally able to get the perfect parents for him.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Phoebe is the total small town girl the one that everyone relies on Even to the point that she is raising someone else’s son Tommy. Then when an old lady of the town dies she starts writing to her grandson John who is serving in the military There is soon a connection there even though John believes he is writing to some one the same age as his grandmother. Imagine his surprise when he returns home and discovers Phoebe is his own age. When it looks like Phoebe may lose the care of Tommy the two of them pretend to be in a relationship so they can keep him but there are more secrets here than anyone realises Can they have a future You will have to read to see
This was a charming, feel-good story but also with some challenges that you need in a story.
It’s also set in a nosy well meaning community that adores Phoebe. And why not? She is there for so many people even in the midst of her own hurts. Tommy is a little boy who has totally captured Phoebe (Bee’s) heart and will play a big part in the story. Her Aunt Sophie is one colorful, unusual person who keeps things stirred in humorous but caring ways.
John has his own hurts and dreams that have been “killed” but his correspondence with Aunt Bee is filling a lot of his void. The misunderstanding about who Aunt Bee really was leads to some smiles, after the initial sock. John was a bit stuck in his past hurt over a woman, but he doesn’t see this at first.
There is plenty of emotion to go around with a surprise twist or two towards the end. I did have a suspicion about a secret about 65% of the way through the story. I not only wondered if I was right but also how would it come out, if I was?
It has a good ending with a even better Epilogue.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”