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 … 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.
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This was an absolutely spectacular book. I devoured it from cover to cover in one evening. Yes, I stayed up all night just to finish this beautiful tale of love, intrigue, mystery, family, secrets, and honesty. Author Rachel Fordham has a talent which can only be given by our maker. Her skill is heavenly.
From the beginning I was invested in this book. “One hundred percent, let those dishes pile up, no I don’t want to watch television, sorry I forgot to fix dinner, tell her I will call her back” invested. The book had me mesmerized and I was trapped willingly in Azure Springs. Pages flipped and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. There is mystery, romance, adventure, a lovable rambunctious standard poodle, and a cast of quirky characters. Characters from other Azure Springs books spring up and I was thrilled. I would ask my husband “Oh, guess who just came to visit Penny?” He would good heartedly play along and send his best wishes.
The author has researched her subject well. This is a brilliant idea for a book. I was able to learn something about the Dead Letter Office. There is scripture, prayer, and references to God. I love this, too. If your classification is Christian fiction, put the Christians in the book, please. The big old lovable unruly dog was a very sweet part of the story.
The writing was exemplary. I felt like I was back in Azure Springs among old friends and making new ones. Conversations flowed gently and naturally. They never seemed rushed, but very authentic. The bad guys were very bad and easy to dislike. There are twists and turns to keep you on your toes and your interest piqued until the very last page.
All while reading this sure to be an award winning book, I kept thinking, this would be the best movie. It really would with the unique story, big muddy dog running amok, a quaint town with unique individuals, and mysteries. I kept changing the cast as I continued to read. Faces finally came together with characters and voila, I was ready to rally for a movie. I bet you will be, too.
Yes, I highly recommend this book to anyone. I rated this literary jewel 5 out of 5 stars. I was provided a copy from the publisher but was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own, honest words.
Rachel has crafted a triumphant story of overcoming tragedy and the overwhelming hopelessness attached to the inability to forgive oneself.
Written with depth of character I was drawn into the lives of the protagonists. They are written not as perfect people but rather, people who are being perfected through their imperfections.
In “Yours Truly, Thomas” I was quickly invested in Penny’s desire to help a hurting man reach the woman he loves. Although she is not supposed to be involved in the lives of people whose letters arrive at the dead letter office, Penny’s empathy stirs in her a passion to do more than read and discard undeliverable letters. So, she writes a response to Thomas where she vows to pray for him.
I can relate to Penny. When she responds emotionally as Thomas pours out his heart in his letters, I am reminded of myself. Many times I have been stirred by the brokenness of others and have not wanted to sit back and do nothing.
Thomas responds to Penny’s letter and is amazed by her prayers. He confirms that he is not a lost cause. “You spoke of the loss of your father… I believe he was right that we must keep seeking purpose and joy. I can attest to the difficulty of doing so. But both purpose and joy are out there. We must seize them when and where we can.”
Through circumstances and the help/interference of the endearing people of Azure Springs they are drawn to each other and the book comes to a satisfying conclusion.
This book is not overtly Christian but the threads of faith, love, hope and forgiveness are woven throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I received this book through Interviews and Reviews courtesy of Baker Publishing Group. This review is voluntary and reflects my personal thoughts on the book.
Rachel Fordham has hit another one out of the park! Her historical fiction is filled with lyrical prose that makes her seem a seasoned pro, even though this is only her sophomore release. Fans of her debut, The Hope of Azure Springs, will be glad to see some familiar faces in this one. While we see Em only briefly, Margaret (the boardinghouse owner) is pretty prominent in this novel – which makes me very happy as she is my favorite! If you haven’t read Fordham’s earlier book, no worries. This one is its own story and you won’t have missed anything if you read this one first.
This book begins with Penny’s story, the prologue showing how she got her love for written correspondence. I loved the sweet relationship between Penny and her dad and enjoyed how that motivated her future decisions. When we see Penny as an adult, she is working in the dead letter office in the post office in Washington DC. Her colleagues know that she’s a sucker for a love story and pass along the lovey-dovey letters to her. One in particular really tugs at her heart and she takes great pains to give the story a happy ending.
Thomas is running from his past and finds himself stranded in Azure Springs. He’s quite the mystery to the small town’s inhabitants as he stays holed up in his room at the boardinghouse other than occasional trips to the post office to send a letter. Little does he know that his un-deliverable letters are being read by someone at the dead letter office, and that Penny has been moved by his words.
This book had a very strong theme of healing from one’s past and being able to move forward with joy. The story flowed well, even with using both Penny’s and Thomas’s viewpoints. It was written in 3rd person limited, so the voice itself never changed – just the perspective, so that helped. Both Penny and Thomas had past hurdles to overcome and had to learn to be honest with themselves and each other. There was a sweet and tender romance element to the book as well as a mystery and some action. My only complaint was that the romance felt a bit rushed at the end, but that was due to the characters’ timeline and so I accepted it as necessary to the plot-line.
If you enjoy historical romance with lovable characters, a good story and some mystery mixed in, I would strongly recommend this book!
Special thanks to the author and Revell for an advanced copy of this book. I was not obligated to write a review and the opinions contained herein are my own.
3.5 stars
“I feel like that tree . . . . I have a whole past behind me that I’d just as soon forget if I could, but the scars just won’t go away. . . . I don’t know which way to grow or whether to keep growing at all.”
When dead letter clerk Penny Ercanbeck opens a letter addressed to Clara, in Alexandria, she becomes emotionally attached to its unknown sender, a man who signs his missives simply; “Thomas”. Absorbing Thomas’ grievous and brokenhearted tone, Penny becomes mildly obsessed with doing everything in her power to piece the shattered pieces of Thomas and Clara back together again, to the point that her life becomes the adventure she never dreamed it could be. . . . or had she?
Cleverly using the art of letter writing to her full advantage, Rachel Fordham’s sophomore novel overflows with endearing sentiment and refreshing candor; reminding her readers how very special a “yours truly” can truly be.
“Write me a letter.”
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Oh, how I so enjoyed this novel! There is another novel set in the same town that is before this book titled, The Hope of Azure Springs. I didn’t read it before reading Yours Truly, Thomas and I was still thoroughly enraptured! I think each book is set in the same town and of course there are characters known by readers from book one, but they can stand alone.
I wasn’t sure by the picture on the cover if I would enjoy the story, but I was again reminded not to judge a book by its cover. Inside there are themes of forgiveness, compassion, courage to face the past and much more! Thomas is the lead male character who is running from his past and has run into much trouble, prolonging his stay in the town of Azure Springs.
The lead female character is Penelope or Penny, who works at the dead letter office. She isn’t to read the letters and get attached but just look for clues in the letters in the hopes of uniting them to the stated recipients. However, Penny has become attached deeply within her heart when she opens the first letter she sees written by Thomas. What he reveals of his heart I think is part of what captured hers, as she determines to bring happiness, as she views it, to the love of Thomas’ life. It’s what she didn’t expect and finds out that will grab the heart of the reader and pull them into the book even more!
The story isn’t all romance; there is mystery and intrigue, action and some laughter when you enjoy reading what Penny’s dog “Honey” does out in Azure Springs. Honey is a special dog and her antics made me laugh aloud at times! I hope you enjoy this trip into the fictional world of Azure Springs and the unique cast of people crafted to inhabit the small town. I plan on reading the first book in the series and I bet I am going to enjoy that tale as well! Will you join me?
Rachel Fordham’s sophomore novel, Yours Truly, Thomas, is as delightful as her debut, The Hope of Azure Springs! From cover to interior formatting to the story itself, this historical fiction novel is a beautiful journey.
Penny and Thomas are wonderfully realistic and charming characters. I must admit, I struggled to get into the story in the beginning, but a few chapters in and I was hooked. Penny is a bit naive, but I think that only adds to the attractiveness of her character. Thomas is running from his painful past, and is finally ready to put it behind him when he reaches the small town of Azure Springs. These characters are quite the opposites, which brings about an engaging story.
Fordham’s writing style is very simplistic and perhaps a bit unsophisticated, which is not usually my favorite style to read, but I think it lends a great deal of charm to the historical setting of her novels. And her descriptions are nonetheless beautiful and enjoyable. The small town of Azure Springs and its people that she has created (which is also featured prominently in her debut novel) is so darling and enchanting, I wish it were a real town I could visit. The supporting cast of characters from Margaret, Abraham, the twin girls, Dinah, and even Jeb and Eliza is unique and colorful, lending diversity to the story.
There is a bit of a mystery thread to the story that had me very intrigued, and the action towards the end wrapped up the story well. I won’t lie, I’m a sucker for a sweet romantic storyline, and while it was not the main feature, the romance was incredibly sweet, pure, and realistic. I think that romantic storylines may be Fordham’s greatest strength. I also enjoyed the inside look into the United States Postal Service’s Dead Letter Office. That is a subject that has always fascinated me, and in this historical setting, even more so.
All in all, I highly enjoyed Yours Truly, Thomas and recommend it to all lovers of historical fiction and sweet romance.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
My Review of Truly Yours, Thomas: Letters are one of my favorite things and I often leave notes instead of having a serious conversation. Which made me love the idea of Truly Yours, Thomas. I loved the letters but maybe the rest of the story line was a little bit unrealistic. Read the book to find out more . . . The town was interesting, the characters somewhat in your face pushy that made me wonder if it fit with the setting and if people would really be so friendly in an almost harsh way. And the whole part with Thomas at dinner? That didn’t make too much sense for him to be the one to do it. In all I kinda almost loved this book; it was good but there were some things that could have stronger and the ending just came with a sudden BOOM! and the story was over, the ending pretty much missed in the fact that you expect something else to happen not just a quick letter that ends the book.
I loved the name of Penny’s dog though.
Enjoyable and almost lovable. I suggest 16 up for romance and slight violence.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it.
Yours Truly, Thomas was a unique storyline! I admired Penny for being brave and setting out for Azure Springs, Iowa to make sure a stranger was okay after reading letters he wrote which ended up in the dead letter office. I admired Thomas for making a change from the selfish man he had been in the past and wanting to help others. They experience a much different life in Iowa than Alexandria, Virginia and Washington, DC where they lived previously. Penny and Thomas both learn unexpected facts about each other and face dangers. I recommend this historical fiction book to others. I received a complimentary e-book from NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
I read Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham not long after having read Hope of Azure Springs. I just loved this book. You don’t need to read them in order, but do so if you can. It was hard to put down as I kept trying to guess what would happen, and although I got some right, there were some twist I did not see coming. The characters are wonderful, and very likeable. The overall story line was great, and the plot held plenty of intrigue. If you have ever seen the TV show called Signed, Sealed, Delivered you will like this book – it’s even better than the show and it takes place in the past. I sure hope this author writes more books as this one and her previous one are very well written.
This was such a sweet story. I loved all the characters and was so sad when the story ended
I have once again had the honor to work with Revell Books for a book tour @revellbooksu2063u2063
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own. u2063u2063
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Yours Truly, Thomas u2063u2063
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It’s 1880 something, and Penny is a young woman who unfortunately has experienced a major reversal of fortune. Now, she works at the dead letter office, where letters go when they can’t be delivered. The clerks try to find the recipients of said letters. While I found Penny’s job fascinating, I also felt such a sense of sadness. Opening other people’s mail every day, seeing the great and terrible lives they have lived, while you just stand there opening more mail. I am sad for her. Thomas’s letter, to an unknown Clara, is an adventure waiting to happen. What happened to Thomas and Clara? Penny decides to find out. Ultimately, she goes to find Thomas in Azure Springs. Now what? It’s time for Penny and Thomas to piece this puzzle together. The rest, you can read for yourself! Penny is a sympathetic character, but she’s also naive and much too dreamy about life in general. Some call her romantic, but it’s more like a bit annoying. She needed more common sense. Thomas is sympathetic as well. He’s forlorn and melancholy. I wanted good things for him because he’s deserving. This story is about loss, love, breaking down then building back up. It’s a great example of keeping faith for another chance, and the gifts given to us all, both in disguise and obvious. It’s a don’t give up, and keep hoping for better read with heart and charm.
Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham is a delightful western tale of romance through letters and a chance encounter. The writing is beautiful and Fordham does a wonderful job at creating a tale of romance and learning to move on from past mistakes. The plot moved seamlessly and captured my attention. It is a predictable romance with the predictable happily-ever-after. Thomas is a hero who needs to learn from his mistakes and comes out a better man on the other side. While I enjoyed seeing who Thomas was and learning about his past, I would have liked to see personally who he was before, so the transformation would have been a little more fulfilling. As for Penny, she is a brave woman to travel to a place unknown just because of a letter. I would like to have seen more of her past too. It seems readers are thrown into the middle of the transformation story while it is occurring without the beginning to show the transformation. Overall, Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham is a captivating western romance. Fans of Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, and Regina Jennings would, I believe, enjoy this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I absolutely loved this historical fiction book that is set in the 1800s in Azure Springs, Iowa and I enjoyed learning about the workings of the dead-letter office. I was vaguely familiar with this office in Washington, DC but I didn’t realize the true efforts of the people who worked there in trying to get the mail to the intended recipients. The heroine of Yours Truly, Thomas is a clerk in the dead-letter office and she is especially diligent in finding the people for whom the mail was intended. One letter touches her especially and she travels to Azure Springs, Iowa so that she can make sure that Clara gets her letter from Thomas. What follows is a story filled with a little humor, some mystery and intrigue, and the realization that even though life doesn’t always end up the way we thought, the results can offer happiness.
The letters written by Thomas to Clara, the letters exchanged between Thomas and Penny, and the letters that Penny writes to her friend Diana and to her own mother are all a reminder of a time when handwritten letters were the norm and certainly not the exception. I recall writing letters to my friends, to my cousins, and even to pen pals and this wonderful novel has helped me recall the excitement of receiving a lettter in the mail. I am so in love with Yours Truly, Thomas!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and I voluntarily chose to write this review.
I liked how differently this book started from many others. I loved the letters being a big part of this story. It was fun to learn a little story about how the dead letter office worked back in the past. I enjoyed reading about Penny and Thomas. These two characters each learned a lot of lessons when they made it to Azure Springs. I did a bit of laughing and crying through this book. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Have you ever wondered what happens to letters that can’t be delivered for some reason? Penny works at the dead end office opening mail that can’t be delivered hoping she can figure out where they really need to be sent to. I would love that job. Can you imagine the letters you may read of someone looking for a lost love? Penny takes her job serious and is determined that one such letter needs her extra care in delivering it to the rightful owner.
Thomas has poured his soul out to a woman in letters that reach Penny’s desk. They are moving and very personal which causes Penny to go the extra mile and find this woman. I think Penny was starting to have feeling for Thomas who she has never met. Going on an adventure Penny finds herself in the same town as Thomas.
Penny is a good character and I think she is looking for a purpose in her life and someone to love her. Maybe that is why she has started a friendship with Thomas. She knows his thoughts and has read his inner most struggles so perhaps she can help him forget about this woman he has been writing to.
There is a bit of mystery surrounding Thomas that I couldn’t wait to find the answer to. Why did he keep writing this woman who it seems he has hurt emotionally? What dark secrets from his past is he running from? The author does keep my attention as she writes a story that is emotional and filled with danger. It is a great lesson in forgiveness and vengeance. Anger can cause someone to do things they wouldn’t normally do. In this story the author does a great job showing what grief and anger can do to someone and it sure hit home for me.
Letter writing use to be the best way to correspond between people. Today we are all texting, emailing, leaving messages and losing that personal relationship by not writing our feelings down so so others can read them. I would love to get letters in the mail from people. Maybe someday we will pick up letter writing again and have words to cherish and keep.
I received a copy of this book from Librarything’s Early Reviewers Program. The review is my own opinion.
Yours Truly, Thomas is a great read. This is the first tine I have heard of the Dead Letter Office. So, it was fun to learn something new. I enjoyed getting to know Penny and admired her determination to find the recipient of the dead letters. I found her story to be entertaining.
Yours Truly, Thomas gets five stars from me. I highly recommend this book for readers who love sweet and clean historical fiction.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
This is a romance like no other that I have read and it’s a really good one! It reminded me of the TV series, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” that comes on the Hallmark Channel. It’s about a dead letter office in D.C. and a girl who works there named Penny. Penny has a routine that is interrupted when she gets multiple letters from someone named Thomas to someone named Clara. Determined to deliver the letters to Thomas’s true love, Penny goes to seek her out. Failing at that mission, she makes up her mind to travel out west to find Thomas and tell him in person what has happened to Clara. The setting is believable and very rustic, with the old west calling and settlements along the way being established. The characters were realistic and humorous, also. I really liked Margaret, the lady with the Bed and Breakfast and Honey, Penny’s dog. Of course, I liked Penny and Thomas as well! Penny was a girl with a purpose and determination seldom seen in young people. Thomas had the same kind of determination, wanting to become a farmer in an unfriendly wilderness. I enjoyed the visual image of Azure Springs and the conflict between some of the characters. Mostly, I enjoyed reading the letters that Penny and Thomas wrote, letters that told us about the events in their lives and how their hearts were involved in those around them. I highly recommend this book to fans of Christian historical fiction!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Even though Penny and Thomas are in different states through the first half of the book, I was drawn in. And when they finally meet in Azure Springs (in a very memorable way), the story gets even better.
Revisiting some of the Azure Springs residents is an added bonus, but Thomas and Penny’s romance are what had my heart. Will Penny find the love and life she so desperately longs for? And can Thomas forgive himself and become the man others see him as?
Rachel Fordham gives readers a tale of releasing yourself from past mistakes and striving to become the best God made you to be, with a touch of humor, a little mystery, and more.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
“My father firmly believed that if we are here on this earth, then we still have work to do. He believed we have a purpose even when we cannot see it. ”
-Penelope Ercanbeck
Welcome back to Azure Springs, Iowa! The year is now 1883 and the town appears to be thriving as Penelope Ercanbeck steps off the train. Penny, as she is known to her friends, quit her job recently at the dead letter office and makes a journey to this quaint frontier town in search of a mysterious letter writing man, Thomas Conner. Sounds intriguing already!
As Penny struggles to find herself and make some life changing decisions, she poses as a potential writer. As she works on her decisions, she meets Thomas and finds that there is more to the man’s story than she realized. She finds that a man’s words on paper are sometimes more complex than one imagines.
Many of the secondary characters in this novel are familiar from Ms. Fordham’s first book and are as endearing and heartwarming as they were in the first novel. The words of wisdom scattered throughout the novel from both Margaret, the boardinghouse proprietor, and Mr. Ercanbeck, Penny’s father, are wise and filled with faith. Read this engaging story of a man who struggles to feel deserving of love and joy and a woman who finds that life and love do not always look like one expects.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and believe you will too! Great read for lovers of historical fiction and Christian fiction alike!
This ARC copy was received from Revell and Netgalley. The thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
Thomas was headed west in a wagon train, running from his past, when an injury left him stranded in Azure Springs, where the townspeople seem determined to keep him from wallowing in his misery. Slowly, he comes to see that maybe Azure Springs is exactly what he needs—and that maybe he can be a better man than he was in the past.
After her beloved father’s death and the loss of her family’s wealth, Penny has survived the best she could, finding a job working at the Dead Letter Office. Often intrigued by the letters, Penny is particularly touched by a letter from Thomas to Clara; her soft heart wants Thomas, who seems so sad without his lost love, to have a happy ending. Penny, who longs for love in her own life, is determined to help Thomas’s lost letter make it to Clara. Although she isn’t supposed to get so involved, she can’t help caring—and perhaps caring too much.
This started out a little slowly for me, but I really enjoyed it overall. Penny is just this bright, sunshiney type character, and I loved seeing her impact on Thomas’s life. I love stories of people changing for the better, so I just adored Thomas, who is so tortured by his best but desperately wants to be better than he was. The romance was just really sweet and I loved it. The writing is simple but that went really well with the storyline and the setting and everything.
4 stars.
I read a review copy provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.