I enjoy James Patterson’s books. They might not all be five star worthy but all in all, they are good reads.

I’m used to him writing thriller and crime books so I immediately thought that reading a romance book written by him might not live up to the standards I’m use to. It’s quite a big gap between the two genres and it’s not always easy for some writers to fulfil them.

Needless to say, it’s the first book of his that I gave a high rating to. I also finished it in two sittings. Which is rare for me unless I’m REALLY into a book.

DISCLAIMER: This review could contain possible spoilers based on my opinions. All opinions and views are my own.

Book Review: Sam’s Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson #bookreview #readingcommunity

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Plot:

Jennifer returns to the resort village where she spent much of her childhood when she receives news of her grandmother’s hospitalisation.

While there, she finds a series of letters addressed to her from her grandmother which reveal secrets that have been kept for years: a love affair. Slowly the truth unfolds as Jennifer works through each letter.

Brendan, a childhood friend, is also spending time at the resort. Jennifer and Brendan start spending time together and as their relationship deepens, Jennifer knows she cannot move along with it as she is grieving a loss. As feelings can’t be hidden any longer, she is faced with another possible loss. Can she handle anymore heartbreak?

Thoughts:

I love the short chapters style because it makes the story feel like it’s moving forward faster than it actually is. It also makes you feel you’ve read more than you actually have.

The title of the book is actually a little misleading if you haven’t read the blurb before hand and I was really hoping it wasn’t going to be another Nicholas Sparks concept. It wasn’t.

The title also gave off a ‘PS, I Love You‘ vibe but it’s quickly erased when you read the blurb and understand who the characters are.

The letters reveal some shocking revelations, a direction I didn’t expect the book to go but from the first few letters, you already have an idea where that is heading. While the letters erase many family truths, they also show that hope can arise from dispair. I didn’t fully agree with how that message had to be carried over to the readers with the plot from the letters as adultery is never the answer. It was romanised to sound acceptable and that is the only big issue that bothered me in the book.

The reveal about who the other man was – I get that we are all humans with flaws, but even though I suspected who it was, when the reveal was made and I found that I was right, it didn’t sit well with me.

Jennifer deals with her own grief but is shown that happiness can be found even in the darkest of places.

Reconnecting with her childhood friend, Brendan, was a nice surprise but it was obvious where that storyline was heading for the two of them. I originally thought their relationship would just end up complicating a good situation. Although, his own secrets did end up crushing me a little.

The ending had me in tears, when Jennifer took one lesson from everything she had found out about to heart and made it into something meaningful in her own life.

Overview:

The book has strong themes around new beginnings and second chances, as well as grief. How, even through grief, we can turn our lives around for the better.

My Rating:

The book has a rating of 4.16 on GoodReads. I gave it a 5.

Sam’s Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson {Book Review} #bookreview #readingcommunity

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Have you read Sam’s Letters to Jennifer?

You can purchase it here.

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