In today's society of, what seems to be, little communication but instead small blurbs and abbreviations sent in text messages or e-mails, Love Letters shows what many have forgotten -- the true art of real communication can be life changing. Love Letters tells three separate stories. The first of Jo Marie, a young widow now running a bed and breakfast. Her part-time handyman, Mark, is nice and mysterious at the same time. Jo Marie desires to know more about him but the wall he has built up around himself is hard to break through. While she attempts to move forward with her life, she seems strongly tied to the memory and connection of her late husband. Ellie (a guest at the B&B) is there to meet a man (Tom) with whom she has been corresponding with via e-mail, Facebook and other social medias. Ellie's mother is domineering and controlling. Still hurt and angry at her husband leaving when Ellie was but a child, she pushes her fear and untrust of men onto her daughter. Maggie and Roy (also guests at the B&B) are in the midst of marital misgivings where trust seems to be running thin. The premise of all three stories lies in written letters, non-verbal communication that is incapable of distorting the truth, speaks from the heart and creates a moment of brutal honesty, devotion and love.

I enjoyed all three stories and situations and felt the character development was good. I struggled with the friendship (or possibly more) between Jo Marie and Mark. It felt a bit disjointed and I could never get a real sense of either person's true self. I am not a fan of sappy romance stories and this story had just enough to make it interesting. I love a story that makes you feel, cry or think and this book did all three. I have always felt that letter writing is becoming a lost art. I pity the soul who has never received (or written) a heart-felt letter because it is something tangible that can be held, touched and read and re-read. The words never fade like the spoken words you retain in your head. For many it is easier to open heart strings and speak the truth through written words rather than orally. When a person puts their soul on paper, it is there for as long as the recipient chooses to keep it. Love Letters portrays this theory through the value, sheer emotion and honesty found in a soul-bearing letter. A quick read but not quickly forgotten.