Yours Truly, Thomas | Blog Tour and Book Review
Any fellow fans of the Hallmark series, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" out there? The Shakespeare-spouting Oliver O'Toole stole my heart from the first episode, with his dear old-fashioned soul and passion for the dead letter office. I love the gentle, whimsical detective work of the characters as they help lost letters find home in a world of happily ever after, Yoohoo drinks, and record players.
So you will understand why reading the back cover of Yours Truly, Thomas made my heart skip a beat:
Back Cover
For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people's mail.
Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the dead letter office, and she dreams of something more -- a bit of intrigue, perhaps a taste of romance. When she comes across a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love, it becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.
But 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.
My Thoughts
At first glance, Rachel Fordham's novel is a simple love story with a hint of mystery. And it is that. But there is another layer, thoughtful and pure, that makes this a book I would read to daughters one day.
"We spoke of loss and how hard it is to go on. We spoke of pain and grief. I always dreamt of a fluttering stomach, and tender kisses, and I don't think I'll ever stop loving such things. But tonight, sitting beside a man as he bared his soul, I realized there is more to giving your heart to someone than I ever knew. I believe my father was right when he told me love can come in many forms."
Penny is a hopeless romantic when we meet her -- and she still is at the end of the book. But in between, she learns that there is so much more to love than fairy tale kisses and roses. She learns the role that both joy and hard times play in drawing two people close, and that no one's past defines them. She comes to see the beauty of knowing and being known -- being understood and accepted -- and the vulnerability and courage love requires.
Thomas is a mature hero, and even though he could have been fleshed out a bit, he's a gentleman and I liked him. The fact that he writes letters is pretty neat, too!
And Margaret -- well, where would the world be without wise mentors to snap sense into characters who should know better? And chase muddy dogs out of the kitchen?
The storyline is simple, as I said, and I caught a few typos/weaknesses in the spinning of the tale that kept it from being truly great in my opinion. But throw together a dead letter office, a quest for a lost love, and a man with a mysterious past, all in a Western setting, and you've got me every time!
Yours Truly, Thomas is a wholesome, altogether sweet story. (I know, I know... I use that adjective way too much, but it's true!) I really do believe could be a perfect tool for teaching girls valuable lessons in an easy to understand way. If you're looking for a easy-on-the-eyes Western read with a different twist, maybe this one has your name on it! Check it out on Amazon here.**
*I received a copy of this book from Revell Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.*
**(This post contains Amazon affiliate links. That means that I'll earn a small commission if you make any purchases after being referred through my website. Don't worry - it's at no extra cost to you.)