Review: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros


Title: The Last Letter
Authors: Rebecca Yarros
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Paperback, 426 Pages
Published February 2019


Summary: Beckett,

If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.

My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.

And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.

Please don’t make her go through it alone.

Ryan

I received a copy of this book in my Scribbler box a few months ago, when the writing theme was about creating relationships between the characters in a story. Being a huge romance junkie, I decided to take the plunge and read this book, even though I don't read a lot of NA or adult novels. I'm so glad I gave this book a chance, because it took me on the emotional rollercoaster of a lifetime and this book made me laugh, gasp, swoon, and yes, even full-on ugly cry. So without further ado, let's get into my review! 

As the summary explains, Ella has twins that she's trying to raise on her own, all alone while trying to keep her family's bed and breakfast afloat. Her brother, who is in the military, connects her with another man in her unit, nicknamed Chaos, to be pen pals as a way of helping both of them with their loneliness. But then Ryan doesn't make it, and his dying with to Chaos (Beckett) is to go home to see his sister and to help her be okay with the dark, unspeakable demons that she's battling with her family. But when he gets there, things aren't what he expects...and he isn't ready to be honest with Ella, either. 

You guys, I absolutely tore through this book because I loved it so much. It deals with so many different story lines that manage to interweave without getting complicated, and the story is so addicting that you find yourself flying through it in no time at all. This book made me laugh, and swoon, and cry, and gasp, and definitely blush a few times -- Beckett definitely knows what he's doing, that's for sure! Yarros is an excellent writer when it comes to crafting relationships, both familial and romantic, and I found myself really settling into the minds of the characters. Reading the story in alternating perspectives between Beckett and Ella was also really helpful in that regard!

My favorite character in this book was definitely Beckett. He was so sweet and kind and caring, and always there for Ella even when she didn't necessarily want him around. And even though he was battling his own demons, he always put his best foot forward and did whatever he could to be the best man possible. I found myself swooning for him from the very beginning and he's definitely a major book boyfriend contender. Not to mention the fact that he's suuuuuuuper hot! *swoon*

(MAJOR, MAJOR, MAJOR SPOILERS IN THIS PARAGRAPH! Skip to the next paragraph to avoid them!) Okay, when this book started wrapping up I found myself swooning and really happy, but then I got suspicious because there were still 30 or so pages left in the book...SO I NEVER SAW THE THING WITH COLT COMING. For real. I actually burst into tears and was outwardly sobbing, which is not something that I think I've ever done with a book I was reading before. I kept praying that Beckett would save him, especially after everything Maisie went through, and I am such a HEA person that I was convinced everything would turn out fine. But then when he died in Beckett's arms....oh my god. I literally lost it. I texted my boyfriend and ugly cried and vented for a little bit because I was so shocked -- I absolutely didn't see that coming at all. And Maisie's chapter in the end? It was so heartfelt and ugh!! I know I should be writing something eloquent but I was just a big ball of emotion that I didn't know what to say.

Overall, I absolutely loved reading The Last Letter. This book gripped me from start to finish and took me through an entire whirlwind of emotions. I was left feeling emotionally drained, but in one of the best ways after you read such an incredible story. I wasn't expecting all of the plot twists that showed up in this book, and the characters were all really fleshed-out and it was such an excellently written story as a whole. It's safe to say that I'd love to read more of Rebecca Yarros's work in the future -- I'm so glad that Scribbler put this book in my monthly box, because I ended up being introduced to a story that hooked me and I will now be recommending to all of my friends!



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