The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
He didn't want a pen-pal, so it took time for Beckett 'Chaos' Gentry to read the first letter from Ella, his best friend's little sister. So, he surprised himself when he not only enjoyed receiving her letters but liked writing back too. As a result, he wants to meet this cheery single mom, so finally accepts his friends offer to go to his home in Telluride. Only, that trip never happens...until fate steps in to change that.
With enticing blurb, I didn't hesitate to buy this novel. However, by chapter twelve, I was already emotionally drained in a way I just wanted to see a little ray of sunshine through the heartbreaking, grey cloudy narrative.
'No, you gave me something to lose. Other married guys … Love for them was the monorail. You are the first person I've ever loved, and the first woman who has ever loved me. You're the roller coaster.'
Beckett likens Ella to a roller coaster. For a reader, this novel mirrors his observation. The narrative includes some sunny, uplifting high points but equally darker, emotionally challenging ones will have you grabbing tissues to wipe away your tears.
The writing quality is top notch, with relatable protagonists and supporting characters. Yet I can't rate this higher than I have. The narrative overall is too much. There's an unnecessary, gut-wrenching twist near to the end. What happens before that point is angst-ridden enough. Adding to it is a step too far. It's a shame. The ending is satisfying in a way the loose ends are tied. That aspect I'm happy with and as a conclusion, the story has stayed with me.
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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 were 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
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Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and a lover of all things coffee and chocolate. She is the author of the award-winning Flight & Glory series and The Renegades. She loves military heroes, and has been blissfully married to her Apache pilot for seventeen years.
When she's not writing, she's tying hockey skates for her four sons, sneaking in guitar time, or watching brat-pack movies with her two daughters. She lives in Colorado with her husband, their rambunctious gaggle of kids, and their menagerie of pets. Having adopted their youngest daughter from the foster system, Rebecca is a passionate advocate for children through her non-profit, One October.
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