Review: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros

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

✦Amazon ➜ http://a.co/fGzkfjn

✦iBooks ➜ https://apple.co/2MFt5xT

✦Kobo ➜ http://bit.ly/2OAOjxz

✦Barnes & Noble ➜ http://bit.ly/2MKazEu 

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.

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

Cover Reveal: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros

 

The right words can save your life.

For fans of Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Picoult... A soldier falls in love with his battle buddy’s sister through their letters and returns home from Afghanistan with a secret that could destroy their fragile relationship. Don’t miss THE LAST LETTER by Rebecca Yarros, pre-order your copy today!

About THE LAST LETTER (Coming 2/26/2019):

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

✦Amazon      ✦iBooks      ✦Kobo      ✦Barnes & Noble 

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.

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

Spotlight:Entangled Publishing has been celebrating The Best Book Boyfriends Ever!

This week, Entangled Publishing has been celebrating The Best Book Boyfriends Ever by shining a light on some of the heroes on Embrace! Today I’m joining in as we salute the military book boyfriends!

Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros

Fight & Glory #1

She knew. That’s why Mom hadn’t opened the door. She knew Dad was dead. Twenty years as an army brat and Ember Howard knew, too. Her dad would never be coming home. Then Josh Walker enters her life. Hockey star, her new next-door neighbor...and endowed with the most delicious hands that have a way of erasing her pain with a single touch. But just when Ember lets him in, Josh’s secret shatters their world. And she must decide if he’s worth the risk that comes with loving a man who could strip her world bare.

Get Full Measures: https://entangledpublishing.com/full-measures.html

Eyes Turned Skyward by Rebecca Yarros

Fight & Glory #2

Since her sister's death, Paisley, who shares her sister’s heart condition, is treated like glass by her parents. But nothing will stop her from completing her Bucket List—even if it kills her. And it almost does, until Jagger pulls her from the ocean and sets her soul on fire. Jagger is wickedly hot, reckless, and perfect for a girl living life to the fullest. Except Paisley is the commanding general's daughter and her boyfriend is Jagger's biggest rival. One wrong move, and they could crash and burn…

Get Eyes Turned Skyward: https://entangledpublishing.com/eyes-turned-skyward.html

Beyond What is Given by Rebecca Yarros

Fight & Glory #3

The last thing Lt. Grayson Masters needs is the distraction of his gorgeous new roommate, Samantha Fitzgerald. While her smart mouth and free spirit are irresistibly irritating, he can’t deny their off-the-charts chemistry—or her ability to pull his focus away from his Apache helicopter course. Sam has no business digging for Grayson’s secrets while she’s hiding her own, but that doesn’t stop her from trying to tear down his walls. Each barrier she busts through drops one of her own, though, and she’s not prepared for the truth…

Get Beyond What is Given: https://entangledpublishing.com/beyond-what-is-given.html

Hallowed Ground by Rebecca Yarros

Fight & Glory #4

Josh Walker is loyal, reckless, and every girl’s dream. But he only has eyes for December Howard. Together they have survived grief, the military, distance, and time. As Josh heads to Afghanistan, a country that nearly killed him once before and took Ember’s father, they fill their last days together with love, passion, and plans for their future... If there’s one thing Ember has learned from her father’s death, it’s that there are some obstacles even love can’t conquer.

Get Hallowed Ground: https://entangledpublishing.com/hallowed-ground.html

Seared on My Soul by Cole Gibsen

Written on My Heart #2

Reece Montgomery never planned on being anyone’s hero, especially the foul-mouthed, bleach-blonde barista from the local coffee shop. He thinks there’s more to Emily Garret than her tattoos, and lip ring, but getting close means letting her into his past and meeting his ghosts.

Get Seared on my Soul: https://entangledpublishing.com/seared-on-my-soul.html

Abby Road by Ophelia London

Abby Road #1

It's been exactly one day since rock star Abby Kelly fled her chaotic life. One day without her demanding manager, papparrazzi, ridiculous tour schedules, and recording sessions. But all it takes is one twist of fate— to enter a stranger's surf shop while trying to dodge some fans—for everything to change. When Abby meets Todd, an ex-Marine sniper turned surfer, she feels things she hasn't felt for a long time. Possibly never. But when the real world comes crashing back in, Abby is caught between the superstar she's become...and the painfully real human being she longs to be.

Get Abby Road: https://entangledpublishing.com/abby-road.html

Crossing Abby Road by Ophelia London

Abby Road #2

Todd Camford went from Marine sniper to owning a beachfront surf shop in Florida. He's a free-flying, unfettered hawk, and relationships outside of family are out of the question. And then she comes into his shop. Everyone knows who Abigail Kelly is—mega rockstar, tabloid fixture. He'd be an ass (or possibly insane) to think he can resist her. Just for today, maybe he'll keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't get mobbed. Because really, how much damage could one day with a super-hot, kick-ass celebrity really do?

Get Crossing Abby Road: https://entangledpublishing.com/crossing-abby-road.html

Authors Ophelia London & Cole Gibsen shared their thoughts about writing about men in uniform. Entangled has all of the Embrace stories with military heroes on sale for just 99¢, today only!

Is your hero inspired by a real-life person? If so, who?

Ophelia London (author of Abby Road & Crossing Abby Road): Actually, my hero, Todd, is very, very roughly based on a mix of my college boyfriend and the fantasy I wished he'd been back then. Hee-hee. I started dreaming up this story a few years after 9/11, so I KNEW Todd needed to have served in the military.

Cole Gibsen (author of Seared on my Soul): I'm the executive director of a charity that places PTSD service dogs with veterans. I wouldn't say Reece was inspired by a particular veteran, but rather the struggle I've witnessed so many of them going through.

What other kinds of heroes do you like to read about?

Ophelia: Basically any of them! But currently, I love to read about powerful men: the businessmen: strong silent type that appear to be all business, but deep down have a gooey heart of gold. And if they have an accent, whooo baby!

Cole: I'm seriously a romance junkie, so when it comes to heroes, I don't discriminate. I love them all.

 A grand prize pack of signed print books, ebooks, swag, & specially selected gifts from your favorite Embrace authors!

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Spotlight:Entangled Publishing celebrate the heroes of Embrace & New Adult Romance!

This week, I’m helping Entangled Publishing celebrate the heroes of 

Embrace & New Adult Romance!

Foolproof by Jennifer Blackwood

Drexler University

t's been a rough semester and Jules Carmichael needs to get her life together. Pronto. Unfortunately, the only available work is at Office Jax, home of horrid 90s music and the biggest jerk on this side of the galaxy. Then Ryan DeShane discovers the “6 Ultimate Steps to the Perfect Summer Fling”—and Jules is his target. But the “steps” work a little too well, because he and Jules are definitely, uh, flinging. And it's only a matter of time before Ryan's foolproof plan starts to seriously unravel…

Get Foolproof: https://entangledpublishing.com/foolproof.html

The Rule Maker by Jennifer Blackwood

Rule Breakers #2

Ten Steps to Surviving a New Job: 1. Don’t sleep with the client. It’ll get you fired. (Sounds easy enough.) 2. Don’t blink when new client turns out to be former one-night stand. 3. Don’t call same client a jerk for never texting you back. 6. Ignore accelerated heartbeat every time sexy client walks into room. 8. Don’t let client’s charm wear you down. Be strong. 9. Whatever you do, don’t fall for the client. You’ll lose more than your job—maybe even your heart.

Get The Rule Maker: https://entangledpublishing.com/the-rule-maker.html

Wilder by Rebecca Yarros

The Renegades #1

He’s Paxton Wilder, five-time X Games medalist and smoking-hot leader of the Renegades. The world is his playground, and for the next nine months Leah Baxter is stuck as his tutor on the Study at Sea program. If she can’t get him to take his academics seriously, she’ll lose her scholarship...if she doesn’t lose her heart first.

Get Wilder: https://entangledpublishing.com/wilder.html

Nova by Rebecca Yarros

The Renegades #2

He’s Landon Rhodes, four-time X Games medalist and full-time heartbreaker. This tatted-up adrenaline junkie has earned his nickname Casanova, going through girls in an attempt to forget the one who got away. But now she’s back and determined not to let him destroy her again. The problem is, he will stop at nothing to prove to her that they are meant to be together.

Get Nova: https://entangledpublishing.com/nova.html

Fearless by Shae Ross

Pretty Smart Girls #2

Devi Dalton won't let anyone hold her back. With a shiny new job in Manhattan, she’s finally taking control of her life. Her only obstacle? Ben Winslow, the sexy cage fighter she’s desperately trying to resist, who isn’t about to let her push him away again. They're more than friends—always have been. But every fighter has a weakness. Ben’s is Devi. And this time, not even Devi’s favorite “ Fearless Red” lipstick will be able to protect her heart..

Get Fearless: https://entangledpublishing.com/fearless.html

Rush by Shae Ross

Pretty Smart Girls #3

Priscilla Winslow has a mouth that spits fiery sarcasm faster than I can throw a touchdown. But I’ve wanted her ever since I saw her in that Bo Peep outfit on Halloween. Yep, I’m a sheep who will follow that little hottie anywhere. There’s one problem...she hates me. Just because we ended up in jail and quite possibly ruined both our futures...

Get Rush: https://entangledpublishing.com/rush.html

Getting Lucky Number Seven by Cindi Madsen

Taking Shots #1

Lyla Wilder is done being the shy, chemistry nerd extraordinaire. So she creates a "College Bucket List"―with item #7 being a night of uninhibited, mind-blowing sex...But she needs some help from her man-whore best friend. With every item she ticks off, Hockey player Beck Davenport finds himself growing seriously hot for his sweet, brainiac best friend. And if he's not careful, he'll end up risking their friendship in order to convince Lyla that he might just be her lucky #7…

Get Getting Lucky Number Seven: https://entangledpublishing.com/getting-lucky-number-seven.html

Anatomy of a Player by Cindi Madsen

Taking Shots #2

Whitney Porter is done with men. She's focusing on her first assignment at the college newspaper: Posing as a sports writer for an exposé on the extra perks jocks receive. But Hudson Decker, the bad boy of the hockey team, is about to test her no-sex rule. With his life spiraling out of control, Hudson is looking for a distraction. When his teammates bet him that he can't land the gorgeous but prickly new reporter, he accepts, boasting he'll have her in bed by the end of the semester. But Whitney is so much more than Hudson expected, and soon enough, he's in too deep.

Get Anatomy of a Player: https://entangledpublishing.com/anatomy-of-a-player.html

Crazy Pucking Love by Cindi Madsen

Taking Shots #3

I just met the girl of my dreams. Megan Davenport is funny and smart, and she’s as much of an insomniac as I am. She’s also my team captain’s little sister, which I only found out after our passionate kiss. Megan is completely off-limits—her brother makes that very clear—and I know better than to think I can keep a relationship going during hockey season anyway. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be late-night friends, right?

Get Crazy Pucking Love: https://entangledpublishing.com/crazy-pucking-love.html

Lessons in Gravity by Megan Westfield

Falling for the star of a rock climbing documentary is not a good idea, especially if you’re the filmmaking intern who will be dangling from the side of a three thousand foot cliff with a camera while he climbs Yosemite’s most treacherous spire without a rope.

Get Lessons in Gravity: https://entangledpublishing.com/lessons-in-gravity.html

Falling for the Player by Jessica Lee

Bad boy and former NFL running back Patrick Guinness is tired of meaningless sex. Ever since his scorching hot one-night stand three years ago, no one has interested him. So when Max Segreti wanders into his mechanic shop—and his life again—Patrick can't stop thinking about the totally-out-of-his-league law grad and the possibility of getting him out of his system once and for all…

Get Falling for the Player: https://entangledpublishing.com/falling-for-the-player.html

Unfixable by Tessa Bailey

Willa Peet isn’t interested in love. She’s been there, done that, and has the shattered heart to prove it. Ready to shake the breakup, she heads to Dublin, Ireland. But there’s a problem. A dark-haired, blue-eyed problem with a bad attitude that rivals her own. And he’s not doling out friendly Irish welcomes. Shane Claymore is only in Dublin long enough to sell the Claymore Inn and get things in order for his mother and younger sister. Meeting a sarcastic American girl makes him question everything, but will their pasts destroy any hope of a future together?

Get Unfixable: https://entangledpublishing.com/unfixable.html

Today we’re celebrating athletes! Here’s what Embrace authors have to say about their athletic heroes.

Are any of your athlete characters inspired by real life people? If so, who?

Tessa Bailey (author of Unfixable): Shane from Unfixable is a bartender from Dublin (in addition to being a Formula One driver). In real life, I married a bartender from Dublin. He doesn't race cars, but there is some definite similarities.

Cindi Madsen (author of the Taking Shots series): Beck Davenport was modeled after Gabe Landeskog, Hudson Decker came about after staring at a lot of pictures of Tyler Seguin, & my inspiration for Dane was Chris Letang. Ryder "Ox" Maddox was tricky, & he's actually more modeled off actor Robbie Amell.

Jennifer Blackwood (author of Foolproof & The Rule Maker): Gus Kenworthy totally helped inspire me to write Ryder Covington :-) and Claudio Marchisio was hero inspiration for Ryan from Foolproof.

Shae Ross (author of the Pretty Smart Girls series): The heroine athletes in RUSH were partially inspired by my nieces, Samantha and Sydney. Sam played soccer for Florida Gulf Coast and Syd plays for the University of Toledo, Rockets. Some of the scenes in RUSH parallel their experiences as female athletes on and off the soccer field.

Megan Westfield (author of Lessons in Gravity): I was watching a short rock climbing film when I initially had the idea for Lessons in Gravity. [HYPERLINK POSSIBILITY: http://www.entangledinromance.com/2016/10/25/behind-the-book-lessons-in-gravity-by-megan-westfield/ ]. The climber in that film was Dean Potter who was one of the greatest rock climbers of this generation. Like Dean Potter, the pro rock climber in Lessons in Gravity, sometimes climbs without a rope—also called free soloing. (Sadly, Dean Potter died two years ago B.A.S.E. jumping in Yosemite National Park.) The most well-known free-solo rock climber is Alex Honnold who is practically a household name after appearing on 60 Minutes, in nationwide TV commercials, and on the cover of National Geographic, to name a few.

Jessica Lee (author of Falling for the Player): No!

Besides athletes, about what kind of heroes do you like to read?

Tessa: Blue collar men have always been my favorite. I love men who get dirty and work with their hands. Mechanics, law enforcement, construction workers. They can't solve problems with money, so they have to be more creative and that's what I love most.

Cindi: Really I'm a fan of all heroes. I just want to see a guy fall head over heels over the heroine. If they're funny, bonus points.

Jennifer: Men who like to work with their hands, who don't mind getting dirty. Maybe a mechanic? Or a cowboy?

Shae: I like to read about heroes in the working world. There's something oh so appealing about a successful man in a business suit. Don't you think?

Megan: Aside from heroes that are athletes, I’m currently smitten with rock star heroes like Berkeley from In Bloom by Katie Delahanty and Jack from Mean Girl Apologizes by Stephanie Monahan.

Jessica: I also adore a hero with a tortured soul. A man whose been to hell and back. And the heroine is the only person who can see who he really is behind the pain. She's the person who can finally help him heal.

What sport do you think has the hottest athletes? Why?

Tessa: I have to go with hockey players. It's not just the fact that they're massive, muscular, sweaty gods—they fist fight. Normally, I would eye roll two men in a physical fight, but I'll allow it in the name of sports glory.

Cindi: Well, I have to go with hockey, because I don't want my hockey players mad at me. LOL. But football would be a close second.

Jennifer: Soccer. The abs. Need I explain more?

Shae: MMA--Mixed Martial Arts.

Megan: Outdoor adventure athletes are the very hottest! I define adventure sports as non-motorized sports out in the wild somewhere. Backcountry skiing, rock climbing, surfing, mountaineering, rafting, mountain biking, etc. These sports are the sexiest because they take athletic ability far beyond what you see in a city-sport, plus the stakes are way higher because chances of rescue are very slim if the athlete gets hurt.

Jessica: Soccer or football. Why? Have you seen those shorts and those tight pants? lol

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Release Day Spotlight: Nova by Rebecca Yarros

Click on the image above to follow the Release Blast.

Nova
The Renegades #2

By: Rebecca Yarros

Releasing February 20, 2017
Entangled

Nova

The Renegades Series

The only heart he wants is the one he already broke...

He's Landon Rhodes.

The Renegade they call Nova.

Sinfully gorgeous, broody, tatted-up, professional snowboarder.

Four-time X Games medalist—

Full-time heartbreaker.

They say a girl broke him once—

That's why he's so reckless, so driven, so careless with his conquests.

But I'm that girl.

They can call me his curse all they want.

He and I both know the truth—

He's the one who destroyed me,

And I'm not the sucker who will let that happen again.

***NOVA can be read as a standalone***

   AMAZON | B & N | ITUNES | KOBO

 “How many have there been, Landon? How many memories are in your bed nowadays?” She forged on ahead, her eyes glossing over with a layer of what I was hesitant to call tears. “Can you remember them all?”

Heat rushed through my veins, a nauseating mixture of anger, shame, and the bitter taste of regret. My brain screamed at me to retreat and lick my wounds, to try again with her when she wasn’t on offense.

My heart reminded me that I was going to have to fight for this woman with every weapon in my arsenal if I wanted her.

And damn, I wanted her. Craved her. Needed her.

She was the only one I’d ever felt connected to—the only one my heart woke up and shook off the ice for. The only woman who challenged me and took me down in the process.

I stepped forward and clamped both of my hands on the table, boxing her between my arms. She craned her head to keep my gaze, unwilling to back down. It was the quality that both frustrated the hell out of me and turned me on faster than anything—her constant refusal to yield for just a fucking second.
 “Can I remember them all? Probably not.”


She snorted.


“You want to know why?” I didn’t wait for her to answer. “Because blonde, redhead, brunette—I saw their features for a millisecond. The moment I had one of them in my bed, they all had eyes the color of dark chocolate and hair so black it was almost blue...” I glanced at her hair. “Or purple. I never needed to remember them, because they were always you.”

“Don’t say things like that,” she begged. As if I could physically see her walls start to crumble, she softened. “You don’t get to say things like that to me. Not anymore.

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and a lover of all things coffee, chocolate, and Paleo. She is the author of the Flight & Glory series, which includes Full Measures, the award-winning Eyes Turned Skyward, Beyond What Is Given, and Hallowed Ground. She loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for fifteen years.

When she’s not writing, she’s tying hockey skates for her four sons, sneaking in some guitar time, or watching Brat Pack movies with her two daughters. She lives in Colorado with the hottest Apache pilot ever, their rambunctious gaggle of kids, and an English bulldog who is more stubborn than sweet. They recently adopted their youngest daughter from the foster system, and Rebecca is passionate about helping others do the same.

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