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The Book of Last Letters: Unforgettable WW2 historical fiction full of romance Kindle Edition

by Kerry Barrett (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 598 ratings
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‘Heart-breaking but so uplifting – Kerry really is a hugely talented voice.’ Nicola Cornick, author of The Forgotten Sister

Inspired by an incredible true story, this is an unforgettable novel about love, loss and one impossible choice…

London, 1940
When nurse Elsie offers to send a reassuring letter to the family of a patient, she has an idea. She begins a book of last letters: messages to be sent on to wounded soldiers’ loved ones should the very worst come to pass, so that no one is left without a final goodbye.

But one message will change Elsie’s life forever. When a patient makes a devastating request, can Elsie find the strength to do the unthinkable?

London, present day
Stephanie has a lot of people she’d like to speak to: her estranged brother, to whom her last words were in anger; her nan, whose dementia means she is only occasionally lucid enough to talk.

When she discovers a book of wartime letters, Stephanie realises the importance of our final words – and uncovers the story of a secret love, a desperate choice, and the unimaginable courage of the woman behind it all…

A moving and compelling historical novel from the author of The Girl in the Picture, perfect for fans of The Nightingale and The Keeper of Happy Endings.

Readers LOVE The Book of Last Letters!

‘I loved this book from beginning to end. It was one of those books that you just couldn't put down… One of the best books I have read.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A blinder of a novel. A brilliant story that at times is heartwarming and yet at other times heartbreaking.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A gripping and emotional read that will stay with me for a long time.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An incredible read and I absolutely loved it.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An absolutely beautiful book… It’s a definite read and read again for me.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a beautiful story. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster… I couldn't put it down.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gripping… Such a wonderful read.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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  1. Print length
    385 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    HQ Digital
  5. Publication date
    March 30, 2022
  6. File size
    2202 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kerry Barrett was a bookworm from a very early age, devouring Enid Blyton and Noel Streatfeild, before moving on to Sweet Valley Highand 1980s bonkbusters. She did a degree in English Literature, then trained as a journalist, writing about everything from pub grub to EastEnders.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09Q89WKV1
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HQ Digital (March 30, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 30, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2202 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 385 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0008481113
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 598 ratings

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Kerry Barrett

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
598 global ratings
Beautiful Book!
5 Stars
Beautiful Book!
"The Book of Last Letters" by Kerry Barrett, is a absolutely stunning novel. It is historical fiction based on a true story about a WW2 nurse that recorded the last letters of gravely injured military personnel for their families. This book will absolutely bring you to tears. It's emotional and heartfelt.Synopsis1940- Elsie age-21, is a nurse at "South London District Hospital". She begins sending upbeat letters to the injured victim's families to reassure them their loved one is accounted for and safe. What began as an occasional letter turns into a "last book of letters" as a loving way for the terminal patient's to say goodbye to loved ones. However, one person's dying request could turn into a fight-for-life situation for Elsie. Will Elsie honor the wish?Present day:Stephanie (Stevie) and her twin brother Max were raised by their Nan for much of their childhood. Max is now serving time in prison. The twins parted on bad terms. Nan has dementia and lives in the "Tall Trees" residential home. She rarely recognizes Stevie anymore. When Stevie stumbles upon an antique scrap book, she learns to fully embrace the impact of last words and the tremendous courage demonstrated by those that bravely paved the way for us."The Book of Last Letters" will be published March 30th.Standing ovation to Kerry Barrett for this outstanding 5 Star novel!Thank you NetGalley and H.Q. Digital, for the honor of reviewing this e-book. I loved every page of it!
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Top reviews from the United States

LINDA R FOX
5.0 out of 5 stars Overwhelmed my heart!
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
I usually don't write reviews because I never know what to say, especially when the author says things so perfectly. But this is the first book in so long that has really touched me. I love the characters, I love the story and I love the World War II experience. Hard to read times, painful and sad and heart-wrenching.....and yet I could not stop reading. Thank you for such a touching book.
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sallyv
4.0 out of 5 stars WWII Mystery
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2022
Set in a London hospital in WWII and present day with the hospital now a retirement home and how the two stories overlap. Elsie was working at the hospital with Nelly her best friend during the blitz in WWII. We get to know Elsie and Nelly and their daily shifts at the hospital. One day a mother came into the hospital after a bombing and was worried about her children and how would she let them know what happened to her. Elsie said she would write a letter to the children and post it for the mother. When other patients heard what Elsie did for the mother they inquired if she could write my them also. Elsie had a better idea. She would get a book and the patients could write their last thoughts or memories. down. Some patients even wrote poems or did drawings. Elsie ran into some trouble with a neighbor named Jackson and she had to leave London and travel to Ireland. Now to present day and Stevie (Stephanie) who is a artist and is estranged from her family except her Nan who is in the retirement home that Stevie works at. Elsie's book of Last Letters end up in Stevie's possession and Stevie is determined to find out what happens to Elsie. The story kept me interested in Elsie's and Stevie's life and I was content with the way the two stories connected..
7 people found this helpful
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Denise Glisson
5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary!
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024
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Loved this split time story! This is my first book by Kerry and I can't wait to read more. Time periods Will and present day. In 1940 two best friends work at a hospital as nurses. They set up huts In back of the hospital to house Airmen who were wounded. In the present day, the hospital is now a Senior Care Home. The one thing they have in common is a book. To find out what is so special about the book, is to purchase quickly.
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tjplayin
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2023
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Kerry tells a great story of love and war with strong and funny characters. If you like historical romance, this one will keep you reading!
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Carmen Gibson
3.0 out of 5 stars Multi layered
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2023
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An experienced author able to tell a story in dual time without losing the reader with an over cluttering of characters. The story is set in London. The story is not political nor is it about Americans. So why did the author decide to take a swipe at Donald Trump. I turn to reading historical fiction to get away from all things to do with the deeply opposed sides in American politics. The comment was getting and in the beginning of the book. It was odd and the character never again mentions anything American. I enjoyed the story but that one point just stayed with me. I also got put off by the self pity. It was repeated too much. Overall a great storyline but I'm hesitant at this time as to whether I'll give another book by this author a chance.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Human Kindness
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2022
A beautiful historical novel that puts a smile on your face as you see the true depths of human kindness. Through her characters the author showed how people banded together to write what may have been their last words to console their family members. Dual timelines were used and were beautifully intertwined. Of course there were two love stories for all romance readers to savor. #TheBookOfLastLetters #KerryBarrett
6 people found this helpful
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Mrs Monson
5.0 out of 5 stars History, mystery, suspense
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2023
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I loved the entire book! The mix of past and present, mystery, suspense and a love story all mixed together. I also love the idea of writing messages in a book to keep memories alive for young and old. I kept thinking back to reading Diary of Anne Frank, though not the same as a book with message from lots of people, Anne's letters shared her messages on her experience at that time in history which have been shared with millions of people. I would definitely recommend reading this book.
One person found this helpful
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Scarlett
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2024
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I love historical novels and the transitions from past to present we seamless. Loved the storyline and characters. I couldn't put it down.
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Top reviews from other countries

wendy
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent from start to finish
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2023
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This was one of those books where you just couldn’t read it quickly enough, the two entwined stories in different eras were fascinating.
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like2read
5.0 out of 5 stars Yep - made me ugly cry and sob my heart out, which translates as 'I loved it.'
Reviewed in Australia on January 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
I really loved this dual time-line story for all that it is so heart-wrenching, but is a fabulous word-painting of the human spirit.

When I first opened the book and discovered one timeline was set in WWII, my heart sank. I steer clear of wartime stories. They're inevitably the same as every other war story, and they are seriously depressing. But The Book of Last Letters was none of these things!

I am not going to tell you what the story is about - that is for you to discover. But I will say this... If you love stories rich in human strength and failings; and you yearn to be pulled into a story that will leave its mark on you, then give this one a go.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars last letters
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2023
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What a brilliant book once i started to read it i just could not put it down until i had finished reading the whole book. would read it again
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Sally Hogston
5.0 out of 5 stars Elsie Watson
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2023
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Absolutely brilliant book. Amazing at how it jumped from 1940 to present day and back again. Nurse,pilot, mural, Finn and daughter
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Belinda Blue
5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant read to escape into on your day off
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2022
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I enjoy books which are set in 2 different time zones. It’s a historical romance set mainly during WW2. Good main characters and an easy read of escapism
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