The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros: A Book Review
Genre: Young Adult; Romance
While cliché, The Last Letter detailed the story surrounding a family in their time of grief and shows how betrayal and love influence all people. I give Yarros credit for the ending of the story; it’s heartbreakingly the best part of the story. This is not a book I would have picked out myself, instead I received it through a subscription book box.
Reflecting back on my time reading it, I wouldn’t say that it was a waste of time reading it, but it did only take one day to do it. The cliché of the “last letter” was throughout the story: military buddies get close, one dies, asks friend to take care of their sister in a letter written before they die but only given after. Yes, I am simplifying the whole process and the commitment military members share towards one another, but The Last Letter completely romanticizes the idea (like most books surrounding the military do). I could also be very bias as I am also very cynical of romance books.
Yarros did make me cry though. Some would say that is a miracle in itself; however, I do tend to cry easily over fictional characters. In Yarros case it was because of the pain at the end of the book. You can take that at any value you want.
Who would most enjoy the work and who should stay clear (if necessary):
If you enjoy romance novels, and can tolerate raunchy scenes, this one is for you. If you do not like the raunchy scenes, I’m warning you – they are in there. I was caught unaware. If you enjoy family themed books, you might also enjoy this story.
Some might say that this book is for actual “young adults” (18+), but I think that the demographic of young adults (12+) would understand most of it. In all honesty, I can completely see the younger side of the YA demographic not understanding completely, but get amused at how weird the wording gets during those scenes (I know I did when I read romance books in 6th grade). [NOTE: for some reason, authors get very technical(?) with their word choices in those scenes. Look for yourselves and if you find a book that doesn’t let me know.]
Other books like the one reviewed:
- My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
- Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Plot: 08/10 (the idea was too cliché for a ten)
Characters: 08/10 (characters were pretty much of the romance cliché too)
Writing: 10/10
Editor: 10/10
Total: 36/40
Title: The Last Letter: A Novel
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Edition: First
Published: February 2019
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
ISBN: 9781640635333
If you want to get it: Amazon; Barnes&Noble
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