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Monday, March 24, 2014

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

Love Letters to the Dead
by Ava Dellaira
Released |April 1st 2014 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)|
Edition |eARC|
Source |Netgalley|
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It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path.
Love Letters to the Dead had me intrigued ever since I first found out about it. I loved the whole concept of it because I've never read a book before that was written in letter form. I found the whole thing interesting. This was a sad book, but it was still very good at the same time. I did have a couple issues, but it wasn't because of the story. I thought the writing had an amazing flow to it and it was sort of captivating in a way. I've just never read anything like it. Also, the characters were very realistic. I could understand and relate to each and everyone of them. There were also so many different types of issues that was touched in this book and that made me appreciate it so much more. I'd definitely recommend this. It was good and I'm glad I got the opportunity to read it!


Even though I loved the author's writing and thought it was written beautifully, it took me awhile to get into the story. I wasn't use to the format, so I had to gradually warm up to it. About 25% into the book, I really started getting into it and that's when I started flying through the story. I wanted to know what was really going on with the main character, Laurel. Laurel was a simple girl really, but she was struggling with the death of her sister. Her sister was someone that she looked up to and loved. Laurel seemed really lost. Through her letters we slowly start to find out all the things that happened to her. In a way, Laurel was acting out. She wasn't acting out to get attention or anything like that. I think she was just trying to be someone else and try and forget her past. But I liked Laurel! It took her awhile, but she slowly started to come to a realization and I was happy for her when it happen. Throughout the entire book I just felt really sad for her. I think her character had some awesome character development along with a lot of the other characters in the book. I liked Sky as well, the love interest and I also like Laurel's friends, Natalie and Heather. Each one of them were working through their own problems and had their own issues, but together they helped each other through their problems even if they didn't even realize it.

This book had some slow moments for me, but they weren't so slow that I lost my interest in the story. I enjoyed this book overall. I loved the romance and the writing and I also really liked characters and the development that they went through. The only issues I had with the book was that it took me a little bit to get use to letter format (my own issues) and that there were some slow moments. I'd definitely recommend the story! It touches on many issues; death/grieving/depression and sexual abuse and regular abuse and just many other things. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it. I receive a copy for review through Netgally. All thoughts are my honest opinion!

18 comments:

  1. I do like the concept as well:) Sometimes when the writing is a tad too beautiful I tend to not get into the book right away so you're not alone. I'm glad you managed to get into it soon though:) I'm also glad you enjoyed the MC. It's better to "act out" like this and not do drugs or hook up with everyone so I approve this method :D I'm not sure if this really is a book for me, but I'm so very glad that everyone seems to be enjoying this one:) Great review, Janina!

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    1. I agree about the writing. I was like that in another book one before. It took a second for me to appreciate, but once I did, I loved it :)

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  2. I am really looking forward to this one, glad to see it's getting some good feedback.

    88dreamers @ Seriesly Reading

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  3. I was a bit hesitant about this book because it seems so strange, but now I think I'll have to check it out once it's released.

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  4. I agree, it took a while to get into. For me, the letters weren't an issue but the book did have it's slow moments, but once I got into it, everything speeded by.
    I am glad to hear you enjoyed this one!!

    Great Review!! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. I definitely agree about the slow moments, but once it picked up it was good :)

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  5. Oh I'm so glad you liked this one. I was a bit worried after seeing a couple of negative reviews, but I guess not everyone will love the form here. I do like epistolary books so I will enjoy this one, hopefully. Great review, Janina :)

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    1. I hope you enjoy it Tanja :) This was my first time reading a book in this format so I was pretty intrigued with the writing.

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  6. I really want to read this one! I like realistic contemporary novels, and I'm actually a big fan of books written in letter form.

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  7. Fantastic review Janina, it sounds like you enjoyed it and the book was really deep and thought provoking. I like books that touch on serious issues, and the way it was presented in letter format probably made it go down a bit better.

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  8. The formatting and slow start really has me nervous, I have been looking forward to this one.

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  9. I'm excited for this one because i've heard a lot fo REALLY good things about it. I'm into books that deal with seoruis topics so i've had this one on my radar since i first heard about it. It kind of sucks that it took you a while to get into the story but i have a feeling i'll probably be like you and then just FLY through it!
    Great review :)
    Lily @ Lilysbookblog

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  10. Glad this one worked for you =) Letter format is so hit or miss, I don't care for it much.
    I was gonna give it a go but after reading some reviews mentioning how dark it was in combination with the format I decided to nix it.

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  11. I saw this book around, but I was concerned the letter format would be off-putting for me. But your review definitely has me interested now =)

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  12. I'm happy to see this book so well-received, Janine! Rashika ( hi there co-blogger) reviewed this not too long ago and was kind of saddened by it as well. I'm looking forward to reading this soon, and I am highly interesting in the letter format. I've seen it done before and they usually give an impact that are not felt in any other kind of narration.

    Great review, hun!

    Faye at The Social Potato Reviews

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  13. I really love this book and think that a lot of people will also love it. I'd highly recommend reading it when you have plenty of time to read through the whole thing. You will get hooked, you may cry, and you'll love the journey anyway.

    Marlene
    Best Reviews for House Cleaning San Antonio site info

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