Dirty Letters

By Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

ISBN#  9781542016797

Authors Websites:  https://www.vikeeland.com/  & http://penelopewardauthor.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Luca used to have a strong connection with a boy she never even met.  He lived in England and his name was Griffin.  She could tell Griffin anything and he seemed to really understand her.  He was her pen pal and one of the most important people in her life.  That is, until tragedy struck.

Luca and her best friend, Izzy, went to a concert and the venue caught on fire!  Luca had been at the concession stand, which ended up saving her life.  Sadly, Izzy didn’t make it.  The incident was traumatizing for Luca and has left her full of fears and phobias.  She can’t stand to be in large crowds now which has left her living a reclusive life with just her and her pet pig.  And, what about that pen pal, you might ask?  She was so filled with guilt that, she quit responding to him altogether.

It’s been eight years.  Luca finally got the courage to go back to New York to clean out her father’s apartment a year after his death.  While there, she finds a letter from Griffin.  He was angry and told her off for stopping contact with him.  Hearing from him has brought back the memories of what they once had and she reaches out to him and apologizes, not sure if he could ever forgive her.  Luckily for her, he does.  They pick up where they left off, but with more mature content and the letters quickly start getting downright raunchy!

However, Griffin has a secret.  And, it could ruin everything the two are trying to build.  What happens when to be with the one you love, you must overcome your greatest fear?  Is it even possible?  Is love truly enough to overcome all obstacles?

When I was looking for something to read, the synopsis to this book really spoke to me.  I also have had a friend that was much like the way Griffin was described in the synopsis.  One that you have such a close connection to that you can discuss anything with.   The big difference with us is that we were not romantically involved as the couple in this book quickly become.   However, our significant others have not always been so receiving of our close bond over the years.  It has left us with large breaks of time in our friendship.  We actually just started talking a few weeks ago after six years of silence so the timing of coming along this book, could not have been better.  Honestly, if I hadn’t talked to him, I’m pretty sure I would have after reading this book!  Anyway, that was a lot of rambling that was meant to just illustrate that I can truly understand and appreciate Griff and Luca’s bond as I have experienced such a connection myself.

Unfortunately, I did find this book had a bit of a slow start.  The first few chapters dragged a bit for me as the authors were weaving the story for us.  I also thought that Griff’s letter wasn’t nearly as bad as Luca felt it was.  He told her she sucked.  I could think of much worse he could say.  And, I honestly felt he forgave her way too easy.  I mean eight years?  Of course my friend and I always forgive each other for our long silences pretty easy too, easier than we should probably.

After the first couple of chapters, I fell in love with this book and didn’t want to put it down.  I did find Luca to be annoying at times with all her fears.  Griffin really did go above and beyond in order to be with Luca and I felt at times, she really didn’t appreciate all he did.

I did love Griffin though and his big secret turned this book into a combination of two of my favorite things in books.  A second chance romance and … you will just have to read to find out!  Once you know his profession you will know the other thing rather quickly!  It was also an emotional roller coaster, so I guess that’s three of my favorite things in one book.

This was a really great read and I look forward to reading more from this author duo.  Oh and that cover was pretty hot too that model could write me pen pal letters all he wants!

“We all have light and dark inside us, love. We try to hide the darkness from others because we’re afraid it will scare them away. But your dark doesn’t scare me, Luca. It only makes me want to hold your hand and be your light until you can find your own again. That’s what people do when they’re in love. I won’t always be able to give you your light back, because sometimes you need to find that within yourself, but I’ll stand by your side and hold your hand in the dark so things aren’t so scary.”

And, here is a song I feel is a perfect complement to this book….Here with Me by Marshmello featuring CHVRCHES.