Dearest Josephine

About the Book:

Title: Dearest Josephine
Author: Caroline George
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: February 2nd, 2020
Genre: Teen and Young Adult Historical Romance

2020: Chocolate and Earl Grey tea can’t fix Josie De Clare’s horrible year. She mourned the death of her father and suffered a teen-life crisis, which delayed her university plans. But when her father’s will reveals a family-owned property in Northern England, Josie leaves London to find clarity at the secluded manor house. While exploring the estate, she discovers two-hundred-year-old love letters written by an elusive novelist, all addressed to someone named Josephine. And then she discovers a novel in which it seems like she’s the heroine…

1820: Novelist Elias Roch loves a woman he can never be with. Born the bastard son to a nobleman and cast out from society, Elias seeks refuge in his mind with the quirky heroine who draws him into a fantasy world of scandal, betrayal, and unconditional love. Convinced she’s his soulmate, Elias writes letters to her, all of which divulge the tragedy and trials of his personal life.

As fiction blurs into reality, Josie and Elias must decide: How does one live if love can’t wait? Separated by two hundred years, they fight against time to find each other in a story of her, him, and the novel written by the man who loves her.

Book Review:

This was a really good book. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it because it was mainly written in letters, but it was still a good book. Dearest Josephine is written by Caroline George and it is published by Thomas Nelson. 

Josie De Claire is having a horrible year. She is suffering from the loss of her father and dealing with a teen-life crisis. But then she finds out that her father left her property in Northern England. While exploring the estate she discovers love letters two-hundred years written by an elusive novelist, all addressed to someone named Josephine. But then she discovers a novel in which it seems like she’s the heroine. 

Elias Roch lives in 1820 and he loves a woman he can never be with. Born as an illegitimate son to a nobleman and cast out of society, Elias retreats into his mind with the quirky woman who draws him into a fantasy world of scandal, betrayal, and unconditional love. As Elias writes letters to this mysterious woman, he divulges the tragedy and trials of his personal life.

This was a complex book but I still enjoyed it. Josie was an interesting character because I don’t think I connected with her as much. However, I did feel for her as she struggled to balance her life and get everything back on track. She was just trying to figure out what she was going to do with her life. It was interesting to see Josie as she read the letters and novel. I loved her relationship with her friend, Faith. Faith was so fun.

Josie struggled to make sense of her life and figure out why she felt so connected to this man in the past. Elias was a different kind of character then I am used to. He was more emotional than I usually see, but he was still fascinating to read about. It was captivating to read about Elias’ and Josie’s lives intertwining. I have to say, I was pretty happy with the ending. 

Although this is not originally my kind of book, it was still good. I was a little confused when it would jump scenes. It would move from letter to novel and I would forget where I was. I did receive an electronic arc, so I don’t know if that affected it.  However, otherwise I liked it. I would recommend this book if you like books written in letters.  

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.