Dearest Josephine

Summary:

1821: Elias Roch has always been out of place in society. And then he met Josephine DeClare and wrote her dozens of letters, hoping to find her again.

2021: Josephine DeClare has horrible taste in boyfriends, the last one having almost ruined her dearest friendship. And then, in the wake of her father’s death, she finds 200-year-old love letters that seem to be written to her. Suddenly she’s falling for a guy who lived two hundred years ago as questions arise. Elias couldn’t have been writing about her, could he?

My Review: As I started reading this book, I was really enjoying the writing from Elias’ POV, probably because his time period called for more flowery writing, which I prefer. I thought it was really cool that this story was told through Josie’s texts and emails, and Elias’ letters and his novel. However, around the midpoint, things began to drag for me, and in the end, I was just trying to finish it. If I had to sum this story up in two words, it would be moody pinning. Unfortunately, this one just fell flat for me.

My Takeaway: This is a story about healing and love transcending centuries. You may want to be aware that this is a romance, which is clean, so the plot centers on love.

Romance: Heavy, romantic thoughts, two kisses, professions of love, flirtatious characters.

Nudity: None.

Language: Light, mentions of swearing.

Alcohol/drugs/smoking: Mild, a side character drinks and gets drunk, mentions of him getting drunk, and mentions of smoking pipes.

Violence: None

Darkness: Mild, themes of healing and grief, death.

Bad Messages: None.

Good Messages: Themes of true love, healing, and friendship.

Stars: 2