I loved the concept of this story as supposedly two mysterious strangers pass letters in an old oak tree at the Buffalo Zoo. Laura and Isaac are each dealing with feuding shoe company families and trying to deal with expectations placed on them. The solace each finds is in the letters that are passed in the old tree. This is a beautifully written story that takes place in 1924 New York. An impressive book that sucks you in and anticipating turning the pages quickly to see what happens next. What happens when secrets are revealed and lies are uncovered will keep you riveted to your seat. I found it like peeling an onion one layer at a time and revealing what is underneath or like a multifaceted diamond that keeps shining. This book captured my attention and my heart. I recommend adding to your TBR pile on top.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required. ( )

First sentence from the prologue: "Fairy tales," Laura Bradshaw mumbled as she ran her fingertip along the embossed letters on the newly purchased book, wishing it were a different title. Years ago, she'd loved the stories of Rapunzel, Briar-Rose, and the little cinder girl, but at nearly fourteen, she found her interests lying elsewhere--Shakespeare, animal care, and poetry.

First sentence from chapter one: Laura tightened her grip on her beaded handbag as she walked the maze of paths through the zoo, bound for her tree.

The Letter Tree is strongly influenced by Shop Around the Corner (aka You've Got Mail) and Romeo and Juliet. There are two feuding families. Each family has a shoe company/factory. The Bradshaws and the Campbells. The two families used to get along--quite close friends. NOT anymore. Laura can barely remember a time when her father didn't hate the Campbells. She has fond memories of the Campbell son, Isaac. The novel opens with Laura writing a secret pen pal. There isn't a post office box (like in Shop Around the Corner), but there is a special tree with a hollow spot perfect for letters. Laura and her pen pal do not use their real names nor give personal details about their lives. They do share hopes, dreams, and fears.

Laura's home life is less than ideal. Her father is horrible--understandable or not. She's encouraged to court someone her father wants to do business with. She doesn't hate him. So she decides to end her pen pal relationship, at least temporarily. If she is going to give it her all to form a romantic relationship with marriage potential, then she shouldn't be writing another man.

Isaac, the pen pal in question, is quite upset that the letters will be stopping. He's become quite fond of his "letter girl." He suggests the two meet in person...

This one is set in 1924 in New York.

I really enjoyed this one. I absolutely love the source material--Shop Around the Corner and You've Got Mail. The feuding families comes from Romeo and Juliet--as does the name of a pet bird--but most of this one is from the other. It was a DELIGHT to read this one. Highly recommended.

My only note to the author and publisher is please, please, please don't make the cursive letters in super-tiny font. It's hard enough to read cursive and italics, when you make the font size two times smaller than the main narrative font, it's just torture. ( )

Really enjoyed this story!

"As she neared the heart of the home, her favorite room, with its floor-to-ceiling bookcases and seemingly endless volumes, her worries dimmed. Her mother had been a great lover of books, bringing home new treasures nearly every time she went out. Stepping into the magical room was like stepping into her arms. In the library, when the sun filtered through the curtains and twirled across the floor..."

This book was a delightful look into the Roarin' Twenties with all of the charm and none of the cringey content that most 20's novels contain.

I really enjoyed the Beauty and the Beast vibes that this story had too, with a main character that's a lot like Belle with her insatiable craving for books in all styles and sizes.

The Letter Tree was a beautifully penned love story that left me wanting to read more stories just like it. It was the perfect heart-warming and sweet read that I didn't know I needed.

I recieved a complimentary e-book from Thomas Nelson publishers through Netgalley to review.
I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own. ( )

Set in Buffalo, New York in the 1920s, The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham is a lovely, easy-to-read historical romance. With vibes of Romeo and Juliet and You’ve Got Mail, this story features Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell, the offspring of two feuding previous business partners. Although Laura and Isaac were friends as children, when their fathers separated the company into two competing shoe manufacturers, the children were forbidden to associate with each other.

A frequent visitor to the Buffalo Zoo, Laura hides some poetry in a tree where Isaac finds it and writes back anonymously. For years they communicate back and forth with the Letter Tree as their unofficial post office.

The setting is unique, the characters are well-drawn and engaging, and the tale has enough twists, turns, and intrigue to make the somewhat predictable plot interesting and entertaining. I’ve enjoyed this talented author’s other books and am happy to add this one to my shelf. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own. ( )

Oh the love of a Rachel Fordham story…her turn of phrase and writing style always places me right into the middle of the story…the time, the setting, the fashion…just the stories would be enough to capture my interest but the way she puts pen to paper makes them so much more memorable and inspiring.

Slow burn, emotional, forbidden love, coupled with letters that bear the very heart of the scribe, meld perfectly together to create a memorable love story. Include both shady and endearing secondary characters, perfect pacing and a search for answers to the past and you have another excellent tale to read and reread. This story will be my favorite until Fordham releases another.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. ( )