Author: reelru

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

What I liked about this book:

The letters that were put in this book really do sound like real letters two young people might have sent each other many years ago. They're very apt, realistic, and although there were one or two places the language sounded too modern, mostly period. I loved the discussions of the firehouse to beat the cold.

I also can see the hint of Arielle and Elizabeth's relationship, though it is only through glances. I can tell they care a lot about each other and are trying to be coy about it. Honestly that also feels pretty realistic, given the setting I was handed with the servant boys hiding in the closet.

The author also has excellent pacing. Parts of this will probably stick with me for a while, which is usually how I can tell if a book is paced well, especially with the one letter that was not responded to.

What I did NOT like about this book:

I really wish this was a story and not just letters. I want to see what's going on. Letters are inherently telly, and although they're well-written and beautiful, I want more. I want to see these girls interact and get to know one another, maybe with the letters interspersed.

I sort of wish it didn't have the gxg tag so I could have been surprised when the revelation of what happened between Arielle and Elizabeth came up.

Overall:

This was very well done. I just wish this was something other than what it is.

Rating: 

9/10 for the format it's been done in. 6/10 for enjoyment factor. I'd rather see this story play out in prose than as back and forth letters.