I found this book at Powerbooks in one of the warehouse sales. It “called out” to me. I normally do not buy books I am not familiar with, but this was different. First of all, I am attracted to the color red. I am also interested about the letters mentioned in the blurb. After a few months, I found out that there’s a letter attached at the back of the book marked “epilogue”. I did not read it. I almost did, but I didn’t.
It took me a while to finish reading because I was on a slump. I didn’t feel like reading anything, really, but I still tried. I started reading this last June, and I even took it to the beach with me but I didn’t get to read while I was there. LOL
I finally finished this earlier this month, and it’s an inspiring story about family and forgiveness. The entire story is mysterious, revealing a secret or the past one after the other, although there was a point where I was able to predict what the secret was.
Malcolm is a hot head, especially where Rain is concerned. That’s what got him into trouble in the first place, why he had to run and stay away. Although there’s a past between the two of them, it wasn’t the main focus of the romance in the story. It was still all about Jack and Laurel, their life, their love, their family. I loved reading the letters. It’s such a sweet gesture which made me want that same sweet gesture from my own partner (if I had one). Even when they were fighting or are both in the same room, he would still write a letter in what ever paper he has; a stationery, notepad, tissue, etc. That dedication is really sweet. Can I say it some more? It’s sweet. Jack Cooper is a sweet man who loved his wife very much.
A secret was revealed in one of Jack’s letters, it was vague, but reading through the letters was enough for the Cooper children to put together what happened in their parents’ past. They also got their aunt, Laurel’s sister, to talk about it and help them see what a good man Jack really was. He forgave Laurel for keeping it a secret. The whole experience taught the Cooper siblings about forgiveness and letting go and embracing the present.
This book made me cry. But not the kind that feels like your heart was pulled from your body and stomped on. It was a touching story.
Forgive me for rambling, my thoughts are all over the place.