I love Katie Fforde's British romantic comedies. There is an innocence about them, although these are not pure romances when the characters never have sex. They're working women romances, with happy endings. But, for a book lover, she outdid herself with
Love Letters. This is a fun love story for all of us who love book stores, book festivals, and authors. If you're ready to slip off to England and Ireland,
Love Letters is a treat.
Laura Horsley doesn't know what she's going to do with herself when she's out of work after her boss retires and closes his bookshop. She's loved her job, reading books, recommending them to customers, and working as the author event planner. Even if her parents don't understand why a twenty-six-year-old woman with a college education likes to be in the world of books, that's where she's happy. It's her love and knowledge of books that leads to an offer to work on a literary festival in its first year. But, suddenly, she's over her head, when the organizers take it for granted she knows the reclusive author Dermot Flynn, and they send her to Ireland to persuade him to appear at the festival. If she hadn't had a musician friend with her, and hadn't drank too much whiskey at the pub in Dermot's hometown, the shy Laura might never had the guts to speak to her literary idol. It doesn't take long for Dermot's wicked sense of humor and good looks to break down Laura's defenses. She'll do anything to get him to the literary festival, particularly after a night of whiskey. But, how do you get a man to speak to crowds when he's had writer's block, and hasn't written in years? Maybe there are two people looking for a happy ending.
Fforde blends a wonderful cast of characters, wit, and the world of books and literature into another one of her charming, enjoyable romances.
Love Letters is a satisfying book, one to close with a smile. The best thing I can actually say about it? It's so satisfying, I'm keeping it. I'm recommending it to my sisters, but they have to get their own copies. I'm keeping my copy of Katie Fforde's
Love Letters.Katie Fforde's website is
http://www.katiefforde.com/Love Letters by Katie Fforde. St. Martin's, ©2011. ISBN 9780312674533 (hardcover), 416p.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure - I begged the publisher for a copy of this book so I could read it.