Letters to a Stranger

Dearest E. I thought of you today, like I do every day. I hope you are safe. I’m scared that you are not. And that it’s all my fault. But know this forever – I love you. R. x

It is summer 1939 and, even in rural Norfolk, no one can ignore the fact that the world is on the brink of war. But seventeen-year-old Ruby is trying her best to. She’s young, she’s beautiful, and she’s in love – with her childhood sweetheart Edmondo. She wants to close her eyes to her parents’ fear, her brother’s determination to sign up, and the sudden mistrust from the people in her village towards Edmondo’s Italian family…

But then everything changes. And Ruby makes a decision that will mean she has to keep a secret from everyone she knows, maybe forever…

Until, eighty years later in spring 2020, she finds herself, as an elderly woman, taking part in a letter-writing scheme. It’s simply meant to stave off boredom, but when she begins corresponding with a total stranger – a young single mother named Cassie – an unexpected and beautiful friendship develops. And Ruby realises she has a chance to share that secret – before it dies with her.

But Ruby and Cassie’s lives are connected in ways they could never have imagined. And, as letters fly between them, truths will be revealed. Truths with the power to either destroy their new friendship, or give both women the chance to change their lives forever…

This totally gripping and irresistible story of wartime love and heartbreak will capture the imagination of readers who love Lorna Cook, Fiona Valpy and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Readers love Sarah Mitchell:

‘I adored this book, devouring it in a couple of days!… Beautiful and moving… Will stay with me… Five shiny stars!!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘5 stars for sure!! This book gripped me, and I just couldn’t stop reading it… Beautiful… Extraordinary!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Beautiful, heart-warming, wonderfully written!… A story that moved me and one that will stay with me for a very long time.’ Renita D’Silva, 5 stars

‘I LOVED this book!… I had to keep reading!… My heart broke.’ Mama’s Book Ramblins

‘I love a good wartime forbidden love story! Great storytelling and weaving of real events with the fiction.’ Our Happily Ever After

‘I started this book on a Sunday morning and my family didn’t see me again until Sunday night!… Brilliant!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Gorgeous… Crackling with atmosphere and emotion.’ Lucinda Riley, bestselling author of The Seven Sisters

‘There is not one thing I did not love about this story… A beautiful and poignant story that has completely captured my heart.’ Sinfully Wicked Books, 5 stars

‘I absolutely loved this book… Emotional, heart-wrenching, beautiful and poignant… I completely fell in love… Have the tissues ready.’ Katie’s Book Cave, 5 stars

‘I found myself becoming seriously addicted to reading it… To say that I felt as though I had been through the emotional wringer during the reading of this book is an understatement… Tugged on my heartstrings.’ Ginger Book Geek

‘So heart-wrenching… A beautiful and intriguing story that will keep you turning those pages and wanting to hug your loved ones!’ Goodreads reviewer

‘A heartbreaking story of forbidden love… I loved the book… I learned a lot… A great book and highly recommended!!!’ @fictiongoddess

‘Amazing… Couldn’t put it down… I couldn’t wait to find out what happened.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars