The Book of Last Letters is a dual timeline novel set in London in 1940 and the present day.

Elsie is a nurse who wishes she had the chance to send one last message to a loved one and when she is asked for help by an injured woman to send a letter to her children she realizes that there are many others who could benefit from being helped send their thoughts to those they love. She buys a book and takes it to the hospital so that wounded soldiers can write down a message for a loved one and find comfort in the knowledge that it would be sent should they not make it. 

In London in the present day artist Stephanie (Stevie) is struggling to deal with her issues with her brother who wrongly blames her for where he is in life and also trying to cope with her nan whose dementia is worsening. It's been a long time since she created anything. A close friend suggests she enter a community competition but Stevie struggles to come up with a fitting concept. She meets historian Finn who tells her about a newly discovered book of letters found during renovations at the retirement home where she works and inspired by the book and the woman behind it Stevie becomes fascinated to learn more about Elsie.

This is a book about friendship, love, loss and hope. I loved both timelines equally. This beautifully written book made me smile and cry and I couldn't put it down. It is the first book I've read by Kerry Barrett but it certainly won't be the last. 

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher HQ for an arc copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Buy The Book of Last Letters HERE