Review - Dear Mr. Knightley

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Christian

My rating: 5 stars

Average Goodreads rating: 3.95 stars

Pages: 328

  

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Samantha Moore has had a difficult childhood. Being passed around to different foster parents. Never living up their standards. As a result she's put walls up around her heart. She buries herself in her books until she doesn't know who she is anymore.

After college she's granted a scholarship from the anonymous 'Mr. Knightley' to earn her graduate degree. On one condition. That is, she must write to this 'Mr. Knightley,' keeping him updated with her progress. It's only in her letters to this mysterious benefactor that she can be herself. But even with the help of her new friends she finds herself opening up. Will it only hurt her in the end?

Pardon the cliché, but this book made my heart smile. I wish I could erase it from my mind and start it all over again.

I was endeared to the protagonist, Sam, almost from the very beginning. I felt for her and cheered for her, but at the same time I wanted to kick her for some of the things she did! She's always pushed people away—never really trying to build real, lasting relationships. Because she'll just end up getting hurt. Because she's flawed. A failure—or so she thinks.

Sam has so much offer and she doesn't even know it! But with Mr. Knightley to vent to in her letters and all these new friends that actually seem to care about her—she finds herself opening up more than she ever has before. And it kind of scares her. But I just loved watching her grow and discover herself.

Some people might be put off by the fact that this is an epistolary novel. Don't be! It flowed so well and had a wonderful, intimate voice.

This was a really fun novel with a sweet romance and a fabulous, complex heroine. Highly recommended!

Content: Kissing. Some heavy issues such as mentions of abuse. It's a clean read!

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