Dear Mr. Knightley ~ Review

Dear Mr. Knightley
A Novel
By Katherine Reay

How many of us hide away from life within the pages of a book? Well, in Samantha Moore's case life is literally passing her by as she tries to project the characteristics that she most admires from her favorite characters.  Unfortunately, Austenisms just don't play well when one is trying to connect with those who don't take classic literature quite so seriously.

When Sam is offered a grant to pay her way through college, she has one obligation.  She must write frequent letters to her mysterious and secretive benefactor - who goes by the name of George Knightley.  But Sam is not to expect any response in return. This opportunity is more than Sam could have ever hoped for - a chance to reveal the hurts and fears buried deep within her soul - hurts that have separated her from what she most needs - love!

As new worlds open to her, Sam begins the slow path towards healing.  But something could set her back if she lets down her guard.  Is she willing to risk everything to claim her dream?

Sam Moore is someone I enjoyed getting to know and her taste in books is a fun mix of classics and classic rewrites.  For me my book to get lost in for years was Lucy Maude Montgomery's Emily of New Moon trilogy and I freely admit that I projected the characters onto the people in my own life when I was at some low points.  But unlike Sam I could discern the difference between my literary world and the real world.

This is a story of growth and triumph.  It is a journey of discovery of one's true self.  Austen fans are sure to love this book!  Looking forward to see what Katherine Ream writes next as this book  was an enchanting and thoughtfully written masterpiece dealing with the human soul.

I was provided a copy of this book by BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review.

Book Description

Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others—namely, her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story—by giving that story to a complete stranger.

Sam is, to say the least, bookish. An English major of the highest order, her diet has always been Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. The problem is, both her prose and conversation tend to be more Elizabeth Bennet than Samantha Moore.

But life for the twenty-three-year-old orphan is about to get stranger than fiction. An anonymous, Dickensian benefactor (calling himself Mr. Knightley) offers to put Sam through Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

As Sam’s dark memory mingles with that of eligible novelist Alex Powell, her letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional. While Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it’s straight out of a book, old secrets are drawn to light. And as Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.

Reminding us all that our own true character is not meant to be hidden, Reay’s debut novel follows one young woman’s journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.