What readers think of Letters to the Lost, plus links to write your own review.

Love, both new-found and long-lost, permeates Letters to the Lost. Although this book did not pull me totally into its world, I found it a pleasant read. Jess, a singer, on the run from her boyfriend/manager, finds love in the modern world when she meets Will, a probate researcher, looking for the missing owner of the house in which Jess is squatting. Jess also finds vintage love when she uncovers WWII-era letters written by Daniel, an American Air Force pilot, to Stella, the missing, married, owner of the house. The book sometimes felt disjointed, jumping as it does between the evolution of Jess and Will's growing relationship, via their search for the woman and the pilot, and the revelation of the old, via the letters. Otherwise, there was fairly good character development of the main characters.

At first glance, "Letters to the Lost" might seem like a familiar story: WW II lovers parted by life and oceans and bound to spend their lifetimes looking for each other, reminiscing about their lost opportunities.

However, Iona Grey uses her long lost lovers to inform the background of their various roles and gives great insight into the expectations and social mores of England in World War II. Grey's American soldier and young, naive British wife are at times quite unpredictable. The British vicar, his best friend and his congregation are at first presented in a bucolic and serene manner.

Throughout the book, "Letters to the Lost" has numerous surprises: unexpected actions of the characters, decisions that defy present day logic, themes of violence in war and at home, unlikely liaisons. Although the themes are romantic, the pathways are not always obvious.

A parallel tale about a young woman in England during WWII who falls in love with an American soldier, even though she is married to a vicar who does not love her. In present-day London, a young woman singer has run away from her cruel boyfriend and finds (in an unused house she's broken into for a place to stay) letters from the soldier, including his most recent one. The story is laconic at first, but picks up and becomes intriguing, heart-breaking, and joyful. Supporting characters are pitch perfect. Depiction of civilian life during WWII is very good as are reminders of how constrained a woman's life used to be. Not entirely sure about the title; not sure who is "lost" although we know what was lost. Very enjoyable.

Letters to the Lost (I don't particularly like this title) tells the story of two people who fall deeply in love in England during the Second World War, and of a young woman who in 2011 discovers their letters and decides to reunite them. With the English setting, a mystery as to what happened to one of the main characters, and settings during WWII and contemporary London, the story kept me returning to the book. It would have been a 5 star read for me if there had been a little more editing to keep the action moving. However, for the most part the characters are very likeable and believable,and the story well written. I think my Book Club would enjoy discussing this book.

It was a good story but it just didn’t grab me. I found I could easily set the book aside and not pick it up again for a few days. This story seemed to drag quite often, and then suddenly all the loose ends get wrapped up neatly near the end of the book.

But it wasn’t all negative. I did think that the characters were well-developed and believable. I rooted for some while not liking others. Charles, Nancy, Jess, and Will were products of their time – doing what was expected of them, or rebelling against the social norms of the time. It was easy to judge them based on our societal norms now. It was difficult at times to accept that some of the characters’ behaviors, while not being acceptable in the present day, were the norm for that time. While some turned to finding ways to help, others decided to throw caution to the wind and live as though each day was the last. But above all this is a story of eternal love.

This is a love story about two people separated by World War II - an English woman and an American soldier. The back and forth between the past and the present was interesting but I feel as if I have read this basic plot in many different forms before. I thought it was too long and slow going in some parts. I did finish the book as I was curious to see how it would all work out in the end but I think I would have liked it more if it was a little bit shorter.

I enjoyed the story and I enjoyed learning how the roles of women have changed and not changed since World War II. I found the characters fascinating. I thought the story was a bit dull. While the writing was good, there were some storylines that were not pulled together. I also found the first 100 pages very slow.

I rated this book as average, because it was just an OK book. It did have a good beginning and a good ending, but in between was not so good. I have read over 200 books, both historical fiction and history on World War II.