When things around me are super heavy and the books I'm finding are too, I often want something that will leave me feeling warm and fuzzy afterwards, and Rachel Fordham's books are always a win in that department. Her stories still have depth and conflict, but the heavy angst is absent, making her stories feel a bit more light. And they're always enjoyable. The Letter Tree was no different in that regard and was one I thoroughly enjoyed. Here's a bit about the book:
Buffalo, NY, 1924
Laura Bradshaw adores stories with happily ever afters. But since her mother died seven years ago, the Bradshaw Shoe Company heiress has been as good as locked away in a tower. Her overbearing father cares little for her dreams, throwing himself instead into his tireless takedown of his competitor, the Campbell Shoe Company. However, Laura has been gifted with a reprieve: a mysterious friend with whom she’s been exchanging letters.
As heir to the Campbell Shoe Company, Isaac Campbell is a sought-after bachelor who has never felt an inkling of desire for the women who constantly bat their eyes at him. His thoughts are consumed by an oak tree in the Buffalo Zoo—or rather, the mystery woman he exchanges letters with courtesy of the tree. She’s been one of Isaac’s only joys in a life consumed by his father’s tireless hatred of Bradshaw. A hatred that, Isaac is coming to realize, may affect him more personally than he ever imagined.
When Laura’s father orchestrates a match between her and an important business owner, she resolves to pursue her only chance at freedom. But Isaac believes their story isn’t bound for a tragic ending. He’s certain there’s more to the Bradshaw-Campbell feud than meets the eye. And he won’t stop digging until he uncovers the truth that might bridge the divide between him and the woman whose words have captured his heart.
The author has this to say about her inspiration behind the story:
The Letter Tree, like every book, comes about in its own unique way. I knew I wanted to write a feud book but wasn’t sure what that would look like.
I spent time reading about famous feuds hoping to find something that would trigger ideas for a story. The research was fascinating! I had so much fun reading about Aaron Burr/Alexander Hamilton, Hatfield/Mccoys and Capone/Moran, but it wasn’t until I read about Adolf and Rudolf Dassler that I felt like I was onto something.
I found the feud that eventually resulted in the Puma and Adidas shoe companies (go read about it, you’ll be intrigued).
With that feud in the back of my mind I took that bit of inspiration and threw it into Buffalo, New York in 1924, added some You’ve Got Mail (unanimous correspondence), a sprinkle of my own personal memories from Buffalo, New York and a giant scoop of imagination and before I knew it, I had the bones of an intriguing story.
As the story came together it grew further from its inspiration until it was truly a story all its own. I fell in love with this story as I wrote it. It challenged me as a writer, not only because it was a new era to write in, but also because of the challenge of using letters to tell part of the story.
The result is a story that will keep you turning pages and finishing with a happy sigh.
This book is set to release on October 31, 2023, wherever books are sold. For more information, check out the following links:
Rachel Fordham's website: https://rachelfordham.com/
Rachel Fordham's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RachelFordhamFans
My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5423839982
