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Dear Miss Keefe
A matchmaking cousin. An interfering sister-in-law. Can love born in letters survive the trials of real life? Or will a mountain mansion remain a monument to a dream never fulfilled?
In the shadows of the Chattanooga mountains, Benjamin Davis built a mansion in the mountains hoping to build a life with the daughter of his mentor, but her heart belonged to the glitter and glam of the big city life.
The daughter of Irish immigrants, Mary Elizabeth Keefe was raised in New York City, but one by one, she found herself alone when those close to her either abandoned her or died.
All either of them wanted was love and a family of their own.
Encouraged by Benjamin’s well-meaning cousin, Phoebe Washington, they both agree to a year-long exchange of letters. As their words weave a tapestry of connection, affection blossoms across the miles and a tender romance blooms, one inked in hope, vulnerability, and longing.
But not everyone believes in their match. When Mary Elizabeth journeys to Chattanooga at Ben’s invitation, their path to love will be as winding as the mountainous roads.
Now, with love hanging in the balance, Benjamin and Mary Elizabeth must decide if the bond they’ve built on paper can survive the trials of real life or if more heartache awaits them both.
In the shadows of the Chattanooga mountains, Benjamin Davis built a mansion in the mountains hoping to build a life with the daughter of his mentor, but her heart belonged to the glitter and glam of the big city life.
The daughter of Irish immigrants, Mary Elizabeth Keefe was raised in New York City, but one by one, she found herself alone when those close to her either abandoned her or died.
All either of them wanted was love and a family of their own.
Encouraged by Benjamin’s well-meaning cousin, Phoebe Washington, they both agree to a year-long exchange of letters. As their words weave a tapestry of connection, affection blossoms across the miles and a tender romance blooms, one inked in hope, vulnerability, and longing.
But not everyone believes in their match. When Mary Elizabeth journeys to Chattanooga at Ben’s invitation, their path to love will be as winding as the mountainous roads.
Now, with love hanging in the balance, Benjamin and Mary Elizabeth must decide if the bond they’ve built on paper can survive the trials of real life or if more heartache awaits them both.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
3 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 1, 2025
Dear Miss Keefe is a charming, heartfelt story with vividly drawn characters who feel both engaging and memorable. Both protagonists truly hold their ground in the narrative—not just existing on the page, but carrying the story with equal weight, charm, and emotional resonance.
The story follows Benjamin Davis, a quiet, devoted man who once built a mountain mansion in hopes of a future with someone who didn’t choose him. And Mary Elizabeth Keefe, a young woman from New York who has known more abandonment and loss than love. With a gentle nudge from Ben’s matchmaking cousin, the two begin a year-long letter exchange—one filled with honesty, hope, and the kind of connection neither expected.
When Mary Elizabeth finally travels to Chattanooga to meet Ben, their tender, paper-born romance is suddenly tested by real life, meddling relatives, and the wounds they both carry. The question becomes whether the love they nurtured through letters can truly flourish off the page.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the exchange of letters between Mary Beth and Ben. They were honest, witty, and often laugh-out-loud funny. And Mary Beth’s habit of using the word “wretched” in every emotional situation? Absolutely adorable.
I also loved how Mary Beth held her own. Even with her insecurities and the challenges she faced, she didn’t shrink back. She kept pushing forward, and that resilience made her easy to root for. And Ben? A total romantic. The kind of swoon-worthy hero every girl dreams of—strong, sincere, and yes, delightfully clueless at times.
I do think the story would have been even stronger with a more polished structure and a clearer transformation arc, especially because the material is so rich with potential. But even with that, the book was incredibly enjoyable. I couldn’t put it down and found myself fully invested in the characters and their journey.
A charming read that left me smiling long after the last page.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story follows Benjamin Davis, a quiet, devoted man who once built a mountain mansion in hopes of a future with someone who didn’t choose him. And Mary Elizabeth Keefe, a young woman from New York who has known more abandonment and loss than love. With a gentle nudge from Ben’s matchmaking cousin, the two begin a year-long letter exchange—one filled with honesty, hope, and the kind of connection neither expected.
When Mary Elizabeth finally travels to Chattanooga to meet Ben, their tender, paper-born romance is suddenly tested by real life, meddling relatives, and the wounds they both carry. The question becomes whether the love they nurtured through letters can truly flourish off the page.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the exchange of letters between Mary Beth and Ben. They were honest, witty, and often laugh-out-loud funny. And Mary Beth’s habit of using the word “wretched” in every emotional situation? Absolutely adorable.
I also loved how Mary Beth held her own. Even with her insecurities and the challenges she faced, she didn’t shrink back. She kept pushing forward, and that resilience made her easy to root for. And Ben? A total romantic. The kind of swoon-worthy hero every girl dreams of—strong, sincere, and yes, delightfully clueless at times.
I do think the story would have been even stronger with a more polished structure and a clearer transformation arc, especially because the material is so rich with potential. But even with that, the book was incredibly enjoyable. I couldn’t put it down and found myself fully invested in the characters and their journey.
A charming read that left me smiling long after the last page.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this well written sweet love story. It is unique in that the main characters who are very likeable fall in love through letters. Their first meeting in person is not what they planned or hoped, but it does work out to be a happily ever after.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 28, 2026
I really loved this. It is clean, romantic, and medically and historically accurate. There are some really fun historical story arcs thrown in, and the Christianity is perfect in theology but not frequent enough to turn off non Christians. It is full of everyday dramas that drive the story forward really well.
I recommend for Christians, history lovers, or romance lovers.
I recommend for Christians, history lovers, or romance lovers.
December 9, 2025
Such a romantic story. I enjoyed the first in this series and love this one even more!
December 25, 2025
Love!
This was even better than the first book! Such a sweet love story! So good!! Can’t wait for the third book!
This was even better than the first book! Such a sweet love story! So good!! Can’t wait for the third book!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews