Dear Jane

by Marina DelVecchio

Kit Kat is a fifteen-year-old adoptee who writes letters to her favorite literary character, Jane Eyre, as a means of surviving a violent childhood in Greece and a harrowing adoption in New York that requires her to silence her memories and her voice. In writing letters to Jane, Kit Kat discovers a connection to literature that saves her life. Dear Jane is about family, love, forgiveness, and the power of a good book.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Adoption, New Adult, New York

167 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2019

About the author

Marina DelVecchio, Ph.D. is a college professor and writer. In addition to her online publications in MS Magazine, Huffington Post, and The New Agenda, her book publications include Dear Jane, The Professor’s Wife, and The Virgin Chronicles. She teaches women’s studies and literature through the lens of bibliotherapy, guiding her students to connect with literary heroes who write for power and self-assertion. She lives in North Carolina with her children and three feral cats.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

Wow! This epistolary story was a really heavy read. Kit Kat or Kathryn( real name Elecktra) is a Greek girl who has been adopted by a single American woman in the 1970's. Ann, her adoptive mother feels that her child must forget about her life in Greece. As becomes clear as Kit pens letters to literary character, Jane Eyre, the traumatic events of her life in Greece are permanently fixed into her brain. We follow Kit Kat from her chaotic teenage years right into college.
So much pain and heartache makes up Kit's life and it is pure magic how Marina DelVecchio weaves Jane Eyre's experience with Kit. For the sake of being repetitive, it's a heavy read and I am left feeling a little "lost in the wilderness " in trying to sort out all my feelings about it. As it is solely from Kit Kat's p.o.v the relationship between her and Ann, the adoptive mother feels sort of stuck in a literary volcano. Because Ann doesn't want to listen and so we the readers are left to carry the weight of all the protagonist needs to unburden.

TW: Scenes of sexual nature(including one scene involving young children) and domestic violence

[Martina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book tells the story of a fifteen-year-old girl who tries to survive a violent childhood and a distressed adoption in New York. She finds confort in Jane Eyre, who becomes her favourite literary character and an inspirational figure.
I'm a huge fan of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, so when I bumped in this book I was really curious to read it. Ireally liked the concept and idea behind this novel.
"Dear Jane" is not an easy book to read and some parts of it were really hard. It's awful to become aware of the fact that there are children in this world who go through what she experienced.
Despite all that, I couldn't really connect with Elektra's character. Half of the time I found her thoughts too melodramatic and exagerated. At the beginning I found very difficult to dive into this story.
If you're a fan of "Jane Eyre", then you shoul definitely give this book a try!

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC from Black Rose Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was really dark and strong in the telling of Kit Kat and her struggle with adoption and the dark past that haunts her from her parents. She reads Jane Eyre and immediately connects with Jane that she starts writing letters to her for an exchange of strength and hope. This book exemplifies why reading is so important that its all about the connection to the reader and the impact the book has on their life. Its rewarding to the reader but also the author to think that their book made a positive impact in someone's life. Such a positive strong message that all should read at some point.

We will definitely consider this title in our urban fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

[Sally Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Black Rose Writing for the arc of this book.
This is a “heavy” book, as in regards to the subject matter, it is very well written, and I enjoyed watching Elektra become who she was meant to be,.

[Rebecca Clinite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an arc of Dear Jane by Black Rose Writing in exchange for an honest review:

This book hooked me from the beginning and I knew right away that it would be different from any other novel I had read before. I also knew it would not be a happy book because of that first page. It was hard NOT to connect with the main character as she told her story through her journal entries and by the end of the book, you feel as if you know Kit Kat as the person she wants to be, not who she was when she became adopted.

The quotes from Jane Eyre before each new chapter helped connect Kit Kat to Jane through the different experiences and I think that some younger readers may think about picking up Jane Eyre to read in order to find out more about this character who helped Kit Kat embrace herself and learn about who she is. By having the novel formatted into journal entries, it really allows the reader to get into Kit Kat's mind in an unguarded fashion which I think is crucial for a novel like this. Instead of painting graphic and detailed situations, you see more into the mind of her and learn the complex feelings she is going through. Even though she is still a child in many ways, you can see the places where she has been forced to grow up and it tugs at your heart. Not all adoptions end in happiness, and I think this novel is an important piece of literature that needs to be shared in hopes that those people who need to see they aren't alone get ahold of this book and can connect with a character and reading. The world of reading is painted beautifully in this book and shows that everyone belongs in that world.

[Rosemarie Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Jane; Wow! What a story. It is at once an immersive and bitterly disturbing story, you can't look away or put it down even for a minute until you've absorbed every word of it. I've read books on child abuse, but it never gets any easier whether it's fiction or non-fiction. It's always hard to contemplate that anyone would be filled with such self-hate that they would project such violence and hate onto their own children.

I love that the story brings with parts of the Classic tale of Jane Eyre (definitely have to go give it a reread), each page begins with a quote from this wonderful classic. It is indeed true that books have a difference in many of us bibliophiles lives at one point and in one form or the other.

This is also true for our protagonist Eketra Koutros, now renamed Kathryn by her adoptive mother. What would it be like to know your name and then lose it, only living on within your memory? Is it the right thing to do to a child at an age where the child recognizes their original name is changed because the parent(s) feel more comfortable?

I love that Kat tells us what each person's Greek name means and how she views that person by that meaning.

"Her name was Athanasia Koutros. She was my mother. The one who gave birth to me. In Greek, her name means "the immortal one," and I find this quite ironic, because, even though I left her so many years ago, the memory of her crawls back to me, burrowing beneath my skin, cementing itself against my ribs so that I find it hard to breathe. Whenever I think of her, my breath gives way, my chest heaves with force, and words escape me, since I cannot reveal her existence."

Kathryn or Kit Kat as her friends calls her finds solace within the pages of Jane Eyre, she's living a life similar to the character of Charlotte Bronte and so she writes to her after almost harming herself, because of all the rage she feels inside for the way she's been treated from childhood to present day living in America after being adopted; she's haunted by a past that is filled with loathing and abuse at the hands of some those closest to her.

Charlotte Bronte becomes her most trusted friend, her confidante, her role model and she tells her everything she cannot voice to her adoptive mother or anyone else, in this way we learn about her childhood through her college years. For she fears retribution because she was forbidden to speak about her past before and paid the price. Her adoptive mother, Evangelia "Ann" a single woman, with an unimaginable cold disposition, "what a bitch". I mean what kind of mother would be hell-bent on silencing a child's voice and her memories because she wants a child with a clean slate as if that can happen with a child who already knows part of herself at that age.

Within the pages of this diary, Kat confesses her deepest and darkest secrets, she narrates in an earnest and strong voice as she tells us everything that has taken place in her life from the age of eight. There comes a time when all of us who haven't yet find our voice will do so and when that happens, we realize that in doing so we've not only helped our selves but others as well.

The subject matter within these pages are dark and complex, it's realizing the instance you've lost your voice and having the courage to find it again.

This book is about the loss of self/identity, loss of family, love and the absolute power books have in saving a life when it's needed the most.

If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Jane
by Marina DelVecchio
Black Rose Writing
General Fiction (Adult) , Teens & YA
Pub Date 03 Jan 2019


I am reviewing a copy of Dear Jane through Black Rose Writing and Netgalley:

Kit Kat wasn’t born in the U.S she born in Athens Greece her Mother had been a prostitution and their protector had been a pimp . Her early childhood had been marked by violence and homelessness as well as an orphanag. wWhen she is eight she is adopted by a Greek American Woman who moves her to New York but things are far from a dream, her new Mother has a way of making her feel small!


Charolette Brontw’s book Jane Eyre saved her life after trying to commit suicide when she was thirteen and at fifteen she begins writing letters to Jane Eyre.



Dear Jane is a book about one girl discovering who she is and finding the value in who she is as well as being able to put the broken pieces back together again.


I give Dear Jane five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library Thing Early Reviewers

Coming of age story.

Abuse, abandonment, adoption, and reconsiliation with all of it. Paired with a love for Jane Eyre.

[Melanie Belson (melanielovesbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was received as an e-ARC from Black Rose Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 Stars
A hard hitting story about Kit-Kat's (Kathryn) life in Greece and finding solace in reading and connecting to Jane Eyre. To read what happens is heart breaking and is tough subject matter. I loved the chapter heading as quotes from Jane Eyre. Although nothing major happens it's still a wonderful story of perseverance.

[Sigy George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been fond of classics since my childhood. My library reading time was spent devouring illustrated classics when I was young, and the unabridged versions as I grew older. In ninth grade we were asked by our English teacher to do a book review on the book "Jane Eyre". They left a deep impression in my mind and heart with its story of isolation, abandonment, deprivation and the journey of self discovery. Jane is not your quintessential heroine who serves as an ornamental piece to the hero. She is rather independent, fierce yet gentle, humble, a lady of principles, and someone who does not compromise on her self-respect or integrity for the bait of being married.
So when I got the ebook from Library Thing Early Reviewers I grabbed at it. As a self confessed bibliophile, there are many books I turn to when I seek advice or a reality check. Thus, the idea of the book not only fascinated me but I was also intrigued as to what was held between the pages. I was left feeling sore, tender and bruised as if been beaten in my guts. Dear Jane is written in the form of diary/journal entries which renders a personal and intimate feel. The reading feels as if you are audience to the life of the protagonist. I am still reeling under the effects of the book. At times I was crying inconsolably, and then there were times when the bile rose to my mouth making every thing taste acrid.
Similar to Jane Eyre, the cover has the image of a girl's silhouette. The image seems of a girl tightly braided which resonates with the tightly contained soul. This book does make for not a cheerful or light reading. This is a raw story of Elecktra Koutros(nicknamed Kit Kat), a girl from Greece who lives a life of deprivation, child abuse, sexual violence, domestic violence, extreme poverty, abandonment, before being adopted by a Greek American woman. The diary entries are her recounting of her life events. There are quotes from the book 'Jane Eyre' at the beginning of each chapter that helped Kit Kat connect to Jane through the diverse experiences of the character. Elecktra faces abuse from her own mother who is a prostitute and the man who poses as their protector is her pimp. Elecktra's father gives up on the family when under rage his wife hits him with the heel of her sandal, fatally wounding him. He becomes partially blind. The pimp sexually abuses her mother and also Elecktra. She grows up in an environment of violence, abuse and poverty. She lives with her aunt for a while before being sent up for adoption. But the adoption is not the beginning of her fairy tale. Her new mother Ann, wants her to erase all her past and her memories. She even renames her Kathryn, trying to obliterate her past. You can mould a young child into someone you want, but the same cannot be done with a eight year old. This rebellion or defiance does not go well with Ann, and this strains the relationship. Instead of the love and acceptance she so earnestly seeks, she is further suppressed emotionally.
The story ends with a peak into harsh reality. Kit Kat moves out of her new mother's house to create a life of her own. She decides to write her own narrative and become the author of her own story. The book does not give you happy ever after with a happy life for Elecktra, rather it ends on the note that we should live for ourselves.

"As the writer of my narrative, I write my own story, my way. Just like Jane. Just like you."


This book has been unlike any other I've read. It is grave and full of brutalities, but one must admit that it's the sad truth of many children around the world. Having read Jane Eyre I thoroughly enjoyed this books due to the literary analysis of Jane Eyre in comparison with Kit Kat's life. Each event in Jane's life finds an echo in KitKat's life and she finds solace in having someone who's suffered like her. I think reading Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, prior to reading this book would be of huge help in understanding and comprehending the allusions. On the other hand, Dear Jane would make an exceptional companion piece when studying Jane Eyre to demonstrate how classic literature is still relevant in modern life. After reading this book, I think that some readers may consider reading Jane Eyre in order to find out more about this character who helped Kit Kat embrace herself and discover who she really is.
I loved the ending of the book the most. It is valid and plausible, just like the rest of the novel. Had there been a cinematic ending of happy rosy future the value of the book would have drastically reduced, and would have undermined the story. Dear Jane ends with optimism and a hope that will carve a niche for herself in this world.
As a warning this book will leave you with a feeling of loneliness and dejection. It is poignant and heart wrenching with an emotional impact, that will leave you gasping for air.
PS: PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IF YOU CANNOT STOMACH READING ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE, AND OTHER BRUTAL TRUTHS.

[Lost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Marina,

Thank you for writing this book. It's not one that I would normally have picked out for myself, but here we are, after a roller-coaster of emotions.

It's taken me a while to get through this book. The first reason is that it is INTENSE; the narrative is chock-full of heavy themes, and had I tried reading all of this in one go I think it would have been too much for me to handle. That being said, not once did the book ever lose its ability to compel me onward - I read the second 50% of it today, just because I finally had the time and mental capacity to get on with it.

(On that note, I would advise anyone who is easily upset to perhaps give this one a miss. Trigger warnings include suicide, rape and physical/verbal abuse in amongst others.)

There are a few little things that jarred slightly as I was reading; a couple of times I thought Kit Kat was talking about one mother, then a few pages down the line it turned out to be the other one (though that's probably more of a me thing, since for the most part it was pretty clear which one she was referring to.) Another thing was that at one point a nun says "Yup."; at first this felt pretty unreal, but then I remembered that this is a diary and that Kit Kat is probably paraphrasing and putting her own words in.

The second reason it's taken me so long to read is that I've been at uni, and haven't had as much time on my hands as I do at home. This part does play into my review a little bit, and this is why: parts of that final chapter could have been written by me. I'm currently the same age as the protagonist, studying English Lit, and I'm constantly learning about myself and trying to "write my own narrative."

The whole theme of living for yourself, and not for those who you should 'owe' is especially close to me at the moment. There's a part of the book that rang especially true, to the point I highlighted it:

"As the writer of my narrative, I write my own story, my way. Just like Jane. Just like you."

Isn't that such a lovely notion? Being able to write your own way through life?

I also appreciated that this isn't a 'happily ever after' kind of book in the stereotypical sense; it does, however, revolve around the protagonist paving the way to her own 'happy ending', which I guess is left up to us to ponder.

The whole pages dedicated to literary analysis of Jane Eyre in comparison with Kit Kat's life were BRILLIANT, might I add (though I've never actually read Jane Eyre), and I can't wait to read this again at some point in the future once I've read the other, so that my understanding of this book might be illuminated.

"You didn't desert me, and, in turn, I have not deserted myself.
I have not forgotten who I am."

Yours,
Lost

[Stephie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Elektra,

I am saddened to read about how rough going your childhood had been but I am glad that you found comfort and strength in Jane Eyre. I am sorry that you could not find love in your adoptive mother nor an explanation why she couldn't love you. It was strange to me that as an adopted child herself that she could not accept you as you are. It makes me wonder how her relationship was with her own parents. I can only assume it was a good one if she adopted you with the idea of "giving back" and even wanted to name you Kathryn after her mother. As a woman hoping to adopt someday it broke my heart that even finding a stable home you were still missing the element of love. I could never imagine treating a child poorly. There seemed to be a huge disconnect between the two of you that I believe a good family therapist could have helped bridge. If for anything else I am happy though that you are fighting for yourself and refusing to be around anyone you deem toxic.

Best Wishes,

Stephanie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Jane was a gripping novel about a young girl from the streets of Greece who was adopted by a woman from America. In the book we are brought face to face with some pretty disturbing and violent scenes between many of the characters. It was hard to read but my desire to know what happens next kept me going. I wanted so much to learn why Elektra's relationship with her adoptive mother was so strained. I was left a bit unsatisfied here but expected to be since the story is only being told from Elektra's point of view through a series of letters. Overall, I am glad to have started my year off finishing a great book!

Thank you Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for providing me an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

[Maria do Socorro Baptista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um dos livros mais lindos que já li. Quando vi a capa, e a sinopse, achei que valeria a pena ler, e não me enganei. Amo Jane Eyre, quando penso em livros clássicos, é meu favorito. Entendo perfeitamente que a jovem Elektra / Kathryn se envolva com a personagem, de todas a heroínas sobre as quais li, de longe aquela que mais me emociona.

Aos 13 anos, adotada desde os 8, e proibida de falar sobre sua infância de abusos e maus tratos na Grécia, a garota, após uma tentativa de suicídio frustrada, encontra no romance de Charlotte Brontë sua força e sua inspiração. Estabelecendo paralelos entre sua própria vida e a vida de Jane, Kit kat (assim chamada por seus amigos) vai nos contando sua trajetória em cartas que escreve à sua amiga imaginária, a personagem de seu livro favorito.

É uma narrativa forte, marcada por muita emoção. Uma história inspiradora. Se você gosta de Literatura, e já leu Jane Eyre, você vai amar este livro.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Bigger Jane Eyre Fan Than Before

When i was in the 9th grade, a teacher - Mrs. Weaver - recommended Jane Eyre to me. I loved it then, and after reading Dear Jane, I love it even more.
Kit's/Elektra's gratitude: "You and Jane taught me how to be solitary without feeling lonely – how to hang back from the crowd, for safety, for self-regulation, for the power of observation and full understanding." I too feel that I have received the gift of observation and understanding through books, and this one was a lovely read.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most distressing yet inspiring books I’ve read. The topics of abuse, violence, abandonment and longing for love made me uncomfortable, thinking how this could be, sadly, reality for some. The powerful theme of finding safety and a reason to persevere through books, their characters, and the author was one that I loved and that resonated with me. While I had a hard time reading the book and wouldn't really say that I enjoyed it, it opened my eyes to delicate experiences and fostered in me a deeper appreciation of the idea of therapy and safety through literature.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had the most amazing writing I have read in such a long time, maybe forever. It was glorious, and it just flowed so well. It just sucked me into Elektra's life, and bore me through her life of horrors in a way so well explained and detailed. It made me hurt for her, to cheer for her, to cry for her and for the childhood she had, but I love the way she connected with Jane Eyre so purely, and all the connections she was able to make between herself and not only Jane Eyre, but also Charlotte Bronte. I am so glad I requested this book, it was perfect.

[Shannon Elizabeth ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a love story devoted to the strength that can be found within yourself. Dear Jane is an honest and extremely raw novel about Katherine, through early childhood to her first year in college. She finds truth, balance and parallels through the endearing novel “Jane Eyre”, to her own life experiences. It’s a powerful story about strength, perseverance, and the willingness to survive what life she is born into. From a young girl slumming, begging for food, and lacking basic necessities to eventually being given up for adoption at 8years of age. Her only true confident is her journal that she keeps and the secrets she cannot expose. No matter what Katherine experienced in life she found the courage to keep her voice. This book was written well. I found myself emotional to angry and sympathetic to wanting much more of Katherines story.

Trigger warning: Physical Violence, sexual abuse of a minor.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

[Cindy Brookshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best novels I have read in a long time. I heard the author speak at Johnston Community College in Smithfield NC back in the spring and her backstory in the process of writing this -- really, giving birth to it -- was phenomenal. I'm at the age where I give books away after I read them -- this one I'm keeping, right next to my dog-eared copy of Jane Eyre. Excellent.

[Sandra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

Young Greek girl, has a horrid life. Her bio Mom, is violent & a prostitute. Eventually, the girl is sent to America & adopted. New Mom & she never really got along. Kathryn, as she was renamed; found her solace in books.

[Azzurra Nox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very raw and emotional book. One gets to see all the hardships that the author went through and it's so touching to see her persevere through all the hardships. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys reading books that will teach you life lessons. .

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this book with high hopes. A story about a Greek girl who loves Jane Eyre? That's basically me. There were certain things I enjoyed about it: generally I found myself very gripped by Elektra's story, and was glad to see how she would turn out. I found her relationship with her adoptive mother interesting, if a bit flat. It was told entirely from Elektra's perspective, and she had good and bad (but mostly bad) things to say about the woman, but I was interested in knowing their story, why she behaved the way she did, her motives, etc. In this book nothing really happens, it's just a teenage girl telling you her story. I know there are people out there with lives like hers, but there were parts that felt deeply melodramatic, that each time something bad happened to Elektra I was almost laughing at how comically miserable her life is. Most of it is told from the POV of a 15 year old Elektra, and a lot of definitely reads like a young teen wrote it. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not. A lot of it just felt like a college essay from a teenager, with a lot of explaining and repetition and analyzing of her own life. Overall though I did enjoy the story and think a lot of young women would benefit from it.

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is classified YA, but probably isn’t for everyone in that audience. The beautiful writing brings the terrifying tragedies of Elektra’s life to vivid life. Sadness and anger permeate the book - and no wonder. A careless prostitute for a mother, being sent away from her homeland at the age of eight, having witnessed all kinds of horrors only to live with a cold adoptive mother. This is not a life one would wish on any child. Yet the narrator’s resilience shines through in spite of it all. I’d recommend this for sixteen and up, though readers need to decide for themselves, of course.

[Deborah Hightower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC of Dear Jane by Marina DelVecchio. This was a story about a young child suffering abuse and responsibilities beyond her age. The main character, Kit Kat, made it through her childhood and teenage years by reading the book Jane Eyre and identifying with the main character. Identifying with this fictional character allowed her to find her way out of the darkness that surrounded her. It was a very good book.

[Michele Ackerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this was not an easy read and I found myself crying quite a few times, I could not put the book down. I was drawn into Kit Kat's world of horror and beauty. She is a strong protagonist and definitely a role model for many young women. She taught me that it's important to remember your past and to learn and grow from it. It's true what they say, a book can save a life; I'm so thankful that Kit Kat found Jane Eyre in the library that day. It has been many years since I have read Jane Eyre, but it is now going on my To-Read list.

[Kate Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It made me not want to put it down it sucked me in. I would highly recommend this book. I will read more by this author. @brwpublishers

[Amy Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Library Thing Early Reviewers and Black Rose Writing for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is not a happy or lite read. This is the raw story of a girl and what life handed her. She in no way deserved the dark, dirty, and vile lifestyle in which she was born into. All Kit-Kat, born as Elecktra, ever wanted was to feel safe, loved, and understood.
Kit takes us through her journey from birth, to living with relatives, to orphanage, to finally being adopted. During this time, Kit writes letters of deep and strong emotion to her character friend, Jayne Eyre. Kit learns to face her many hardships and obstacles by analyzing what Jane did in similar situations. Jane in turn becomes Kit's strength, advocate, and voice of reason.
Jane does finally get adopted. However, as true to her prior conditions, she becomes overcome with emotional yearning. Her new mother adopts Kit for purely selfish reasons. Kit is expected to never talk about her past or upbringing. She is never to speak of family or events, and is even asked to change her name. Instead of the love and understanding she so desperately seeks, she is further suppressed emotionally, as if she had never existed.
The story does not end on a happy note, but rather one of harsh reality. Your strength must come from within. As nobody will ever know you like yourself, and God.
I think reading Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, prior to reading this book would be of huge help in getting the most of many references.

This book will leave you with a feeling of loneliness. It was written to have emotional impact, and at that, it did succeed.

[Evan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Kindle Edition of Dear Jane.

Late nights I found myself eagerly reading through weary eyes in a 'just-one-more-chapter' campaign. A book of stark contrasts, I found it profoundly captivating that the author's beautiful prose should be set against the backdrop of unspeakable horror. I say 'unspeakable' because Marina DelVecchio dared to breach subjects taboo to mainstream literary fiction. Added that the basis for the story took root from the beginnings of her own memoir, the daring reaches an even higher, personal level. I'm reminded of Stephen King's observation that a writer who speaks their innermost truth will find themselves no longer welcomed in polite society. And dinner-table conversation fare this book ain't. Why should it be? The Hallmark Movie-set have plenty of beige reading available to them. Nor is this DelVecchio's first stab at exposing gender issues and abuse. She continues to be an online force for empowering girls and women through education, female role models, and the opportunity for all women to use writing as a mechanism for change. An outstanding role model in her own right, Dear Jane is not Kit Kat's story. It is Marina's story of a past which she now publicly owns, a past which she has surmounted, to stand as example for the voiceless, the unseen, those most desperately in need of hope. May her message spread like wildfire.

[Jen Solak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this novel because I love Jane Eyre, so the idea of a book about a girl who also connects with the classic seemed ideal. Whatever my expectations had been about this book before I started reading it, they were exceeded in every way. Kit Kat writes letters to Jane Eyre because she feels that Jane would understand her due to some similar circumstances. I think it is important to go into this book without knowing too many details, so I will avoid those, but it is fair to say there are trigger warnings for abuse, sexual violence, and abandonment. I think that presenting those topics in a straightforward way is something that Delvecchio does extremely well. Because we are hearing the details in letters describing her past, we hear not only the events but the consequences of those experiences. The family history, and our protagonist’s future are revealed along the way and truly feel like a growing friendship between her and the reader. Again, I don’t want to give anything away, but the ending pleased me because it did not attempt to wrap things up in an unrealistic way or redeem characters who did nothing to grow. I look forward to more books from this author!

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Ravenclaw Library Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dear Jane" is not an easy book to read and some parts of it were really hard. It's awful to be aware of the fact that there are children in this world who go through what she experienced.

This is a love story devoted to the strength that can be found within yourself. She finds truth, balance and parallels through the endearing novel “Jane Eyre”, to her own life experiences.

The quotes from Jane Eyre before each new chapter helped connect Kit Kat to Jane through the different experiences and I think that some younger readers may think about picking up Jane Eyre to read in order to find out more about this character who helped Kit Kat embrace herself and learn about who she is.

Thank you to NetGalley, Black Rose Writing and Marina DelVecchio for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.