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The Lost Letter
What happens when a love letter is delivered 35 years late?Despite the heartbreak of her youth, Trudy Quinn has made something of herself. Being a mom to her college-age daughter, April, and now the president of a foundation that enables impoverished young women to go to college fulfills her. And she’s not giving up on her estranged marriage just yet, either. At least, she and her husband Kenny are banking on the counseling they put in before he deployed for a year in Iraq and the time apart to offer them a fresh start.But then Trudy receives a letter … one that would have changed her life if it had been delivered back in 1975. Its contents explain the reason the boy she planned to marry suddenly disappeared from her life. And then the media gets the whiff of a tantalizing special interest story, and Trudy’s phone rings with a voice she hasn’t heard in thirty-five years. Only, Richard Vanderveer is not the shy boy from the Netherlands anymore. He’s a wealthy and world-renowned floral and food entrepreneur, and he wants to set things right.
But will his attempt to do so provide much needed closure and bring overdue peace … or destroy the life Trudy has worked so hard to create?
But will his attempt to do so provide much needed closure and bring overdue peace … or destroy the life Trudy has worked so hard to create?
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2013
142 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 22, 2023
A beautifully written story of how a lost love letter, resurfacing after 35 years, has the potential to change the course of a person’s life.
As a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks, I'm always intrigued by romance novels written by male authors. "The Lost Letter" didn’t disappoint. It’s a relatable, feel-good story that tugs at the heartstrings and makes you look back at your own life with questions of ‘what if’.
If you like a clean later-in-life romance with a happy ending, this book is for you.
As a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks, I'm always intrigued by romance novels written by male authors. "The Lost Letter" didn’t disappoint. It’s a relatable, feel-good story that tugs at the heartstrings and makes you look back at your own life with questions of ‘what if’.
If you like a clean later-in-life romance with a happy ending, this book is for you.
August 1, 2023
Feelgood story
Who would have thought a missing letter could cause so many issues!
The book is a roller coaster ride of good and bad, which really carries you along for the ride.
Does Trudy get swept away with a past love? You'll have to read it to find out.
Brilliant read, I couldn't put it down.
Who would have thought a missing letter could cause so many issues!
The book is a roller coaster ride of good and bad, which really carries you along for the ride.
Does Trudy get swept away with a past love? You'll have to read it to find out.
Brilliant read, I couldn't put it down.
November 3, 2023
A great family saga that I really enjoyed. It made me think about how often really old mail finally reaches it's destination? How many lives have changed because of an undelivered letter? The subject fascinated me.
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What happens when a love letter is delivered 35 years late? Despite the heartbreak of her youth, Trudy Quinn has made something of herself. Being a mom to her college-age daughter, April, and now the president for a foundation that enables impoverished young women to go to college fulfills her. And she’s not giving up on her estranged marriage just yet, either. At least, she and her husband Kenny are banking on the counseling they put in before he deployed for a year in Iraq and the time apart to offer them a fresh start. But then Trudy receives a letter…one that would have changed her life if it had been delivered back in 1975. Its contents explain the reason the boy she planned to marry suddenly disappeared from her life. And then the media gets the whiff of a tantalizing special-interest story, and Trudy’s phone rings with a voice she hasn’t heard in thirty-five years. Only, Richard Vanderveer is not the shy boy from the Netherlands anymore. He’s a wealthy and world-renowned floral and food entrepreneur, and he wants to set things right. But will his attempt to do so provide much needed closure and bring overdue peace…or destroy the life Trudy has worked so hard to create?
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What happens when a love letter is delivered 35 years late? Despite the heartbreak of her youth, Trudy Quinn has made something of herself. Being a mom to her college-age daughter, April, and now the president for a foundation that enables impoverished young women to go to college fulfills her. And she’s not giving up on her estranged marriage just yet, either. At least, she and her husband Kenny are banking on the counseling they put in before he deployed for a year in Iraq and the time apart to offer them a fresh start. But then Trudy receives a letter…one that would have changed her life if it had been delivered back in 1975. Its contents explain the reason the boy she planned to marry suddenly disappeared from her life. And then the media gets the whiff of a tantalizing special-interest story, and Trudy’s phone rings with a voice she hasn’t heard in thirty-five years. Only, Richard Vanderveer is not the shy boy from the Netherlands anymore. He’s a wealthy and world-renowned floral and food entrepreneur, and he wants to set things right. But will his attempt to do so provide much needed closure and bring overdue peace…or destroy the life Trudy has worked so hard to create?
January 19, 2026
This book has one of those irresistible premises—the kind that immediately pulls you in: a love letter delivered 35 years too late. Missed timing, unresolved love, the question of what might have been? Yes please. Unfortunately, while the idea is strong, the execution didn’t always live up to its emotional potential.
Trudy Quinn is a compelling protagonist on paper. She’s accomplished, purpose-driven, and grounded in adulthood—raising a college-age daughter, leading a foundation that supports young women, and still holding space for a complicated, strained marriage. I appreciated that this wasn’t a story about a woman whose life stalled after first love; Trudy built something meaningful. That said, the emotional whiplash that follows the arrival of the letter sometimes felt rushed and under-explored.
The reveal of Richard—the vanished fiancé turned wealthy, globe-trotting entrepreneur—leans heavily into romance-novel fantasy. While that can be fun, it made some of the emotional beats feel a little too neat, especially given the very real, very present complications of Trudy’s marriage and Kenny’s deployment. I wanted more nuance there—more grappling, more discomfort, more realism in how old love collides with present commitment.
Where the book shines is in its reflection on timing and identity. The idea that one small miscommunication can redirect an entire life is powerful, and the story asks thoughtful questions about who we become when closure never comes. However, the media frenzy subplot and some convenient plot turns dulled the emotional weight rather than deepening it.
This is a warm, reflective read best suited for readers who enjoy:
Second-chance romance later in life
Stories about fate, timing, and long-held “what ifs”
Low-conflict, emotionally gentle narratives
It’s heartfelt and readable, but I kept wishing it would sit longer with the harder questions instead of smoothing them over.
🍸 Cocktail Pairing: The Delayed Delivery
Soft, nostalgic, and a little sweet—like a letter that finally finds its way home.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz bourbon
½ oz honey syrup (1:1 honey + warm water)
½ oz lemon juice
Dash of bitters
Directions
1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist.
4. Sip slowly and ponder how differently life might have turned out if the timing had been just a little kinder.
Final verdict: A solid 3 stars—an emotionally appealing concept with tender moments, but one that plays it a bit too safe to fully break your heart.
Trudy Quinn is a compelling protagonist on paper. She’s accomplished, purpose-driven, and grounded in adulthood—raising a college-age daughter, leading a foundation that supports young women, and still holding space for a complicated, strained marriage. I appreciated that this wasn’t a story about a woman whose life stalled after first love; Trudy built something meaningful. That said, the emotional whiplash that follows the arrival of the letter sometimes felt rushed and under-explored.
The reveal of Richard—the vanished fiancé turned wealthy, globe-trotting entrepreneur—leans heavily into romance-novel fantasy. While that can be fun, it made some of the emotional beats feel a little too neat, especially given the very real, very present complications of Trudy’s marriage and Kenny’s deployment. I wanted more nuance there—more grappling, more discomfort, more realism in how old love collides with present commitment.
Where the book shines is in its reflection on timing and identity. The idea that one small miscommunication can redirect an entire life is powerful, and the story asks thoughtful questions about who we become when closure never comes. However, the media frenzy subplot and some convenient plot turns dulled the emotional weight rather than deepening it.
This is a warm, reflective read best suited for readers who enjoy:
Second-chance romance later in life
Stories about fate, timing, and long-held “what ifs”
Low-conflict, emotionally gentle narratives
It’s heartfelt and readable, but I kept wishing it would sit longer with the harder questions instead of smoothing them over.
🍸 Cocktail Pairing: The Delayed Delivery
Soft, nostalgic, and a little sweet—like a letter that finally finds its way home.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz bourbon
½ oz honey syrup (1:1 honey + warm water)
½ oz lemon juice
Dash of bitters
Directions
1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist.
4. Sip slowly and ponder how differently life might have turned out if the timing had been just a little kinder.
Final verdict: A solid 3 stars—an emotionally appealing concept with tender moments, but one that plays it a bit too safe to fully break your heart.
August 24, 2023
WOW! I loved this book.It was about a letter that was found behind a cabinet at the post office and delivered 35 years later. That one letter could have changed the lives of two people in love, but since it was never received, they went their seperate ways. Trudy had fallen in love with Richard as a teen. She went on to marry Kenny after thinking Richard had broken up with her. They lived an ocean apart.
I was surprised at the emotions this book brought out in me. I loved it all the way to 'The End', but found myself indecisive on who I wanted Trudy to end up with. It is one of those books that stays with you and makes you think What If about yor own life. Great read!!!!
I was surprised at the emotions this book brought out in me. I loved it all the way to 'The End', but found myself indecisive on who I wanted Trudy to end up with. It is one of those books that stays with you and makes you think What If about yor own life. Great read!!!!
August 30, 2023
So Real
Well thought out and projected in a very detailed account of a journey of tears, laughter, heartbreak and absolute joy! You can see how CLEAR communication or actually how unclear communication, assumptions, and lost or mishandled letters can cause a great deal of confusion, turmoil and heartache.
Well thought out and projected in a very detailed account of a journey of tears, laughter, heartbreak and absolute joy! You can see how CLEAR communication or actually how unclear communication, assumptions, and lost or mishandled letters can cause a great deal of confusion, turmoil and heartache.
July 25, 2023
Young love. A separation. A lost letter, of several years, could’ve kept them together. A different turn of events with other people. The letter found and meeting again. What will become of the future? I enjoyed this book!
July 27, 2023
Solid Marriage
Some very misunderstandings occurred to create chaos in several lives. With a little explanations all was established in several lives. Lessons learned before it was too late!
Some very misunderstandings occurred to create chaos in several lives. With a little explanations all was established in several lives. Lessons learned before it was too late!
August 24, 2023
5 Stars
5 stars for The Lost Letter. Really enjoyed the idea of meeting your first love 35 years later and all of the uproar it caused. Especially finding out that what you want was there all along.
5 stars for The Lost Letter. Really enjoyed the idea of meeting your first love 35 years later and all of the uproar it caused. Especially finding out that what you want was there all along.
October 26, 2023
Very good book
This was such h a good book it made me cry it made me laugh, it kept me reading until the end . I will be looking g for more books written by Donnie Stevens she knows how to captured her audience and keep them reading.
This was such h a good book it made me cry it made me laugh, it kept me reading until the end . I will be looking g for more books written by Donnie Stevens she knows how to captured her audience and keep them reading.
July 23, 2023
Lost letters
Such a wonderful story about young love that was lost but found again, how trudy saved her marriage to the man she loved
Such a wonderful story about young love that was lost but found again, how trudy saved her marriage to the man she loved
July 24, 2023
Really enjoyed reading.
July 25, 2023
Nice, enjoyable read
This was a nice enjoyable read. Kind of a predictable end but still a good book. I hope there will be more by the author
This was a nice enjoyable read. Kind of a predictable end but still a good book. I hope there will be more by the author
September 2, 2023
This book is an easy read. It has an interesting catch - lost letter delivered 35 years later. Characters are relatable but shallow. If you enjoy a book with a happy ending this is for you.
September 14, 2023
An emotional read
A story of love lost and questions answered. A reminder going back isn't always the wisest move. Well written and emotional.
A story of love lost and questions answered. A reminder going back isn't always the wisest move. Well written and emotional.
August 4, 2024
This was a sweet love story. Lovely location not too far away for me. Glad I discovered this author.
October 14, 2025
I liked the story just didn’t care for the lack of character development and how far fetched some of it was. The conversations between people weren’t realistic nor people’s behavior.
July 24, 2023
Good read. Enjoyed reading it
July 27, 2023
Lost letter indeed
It is amazing how a lost letter plays into fate to turn out for the better. A clean romance with a happy ending. A great read.
It is amazing how a lost letter plays into fate to turn out for the better. A clean romance with a happy ending. A great read.
July 30, 2023
great read
I enjoy reading this book. I loved the story line and the characters came to life. It has some very good advice woven through out the story.
I enjoy reading this book. I loved the story line and the characters came to life. It has some very good advice woven through out the story.
September 14, 2024
This was a bittersweet story of two people who got caught up for a second time due to a letter that literally fell through the cracks of a wall.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews