Dear Mr. Knightly (a novel) by Katherine Reay

Book Description:  Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others—namely, her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story—by giving that story to a complete stranger.

Sam is, to say the least, bookish. An English major of the highest order, her diet has always been Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. The problem is, both her prose and conversation tend to be more Elizabeth Bennet than Samantha Moore.

But life for the twenty-three-year-old orphan is about to get stranger than fiction. An anonymous, Dickensian benefactor (calling himself Mr. Knightley) offers to put Sam through Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

As Sam’s dark memory mingles with that of eligible novelist Alex Powell, her letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional. While Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it’s straight out of a book, old secrets are drawn to light. And as Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.

Reminding us all that our own true character is not meant to be hidden, Reay’s debut novel follows one young woman’s journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

My Thoughts:  I don't usually like books that are written in the first person and in a journal type writing BUT Samantha (aka. Sam) is one of those human beings who pulls on the reader's heart strings.  

Sam loves books!  In fact, they may just be closer to her than humans. She lives and breathes Jane Austen.  And Sam is an orphan.  Sam has been bounced from one foster home to another but she always has her best friends along....her books!

Mr. Knightley is a mysterious donor who not only supplies the money for her Master's degree in journalism but Mr. Knightley also encourages Sam.  So, when Mr. Knightley and Sam begin to compose letters and write back and forth...Sam's heart begins to shine through.    

A sweet, somewhat coming of age book as Sam learns about life and love.  

I liked this book!  In my opinion, you'll either like this read or dislike it.  But try it, you just might like it!

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140168968X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401689681