A Review of Kara Pleasant's Latest Book, "The Unread Letter" + Giveaway

I read Kara Pleasant latest release, "The Unread Letter," over the past couple of weeks, since I was lucky enough to get early access to it. As of late, my reading has been very stop and go, and I've jumped between books. Working in the public school system, it's been an odd time for me with the return of students and actual in-person work. I've tried to reestablish a regular sleep schedule while maintaining a certain level of self-care in which reading plays a key role.

To that end, this book came along at the right time for me! At approximately 150 pages, it's a shorter novel. I needed a work of JAFF with a more developed storyline than a typical novella while still a relatively quick read to hold my attention. With the exception of one novella and this book, the JAFF books I've read since the start of 2021 have all ranged from 350 to over 700 pages! They were all epic and wonderful but required a longer commitment. If, like me, you're looking for a shorter read, this book might just be the one for you. Here's a quick summary to pique your interest:

"For every one of his smiles, she thought of his letter and blushed with shame of what she had done. Oh, that she might have just looked at it!

After rejecting Mr Darcy’s proposal at Hunsford, Elizabeth Bennet is surprised when he finds her walking the next day and hands her a letter. Without any expectation of pleasure—but with the strongest curiosity—she begins to open the letter, fully intending to read it.

It really was an accident—at first. Her shaking hands broke the seal and somehow tore the pages in two. Oh, what pleasure she then felt in tearing the pages again and again! A glorious release of anger and indignation directed towards the man who had insulted her and courted her in the same breath. She did feel remorse, but what could she do? The letter was destroyed, and Elizabeth expected that she would never see Mr Darcy again.

Home at Longbourn, she discovers that her youngest sisters are consumed by a scheme to go to Brighton—and Elizabeth finds herself drawn to the idea of a visit to the sea. But the surprises of Brighton are many, beginning with a chance meeting on the beach and ending in unexpected romance all around."

The titular event of this book, an impulsive act leading to Elizabeth not reading Darcy's letter, happens early on. Fate does not let that get in the way of Our Dear Couple eventually finding their happily ever after.

This is the first of Kara's books I've read. As such, I was eager to learn more about her. I am so inspired by all JAFF authors who have navigated the writing and publication process to bring their works to fruition. I hope to one day do the same! 

Here's a bit about the author:

Kara Pleasants lives in a lovely hamlet called Darlington in Maryland, where she and her husband are restoring an 18^th century farm in Susquehanna State Park. They have two beautiful and vivacious daughters, Nora and Lina. A Maryland native, Kara spent a great deal of her childhood travelling with her family, including six years living in Siberia, as well as five years in Montana, before finally making her way back home to attend the University of Maryland.

Kara is an English teacher and Department Chair at West Nottingham Academy. She has taught at the secondary and collegiate level at several different schools in Maryland. Her hobbies include: making scones for the farmer’s market, writing poetry, watching fantasy shows, making quilts, directing choir, and dreaming about writing an epic three-party fantasy series for her daughters.

There are several ways to experience this book. I have both the eBook and traditional print book. As with all Quills & Quartos print book I own, it has a satiny feel to it and cover art if beautiful. The audiobook is also available through Author's Direct  for only $5.50. What a steal! You can also listen to a 5-minute sample of the audiobook recording on that page. I was delighted to see that the audiobook is read the by the incomparable Stevie Zimmerman. 

To learn more about this great book, consider following the blog tour as each stop will bring a different perspective. Also, a few lucky winners who comment on one or more of the blog posts will be entered for a chance to win a copy of The Unread Letter. The winners will be announced approximately a week after the blog tour via the Quills & Quartos Facebook page. Good luck and happy reading!