I think this finally got me out of my slump! I read the audiobook this time and it was wonderful, would highly recommend. BR with Ash! (Audiobook Rating-4.5/5 stars) It's worth mentioning again how much I loved the writing. Not only was it beautiful, but the pacing of the story was on point -- always moving forward, no 'extra' scenes, no parts of the book that I wanted to skim. I felt very connected to this story the whole way through. I wasn't very happy with the ending though, which is why it's not a 5 star. (bumped it to 5 stars as I was thinking about it even after half a year) I think there should have been one more chapter to conclude it.

This is YA contemporary with a lot of "tough issues" explored. Declan's relationship with his stepfather, with his mother, Juliet's relationship with her father, Declan's crime and his community service, his anger, Juliet's grief, Juliet's judgment of Declan... there is a lot to unload and handle, in this book. The most meaningful (or one of them) was Kemmerer's message about misjudging people - someone like Declan will get blamed and beat down because people already expect him to be a bad person, a thug and a criminal, but that isn't fair and it isn't right. I just want to say that ‘You shouldn’t judge others suddenly from what you see or what you hear because every coin has two sides and it might be the only side of him / her that you know.’ I am aware that Juliet learns throughout this book but ehr friend does not and that made both of them extremely unlikeable. I did not however like the romance in this book. I wish this was more of a development story for Declan than a romance story between him and Juliet.For anyone who has lost a loved one under tragic circumstances, I think a lot of the text surrounding those feelings of grief and guilt are just so relatable and really, cathartic. This book is YA but is easily enjoyed by all. Juliet is the good girl and Declan is the "bad boy". But is this your typical good girl-bad boy book? I liked how the Author shows how our perceptions of others can get in the way of our interactions with them. just because someone does something wrong, does that make them bad for life or just someone who made a mistake? If someone is quiet and sullen is it because they are cold and indifferent, or could it be because they are in pain or suffering? What happens when you build an invisible wall around yourself and begin to let someone inside your barriers, when you let someone see your true self? This is the first contemporary I've read in a while where all the characters are flawed, yet extremely likable people. All of the characters seemed genuine. What more could you ask for? When I first saw this book I thought it would be a dumb, cheesy, and extra adorable cute contemporary with some like, forbidden romance or some shit that would make you sob your heart out for the characters (I DON'T READ BLURBS LMAO OK) and I avoided it for months. Since this was may's favorite sappy contemporary, I ASSUMED it would be what I described. OH HOW WRONG I WAS SOMEONE FEEL FREE TO PUNCH ME IN THE FACE!!

She was aggravating and despicable to the max and I loathed her with a passion. I could not stand her. I loath judgmental characters. If there’s one sure way to guarantee my instant loss of interest, it’s presenting me with presumptuous, judgmental characters. Juliet was the worst kind of judgmental. She’d throw these petty and hateful remarks at people then blames everyone and gets angry about it when her hostile, antagonistic remarks are not received with grace. Rowan: She was just so sweet! Rowan, Juliet's best friend, was always there for Juliet. Whenever Juliet needed her, she would be there right away. She is definitely who you would want as a best friend! What starts as angry letters become a connection of two people that share painful loses. I want to say that this book's main focus is not romance per se but a bound between Juliette and Declan. It was heart breaking to see them both in despair trying to find a life line in moments when they were so lost. But through those letters they find each other. The courage and voice they had lost. I cannot express how much I loved this book. The more I thought about this book, the more I realized how much I adored it.So overall, Letters to the Lost was an extremely fun read and definitely makes my list of top books of 2021. I would highly recommend it! I'd consider this to have been a really fantastic reading experience. It was a very well written with well developed characters. I rarely read this genre, but the way Juliet and Declan subtly fell in love with each other through their letters gave my romantic heart just enough to keep me happy. Ultimately, this was a complete change of pace from what I usually read but I loved it and would recommend it to anyone looking for something a little different! Usually I don’t get the whole enemies to lovers thing, if you don’t like someone to begin with – I think there’s probably a reason for it. HOWEVER, in this instance they really don’t know one another (apart from secretly, which neither of them has worked out haha) they only know OF one another, and the parts of themselves they choose to show the world which isn’t NEARLY enough to get even a snapshot of their real lives and emotions. Not only that, while the characters were flawed, their development is on point. Not to mention, it’s also super cute and had a bunch of moments where I was squealing and giggling.

And you know how when you have these kind of stories you always assume the boy will come and save the girl. Like bam they meet, kiss kiss, and all the sadness goes away, but it wasn’t like that Okay full five starts and added to favourites because I can’t stop thinking about this novel and how much I love it. To me, it's a testament to Kemmerer's talent as a writer, how she can characterize these two teens so well, and bring about those fears and angers and pain so well, such that the reader is incredibly aware of them. There wasn't a chapter that went by that I didn't distinctly feel Declan's fury and his hurt, or Juliet's panic and grief. Such good writing, in terms of the development of these two characters. It's true, isn't it? That quote isn't only making a statement, but I also feel like it's implying something. You can choose grief to let it divide you, or let it unite you. It's your choice how you cope. The romance was absolutely beautiful. This book is a romance, but I felt it's more than that. The last scene where Jules and Dec finally meet is super cute. I will forever ship them!They didn’t instantly solve each other’s problems in a single hallway glance it was like they encouraged and supported each other from behind anonymous usernames but they still had to work it out on their own and reach their own closure Don’t you think it’s funny how people say “lost” as if they were just misplaced? But maybe it’s a different meaning of “lost,” in that you don’t know where they went."

Do you believe in fate? Sometimes I want to. I want to believe that we all walk some path toward… something, and our paths intertwine for a reason. Like this, the way we’ve found each other. The way you told me the right story when I so desperately needed to hear ti. So when Declan finds Juliet's letter, he finds he can relate to Juliet's pain. Loss, grief, and anger. YA contemporary fan or not (I'm not one), I recommend this book. It is such a meaningful and thought-provoking book. Also, I can't remember the last time I got that swept up in a story, to the point where I unintentionally finish it or stay up really late without being aware. (I stay up late reading books all the time but it's always intentional). There are a lot of tough topics explored in this book, but it's not overwhelmingly heavy. This is an excellent story that is powerful beyond it being a YA contemporary story about two teens who meet in more than one way. The letters they wrote to each other were so thought provoking. Many of them gave me chills and shivers. There's a raw honesty to opening up to someone who doesn't know you but that you feel you can trust. It's like you bare your soul without fear of judgement. Each letter had weight, if that makes sense. They just conveyed so much. Rev is one of my favourites! He has my heart. I know book 2 is on him and I'm a bit scared to read it.

There’s not a joy the world can give like that it takes away, when the glow of early thought declines in feeling’s dull decay.” Rev: He was quite interesting. Rev, who is Declan's best friend was also always there for Declan. However, he had a complicated past. He went through abuse and many hardships. But, he was always there for Declan and I appreciated that. The next book is about him, and I hope he gets his happy ending! Sure, the concept isn't the most original in the world. I swear I've read a book with a similar plot-line, actually, but I couldn't place it. However, despite the fact that the story-line felt familiar, I thought it was an excellent read. And I CANNOT be any more excited for Rev's story. I mean, he practically stole the book, so a story from his POV would be divine. I think this is a series to watch.