Letters from my Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse

 

ABOUT

Two Sisters. One Single Event. A Family Changed Forever.

At the turn of the twentieth century, sisters Emmy and Callie Bullock are living a privileged life as the only daughters of a wealthy Alabama cotton farmer when their well-ordered household gets turned upside down by the arrival of Lily McGee. Arrestingly beautiful, Lily quickly--and innocently--draws the wrong kind of attention. Meanwhile, Callie meets a man who offers her the freedom to abandon social constraints and discover her truest self.

After Lily has a baby, Callie witnesses something she was never meant to see--or did she? Her memory is a haze, just an image in her mind of Emmy standing on a darkened riverbank and cradling Lily's missing baby girl. Only when the sisters are separated does the truth slowly come to light through their letters--including a revelation that will shape the rest of Callie's life.

Bestselling author Valerie Fraser Luesse weaves a complex and suspenseful tale dripping with intrigue, romance, and Southern charm.

MY  REVIEW

Letters from my Sister comes from the perspective of two sisters living on a Cotton Farm in Alabama following the civil war. It follows their lives and those of their paid servants who are loyal to the family and happen to be black. Being in the south, superstition and prejudice are still high. 

Callie and Emmy are twins. Emmy is engaged and Callie is not sure she ever will be but then she meets someone that gives her a whole new view of things. The beginning of the story sets up their relationship, the events of their time, and their tragic heartbreaks. When trauma happens along the way and Callie is left without memory of the events of 1 particular night, she is sent away. Emmy is touched by Tuberculosis and the two are separated. They write to each other as Callie is desperately trying to regain her memories. 

This story is well written, emotional, and at times heart rending. Callie and Emmy, while twins are two very different personalities and love each other. Their relationship is evident. There are aspects of this story that move along quickly, while others take time to develop. The story was rich and full of life and was able to carry through the book with all the required emotion. 

I received a copy of this book through the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest  review,