The Love Note

August 24, 2020
Politano (Lady Jayne Disappears) returns with a lovely Victorian saga of love lost and found. In 1859 England, Willa Duvall mourns the death of her mother as she studies medicine alongside her famous physician father. One day, she discovers a love letter wedged in a desk that had been a gift to her father from a grateful former patient who came from nearby Crestwicke Manor. When a nursing position at Crestwicke opens up, Willa accepts the job in hopes of reuniting the letter’s writer with its intended recipient. While Willa cares for her new patient, Golda, the lady of the manor, she works to find the author and identify the recipient, who is only addressed as “dear one.” However, the letter keeps getting misplaced—only to be found by various members of the household, who each believe the passionate sentiments are meant secretly for them. The letter has far-reaching consequences among the staff, and it emerges as a metaphor for God’s love toward “all his children.” Wholesome characters pining for true love and winsome twists keep the mystery unresolved until the very end. Fans of Victorian inspirationals will love this charming effort.

September 1, 2020
Nurse and aspiring physician Willa Duvall resists the call to marry. She realizes that in 1859 it will be difficult enough for a woman to be a doctor without also trying to be a wife and mother. One day she finds a never-before opened love letter in her old desk, which changes everything. It mentions Crestwicke Manor, a place she visited as a girl with her physician father and a facility that now needs a nurse. Willa takes the position in the hope of solving the mystery of the letter's intended recipient, agreeing to come home after three months and marry if she is not successful in helping her patient. Ultimately her search changes lives and increases her faith in God and love. Politano (Finding Lady Enderly, 2019) presents a well-crafted story about the healing power of words and genuine love in this satisfying, inspirational love story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)