Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey

5*

It’s such a treat to read a romance in which the main characters bring out the best in each other and are given the space to work on their baggage without losing the elements that brought them together in the first place. Very Sincerely Yours is one such book. Teddy (Theodora Phillips) was once a daredevil who lost her spark when she crashed her bike, breaking her arm, and then witnessed her parents’ breakup, blaming herself for their divorce. As a result, she opted for a life of conformity in which she lives to make other people happy, subjugating her own needs in the process. As a result, she spends several years with the wrong guy who dumps her because she lives a “small life.” Once she has some distance and perspective, Teddy realizes that she needs to spend some time figuring out what she wants to do with her life, putting herself first for a change. With the help of her two closest friends, she decides to face her fears one day at a time.

Everett St. James is a unicorn of a man who, at the age of four, fell in love with The Muppets and made it his life’s mission to become a puppeteer, eventually bringing joy, advice, and hope to the lives of his young audience. In the process, moms fall in love with his looks, charm and sincerity. Teddy, although not a mom, discovers his show while babysitting and he becomes a source of comfort for her. So it’s no surprise that, post break-up, one of her first “Teddy Time” actions is to email him for advice. Thus begins a love story based initially on emails that blossoms when they finally meet face to face.

Winfrey has scored another romantic hit following her delightful Waiting for Tom Hanks duology. In the world of dating apps based solely on attraction, it’s a refreshing change to read about a relationship based on letter-writing that allows the female protagonist to initially remain anonymous. Email provides a modern medium for sharing thoughts, worries, and dreams without risk, but the reward is the chance for a true love based on a connection that is more than skin-deep. This feel-good romance is a delightful beach read. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.