4.5 stars

Well, I was right to be intrigued by Molly and Finn because holy hell was this a fantastic story. There is something to be learned about the message in this. I was so invested in knowing why the letters were being sent and furthermore knowing who was sending them. I liked what the messages forced these two to deal with. It hit home in so many ways. It made me reflect on my own divorce and see areas that I could have improved or that we could have improved (and no, that ship has sailed but it still gave me food for thought and a lessoned learned.

I did have some issues with what came out from Molly and her confusion. Seemed like that would have led to more of a discussion. I, also, wanted further clarification on what Molly had seen as it raised questions for me if it was planned or what. I liked the intention behind the lessons learned but the timing seemed weird to me. However, these things were just me being picky. It just seemed like a long time to wait to make a move.

This portion of the review was read from the boxset. ( )

This book is amazing.
I was hesitant to read it at first for a few reasons.
Book 1 in the series deals with a woman recovering from a dead spouse, this is not a genre I particularly like, as it's difficult if the first couple have had a good relationship not to feel the second partner is second choice in my opinion , if the author doesn't do it well.
Secondly the main reason that is given for the the marriage ending is cheating. I don't agree with cheating at all and if there is active cheating I generally don't read it, I do however like reconciliation or recovering from cheating books whether the couple end up together or not.

I read book 1 when it first came out but I couldn't remember who was who and what had happened. Each book in the series is about a different couple but book 1 had these two as secondary characters and they were just getting divorced, this book is set several years later, I think just over 6.
It can be read as a standalone but the subject of the death of the heroine from book 1 features heavily, there are details about it so you can catch up but it's probably best to read the series in order.

I really felt for Molly and Finn.
It's dual POV and you can see the mistakes they both made.
Some parts are heartbreaking. The cheating has happened and it's several years after the divorce.
I thought the author was brave having the heroine cheat, it's a drunken ONS, or rather a quickie.
The reasons for cheating are more complicated that you initially think, not that it makes it right but the couple have had a bad patch in their marriage and he has moved out.
I don't want to explain too much as the details are not revealed until quite late in the book but it's not a Ross and Rachel type split, or it is bit they are both not seeing things the same way.
The heroine really does believe they are over, not that she planned to cheat but she's drunk and things get out of hand.

The Hero has been seen dating a lot since the divorce and has had a longer term girlfriend of around 6 months. I don't want to reveal anymore.
Each chapter starts with a letter, not very long but it reveals things about the past without flashbacks.

The story is really well written.

The only thing I struggled with is the constant reminders of 'Jamie', the dead spouse from book 1. This is just a personal thing for me as I am not keen on this genre and it features heavily in this story as this couple and the heroine from book 1 and her 1st husband were really good friends so they share history together and his death affected the whole family.

There are no intimate details of anyone other than the Hero and heroine. The ONS has small details but they are not glorified, in fact it sounded a bit non consensual as she was so drunk, but that isn t explored.

There is small other woman drama, offers to the Hero.
A neighbour is interested in the wife but it doesn't happen.

HEA.
Epilogue. ( )

If you haven't read The Birthday List you must definitely put that book on your Must Read List. Then you must immediately read THIS book. You don't have to read the first book to read this one but it will give you a little background.
This book is amazing. It is part heartbreaking and part heartwarming - both at the same time. The consequences of divorce are hard on any family but especially when the 2 parties still love each other. Six years after their divorce, they are brought together by letters from the past and if forces them to talk through all the feelings they had kept in for so long.
I loved this book even more than The Birthday List and need to search for any other books by Deveny Perry. ( )