1. Dear Mr. Knightley
    Katherine Reay
    Thomas Nelson / 2013 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$16.19 Retail Price$17.99 Save 10% ($1.80)
    4.6 out of 5 stars for Dear Mr. Knightley. View reviews of this product. 45 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW689680
4.6 Stars Out Of 5
4.6 out of 5
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Quality:
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Displaying items 21-25 of 44
  1. Rosie
    Age: Under 18
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    December 1, 2013
    Rosie
    Age: Under 18
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    A charming, delightful, debut from Reay!

    I blazed through this novel in between Thanksgiving festivities. Even when I had to, I found it hard to put it down! I found Sam funny, lovable, and realistic. The three hundred some pages I spent with her were wonderful; my only complaint being that I wish the story went on longer. Nonetheless, Sam's story is one that will stick with me for a while.

    Sam Moore has had a rough go of life. Watching her grow and change throughout the book is incredible. I'll probably reread it in the near future for sure, but back to Sam. Her voice comes through so strongly and while she can really appear dense at times, behind the many novels, there is an intelligent woman. All in all, Ms. Reay has written a heroine who is a new a definite favorite.

    With multiple references to Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and other classic works it's hard not to love this novel. Combine that with Sam's amusing character and Reay's fascinating writing style and you get a wonderful, wonderful, read. This book is going on my keeper shelf. I highly recommend this book to fans of Austen. As a quick, minor note, Sam is not a Christian for most of the book. She does not engage in any questionable activity that we're told of; however her boyfriend presses her to sleep with him and she refuses.

    I received this book from Litfuse in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!!
  2. ruthhill74
    Yelm, WA
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    It Will Grow on You
    November 28, 2013
    ruthhill74
    Yelm, WA
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This is one of those books that I thought I wouldn't like until about one third of the way through it. In fact, for that first bit of the story, I made virtually no connections with any of the characters. I appreciated the literary references, but I was indifferent to the heroine who was narrating the story.

    At some point (when Alex entered the picture), I began to have minimal interest in the story. And as the story began to build, I began to suspect the turn the story would take. And I was right (I love it when I'm right!). And suddenly, Sam was a three-dimensional character. She discovered who she was, and I connected with her.

    I only have a passing complaint, and it is only because this is classified as a Christian book. There is one word included that is not necessarily bad, but it should not ever be in a Christian book (unless it refers to a donkey). And I wish that the gospel message had truly been emphasized. It would have made this book positively ideal.

    The writing of this book is indeed clever, and I believe that those who have a fondness for literary classics will revel in the book once the introductory portion of the book is over.

    I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
  3. Wanda
    NC
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
    November 26, 2013
    Wanda
    NC
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Samantha Moore had had a rough childhood with an abusive father, a drug addict as a mother and moving from foster home to foster home. Then she found herself at a Grace House, a home for wayward and orphaned kids, and under the supervision if Father John. Sam had always lived in her books and, being a fan of Jane Austen, she often quoted her characters as a way to hide her true self. When Father John suggested her as a scholarship candidate to the Dover Foundation she refused because she wanted to do things on her own and on her own terms. After failing to do exactly that she contested the grantor of the scholarship to ask for a second chance. It was granted under one condition, that she write letters detailing her progress to his pseudonym--Mr. Knightley.

    Sam soon finds herself pouring out her feelings to someone that started out as a stranger but is soon a trusted friend. With Mr. Knightley she can share her deepest, darkest secrets, her fears and her desires, and even a true love. With a new set of "parents", new friends, a college degree and a new love blossoming in her heart, Sam is finally coming into her own and putting the fears of the past behind her. To her own amazement she is shedding her Jane Austen persona all while bearing her soul to one man and giving her heart to another. Can Sam have the life she has only dreamed of? Could this really be real or is she only a character in one of her beloved novels?

    When I first opened this book I have to admit I was skeptical. A book made entirely of letters? My first thought was, "How can this possibly meet my expectations?". Even though I have read such greats as The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright and The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate I still had reservations. Those books had such great story lines and the letters were a PART of the story, NOT the story itself. So as I delved into this story I did so with a little skepticism. Have you ever done that? Read a book that you had questions about but, once you read it, were so glad you did? That is exactly what happened. A third of the way through I knew I had chosen well, halfway through I was in tears, three quarters of the way through I was literally giddy (did I say giddy? Yes, GIDDY!) at the prospect of how the story was going to turn out every time I picked the book back up to start reading again. I have read tons of books in my life and, although I have seen times I didn't want to put a book down, I have never felt giddy at re-entering a story. The way Sam bared her soul to Mr. Knightley just tore at my heart. I felt every heartache and disappointment she went through. I felt every loss and rejection and rejoiced with every happy moment Sam experienced. And when she finally found love, which she desperately deserved, I was ecstatic! It takes good writing to bring out those kind of emotions and in the form of letters? Excellent! If you love a story with depth and feelling, a story that makes you feel like you're a part of it, you'll love Dear Mr. Knightley. And, I must add, it's a DEBUT novel! Which obviously means I have many more books to look forward to from Katherine Reay. I was SO pleased with this book and I recommend it HIGHLY!

    Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisherfor my honest review. These opinions are mine and mine alone. I was in no way compensated for this review.
  4. Kate
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A new favorite!
    November 26, 2013
    Kate
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Oh, my goodness! Where do I begin with this book? This has to be on the short list of favorites for the year. I have not read a book that is so emotionally gripping as Dear Mr. Knightley, in a long time. This was a fantastic debut novel. I'm looking forward to reading more by Katherine Reay.

    Sam is not a girl who has had an easy life. She had a very rough life, she was a part of the foster system for a time, and had very few champions in her life. Despite all of that, she has pushed forward and worked her way through school. However, because of her hard life, Sam is now surrounded by caring people, but she will not let them in. Her true friends are found in books. Her love for books is phenomenal and she also uses these books as a barrier to the real world. When confronted, Sam quotes her way out of interactions with people...and I have to say, I wish I had thought of that when I was younger.

    After Sam had graduated college, she was tired of school. She was offered a grant for a graduate degree, but she was burned out and went another path. When they way fell flat, Sam wanted to try school again and found she was eligible for the grant still, but there was one stipulation, she needed to write to the benefactor, Mr. Knightley. It is through her correspondence to Mr. Knightley that the story unfolds.

    While at school working on her graduates, she runs into Alex Powell, one of the best selling authors, who she has admired for a long time. As the stories unfolds, we are able to watch Sam grow and learn from her experiences. And the story depicts very accurately how changes do not happen over night, they take time. I appreciated that about the story. It was interesting reading how Sam grew and how her relationship with Alex changed.

    As I said before, this has to be one of my favorite books this year. It was a very real story. I felt an instant connection to Sam. Plus, there was so many books mentioned. Some I have personally read and loved and few new ones I will be checking into. I will also say, if you loved the movie You've Got Mail, you will love Dear Mr. Knightley!

    Thank you to Litfuse and Thomas Nelson, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
  5. The Happy Reader
    Columbia, TN
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Grit & Determination
    November 24, 2013
    The Happy Reader
    Columbia, TN
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I read books that I know I'm going to enjoy and rarely do I step out of my comfort zone and take a chance on one. I simply don't have the time to waste on a book I'm not sold on right away. I'm glad I did on this. Sam is one of the deepest characters I've read in a very, very long time. Ms. Reay took her time and wrote with deep detail without having information dumping problems or gaps in the plot. While I could guess at a couple things in the story, instead of detracting, it added appeal and I absolutely enjoyed this book.

    I had to check several times to make sure it was a debut novel. Ms. Reay writes with raw emotion as if she personally knows her main character. So in tune with Sam, it's easy for the reader to connect with Sam and see life through her eyes.

    Sam is chasing a dream. Her dream of a normal life. But not being able to connect with others creates a deep schism and she comes to realize her true goal is just to matter to someone else. Being emotionally abused and traumatized as a child, she must come to grips with the gritty reality that life isn't easy and people are going to hurt one another; but love and friendship is important enough to take a chance on.

    No one is an island. No matter how much they think they want to be one.*
Displaying items 21-25 of 44