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
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    Stock No: WW689680
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Displaying items 16-20 of 44
  1. debwilson
    Summerfield, FL
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    December 25, 2013
    debwilson
    Summerfield, FL
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Dear Mr. Knightley, Large Print.
    Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others–namely, her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story–by giving that story to a complete stranger.

    Sam is, to say the least, bookish. An English major of the highest order, her diet has always been Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. The problem is, both her prose and conversation tend to be more Elizabeth Bennet than Samantha Moore.

    But life for the twenty-three-year-old orphan is about to get stranger than fiction. An anonymous, Dickensian benefactor (calling himself Mr. Knightley) offers to put Sam through Northwestern University's prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

    As Sam's dark memory mingles with that of eligible novelist Alex Powell, her letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional. While Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it's straight out of a book, old secrets are drawn to light. And as Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.

    Reminding us all that our own true character is not meant to be hidden, Reay's debut novel follows one young woman's journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

    "Dear Mr. Knightley is a stunning debut–a pure gem with humor and heart." –Serena Chase, USA Today

    Includes Reading Group Guide

    Plus Bonus Material: Q &A with Katherine Reay and Sam's Reading List

    My Review:

    I started this novel with the mindset that the the Austen references were just that: references. I wasn't expecting any characters from Austen's writing to show up, but I was a little confused as to how the title was going to play out in the course of the book. I loved the concept of this book, I really did. But I found it kinda creepy that a benefactor of offering to put a twenty-three through college, and all she has to do is write him letters. I know it wasn't meant to be weird, but it just didn't seem right.

    I will say that they way Reay presented the characters and her writing style was exemplary. The setting and situations were not to my liking, but the overall feel of the book was excellent. I really like the way Reay set up her debut novel, and comprised it entirely of Sam's letters to Mr. Knightley. I enjoyed how Sam developed as a person, from her humble beginnings, to the satisfying ending. A very enjoyable read once you get past the initial way things happen.

    This book was provided by the publisher through Litfuse Nest for free in exchange for an honest review.
  2. Samantha Coville
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    My New Favorite
    December 20, 2013
    Samantha Coville
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Sam Moore has always hid behind her classic fiction characters, namely Lizzy Bennett, but now she has a chance to escape the orphanage and attend a prestigious journalism school. The only rule is that she has to write letters to the anonymous donor, detailing her successes and failures. Can she continue to mask herself with quotes and alternate names or will she be forced to step into the light? And what will happen when her literary hero, the mysterious Alex Powell, steps into her life and straight into her heart?

    I'm so glad I agreed to review this book because it has suddenly become one of my favorite. There's no edge of your seat action, no espionage thriller or anything like that. But it far outshines books that do have those things. The realistically flawed characters are easy to become attached to and I suddenly found myself hooked and dying to see how it all played out for Sam, Alex and Kyle. And while there's romance, it never goes over the top and it stays within healthy boundaries.

    I could see the big twist coming from a mile away but the book was so amazing that I didn't really care and kept reading just as eagerly as I had started. Sam is so relatable that I could myself in her. It helps that we share a name and a love for classics, but we also have faults and failures that make her triumphs seem so obtainable to me. It's a fiction self help if such a thing is possible.

    And look at that cover. I stared at it for a good five minutes, transfixed by it's stunning simplicity and beauty. Kudos to the designer! And kudos to Katherine for writing such a wonderful tale and writing it in easy to follow letters from Sam to Knightley. I wish I could have someone to write to like that! Five heroines out of five!

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
  3. debwilson
    Summerfield, FL
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    December 17, 2013
    debwilson
    Summerfield, FL
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Dear Mr. Knightley - eBook.
    Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others–namely, her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story–by giving that story to a complete stranger.

    Sam is, to say the least, bookish. An English major of the highest order, her diet has always been Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. The problem is, both her prose and conversation tend to be more Elizabeth Bennet than Samantha Moore.

    But life for the twenty-three-year-old orphan is about to get stranger than fiction. An anonymous, Dickensian benefactor (calling himself Mr. Knightley) offers to put Sam through Northwestern University's prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

    As Sam's dark memory mingles with that of eligible novelist Alex Powell, her letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional. While Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it's straight out of a book, old secrets are drawn to light. And as Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.

    Reminding us all that our own true character is not meant to be hidden, Reay's debut novel follows one young woman's journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

    "Dear Mr. Knightley is a stunning debut–a pure gem with humor and heart." –Serena Chase, USA Today

    Includes Reading Group Guide

    Plus Bonus Material: Q &A with Katherine Reay and Sam's Reading List

    My Review:

    I started this novel with the mindset that the the Austen references were just that: references. I wasn't expecting any characters from Austen's writing to show up, but I was a little confused as to how the title was going to play out in the course of the book. I loved the concept of this book, I really did. But I found it kinda creepy that a benefactor of offering to put a twenty-three through college, and all she has to do is write him letters. I know it wasn't meant to be weird, but it just didn't seem right.

    I will say that they way Reay presented the characters and her writing style was exemplary. The setting and situations were not to my liking, but the overall feel of the book was excellent. I really like the way Reay set up her debut novel, and comprised it entirely of Sam's letters to Mr. Knightley. I enjoyed how Sam developed as a person, from her humble beginnings, to the satisfying ending. A very enjoyable read once you get past the initial way things happen.

    This book was provided by the publisher through Litfuse Nest for free in exchange for an honest review.
  4. Carole Jarvis
    Jonesboro, Georgia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Unusual and highly entertaining romance
    December 4, 2013
    Carole Jarvis
    Jonesboro, Georgia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Katherine's letter-writing approach is fresh, a form rarely seen in Christian fiction. Any initial reservations I might have had quickly disappeared as I began to get caught up in the action and fast-paced dialogue of Sam's letters to Mr. Knightley. What at first seems to be a light, Austen-based romance surprisingly goes far deeper and turns out to be so much more.

    Katherine is very knowledgeable on foster care system and classic novels; her love for classical fiction shines through every page. It is my understanding that this story is a modern version of Jean Webster's Daddy Long Legs, which I've never read. Neither have I read the Austen classics from which these characters frequently quote, but that in no way lessened my understanding and enjoyment of this novel.

    Sam is a delightfully human heroine - fun, quirky, smart, warm, loving, flawed and broken all at the same time. As a child who had known abuse and neglect, she used literature almost as a defense mechanism, erecting walls around herself to keep from getting hurt, only to discover that "no matter how many characters I hide behind, how much work I bury myself beneath, my past still pushes me every day and haunts me every night." She seemed to find a sanctuary in the letters she was required to write, and Mr. Knightley became a glorified diary as she began to pour her heart out to her unknown benefactor.

    Sam and Alex are complex characters and there's a great supporting cast. I loved Sam's rapport with the young teen Kyle and how they helped each other open up about the abuse they had experienced. And I wish I could pull Professor Muir and his wife off the pages and into my own life. One of my favorite takeaways from this story is the Professor's admonition to Sam concerning her background: "It's your past - your story to share. But never let something so unworthy define you."

    While the spiritual element is subtle, grace is a major theme from beginning to end. When Sam questions Father John at Grace House about the grant, he tells her, "Consider it grace - a gift unwarranted and undeserved." Sam felt so real that I was walking along beside her as she gradually matured both emotionally and spiritually. Her words give voice to the grace she received: "How can I not believe that there is a God who exists and loves, when the people before me are infused with that love and pour it out daily? I still can't grasp that it's for me, but what if it is?"

    Storylines are tied up pretty neatly at the conclusion, but that flowed nicely with the theme of grace and I loved it. I especially enjoyed the last section which was written outside the letter format.

    Rarely do I finish a novel and wish I had time to start again at the beginning, but I think a second reading would reveal so many things that I missed the first time. Dear Mr. Knightley should easily appeal to fans of the classics, but I don't hesitate to recommend it to all readers.

    This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review.
  5. Tammi
    maine
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A intriguing debut!
    December 3, 2013
    Tammi
    maine
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Katherine Reay's debut novel is the story of Samantha (Sam) Moore, which is told in letters written to Mr. Knightley, the anonymous benefactor who granted Sam a full scholarship to graduate school. His only stipulation? That she write him a weekly letter, as if she were addressing a diary, and mail them to him. His promise to her was that he would never write back to her or seek her out.

    Sam, who loves to write and who needs a confidante, begins to write to Mr. Knightley. As she writes, the reader is drawn into Sam's world getting to know her on an intimate level, learning why she closed her heart to those whose only goal was to love her.

    As a way to protect her heart, Sam hides behind the characters in her books. She fears that if she is real and reveals her true feelings she'll be completely rejected and that her heart will shatter. I am sure that each of us felt like this at one time or another.

    I enjoyed getting to know Sam as I read her letters which contained everything from everyday life to real, heart-wrenching events. I enjoyed watching her grow from hiding behind her favorite book characters to being open with the people she came in contact with. You may think that it would be awkward to read a book that is composed entirely by letters, it wasn't that way for me, after the first few pages I had become so immersed in Sam's story that the letters faded into the background as she poured her heart onto the paper.

    I enjoyed meeting other characters, too. I wondered who Mr. Knightley was and wondered which character he could possibly be. I enjoyed meeting Father John, Hannah, Kyle, Alex Powell, the Muirs and watching her friendships slowly blossom with some of her classmates. I even grew to love her seemingly harsh journalism professor, who saw Sam's potential and pushed her further than she thought she could go.

    I laughed and cried with Sam as she struggled and fought to find her voice in her writing, and as she works through her hurts of the past to become the women that Father John, her journalism professor, and the others knew she could become.

    When this book came up for review, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it, because honestly, I wasn't sure I'd like it. I also was intrigued by the blurb so I took a chance, now I am glad that I decided to request Dear Mr. Knightley, I would have missed a great book if I hadn't.

    **Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.
Displaying items 16-20 of 44