“Katherine Reay’s Dear Mr. Knightley kept me up until 2:00 a.m.; I simply couldn’t put it down.” —Eloisa James, New York Times best-selling author of Once Upon a Tower
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
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Sexual Content - 1/5
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Violence - 1/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 0/5
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Summary
Overall I would give this book more stars if I could. I read this incredible novel in just over 24 hours. It was an amazing read for a first novel by the author. Readers of such fare as Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters and other classic works will devour every delectable word and feeling of this book. I just finished, and my heart is sore; my eye makeup is long gone. Good grief! Do I love it or hate it when a book does this to me?! The story line is full of raw emotion because it is built around a young
adult woman who has gone through the foster care system, and the fallout that precipitated from that life, the walls built to protect, the \"I'll hurt you first, so you
can't hurt me first\" kind of behavior that seems a natural byproduct. But there is such beauty in the writing of this story. The author's wisdom is in showing that even \"normal\" families can crank out some very dysfunctional and hurtful relationships . . . But she walks her readers through seeking wholeness and joy and grace. Close to
the end of the book I felt like she had been privy to the discussion I had just had with my daughter earlier today. Here is what she wrote: \"Do you ever feel like there are plans for you? Not ones you make, but plans for good that will come about if you trust and remain patient?\" Trusta significant theme of this novel. This book touched the deepest places of my heart. Read it with a tissue- nay, a box of tissues handy. You will love it!