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Dear James
Dear James, I know it’s been twenty years. But I needed to tell you I’m sorry.
So begins a sprawling email exchange between college sweethearts Noa Sullivan and James Moore, as they navigate reviving a long-dormant bond. But can each truly forgive and forget? And when present events in both their lives take turns that neither predicted, can their renewed intimacy survive this ultimate test? Will they fall apart again, or support each other in ways they never believed themselves capable?
A gripping epistolary novella that takes the reader on a journey of exploration about what it is to be a friend, a partner, and a parent, Dear James is a story about love, loss, and the everlasting possibility of redemption.
So begins a sprawling email exchange between college sweethearts Noa Sullivan and James Moore, as they navigate reviving a long-dormant bond. But can each truly forgive and forget? And when present events in both their lives take turns that neither predicted, can their renewed intimacy survive this ultimate test? Will they fall apart again, or support each other in ways they never believed themselves capable?
A gripping epistolary novella that takes the reader on a journey of exploration about what it is to be a friend, a partner, and a parent, Dear James is a story about love, loss, and the everlasting possibility of redemption.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2024
1 person is currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Marin B. Greene
1 book3 followersMarin B. Greene is an attorney by day, moonlights as an author in her "free time", and also just so happens to be a superhero (read: mom). She lives on a cul-de-sac where there is clearly something in the water because it's overrun with boys of all ages. Living with her are her trusty partner in crime (read: incredible husband), two boys under four, a very patient seventy-pound dog who just wants to cuddle, and two cats that pretty much run things. It's quite loud and topsy-turvy, and she wouldn't have it any other way. In her "additional free time", Marin loves reading, losing to her husband at Everdell and Seven Wonders Duel, learning how to live in the moment from her inimitable boys, and doing laundry. Wait, no, how did that get in there?! She does not love doing laundry, but, as her toddler's brilliant teacher likes to say, "We do the things we have to do, so that we can do the things we want to do."
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 29, 2024
I was privileged enough to read an advance copy of this work prior to its debut (April 8, 2024).
It is rare to find a piece of writing that speaks deftly to the raw emotion of love, life, and parenthood. Dear James and author Marin Greene accomplish just that.
This epistolary debut novella is a window into the joys and trauma of middle-aged life and what-ifs. The protagonists, Noa Sullivan and James Moore, are lived in. Their circumstances reflect life, as the best fiction does.
This is, at its core, a human book about the human condition. I cannot wait to see what else the author may have in store. I could not more highly recommend this.
It is rare to find a piece of writing that speaks deftly to the raw emotion of love, life, and parenthood. Dear James and author Marin Greene accomplish just that.
This epistolary debut novella is a window into the joys and trauma of middle-aged life and what-ifs. The protagonists, Noa Sullivan and James Moore, are lived in. Their circumstances reflect life, as the best fiction does.
This is, at its core, a human book about the human condition. I cannot wait to see what else the author may have in store. I could not more highly recommend this.
April 8, 2024
I COULD NOT put this book down! What started as a casual email exchange between old friends quickly got deep and sucked me in. It was thought provoking and emotional, and really highlighted all the complexities of parenthood. I cannot wait for more from this author!
April 10, 2024
I was blown away by Dear James. Once I started reading I could not stop until I learned what was going to happen to Noa and James. The characters’ discussions about parenthood are particularly extraordinary. Highly highly recommend.
July 26, 2025
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Dear James
Author: Marin B. Greene
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 1/5
Of the 15 readers:
12 would read another book by this author.
4 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 2 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
12 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I must say, this is a very different way of writing a novel. I rather enjoyed it. It’s refreshing I felt. And what better way of getting to know two characters than through the letters they exchange.” Female reader, aged 67
“The cover’s not the best; looks a bit like clip art. Shame as the book is excellent. I felt I got to know the two characters well, and I enjoyed following them as they reconnect. Plenty of drama too. Personally, I would prefer a ‘traditional’ writing style, but, still, it works well, and I liked that the author’s thinking outside the box.” Female reader, aged 46
“A story of parenting, lost love, finding forgiveness. The pacing is excellent – helped by the style it’s written in. There’s not a plot as such, it being very much character focused. It’s unpredictable, with lots of short, sharp exchanging of thoughts, feelings, angst! It didn’t envelop me like a traditionally written novel (I am a dialogue fan), but it was still interesting and even thought provoking.” Female reader, aged 44
“A competent writer who’s capable of developing her MCs and keeping the story moving. Enjoyed this. Will hunt out her next book.” Male reader, aged 59
“Sweet in parts, a little gritty in others, plenty happening as the two MCs explore the past, present and future. Will they fall apart like last time? Read it to find out. Sadly, it’s a novella so it’s way too short. I was just getting into it, and it ended.” Female reader, aged 41
To Sum It Up:
“An insightful, drama-filled novella with a character focused plot. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended!” Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Dear James
Author: Marin B. Greene
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 1/5
Of the 15 readers:
12 would read another book by this author.
4 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 2 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
12 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I must say, this is a very different way of writing a novel. I rather enjoyed it. It’s refreshing I felt. And what better way of getting to know two characters than through the letters they exchange.” Female reader, aged 67
“The cover’s not the best; looks a bit like clip art. Shame as the book is excellent. I felt I got to know the two characters well, and I enjoyed following them as they reconnect. Plenty of drama too. Personally, I would prefer a ‘traditional’ writing style, but, still, it works well, and I liked that the author’s thinking outside the box.” Female reader, aged 46
“A story of parenting, lost love, finding forgiveness. The pacing is excellent – helped by the style it’s written in. There’s not a plot as such, it being very much character focused. It’s unpredictable, with lots of short, sharp exchanging of thoughts, feelings, angst! It didn’t envelop me like a traditionally written novel (I am a dialogue fan), but it was still interesting and even thought provoking.” Female reader, aged 44
“A competent writer who’s capable of developing her MCs and keeping the story moving. Enjoyed this. Will hunt out her next book.” Male reader, aged 59
“Sweet in parts, a little gritty in others, plenty happening as the two MCs explore the past, present and future. Will they fall apart like last time? Read it to find out. Sadly, it’s a novella so it’s way too short. I was just getting into it, and it ended.” Female reader, aged 41
To Sum It Up:
“An insightful, drama-filled novella with a character focused plot. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended!” Wishing Shelf Book Awards
April 30, 2024
Really Enjoyed
I really enjoyed this quick read that takes us through a heart-wrenching journey of 2 past college sweethearts who casually reconnect several years later. Marin's epistolary approach expertly tells Noa's and James' stories that become more complex and honest in describing their past and present situations. At times their stories were disconnected and independent of one another only to eventually collide into a surprisingly, wonderful conclusion. To say this book brought tears to my eyes, is an understatement. Really looking forward to Marin's next book.
I really enjoyed this quick read that takes us through a heart-wrenching journey of 2 past college sweethearts who casually reconnect several years later. Marin's epistolary approach expertly tells Noa's and James' stories that become more complex and honest in describing their past and present situations. At times their stories were disconnected and independent of one another only to eventually collide into a surprisingly, wonderful conclusion. To say this book brought tears to my eyes, is an understatement. Really looking forward to Marin's next book.
April 13, 2024
Unexpectedly WOW
I read this because the author is a good friends daughter in law. I have read other books by people I know and based on experience was not expecting to be wowed. This is an amazing book!!! Marin is a very talented writer. The book is so well written and powerful. She beautifully dives into and brings you on a journey through.the many emotions and thoughts we encounter with friends and as a parent.
I read this because the author is a good friends daughter in law. I have read other books by people I know and based on experience was not expecting to be wowed. This is an amazing book!!! Marin is a very talented writer. The book is so well written and powerful. She beautifully dives into and brings you on a journey through.the many emotions and thoughts we encounter with friends and as a parent.
April 28, 2024
This is a captivating, well written short story that explores many aspects of parenting and relationships. It is a uniquely human story with exquisite depth and relatable characters. I simultaneously enjoyed reading the story while it was also thought provoking. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from this new author!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews