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The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth
Two women overcoming past traumas embark on a healing journey across continents in a novel about friendship, family, and rediscovery by the USA Today bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids.
Recently and abruptly divorced Veronica Barrington is anxious for a new direction when she answers a listing for a travel companion. It’s from Mariah Ellsworth, a young woman adjusting to an injury that ended her Olympic career. She’s also grieving her mother, Rachel, a lauded food writer, and Mariah aims to trace the steps of her mother’s final, unfinished project so she can heal and also honor the woman she misses.
Veronica seizes on the opportunity to experience with Mariah the culture, traditions, and intoxicating aromas of Parsi cafés throughout London, Paris, Morocco, and India. Accompanied by a former war photographer who has a wounded history of his own, and with just Rachel’s letters to guide them, the quest is a chance to not only close a chapter in life but also begin a new one.
Following the letters one by one—each a clue to an illuminating mystery—Veronica and Mariah must face the painful and beautiful challenges of freeing themselves from the dark shadows of the past. Together, far from home, they can find the light.
Recently and abruptly divorced Veronica Barrington is anxious for a new direction when she answers a listing for a travel companion. It’s from Mariah Ellsworth, a young woman adjusting to an injury that ended her Olympic career. She’s also grieving her mother, Rachel, a lauded food writer, and Mariah aims to trace the steps of her mother’s final, unfinished project so she can heal and also honor the woman she misses.
Veronica seizes on the opportunity to experience with Mariah the culture, traditions, and intoxicating aromas of Parsi cafés throughout London, Paris, Morocco, and India. Accompanied by a former war photographer who has a wounded history of his own, and with just Rachel’s letters to guide them, the quest is a chance to not only close a chapter in life but also begin a new one.
Following the letters one by one—each a clue to an illuminating mystery—Veronica and Mariah must face the painful and beautiful challenges of freeing themselves from the dark shadows of the past. Together, far from home, they can find the light.
377 pages, Paperback
Published July 29, 2025
3475 people are currently reading
9677 people want to read
About the author
Barbara O'Neal
28 books4,397 followersBarbara O'Neal is the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling writer of women's fiction. She lives in Colorado with her partner, a British endurance athlete.
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July 19, 2025
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The Book Review Crew Blog
2.5 Stars
I read my first Barbara O'Neal book back in 2020, The Lost Girls of Devon , and I really enjoyed it, but The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth left me wanting something more. This story is about Veronica and Mariah. Veronica decides to be a travel companion for Mariah. Mariah was an Olympic hopeful until she had a career-ending injury. She also recently lost her mom, Rachel, who was a food reporter. Mariah wants to trace the steps of her mother's last culinary writing project.
This book was an adventure across the globe: Paris, London, Morocco, and India. Oh my! This is where O'Neal shines. Her descriptive writing of the setting and food had me right there with Veronica and Mariah. The part that didn't work for me was the fact that I was right there with Veronica and Mariah. Let me explain. Mariah was very hard to like; she seemed like a spoiled brat, even given the fact that she recently lost her mom and was injured in the same accident. I hate the way Veronica let her walk all over her. Veronica is also obsessed with her weight and nitpicks the food because of it, and that was a real downer. I also found the pacing to be a little on the slow side. We are dealing with this journey, and we also have Rachel's past unfolding. Then there were the supernatural parts with psychics, and that didn't sit well with me either. It just distracted from the main story and belittled the relationship part of the plot.
Overall, this was just an average read about new friendships, food, travel, and finding the strength to move on. It was very heartfelt and wonderfully written, but the slower pace and character flaws prevented it from being an exceptional book. I would recommend it to foodies, but the story itself fell short for me, as I was looking forward to a character study of the two female leads. I was going to rate it higher because I love books about found family, but the character flaws I mentioned ruined it for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
2.5 Stars
I read my first Barbara O'Neal book back in 2020, The Lost Girls of Devon , and I really enjoyed it, but The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth left me wanting something more. This story is about Veronica and Mariah. Veronica decides to be a travel companion for Mariah. Mariah was an Olympic hopeful until she had a career-ending injury. She also recently lost her mom, Rachel, who was a food reporter. Mariah wants to trace the steps of her mother's last culinary writing project.
This book was an adventure across the globe: Paris, London, Morocco, and India. Oh my! This is where O'Neal shines. Her descriptive writing of the setting and food had me right there with Veronica and Mariah. The part that didn't work for me was the fact that I was right there with Veronica and Mariah. Let me explain. Mariah was very hard to like; she seemed like a spoiled brat, even given the fact that she recently lost her mom and was injured in the same accident. I hate the way Veronica let her walk all over her. Veronica is also obsessed with her weight and nitpicks the food because of it, and that was a real downer. I also found the pacing to be a little on the slow side. We are dealing with this journey, and we also have Rachel's past unfolding. Then there were the supernatural parts with psychics, and that didn't sit well with me either. It just distracted from the main story and belittled the relationship part of the plot.
Overall, this was just an average read about new friendships, food, travel, and finding the strength to move on. It was very heartfelt and wonderfully written, but the slower pace and character flaws prevented it from being an exceptional book. I would recommend it to foodies, but the story itself fell short for me, as I was looking forward to a character study of the two female leads. I was going to rate it higher because I love books about found family, but the character flaws I mentioned ruined it for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 29, 2025
Healing from past trauma is a journey that requires courage, patience and support; nobody knows that better than Mariah Ellsworth and Veronica Barrington.
These two broken women help each other reframe their narratives and reclaim agency. Mariah is grieving the loss of her Olympic snowboarding career and the loss of her mother, while Veronica is grieving the loss of her marriage and abrupt divorce while dealing with ‘empty nest’ syndrome. Both know that connecting with a supportive community will help them foster a sense of belonging and fulfillment, but they have little idea about how a multi-continent journey will impact them.
When Mariah feels compelled to finish her mother’s writing project and hires Veronica as an assistant, they inadvertently help each other build resistance, process their emotions, learn to forgive, and finally let go. When a photographer, Henry Spinuzza, joins them, this journey becomes a healing one for all three.
This is my third book by author Barbara O’Neal and I’ve come to realize that she really knows how to emotionally involve her readers and uses her well-honed writing skills to keep them turning pages. I love that she crafts her characters so that they aren’t defined solely by the trauma. This time, I got a sense of who Veronica was as a person outside of her family and who Mariah was when not labeled as an athlete or grieving. Furthermore, O’Neal’s use of dialogue and her characters’ body language mirror their experience and coping mechanisms.
This is a worthy read because O’Neal enriches her readers’ understanding of the human experience in an authentic and empathetic way. She delicately navigates the narrative landscape of trauma.
I was gifted this copy by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
These two broken women help each other reframe their narratives and reclaim agency. Mariah is grieving the loss of her Olympic snowboarding career and the loss of her mother, while Veronica is grieving the loss of her marriage and abrupt divorce while dealing with ‘empty nest’ syndrome. Both know that connecting with a supportive community will help them foster a sense of belonging and fulfillment, but they have little idea about how a multi-continent journey will impact them.
When Mariah feels compelled to finish her mother’s writing project and hires Veronica as an assistant, they inadvertently help each other build resistance, process their emotions, learn to forgive, and finally let go. When a photographer, Henry Spinuzza, joins them, this journey becomes a healing one for all three.
This is my third book by author Barbara O’Neal and I’ve come to realize that she really knows how to emotionally involve her readers and uses her well-honed writing skills to keep them turning pages. I love that she crafts her characters so that they aren’t defined solely by the trauma. This time, I got a sense of who Veronica was as a person outside of her family and who Mariah was when not labeled as an athlete or grieving. Furthermore, O’Neal’s use of dialogue and her characters’ body language mirror their experience and coping mechanisms.
This is a worthy read because O’Neal enriches her readers’ understanding of the human experience in an authentic and empathetic way. She delicately navigates the narrative landscape of trauma.
I was gifted this copy by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 4, 2025
A book about unexpected friendships, found families, grieving, travelling and cozy Parsi cafes
Veronica has spent the last twenty years being a stay at home mom: making sure her husband had everything he needed, prioritizing her family over academic goals and keeping everyone happy. All of that to be replaced by a younger, pregnant new wife.
When she finds a job that involves travelling during Christmas, instead of spending it alone while her kids are skiing with their father and his new wife, she jumps at the opportunity. She wasn’t expecting to find so much more than a job to cover the bills. A new love, new opportunities and, maybe, a new friend.
Mariah used to be an Olympian racing for gold. Now she needs to hire someone to help her carry her bags, since her leg is completely destroyed. But the loss of her career isn’t the only thing she’s grieving; her mother died sixteen months ago, and she still hadn’t made peace with it. By trying to write the last book her mother was working on, about Parsi cafes around the world, Mariah aims to figure out who her mother was, and how she should move forward.
I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. I bonded with Veronica from the beginning and, even though Maria was harder to relate to, she was impossible to hate. Even when she was angry, it was easy to understand where it came from and forgive her. I won’t say much because Maria’s story is part of the suspense of the book, so you’ll learn her secrets as you read.
The story is very character-driven and, while I really enjoyed the characters-especially Veronica, the author did such a great job at making me care for her from the very first chapter-, I wished we had something more. I saw the plot twist coming and the travelling wasn’t as thrilling as I thought it would be. I was expecting Rachel’s story to surprise me more than it did.
That being said, I cared about the characters and enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I liked the narrator, she made the experience so much better. I also appreciated the found family, the little love story and how much Mariah and Veronica helped each other.
It was interesting how the generation and society they were born into played a role on their friendship. Veronica was so focused on being a ‘lady’, she didn’t hesitate to give up her career dreams to have a family, while Mariah let herself be: ate what she wanted, dated without worrying about what to do next. Mariah helped Veronica to stop worrying about her weight and manners and start enjoying life. At the same time, having a mother figure taking care of her really helped Mariah grieve.
Also, the author's writing style was really good, I will check out if she has other books that catch my attention.
Overall, I enjoyed the characterization: the character arcs were interesting and I really bonded with the characters. But I thought the action part was going to be a bit more fast paced and engaging. I would recommend it if you are interested in the premise, because it delivers on what the characters are going through, but not really if you are more interested in the mystery surrounding Rachel Ellsworth.
Audiobook rating: 4 stars
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Veronica has spent the last twenty years being a stay at home mom: making sure her husband had everything he needed, prioritizing her family over academic goals and keeping everyone happy. All of that to be replaced by a younger, pregnant new wife.
When she finds a job that involves travelling during Christmas, instead of spending it alone while her kids are skiing with their father and his new wife, she jumps at the opportunity. She wasn’t expecting to find so much more than a job to cover the bills. A new love, new opportunities and, maybe, a new friend.
Mariah used to be an Olympian racing for gold. Now she needs to hire someone to help her carry her bags, since her leg is completely destroyed. But the loss of her career isn’t the only thing she’s grieving; her mother died sixteen months ago, and she still hadn’t made peace with it. By trying to write the last book her mother was working on, about Parsi cafes around the world, Mariah aims to figure out who her mother was, and how she should move forward.
I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. I bonded with Veronica from the beginning and, even though Maria was harder to relate to, she was impossible to hate. Even when she was angry, it was easy to understand where it came from and forgive her. I won’t say much because Maria’s story is part of the suspense of the book, so you’ll learn her secrets as you read.
The story is very character-driven and, while I really enjoyed the characters-especially Veronica, the author did such a great job at making me care for her from the very first chapter-, I wished we had something more. I saw the plot twist coming and the travelling wasn’t as thrilling as I thought it would be. I was expecting Rachel’s story to surprise me more than it did.
That being said, I cared about the characters and enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I liked the narrator, she made the experience so much better. I also appreciated the found family, the little love story and how much Mariah and Veronica helped each other.
It was interesting how the generation and society they were born into played a role on their friendship. Veronica was so focused on being a ‘lady’, she didn’t hesitate to give up her career dreams to have a family, while Mariah let herself be: ate what she wanted, dated without worrying about what to do next. Mariah helped Veronica to stop worrying about her weight and manners and start enjoying life. At the same time, having a mother figure taking care of her really helped Mariah grieve.
Also, the author's writing style was really good, I will check out if she has other books that catch my attention.
Overall, I enjoyed the characterization: the character arcs were interesting and I really bonded with the characters. But I thought the action part was going to be a bit more fast paced and engaging. I would recommend it if you are interested in the premise, because it delivers on what the characters are going through, but not really if you are more interested in the mystery surrounding Rachel Ellsworth.
Audiobook rating: 4 stars
Rating: 3.5 stars.
April 29, 2025
This is my third book by this author. Barbara O'Neal doesn't get enough credit for how beautiful her writing is, imo. This was such an emotional read but then Barbara manages to find a way to mend the heart she just trampled with her poetic words.
Mariah and Veronica come together
to trace Mariah's mother's life journey to try and find some answers to these mysteries surrounding her mother.
You Will feel like you knew these characters and went on this journey with them. The setting is written so beautifully with the scenery.
I loved this book but was left with a couple minor questions so that's why it didn't get a 5 star but it was fantastic, nonetheless. Highly recommend!!
I have a feeling this one will be so good. I loved When We Were Mermaids. Barbara O'Neal had a way with words.
Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Expected publication: July 29,2025
Mariah and Veronica come together
to trace Mariah's mother's life journey to try and find some answers to these mysteries surrounding her mother.
You Will feel like you knew these characters and went on this journey with them. The setting is written so beautifully with the scenery.
I loved this book but was left with a couple minor questions so that's why it didn't get a 5 star but it was fantastic, nonetheless. Highly recommend!!
I have a feeling this one will be so good. I loved When We Were Mermaids. Barbara O'Neal had a way with words.
Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Expected publication: July 29,2025
March 8, 2025
The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth tells the story of two women, Rachel’s daughter Mariah, a twenty something who is adjusting to life after a serious injury abruptly finished her winter Olympic career and Veronica a fifty something woman who’s world is turned upside down with a recent divorce.
The recently deceased Rachel was a food writer and traveller and when Mariah decides to try and complete the last food book she was working on she knew she would have to advertise for a travel companion as she tries to retrace her mothers steps around the worlds cafes. Someone to assist and help her navigate the journey with her injury restricting what she can do.
Veronica, lost without her house and her family and struggling to adjust to life on her own in a rented apartment, sees the advert and takes a leap of faith in applying and getting the position. We follow both as they travel the globe and visit various cafes and find out more about Rachel and indeed themselves.
This was a hugely enjoyable tale of two lost women dealing with different types of grief and trying to use the past to forge new futures and identities for themselves. It’s beautifully told and will have you salivating with all the discussion and consumption of food.
Both women are flawed but ultimately incredibly likeable and of course there is the obvious mother daughter dynamic that is always bubbling under the surface, partly filling holes in both their lives.
I had a blast reading this as I went along with these two on their journeys, both physically and metaphorically as they try to navigate the loss of their familiar and now forever changed lives. Highly recommended
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
The recently deceased Rachel was a food writer and traveller and when Mariah decides to try and complete the last food book she was working on she knew she would have to advertise for a travel companion as she tries to retrace her mothers steps around the worlds cafes. Someone to assist and help her navigate the journey with her injury restricting what she can do.
Veronica, lost without her house and her family and struggling to adjust to life on her own in a rented apartment, sees the advert and takes a leap of faith in applying and getting the position. We follow both as they travel the globe and visit various cafes and find out more about Rachel and indeed themselves.
This was a hugely enjoyable tale of two lost women dealing with different types of grief and trying to use the past to forge new futures and identities for themselves. It’s beautifully told and will have you salivating with all the discussion and consumption of food.
Both women are flawed but ultimately incredibly likeable and of course there is the obvious mother daughter dynamic that is always bubbling under the surface, partly filling holes in both their lives.
I had a blast reading this as I went along with these two on their journeys, both physically and metaphorically as they try to navigate the loss of their familiar and now forever changed lives. Highly recommended
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
July 29, 2025
Barbara O'Neal's The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth unfolds like a carefully crafted meal—layered, aromatic, and deeply satisfying, yet tinged with the bitter aftertaste of unspoken truths. This latest offering from the USA Today bestselling author proves once again why she has become a master of contemporary women's fiction, weaving together themes of loss, discovery, and redemption across continents and cultures.
The novel opens with Veronica Barrington at her lowest point—recently divorced, financially struggling, and facing eviction. When she stumbles upon a job posting seeking a travel companion for research across London, Paris, Morocco, and India, it feels like divine intervention. Her employer, Mariah Ellsworth, is a former Olympic snowboarder whose promising career ended in the same mass shooting that killed her mother, Rachel, a celebrated food writer. Together, they embark on a quest to complete Rachel's final, unfinished project about Parsi cafés—a journey that becomes as much about healing from trauma as it is about honoring the dead.
The Architecture of Memory
O'Neal demonstrates remarkable skill in structuring this narrative, dividing the story into six distinct sections that mirror the women's geographical and emotional journey. The pacing feels deliberate yet never sluggish, much like the careful preparation of the Parsi dishes that populate the story. Each location—from London's intimate Café Guli to the bustling streets of Mumbai—serves not merely as backdrop but as character, with O'Neal's descriptive prowess bringing these places to vivid life.
The author's treatment of grief is particularly noteworthy. Rather than presenting it as a linear progression through stages, O'Neal captures grief's chaotic, unpredictable nature. Mariah's trauma manifests in panic attacks and emotional numbness, while Veronica processes the death of her marriage through a different kind of mourning. The shooting that connects them—and that haunts the narrative—is handled with sensitivity and restraint, never exploiting tragedy for dramatic effect.
The Flavor of Cultural Discovery
Where O'Neal truly excels is in her depiction of food culture and its role in human connection. The Parsi cafés serve as more than research subjects; they become bridges between past and present, East and West, memory and reality. Her descriptions of dishes like bun maska and keema pattice feel authentic and sensual, making readers taste the cardamom-scented chai and feel the weight of tradition in every carefully prepared meal.
The cultural research appears thorough and respectful, particularly in her portrayal of the Parsi community—a small but significant religious minority with a rich culinary tradition. O'Neal avoids the pitfall of cultural tourism, instead showing how food traditions carry stories, trauma, and healing across generations. The scattered Irani family, whose café once welcomed Rachel decades earlier, embodies this theme perfectly.
Character Development and Emotional Truth
Veronica emerges as O'Neal's most fully realized protagonist in recent years. Her journey from desperate divorcée to confident writer feels earned rather than convenient. The author skillfully reveals Veronica's backstory—losing her mother young, growing up in poverty, building a life that was ultimately not her own—without resorting to heavy exposition. Her growing confidence parallels her geographical movement, each new city offering another layer of self-discovery.
Mariah proves more challenging to connect with initially, her athlete's stoicism creating distance from readers. However, O'Neal gradually peels back these protective layers, revealing a young woman grappling with the loss of identity that comes with career-ending injury. The relationship between the two women develops organically, built on shared meals, quiet conversations, and mutual recognition of loss.
Henry, the war photographer who joins their journey, could have been a standard romantic interest, but O'Neal imbues him with depth and his own trauma. His calm presence serves as an anchor for both women, and his romantic subplot with Veronica feels natural rather than obligatory.
The Weight of Family Secrets
The novel's central mystery—what happened to Rachel during her time in India—provides narrative momentum while exploring themes of cultural collision and unintended consequences. When the truth finally emerges about Rachel's relationship with Darshan and its tragic ending, O'Neal handles the revelation with nuance. Rather than presenting a simple tale of cross-cultural romance gone wrong, she examines the complex dynamics of class, tradition, and young love's inability to comprehend its own destructive potential.
The suicide that destroyed the Irani family feels both shocking and inevitable, a reminder that individual choices ripple outward in ways we cannot predict or control. O'Neal wisely keeps Rachel's final letter—the one revealing her guilt and despair—hidden from Mariah, understanding that some truths are too heavy for those already struggling to bear their own grief.
Strengths and Occasional Stumbles
O'Neal's prose remains accessible yet elegant, with moments of genuine poetry, particularly in her descriptions of Mumbai's morning rituals and the sensory overload of foreign markets. Her dialogue feels authentic, capturing the different voices of her characters without resorting to caricature.
However, the novel occasionally suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the middle sections where the travelogue elements sometimes overshadow character development. The resolution, while emotionally satisfying, feels slightly rushed given the careful buildup of tension throughout the journey. Some readers may find Mariah's complete breakdown in Delhi overwhelming, though it serves the narrative's exploration of PTSD.
The romantic subplot, while sweet, never quite achieves the emotional depth of the central friendship between Veronica and Mariah. Henry remains somewhat idealized—perhaps too understanding, too patient, too perfect a match for Veronica's needs.
A Feast for the Heart
Despite these minor criticisms, The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth succeeds admirably as both entertainment and emotional journey. O'Neal has crafted a novel that honors the complexity of human relationships while celebrating the healing power of friendship, food, and shared stories. The ending, which sees both women returning to Colorado with new purpose and deeper connection, feels hopeful without being naive.
Final Verdict
The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth offers readers a satisfying blend of travelogue, mystery, and emotional journey. While it may not achieve the perfect balance of all its elements, it succeeds as a meditation on grief, friendship, and the unexpected ways we find healing. O'Neal's compassionate portrayal of trauma and her gift for creating believable, flawed characters make this a worthwhile addition to contemporary women's fiction.
The novel's greatest strength lies in its understanding that healing rarely follows a straight path, that sometimes we must travel thousands of miles to find what we need, and that the stories we inherit from those we love can be both burden and blessing. In an era when many of us feel disconnected from our roots and purpose, O'Neal offers the gentle suggestion that sometimes the best way forward is to trace the steps of those who came before us—not to repeat their journey, but to understand our own.
For readers seeking an emotionally resonant story with rich cultural detail and authentic character development, The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth delivers a deeply satisfying reading experience that lingers long after the final page.
The novel opens with Veronica Barrington at her lowest point—recently divorced, financially struggling, and facing eviction. When she stumbles upon a job posting seeking a travel companion for research across London, Paris, Morocco, and India, it feels like divine intervention. Her employer, Mariah Ellsworth, is a former Olympic snowboarder whose promising career ended in the same mass shooting that killed her mother, Rachel, a celebrated food writer. Together, they embark on a quest to complete Rachel's final, unfinished project about Parsi cafés—a journey that becomes as much about healing from trauma as it is about honoring the dead.
The Architecture of Memory
O'Neal demonstrates remarkable skill in structuring this narrative, dividing the story into six distinct sections that mirror the women's geographical and emotional journey. The pacing feels deliberate yet never sluggish, much like the careful preparation of the Parsi dishes that populate the story. Each location—from London's intimate Café Guli to the bustling streets of Mumbai—serves not merely as backdrop but as character, with O'Neal's descriptive prowess bringing these places to vivid life.
The author's treatment of grief is particularly noteworthy. Rather than presenting it as a linear progression through stages, O'Neal captures grief's chaotic, unpredictable nature. Mariah's trauma manifests in panic attacks and emotional numbness, while Veronica processes the death of her marriage through a different kind of mourning. The shooting that connects them—and that haunts the narrative—is handled with sensitivity and restraint, never exploiting tragedy for dramatic effect.
The Flavor of Cultural Discovery
Where O'Neal truly excels is in her depiction of food culture and its role in human connection. The Parsi cafés serve as more than research subjects; they become bridges between past and present, East and West, memory and reality. Her descriptions of dishes like bun maska and keema pattice feel authentic and sensual, making readers taste the cardamom-scented chai and feel the weight of tradition in every carefully prepared meal.
The cultural research appears thorough and respectful, particularly in her portrayal of the Parsi community—a small but significant religious minority with a rich culinary tradition. O'Neal avoids the pitfall of cultural tourism, instead showing how food traditions carry stories, trauma, and healing across generations. The scattered Irani family, whose café once welcomed Rachel decades earlier, embodies this theme perfectly.
Character Development and Emotional Truth
Veronica emerges as O'Neal's most fully realized protagonist in recent years. Her journey from desperate divorcée to confident writer feels earned rather than convenient. The author skillfully reveals Veronica's backstory—losing her mother young, growing up in poverty, building a life that was ultimately not her own—without resorting to heavy exposition. Her growing confidence parallels her geographical movement, each new city offering another layer of self-discovery.
Mariah proves more challenging to connect with initially, her athlete's stoicism creating distance from readers. However, O'Neal gradually peels back these protective layers, revealing a young woman grappling with the loss of identity that comes with career-ending injury. The relationship between the two women develops organically, built on shared meals, quiet conversations, and mutual recognition of loss.
Henry, the war photographer who joins their journey, could have been a standard romantic interest, but O'Neal imbues him with depth and his own trauma. His calm presence serves as an anchor for both women, and his romantic subplot with Veronica feels natural rather than obligatory.
The Weight of Family Secrets
The novel's central mystery—what happened to Rachel during her time in India—provides narrative momentum while exploring themes of cultural collision and unintended consequences. When the truth finally emerges about Rachel's relationship with Darshan and its tragic ending, O'Neal handles the revelation with nuance. Rather than presenting a simple tale of cross-cultural romance gone wrong, she examines the complex dynamics of class, tradition, and young love's inability to comprehend its own destructive potential.
The suicide that destroyed the Irani family feels both shocking and inevitable, a reminder that individual choices ripple outward in ways we cannot predict or control. O'Neal wisely keeps Rachel's final letter—the one revealing her guilt and despair—hidden from Mariah, understanding that some truths are too heavy for those already struggling to bear their own grief.
Strengths and Occasional Stumbles
O'Neal's prose remains accessible yet elegant, with moments of genuine poetry, particularly in her descriptions of Mumbai's morning rituals and the sensory overload of foreign markets. Her dialogue feels authentic, capturing the different voices of her characters without resorting to caricature.
However, the novel occasionally suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the middle sections where the travelogue elements sometimes overshadow character development. The resolution, while emotionally satisfying, feels slightly rushed given the careful buildup of tension throughout the journey. Some readers may find Mariah's complete breakdown in Delhi overwhelming, though it serves the narrative's exploration of PTSD.
The romantic subplot, while sweet, never quite achieves the emotional depth of the central friendship between Veronica and Mariah. Henry remains somewhat idealized—perhaps too understanding, too patient, too perfect a match for Veronica's needs.
A Feast for the Heart
Despite these minor criticisms, The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth succeeds admirably as both entertainment and emotional journey. O'Neal has crafted a novel that honors the complexity of human relationships while celebrating the healing power of friendship, food, and shared stories. The ending, which sees both women returning to Colorado with new purpose and deeper connection, feels hopeful without being naive.
Final Verdict
The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth offers readers a satisfying blend of travelogue, mystery, and emotional journey. While it may not achieve the perfect balance of all its elements, it succeeds as a meditation on grief, friendship, and the unexpected ways we find healing. O'Neal's compassionate portrayal of trauma and her gift for creating believable, flawed characters make this a worthwhile addition to contemporary women's fiction.
The novel's greatest strength lies in its understanding that healing rarely follows a straight path, that sometimes we must travel thousands of miles to find what we need, and that the stories we inherit from those we love can be both burden and blessing. In an era when many of us feel disconnected from our roots and purpose, O'Neal offers the gentle suggestion that sometimes the best way forward is to trace the steps of those who came before us—not to repeat their journey, but to understand our own.
For readers seeking an emotionally resonant story with rich cultural detail and authentic character development, The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth delivers a deeply satisfying reading experience that lingers long after the final page.
August 9, 2025
This is the story of two women, both needing to heal, who set out on an adventure across the globe.
Veronica leaves behind an ex-husband and 3 adult children and Mariah is trying to deal with the aftermath of being shot in a mass shooting.
A novel about new friendship, food, travel and finding the strength and courage to move on.
A captivating read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Veronica leaves behind an ex-husband and 3 adult children and Mariah is trying to deal with the aftermath of being shot in a mass shooting.
A novel about new friendship, food, travel and finding the strength and courage to move on.
A captivating read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
February 25, 2025
This new offering from Barbara O’’Neal is a revelation. Still filled with the food descriptions and the memories and emotions that can be attached to food, and featuring something O’Neal does well - family, biological and created - I still had to keep reminding myself who the author was because it was also a travelogue of sorts, Swept through Paris, Marrakech, and India, the reader experiences the sights and sounds of each location, as the main characters visit Parsi cafes.. Though the coziness I often feel through O’Neal’s books was missing, the foodie experiences and the sensitive handling of how women deal with loss and trauma were right there. This may become my favorite by O’Neal - it feels like a growth experience.
Rounding up to a five; actual rating 4.5
Thanks to Net Galley and Lake Union publishing for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.
Rounding up to a five; actual rating 4.5
Thanks to Net Galley and Lake Union publishing for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.
July 17, 2025
Barbara O’Neal’s name was very familiar to me, so I was surprised to realise that this seems to be the first of her books that I’d read.
I finished the book last night, and I was initially going to give it a much higher rating, but I realised that while I did actually really enjoy the story, it wasn’t still lingering in my mind. Or rather, it was, but a couple of really big questions were left unanswered. So 3.5 🌟 seems fair.
Part travelogue, part food blog. The Novel begins with recently divorced Veronica wondering where she goes now in life, her children are grown her husband has gone and she’s far from financially stable enough to take the trip of her dreams, then by chance she sees an advert from Mariah, who is seeking a travel companion due to an injury. Mariah is embarking on a journey to complete her deceased mother’s final book.
I won’t spoiler much from there, but the pair embark on a journey that takes them from America to London, to Paris and Marrakesh and finally India, along the way they strike up a “found family” type friendship, and there are some beautiful descriptions of the settings and of course the food.
I related to Veronica a lot throughout the book, and I was swept away to far away lands for the duration of the book. On reflection though, there should’ve been a lot more food and travel written into the story.
I wonder if I’ll ever get it into my head that cilantro is coriander without the assistance of google.
I enjoyed the narration.
Huge thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
I finished the book last night, and I was initially going to give it a much higher rating, but I realised that while I did actually really enjoy the story, it wasn’t still lingering in my mind. Or rather, it was, but a couple of really big questions were left unanswered. So 3.5 🌟 seems fair.
Part travelogue, part food blog. The Novel begins with recently divorced Veronica wondering where she goes now in life, her children are grown her husband has gone and she’s far from financially stable enough to take the trip of her dreams, then by chance she sees an advert from Mariah, who is seeking a travel companion due to an injury. Mariah is embarking on a journey to complete her deceased mother’s final book.
I won’t spoiler much from there, but the pair embark on a journey that takes them from America to London, to Paris and Marrakesh and finally India, along the way they strike up a “found family” type friendship, and there are some beautiful descriptions of the settings and of course the food.
I related to Veronica a lot throughout the book, and I was swept away to far away lands for the duration of the book. On reflection though, there should’ve been a lot more food and travel written into the story.
I wonder if I’ll ever get it into my head that cilantro is coriander without the assistance of google.
I enjoyed the narration.
Huge thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
October 2, 2025
4.5 stars
March 9, 2025
“The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth” by Barbara O’Neal is a fabulous novel that delicately navigates the terrain of PTSD and trauma. The story revolves around two broken women, one who loses her snowboarding career and mother from a deadly shooting, and the other from the loss of her marriage. We are taken on a powerful and richly descriptive journey across continents as they try to carve a path forward for themselves and finish a book on food on “Parsi Cafes” to honor the young snowboarders deceased mother. I was totally immersed in their heartfelt story and enjoyed every minute of the sights and sounds of Europe, Morocco, and India. This emotional and beautifully written novel will keep you reading way into the night. I loved it!
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 25, 2025
Apparently once again, I'm on Outlier Island. I did not like this book, and it was a DNF at 45% for me.
The idea of this book sounds fabulous, but the execution fell flat for me.
I expected this to be mostly a travelogue, with a heavy emphasis on food and European-type cafes. However, by almost the halfway point, the characters had only visited one cafe (in London), and didn't seem all that enthusiastic to visit more. I was interested in the Paris and Morocco pieces, but those haven't happened yet and I'm too bored with it to continue. I wasn't much interested in the India piece, so I'm okay to leave that be.
I expected, based on the title and synopsis, that there would be an emphasis on the letters of Rachel Ellsworth, and the mysteries they held -- but again, at the halfway point, we've not read even one of them. And Rachel's daughter, who spearheaded the whole adventure, appears less than enthusiastic about the quest.
The characters are absolutely unlikeable. Mariah is supposed to be 25, but reads like a childish, spoiled teenager who does nothing but pout and have attitude. Yes, I know, she's got PTSD - but still. Veronica is a doormat for her ex-husband and her children, and has no sense of self. Yes, I know, she's going through her own issues after her divorce - but still. I'm also really tired of reading about how Veronica thinks she's so fat, and how she's so obsessed with eating only a crumb of food on an adventure that's supposed to be centered around food. Spare me.
I'm not interested in this story, or the characters, enough to find out what the big mystery is about Rachel's letters. Or, to find out why Veronica got arrested and had to pay restitution (I assume she damaged the house). Or, to find out more about why Mariah has such a chip on her shoulder (other than the tragedy that killed her mother and caused her own injuries).
I've read three of this author's other novels, but the only one I really liked was the Starfish Sisters. The others were mediocre, and this one is a pass for me.
The idea of this book sounds fabulous, but the execution fell flat for me.
I expected this to be mostly a travelogue, with a heavy emphasis on food and European-type cafes. However, by almost the halfway point, the characters had only visited one cafe (in London), and didn't seem all that enthusiastic to visit more. I was interested in the Paris and Morocco pieces, but those haven't happened yet and I'm too bored with it to continue. I wasn't much interested in the India piece, so I'm okay to leave that be.
I expected, based on the title and synopsis, that there would be an emphasis on the letters of Rachel Ellsworth, and the mysteries they held -- but again, at the halfway point, we've not read even one of them. And Rachel's daughter, who spearheaded the whole adventure, appears less than enthusiastic about the quest.
The characters are absolutely unlikeable. Mariah is supposed to be 25, but reads like a childish, spoiled teenager who does nothing but pout and have attitude. Yes, I know, she's got PTSD - but still. Veronica is a doormat for her ex-husband and her children, and has no sense of self. Yes, I know, she's going through her own issues after her divorce - but still. I'm also really tired of reading about how Veronica thinks she's so fat, and how she's so obsessed with eating only a crumb of food on an adventure that's supposed to be centered around food. Spare me.
I'm not interested in this story, or the characters, enough to find out what the big mystery is about Rachel's letters. Or, to find out why Veronica got arrested and had to pay restitution (I assume she damaged the house). Or, to find out more about why Mariah has such a chip on her shoulder (other than the tragedy that killed her mother and caused her own injuries).
I've read three of this author's other novels, but the only one I really liked was the Starfish Sisters. The others were mediocre, and this one is a pass for me.
Read
October 30, 2025No
A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)
I do not rate these “tested”
books. This is really for me. I will not be buying, reading borrowing this book.
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:
Love cover size and paper
Great GR reviews but MF (only 2 which is suspicious in and of itself) didn’t like the ch and I can see why. Veronica is very dislikable. She lies and is whiny. And this really feels like cheap chick lit idk. It’s $25 on Amazon def NOT but it is on KU I may try later. Idk prob not lol. Theres too many other books I’m interested in!
A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)
I do not rate these “tested”
books. This is really for me. I will not be buying, reading borrowing this book.
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:
Love cover size and paper
Great GR reviews but MF (only 2 which is suspicious in and of itself) didn’t like the ch and I can see why. Veronica is very dislikable. She lies and is whiny. And this really feels like cheap chick lit idk. It’s $25 on Amazon def NOT but it is on KU I may try later. Idk prob not lol. Theres too many other books I’m interested in!
July 11, 2025
Finished reading: July 10th 2025
"Well, that's part of the marriage contract, that you'll watch your figure."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
WARNING: it's another unpopular opinion!!
August 13, 2025
Always a journey
One of the reasons I love Barbara’s novels so much is they take me on a fantastic journey, not only through countries I may never visit but through experiences that make me think, see things in a different light, relish the textures, colors, and tastes. She has a remarkable gift of storytelling, quiet plots that resonate and fill the space with emotion.
One of the reasons I love Barbara’s novels so much is they take me on a fantastic journey, not only through countries I may never visit but through experiences that make me think, see things in a different light, relish the textures, colors, and tastes. She has a remarkable gift of storytelling, quiet plots that resonate and fill the space with emotion.
September 30, 2025
I listen to this on Audible. I truly enjoyed the storyline and the travel bits. The narrator’s voice fell a bit flat for me.
June 27, 2025
Veronica, a recently divorced mother of 3 grown children, is at a crossroads in her life and is needing to find a job to make ends meet. She comes across an ad for a travel companion to go to London, Paris & India to help research Parsi cafes. Mariah, the young woman she will be accompanying, wants to finish a project that her recently deceased mother was working on. Mariah solicits the help of one of her mother’s dearest friends, Henry, to take photos. The three embark on this journey and all the while Veronica is dealing with issues from her divorce and Mariah is still suffering from the death of her mother, as well as an injury she recently suffered. There’s a lot of tension throughout the trip but they both end up realizing that they are both what each other needed at this time in their lives. I enjoyed the places they visited and all of the different foods that were mentioned. While I have read many books by this author, this wasn’t one of my favorites. Mariah seemed prickly a lot of times, and I just didn’t really connect with the characters a lot of the time.
Thank you to NetGalley & Lake Union Publishing for an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Thank you to NetGalley & Lake Union Publishing for an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
March 4, 2025
Barbara O"Neal writes like nobodies business. I don't know how she puts them out so quickly.
That said, this one, The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth is at the top of my favorites by the author.
Two women, so different in most ways, travel to finish a book that Mariah's mom started to write, but died before she could do so. Mariah is recovering from a severe injury, and she hired a companion, around her mom's age, to help her maneuver the travel.
Veronica is facing all the life changes: a crappy and selfish ex husband, grown kids, trying to figure out her new life, and more.
Mariah is prickly, but understandably so. The two forge a path that could leave them both in a better place than they started.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
#TheLastLetterOfRachelEllsworth #LakeUnionPublishing #BarbaraONeal #NetGalley
That said, this one, The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth is at the top of my favorites by the author.
Two women, so different in most ways, travel to finish a book that Mariah's mom started to write, but died before she could do so. Mariah is recovering from a severe injury, and she hired a companion, around her mom's age, to help her maneuver the travel.
Veronica is facing all the life changes: a crappy and selfish ex husband, grown kids, trying to figure out her new life, and more.
Mariah is prickly, but understandably so. The two forge a path that could leave them both in a better place than they started.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
#TheLastLetterOfRachelEllsworth #LakeUnionPublishing #BarbaraONeal #NetGalley
September 12, 2025
4.5
This felt very modern with the unfortunate events happening around America today.
Was interesting to see this story unfold, there is so much personal development and depth to each of the main characters.
This story unfolds when a trip to Europe is required to ghost write a novel about cafes and some pretty famous ones. But Rachel’s relationships and traced steps are harder to understand at face value.
We follow her daughter who is experiencing such a horrific loss while trying to also unpack her mother’s untold stories. These characters are grieving different monumental losses for themselves, but being together makes it bare able.
This felt very modern with the unfortunate events happening around America today.
Was interesting to see this story unfold, there is so much personal development and depth to each of the main characters.
This story unfolds when a trip to Europe is required to ghost write a novel about cafes and some pretty famous ones. But Rachel’s relationships and traced steps are harder to understand at face value.
We follow her daughter who is experiencing such a horrific loss while trying to also unpack her mother’s untold stories. These characters are grieving different monumental losses for themselves, but being together makes it bare able.
December 31, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth is an easy read with similarity’s to Eat,Pray,Love. It’s about resilience and the messy process of starting over after life altering setbacks and loss. A lot of self discovery and letting go of the past to heal.
I especially liked the travel and food descriptions in London, Paris, Morocco and India.
I did like her other book When We Believed In Mermaids much better.
I especially liked the travel and food descriptions in London, Paris, Morocco and India.
I did like her other book When We Believed In Mermaids much better.
July 24, 2025
3.5
This is the third book I’ve read by O’Neal and the common thread among them all is her ability to write really compelling characters. I really loved Veronica and connected to her right away. I did struggled at the beginning with Mariah who was quite a caustic 20 something. Eventually details about Mariah come to light which help to understand her and why she’s got an edge. Not quite the impact When We Believed in Mermaids had on me but I think my summer attention span didn’t quite mesh with this heavily character-driven story.
It also probably didn’t help that the narration was just okay. The narrator didn’t try any accents, which was a shame since this story travels all over the world. She also pronounced the main characters name incorrectly a few times calling her Maria.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for the alc via Netgalley.
This is the third book I’ve read by O’Neal and the common thread among them all is her ability to write really compelling characters. I really loved Veronica and connected to her right away. I did struggled at the beginning with Mariah who was quite a caustic 20 something. Eventually details about Mariah come to light which help to understand her and why she’s got an edge. Not quite the impact When We Believed in Mermaids had on me but I think my summer attention span didn’t quite mesh with this heavily character-driven story.
It also probably didn’t help that the narration was just okay. The narrator didn’t try any accents, which was a shame since this story travels all over the world. She also pronounced the main characters name incorrectly a few times calling her Maria.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for the alc via Netgalley.
March 2, 2025
The newest great read by Barbara O’Neal! I always love how she can suck me into the story with characters, plot, food, and travel. I learned alot in this book, too- referencing culture and dishes. I love the idea of overseas destinations woven throughout the book. So many things I want to explore a bit more after this read. The relationships between parents and adult children hit home for me too. Really enjoyed this early release edition of the Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth. Thank you to the publishing company for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
September 16, 2025
4.5 stars. This was really beautiful. I adored the writing, it’s so relatable but not in a corny way. Really enjoyed this and also how it dives into trauma and grief in a way that feels really real but also encouraging
November 24, 2025
The story was a colorful tapestry of unexpected surprises throughout. It was not a predictable plot. Barbara O’Neal is gifted in narrating confusing and complicated emotions poignantly. Most of the travel in the story is in places I never aspired to visit. However, her vibrant descriptions of the cultures and places made me feel like I was there. The entire story was a very enjoyable ride.
September 4, 2025
The travel and food themes kept me reading but the main story fell flat to me. It took a long time to get going, dragging on to the end and then was not that captivating. Love some of her other books tho.
March 2, 2025
I always enjoy books from this author and this one is no exception. We have two female characters, not mother and daughter, although they are from different generations. There is travel to some fabulous and exotic places I had never considered that I'd like to visit and now I am rethinking that, if for no other reason than the food descriptions are out of this world. There is a mystery to solve and perhaps a romance, but there is definitely love. Of all kinds.
Thank you to the author and to NetGalley for my advance copy.
Thank you to the author and to NetGalley for my advance copy.
March 23, 2025
When Veronica and her husband split up she finds herself in a small flat and struggling to make ends meet.
She sees an advertisement for a job as a companion to a woman in a fact finding trip for a new book about cafe culture.
She is delighted when she is offered the job and excited to do some travelling and see some new places.
I really enjoyed this story, it has some lovely characters and descriptions of places I’ve never been to.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
She sees an advertisement for a job as a companion to a woman in a fact finding trip for a new book about cafe culture.
She is delighted when she is offered the job and excited to do some travelling and see some new places.
I really enjoyed this story, it has some lovely characters and descriptions of places I’ve never been to.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2025
This book was full of the most beautiful imagery and descriptions. Even if it hadn’t been a great story (which it was), the pictures O’Neal painted with her words were stunning.
Veronica’s not sure how everything in her life has fallen apart. She’s been arrested, she’s gotten divorced, and she’s on the cusp of eviction. But an unexpected job opportunity comes her way, and things begin to change.
Mariah has lost her mother and doesn’t know who she is anymore. She hurts both literally and figuratively and she can no longer seem to take care of herself. She wonders what do to next and if she’ll ever feel like herself again.
We’ll travel the world with these two women as they get to know themselves again and figure out what they want in new and unexpected chapters of life. They’ll face obstacles but help each other to overcome them; they’ll be exactly what each other needs in this uncharted season.
The audio narration of this book was so wonderful, and, as I mentioned above, the descriptive language really brought the images to life. Listening to these words, I truly felt like I was in a hotel in London, a market in Marrakesh or a cafe in Delhi, and I loved the cultures explored so beautifully in these paragraphs.
Another book about strong, resilient women, this story was truly a joy and a gift that kept on giving from beginning to end.
This book included a series of letters, which is a favorite literary aspect of mine. Do you enjoy when books contain letters or journal/diary entries?
Veronica’s not sure how everything in her life has fallen apart. She’s been arrested, she’s gotten divorced, and she’s on the cusp of eviction. But an unexpected job opportunity comes her way, and things begin to change.
Mariah has lost her mother and doesn’t know who she is anymore. She hurts both literally and figuratively and she can no longer seem to take care of herself. She wonders what do to next and if she’ll ever feel like herself again.
We’ll travel the world with these two women as they get to know themselves again and figure out what they want in new and unexpected chapters of life. They’ll face obstacles but help each other to overcome them; they’ll be exactly what each other needs in this uncharted season.
The audio narration of this book was so wonderful, and, as I mentioned above, the descriptive language really brought the images to life. Listening to these words, I truly felt like I was in a hotel in London, a market in Marrakesh or a cafe in Delhi, and I loved the cultures explored so beautifully in these paragraphs.
Another book about strong, resilient women, this story was truly a joy and a gift that kept on giving from beginning to end.
This book included a series of letters, which is a favorite literary aspect of mine. Do you enjoy when books contain letters or journal/diary entries?
Read
September 2, 2025What a great story to simply get lost in. Mariah's on a quest for her late mother. Veronica needs the money and a change of scenery and thus agrees to be Mariah's companion. There's a wonderful feeling about the serendipity of life in that these women need each other even if neither wants to believe it at first.
If you are looking for an adventure, travel, descriptions of a hundred tasty dishes, and a story that doesn't shy away from life's awful but still chooses to focus on the good, then this is the book for you. It's the little touches that I especially loved:
If you are looking for an adventure, travel, descriptions of a hundred tasty dishes, and a story that doesn't shy away from life's awful but still chooses to focus on the good, then this is the book for you. It's the little touches that I especially loved:
October 13, 2025
A heartwarming, if not somewhat predictable, easy read. I enjoyed the premise of the story; a trio of slightly lost souls trying to navigate trauma, change, and the crossroads of life. What ensued is a love story for travel and food.
My challenge with this book is how annoying the characters are. Yes, Mariah has survived unthinkable horror, but she's thoroughly spoilt and precocious anyway. I found that I wasn't particularly rooting for anyone by the end!
My challenge with this book is how annoying the characters are. Yes, Mariah has survived unthinkable horror, but she's thoroughly spoilt and precocious anyway. I found that I wasn't particularly rooting for anyone by the end!
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