Lucy & Desi: The Love Letters

by Lucie Arnaz, Elisabeth Edwards (Primary Contributor)

A treasure trove of previously unseen love letters between Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, spanning their courtship through I Love Lucy fame and beyond, tells the couple’s real-life love story in their own words, alongside rare photos from the family scrapbooks .

After Lucille Ball’s death in 1989, dozens of private letters between Lucy and Desi Arnaz were discovered. Now, for the first time, daughter Lucie Arnaz shares the complete collection in this remarkable volume that reveals the romance of one of the most famous couples in history more intimately than anything that has ever been written about them. At turns the letters disclose longing, ambition, jealousy, humor, and, above all, a passionate love affair that has claimed the world’s interest for more than half a century.

This extraordinary collection takes listeners back to America during World War II, to the lives of a young couple in the early years of their relationship, with budding careers in Hollywood that were still far from their heyday as the nation’s top stars. Each letter contains a bit of history as they talk about where they are, what they are doing, and what is going on in the world around them—whether it be a wardrobe fitting with a celebrated designer, remembering the last sensuous night they spent together, or trying to buy just the right refrigerator to please your mother-in-law during wartime rationing. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz weremarried from 1940 to 1960 and while the bulk of the letters were written in the early 1940s, the compendium reflects their entire relationship, from an early courtship, through long periods of separation due to work and world events, to a bittersweet end after nearly two decades.

This stunning book takes listeners as close as possible to the actual letters by featuring reproductions complete with envelopes, stamps, postmarks, and Lucy and Desi's own custom stationery. Further illustrated by rare photos from the Arnaz family scrapbooks, this volume is a revelatory look at a complicated and captivating love story that will amaze even longtime fans who think they have seen it all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Adult

240 pages, Hardcover

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely coffee table book of Lucy & Desi's (love) letters, mostly during the war & up to 1943, then they jump to 1954 & beyond. Admittedly they were together more thereafter & had little need to write, but still a little jarring with the 11-year leap. But Lucy fans especially would enjoy this book :)

[Diane OLeary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovingly illustrated book of letters shows how deeply in love Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were before their childhood traumas and the show business world brought out the worst in each other. Lucy and Desi were one of those couples who in the end could not live with or without the other and this is a sad yet romantic story. These letters with beautiful penmanship were a treasure and preserving them in book form was an excellent idea and it made me realize how difficult separations during World War II had to have been on relationships. This is a poignant and intimate look at an iconic couple.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt very invasive reading this ... but I'm giving 5 stars because how am I gonna give someone else's love letters like 3.5/5 like it doesn't work like that. I think I've always had trouble understanding that they are a different couple than the one shown on TV so this book finally made that make sense for me. So I enjoyed it even though it was invasive of me. What can I say I am a huge fan.

[Eva Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so wonderful and so heartbreaking! Very thankful that these letters were released.

[Cynthia Bemis Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world of texts and DMs, a book containing love letters between two young marrieds is exactly what you need. World War II and the war effort required people to not mince words. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz shared a love that comes through in this book, generously shared to the world by their daughter, Lucie. It makes sense to have young people read this as well as older folks who remember Lucy and Desi. Their messages model intimacy that transcends the form of communication.

[Erika Drammissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad and happy to see how much love there was between Lucy and Desi, knowing how it didn’t work out. But I enjoyed a deeper look into their life together ❤️

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly wasn’t sure how to review this because it’s not a typical book in the usual sense. It’s essentially a collection of love letters exchanged between Lucy and Desi at the beginning of their marriage, when he was injured and recovering in an army hospital and she was working and spending time at their ranch.

And that’s really all it needs to be.

I’ve always loved Lucy, so being able to read their actual words to each other felt incredibly special. There’s something deeply intimate about reading letters that were never meant for the public, and yet this book presents them in such a respectful and beautiful way. You can feel the love, the longing, the tenderness, and the reality of marriage in those early days.

The book itself is wonderfully put together. Seeing photos of the actual letters alongside the transcriptions made it feel even more personal and emotional. It didn’t feel like a gimmick or a cash grab. It felt like a genuine window into their relationship and their lives at that moment in time.

This isn’t a book you read for plot or twists or drama. You read it to sit quietly with it, to appreciate a real love story told through real words, written in real time. It’s soft, sentimental, and heartfelt in the best way.

If you already love Lucy and Desi, this book is an easy recommendation. If you enjoy letters, history, or glimpses into famous relationships that feel human rather than polished, this is worth your time.

It was simple, beautiful, and meaningful. I really enjoyed it.

[Amandatory Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz since I was a child. In 1993 when Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie came out I begged my parents for the VHS. I probably watched it just as many times as my favorite movies. This book would have been a nice addition to A Home Movie when it came out. But I’m just as happy and now nostalgic reading it today.

Did it feel a bit invasive? Yes. Not sure if Lucy and Desi ever thought random people would read their private letters one day. However, they might be honored that people still want to know them better and are still fascinated by them almost 4 decades since they have passed. My hope is since they both had good relationships with their daughter and author, Lucie Arnaz that they would approve? Can’t speak for them but I will say the book made me feel a bit intrusive. I still read it! Ha!

That being said I give this book 5 stars because it’s full of every day letters and love letters between Lucy and Desi. It’s a glimpse into a relationship so many have questioned, analyzed and written about. There’s no doubt they loved each other deeply even if they grew apart overtime. The pictures and paper clippings added more depth to the book. I loved reading their own words and relating to how they were just two young people in love. The reader also gets a chance to go back in time to the days of connecting through letters and phone calls. A little break from today’s texting and constant access to everything/everyone. A simpler time of handwritten notes and waiting by the phone for your favorite person to be available to chat.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has copies of the original handwritten letters between Lucy and Desi between 1940 and 1958. There is also a typewritten copy if you can't make out all the penciled and penned words between the two of them. They truly loved each other but it was very apparent that Desi was a flirt and enjoyed attention. He was also very jealous and was always accusing Lucy of seeing other men. There were one or two letters that showed his temper as well. However, they made a fine team and did so much for the entertainment industry, including television.

[Susan McAulay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was something of a disappointment. Part of it I can't blame on the book itself but the format. When there are actual letters handwritten, reproduced in the book, they lose something in the Kindle experience. This is really more of a coffee table book rather than one that is read in an e book.
The other thing is that the letters, while sweet and indicative of their passion (which had both benefits and flaw), were repetitive. You've seen a few, you've seen them all. I did learn that Lucille Ball was several years older than Desi and that was considered odd for the time. There were a few letters that were a little risque and pointed to a very physical relationship that tells us more about Lucille than Desi. However, I would wager than most of us who are reading this have read and seen other things about their lives together so that most of what is in the letters is not particularly a novelty. If this is the readers' introduction to the couple, they might enjoy the book more.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very nicely compiled book, with images and the transcribed text of written correspondence between Luci and Desi during a small portion of their relationship. It also includes a time line, photos, and some additional notes. Luci and Desi’s personalities are clear through their writing and it captures passion, romance, the everyday, and just the ups and downs of life. The letters get a little choppy and abrupt at the end but that is the nature of working with archival materials.

[Jill VanWormer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really sweet to be able to get an inside look at Lucy and Desi’s relationship through their letters. You can see their passion, jealousy and love coming through. It was also nice to see a little look into their day to day lives.

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I liked this book. There was a timeline at the beginning that took up 15% of the book. Most of the information there really wasn't necessary. It wasn't even about the couple directly. I would consider it filler.

[Jessica Navarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful love story and a remarkable piece of American pop culture history. We’re fortunate that these letters were preserved and shared, allowing such an intimate and moving glimpse into their lives.

[Lisa Bodner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I've mentioned in previous reviews I've always been a big fan of I Love Lucy. This was a sweet book with the actual love letters they wrote to each other. Their daughter, Lucy, found them in a box and decided to share them.

[Maddie L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed seeing a whole new side of not only Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz, but their relationship at the beginning of their marriage. It brings new light to their love story and their life before I Love Lucy❤️

[Brett Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intimate look into their relationship. Most of the letters are during Desi time in military hospital. Learned a few new things, good insight to them.

[Nannette Pickle · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an “I Love Lucy” lover I enjoyed reading about their lives behind the scenes.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting personal read. I enjoyed it.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want what they had. Before the soul crushing success.
Everyone has instant contact with one another nowadays; it really is beautiful to see how they used to write.

[Sophie Sternschuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely intimate look into the relationship between Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Most of the letters being sent during their time apart during the war. This did feel the most personal we’ve ever heard from them due to the personal nature. I did find it a little confusing and disjointed to have to flip to the back of the book for further context and would have preferred this to be along side the text.