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Return to Sender
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Expected 14 Jul 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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10 copies available
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A heartwarming debut about overcoming grief and finding love when—and where—you least expect it
Twenty-six-year-old Violet’s usually bulletproof optimism is faltering. Crushed by the sudden death of her father and subsequent custody of her rebellious teenage sister, Phoebe, it’s a struggle to do much of anything other than survive each day and try not to feel like she’s the world’s worst sister.
Then Phoebe discovers a love letter written by the man who used to live in their apartment, a letter begging for its recipient to give him another chance. Reading it, Phoebe shows signs of life for the first time since their dad died—and Violet will stop at nothing to keep that smile on her face. Together, they track down the letter’s author, hoping to rectify a derailed happily ever after.
Despite Dex being rather abrasive (valid) and more than a little enigmatic (intriguing), Phoebe talks him into a cross-country road trip to put the letter in the right hands.
Violet is thrilled to see Phoebe thriving again, and with every pit stop they chip away at Dex’s moody exterior, finding that he’s actually charming, funny, and unfalteringly interested in everything Violet shares with him. Violet and Dex’s chemistry only grows the further west they travel, but the closer they get to their destination—and Dex’s former great love—something’s got to give.
Twenty-six-year-old Violet’s usually bulletproof optimism is faltering. Crushed by the sudden death of her father and subsequent custody of her rebellious teenage sister, Phoebe, it’s a struggle to do much of anything other than survive each day and try not to feel like she’s the world’s worst sister.
Then Phoebe discovers a love letter written by the man who used to live in their apartment, a letter begging for its recipient to give him another chance. Reading it, Phoebe shows signs of life for the first time since their dad died—and Violet will stop at nothing to keep that smile on her face. Together, they track down the letter’s author, hoping to rectify a derailed happily ever after.
Despite Dex being rather abrasive (valid) and more than a little enigmatic (intriguing), Phoebe talks him into a cross-country road trip to put the letter in the right hands.
Violet is thrilled to see Phoebe thriving again, and with every pit stop they chip away at Dex’s moody exterior, finding that he’s actually charming, funny, and unfalteringly interested in everything Violet shares with him. Violet and Dex’s chemistry only grows the further west they travel, but the closer they get to their destination—and Dex’s former great love—something’s got to give.
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
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December 5, 2025The way I need this book! Love letters? Road trips? Falling for the guy you’re trying to help reconnect with his old love?! And themes of grief! Gimmmmmmmmme
November 28, 2025
After accidentally reading a love letter meant for someone else, Violet finds herself and her younger sister, Phoebe, on a cross-country road trip with its writer. It’s been nine months since their dad died, and things have been grim—but Phoebe’s spark is enough to nudge Violet into saying yes to things she never would’ve considered.
From the first page, I was hooked. Violet’s voice, the plot, and the flow of the writing had me swept up immediately. This is such a beautiful story about grief, responsibility, and trying to rebuild yourself when you’re the one holding everything together. Violet’s desperation to be a good guardian felt so raw and real. What really worked for me was how honestly the book shows that nine months after losing someone, life hasn’t magically reset. Everyone around you keeps moving while you’re still stuck, and you can really feel that in Violet. On top of all that emotional weight, the banter between the sisters cracked me up. Teens really do love to roast everyone within a five-mile radius, and Phoebe was hilarious.
But the romance… my god, the romance. Dex is peak swoon. The things he says? I highlighted half his dialogue. And the slow burn absolutely killed me—in the best way. The tension and chemistry were so palpable I kept telling myself “one more chapter” until I realized I had finished the book.
I was initially hesitant about the premise, but it’s executed so well. It’s definitely on the heavier side for a romance—grief is a big part of the story—but the emotional depth is what made it stand out for me. I’m such a sucker for emotionally deep books when they’re written well, and this hit that sweet spot. Sometimes you need a book that cracks you open a little, and this did exactly that.
I’m honestly thinking Stephanie might be a new favorite author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
From the first page, I was hooked. Violet’s voice, the plot, and the flow of the writing had me swept up immediately. This is such a beautiful story about grief, responsibility, and trying to rebuild yourself when you’re the one holding everything together. Violet’s desperation to be a good guardian felt so raw and real. What really worked for me was how honestly the book shows that nine months after losing someone, life hasn’t magically reset. Everyone around you keeps moving while you’re still stuck, and you can really feel that in Violet. On top of all that emotional weight, the banter between the sisters cracked me up. Teens really do love to roast everyone within a five-mile radius, and Phoebe was hilarious.
But the romance… my god, the romance. Dex is peak swoon. The things he says? I highlighted half his dialogue. And the slow burn absolutely killed me—in the best way. The tension and chemistry were so palpable I kept telling myself “one more chapter” until I realized I had finished the book.
I was initially hesitant about the premise, but it’s executed so well. It’s definitely on the heavier side for a romance—grief is a big part of the story—but the emotional depth is what made it stand out for me. I’m such a sucker for emotionally deep books when they’re written well, and this hit that sweet spot. Sometimes you need a book that cracks you open a little, and this did exactly that.
I’m honestly thinking Stephanie might be a new favorite author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2025
Who doesn't love a road trip across the US ? I know I would love one right about now.
This story was entertaining, sad, confusing and fun all wrapped up in one.
After Violet's father dies tragically she becomes legal guardian of her 14 year old sister.
While dealing with grief and a stubborn teen a return to sender letter is opened by Violet that starts a new beginning for 3 people's lives like never before. I loved every second of this story, it's about loss, holding emotions in by masking them be it with anger or faking it to make it through.
I highly recommend it to romance readers looking for great emotional impact and a pleasant hea.
This story was entertaining, sad, confusing and fun all wrapped up in one.
After Violet's father dies tragically she becomes legal guardian of her 14 year old sister.
While dealing with grief and a stubborn teen a return to sender letter is opened by Violet that starts a new beginning for 3 people's lives like never before. I loved every second of this story, it's about loss, holding emotions in by masking them be it with anger or faking it to make it through.
I highly recommend it to romance readers looking for great emotional impact and a pleasant hea.
April 3, 2026
Wowowowowow. Also, ow?? Did not expect to cry this much over a book that has that cute of a cover. I just found out that this is this authors debut book? I am so impressed.
What a beautiful story about grief, healing, and finding love. I requested this book as an ARC because I was in the romance mood, and I had no idea I would love it this much. Yes there’s romance, but it’s so much more. I can’t imagine how much harder this book would hit if I had a sister.
Truly have no notes for this book. I loved the writing style, I loved the story, I loved the romance, I loved the healing, 100 stars.
What a beautiful story about grief, healing, and finding love. I requested this book as an ARC because I was in the romance mood, and I had no idea I would love it this much. Yes there’s romance, but it’s so much more. I can’t imagine how much harder this book would hit if I had a sister.
Truly have no notes for this book. I loved the writing style, I loved the story, I loved the romance, I loved the healing, 100 stars.
April 4, 2026
Absolutely incredible - heartfelt and genuine and romantic. If you like romances that truly puts the character work in and deals with grief in such a nuanced and careful way, pick this up I BEG 😭💛
March 7, 2026
everything about this was wonderful
March 6, 2026
4.5⭐️ Humorous, heart-wrenching and wholesome. I loved the inclusion of the sibling relationships in this book. Vi and Dex alone would have been a story worth reading, but the relationships between Phoebe and Vi, and Phoebe and Dex was what made this even more special. I was very appreciative of the subtle, but impactful queer character representation, as well as the realistic portrayal of the rollercoaster that is grief. I would have loved more insight into Dex’s arc, but I also think that could be a whole other book! Thanks to NetGalley and Stephanie Parente for the ARC. This review is my own.
Some favorite moments:
“Even assholes are moved by the dead dad bit”
“Things get fucked, but there’s always something good. Even if it’s just another minute.”
“He’s the kind of guy who drowns and learns to swim really well.”
Some favorite moments:
“Even assholes are moved by the dead dad bit”
“Things get fucked, but there’s always something good. Even if it’s just another minute.”
“He’s the kind of guy who drowns and learns to swim really well.”
February 3, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random house for the early copy of this book!
This was a great story about grief and overcoming it but also a fun romance full of adventure and finding love in the unexpected.
The characters were witty and funny and the road trip adventures were fun to read. The spice was definitely spicing!
It was a little bit of a slow burn but the angst made it worth while. I wish we had gotten a pov from Dex, it would’ve been so swooney!
I really enjoyed it and recommend it.
This was a great story about grief and overcoming it but also a fun romance full of adventure and finding love in the unexpected.
The characters were witty and funny and the road trip adventures were fun to read. The spice was definitely spicing!
It was a little bit of a slow burn but the angst made it worth while. I wish we had gotten a pov from Dex, it would’ve been so swooney!
I really enjoyed it and recommend it.
April 7, 2026
4.75/5
Thank you NetGalley, Random House, and the author Stephanie Parente for gifting me with this ARC to review!
Liked:
-almost everyone in this book is a part of the 🏳️🌈 community! Violet and Dex are bi, Phoebe is gay, there’s trans characters and Dex runs a non profit for lgbtqia+ youth who’ve either been displaced or struggling mentally 🥹
-road trip! Road trip! Road trip! Gave me a scenic cross country roadtrip any day and I’ll be a happy woman. I love the cheesiness of making random pit stops at weird little places along the route or taking detours and finding those hidden gems.
-Violet and Dex are super cute together. I adore these two and I wish nothing but the best for them. Dex is a great guy who has shut everyone out to live in his sadness and Violet is struggling to overcome her grief while now taking care of a 14 year old.
Disliked:
-miscommunication trope (bane of my existence). I didn’t hate it as much as I usually do because it was a bit more understandable for me in the context of Dex and Violet’s situation.
Thank you NetGalley, Random House, and the author Stephanie Parente for gifting me with this ARC to review!
Liked:
-almost everyone in this book is a part of the 🏳️🌈 community! Violet and Dex are bi, Phoebe is gay, there’s trans characters and Dex runs a non profit for lgbtqia+ youth who’ve either been displaced or struggling mentally 🥹
-road trip! Road trip! Road trip! Gave me a scenic cross country roadtrip any day and I’ll be a happy woman. I love the cheesiness of making random pit stops at weird little places along the route or taking detours and finding those hidden gems.
-Violet and Dex are super cute together. I adore these two and I wish nothing but the best for them. Dex is a great guy who has shut everyone out to live in his sadness and Violet is struggling to overcome her grief while now taking care of a 14 year old.
Disliked:
-miscommunication trope (bane of my existence). I didn’t hate it as much as I usually do because it was a bit more understandable for me in the context of Dex and Violet’s situation.
February 8, 2026
~thank you to NetGalley, the author & the publisher for giving me an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review~
I think I felt every single emotion while reading this. I LOVE DEX. I think I fell in love with him 😭 this was the cutest story. I loved all the characters. Arden was such a good friend, I loved her. Violet and Phoebe had such a good sibling relationship, it was so real and relatable. Reading this, I felt like I was sucked into the story. I felt like I was living in it with them. In the beginning, I was mad at Violet because I felt like she made the dumbest decisions but honestly, I’m so glad she made them because it was so worth it. 💓💓💓
“At least tomorrow”
I think I felt every single emotion while reading this. I LOVE DEX. I think I fell in love with him 😭 this was the cutest story. I loved all the characters. Arden was such a good friend, I loved her. Violet and Phoebe had such a good sibling relationship, it was so real and relatable. Reading this, I felt like I was sucked into the story. I felt like I was living in it with them. In the beginning, I was mad at Violet because I felt like she made the dumbest decisions but honestly, I’m so glad she made them because it was so worth it. 💓💓💓
“At least tomorrow”
December 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read the ARC for Return to Sender. I LOVED this story. It was so good from the very beginning. It takes you through the path of grief and what it looks like on different people, but also has adventure, romance and a twist in the story. I also got a few laughs reading the story as well! Job well done Stephanie Parente!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Is it even possible to read your favorite book of the year 2 days into the new year?
Thank you Netgalley, Stephanie, and Dial Press for the opportunity to read and review Return to Sender.
Is it just me or does this book give New Girl vibes? A quirky and optimistic school teacher and the grumpy man who would do whatever she asked... including a cross-country road trip. So Jess and Nick coded.
Violet has been dealt a tough hand. Her dad passed away, she is now the soul guardian for her teenage sister, Phoebe, and her long-term boyfriend left her.
And almost as divine intervention, a letter addressed to a girl named Catalina is delivered to her apartment. Phoebe opens the letter and in a spiral of events, Phoebe and Violet return the letter to the original sender, Dex. The three of them decide to embark on a cross-country road trip to deliver the letter to Catalina once and for all. Return to Sender follows the trio as they make their way from Boston, to Oregon and develop an "unlikely" relationship.
I have the same thoughts on this book as I did Promise Me Sunshine. I already know that Return to Sender is going to make it on a lot of "Top Books of 2026" lists.
This book is emotional, but healing all in one. The characters are dynamic and the character growth is so well done. Be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading!
Thank you Netgalley, Stephanie, and Dial Press for the opportunity to read and review Return to Sender.
Is it just me or does this book give New Girl vibes? A quirky and optimistic school teacher and the grumpy man who would do whatever she asked... including a cross-country road trip. So Jess and Nick coded.
Violet has been dealt a tough hand. Her dad passed away, she is now the soul guardian for her teenage sister, Phoebe, and her long-term boyfriend left her.
And almost as divine intervention, a letter addressed to a girl named Catalina is delivered to her apartment. Phoebe opens the letter and in a spiral of events, Phoebe and Violet return the letter to the original sender, Dex. The three of them decide to embark on a cross-country road trip to deliver the letter to Catalina once and for all. Return to Sender follows the trio as they make their way from Boston, to Oregon and develop an "unlikely" relationship.
I have the same thoughts on this book as I did Promise Me Sunshine. I already know that Return to Sender is going to make it on a lot of "Top Books of 2026" lists.
This book is emotional, but healing all in one. The characters are dynamic and the character growth is so well done. Be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading!
January 10, 2026
What a breath of fresh air!! This book genuinely surprised me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for sending me this ARC.
Return to Sender follows sisters Violet and Phoebe after they receive a mysterious letter that sends them on an unexpected road trip with Dex, determined to get it into the right hands. What unfolds is a journey filled with grief, connection, and self-discovery.
The writing was beautiful, and I thought the author did a great job exploring grief while balancing it with romance. There were moments when I was literally laughing out loud, followed by moments that hit heavy emotionally. I truly didn’t know where this story was going or how it would end, which made it feel like I was experiencing everything right alongside the characters.
I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I did find myself wanting more Violet and Dex by the end (I was really hoping for an epilogue), so it felt like something was missing but that may just be because I loved their relationship so much and didn’t want it to end.
Overall, this was a beautiful debut novel. I’d recommend it to readers who love romance with emotional depth. Bonus points for the road trip element! This would make a perfect summer read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for sending me this ARC.
Return to Sender follows sisters Violet and Phoebe after they receive a mysterious letter that sends them on an unexpected road trip with Dex, determined to get it into the right hands. What unfolds is a journey filled with grief, connection, and self-discovery.
The writing was beautiful, and I thought the author did a great job exploring grief while balancing it with romance. There were moments when I was literally laughing out loud, followed by moments that hit heavy emotionally. I truly didn’t know where this story was going or how it would end, which made it feel like I was experiencing everything right alongside the characters.
I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I did find myself wanting more Violet and Dex by the end (I was really hoping for an epilogue), so it felt like something was missing but that may just be because I loved their relationship so much and didn’t want it to end.
Overall, this was a beautiful debut novel. I’d recommend it to readers who love romance with emotional depth. Bonus points for the road trip element! This would make a perfect summer read!
March 4, 2026
After their father’s sudden death, two sisters move to Boston and attempt to rebuild a life that no longer feels recognizable. When they discover a letter stamped “return to sender,” they impulsively set off on a road trip with a stranger to deliver it.
Violet’s narration carries a heavy anxiety that she tries to mask with sharp, witty banter. While I enjoyed the humour, many of the passages I highlighted were her deeply introspective observations, revealing just how much she’s unraveling beneath the surface. She’s suffocating under the pressure she’s placing on herself, languishing in her grief while trying to appear steady for everyone else.
One of the more subtle strengths of the book the exploration of finding hope within darkness. Violet doesn’t really know herself anymore or see her strengths clearly, and part of her emotional arc involves learning that opening yourself up is both terrifying and necessary. The romantic tension mirrors that same push and pull where connection feels possible, but vulnerability never comes easily.
After sitting with the ending, I did wish for a bit more emotional depth in the final stretch. The themes of healing and moving forward are present and strong, but I wanted a little more time inside those breakthroughs to fully feel their impact. That said, the messiness feels intentional. These characters aren’t perfect or magically fixed, they’re grieving and growing and sometimes that is uncomfortable. As an astronomy fan, I also got a bit bothered that apparently it is not common knowledge that the Perseids are actually in August.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, hopeful romance with complicated sisters, dry wit, and an underlying belief that even in deep loss, hope can resurface in unexpected ways.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
Violet’s narration carries a heavy anxiety that she tries to mask with sharp, witty banter. While I enjoyed the humour, many of the passages I highlighted were her deeply introspective observations, revealing just how much she’s unraveling beneath the surface. She’s suffocating under the pressure she’s placing on herself, languishing in her grief while trying to appear steady for everyone else.
One of the more subtle strengths of the book the exploration of finding hope within darkness. Violet doesn’t really know herself anymore or see her strengths clearly, and part of her emotional arc involves learning that opening yourself up is both terrifying and necessary. The romantic tension mirrors that same push and pull where connection feels possible, but vulnerability never comes easily.
After sitting with the ending, I did wish for a bit more emotional depth in the final stretch. The themes of healing and moving forward are present and strong, but I wanted a little more time inside those breakthroughs to fully feel their impact. That said, the messiness feels intentional. These characters aren’t perfect or magically fixed, they’re grieving and growing and sometimes that is uncomfortable. As an astronomy fan, I also got a bit bothered that apparently it is not common knowledge that the Perseids are actually in August.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, hopeful romance with complicated sisters, dry wit, and an underlying belief that even in deep loss, hope can resurface in unexpected ways.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
February 2, 2026
4/5 Stars
Violet gains custody of her 14-year-old sister, Phoebe, after their father’s passing. One day the post office returns a letter sent from the previous resident of their apartment. They set off to hand over the love letter back to its writer in hopes of a happy ending. Dex is anything but happy. Especially not after agreeing to a road trip with the girls to deliver the letter to its intended recipient.
Return to Sender is a contemporary romance book charged with grief. This novel weaves a beautiful tale of budding love and inner healing. The pacing made it an easy read, but what hooked me was the characters. Phoebe, Violet, and Dex were endearing, yet they had their own flaws.
Violet and Dex’s banter was light hearted, which juxtaposed their heavy talks about loss. There are spicy scenes. I enjoyed the climax of this story and how the characters went about it in the aftermath. This book had a satisfying ending without an overdone happily ever after.
A warm thanks to Stephanie Parente, Dial Press Trade, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Violet gains custody of her 14-year-old sister, Phoebe, after their father’s passing. One day the post office returns a letter sent from the previous resident of their apartment. They set off to hand over the love letter back to its writer in hopes of a happy ending. Dex is anything but happy. Especially not after agreeing to a road trip with the girls to deliver the letter to its intended recipient.
Return to Sender is a contemporary romance book charged with grief. This novel weaves a beautiful tale of budding love and inner healing. The pacing made it an easy read, but what hooked me was the characters. Phoebe, Violet, and Dex were endearing, yet they had their own flaws.
Violet and Dex’s banter was light hearted, which juxtaposed their heavy talks about loss. There are spicy scenes. I enjoyed the climax of this story and how the characters went about it in the aftermath. This book had a satisfying ending without an overdone happily ever after.
A warm thanks to Stephanie Parente, Dial Press Trade, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 9, 2026
This was just gorgeous!! Romantic, insightful, and full of heart. The author tackles grief with dexterity and romance with borderline wizardry — I was giggling and kicking my feet, but I also felt for these characters with my whole heart. All of the dynamics were wonderful, and it was great to see the teenage sister have wit and personality rather than just being a vehicle for the single parent/guardian trope. I found all the characters and their relationships to be well rounded and realistic. I think fans of Promise Me Sunshine and You, with a View (aka me) will absolutely devour this. 4.5⭐️
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2026
3.5/5⭐️ I was able to read an early copy of this as an ARC through netgalley and im so glad! This book was fun but also so real. You’re following two sisters struggling in their own ways after the sudden loss of their dad. They have a chance meeting with a grumpy stranger that leads to a cross country roadtrip. I enjoyed the dynamic between the characters, and the realness of their relationships. After reading the bonus chapter at the end, I affirmed how much I would have loved more of Dex’s POV. You get a brief look into his past but I wish there was more. Overall, this was a good read and a great debut for Stephanie.
April 11, 2026
thank you Dial Press for the eARC!!!
I loved this a lot! It’s perfect for people who like a little more meat to their rom coms but still love tender, happily ever after stories. Something that stood out to me in Return to Sender was the sister relationship between Violet and Phoebe, I don’t have a sister myself, but their relationship was so raw, mean, loving, and real in a way only sisters can behave.
The perfect book for you if you loved Promise Me Sunshine or Passion Project!
I loved this a lot! It’s perfect for people who like a little more meat to their rom coms but still love tender, happily ever after stories. Something that stood out to me in Return to Sender was the sister relationship between Violet and Phoebe, I don’t have a sister myself, but their relationship was so raw, mean, loving, and real in a way only sisters can behave.
The perfect book for you if you loved Promise Me Sunshine or Passion Project!
March 22, 2026
I really loved this story for multiple reasons. The book was full of amazing, thoughtful one liners. The characters were raw and deeply relatable. In fact, the main character was so relatable for me. I, too, took in my 15 year old cousin at age 26. I deeply felt the struggle mixed with immense love that the main character describes in the book. It was an honor to read an ARC! There were spice scenes that are not my preference that I skipped, my skipping didn’t deter me from seeing the beautiful, raw story of what grief can look like in different people.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review to come but pre-order or put in your library hold now!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Slump-Buster of 2026! A Heart-Wrenching, Soul-Healing Debut Novel
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: July 2026
Tropes: Slow Burn, Road Trip, Strangers to Lovers, Found Family.
CW: Death and Grief.
Spice: 🌶🌶 (some descriptive scenes)
Stephanie Parente’s debut is exactly what my 2025 reading slump needed going into 2026! I was hooked from the opening chapter, and the unpredictable ending was the absolute cherry on top. This book truly put me through the emotional ringer—I was laughing, smiling, and crying all within a few hundred pages.
The story kicks off with a mysterious love letter that sends two strangers on a weeks-long road trip. What starts as a quest to find a recipient turns into a profound journey of healing. Parente handles the heavy themes of grief with such grace, showing how common ground can be found in the most unexpected places. The slow-burn romance was the perfect "chef’s kiss" to tie it all together.
I’m already crossing my fingers for a sequel or a spin-off featuring Phoebe—she was such a standout character!
Thank you to Dial Press/Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: July 2026
Tropes: Slow Burn, Road Trip, Strangers to Lovers, Found Family.
CW: Death and Grief.
Spice: 🌶🌶 (some descriptive scenes)
Stephanie Parente’s debut is exactly what my 2025 reading slump needed going into 2026! I was hooked from the opening chapter, and the unpredictable ending was the absolute cherry on top. This book truly put me through the emotional ringer—I was laughing, smiling, and crying all within a few hundred pages.
The story kicks off with a mysterious love letter that sends two strangers on a weeks-long road trip. What starts as a quest to find a recipient turns into a profound journey of healing. Parente handles the heavy themes of grief with such grace, showing how common ground can be found in the most unexpected places. The slow-burn romance was the perfect "chef’s kiss" to tie it all together.
I’m already crossing my fingers for a sequel or a spin-off featuring Phoebe—she was such a standout character!
Thank you to Dial Press/Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
There were many things I really enjoyed about this book. Proven by my many, many highlights all throughout.
Stephanie explored multiple variations of grief, while ultimately acknowledging that while there is no specific timeline, the only way out is through, and that the pain caused by loss is something we can live with, but don’t have to live in. This deeply resonated with me.
Grief done well is usually enough to make a book a 4 or 5 star read for me, but something about this fell short for me, personally. I would have really liked at least a few more chapters from Dex’s POV. I wanted to see more of what was going through his mind, and to know more about his story and the characters on that side. I think this would have helped with the pacing of the romance as well as given additional context for the overall plot.
All in all, a very good debut novel that I’m happy to have gotten the opportunity to read. Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the eARC.
There were many things I really enjoyed about this book. Proven by my many, many highlights all throughout.
Stephanie explored multiple variations of grief, while ultimately acknowledging that while there is no specific timeline, the only way out is through, and that the pain caused by loss is something we can live with, but don’t have to live in. This deeply resonated with me.
Grief done well is usually enough to make a book a 4 or 5 star read for me, but something about this fell short for me, personally. I would have really liked at least a few more chapters from Dex’s POV. I wanted to see more of what was going through his mind, and to know more about his story and the characters on that side. I think this would have helped with the pacing of the romance as well as given additional context for the overall plot.
All in all, a very good debut novel that I’m happy to have gotten the opportunity to read. Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the eARC.
December 11, 2025
Right off the bat: 5 stars. I was 15% of the way into this book and I had already given it 5 stars. I loved every single thing about it. I can’t remember the last book that made me laugh out loud as much as this one. I cried at least 10 times. I want to reread it already. I want to print this from my kindle and bind it into book form so I don’t have to wait until July to have a physical copy. I loved every character. Violet and Dex are everything. Phoebe is everything. A masterpiece.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I could not put this book down. I was hooked by chapter 2 and I could not get enough. The characters are amazing and so loveable, the perfect trio for a road trip! Without a doubt rooting for Violet from page one. Not only is there a slow burn with yearning, the book also has sisterhood and found family, enough to make any heart full. This is my perfect kind of romance novel. I highly recommend if you want banter and to easily connect with the characters. This book will have you feeling like you are on a road trip too!
Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the chance to read this advanced copy.
Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the chance to read this advanced copy.
April 24, 2026
5⭐️’s: I don’t even know where to begin with Return to Sender by Stephanie Parente. This book completely stole my heart! I went in expecting a cute romance, and what I got was something so much deeper, more emotional, and genuinely unforgettable. I almost read it in one sitting because I simply could not put it down. It’s only February, but I’m already calling it: this could easily be my favorite book of the year.
At its core, Return to Sender follows a mysterious love letter that sends our three main characters, Violet, Phoebe and Dex, on an unexpected journey. What begins as a quest to deliver the letter slowly unfolds into a story about grief, healing, connection, and finding love in the most unlikely places. It’s equal parts road trip adventure and emotional reckoning and it works beautifully.
I laughed out loud so many times while reading this, which made the heavier themes hit even harder. The way Stephanie Parente balances humor with grief is honestly incredible. This book made me giggle, kick my feet, and then completely wrecked me emotionally in the best way.
The romance and the YEARNING. I was unwell. He is absolutely going on my list of all-time favorite book boyfriends. The slow-burn tension, the emotional depth, the way his character unfolds…it was everything.
Every character felt fully realized and added something meaningful to the story, which made the journey even more immersive. I was completely invested in all of them and didn’t want to leave their world by the time I turned the last page.
For a debut novel, this is beyond impressive. Stephanie Parente has such a special voice, and I’ll be reading anything she writes next. This book is romantic, heartfelt, funny, and deeply moving all at once.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review💕✨
At its core, Return to Sender follows a mysterious love letter that sends our three main characters, Violet, Phoebe and Dex, on an unexpected journey. What begins as a quest to deliver the letter slowly unfolds into a story about grief, healing, connection, and finding love in the most unlikely places. It’s equal parts road trip adventure and emotional reckoning and it works beautifully.
I laughed out loud so many times while reading this, which made the heavier themes hit even harder. The way Stephanie Parente balances humor with grief is honestly incredible. This book made me giggle, kick my feet, and then completely wrecked me emotionally in the best way.
The romance and the YEARNING. I was unwell. He is absolutely going on my list of all-time favorite book boyfriends. The slow-burn tension, the emotional depth, the way his character unfolds…it was everything.
Every character felt fully realized and added something meaningful to the story, which made the journey even more immersive. I was completely invested in all of them and didn’t want to leave their world by the time I turned the last page.
For a debut novel, this is beyond impressive. Stephanie Parente has such a special voice, and I’ll be reading anything she writes next. This book is romantic, heartfelt, funny, and deeply moving all at once.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review💕✨
February 3, 2026
4.5! Following the loss of their father, Violet becomes the guardian of her younger sister, Phoebe. Together, they begin to navigate what life is like without their father. However, a letter shows up at their door that leads them on an adventure they could never imagine. Now they’re in a car with a stranger, on their way to help him confess his love to the love of his life.
I was drawn into this story because it is a debut novel! I love giving new authors a chance. The synopsis of this story also captured my attention. I love a story that involves a journey or trip because that means these characters are going on a journey that could change them. In this book, Violet and Phoebe are struggling with their sister dynamic due to their new circumstances. For both of them, this trip seems like something their dad would have enjoyed, which motivates them to do it. It allowed them to open up with one another and step out of the environment they had been stuck in for a year. The trip placed them in more vulnerable positions and enabled them to discuss what they had been feeling.
Alongside Violet and Phoebe on this journey is Dex. Phoebe found his love letter and was somehow convinced by her to go on this trip. However, sparks fly between him and Violet throughout the trip. Dex seems to understand Violet in a way she wished he did not. He sees the feelings and thoughts she is hiding from everywhere else. This causes some tension in both a good and a bad way. But it allows them to become comfortable and discuss hard things with one another. We slowly see them grow a relationship that feels safe and sweet.
Overall, this was an incredible read, and I highly recommend it to all! Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press Trade for this eARC!
I was drawn into this story because it is a debut novel! I love giving new authors a chance. The synopsis of this story also captured my attention. I love a story that involves a journey or trip because that means these characters are going on a journey that could change them. In this book, Violet and Phoebe are struggling with their sister dynamic due to their new circumstances. For both of them, this trip seems like something their dad would have enjoyed, which motivates them to do it. It allowed them to open up with one another and step out of the environment they had been stuck in for a year. The trip placed them in more vulnerable positions and enabled them to discuss what they had been feeling.
Alongside Violet and Phoebe on this journey is Dex. Phoebe found his love letter and was somehow convinced by her to go on this trip. However, sparks fly between him and Violet throughout the trip. Dex seems to understand Violet in a way she wished he did not. He sees the feelings and thoughts she is hiding from everywhere else. This causes some tension in both a good and a bad way. But it allows them to become comfortable and discuss hard things with one another. We slowly see them grow a relationship that feels safe and sweet.
Overall, this was an incredible read, and I highly recommend it to all! Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press Trade for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for granting me free access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*
Return to Sender by Stephanie Parente
2.25/5 Stars - Fine
Read April 2026
Return to Sender was an original yet predictable romance with underdeveloped characters. It contains some heavy messages.
Positive messages: 3/5
Closure is a main theme. Characters rebuild relationships and break down boundaries. Sisters reconnect and share what’s been on their minds, leading to a very healing moment. Friends are there for each other no matter what. The truth comes to the surface no matter what. Trust those you love—lying always hurts in the end.
Characters
Positive role models: 2.5/5
Violet, the main character, takes on the responsibility of being her younger sister’s legal guardian after her father’s unexpected death. She sacrifices much, but never complains. She’s an optimist and loves her sister with everything in her.
Phoebe, Violet’s little sister, struggles with depression after her father’s death. She’s fourteen years old, but has been through so much. She’s daring, spunky, and doesn’t take no for an answer.
Dexter (“Dex”) is a very caring character despite his stony exterior. He works at Sequest, which helps LGBTQ+ youth dealing with trauma. He is bi himself, but this doesn’t have a major impact on the storyline. He and Phoebe become friends (yes, a thirty-one year old and a fourteen year old…🤷♀️ but mostly because he gets her and talking with youth and understanding their emotions is basically his entire job description).
Arden is Violet’s best friend. I loved her from the start. She’s constantly supportive (sometimes overwhelmingly so, but Violet doesn’t see it like this) and lives with joy and spunk. She’s opinionated and hilarious, and probably my favorite character.
Noah, Arden’s boyfriend () loves Arden and will do anything she asks. He’s a side character, but I loved him. He and Violet are also friends.
Gavin, a friend of Dexter’s, is an off-page character, but he seems to be important to Dex so I thought I’d mention him.
Bree is, according to Dexter, one of his closest friends. She works at a bar, is easygoing, and is genuinely one of the sweetest characters ever (she was only in one scene…but still).
Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking: 1/5
Characters visit a gay bar.
Language: 3.5/5
Uses of ‘s—t,’ ‘f—k’ (variations), ‘a—hole,’ ‘damn,’ ‘d—k’ (once), ‘b—h,’ and mild others.
Violence, Gore, and Scariness: 2/5
*Minor spoilers* The main character’s father was in a fatal car accident (not described). Two characters fall off a cliff. One gets skinned knees, and the other breaks his arm.
Sex, Romance, and Nudity: 3.5/5
Characters accidently book a couples hotel. They think there is an ‘orgy’ downstairs, but it ends up being a porn film. A few heated kissing/touching scenes, and a few sex scenes (some more steamy than others).
My Thoughts/What You Should Know:
- - -pre-read- - -
I’m always thrilled to get an ARC, and always have no idea what to expect. This one looks really cute with a somewhat unique plot (which is hard to find, honestly. There no original ideas 🤷♀️🤷♀️)
That said, I’m excited for this one and hope it’s good! 🤞
- - -20% mark- - -
Wellll the writing is cheesier than I was expecting, but it’s not terrible. I’m still hopeful!
- - -post-read- - -
Oh boy.
At points, I wanted to throw this book across the room. The characters got on my nerves SO BADLY at points. They’re hot one second and cold the next; hate each other and then in love after one exchanged word.
Also, there’s a lot of LGTBQ background info. One prominent character works at an LGTBQ+ youth foundation, and both the main characters are bi. They attend a few gay bars, talk about sexuality (a little bit), etc. This was not implied AT ALL by the Goodreads genres/shelves or the trigger warnings, so I just wanted to make it clear that this book does include some of this content.
Overall, though, this book wasn’t my favorite. The pieces started clicking into place toward the end of the book, and then it ended abruptly (and…predictably). I’d give this 2-2.5 stars (depending on my mood. It may change a few times by the time you read this review).
If this looks interesting to you, pick this book up and let me know what you think. But, honestly, I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. The plot is weird, unrealistic, and predictable at the same time, and the characters are underdeveloped.
So, in other words: Not my fav. You can do better.
-
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this book or any others that I have rated/reviewed, feel free to reach out to me in the comments section below this review or through my profile. 💗 If you want to connect further, friend/follow me! 🤗
Age Range Recommendation: 16+ A Fiction
TRIGGER WARNINGS/MATURE CONTENT: LOSS OF LOVED ONES, SEXUAL CONTENT, GRIEF/DEPRESSION, PTSD, BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS, DRUG OVERDOSE (MINOR, BRIEFLY MENTIONED), INJURY (MINOR)
CONTROVERSIAL CONTENT FOR CHRISTIAN READERS: LGTBQ+ CHARACTERS (THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS ARE BI)
NOTE: I am not permitted to release quotes until the archive date. Unless I buy my own copy, I will unfortunately be unable to post quotes in this review.
See my NetGalley review here: https://www.netgalley.com/book/757140...
Return to Sender by Stephanie Parente
2.25/5 Stars - Fine
Read April 2026
Return to Sender was an original yet predictable romance with underdeveloped characters. It contains some heavy messages.
Positive messages: 3/5
Closure is a main theme. Characters rebuild relationships and break down boundaries. Sisters reconnect and share what’s been on their minds, leading to a very healing moment. Friends are there for each other no matter what. The truth comes to the surface no matter what. Trust those you love—lying always hurts in the end.
Characters
Positive role models: 2.5/5
Violet, the main character, takes on the responsibility of being her younger sister’s legal guardian after her father’s unexpected death. She sacrifices much, but never complains. She’s an optimist and loves her sister with everything in her.
Phoebe, Violet’s little sister, struggles with depression after her father’s death. She’s fourteen years old, but has been through so much. She’s daring, spunky, and doesn’t take no for an answer.
Dexter (“Dex”) is a very caring character despite his stony exterior. He works at Sequest, which helps LGBTQ+ youth dealing with trauma. He is bi himself, but this doesn’t have a major impact on the storyline. He and Phoebe become friends (yes, a thirty-one year old and a fourteen year old…🤷♀️ but mostly because he gets her and talking with youth and understanding their emotions is basically his entire job description).
Arden is Violet’s best friend. I loved her from the start. She’s constantly supportive (sometimes overwhelmingly so, but Violet doesn’t see it like this) and lives with joy and spunk. She’s opinionated and hilarious, and probably my favorite character.
Noah, Arden’s boyfriend () loves Arden and will do anything she asks. He’s a side character, but I loved him. He and Violet are also friends.
Gavin, a friend of Dexter’s, is an off-page character, but he seems to be important to Dex so I thought I’d mention him.
Bree is, according to Dexter, one of his closest friends. She works at a bar, is easygoing, and is genuinely one of the sweetest characters ever (she was only in one scene…but still).
Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking: 1/5
Characters visit a gay bar.
Language: 3.5/5
Uses of ‘s—t,’ ‘f—k’ (variations), ‘a—hole,’ ‘damn,’ ‘d—k’ (once), ‘b—h,’ and mild others.
Violence, Gore, and Scariness: 2/5
*Minor spoilers* The main character’s father was in a fatal car accident (not described). Two characters fall off a cliff. One gets skinned knees, and the other breaks his arm.
Sex, Romance, and Nudity: 3.5/5
Characters accidently book a couples hotel. They think there is an ‘orgy’ downstairs, but it ends up being a porn film. A few heated kissing/touching scenes, and a few sex scenes (some more steamy than others).
My Thoughts/What You Should Know:
- - -pre-read- - -
I’m always thrilled to get an ARC, and always have no idea what to expect. This one looks really cute with a somewhat unique plot (which is hard to find, honestly. There no original ideas 🤷♀️🤷♀️)
That said, I’m excited for this one and hope it’s good! 🤞
- - -20% mark- - -
Wellll the writing is cheesier than I was expecting, but it’s not terrible. I’m still hopeful!
- - -post-read- - -
Oh boy.
At points, I wanted to throw this book across the room. The characters got on my nerves SO BADLY at points. They’re hot one second and cold the next; hate each other and then in love after one exchanged word.
Also, there’s a lot of LGTBQ background info. One prominent character works at an LGTBQ+ youth foundation, and both the main characters are bi. They attend a few gay bars, talk about sexuality (a little bit), etc. This was not implied AT ALL by the Goodreads genres/shelves or the trigger warnings, so I just wanted to make it clear that this book does include some of this content.
Overall, though, this book wasn’t my favorite. The pieces started clicking into place toward the end of the book, and then it ended abruptly (and…predictably). I’d give this 2-2.5 stars (depending on my mood. It may change a few times by the time you read this review).
If this looks interesting to you, pick this book up and let me know what you think. But, honestly, I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. The plot is weird, unrealistic, and predictable at the same time, and the characters are underdeveloped.
So, in other words: Not my fav. You can do better.
-
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this book or any others that I have rated/reviewed, feel free to reach out to me in the comments section below this review or through my profile. 💗 If you want to connect further, friend/follow me! 🤗
Age Range Recommendation: 16+ A Fiction
TRIGGER WARNINGS/MATURE CONTENT: LOSS OF LOVED ONES, SEXUAL CONTENT, GRIEF/DEPRESSION, PTSD, BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS, DRUG OVERDOSE (MINOR, BRIEFLY MENTIONED), INJURY (MINOR)
CONTROVERSIAL CONTENT FOR CHRISTIAN READERS: LGTBQ+ CHARACTERS (THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS ARE BI)
NOTE: I am not permitted to release quotes until the archive date. Unless I buy my own copy, I will unfortunately be unable to post quotes in this review.
See my NetGalley review here: https://www.netgalley.com/book/757140...
December 19, 2025
Road trip romance done right!!! Single parent/guardian relationship with a sassy 14 year old and 2 main characters who are trudging thru their own grief, add this to your TBR immediately.
April 19, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced reader’s copy of Return to Sender by Stephanie Parente.
Return to Sender follows 26-year-old Violet, who has custody of her 14-year-old sister, Phoebe, after their dad unexpectedly died in a car crash 9 months ago. Phoebe is having some struggles at school and has been really depressed since their dad died, and Violet is putting her own grief aside to take care of her sister. One day, a letter gets sent back to their apartment for the previous owner as return-to-sender mail. Phoebe opens the letter, and it’s a love confession. She decides she wants to return it to the sender so it can reach his love. Phoebe seems excited for the first time since their dad died, and Violet will do anything to keep that smile on her face. Together, they set out to find the letter’s author, hoping for a happily-ever-after. They meet Dex, a worker at an LGBTQ+ center, and Phoebe, being a young lesbian, takes a liking to the abrasive man and convinces him to go on a road trip with them to return the letter. Violet and Dex are drawn to each other in ways they don’t understand, and throughout the trip, they fall in love while on the way to his ex-girlfriend. Can their love survive this?
What I liked
- For an author’s debut novel, I was drawn in from the very beginning. The writing was easy to understand and read. I loved her use of metaphors and the way she described scenes, I felt like I was actually in the book, which I don’t always feel.
- I’ve lost my own father, and I found Violet very relatable. She was a great sister, and I loved that she put Phoebe first, even when she was falling for Dex. She wanted to push it aside so Phoebe could get that happily ever after she wanted Dex and his ex to have.
- I loved the banter between Violet and Dex, and I felt like I was experiencing my own crush, I was getting butterflies the whole time.
-I liked the topics of grief and how they were approached, and the way I was able to empathize with the characters.
- I loved Dex so much. I wish the book was longer because I wanted more of him.
- I loved her best friend, and if the author ever wanted to write a backstory about the best friend and her partner, or even a future story, I would love that. I also think she should write a story about Phoebe someday when she’s grown up, and maybe we could see Dex and Violet in love and have some babies!!!!
Feedback
- Although I did like Phoebe, I wish there were more scenes of just Dex and Violet because I felt like Phoebe was trying to adopt Dex into their family, and it didn’t really give Violet a chance to get to know him in her own way. For them to be a couple, they need that space to be themselves. I understand they were on a road trip, so they couldn’t get too much alone time, but I just felt like Phoebe was a lot in those circumstances, though she is 14, so maybe at 24 I just don’t remember how 14-year-olds act! Haha.
- I wish there was an epilogue because I would have liked to see what they did in the future. I was really sad when I turned the page and that was the end. I would have liked to see more of what happened once they were home, even if it was just a little bit.
- I wish Dex communicated a bit more with Violet, like he did with Phoebe. I think it was easier for him because Phoebe was just a kid, while Violet was someone he had an actual crush on. But I felt like he gave more of himself to Phoebe and was more closed off with Violet, which I wish wasn’t the case.
- I wish we got a Dex POV. I think it would have really helped the story, and I understand it would have been hard with the plot, but there could have been ways to write around it.
‼️‼️SPOILER BELOW ‼️‼️
⚠️ ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
- I understood why Dex didn’t tell her the truth about who wrote the letter, but I felt like Violet was a little hard on him when they really pressured him into this trip. There wasn’t really a good time for him to tell her, but I also understood Violet being frustrated. I just think they both should have communicated more from the beginning or at least after they kissed.
Return to Sender follows 26-year-old Violet, who has custody of her 14-year-old sister, Phoebe, after their dad unexpectedly died in a car crash 9 months ago. Phoebe is having some struggles at school and has been really depressed since their dad died, and Violet is putting her own grief aside to take care of her sister. One day, a letter gets sent back to their apartment for the previous owner as return-to-sender mail. Phoebe opens the letter, and it’s a love confession. She decides she wants to return it to the sender so it can reach his love. Phoebe seems excited for the first time since their dad died, and Violet will do anything to keep that smile on her face. Together, they set out to find the letter’s author, hoping for a happily-ever-after. They meet Dex, a worker at an LGBTQ+ center, and Phoebe, being a young lesbian, takes a liking to the abrasive man and convinces him to go on a road trip with them to return the letter. Violet and Dex are drawn to each other in ways they don’t understand, and throughout the trip, they fall in love while on the way to his ex-girlfriend. Can their love survive this?
What I liked
- For an author’s debut novel, I was drawn in from the very beginning. The writing was easy to understand and read. I loved her use of metaphors and the way she described scenes, I felt like I was actually in the book, which I don’t always feel.
- I’ve lost my own father, and I found Violet very relatable. She was a great sister, and I loved that she put Phoebe first, even when she was falling for Dex. She wanted to push it aside so Phoebe could get that happily ever after she wanted Dex and his ex to have.
- I loved the banter between Violet and Dex, and I felt like I was experiencing my own crush, I was getting butterflies the whole time.
-I liked the topics of grief and how they were approached, and the way I was able to empathize with the characters.
- I loved Dex so much. I wish the book was longer because I wanted more of him.
- I loved her best friend, and if the author ever wanted to write a backstory about the best friend and her partner, or even a future story, I would love that. I also think she should write a story about Phoebe someday when she’s grown up, and maybe we could see Dex and Violet in love and have some babies!!!!
Feedback
- Although I did like Phoebe, I wish there were more scenes of just Dex and Violet because I felt like Phoebe was trying to adopt Dex into their family, and it didn’t really give Violet a chance to get to know him in her own way. For them to be a couple, they need that space to be themselves. I understand they were on a road trip, so they couldn’t get too much alone time, but I just felt like Phoebe was a lot in those circumstances, though she is 14, so maybe at 24 I just don’t remember how 14-year-olds act! Haha.
- I wish there was an epilogue because I would have liked to see what they did in the future. I was really sad when I turned the page and that was the end. I would have liked to see more of what happened once they were home, even if it was just a little bit.
- I wish Dex communicated a bit more with Violet, like he did with Phoebe. I think it was easier for him because Phoebe was just a kid, while Violet was someone he had an actual crush on. But I felt like he gave more of himself to Phoebe and was more closed off with Violet, which I wish wasn’t the case.
- I wish we got a Dex POV. I think it would have really helped the story, and I understand it would have been hard with the plot, but there could have been ways to write around it.
‼️‼️SPOILER BELOW ‼️‼️
⚠️ ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
- I understood why Dex didn’t tell her the truth about who wrote the letter, but I felt like Violet was a little hard on him when they really pressured him into this trip. There wasn’t really a good time for him to tell her, but I also understood Violet being frustrated. I just think they both should have communicated more from the beginning or at least after they kissed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**spoiler alert** This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review This review may contain spoilers.
3.5 stars
I went into Return to Sender really excited, and the beginning absolutely hooked me. The premise is so unique and emotionally charged right from the start: two sisters navigating life after the sudden loss of their father, a mysterious returned love letter, and a road trip with a complete stranger to try to set something right. It immediately pulled me in, and I was fully invested in Violet and Phoebe from the first few chapters.
One of the strongest parts of this story for me was the sister dynamic. Violet stepping into a parental role while still grieving herself felt incredibly real, and Phoebe’s behavior—while frustrating at times—felt very true to a teenager processing loss in her own way. Their relationship is messy, complicated, and deeply rooted in love, and I really appreciated how much space the story gave them to grow toward each other again. Some of the most meaningful moments in the book had nothing to do with the romance and everything to do with the two of them learning how to exist in this new version of their lives.
The emotional core of this story—grief, responsibility, and the different ways people cope—was handled really well. You can feel how heavy everything is for Violet, trying to hold it all together while quietly falling apart, and how Phoebe oscillates between shutting down and reaching for something—anything—that might make her feel okay again. That thread carried a lot of weight throughout the book and is ultimately what kept me turning the pages.
Dex is where I feel the most conflicted. By the end of the book, he actually became my favorite character. There’s a lot of depth to him, and once we start to understand his motivations and the things he’s been carrying, it reframes so much of his behavior in a really compelling way. But getting there took a long time. For a significant portion of the book, he remains very closed off, and while I understand that’s intentional for his character, I found myself wishing we had been given more glimpses of who he really is along the way. I think if some of those layers had been revealed more gradually, it would have allowed the emotional connection—and the romance—to build in a more satisfying way.
I also really wish we had gotten more of Dex and Phoebe on page. We hear about their bond—how they text, play games, spend time together—but we don’t get to fully experience those moments ourselves. I would have loved to actually see that friendship develop, because the idea of it is so strong and adds another meaningful layer to the story.
The pacing was a bit uneven for me overall. Like I mentioned, the beginning pulled me in immediately, but the middle started to drag. There were moments where the story felt a little stuck, and I found myself wanting either more forward momentum or deeper character development to keep me fully engaged. That said, the ending did bring things together in a way that made me appreciate the story more as a whole.
The romance itself had elements I really liked—the tension, the shared emotional understanding, the way these characters see parts of each other that others don’t—but I do think it would have benefited from a slower, more layered build. Because Dex remains such a mystery for so long, it made it a little harder for me to fully invest in their connection until later in the story.
Overall, this is a story with a lot of heart. I really loved the themes, the emotional depth, and the exploration of grief and healing. It just didn’t fully come together in a way that made it a standout read for me. Still, I can absolutely see this resonating deeply with readers who love character-driven stories, road trip narratives, and romances rooted in shared emotional experiences.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Dial Press for the opportunity to read Return to Sender in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
I went into Return to Sender really excited, and the beginning absolutely hooked me. The premise is so unique and emotionally charged right from the start: two sisters navigating life after the sudden loss of their father, a mysterious returned love letter, and a road trip with a complete stranger to try to set something right. It immediately pulled me in, and I was fully invested in Violet and Phoebe from the first few chapters.
One of the strongest parts of this story for me was the sister dynamic. Violet stepping into a parental role while still grieving herself felt incredibly real, and Phoebe’s behavior—while frustrating at times—felt very true to a teenager processing loss in her own way. Their relationship is messy, complicated, and deeply rooted in love, and I really appreciated how much space the story gave them to grow toward each other again. Some of the most meaningful moments in the book had nothing to do with the romance and everything to do with the two of them learning how to exist in this new version of their lives.
The emotional core of this story—grief, responsibility, and the different ways people cope—was handled really well. You can feel how heavy everything is for Violet, trying to hold it all together while quietly falling apart, and how Phoebe oscillates between shutting down and reaching for something—anything—that might make her feel okay again. That thread carried a lot of weight throughout the book and is ultimately what kept me turning the pages.
Dex is where I feel the most conflicted. By the end of the book, he actually became my favorite character. There’s a lot of depth to him, and once we start to understand his motivations and the things he’s been carrying, it reframes so much of his behavior in a really compelling way. But getting there took a long time. For a significant portion of the book, he remains very closed off, and while I understand that’s intentional for his character, I found myself wishing we had been given more glimpses of who he really is along the way. I think if some of those layers had been revealed more gradually, it would have allowed the emotional connection—and the romance—to build in a more satisfying way.
I also really wish we had gotten more of Dex and Phoebe on page. We hear about their bond—how they text, play games, spend time together—but we don’t get to fully experience those moments ourselves. I would have loved to actually see that friendship develop, because the idea of it is so strong and adds another meaningful layer to the story.
The pacing was a bit uneven for me overall. Like I mentioned, the beginning pulled me in immediately, but the middle started to drag. There were moments where the story felt a little stuck, and I found myself wanting either more forward momentum or deeper character development to keep me fully engaged. That said, the ending did bring things together in a way that made me appreciate the story more as a whole.
The romance itself had elements I really liked—the tension, the shared emotional understanding, the way these characters see parts of each other that others don’t—but I do think it would have benefited from a slower, more layered build. Because Dex remains such a mystery for so long, it made it a little harder for me to fully invest in their connection until later in the story.
Overall, this is a story with a lot of heart. I really loved the themes, the emotional depth, and the exploration of grief and healing. It just didn’t fully come together in a way that made it a standout read for me. Still, I can absolutely see this resonating deeply with readers who love character-driven stories, road trip narratives, and romances rooted in shared emotional experiences.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Dial Press for the opportunity to read Return to Sender in exchange for an honest review.
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