Letters To My Wife

by Terry Dean

After you read Letters To My Wife, be sure to get the follow-up book, Letters To My Friends! Publisher This is a little book that delivers a gigantic wallop! The story is told in a way that touches readers at every level. It’s funny and sad, but so very poignant… telling a family’s story. You’re immediately drawn into Kevin Clarke’s life, how he fell in love and how he made relationships work. This novel - this story - is simply magnificent with its many twists and turns. As Kevin “talks” to his wife via a blog, the world starts noticing. It’s life in a tumultuous nutshell. Quite frankly, it’s a story that will stay with you for years to come. Book Kevin Clarke is telling his story, his way. He’s writing love letters to the only woman he’s ever loved - his wife. He posts the stories on a blog, hoping she might read them. Little does he know, the neighbors across the street are reading the letters, as is the cop who took him into custody one night. In fact, most of the world is reading the private stories Kevin is telling through his letters to his wife. But while the blog is anonymous, Kevin slips up and the world discovers him. What happens after that is a love story for the ages.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2010

About the author

Terry Dean lives in Missouri, USA with his wife and two dogs.

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware - just as you think you are not going to need the tissues any more, the author sneaks another tearjerking moment in! This is an absolute gem of a read, the story of a man, Kevin, writing and publishing letters to his dead wife on a blog, in the hope that wherever she is in the afterlife, she will find a way to be able to read them. Sounds a bit silly when you put it like that, but trust me, it is an absolutely wonderful book and when you read it, there will be a part of you that is hoping that it is possible. As the story progresses it appears the world and his wife are reading and hooked on his blog and he turns into something of a media star. We also follow the reactions of his family and friends when they discover the blog.

You very quickly get drawn into the book, Kevin is an ordinary guy, nothing special about him, but from page one you are on his side, hoping that he will be able to move forward following his wife's death. If you could give him a hug and take him round some home baking, you would.

It is not all sad, there are some very funny moments in the book, but at heart it is a story about love, about appreciating your other half and also about bereavement and the stages people go through, and the different ways in which people grieve. Extremely well written, and at first I had to keep reminding myself that it was OK, it was only a story and not real. Highly recommended.

[Lisa Herbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost stopped reading this book within the first 5% because it was so cliché and awful. But, as I always do, I kept reading. I eventually made it to the first letter and was glad I forged ahead. The letters are beautifully written and sincere; the rest of the book is basically garbage. There are some nice moments, but they are few and far between. The whole book just relied on one unrealistic coincidence after another. Red Bannfeld’s character was larger than life and not very believable in my opinion.
As the two stars suggest, it was ok.

[Katie Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book so quickly in my life. It took me 36 hours to get through it. I almost literally couldn't put it down. The first chapter sucks you in, fast. It's emotional, and raw, and you immediately feel like a fly on the wall in a real family. It was so well written, and the emotions were so genuine. I couldn't stop myself. I had to devour it all in one go.
Part of me saw the ending coming, part of me was completely blindsided. It built up to it perfectly, but then when it happened I found myself thinking, "No way. That couldn't possibly have just happened!"
I felt like I could relate to the characters, and it made me think a lot (in the past day and a half!) about my own relationships and people I've lost recently.
I laughed out loud, and I cried uncontrollably. That's a sign of an excellent book.
It was beautiful.

[Claire Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm ok, not perhaps my usual pick of book, but found it for free for one day only on Amazon. My concern was it would be too gushy, but having read the reviews I was hoping for something beautiful. What I got was what I feared. It was an easy read, perhaps heart warming in parts, but for me it was a little too much. I really didn't want to but I found the character writing these letters sometimes a little annoying! I am obviously heartless! I liked him, but sometimes he was too much, especially with the way he signed off his letters. I was also (from the reviews) expecting lots of "twists & turns"… not so much. Things happened, yeah, but I am not sure I would call these events twists - and I saw the end coming a mile off. It's worth a read to perhaps evaluate your own relationships in life, and it may have you reaching for the tissues as with most readers, but for me it tried too hard which lost some of the magic I was hoping for.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this book was well written, it was just too sappy for me.

[Carrie Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Descent story. There are some things that are a bit unbelievable, like the main character's two adult children not visiting him after his wife's funeral is over. It is just hard to believe that the stereotypical family the author has created would have adult children who just abandoned their father because they can't stand to be reminded of their mother. Maggie's hissy fit about how her father writes about the intimate details of his marriage is also kind of annoying but I suppose there are plenty of shallow grown children who would have such a reaction. The main reason though that I gave it only three stars was the lack of professional touches in the proofreading and formatting of the book. The type size made me feel like I was reading a large-print edition and the page layout felt off. There were a few typos as well. It just had a cheap (for lack of a better word) feel to it. I felt like I was reading something my neighbor had printed off on his ink jet printer.

[Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deserves 100 stars !!!! I loved every single word.Terry Dean you are gifted , truely gifted ..
I want to just stop people in the street and tell them to read this book .
I’m about to start the second book called Letters to my friends and I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for me .

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very unique theme. It held my attention, and made me feel like part of the "group".

Highly recommend it for a renewal of the feeling of what love is all about. Makes one contemplate one's own life, and how we should love one another.

[Irene · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, I finished it

The plot was OK but predictable. The characters were uninteresting and unsympathetic. The trajectory was disjointed and, because I don't like to quit a book, I finished it. Unfortunately it was sadly unsatisfying.

[Michele Keys · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a DNF for me. I couldn't get past the fact that the kids never went to see their dad as he was grieving. I didn't like any of the characters at all and it made me not want to read it any further.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler Alert- the end will make you cry

I enjoyed this book and the message of love a couple can share even after one has left this life. There were typos here and there, but I didn’t care. I didn’t see the end coming at all.

[Ginger · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the letters written in this book, I felt the storyline (outside the letters) was a bit far-fetched.
***NOT recommended for anyone who has lost a loved one recently***

[Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet love story. My husband and I were both drawn into the story and have recommended highly to others. It's funny, touching, and a great tribute to love.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been over two months since I completed this book...the first time. I have re-read it twice and still go back to read parts that really touched me.

The whispering! OMG, I loved the whispering!

I cannot remember when a book affected me as much as this one has. I could feel Kevin's loss - he'd loved Ellie his whole life and wasn't prepared for life without her. I could feel his regret - he'd taken his family for granted, not being there when he was truly needed because he allowed the job to rule his life. I had issues with his children's reluctance to reach out to him as they all mourned Ellie's passing, but eventually came to understand the "distance" between them. I cheered for all of them as they slowly broke down the barriers to become a family again. (And Paul is a gem!)

It's sad that Kevin ends the letters - they grow on you - but it's his step from mourning and dwelling on the past, to enjoying the memories and living for the future.

I wasn't ready for the ending...I never am. I want to continue on with Kevin in his journey, but he has a different path to take, but at least he won't be alone.

Terry Dean has crafted a work of art in "Letters to my Wife", and it is definitely a must-read...for men and women. The letters will make you remember meeting and falling in love with your spouse...and you'll fall in love with the letters.

[Laurelannb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read this for a book discussion; I would never have picked it. I don't generally choose books about grief, tragedy, etc... It's a lot of pathos; at some points I felt my glucose spike.

By the nature of the set-up--the letters, about half the story is one long flashback... a boring flashback. I guess the argument is that it was classic Boy + Girl = True Love. But for me, it missed the mark of being compelling, or even interesting. Page after page of blow-by-blow "got married, raised kids".

The "bad guy" is an unrealistic blustering Bluto cartoon. The climactic/dramatic turning point is eye-rolling.

Some minor copyediting is in order. It's SURNAME, not "sir-name", for example. Other than some of that, the writing mechanics are okay, if somewhat simplistic in style. The reader is told a lot that might have been more interesting if shown instead.

This is a "sad" book. There is some relief in the middle, but it's overall sad. If you enjoy other people's sadness, you may enjoy this book.

[Phil Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts at the funeral of Kevin Clake's wife in which he heads home and starts the morning process. As he withdrawals into his house and his friends and grown children return to their daily lives and personal, Kevin has to work out a way to deal with his loss and adjust to his new life. Kevin does not return to work and instead starts writing letter to his wife and anonymously posting them online as he fails to understand the Internet, thinking that what he writes goes into a virtual worlds that his wife can read.

Unbeknown to him his letter are being read by family, friends and lots of others and at first they do not realise that it's him until they start to recognise some of the stories, and the popularity of the letters explodes, and TV programs pick up on the popularity. The story finishes with a grandson, shooting and a marriage.

This book is definately worth the read, it is funny, emotional and captivating.

[Kerrfunk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from a dear wonderful man who became widowed two years ago after more than fifty years of marriage to a dear wonderful woman. This novel begins with the funeral service of Kevin Clarke's wife of 34 years. Kevin spirals into grief and begins to write letters to his deceased wife, in the form of a weblog. I myself experienced the death of a wife, twenty years ago, so this was a topic that my friend and I have talked about.

The book explores a few relationships, including a few neighbors, the adult children of Kevin and his wife, and an internet world that develops as Kevin's anonymous daily blog goes viral.

There are times that were moving, and times that were cliche, and times that were awkward. I don't know that I'd have written it better, though. Let's just say that I did not grieve in the same way that Kevin did.

Though I "only" give the book three stars, I read it the day I received it and I'll probably read it again.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would have garnered 5 stars if not for some crashing errors that should have been easily picked up in any editing process. Things like sir-name for surname, butt instead of but, jest instead of gist, jam for jamb, w instead of we, h for he, etc..... and words were missed here and there as were speechmarks and apostrophes.
Parts of this story had me sobbing and the author did apologise for that at the end too ! It tells of a widower who writes letters to his wife and puts them out online. People reading them really enjoy them and some learn it's Kevin, their father or friend or work colleague.
It was a lovely story, I must say, and interesting a "bloke" wrote this as well, as it is so emotional.
It really would benefit from another editing but I have put another by him on my wishlist on the back of this one. I loved it.

[Miae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I'm giving a 5 star to. Although there were some errors and editing didn't pick it up, it was a great read. It's a love story so great that it makes you laugh, sad and cry. Kevin Clarke found the true love of his life in his wife and lets her know how much through his letters. But the circumstance surrounding the letter writing isn't what you would expect. You will immediately be drawn to this extraordinary character and journey with him throughout the novel. He's an average Joe but he's extraordinary because his story will move you. I TOTALLY recommend this book.

[Jo Notary]

widower writes to deceased wife on internet and gets responses from readers
186p Kevin Clarke is telling his story, his way. He 19s writing love letters to the only woman he 19s ever loved - his wife. He posts the stories on a blog, hoping she might read them. Little does he know, the neighbors across the street are reading the letters, as is the cop who took him into custody one night. In fact, most of the world is reading the private stories Kevin is telling through his letters to his wife. But while the blog is anonymous, Kevin slips up and the world discovers him. What happens after that is a love story for the ages.

[MaryAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book to read on Valentine's Day because I thought it would be appropriate. I just I should have expected it, but wow was it a tear jerker! I really enjoyed the format of the story and to watch how that reactions of the various participants changed through the life of this story was interesting and I think an accurate portrayal of human nature.

While it was tough to read sometimes, I really enjoyed and made sure I gave my husband an extra hug and kiss tonight! :)

[redandwhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

True and lasting love expressed by a husband who writes love letters to his deceased wife in a blog on the internet in order to deal with his grief and his loss he catalogues their life together and tells her how much it has all meant to him and how he misses her and will always love her and he keeps her up-to-date on the lives of their children, showing the rest of us that we must appreciate every little thing in life. A moving and emotional read.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful story! Loved the characters and the ability of the author to make me laugh and cry in the same reading. I was balling like a baby at the end. A couple of harsh swear words in this book really irked, but I was able to look past them and just enjoy the story as a whole. Such a beautiful reminder of what is important in life.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected. Sweet story about a man who loses his wife and starts writing a blog to her as if she could read it. The reactions of the various people seemed real. Parts didn't ring true to me, but how crazy the viral age is did. The ending will make you cry- unexpected! Read it; you will be glad you did

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its been so long since a book touched me as this one did. What an amazing story of love. I loved the format and truly loved this book. From the very beginning the writer had me caring deeply for Kevin. I could feel his hurt and my heart broke so many times throughout the book. I finished it in a couple hours, but this book will stay with me forever as one of the best. Thank you Mr. Dean.

[Patricia Ibarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man loses his wife and he cannot cope with his grief. He starts a blog writing to her. It becomes so popular that his life changes completely, as well as that of his children. I loved this book. It made me cry and laugh. It depicts true and absolute love, believable but so scarce. Had a great time reading it.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin Clarke's wife dies suddenly. His grieving takes the form of writing letters to her via an Internet blog. Theirs is the kind of love few get to experience. The book will make you treasure that love if you have it and envy it if you don't. The first book in a very long while to make me laugh and cry.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful! It has been a very long time since I found a book that had to be read to my husband. But I did read lo g passages to him aloud. The parts I read silently, I had either his hand or a tissue in hand. I laughed and cried my way through this must-read, and tonight I feel just a little closer to my family.

[Gladys Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down! I was captivated by the story. It filled my heart with compassion and love for the family. Holding on to a love so precious to get you through life. I can imagine how hard it must have been for the children to watch the story unfold. I cried so much reading this book. It will stir your heart and soul.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful love story

I really enjoyed this book. I came across it on amazon and I'm really happy I read it. A truly beautiful love story of a couple and their family that grew from that love. Very sad at parts, but of course that is all part of ones life. I will definitely be checking out more from this author. 4+