Book Review: Love Letters for Other People
Love Letters for Other People by Shaylin Gandhi will be released in the United States on Dec 9, 2025.
If you like “he falls first” trope and wish that writing handwritten, emotional, romantic love letters would make a comeback, then you should read this intense, swoony, spicy novel.
Aubrey heads home to a small town in Indiana to recover after her dream career as a mathematician takes an unexpected turn in New York City. She hasn’t stepped foot into town since losing the love of her life when she was 18. Although many years have passed, when she sees Nick again, the heartbreak feels too fresh.
Whoever said that there are not enough romance books with men pining and yearning…they need to read this book! Nick is a true yearner who writes love letters from the moment he meets Aubrey, when they are teenagers. Nick ends up knowing he has found a once- in- a-lifetime love and he will never love anyone as much as he loves Aubrey.
Nick, the moody, yet loving and soul-baring boy she fell in love with has now become a brooding man, sexy MMA fighter (amateur), and father of a bright, creative, talented teen named Paige. Nick’s life revolves around Paige and he is separated from his wife, Paige’s mom. Nick never truly believed he would see Aubrey again; yet Nick seems to have low expectations for life and is not always ready to fight for what he truly wants or deserves. In both high school and college, Nick seems to use violence to deal with his emotions and he is ready to punch a lot of different people on a regular basis, which is something about the book I did not like.
Love Letter Writer for Hire
When Nick is in need of some quick cash to help his daughter, he posts an online ad selling his expertise as a writer of Love Letters. This is where the nod to popular tale Cyrano de Bergerac comes in. Gallant, his rival from high school, hires Nick to write letters to woo Aubrey—the love of his life. Mostly, Gallant has almost no personality.
Small Town Romance
Aubrey has to choose between the “popular” yet shallow guy from high school, Gallant, who wants to pursue her mostly for her looks and maybe as a throwback to high school? Who knows, this guy gave me the ick, so for me, the book was not really a true love triangle. Aubrey is in forced proximity with Nick in this small town, as her old friend Megan assigns Aubrey to volunteer with Nick and Paige for a cute fall festival. Yes, that’s right, a small town romance with a cute fall Harvest Festival.
My Thoughts
Overall, this was a fast and intense read. I liked that Nick and Aubrey were true soulmates who had credible circumstances that got in their way and real obstacles to overcome. I enjoyed reading the intense and emotional love letters that Nick wrote, and he also had some good romantic monologues/dialogue.
Note: If you like some spice, this book is open-door (spoiler coming up…) or shall I say, open bench seat of a truck in a snowstorm!
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
