Review of The Hatbox Letter
Posted: 25 Jul 2025, 11:59
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Hatbox Letter" by Laura LeMond.]
World War I is ramping up; the Spanish Flu is emerging, and the world is changing each day. Gladys experiences all this as she grows up in St. Joseph, Missouri. At sixteen, she falls in love with Johnny Fry, who is related to one of the original riders of the Pony Express, for whom he was named. They both believe they are destined to marry and spend their lives together. They experience young love and heartbreak due to a misunderstanding and a misplaced letter. Gladys moves to Chicago to pursue her dreams of being a fashion designer, and Johnny studies law. Will Johnny's letter, placed in Gladys' hatbox, ever see the light of day? The Hatbox Letter by Laura LeMond tells this beautiful story that is based on real-life events.
Gladys lived an inspiring life. She forged her own path and became a fashion designer, a dream she had held since she was young. She did not let her heartbreak destroy her life. Instead, it fueled an independent streak despite the world viewing her as a spinster for being an unmarried woman in her twenties. Gladys was able to hold her head high and follow her dreams, which was inspiring.
I was expecting the book to dive into the historical setting a bit more. Gladys lived through the Spanish Flu, the Roaring '20s, and more. While these events were mentioned briefly, I thought there would be a larger focus on them. I think the book's short length is both a blessing and a curse. The plot moved along quickly due to this; however, setting details were skipped over.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. It was a unique book that will resonate with fans of historical fiction and romance. Though I was a bit disappointed by the lack of a dive into the historical setting, I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I find books that are loosely based on real stories fascinating. The book makes for an easy read and would be appreciated by a large range of audiences, including teenagers and adults!
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The Hatbox Letter
View: on Bookshelves
World War I is ramping up; the Spanish Flu is emerging, and the world is changing each day. Gladys experiences all this as she grows up in St. Joseph, Missouri. At sixteen, she falls in love with Johnny Fry, who is related to one of the original riders of the Pony Express, for whom he was named. They both believe they are destined to marry and spend their lives together. They experience young love and heartbreak due to a misunderstanding and a misplaced letter. Gladys moves to Chicago to pursue her dreams of being a fashion designer, and Johnny studies law. Will Johnny's letter, placed in Gladys' hatbox, ever see the light of day? The Hatbox Letter by Laura LeMond tells this beautiful story that is based on real-life events.
Gladys lived an inspiring life. She forged her own path and became a fashion designer, a dream she had held since she was young. She did not let her heartbreak destroy her life. Instead, it fueled an independent streak despite the world viewing her as a spinster for being an unmarried woman in her twenties. Gladys was able to hold her head high and follow her dreams, which was inspiring.
I was expecting the book to dive into the historical setting a bit more. Gladys lived through the Spanish Flu, the Roaring '20s, and more. While these events were mentioned briefly, I thought there would be a larger focus on them. I think the book's short length is both a blessing and a curse. The plot moved along quickly due to this; however, setting details were skipped over.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. It was a unique book that will resonate with fans of historical fiction and romance. Though I was a bit disappointed by the lack of a dive into the historical setting, I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I find books that are loosely based on real stories fascinating. The book makes for an easy read and would be appreciated by a large range of audiences, including teenagers and adults!
******
The Hatbox Letter
View: on Bookshelves