This Is Not a Love Letter – Lillian & Leah

When Jessie’s boyfriend suddenly disappears, she doesn’t know what to do. Because he is 18, the police won’t get involved, but Jessie knows something more is up. He couldn’t have just left without telling her. However their one week break might have been more than just a one week break. Jessie is left to pick up the pieces, place them together, but some just won’t fit. There has to be more to this mystery than first met the eye.

This surprising mystery was filled with the interesting format of prose and letters. I loved the way this mystery unfolded, and the thought put into every paragraph. The embedded figurative language really brought the story to life, and it was truly riveting. I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up.

Author Kim Purcell’s second novel, This is Not a Love Letter, is fascinating, engaging, and shocking. With themes paralleling to bestsellers like Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give and John Corey Whaley’s Highly Illogical Behavior, Kim Purcell has penned a strong, impactful YA novel which provokes thought and emotion in the minds of her readers. Purcell shows immense and advanced perspective on issues such as racism, hate crimes, and mental health, which is rare and valuable in novels for YA readers and reviewers alike.