The Lost Letters of Rose Carey (Julie Bennett, S&S)

Inspired by the life of the Australian swimmer and film icon Annette Kellerman, The Lost Letters of Rose Carey follows two heroines: Emma Quinn, in the present time, and Rose Carey, in the 1920s. These stories link when videographer Emma discovers a box containing vintage film and a series of handwritten letters. As the reader dives into each protagonist’s story, we read about a series of mysterious events that make this novel a true page-turner. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy discovering a time when artistic swimming was just beginning in Australia, and the obstacles Rose Carey, a woman ahead of her time, had to face to bring it to popularity. Julie Bennett’s second book explores themes of betrayal and friendship, as well as Emma’s heart-breaking reality of trying to conceive through IVF and the toll it takes on her same-sex relationship. Bennett brings to life two fierce heroines whose motivations are completely believable. The story is told with first-person perspectives from both Rose and Emma, but these are two very distinctive voices, linked by a strong feminist tone. Bennett’s biggest accomplishment, however, is raising enough conflict in each protagonist’s journey, taking the reader on a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of triumph and tragedy until the end. This is a must-read book for fans of Kate Morton and Natasha Lester and those who enjoy a story that develops through bittersweet, passionate, and deeply moving letters.