Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey (FIC Gre)

Escaping from her abusive boyfriend, Jess seeks shelter by breaking into what appears to be an abandoned house.  While trying to decide what to do next (without much money or a permanent address she has a hard time filling out job applications), she opens a letter that is dropped through the mail slot in the front door.

Marked Personal and Urgent on the front and with the salutation of "Darling Girl", Jess finds herself unable to think of anything but the recipient of the letter.  When she stumbles across a collection of letters buried in a dresser in an upstairs bedroom, she becomes immersed in the lives of Stella and Dan.

Married at a young age in 1942 to an older vicar, Stella was somewhat relieved when her husband left to be a vicar for the British troops.  While he was gone, she met Dan, an American pilot stationed in England.  Against improbable odds they fall in love - but face many obstacles to happiness.

While trying to sort out what happened to Stella, Jess begins to put her own new life in order.  Into her life stumbles Will, also searching for happiness.  Together they put all of their efforts into locating Stella...before it is too late.

Both Stella and Jess share similar backgrounds - lonely childhoods, solitary lives and insecurity.  Throughout the novel both come to terms with who they are and learn and gain strength.  While both love stories might have seemed a little bit too coincidental, I enjoyed reading about both of them and rooted for the ultimate happy ending.

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