Two strangers looking for answers about family...

On the West Coast, Jane discovers a stack of letters after the abrupt death of her father, revealing his secret life. He may have had a child with another woman...

On the East Coast, Adam, a struggling teen, is surprised when his adoptive parents hand him unsigned letters from his birth mother. Now he needs to know more...

"Letters from Strangers" is a well-written emotional story with important topics woven throughout. The short chapters kept me turning the pages and reading on as it explored themes of loss and grief, the consequences of secrecy, healing through forgiveness, and accepting oneself and others. There were more than just a few heartbreaking moments in this tale.

My one niggle is with my immersion reading experience, specific to the audiobook. The two narrators, voicing and recounting the story as Jane and Adam, sound overly young and animated, giving this a YA feel. I began reading more than listening, and was glad I had the digital copy to fall back on.

"Letters from Strangers" is a story about how life can gain new meaning through self-belief and connection with others. Be sure to read the author's note at the end to discover what inspired the writing of this story.

3.75⭐

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Brilliance Audio, and Susan Walter for the gifted DRC and ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This story truly touched my heart. As an adoptee, I’ve had some of the same feelings expressed in this book. The author did a fabulous job of giving us a look into the lives of several people affected by adoption, while also creating a wonderful story about hope and love! This was both emotional and heartwarming.

𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒓𝒖𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒚. 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆'𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌.

I stopped and started this book so many times, but when I finally sat down with this beautiful story, it was the beginning of some healing that I have been in dire need of.

I love books about how lives intersect, and this book does it perfectly. Jane’s father is far from perfect and was even the root cause of the eating disorder that she would struggle with throughout adolescence. However, those flaws doesn't mean his sudden death didn't devastate her. Jane is trying to navigate her own grief while making sure her taciturn mother is ok when she finds a stack of letters in his desk that are clear evidence of another life that her father was leading--a life with a woman identified only by her initials, and a woman who may have had her father's child.

Across the country, sixteen-year-old Adam is grappling with his self-worth. He deeply loves his adoptive parents, but he's always felt 'less than' and can't understand how a mother could abandon her child. His parents never intended to show him the unsigned letters from his birth mother, but they are desperate to get him off the collision course he's on. Adam just wants answers, even if he doesn't like what they may be.

I lost my mom in August, and it's hard to talk about her without a lump in my throat. When I was clearing out her house, I found a drawer full of letters that she and my dad wrote to each other when they were dating. I read a few, and it felt like I was intruding into something that wasn't mine, so I put them away...just like I've done with so many things I didn't want to deal with. Those containers are now overflowing, and it's reached a point that I have to open them and deal with all the things I've shoved inside. This book gave me the courage to do so.

Many thanks to the author for sending me an early copy and for including me in her book tour. She got everything right--the Gen X "we don't talk about our feelings," the internal struggle of being an adoptee, and realizing that although our parents had their own trauma they never talked about, most of them did the best they could. This book will publish May 27, 2025.

Jane and Adam are both looking for answers. Jane's been having a tough go with infertility and the death of her father when she discovers letters that indicate that he had another family. Adam was adopted and now 16, he's struggling with a sense of self and wants to find his mother. This moves between them and uses the device of the letters both of them have link their stories. It's a gentle tale of family secrets and lies. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Heartwarming.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Contemporary Fiction | Family Drama
Review (Spoiler-Free):

Letters from a Stranger is a heartfelt and thought-provoking novel that explores family, identity, and the unexpected ways our lives intersect. Susan Walter crafts an emotionally rich story told through multiple perspectives, each adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

The writing is warm and honest, and the characters feel real—flawed, relatable, and deeply human. The use of letters adds a touching layer to the storytelling, connecting past and present in meaningful ways.

I loved how the story unfolded gradually, drawing me in with emotional weight and subtle mystery. It’s a book about discovering truth, healing old wounds, and finding where you truly belong.

If you enjoy layered, emotional stories about family secrets and personal growth, this one is well worth the read.

Perfect for fans of:

Jodi Picoult
Kristin Hannah
Books with emotional twists and found-family themes
Would I recommend?
Absolutely—especially if you’re in the mood for something heartfelt and deeply human.

Oh, did this book resonate with me! When Jane finds a stash of letters in her recently deceased father’s belongings, it sets her off on a journey of self-reflection and eventual awareness of a happier future.

Adam, a high school athlete, is on a journey of his own trying to find a place where he feels accepted while also appreciating where he has come from.

Piecing together the lives of both Adam and Jane through flashbacks and letters was a beautiful process to experience. Each has a storied life but both hide parts of themselves from the ones they love.

I adored this novel! After reading Susan’s thriller novels, I was excited to read this contemporary family drama and I’m so glad I did!

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union for an Advanced Reader Copy of Letters From Strangers. I enjoyed how well the narration was done with the audiobook. The story was told well and was heartwarming. Susan Walter is an amazing author.

I did not expect to love this book so much. It was my first book from Susan Walter and I will definitely read more of her books. This book is about love, acceptance, family dynamics and so much more. It details found letters, truths discovered and finding your way back to lost loves. I will be recommending this to everyone.

When Jane’s father dies, she discovers a stack of letters that point to a secret life. A life he shared with another woman and Jane can’t help but investigate. Who is this woman?

This was such an incredible story (for fans of Diane Chamberlain!) about family and what ties us together! There was a pretty good twist in this one that I didn’t see coming. Very heartwarming!

As a reader, I always get a little nervous when an author decides to change genres. So when I saw that Susan Walter, a go to thriller author, was now releasing a family drama I was a bit hesitant. Who am I kidding?! I immediately grabbed it.😂

So…did she pull it off? She hit this one out of the ballpark! Susan, you just delivered a true home run!

Two storylines, winding their way towards each-other until converging in an emotional ending.
Jane- just lost her father, and as she cleans out his office she comes across a deeply buried secret. One she can’t let go of
Adam - sixteen years old, feels a hole in his soul. His only way to fill it is with food. Can he find the answers he searches for in order to heal both body and mind.

Loved the characters and their journeys to find the answers they desperately needed in order to move forward.
A beautiful family drama that delivers all the feels. Deeply enough that it caused some misting up on my part. I’m such a softie!🙄🤦🏻‍♀️

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing

This novel takes one on a journey. When Jane’s father dies, she finds it hard to cope. Sadly she finds out something about her father which sends her on a difficult journey. He had an affair and she might have a sibling.
The other main plot we find Adam who is adopted and wand wants to find his birth mother.
This story is emotional and is it possible for Jane and Adam to heal or will their journey make things harder for each of them?

Letters from Strangers by Susan Walter

We follow two characters in the present day, getting their POV about found letters and the events that are triggered by these found letters. Thirty something year old Jane and her husband are going through the infertility treatment steps but have gotten waylaid somewhat early on by Greg's lack of enthusiasm for his part of the testing phrase. Sixteen year old Adam is struggling with so much, first the pressure to excel at tennis from his father and then the disappointment he knows his parent feel about him quitting tennis and gaining so much weight that he's now obese. Both Jane and Adam have other serious concerns, too, and each of them seek out knowledge after finding two different sets of letters. These letters are going to bring these two together and I couldn't help wondering if the knowledge they gain might help them to move on with some of the things they suffer over in life.

There is so much going on here and the feeling of abandonment is one of the emotions running through the story. Abandonment of children physically but also emotional abandonment of children. Abandonment of people who have been made promises in one way or another. There is also emotional abuse by parents who expect too much of children who are trying their hardest and who need to be allowed to be themselves. Growing up is hard enough without parents pushing, chiding, haranguing, and making it clear that the child does not meet expectations.

The story is full of surprises and I feel compassion for so many of the characters. There are a few devious characters that I would have a hard time forgiving but for the most part, we see that everyone is suffering in one way or another. I want to mention a coach in this story. I really appreciate the way his is written, he's not a caricature of a screaming, ranting, raging buffoon who only cares about scores and winning. I like the way the story ends, I wouldn't want it to have ended any differently than it does. This was a great buddy read with Jayme, Mary Beth, and DeAnn.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

Susan Walter may be known as the creator of the 2017 film “All I Wish”, and as the author of FOUR thrillers, but this time she has penned a family saga, spanning two decades, which was inspired by true events…

It’s a story about two strangers who are each searching for the truth about their families—after discovering a SECRET.

The sudden death of Jane’s father, Richie brings more than grief. It also delivers a stack of letters pointing to a secret life with another woman-GM-who may have had his child.

Across the country, sixteen-year-old Adam is grappling with his own issues. His adoptive parents never intended to show him the unsigned letters from his birth mother, but he has recently began to feel an aching hole that can only be filled with answers.

BUT LETTERS ONLY TELL PART OF A STORY…

And, their search for the truth will lead them toward each other.

This was an EMOTIONAL story which had SO MANY HIGHLIGHT WORTHY passages. The characters felt authentic, and as they navigated their messy lives, their emotions rang true. I found myself teary eyed more than once.

This was VERY different from previous work-a slower, more reflective pace…but, I really enjoyed it! I am a fan of the author’s work and all FIVE of her books have earned 4 shiny stars from me!

Available May 27, 2025

TW: Eating Disorders, Infidelity, Infertility, Unplanned Pregnancy

Thank You to Lake Union Publishing for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.

This book is definitely an emotional read. When Jane’s father dies, she’s left with a stack of letter indicating he was having an extra marital affair with a woman whom Jane wants to meet. Jack’s adoptive parents give him letters from his biological mother and he hopes finding her will help with his deteriorating mental health.

The letters play a big part in how the story unfolds and the connection Jane and Adam share. The book explores family dynamics and the impact on family relationships when secrets are unraveled. There are a lot of heavy topics that are mentioned with care by the author. This a great heartfelt and emotional book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I had to let this one set for a day or so before I could write my thoughts down. This story grabbed me from the start and I had to keep going even when I really should have been doing more productive things. The main characters, Jane and Adam are both going through some tough times and Jane has some difficult family history that becomes more difficult when she discovers a secret about her father after he passed through letters he left behind. This book delves into body image, how families can hurt one another and forgiveness. Letters from Strangers was really well done and I definitely recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own. Publication date: May 27, 2025

Thank you Lake Union Publishing for the digital ARC and author Susan Walter for the gifted physical ARC!

I have loved all of the thrillers I have read by Walter, and in Letters From Strangers she does a big genre switch-up. This can sometimes be a risky move for thriller authors but Walter stuck the landing. 10/10, no notes.

First, there are some heavy topics discussed in this book and I don't feel it's a spoiler to share them: disordered eating, infertility, and grief. I cried my little eyes out several different times throughout, and even though this isn't a thriller, there is a pretty big twist I didn't see coming that was very well-executed. A very impressive genre change-up, in my opinion. Kudos!

I will be anxiously awaiting whatever Susan Walter comes up with next! Letters From Strangers pub date is May 27.

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an early copy of this emotional book. This review is my honest opinion.
After the death of her father, Jane finds letters that were written from a woman who had a relationship with her father that resulted in perhaps Jane’s half sibling.
Across the country another letter affects an adopted teenager. Adam is struggling with his appearance and understanding that he is not like other teenagers. He reads a letter from his birth mother and starts a quest to find out who she is.
You know when you begin to pull that thread and it begins to unravel? That is what happens to Jane and Adam.
Out of letters of secrets and painful decisions becomes an awareness of self worth and courage to acknowledge your past to find your future.

This story touches on some very touchy subjects and the secrets that are hidden within a family. From addiction to self sabotage, no one really knows what's lurking behind closed doors.

After the death of her father, Jane discovers her father is keeping secrets that threaten to destroy her. But not all is as it seems as we dive into the letters discovered and the secrets they all have been keeping.

A few moments of I didn't see that coming, and I kept me on my toes. I was roped in from the start.

In the wake of her father's death, Jane is left to clean out a drawer of letters from her father's mistress.... a mistress everyone in her immediate family knew about except her. Dealing with this information paints the father she's always adored in a totally different light. In addition to shocking her, the letters also force Jane to confront some less than perfect details of her own personal history.

I absolutely loved this book. I thought that getting the story from two different perspectives and also from letters going back and forth might be confusing, but I've read this author before I should have known she would handle it beautifully in a way that weaves a story you can't put down. It's hard to explain the things I loved about this story specifically without sharing spoilers, but I can say that this is a totally different genre than I'm used to with Walter and I hope it introduces her to new readers; for example, fans of Jodi Picoult would absolutely love this story and the way it's told. Absolutely loved it, highly recommended across the board!

Emotional and heartbreaking, yet rewarding, Letters from Strangers captures teen and adult angst very realistically. The level of understanding of and compassion for some of the specific issues (eating disorders, teen pregnancy, adoption, sexual orientation) are remarkable in one story. A captivating book…

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.