The Last Letter

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• The Last Letter is a romance novel, and genre conventions presuppose that the story has a “happily ever after” ending. While the love story does end happily, the ending of the novel is not entirely a happy one. What are your thoughts on this?
• Since The Last Letter falls into the sub-genre of military romance, how does it differ in tone, themes, and ease of reading from other sub-genres of romance novels?
• While the story is largely chronological, the letters between Ella and Chaos are presented non-linearly. How did this affect your reading of the story? Do you think your perception of characters and events might have differed without this?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Ryan is Beckett’s closest friend in the world, and their bond is forged by shared experiences in the military, among others things. Reflect on your closest friendships—what are the common things that bind you?
• Despite Beckett’s dishonesty and Ella’s own severe trust issues, she does come to trust him again eventually, and their lives jointly benefit from their repaired relationship. Think back to a time when your trust was betrayed in a relationship—did you cut ties for good, or were you able to forgive and move on? What influenced your decision?
• What does resilience mean to you, personally? When you think of someone strong and resilient, who comes to mind? How does this person respond to challenges and adversity? Do you see any of their traits echoed in any character in the book?
• The setting of Telluride, Colorado, is important to the story—it spells home for Ella and is the place where Beckett eventually puts down roots too. When you think of home, is it a place where you have always lived, or is it something you have arrived at or discovered later in life? In either scenario, what elements make this place home?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• The Last Letter is a military romance novel penned by a military wife. What is your take on how military life is represented in the book? Do you think it adequately addresses the impact on mental health and relationships of those in the military, as well as the loved ones who await the return of their family?
• Ella has been a single mother her entire life, with the twins’ father leaving her after she discovered she was pregnant. In what ways does the novel explore the challenges of single motherhood?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• If Beckett and Ella had met while Ryan was still alive, how do you think their relationship might have unfolded? Would trust issues have sprung up between them even in this scenario? Do you think Beckett’s commitment to Ella and the kids might have differed without Ryan’s final request influencing his decisions?
• The novel posits that love has immense healing power: In Beckett’s case, it helps him move past grief, trust issues, and self-limiting perspectives, and sees him grow into a committed, reliable, and communicative partner and parent. Do you agree with this representation of love? Is this a realistic expectation, or is there more that is required for one to overcome such hurdles?
• Discuss how Yarros uses parallels, contrasts, and repetitions in the story through events and characters to explore how unhealthy patterns can be broken and reset.
• While the focus of the novel is largely on romantic love, owing to its genre, how does it simultaneously explore the importance of community in resilience and healing from adversity?
• The one exception to Ella’s trust issues in men is Chaos, with whom she forms an open and meaning relationship through their shared letters. Why do you think she is able to open up to him? What is it about this form and context of communication that allows for vulnerability and trust to flow freely? What aspects of this situation do you think can be transferred over into preexisting relationships in one’s personal life?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you had to begin a correspondence with a stranger, what pen name would you adopt for yourself, and why?
• Imagine an alternate scenario in which Beckett discloses his true identity to Ella from the moment they first meet in person. How do you see their relationship panning out following this?
• Why do you think the Epilogue is written from Maisie’s perspective? If you had to choose another character to epilogue, who would it be, and why?

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