by Kristine Cuer

Created on: March 18, 2009

I've always known James Patterson as a mystery writer. He was of course known for his Alex Cross series like the Along Came a Spider, Just Kiss The Girls and Violets are Blue. But one time when I went to a bookshop and found this book, Sam's Letter to Jennifer, I was surprised to know that it is Patterson's work and I was even more surprised to learn that this is a love story. And not only that, this is the second book of James Patterson as a romance novelist. More like a follow up to his successful debut as a love story writer on Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. And did Patterson proved that he is not just limited to being a mystery author?

Jennifer is still grieving from the loss of her husband and an unborn child one and a half years ago. But right now she is set to face another tragic phase in her life: losing her ailing grandmother. She returned to her hometown to be with her grandmother Sam. While Sam is in coma thus bed ridden in the hospital, she left Jennifer a stack of letters. Little did she had a clue that she will uncover her grandmother's past through reading Sam's letters. And all the while she thought she knows her grandmother, but it seems like Sam still have a lot to share to her. Sam discloses her deep and shocking secret to Jennifer.

Sam's Letters to Jennifer is a book about secret and forbidden love, a love between a grandmother and a grand daughter. A book about finding new love and a reminder to all of us that love surely never dies. At one point, while reading this book, it reminded me of A Walk to Remember novel by Nicholas Sparks. I could say, that somehow, one of the climax scenes of this book is a less tragic part of A Walk to Remember. Most especially if we'd site the "medical tragedy" part.

The novel was a quick read. It only took me one sitting to read the whole book. In a way, the story was predictable. To be blunt about it, I was not at all that impressed with him as a romance novelist. I like to read sappy books but there's something about this book that just don't fit or it lacks the kind of sappiness I usually like from other novels. I think I've expected something more from the book especially that some critics asked you to buy a whole box of Kleenex before reading the book. And unfortunately, I haven't touch my Kleenex box the whole time I was reading the book. I was moved by some scenes but I can't seem to find the tear-jerker part. But as a whole, it's still a good book to read during rainy days or those lazy afternoons that you have.

Rating: 3/5

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