Ellie Haworth is a young woman in 2003 who works as a feature writer for fictional London based newspaper, the Nation. Superficially successful, she has a “perfect little flat,” “a great job,” and is “pretty enough to attract attention” (317). However, a recent affair with married writer, John Armour, has “begun to consume her in ways that are not exactly enviable” (317). This is because, despite her professed love for him, he pays her limited attention and is unwilling to commit. This equivocal attitude is epitomized by his text messages to Ellie, which are typically short, casual, and lazy.

When Ellie finds a series of love letters from the 1960s, her eyes are opened to the possibility of a different kind of romance: one that is passionate, earnest, and centered on beautifully written, honest communication. Pursuing the story behind these letters for an article, she gains the courage to leave John and romantically connects with a librarian named Rory. The exact status of her relationship with Rory though is left ambiguous at the end of the novel. He is imminently travelling to Peru, and Ellie asks him to write. It is unclear when they will see each other again. It is also unclear whether Ellie is now capable of a healthier relationship or has replaced her consuming obsession with John to an obsession with the romance of

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