Dear Mr. Knightley: A Novel

“Katherine Reay’s Dear Mr. Knightley kept me up until 2:00 a.m.; I simply couldn’t put it down.” —Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author of Once Upon a Tower

Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others—namely, her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story by giving that story to a stranger.

Sam is bookish, to say the least. An English major of the highest order, her diet has always been Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. The problem is, both her prose and conversation tend to be more Elizabeth Bennet than Samantha Moore.

But life for the twenty-three-year-old orphan is about to get stranger than fiction. An anonymous, Dickensian benefactor (calling himself Mr. Knightley) offers to put Sam through Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

As Sam’s dark memory mingles with that of eligible novelist Alex Powell, her letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional. While Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it’s straight out of a book, old secrets are drawn to light. And as Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.

Reminding us all that our own true character is not meant to be hidden, Katherine Reay’s debut novel follows one young woman’s journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

“Sprinkled with classic literary references and filled with poignant characterizations, Katherine Reay’s modern retelling of Jean Webster’s Daddy-Long-Legsis both reverently crafted and delightfully surprising.” —Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose.com

“Katherine Reay’s touching debut novel made me cry in all the right places. For joy.” —Laurie Viera Rigler, author of Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict

“A lovely debut novel from Katherine Reay! A wonderful story told in letter form, Dear Mr. Knightleywas easy to read (and love) and a delight the whole way through, with plenty of Austen and Bronte sprinkled throughout. This book is going on my keeper shelf!” —Austenitis, austenitis.blogspot.com

“Dear Mr. Knightley is an emotional, haunting tale of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. With depth and honesty, Katherine Reay’s debut novel will grip your heart in the very first pages and not let go.” —Sarah E. Ladd, award-winning author of The Weaver’s Daughter

“Reay's debut novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, is a fun story told in a compelling voice that kept me up way too late. Highly recommended!” —Colleen Coble, USA Today bestselling author of Secrets at Cedar Cabin