Canadian Friends

A transatlantic love story revealed through 110 long-lost love letters from 1946 piques a granddaughter’s curiosity into her lineage. The letters penned from her British war bride grandmother to her Canadian soldier grandfather inspires Carly to embark on a journey to the vibrant and historic London, England. Using the letters as her guide, she sets out to retrace the steps of her grandmother Rene, 67 years later, following the sights and sounds of the city and the mystery and magic of a connection to the past, herself, and the life stories of those she meets along the way. Life’s Letter is a story to inspire the need to dip into the cherished past to better understand the present and reminds us that in times of uncertainty, connection, courage, and hope fuel the quest for love and adventure.

Advanced Praise:

“An incredible odyssey beautifully told.” 

~Janice MacLeod, New York Times Best Selling Author of Paris Letters

“This book is delightful. I feel like I just slipped into a gorgeous, multi-layered letter about what it means to stand inside of a lineage of love - to see it and feel it, to live it both backward and forward. What a gift it is to read about something as simple and profound as deep human connection.”

~Steph Jagger, Author of Unbound - A Story of Snow and Self Discover & the forthcoming Everything Left to Remember. 

“This book will take you back in time to retrace the paths of two people falling further in love by way of letter writing. But the story only begins there... Through piecing together the story of her grandparents, Carly dares to step into a life she truly loves-- one that is uncommon, messy, beautiful, and entirely hers. This book is a love letter to every person who picks it up-- a fierce reminder to wake up and live your best life now. There is no time to waste and only you can approach the things that make your heart beat wildly."

~Hannah Brencher, Author of If you Find this Letter, Fighting Forward & Come Matter Here

“Life's Letter was a wonderful read and offers such a unique and captivating way to explore one's lineage. The love letters really do transport the reader to another time and place. Love and adventure are the main characters throughout. This book serves as a reminder just how much our past can inform our present.”

~Lauren Ellman, Author of BRB: A Memoir About Coming of Age in the Digital Age

“Finding 100 love letters of her grandmother’s set Carly Verheyen on a journey of discovery that will open up your eyes, make you see not only a little of the soul of this war bride who fell in love with a Canadian soldier, but a little more about the granddaughter who wanted to know more, and to tell more. The letters nearly were tossed out when the family was sorting through the family home, but once they were found, Verheyen set out to walk in her grandmother’s life, to find out what she did on an ordinary day in Britain, the house she lived in, the places she shopped. In some ways, Carly Verheyen was prepared for this. Having worked in the banking industry, and helping heart-broken widows and family members sort through their sudden loss, she proved to be a good listener, someone who paid attention to the emotional and personal moments that define us all. In this book, you will see her navigate through the words of her grandmother as she sketches a story that is as much her grandmother’s as it is a story about a whole generation that defined the future for those to follow. It is a perceptive, moving and wonderful book that you won’t want to put down once you start in.”

~Marty Gervais, Author of the bestselling book The Rumrunners