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The Letters She Burned

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The Letters She Burned

By: Gerald Kumpf
Narrated by: Gerald L. Kumpf
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Summary

The Letters She Burned is a multigenerational family saga about hidden letters, lost love, and the long shadow of the Vietnam era.

When James Wiseman inherits a box hidden in his late mother's cedar chest, nobody expects it to change the family forever. Inside are old love letters, a wartime journal, and a photograph of Rosalie with a handsome young Marine—a man her children never heard of.

As Jimmy, his pregnant sister June, and his teenage daughter Ada begin reading the letters and journal, long-buried emotions rise to the surface. The elderly matron they thought they knew suddenly becomes a brilliant young woman caught between duty, desire, and a passionate love threatened by War. But uncovering the past comes at a cost. Wounds open. Marriages strain. Loyalties shift. And Jimmy begins to realize that some secrets are buried to protect the living.

Spanning generations and filled with warmth, wit, heartbreak, and unforgettable characters, The Letters She Burned is a moving novel about love, memory, and the hidden lives carried quietly inside every family.

©2022, 2026 Gerald L. Kumpf (P)2026 Gerald L. Kumpf 20th Century Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt
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Listener received this title free

I loved the mystery behind the letters and finding out more about Rosalie’s past. There were definitely some emotional moments that pulled me in. I thought the narrator did a great job with the different character voices. Rosalie’s voice wasn’t exactly what I pictured at first, but I got used to it as the story went on.

Love the old letters!

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Listener received this title free

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Letters She Burned was an emotional and thought-provoking listen that drew me in with its intriguing story and personal feel. I enjoyed the way the story unfolded and the sense of mystery surrounding the letters and the secrets connected to them. Gerald L. Kumpf did a great job narrating the audiobook, delivering the story in a clear and engaging way that made it easy to stay invested. Overall, this was an enjoyable listen with a story that stayed with me after I finished.

The Letters She Burned

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Listener received this title free

I liked how the story moved between different generations and showed how the past can affect people in the present.

The family relationships felt realistic, and there were moments of love, sadness, and tension that kept me interested. Listening to the audiobook made the characters and emotions feel more personal. Overall, I thought it was a touching story about family, love, and the secrets people sometimes keep to protect the ones they care about. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys family dramas with a little mystery and romance.

The story was emotional

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