Over the summer I read “P.S. I Miss You,” Jen Petro-Roy’s first novel. Formerly a teacher and librarian, Petro-Roy has now released four books, all geared toward young teens.

A friend of mine recommended this book to me, and I was a bit apprehensive about its epistolary format and younger main character. I decided to try it though, and I am glad I did. I found myself so invested in Evie’s journey that I read the entire novel in one sitting, which I rarely do.

The epistolary novel opens with a letter from eleven-year-old Evie to her older sister Cilla. The girls’ parents have disowned Cilla for getting pregnant as a teenager, but Evie loves her sister and is not ashamed of her. Evie writes to Cilla twice a week, ending every letter with ”P.S. I miss you.“ There’s just one issue – Cilla never writes back.

At first, Evie thinks that Cilla is probably just too embarrassed to respond or is adjusting to her new home in rural Virginia. But months go by and Evie’s letters become more serious as she begins questioning her faith, sexuality, and place in her family, and she could really use Cilla’s support. Evie begins to wonder if Cilla and the baby are actually living on a farm in Virginia, but she knows her strict and overbearing parents would never answer her questions about what truly happened to her sister. Evie must uncover the truth by herself.

Her letters to Cilla seemed realistic, and I liked how the author presented sisterly relationships. However, Petro-Roy portrays Evie’s relationship with her parents as unrealistic and cold. 

I understand that many people have negative relationships with their parents, but Evie’s parents lied to her for seemingly no reason. I think most parents would want to support their children keeping in touch with one another after a sibling moves away. 

Jen Petro-Roy thoughtfully explores delicate subjects like religion, family, sexuality, and teenage pregnancy. The epistolary style allows readers to empathize with Evie and root for her throughout the story. 

I would read “P.S. I Miss You” again, and I would recommend this heart-felt coming-of-age story to anyone searching for an emotional but easy read.