Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of the death of a child.

Ella and Beckett, the protagonists of The Last Letter, both struggle with trust issues at the beginning of the book. However, as they gradually open up to each other, sharing their vulnerabilities and demonstrating unwavering commitment, they begin to build a deep sense of trust, illustrating that trust in a relationship is founded on mutual honesty and consistent support.

Ella’s and Beckett’s fear of relationships and unwillingness to trust stem from distinct personal histories, highlighting how past experiences shape approaches to intimacy and trust. Ella’s wariness comes from the men in her life never staying. Ella could not depend on her father, her ex-husband, or even Ryan, despite his deep love for his sister, in her times of need. Beckett, too, is wary of connection and commitment, but his unease comes from a belief that he is not capable of these things in a relationship. While Ella doesn’t trust men in relationships, Beckett doesn’t trust himself in a relationship. The contrasting origins of their fears underscore the complex nature of trust and vulnerability, yet both experience a similar end result: an unwilling isolation borne of a lack of trust.