This book was extremely dumb in my opinion. I saw so many rave reviews and it was cringey all the way through. Don't even get me started on the ending. It did it for a lot of people though, so please don't take my word and try for yourself.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy. I was excited about it.

"Penpal" by JT Geissinger is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that blends romance with psychological suspense. The connection between the characters is intense and mysterious, drawing you deeper into a plot filled with unexpected twists and turns. Geissinger’s skillful storytelling keeps you hooked, making this book a compelling and unforgettable read.

I went into this book blind and I'm so glad I did! I was not expecting the plot twist and it was mind boggling. I had to take a second and think about it.

Aiden and Kayla's relationship is super hot. I've read plenty of books where Sir was used, but Master hits a different level. I loved their relationship and how Kayla was able to free herself with Aiden.

The ending made me tear up and I laughed during the epilogue. I would 100% recommend this book!

This was an interesting read, I enjoyed the beginning a lot, and was (as is expected) very psychologically thrilling! Towards the end it got confusing and then weird, I don't want to give anything away but I just didn't love the direction it took. Overall though it was hella spicy and enjoyable, I was really connected to the characters and it was a very quick, easy read!

Wowowow those last 50 pages have my head SPINNING! Honestly, looking back I should have put it together just based on a very in-your-face clue which I will not disclose as anyone smarter than me would probably be like “oh, duh!”
This one had a mix of things— (intense) romance (seriously, they f*cked like bunnies— pun intended), romantic suspense, paranormal occurrences, banter. I was not expecting this! I thought it was going to be a pen pal who’s secretly stalking her from prison and well… Okay I’ll say no more because SPOILER!
It is very spicy, but also dark. Both in romance and the thriller aspect.
I read this right before bed and that was a mistake. The haunting got creepier as the book went on and the occurrences intensified. It was balanced by the safety she felt with Aiden, especially since she was living in the haunted house alone. But the twist… Oh my I just want to reread the whole book now from my new perspective. SO GOOD!! Don’t let the cover fool you.

Thank you Tor/Bramble for my physical copy!

4.5

GO IN THIS BLIND PLS. unfortunately I already knew the plot bc I had it spoiled for me 🫣 and I low key wish I didn’t know. But it was so good! This rating is still even w me knowing the plot twist!

From the cover alone, I was not expecting this to be creepy. Like it was haunted creepy. And it did kind of scare be a bit, but it got me thinking soo much about what was going on.

There is spice. Wasn’t expecting spice at all with knowing the plot twist 😂 but overall, really enjoyed the plot itself and enjoyed the spice too ❤️

So good. Although I’m the idiot who read a spoiler alert review, so I kinda ruined the twist. BUT still! So good and sexy and made me feel ALL the feels. Loved the characters and their cute banter. The spice was spicaaaaaay. And the twist?! Holy moly, so so good. I almost cried, but I was on the beach and didn’t want to alarm the husband. This story will definitely stick with you.

This book wasn't what I expected when I requested it. Not sure Pen Pal is the name I'd use for it - there is a whole lot more going on than a few letter she got.

Kayla is struggling after the death of her husband. After his death she starts receiving letters from a man in jail she doesn't know. And her house seems to turn against her - lights going out, drawers opening, ext and she starts to believe it's haunted. Then she hires a roofer and they start a spicy romance. But there is so much more going on in this story - lots of twists and turns and some weird stuff. I don't want to spoil it for anyone.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Thoughts: Readers, prepare yourself for a dark, erotic, mysterious suspense story... This isn't your typical dark romance (which unfortunately it's still being marketed as), but I thought the story itself was worth it. In Colleen Hoover's Verity-type fashion, Geissinger bends genres with a story that is one part mystery, one part ghost haunting, one part grief, and a large part erotic romance. But do yourselves a favor: ignore the publisher's blurb -- the pen pal part of it is definitely an important plot point but is such a small part of the actual story and the blurb can be mislead readers. This isn't You've Got Mail, guys...

The feelings and passion between Kayla and Aiden were absolutely face-fanning and I loved how protective he was over her. That said, though, Aiden could be a total tool at times, and I appreciated when Kayla said that he was giving her "whiplash". And personally, the "spice" was way too spicy for me, but if rough roleplay and power dynamics are your thing, then you do you, boo.

Overall, though, I really liked the different directions the story took me as a reader, and while I felt the "whiplash" of their intense romance mixed with this mystery behind Kayla's grief and the weird things happening in her house, it was mostly in a good way. I appreciated that this story was so out of the norm and nothing like I expected. I've read a lot of reviews that say to go into this story "blind" and I have to say I agree. Just know that it's not the typical dark romance that's making the rounds on Bookstagram or BookTok right now. To coin the popular term, it is very "non-traditional". Also, there are plenty of heavy topics, so for those readers who would like to avoid serious triggers this book might not be for you.

**Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for a DRC in exchange for this honest review.**

I am sorry, but I could not get into this book. I tried to do the audiobook, and it is even worse. The illicit scenes are cringy, and I just cannot finish it. DNF for me.

What a wild ride! It was fast-paced and spicy and unlike anything I’ve read before. I’m so glad I went in blind because the twist really surprised me. There were times I would get annoyed with Kayla and some of the dialogue was a bit cringe but overall I enjoyed it!

Wow. I wanted to read this one for a while actually before I found & got the arc to review, which stated it’s in special edition - mainly the book design, but I’m not sure if there’s any different in regards to the story since there’s no mention of it okay.

Well, I went in blind - just the fact that I only know it’s about the fmc got a mystery & intriguing letter from prison, someone she didn’t know about, right after the death of her husband. It stated that the tw can be found in the author’s website, in case you needed to check them. I gotta say, went in blind definitely did me great with this book, since I love how the plot goes along with the twist towards the end! Truly not as what I first expected when I was reading on the earlier chapters, but it went great for me. As more revealed, I can catch what’s really going on, yet still thrilled to read what’s more towards the ending.

This book included paranormal and mystery, and perhaps can be fall into thriller category as well I think. I do think it can be fall under romance as well, since there are between the fmc & mmc as I love their connection & build up as well, and it does have spices in it too. Not too crazy spices, just mild for me but not sure for you guys.

I can relate with the characters for many occasions in the books, which some parts made my heart ache, some parts made me laugh / grinning while kicking my feet, some part made me annoyed, etc. Love all the reveals as well, which for me does made the story much better than I expected it to be. I have no problem with the paranormal parts (kinda take whole lot of part in this story actually) and can relate to that kind of belief when it comes to ghost thingy too, hence felt familiar with everything in that department, and for me, everything makes sense, and even though there’s a bump towards the end which tugged my heart for real, I’m glad that they have their own version of HEA. For me, that is a HEA indeed and I am satisfied with everything.

Overall, I love the story and how it makes me feel while reading till the end, as I can relate to some, as well as can ponder upon my own life from this story, especially from Aidan (mmc) & Kayla (fmc) relationship. Perhaps I’m easier to please in love due to my own issues, but nevertheless, their connection is somehow impactful to me. This book included more than what you can expect at first place, in a good way, which includes about life, marriage, relationship, supernatural belief, love, sacrifices, etc. It’s not dark for me, yet there definitely are layers to peel, if you can see them. I know not everyone will view & get that the same way as me.

This book is definitely not the typical romance story.

It’s beautiful and raw.

Kayla recently lost her husband and is trying to take care of her house and finally finds a handyman who’s wiling to help her out… but with a fair negotiating round. Kayla is feisty and an expert with sarcasm.

The handyman, Aidan, seems to despise her but for some sort of supernatural force, they bumped into each other again and talk more, and they go part ways at the end of the night. However, once Kayla is home, she starts hearing things in her house, as if someone broke in. So she leaves in a hurry and ends no where else other than Aidan’s place.

Their store starts here, but something in her house doesn’t allow her to move on. As time goes, she realizes that her house might be haunted and that ghosts exist!

Follow Kayla’s thrilling events and story with Aidan, her ups and downs, and her discoveries throughout her mourning phase.

I love trying to get what was going on! I had so many questions at one point! Sooo good! I recommend it!

TW: miscarriage, domestic abuse, murder

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to J. T. Geissinger and NetGalley for this ARC for the special edition.

One of the best books I've read in a long, long time.

Even though I figured out the premise pretty much right away, I really thought Pen Pal was a truly well crafted, well written book. Especially, as I read The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri in Latin as well as English, you know, for fun. I could truly appreciate the structure, the rungs and the timelines of Pen Pal, all the hints and Easter eggs.
The story is told through Kayla Reece's eyes, her relationships with Aidan and that of her husband, Michael Reece.
Highly recommend.

I went into Pen Pal completely blind and didn’t really have a clue what I was getting into. I’m not a big fan of insta love and I felt like the author pushed a little too heavily on the sexual content, considering the plot and actual story. However, the major twist blew me away! I didn’t see it coming and was definitely the highlight of the story for me. I wish we saw more of a relationship actually develop between Kayla and Aiden, especially considering the big reveal and ending. I could feel that they were great together, and I wish we could’ve gotten more of that. I really can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed the actual story - it was very well done. Overall, the suspense aspect really lead the charge for me but I would’ve loved more character and relationship development.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bramble, and the author for sending me an early copy!

Wow! I am going to make this review short because I don’t want to give away any spoilers. J.T. Geissinger did not miss on this book. Whenever she writes a book I am hooked. This book had her classic witty banter and great writing style. With every twist and turn you’re pulled into the book. The book is 5 stars and a must read!

This book was just okay. I was expecting more from it. I have some issues with some of the plot points and the “twist” in my opinion was kind of stupid. Honestly for me it didn’t make much sense. I did enjoy the writing so I’ll probably pick more up from this author.

☠️ 💌 📝 👻 📷 🏡 🪙

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ 4.5/5

Wow. I just... Wow.

You know what? I'm saying little. I went into this completely blind and I'm so glad I did. I read nothing but the blurb. No review no nothing and I'm so glad.

I'm not normally one for thrillers but this? This was amazing.

Kayla loses her husband and everything around her is falling appart. Weird things are happening around her house, flickering lights, exploding light bulbs, tv turning it self off, hearing creaking floorboards etc. She's debating wether to see a shirk or go against what she believes in. That she's being haunted by a ghost. The only thing that feels good in her life is big, hot, grumpy Aiden. The guy she hired to fix her leaking roof.

-Yes this was a spicy book, yes I absolutely loved it. No the spicy scenes aren't big or take over. Yes the story behind the spice is amazing. Even if your not into spicy books. Read. It.

Once you hit a certain point, it's like a no return zone. Your in it till the end. So get a cuppa and buckle up.

🖤

"I'm really sorry about this. I promise I'm not a giant basket case. I'm just a little one."

"Kayla, be careful with me."
"What do you mean?"
"I know you think Im strong. But the problem with strong things is that they're brittle. They can't bend under stress. They just break."

"If I were sane, I wouldn't think you threatening to kill someone for me was so beautiful."

"Don't judge a book by its cover, lover boy. I know I look like the girl next door, but inside, I'm more like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." I pause to think. "Except without the tattoos, the genius IQ, the computer skills, or the eidetic memory." Then I brighten. "I am antisocial, though.'

This book has gotten lots of love lately and it is a super quick read, but oh man was it not for me. I nearly DNf'd it several times but I have heard there was a really good twist so I held out. Can confirm, there is a great twist (which I have complex feelings about) that I'm glad I got to but the rest of the story was not to my taste at all. It's very mysterious and quite a bit of suspense and lots of steam so do with that what you will!

This book is a very good but very intense read. I loved it, but I can respect that it isn’t going to work for some. This is a darker book. I would say this is a darker thriller and because of that all the other elements of the story are darker than average as well, which ties over into romance. There is more romance present in this thriller than with your typical thriller. All that being said, the story was great. The characters were well developed, and I enjoyed learning about them. The romance was pippin hot, with a little kink play mixed in. I like how the play evolved and communication was first and forefront between the characters as it should be. Consent is important and that message was loud and clear. The ending of this book though, it had me sobbing so hard. I just couldn’t believe what I had just gone though. It was a beautiful journey, and I wouldn’t change it, but just wow did it have to hurt so much?

Thank you to Bramble Romance @Brambleromance and @jtgeissingerauthor for a physical ARC copy. All thoughts are my own.