Pen Pal (Standard Edition)

I made a reel a while back for this book, it was actually my first one l ever made an it wasn't very good so it definitely deserved to be redone because it one of my all time favorites. This book hold a special place in my heart. Before first reading it, I had only been reading fantasy which is great but... I was like omg this kind of book exists?! | fell deeply in love with dark romance and the rest is history! ( I owe that all to Miranda btw) PenPal... I rec it to everyone and their dogs, I think it is a must read if you are a dark romance lover. This book has all the vibes. It's got an ominous paranormal feel while also creating an evolving deep love. Aiden will forever be one of the best book Bis to ever exist! That man & Ilaugh, scream and cry everytime I read it. The emotional grip it has me in... This follows Kayla who has recently lost her husband and is grieving him and lonely. She is trying to make sense of her life and what tragedy has just happened when she receives a letter in the mail with cryptic knowing messages. Her curiosity is peaked and she begins writing this man back thinking he must be an inmate in need of a penpal. However nothing is as it seems. Strange occurrences keep happening and a sense of foreboding is overwhelming even in the wake of a blossoming, consuming romance.. Tropes • MF dark romance with paranormal elements primal play • grumpy MMC •Ex convict rides a motorcycle thriller vibes twists and turns I know you've seen this book floating around, it's not overhyped in my humble opinion in any way. It's so so good, give it a read!

OMG I’m still crying. This book was not at all what I thought it was.

The synopsis of this book and the number of recommendations had me running to add it to my list.

From the minute I picked it up I was hooked. I wanted to finish it that night but after being ill for a few days I needed rest. Now I just finished and I’m crying.

I can’t believe how it all came slamming down when the shocking twist was revealed. I had a slight inkling as we travelled down the path in the last 15% of the book but wow.

The spice and love story was absolutely incredible. I love Aiden and Kayla. I’m so sad that it’s the end of the book.

Wow what a book! If you love smicy books this one is a must read! It’s not just the smice it’s the story so brilliantly written by J.T. Geissinger. Absolutely amazing! I must read your other books. Fan favorite forever.

I feel like I need to write this review while I'm still reeling after finishing this book.

I stared at my wall for about 10 minutes wtfing. A mind mess is an understatement. Definitely not a traditional romance so if you're going into this one with that kind of book mindset, pump the brakes and head another direction.

Literally I'm still shocked

I went into this book blind. Didn't read the blurb. Didn't read any reviews. Didn't know about the controversy (and now that l've looked, wth guys, grow up and listen to the authors when they tell you a book may be taboo or non traditional, believe them!). Best choice by far. Made the book even better.

Let me state that I loved Aiden from the start. Loved. Kayla was meh until I read more and then I got a soft spot for her.

One piece of advice is to keep an open mind when reading this. Know whenever you think you know what's happening, you don't and keep reading.

An intense, emotional and thriller ish read. It is darker and primal. Read the triggers if you're a sensitive reader.

This will mess with your mind. Mines still messed up after finishing this book.

But I ATE THIS UP! It was so good. Overall I can't put into words how much I loved this book without spoiling it

This is my first review on any book, and just this year alone, I've read more than i can remember. I read this book on a whim between books in a current series to get out of a slump, and I was not disappointed. It started off with a few details missing, but you get those details towards the end. I was not expecting the twist at all, but so many things make sense afterward. I highly recommend this book. There are adult scenes, and it touches on alternate sexual themes, but if you've read H.D. Carlton or anything similar, it will not bother you. Overall, this was sexy, confusing, heartbreaking, and heartmending. I love this book, and I will re-read this one again!!

If you’re debating whether to read this book or not, just do it!

I’m gonna try and not give spoilers because oh my god! You’re in for a surprise!

I really liked it even tho I did skip some of their spicy scenes (I do read books with this type of scenes but this were not my cup of tea) but other than that I pretty much devour this book 😅

And for me to leave a review right after I finish a book it’s extremely rare

If you do read it go all the way to the last page, I’m glad I did.

To say I was surprised is an understatement, and since I’m a Dark Romance reader from the first chapter I started thinking all sorts of conclusions- yeah never ever would’ve predicted- well not spoiling because trust this is a great read. Spice was awesome and my list of book boyfriends has increased but um this one has my heart. Steamy, mystery, crying, anger- everything just rolled into one. Loved!

Omg! This book takes you for a turn

POTENTIAL SPOILERS

Starting this book with expectations from the excerpt will leave you baffled but push past it cause it is worth the twist and end. I do think the excerpt should be updated as to not hanger on the pen pal aspect as this story was more than that. I was getting so annoyed with Kayla for not being honest with what happened to Michael with Aiden but when the script flips and the truth comes out boy was it worth the wait. It honestly is what kept me reading waiting for the big blowup on why she just wasn't honest the big reveal was better than I could of guessed or hope for. I gave this book 4 stars due to the lack of connection to the books excerpt and what it truly wad about

I had read J.T. Geissinger once a few years back and thought she was a little underdeveloped and newer in her writing and I hadn't tried her again. This book was recommended and I was very pleased to see how she had matured as a writer and how well she writes! The reason I give a 4-star rating, though, may not be her fault. The formatting was awful. It was so very distracting, making the story hard to enjoy. There were paragraph breaks in the middle of sentences throughout the book which completely broke the flow of the thought. Then, the dialogue was often jumbled, making it hard to follow the line of conversation. I just have to believe this is not the writers' fault, but somehow it was not caught in editing or formatting? Or could it have just been my download? I hope someone reads this and corrects it.

As far as the story itself, I cannot judge the review of this book based on my personal reaction. Again, she writes very well and I felt the characters were well-developed, the angst was good and the twists and surprises were very good. My personal problem is I do not do creepy/this type of paranormal well at all. It triggers in unhappy ways. So, why didn't I just stop reading it? That's the four stars. She writes so well, you can't put it down! I am a very Pollyanna/mostly RomCom or HEA kind of gal. Too many yucky things in the world I just do not care to revisit. So, this book drew out things I do not like to think about, causing a deep dive and introspection for days!! So, on the writers' side of the coin, that's GOOD! That's how good she is!

I read some reviews that complained they only like HEA's as well and this is not an HEA. That is not correct. There is indeed an HEA. A wonderful, sweet, I-hope-it-happens-for-real HEA. That was the redeeming part of this emotional journey she dragged us through! It was wonderful.

And finally on another note(if anyone has gotten this far in my ramble) - make sure to read her Acknowledgment notes at the end of the book. I just about cried when she describes her very personal experience with her father. Because I experienced the same in triplicate with my MIL. We lived in a new normal for 35 days. 35 days that so rocked and completely changed my and my husband's world that I still cannot find words to describe this otherworldly experience we were so unexpectedly gifted. And the most amazing part was he and I and his mom were the only ones living in this new world. Visitors walked in completely oblivious. Just like the scenes in "Field of Dreams" when no one else could see the players on the field at first. So no, Ms. Geissinger, it was not some chemical imbalance or side effect. They are very real. And yes, cats can indeed see ghosts, too!

First, let me start off by saying I knew the spoiler before reading. Honestly, I feel like most people would have realized what was happening before the reveal. Anyways, it still seemed like a good storyline, so I read it. It was good. There were definitely some nice plot points and I liked the characters. Also, I liked the flow and writing style. It was very easy to see this as like a movie playing out in your head.

I only have a few nitty gritty things. Well, maybe a little bigger things. I didn’t like the role playing thing they did all that much. It was fine, but then they just kept with it and it got a little weird. However, I could overlook that since it wasn’t that big of a deal and the spice was more than just pillow princess vibes. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that either, but I like variety within books (for ideas duh)).

Next, I feel like the whole pen pals thing could have been taken out of the story and it would have literally been the exact same. No hate no shade, but it feels like it was added after the story was written so the author could justify a more marketable title.

Lastly, there wasn’t a HEA. I feel like it’s not that big of a deal, since most of the time it wraps everything up into a cute little bow with marriage and babies and any missed plots the author forgot to finish closing. However, I was a disappointed that the ending was like and that’s that on that let’s get revenge. Like what?! Give me something. I stan the wrap ups. I know some people don’t need them or like them, but I do. I knew it wasn’t going to have one based on reviews I read before the book, but when I got to the end, I still wanted it.

All in all though, it was a good book. It was what I expected based on reviews though. To be honest I didn’t read the book description, so I don’t know if that was misleading or if it was how the book was marketed or even the title that made people feel tricked. Personally, I knew what I was getting in for and I think it made my reading experience better compared to someone going in blind.

Would I recommend? Yes, if you know what you’re in for. No, if you just look at the title and see dark romance cause you’ll be in for a surprise for sure. Whether it would be a good one or bad depends on the reader.

This review puts spoilers at the BOTTOM.

TL;DR - It could be really good if the blurb was rewritten and the marketing was honest. I know that might mean making "the big reveal" less big, but the author would be doing a better service to her readership and the book itself.

I love this author. After reading hundreds of books in the romance genre, JTG's writing is exceptional, her editing is phenomenal, and her plots are juicy. I will always read her books (and re-read), and I appreciate how she gets better at her craft with every novel. She's brilliant with spice and emotional investment.

That said, this book is a dirty, stinking bait and switch. I AM SO TICKED OFF. The current blurb and marketing for PEN PAL are cheap tricks. JT Geissinger is a truly good author who shouldn't stoop to these gimmicks just to deliver a zinger at the end of a book. I called the Big Reveal/Plot Twist very early in the book, so all of this misleading marketing was unnecessary and only further detracted from my enjoyment. And I hate all the lip service from other reviewers ("brilliant" "amazing" "jaw dropping" etc etc). This book is Perfectly Fine, but hardly groundbreaking; it's all been done before, kids.

Based on the blurb I expected a criminal element, a mystery, maybe home-invasion or abduction. WHAT I GOT: paranormal, anxiety/suspense, "big reveal", and "unconventional HEA". I am fine reading either story. What I hate is going in expecting one thing and getting another. It's like (hypothetically speaking) picking a lighthearted romance movie, but SURPRISE it's actually a drama and someone's mom is going to die from cancer. I an NOT delighted by the switcheroo.

The book is on the short side. I was hoping for a heftier tome.

I could barely enjoy any of the romance because Kayla was so freaking uncomfortable most of the book. SHE barely relaxed into the romance (forget me, as as the reader). The overall anxiety was a real boner-killer for a romance novel, but super appropriate for a paranormal suspense novel.

SO WHY DID I GIVE THIS DIRTY TRICK OF A BOOK 3 STARS?

The paranormal part was great. The overall anxious vibe of the story was great. IF I HAD KNOWN I was reading a spooky season novel, I would have been all over the tension, way more invested in figuring out the supernatural bumps and knocks and doorbells. This book would make a great spooky movie. It's not gory at all; it's all about suspense and gothic angst. I'm here for spooky books. I just want to know first.

OK - SOME VERY MILD SPOILERS COMING....

Because the blurb is designed to mislead the reader, I spent most of the book wondering why Kayla was fixating on some rando named Aiden, how long was it going to take for Dante to show up, why was I getting horror/spooky vibes from everything, and when was Kayla going to chill out and relax? You aren't supposed to know that the timeline jumps around, that some scenes happened before the funeral and some scenes happened after the funeral.

MORE SPOILERS - BUT, LIKE, MAJOR SPOILERS...

FOR REAL...

MAJOR SPOILERS...

The funeral was Kayla's. She's haunting her own house, and her housekeeper sees her because her housekeeper is sensitive to spirit presences.

Kayla struggles with coming to terms with her violent death, so her memories of being with Aiden are inter-mixed with her ghost experiences. Her life and her afterlife merge into a story that shows us Aiden and Kayla's courtship during her life, how she struggled to separate herself from her schizophrenic and abusive husband, and how she comes to terms with actually being dead (the experience was so traumatic, she blocked it, and thus prevented her spirit from moving on). The scene with Aiden's friends happens when Kayla and Aiden were alive, although lots of readers wondered afterwards if they were also dead. This was a turning point for Aiden and Kayla's relationship because he ended up giving her an ultimatum: leave Michael in the past if she wants Aiden in her future. This kicked off the few months of happiness they had before the fateful night of their double murder. The woman at grief counseling was able to talk to Kayla because she never came to terms with the abduction/death of her child. The handyman was able to talk to Kayla because he was also "stuck" in the afterlife (although there's no clear explanation given why he would be). Kayla and the handyman were able to use their phones because spirits can manipulate electricity in limited ways (including cells phones, phone lines, radios, doorbells).

In the afterlife/present, Aiden knows he's dead, so his spirit exists on a different plane. His only way of connecting with Kayla is through the letters that she finds (which are sweet, but don't actually do much for the story or for Kayla, honestly), hence the pen pal. But, it's such a weak plot devise, the book really needs to be RENAMED and REMARKETED to be any good (imho).

I had to get that off my chest. Thanks for reading!