Scan barcode
kymagirl's review
4.0
Joey (h) and Gavin (H) have been pen pals for seventeen years, but he's had a lot happening in his life and hasn't been responding, Worried about her best friend, Joey decides to come to Sycamore Mountain and finally meet him in person. Some bumps in their relationship but nothing they can't overcome. Hot and steamy action seals their friendship. Love Billy the Kid.
lesleyt's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
candlefox's review
1.0
This is an interesting trope, pen pals to friends to lovers, but it came up short because the reader had no clue about the history of Joey and Gavin. There are also a fair amount of typos, but the not fully fleshed out characters is what really did not work for me. The best parts were the goat and a side character who owned a bar.
mssarahbni's review
4.0
This was a cute pen pal romance. The story had a good pace and it was well written. Gavin and Joey shared a special connection from their long time as pen pals. It was clear that they had feelings for each other and their bond translated off the pages beautifully. I liked this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
stucknbooks14's review
4.0
(I received an ARC for this book)
After exclusively writing to each other for the last 17 years, Joey’s gut is telling her Gavin needs her. So, the best course of action is to drive cross country and be by his side. Except he doesn’t know she’s coming. She went out there with no plans other than being there for him, and finding a job and place to live. But when Gavin lays on her from across the bar dancing with some guy? Now he’s got a new roommate, and issues keeping his hands to himself. He doesn’t have any trouble keeping his emotions to himself though! His fall back is being an asshole, but thankfully Joey already knows that. She doesn’t make things easy for him. Except falling even more for her. She definitely makes that easy for him! She never hesitates to put him in his place, no matter how grumpy he is. Everything was perfect at 50%, and I was deathly afraid. Gavin very quickly plans to make up for the years of missed adventures. And just as they start checking things off this idea list of his…we find out exactly why things were so perfect so early. Joey is afraid to push him to communicate, that he’ll fall back on pushing her away again. And things very quickly fell apart. But when she’s willing to let Gavin prove himself, they truly discover the love that has been building between them for nearly two decades. Oh! I should note that I am a huge fan of Grumpy Gavin’s housemate. Can’t forget him! I love when novellas can shove a whole lot of heart and giggles into such a small space, and a small town!
My Favorite Quotes:
• “The only secret I’ve ever kept from you is you.”
• “I’m not coming in your mouth the first time I have you. No fucking way.”
• “We are way past friends.”
• “Scream as loud as you want, baby; it fucking fuels me.”
• “I’ll fill you with everything I have because I want you to have it all.”
• “Every day, I’ll prove my love.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
8/10 Friends to Lovers
After exclusively writing to each other for the last 17 years, Joey’s gut is telling her Gavin needs her. So, the best course of action is to drive cross country and be by his side. Except he doesn’t know she’s coming. She went out there with no plans other than being there for him, and finding a job and place to live. But when Gavin lays on her from across the bar dancing with some guy? Now he’s got a new roommate, and issues keeping his hands to himself. He doesn’t have any trouble keeping his emotions to himself though! His fall back is being an asshole, but thankfully Joey already knows that. She doesn’t make things easy for him. Except falling even more for her. She definitely makes that easy for him! She never hesitates to put him in his place, no matter how grumpy he is. Everything was perfect at 50%, and I was deathly afraid. Gavin very quickly plans to make up for the years of missed adventures. And just as they start checking things off this idea list of his…we find out exactly why things were so perfect so early. Joey is afraid to push him to communicate, that he’ll fall back on pushing her away again. And things very quickly fell apart. But when she’s willing to let Gavin prove himself, they truly discover the love that has been building between them for nearly two decades. Oh! I should note that I am a huge fan of Grumpy Gavin’s housemate. Can’t forget him! I love when novellas can shove a whole lot of heart and giggles into such a small space, and a small town!
My Favorite Quotes:
• “The only secret I’ve ever kept from you is you.”
• “I’m not coming in your mouth the first time I have you. No fucking way.”
• “We are way past friends.”
• “Scream as loud as you want, baby; it fucking fuels me.”
• “I’ll fill you with everything I have because I want you to have it all.”
• “Every day, I’ll prove my love.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
8/10 Friends to Lovers
timap's review
3.0
Joey and Gavin, the lead characters, have been penpals since they were 8 years old and they’ve had an undisclosed crush on each other for years. When Gavin stops writing, Joey picks up her old life and moves to Gavin’s town to find him and make sure nothing is wrong. Gavin has been raised to be stoic and alone but he does genuinely love Joey as his best friend as well as wanting more. Now he needs to overcome his natural reticence before he succeeds in chasing her away…
This novella is dual POV, simply written, and honestly a bit awkward at times. Whilst I understand that is supposed to be a facet of the characters’ personalities and relationship, I didn’t care for it much. The relationship development was interesting. Unfortunately, I wanted to like this story so much more than I actually did because I like gruff mountain men.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This novella is dual POV, simply written, and honestly a bit awkward at times. Whilst I understand that is supposed to be a facet of the characters’ personalities and relationship, I didn’t care for it much. The relationship development was interesting. Unfortunately, I wanted to like this story so much more than I actually did because I like gruff mountain men.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
nickyp74's review
5.0
"I'll fill you with everything I have because I want you to have it all."
Great story! I really enjoyed Joey & Gavin's story from when they first met as penpals in school up to present day. Their friendship has stood the test of time & then suddenly Gavin stops writing.
Joey heads towards Gavin not knowing what will greet her. They both secretly long for each other but are too afraid to speak. The heated chemistry creates a delicious friction which soon explodes.
Is a HEA in their future or will Gavin's drunken words destroy it all?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great story! I really enjoyed Joey & Gavin's story from when they first met as penpals in school up to present day. Their friendship has stood the test of time & then suddenly Gavin stops writing.
Joey heads towards Gavin not knowing what will greet her. They both secretly long for each other but are too afraid to speak. The heated chemistry creates a delicious friction which soon explodes.
Is a HEA in their future or will Gavin's drunken words destroy it all?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
_speedereader_'s review
3.0
Joey & Gavin
Penpals to lovers. One too many typos for this Virgo. Part of the man of the month sycamore mountain novella series.
Penpals to lovers. One too many typos for this Virgo. Part of the man of the month sycamore mountain novella series.
lepnut's review
4.0
Gavin and Joey have been pen pals for 17 years. After not hearing from Gaving for a while, with his last letter sounding too final, Joey packs up and heads to see him.
Grieving for his grandfather, Gavin tries to cut ties with Joey, who is arguably his best friend, by writing a very hurtful letter.
Joey is harboring a secret crush for Gavin and is trying to convince him to see her as more than a friend. But does Gavin want to take things out of the friend zone?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Grieving for his grandfather, Gavin tries to cut ties with Joey, who is arguably his best friend, by writing a very hurtful letter.
Joey is harboring a secret crush for Gavin and is trying to convince him to see her as more than a friend. But does Gavin want to take things out of the friend zone?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
More...