A review by gnomepatronus
Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Shut the front door, board up every window, and hold on tight—because WHAT DID I JUST READ?!

It’s been over 12 hours since I finished this absolute whirlwind of a book, and I’m still wandering around in a daze like I’ve been hit by a freight train. The opening had me thinking, “Oh, I see where this is going.” Spoiler alert: I had no idea. Whatever I thought this book’s intentions were? Completely wrong. It flipped the script and delivered pure, unhinged brilliance.

There were moments that left me sitting there, staring at the page, asking myself, is this actually happening right now? Other moments had me clutching my metaphorical pearls, and let’s not even get into the scenes that had me shifting in my seat. By the end, my brain, heart, and soul weren’t just shaking—they were vibrating with the sheer audacity of what I’d just experienced.

I know this review is chaotic, but honestly? So is this book, and that’s the beauty of it. This is a story you have to go into blind. Seriously, don’t read the blurb, don’t ask around—just dive in headfirst. All I knew going in was the cover, the title, and a few people saying it was “good.” That was an understatement. This wasn’t just good—it was phenomenal. And on top of that, it hit one of my favorite tropes so perfectly that I’m now on a mission to find more books like it. (Not telling you the trope—you’ll thank me later.)

So, if you’re ready for something wild, unpredictable, and completely unforgettable, grab this book, dive in blind, and enjoy the ride. Trust me—you’re not ready for what’s coming, but that’s half the fun!