A Spooky Mum’s Take on BookTok’s Latest Obsession

Welcome back to Mummy Monday! This week I’m diving into another dark, romantic read that’s been all over BookTok — Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger. As a busy mum, I love curling up with a good story after a long day (preferably with a glass of red wine and a cat on my lap). But did this one live up to the hype? Let’s find out…

My Review of Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger

I picked up Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger on a whim after seeing it blow up on BookTok, and honestly, I was curious to see what all the fuss was about. I found it in the supermarket, tossed it into my trolley between snacks and cat food, and settled in for what I hoped would be a thrilling read.

The book was entertaining enough, but it didn’t leave a lasting mark on me. The characters felt a little generic, and I struggled to connect with them—except perhaps the cleaner, who brought a hint of warmth and reality to the otherwise dramatic storyline.

I did manage to predict the general direction early on, but when the twist finally arrived, it was a satisfying surprise (and a tragic one). The whole “pen pal” trope didn’t quite fit for me until the very end, and even then, it felt like an afterthought rather than a strong hook.

The writing style became quite chaotic midway through—cleverly used to reflect the main character’s mental state—but I found it jarring at times. That said, the steamy scenes were enjoyable (we love a bit of spice on a Monday morning!), and while the story didn’t fully meet my expectations, it was still a good read to fill a rainy weekend.

If you enjoy dark romantic suspense with a psychological twist, Pen Pal might be worth a go.

About the Book

The first letter arrived the day my husband was buried. It was postmarked from the state penitentiary, and contained a single sentence: “I’ll wait forever if I have to.” It was signed by Dante, a man I didn’t know.

Out of simple curiosity, I wrote back to ask him what exactly he was waiting for. His reply? “You.” I told the mystery man he had the wrong girl. He said he didn’t. I said we’d never met, but he said I was wrong. We went back and forth, exchanging letters every week that grew increasingly more intimate. Then one day, the letters stopped. When I found out why, it was already too late. Dante was at my doorstep…

📚Buy the Book: Amazon; Waterstones; TG Jones; Bookshop.

Final Thoughts

While Pen Pal didn’t become an instant favourite, it was an intriguing, emotional story with flashes of real passion and a haunting undertone. Perfect if you like your romance served with a side of mystery and heartbreak.

Have you read Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger? I’d love to hear what you thought—especially if you discovered it through BookTok too!

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE short story from the Redcliffe Novels series by Catherine Green. Click here. 

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