“We were perfect together. Until we met.”
Misha
I can’t help but smile at the lyrics in her letter. She misses me.
In fifth grade, my teacher set us up with pen pals from a different school. Thinking I was a girl, with a name like Misha, the other teacher paired me up with her student, Ryen. My teacher, believing Ryen was a boy like me, agreed.
It didn’t take long for us to figure out the mistake. And in no time at all, we were arguing about everything. The best take-out pizza. Android vs. iPhone. Whether or not Eminem is the greatest rapper ever…
And that was the start. For the next seven years, it was us. Her letters are always on black paper with silver writing. Sometimes there’s one a week or three in a day, but I need them. She’s the only one who keeps me on track, talks me down, and accepts everything I am.
We only had three rules. No social media, no phone numbers, no pictures. We had a good thing going. Why ruin it?
Until I run across a photo of a girl online. Name’s Ryen, loves Gallo’s pizza, and worships her iPhone.
What are the chances? F*ck it. I need to meet her. I just don’t expect to hate what I find.
Ryen
He hasn’t written in three months. Something’s wrong. Did he die? Get arrested? Knowing Misha, neither would be a stretch.
Without him around, I’m going crazy. I need to know someone is listening.
It’s my own fault. I should’ve gotten his phone number or picture or something. He could be gone forever.
Or right under my nose, and I wouldn’t even know it.
Release Date: Dec 5, 2023
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $13.48
Misha and Ryen have known each other since fifth grade since they were paired up as pen pals. The thing is that they have never met each other face to face. The arrangement has worked perfectly fine until Misha happens to spot Ryen in person and everything changes.
I have mixed feelings about this story. I genuinely do enjoy a story full of angst and a bit of tension but I think this one was a bit heavy. It is a lot for young adults to be dealing with. At times, both of their personalities are very off putting which made it hard to really like the characters.
Ryen is a bully and she allows a lot to happen around her. Her persona on paper is so different from who she presents herself in person. The contrast makes her unappealing to me. She is young and going through a lot. Misha is no where to be found and she is dealing with Masen (aka Misha). There is a lot to manage between the verbal abuse and personal drama.
The sex between them is explosive. The scenes were explosive and I had a hard time remembering that these characters are supposed to be young adults. I guess the chemistry between them from years and years of getting to know each other spilled out in every word from the author’s pen.
I tend to enjoy the books by the author. This story leans a bit towards darker elements with a hint of taboo. There is edge and sexiness that takes it a different level. Overall, I recommend this story for fans of enemies-to-lovers theme romances.
~ Samantha