Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Wells Family #2

by Juliana Smith, Sam Palencia (Illustrator)

Nathan Huxley lives by two rules:

1. Say yes to as many things as possible.

2. Don’t ever even think about going near his best friend's sister.

Unfortunately, being a chronic people pleaser yet wanting to make sure he keeps a solid relationship with his best friend becomes difficult when said best friend asks for a huge favor: renting the spare room in his apartment to Luke’s little sister, Calla.

Calla Wells is ready to take on adulthood. All she needs is an actual job in her field… and a place to live. When her brother, Luke, offers her a marketing position at his bar and a room at his best friend's apartment, how could she say no? It would only be a few months, so what’s the worst that could happen?

Except, the more time Nathan and Calla spend together, the more they realize how much they have in common. Through small touches, folding parties, bingeing TV, and cooking together, they manage to find themselves undeniably close to a forbidden relationship.

Desperate for help, Nathan and Calla seek guidance from their anonymous online penpals, only to find out the world is much smaller than they think.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Forced Proximity, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Rom Com, Clean Romance

293 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Juliana Smith is an author in a small town in Alabama. When she is not hanging out with her book characters, she is with her family. Juliana writes heartfelt romance filled with laughter and warm fuzzies. She can usually be found in a Chic-fil-a drive-thru or listening to Star Wars theory podcasts, often at the same time.

To subscribe to her super amazing newsletter and receive VIP behind-the-scenes, special offers, and exclusives go to her Instagram @authorjulianasmith .

Reviews

[Juliana Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi!! I hope you love this story as much I loved making it🥹 Nathan + Calla have been by far my fav couple to write so far!

You’ll love SSD if you like:
-brother's best friend
- anonymous penpals
- and they were roommates
- friends to lovers
- “I’m bad at flirt, let’s practice?”
- forbidden romance
- no third act break up
- kiss cams
- baseball games
- Philly cheesesteaks + coconut cakes

Happy reading!🥰

[Emmyreads444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an ARC copy of this book & absolutely devoured it in 2 days. Calla and Nathan’s chemistry was *chefs kiss* this was my second book I’ve read by Juliana and this one is HANDS DOWN my favorite. I now need to read & own all her books. 5 stars ⭐️

[dreamingofbookss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4,5 stars ⭐️

Tropes:
closed door romance 🚪
brother’s best friend ❤️
forced proximity 🏡
friends to lovers 🫶🏻
boy obsessed 😍
fated mates 💌
slow burn 🔥

I absolutely loved the first book in the "Wells Family" series and this was no exception! 🥰

Juliana Smith is an amazing author that writes amazing and heartwarming stories.

This story follows Calla and Nathan. She moves back home to find a new job but doesn't want to be a burden to her family. Her brother, Luke, suggests that she moves in with his best friend and former roommate, Nathan, as he has a spare room.

They end up getting along much better than first expected. There is also a deeper reason for that...

I absolutely loved all the characters and hope that you will give this author a chance. 🫶🏻

Thank you to Netgalley, Juliana Smith and the publisher for providing me with this copy. All opinions are my own.

[Selah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was too cute!! I couldn't stop smiling the whole time of me reading it! Nathan and Calla might be my fav duo so far!

[cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

IF I COULD GIVE THIS 6 STARS, I WOULD

this nailed to perfection all the tropes i love. brothers best friend, roommates, friends to lovers, anonymous penpals. COULD I ASK FOR MORE??? I DON'T THINK SO

Nathan and Calla are all i can think about rn

[♡ Lilly ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute and funny romance read! It has all the delicious tropes in it such as, brother's best friend, forced proximity, friends to lovers, slow burn. This wonderful romance also has no third act break-up. Calla and Nathan have amazing chemistry and it was making me giddy and giggly. I loved that it was dual POV. This was such a sweet and funny love story and I can't wait to read more by the author.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Juliana Smith, and Victory Editing for this arc!

I absolutely adored this book! The characters were all so enjoyable! I loved that the FMC and MMC had been pen palling for 10 years and had no idea! I loved that Calla was a romance reader and all the comments about books and tropes. I can not wait to read more! The banter was🤌🏻🤌🏻

[Luce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating - 3.5

This is the second book I’ve read from Juliana Smith and my thoughts are very similar to the first book I read by her.

Whilst the plot is very basic, she has a very easy-to-read style that has me flying through her book.

The characters are enjoyable, and I was glad to see a bit more of Luke & Layla (from book 1). I felt like this book didn’t have too much of the Wells’ family involved, which I was sad to see but made sense for the most part.

I do wish that this series had some world building. I feel like there’s such a focus on characters, I can’t picture the city or the world these characters are interacting with. Juliana Smith has a lot of potential to be a standout writer but I’d love to see more detail put into the world.

I would describe this series as an easy-to-read palate cleanser, and I think fans of Sarah Adams would enjoy.

I received an advanced copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[✿ capriella ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ★

Juliana Smith’s books are just so light, fluffy, and so dang sweet that they make my heart melt. I just love them so much. <3
(specifically Baggage Claim, oh my goodness literally the love of my life)

However, like per my last email, this book was just…idk… missing, something?

*sigh*

I hate when this happens. From what my brain can discern at the current time of 1:00 am, what seemed to be missing was a lot of detail surrounding the process of the character falling in love, unfortunately. Like it felt so vague?? If you know what I am saying!?! I was reading them fall in love, but I didn’t feel it?? (please ignore my terrible up-too-late brain fog)
I don’t know how to describe it, but it fell sort of flat 😓

BUTTTT I still really enjoyed it, and fell into a deeper love for this world and characters!! I cannot wait for the rest of the books!!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED Calla and Nathan. Their story was so fun! I can’t wait to read it again when it’s all beautified. Turkey a masterpiece! Better review to come

[Bethany C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book after Per My Last Email and it follows Nathan and Calla. It’s brother’s best friend, forced proximity/roommates, friends to lovers, and pen pals.

I love all of Juliana’s books so much and this was no exception. Calla and Nathan are now some of my favorite characters — the way they bring out the best in each other is just so sweet to read 🥹

This was also just so funny. There were so many times where I was giggling to myself at the witty things both of them would say to each other or think in their internal monologues.

This is also closed door but still has the tension and angst you want in a romcom and I just loved it so much!! I already can’t wait for Juliana’s next book. She is undoubtedly one of my favorite authors and I will read anything she writes!!!

Thank you to the author for letting me beta read this and also to her and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Štěpánka C · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
Essentially there was nothing wrong with the book but it was just kind of boring. I didn’t like the email thing storyline. It felt unnecessary and would enjoy book without it more.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An utterly sweet, secret penpals, best friend's little sister, friends to lovers roommance featuring Calla Wells and Nathan (who we met in Per my last email). I really enjoyed the anonymous email exchanges between Calla and Nathan that started each chapter and spanned their ten year friendship.

We get to learn more about their friendship plus see it develop IRL unbeknownst to either of them when Calla moves in with Nathan after she returns home trying to find a new job. Lots of great cameos from Luke and Layla and the other Wells siblings and all the trademark swoony moments I've come to expect from this author.

Highly recommended for fans of other kissing only authors like Madison Wright, Jenny Proctor, Emma St. Clair or Melanie Jacobson. I voluntarily read and reviewed an early copy and all opinions are my own!

[Joana (joanasbookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was the cutest and sweetest book 🥹 I always love Juliana Smith books and this one was not exception. this might even be my new fav book of the author 🤭
I absolutely loved the characters and their chemistry. this was such a cute, sweet and heartwarming book. I’m obsessed and won’t stop recommending this book to everyone.
I won’t spoil anything about this book but do yourself a favor and go read it 🥹 absolutely perfect 🫶🏻

read this book if you love:
✨ brothers best friend
✨ forced proximity
✨ anonymous penpals
✨ no third act breakup

Thank you Juliana Smith for the ARC 💗

[jenna &#x1f498;✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i literally don’t care i’m obsessed with them

[beatrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars ౨ৎ ˖ ࣪⊹

YOU NEED TO READ THIS, IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY!!
the tropes are TOP TIER and NATHAN OMG THAT MAN CAN GET IT

like calla said:
"you play multiple instruments. you have a good job. you love kids. you voluntarily watch how to lose a guy in ten day." i have to add that he's a sweet guy who made me blush in one scene + he’s so good looking in my mind, oh and totally tswift coded I LOVE IT

don’t want to forget calla because her story is relatable, same goes for the side plot

so if you need a comfort read with 00s romcom vibes HERE IT IS (but without a dramatic third act break up hihi)

[Emily Quid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy my initial reaction to this book: I need a Juliana iv drip.

Read if you like:
👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Brother’s best friend
✌🏼Dual POV
💌 Anonymous pen pals
👥 Forced proximity
🚫 No third-act breakup
🔥 Slow burn
🚪 Closed door romance
⚾️ Baseball and 🎹 Music'

Signed, Sealed, Delivered is a cozy, heart-warming romance guarenteed to make you laugh, cry, and crave a philly cheesesteak. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy!

"I hate that you're the one person I need most and yet the one person I cannot have."

*minor-ish spoilers ahead*

🩷 Calla and Nathan have the most AMAZING chemistry! The kiss outside of her bedroom door, I mean, COME ON😮‍💨
🩷 I am a SUCKER for in-text emails, y'all. 'Shiny' and 'Lily's' emails to each other are so adorable, so entertaining, so funny. I loved being able to watch them grow up together and it provided such a great backdrop to Calla and Nathan's IRL love story
🩷 The Luke and Layla cameos are EVERYTHING! I loved PMLE, so I'm so glad they were part of this story! The bachelor party shirts were *chefs kiss*
🩷Calla is so relatable. Always hitting the curb, late night fast-food runs, throw blankets and cute little apartment decor...I mean, c'mon, is that not every single one of us little romance readers?
🩷 Nathan is 🔥🔥🔥. Period. No, I'm just kidding. Nathan is sweet, gentle, and hopelessly in love with Calla. I wish my time with him never had to end🥲
🩷 I always laugh out loud at Juliana's books and this was no exception. Her humor is the literal best and the reason why she is one of my favorites!

I could go on for ages about Juls' book's, but we don't have that kind of time. SO, I GUESS... you're just going to have to buy them ALL and see for yourself what I'm talking about! In all seriousness though, Juliana's books have been such a breath of fresh air for me during some hard times. I'd like to think that I'm in a state of *true* happiness while I read them.

*Sidenote: You don't have to read Per My Last Email to enjoy this book, but I HIGHLY reccomend that you do so.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think anonymous pen pals to lovers might be at the top of my favorite tropes list now? Just me? Okay.. hi my name is Taylor and I devoured this book and I have no shame about it. How do you say you love something in more ways than one? Nathan and Calla have my heart, the slow burn was immaculate, Calla was portrayed in such a real nature that I loved her from the get go. Nathan in a Speedo? I can get with it… this book is just wholesome and how it all comes together just melted my heart to the core.

LOVE

[ella ୨୧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWW this was so cute !!!!! anonymous pen pals, brother’s best friend, roommates AND fated mates?!?! perfection.

[౨ৎ gigi]

DNF @ 70%

UGHHHHHHH. i was so close to just pushing through to finish this book just because i hate to DNF books but i literally wanted to skip through all the romance scenes because i did not give a single fuck.

it started off good and i thought it was gonna be an easy, quick read but noooo.

he’s not celibate (assuming this because he mentions being on many dates & kissing some of them) after their first meeting (it’s unclear if she is since her dating life is literally never mentioned ever) which is a first red flag for me but they were never close and didn’t have any kind of relationship despite meeting several times so i have it a pass.

howeverrrr, this man would not stop mentioning his past dates, kisses, and experiences like oh m gee! give me a break!

granted, he wasn’t doing it in a sleazy way but i’d rather the H not mention his past so much especially when the h doesn’t mention her’s at all.

not to mention that while they are living together and when he’s already shown major signs of being in love with her, he is always thinking “maybe i should go on dates with other women to forget about her” like bruuuuhhhh. i hate that kind of reaction from the H in romance books cs it’s lowkey giving PUSSSYYYYYYY.

i’m the type of delulu person who wants the H so be actively pursuing the h and only want her. so obsessed with her that even the thought of entertaining another woman makes him queasy. obviously i did not get that from this book.

to make matters even worse, he agrees to go on a date with OW that the h was jealous of and he assured he wasn’t interested in and like five minutes later, the h arrives at the same bar that the H and OW are at she is so excited and happy to see him not knowing what he agreed to only minutes before. made me feel so bad for her, if i was her i def would’ve cried for 2 hours straight and the audacity he had to be all happy to see her AND SAY “my calla” ARE YOU OUT OF UR DAMN MIND. SHE IS NOT YOURS YOU DIRTY SLUT!!

plus since they literally live together, she had to watch him leave to go on the date and she was so clearly upset abt it i wanted to curl up on the couch and give her a hug. ofc he notices she seems disappointed but guess what? HE GOES ON THE DATE ANYWAY!!! ew. SOMEONE BASH HIS SKULL IN UNTIL HES NOTHING BUT A PILE OF DUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i’m very passionate about these things obviously 😊.

although nothing happens on the date, (oh no he can’t stop thinking about her the whole date whatever shall he do! hmm maybe don’t go on dates with other women when ur in love with someone else u fucking idiot scumbag. i’m not going to sympathize with you.) when the next chapter comes up in her pov it’s not even mentioned. like what!

she never asked him abt it, never thinks abt it, never even pulls away from him in the slightest. they just go abt their normal, very intimate might i add, routine and her thoughts are all mushy abt him. BFFR.

i honestly just kept reading because i wanted to see if she grew some balls and have him a taste of his own jealousy medicine but nope.

they’re abt to have their first kiss and he’s all like nahhhh kissing you would be like kissing ur brother then calla is thinking “i know him, he doesn’t look at me like kissing me would be like kissing luke” so she kisses him anyways and he’s pisseddddd. leaving calla feeling even more rejected that she already feels.

sure buddy ur definitely doing the right thing!! i mean, what is this? middle school? why tf is he so pussy abt telling his best friend about his feelings?

he’s trying to justify his actions by saying that luke won’t be happy abt it because he’s never seen him treat a woman right but actively treating her like that is literally not helping ur case and ur leading her on by still acting like ur in love with her so yeah maybe luke should deck u in ur shit tbh.

anyways, they get back to the apartment he’s pissed and she’s pissed but 2 seconds after she storms off he comes after her and kisses her so i mean wtf is the point of u acting like a angsty high schooler then?

btw after he kissed her, he leaves and goes to his room like nothing. and she just accepts it.

i’m halfway tempted to go back to this book just to see if she ever made him regret it or if he actually makes a change but i’m too exhausted and i’ve got a feeling i’m gonna be sorely disappointed.

besides that annoying as fuck drama tho i like calla a lot. i wish she’d give nate a spoonful of some jelly but whatever ig. she was rlly cute and i was happy that she got the job interview of her dreams (idk if she got the job tho 😭)

nathan i have mixed feelings on. i liked him on his own and he didn’t give me the usual skeeze vibes i get when a book has a lot of owd that annoys me but the way he toyed with calla under the golden retriever façade and pussy behavior of not being able to man up and tell his best friend he wanted calla made me resent him big time.

[Ally Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars

Signed, Sealed, Delivered is the adorable second book in the Wells Family series. It follows Nathan and Calla as their forced proximity and You’ve Got Mail vibes lead to all the swoons and banter.

I just adore this cast of characters and want all the books about them. Luke and Layla from the previous book are back and being the cutest. Nathan and Calla were hilarious together and I enjoyed reading their letters to each other through the years. I already know the next book is going to become my entire personality.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

read Jan 15, 2024 - Jan 15, 2024 2 star

[Read Watch Crochet · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This was just my cup of tea! So fricken cute.

📚 secret pen pals
📚 brothers best friends
📚 “he’s got golden retriever energy”
📚 dual POV

🚫 clean romance

|Synopsis|
Calla heads home after graduating, with no job, nowhere to live and no money to her name. Her brother suggests she move in with his best friend, Nathan. They’ve had nothing but awkward encounters up til now but they are unaware that they’ve been anonymous pen pals for a decade.

|Thoughts|
Words cannot describe just how sweet this book is. You’ll just want to give Nathan a hug and I just sped through this in one day because I was so invested.

Waiting for the moment when they’d finally realise who the other really was.

It is a slow burn in some ways and at least there is a reason for why these two take their time.

“Threw myself onto my bed, face in my pillow, and let out a sigh. Luke’s sister. Luke’s sister. Luke’s little baby sister”.

Probably the only thing holding me back from 5 stars was that he was a clean romance. And I mean super clean!

Nathan was a bit (a lot) or a pushover, would have liked him to stop the people pleasing so much but I suppose that’s part of his charm. And did I mention he has a special handshake with each of the students he tutors?

“I couldn’t say no. Just the thought of saying that word made my skin itch”.

I did think they would have clued on earlier as to who the other was. But the whole pen pals aspect was engaging and added a nice extra element to their love story.

“Calls Wells was overwhelming in ever sense; her presence was overpowering, her beauty captivating, and her laughter contagious”

Plus some of my favourite tropes. Brothers best friend and pen pals.

“There was no way to deny the chemistry between us. Because naturally, there would be chemistry. Forced proximity was a classic trope in many of my favourite romance novels”


“I like that you make everyone around you fall in love with you…including me. Especially me”

🟢 For more bookish content follow me instagram.com/read_watch_crochet

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Longer review to come, but Calla and Nathan’s story is absolutely incredible!! The next book in the Wells Family series did not disappoint, and I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to read early!

[Akku · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry but I didn't like it. Thought about not finishing it many times but finished it for the sake of it. I like Brothers best friend romance but this just wasn't for me.

[Sarah (sarahs_shelves_sc)]

When I read Per My Last Email this past spring and saw that Nathan and Calla were getting their own story, I said in my review that I was pretty sure I would love their story even more than Luke and Layla’s….and I was right!

Calla is trying to start a new life after moving home after graduating college. She is working for her brother while job hunting, and agrees to move in with his best friend, Nathan, to live in a safe space and save some money on rent. Both think things will be awkward at first. Instead, their hobbies and interests align perfectly, and they become close friends who just may have feelings for one another.

Calla is outgoing, spontaneous, and big hearted, making her easy to cheer on. Nathan can be awkward and bumbling, but he is also incredibly sweet, good with kids, and an incredible friend. The care they show for each other as they establish routines in the apartment and the happiness they feel at seeing the other one happy is what love is all about, and it was a sweet friends to lovers/ forced proximity/ brother’s best friend story.

I loved the moments that were spent on Nathan’s job teaching kids to play music. Juliana must have played at some point or she is just a great writer, because those feelings of the music suddenly clicking and the student knowing how to play were beautifully written. I play piano myself and could totally identify with all the feels when it all comes together and a song just comes out perfectly. And I adored how happy it made Nathan to see those moments in his students and cheer them on, and thought it was a great part of this book!

This friend group is such fun, and I’m curious who we will see next! Crew finally settling down? Liam and Marigold trying for round two? Whoever it is, I’ll be ready to read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Juliana Smith, and Victory Editing Co-op for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m only giving this 2.75⭐️ bc of the way he acted in the hospital when she got in a wreck. Other than that, the story was dragged out and it was just boring. Also he went on a date with another woman and the fmc didn’t care even though she had feelings for him already and the mmc already liked the fmc too. Also the writing by the author isn’t very good.

[veraagoti · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was soo cute!!

[Maddie Rosen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loveeeee Calla & Nathan!! pen pals to lovers is a cutie trope. I loved the energy and connection between them, and I appreciated that this novel is squeaky clean!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

PERFECTION