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Modern Pen Pals

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I’d heard about the snowball effect before, but I never truly understood it until I took my first step out of my comfort zone.

All it took was getting an anonymous pen pal named Daldust—someone I could express myself to without the pressure of their opinions or judgments. Someone who could pull me out of reality and become a friend, despite my social anxiety. Before I knew it, the snowball had started rolling.

Little did I know I would encounter my long-time crush and neighbour, along with his ever-present, enigmatic flatmate. Elijah rekindled in me a confidence I’d lost long ago, while Moon Hee reached the deepest parts of my soul.

A few months ago, spending time with them and my best friend, Elisa, would have terrified me. Now, I long for it—for the late-night gatherings in our flat, the weekend trips, and the comfort I never received from my family.

Then, the one event that changed my life five years ago resurfaced, causing all the snow I’d picked up along the way to collapse on me. What would have crushed me when I felt lonely now showed me that the people around me were the ones giving me the strength to continue.

My pen pal had opened my heart to let others in, but before I discovered his true identity, he'd already taken it over.


Modern Pen Pals is a contemporary romance with strangers-to-friends-to-lovers, found family, pen pals, mental health representation, open-door spice, and love triangle tropes.

332 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2024

13 people are currently reading
216 people want to read

About the author

Eva Chau

3 books37 followers

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5 stars
39 (33%)
4 stars
63 (54%)
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5 (4%)
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3 (2%)
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5 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
Profile Image for Ruchita .
135 reviews14 followers
September 21, 2024
I started this book when I was in a reading slump, and it didn't disappoint me. The slow pace of this book was exactly what I needed to cure me. The way the story progressed kept me hooked. It was a soothing read. This book had a calming effect on me exactly like you feel when enjoying beautiful weather with a cup of tea.🩷


I loved Lilah's character, and her character was quite relatable, to be honest. And the author did an incredible job of portraying the depth of her character. The author's writing style immerses you completely in the story. Lilah is strong and compassionate. And the way she overcame her fear was amazing and inspiring. Her journey of self-discovery and self-love and how she grows out of her fear to lead a healthy life is incredible. 🩷


Elijah and Moonie were both amazing in their own way. Elijah is the life of a party, a cute and fun guy, while Moonie is a calm, understanding, and mysterious kind of guy. I love them both, but I have a soft corner for Moonie.🩷

And the other side characters were so adorable and amazing. 😭🩷

I usually don't read books with a love triangle, but the author did an incredible job writing this book in so much depth.🩷


Tropes:
💌 Pen Pals
💌 Strangers to Friends to Lovers
💌 Love Triangle
💌 Mental Health Rep
💌 Found Family
💌 Tattoo Artist × Baker
💌 Neighbors
💌 He falls first
💌 Korean Rep
💌 LGBTQ Rep
💌 Friends with benefits
Profile Image for Anjali Anil.
183 reviews20 followers
September 24, 2024
I just finished my first ever ARC for Modern Pen Pals by Eva Chau, and wow, l'm head over heels for this book!
I typically steer clear of love
triangles, but this one was handled so beautifully that I couldn't put it down. I read this beautiful book in one sitting, and to be honest , it deserves every bit of a 5 star rating!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The characters are exceptional. Delilah Scott’s journey of healing is portrayed with great depth and sensitivity.
Throughout the book seeing her grow, overcoming her fears, and reclaiming back her life was really emotional and inspiring for me. The mental health representation which is shown in the book is spot on, it adds an a layer of realism and compassion that I really loved and I totally appreciate it.
The male leads Elijah Park and Kim Moon Hee are both fantastic love interests. Elijah is a cute and funny guy , with a tender heart that's hard not to fall in love with. But Kim Moon Hee? Oh My God He's the one who truly stole my little heart. He has such a calm, understanding, and playful personality.Literally coming out of a K drama

If you’re a fan of:

• Pen Pals 💌
• Strangers to Friends to Lovers 💕
• Found Family 🏠
• Mental Health Representation 🧠
• Tattoo Artist MMCs 🎨
• Baker FMC 🍰
• Open-Door Spice 🌶️
• Soulmates 🌟
• Korean Representation 🇰🇷
• Neighbors 🏘️
• He Falls First 💘
• Friends with Benefits 😉
• Love Triangle 💔

…then this book is definitely for you!

As a K-drama and K-pop fan, I found Modern Pen Pals to be a delightful treat. I am not going to spoil the fun, but trust me, this book is a must-read. Pick it up, and you’ll see why it has captured my heart completely! 💫📖
Profile Image for Yumenokc .
28 reviews4 followers
September 26, 2024
This book was an emotional rollercoaster, filled with depth and warmth that left me overwhelmed in the best way possible. The found family trope is one of my favorites, and this story did it justice beautifully. The friendships were so heartfelt, and I couldn't help but wish I had friends like that in real life. While cozy and romantic, this book was so much more than just a love story.

Delilah’s character stole my heart. Watching her navigate the difficult path of self-discovery after her traumatic experience was inspiring. As a K-pop fan, I was thrilled to see this aspect in the book especially that Namjoon's quote," I live, so I love".

The author handled sensitive topics like mental health, body shaming, social anxiety, and childhood neglect with so much care. While certain moments felt a little unrealistic (fiction does have its liberties), I found myself learning and even feeling motivated by how Delilah dealt with the tough situations in her life.

One heads-up: there's a love triangle, but let me assure you, it won't leave you frustrated, but rather more invested in the characters' dynamic!
Profile Image for Rita.
493 reviews63 followers
September 6, 2024
4✨
Tive oportunidade de receber a ARC do livro da Eva que sai dia 24 de setembro 🙌🏻

Senti-me em casa com este livro. A vibe da Rita antes de ir para a faculdade voltou. A Rita que via doramas e ouvia Kpop voltou por momentos 🥹🤍
Amei as referências a comida, as frases e palavras em coreano ali pelo meio… e os pequenos detalhes: o significado dos nomes, a forma como alguns momentos são descritos

A escrita da Eva é muito boa. É simples de compreender mesmo que não leiam muito em inglês. O livro tem um andamento rápido e deixa-nos curiosos para saber o que vai acontecer a seguir.
Foi feita uma boa utilização dos pontos de vista na minha opinião, quando eu estava a ficar curiosa sobre o que algumas pessoas pensavam a Eva trocou e deu-me o que precisava 🙌🏻✨

Amei as descrições do dia à dia na pastelaria, os clientes que acabam por passar e deixar alguma lição de vida.
Gostava de ter visto um bocadinho mais sobre Londres já que a história se passa lá, ainda assim a vibe está lá

A nossa Delilah é a personagem principal e ela evolui muito, uma mulher que tem muita ajuda psicológica para enfrentar uma situação do passado (5 anos antes aconteceu uma cena bem tensa que pode ser um gatilho… mas que com o desenrolar do livro podemos ir tirando umas pelas outras)
A moça acaba por entrar numa dinâmica de pen pal em que troca cartas com alguém que não conhece… escusado será dizer que amo estas coisas! A vibe de duas almas a conhecerem-se sem se verem e ainda assim criar uma ligação especial? Amo!

Depois temos os nossos interesses amorosos.. e eu desde início que tinha o meu favorito 🤭
Não adoro triângulos amorosos, muito pelo contrário.. e estava com medo que este estragasse o livro e a dinâmica de toda a “família” mas fiquei surpreendida porque as personagens falaram abertamente umas com as outras sobre toda a situação.

Gostava de saber mais sobre a melhor amiga da Delilah 👀 ela também merece uma novella ou um livrinho 🤭

Um livro sobre amor próprio, sobre apanharmos os cacos do chão e decidir continuar para além da dor. Ir à luta em busca da nossa felicidade 🤍
Profile Image for Deepthi.
645 reviews47 followers
September 25, 2024
Delilah and Moohee has my heart 💓 I was rooting for them from the start.

Tropes: Stranger to friends to Lovers, Penpals, neighbours, close proximity, tattoo shop & Bakery owner, Love triangle , Kdrama feels
spice:🌶️🌶️

I am not a big fan of love triangles, but this book has me. At first I didn’t know it was one but as I went on reading I understood it.
Delilah our sweet bakery owner has a crush on Elijah, their chemistry is off the charts totally lived their relation. But The real one is with Moon Hee the has that maturity comfort and love together.
I read this book in one sitting that much I loved it. Totally gave Kdrama feels.
Pen pal letters were my favourite to read. They oddly brought me comfort as they did for Delilah🤌🏻

Other characters Elisa, The twins all are just beautifully put together.

Just my perspective or opinion that open door scenes of Elizah and Lilah felt a bit awkward for me after I finished reading.(Bcoz they don’t end up together)
Profile Image for Tatiana.
153 reviews49 followers
September 11, 2024
A minha review completa vai sair no dia de lançamento no meu bookstagram (@give.me.another.book) masss, adianto já:

A história é muito viciante! Foi a primeira vez que um li um livro que abordasse a cultura coreana e achei super interessante (se é algo que vos interessa, acho messssmo que deviam ler). Foi também a primeira vez que li um livro com uma personagem pansexual e gostei muito de ver essa representação.

É uma história muito bonita (com algum hot 🫣) que aborda alguns temas complicados e que vale muito a pena ler!
Profile Image for Sakshi.
65 reviews2 followers
September 22, 2024
Reading this felt like a warm hug. I received an ARC and I'm so grateful !! I related to the FMC so many times while reading this. Her journey of finding herself again felt really good. How can I not talk about the MMC. It's a love triangle done well. There was no unnecessary drama. All of the characters were so mature. Moon Hee the man you are ! Literally fell in love with him . He is THE BOYFRIEND. And I loved Elijah's character too. One of things I loved about this is the found family. I envy all their friendships. Elisa & Lilah were my favourites and I can't help but think "Even I want what they have ". It somehow reminded me of the Vampire diaries I don't know why . Brothers who fall in love with same girl and trust me when I say this the author did a amazing job. I don't usually read books with a love triangle but this book made me fall in love with it.

If you like these tropes:

Pen Pals
Strangers to Friends to Lovers
Found family
Mental Health representation
Tattoo artist MMCs
Baker FMC
Open-door spice
Soulmates
Korean representation
Neighbours
He falls first
Friends with benefits

Then this is the book for you!
Profile Image for Nudrat Sufyan.
4 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2024
I was privileged to receive an ARC of this book and it did not disappoint at all. I don't think i READ a book... I simply watched a k-drama. Yes the book and characters grow on u and the story gets u hooked.

Modern Pen Pals is the story of a woman, Delilah Scott, who's a baker by profession and is terrified of impromptu social interactions. Five years ago, she went through something so traumatic that her brain has erased every memory of the incident but its effects are still persistent in the form of anxiety. As much as she avoids meeting people, two men, Elijah and Moon Hee enter her life with a bang and turn it upside down.

Eva Chau has crafted a beautiful story with absolutely lovable characters all while highlighting sensitive issues like mental health deterioration, therapy, body image issues. It's a well written story where i felt every emotion being conveyed and felt happy, sad, angry and everything in between with the characters. Absolutely recommended.
Profile Image for Zhea.
76 reviews
December 15, 2024
♡ 𝑺𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒆 ♡

This book!! It's soo good and well written that I'm literally in love.

Usually, I stay as far away from Love Triangles as I possibly can but this book right here crossed all limits with how beautifully the love triangle arc is explored. You can tell how much i love this book by how I finished it in one sitting.

Unlike always, when I'm devastated over the poor choices of mcs in love triangles, Modern Pen Pals feature hot (and i mean 𝘩𝘰𝘵) & very much lovable mcs. I felt very attached to Elijah but oh well, we love a silent but understanding brood in this house. 🤭

Let's say, I didn't have any problem picking up my side between both mcs.

Everything in this book delivered!! From the pen pals connection to the mental health rep, it slapped so hard. The healing journey of Delilah Scott brought me to tears myself. The way she healed, crossed the boundary of her comfort zone and decided to take her life back in her own hands, it all made me so emotional and love her even more.

Elijah Park & Kim Moon Hee were.... well, very exceptional tbh.
Elijah was a cute, funny guy with a vulnerable side and i really liked him but it was Kim Moon Hee that stole my heart for good. He's just so calm, understanding but playful and cheeky when needed be. I just love that man, okay? He's perfection.

At last, i'd say read this book.
If you're reading this review, read this masterpiece too.
Profile Image for Lia Tinoco.
Author 1 book137 followers
August 20, 2024
I was lucky to be a beta-reader for Modern Pen Pals. With relatable, multi-dimensional characters and a compelling, emotional storyline, it became an instant favorite!

We follow Delilah's journey of self-discovery and self-love as she navigates the aftermath of a traumatic experience towards healing and growth. And we get to fall in love with her (a strong, brave, vulnerable girl) as she falls in love with herself - and with her pen pal.

Yes! We get all the letters, and feel the same timeless anticipation of awaiting those intimate handwritten replies that Lilah feels. With every letter, their connection grows, and you won't be disappointed when you find out who the eloquent pen pal is.

This is a fluffy and steamy read that will put a smile in your face and tears in your eyes. What else can you ask for?

If you like hot (I mean, HOT!) tattooed artists, sweet bakers, badass besties (and bi rep🫶🏻) and the most heartwarming found family, add this to your tbr NOW!
Profile Image for Sam♡.
53 reviews8 followers
November 8, 2024
One of the beautifully written books that feels like a warm hug and will leave your heart with heaviness and warmth after reading.

I had been thinking of reading this book ever since it was released and I finally decided to read it this week and it did not disappoint me at all. The slow pace of the book was exactly what I needed and how the book slowly progressed was very soothing. This book felt exactly like the calming and peaceful effect you feel while enjoying the rainy weather tucked in a blanket with a book in one and coffee on the other hand. The author has done an amazing job writing this book with so much depth. The book was an emotional rollercoaster which has left me overwhelmed in the best way possible. The way it did justice to one of my favourite tropes "found family" so beautifully. With cozy and peaceful vibes this book was so much more than just a romantic love story. The mental health representation which is shown in the book is spot on, it adds a layer of realism and compassion that I really loved and I totally appreciate it. The author handled sensitive topics like mental health. body shaming, social anxiety, and childhood neglect with so much care I couldn't stop myself from admiring it. I also loved the pen pals letters Lilah and Daldust wrote to each other.

Delilah Scott
"I hate meeting new people. I mean…I hate people in general"

Delilah's character stole my heart. Her journey of finding herself again felt so comforting. Watching her navigate through the path of self-discovery after the traumatizing experience was rather inspiring.The way the author has portrayed her journey throughout the book with so much depth and sensitivity was very healing. Seeing her grow, overcome her fears, and reclaim her life back throughout the book was emotional but also the cure I needed. I remember while I was ranting this to my friend she said and I quote "why do you always find yourself relating to the traumatized introverted characters." And I seriously had no answer to it but it's a relationship fact I always find myself relating to the silent, traumatized characters.

Kim Moon Hee
"Crying is the way our body cleanses the soul. So, that means I keep standing next to you as you clean your soul. To me, that's beautiful."

To be honest he really stole my heart from the very start and I shipped him and Delilah like crazy. He had such a "kdrama men" kinda personality with his mature, calm, understanding and playful personality "Have you seen Moon Hee" how can you just not love him.
The way he was always there for Deliah to hold her in her hardest times and the fact that he had known her for five years and had been in love with her ever since just made me fall for him head over heels.

"Delilah+Moonie"
"Oh, I believe it. You have magical hands in the kitchen."
"Not just in the kitchen."
"I'll be the judge of that."

The relationship dynamics and the chemistry Delilah and Moon Hee shared felt so realistic yet so much fictional. The maturity, the comfort, the understanding and the love they shared together was so much heart touching. Their relationship was on a whole different level and I really loved it. Their relationship is what mature and peaceful love feels like.

I have not read many love triangle tropes before but the love triangle in this book was what kept me hooked to it more, I assure you it won't leave you frustrated, but rather more interested. The relationship between Elijah and Delilah was just off the charts, the chemistry they shared and their scenes really kept me hooked and also how Elijah acted so mature and was so cool I really admired his character. Also Elisa and Delilah's friendship was something I adored the most throughout the book...and I am really lucky to have a friend like Elisa in real life.
The Other side characters which includes Sofia and the twins Jer and Becca were also very wholesome reading them was just amazing. The friendship they all shared only made me want to have a group of friends like this one.

As a Kdrama and Kpop fan (who also dreams of traveling to S.Korea one day) this book was a delightful read. I would probably spoil it if I talk more but pick this book and you will know why it has captured my heart.
Profile Image for Caitlinjoyful.
241 reviews4 followers
September 17, 2024
I was gifted an arc of Modern Pen Pals

"Sometimes I wish I could tell you how every thought leads to you” ~Moon Hee

Perfect for lovers of K-Pop and K-Dramas!

Delilah never imagined creating such a strong bond with someone through pen and paper. But that's what awaits her in the form of letters from her pen pal Daldust. Managing two friendships, the written one with Daldust and the one in front of her with the boys across the hall and her long time best friend isn't too hard. But when life gets hard again and news from her parents shocks her, can her newfound friendships keep Delilah from going in a downward spiral like years before?

Getting to know Delilah was so nice. Watching as she went through this journey of self discovery and self love. It was such a great read! I loved seeing Lilah bonding with the people coming into her bakery, Elijah and Kim Moon Hee! Her friendship with Elisa was incredible, they had such a strong bond it was like they were both the same person at times.
I loved the way Eva unveiled who Daldust is. The way the small hints spread throughout the book become bigger and bigger until you have no doubt who it is.

Around the middle of the book, chapter 15 or so, the story started to slow down. Lilah was stuck in this downwards spiral and after a while it got repetitive. Not much was happening and it felt a little dragged out. But Eva did an amazing job of quickly bringing the story back up to speed and the ending was really well done.

I loved Delilah! I thought she was a really well written character. The way her story unfolds and we find out why she's so closed off from people. Watching her grow and learn that not everyone is untrustworthy was so great.

I can't get over how much of an amazing friend Elisa is! She never left Lilah's side. Standing by her ready with a hug and/or alcohol just when Lilah needed it! I'd love to see more of Elisa's relationship with Sofía in a future book! I think they had amazing moments in the book and would have liked more of them in this book!

I really loved watching Elijah, Kim Moon Hee and Lilah's friendship grow and develop. One day they were just people living across the hall from each other, the next they were a close knit group of friends who were there for each other no matter what!

I really liked how when it came to the more serious topics of the book, Eva didn't shy away from it! She made sure the reader understood that what had happened was horrible and caused a lot of tramua to

Overall I really enjoyed this book! I can't wait to see what Eva writes next.


If you like...
💌 Pen Pals
💕 Strangers to Friends to Lovers
🏠 Found Family
🧠 Mental Health Representation
🎨 Tattoo Artist MMCs
🍰 Baker FMC
🌶️ Open-Door Spice
🌟 Soulmates
🇰🇷 Korean Representation
🏘️ Neighbors
💘 He Falls First
😉 Friends with Benefits
💞Love Triangle
Profile Image for Khushboo Lakhani.
54 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2024
Delilah Scott is an introvert in the truest sense of the word. She’s glad for her constants in life — the extrovert roommate — Elisa Burk, the crush on her roommate’s friend — Elijah Park, the bakery she owns and therapy she’s undergoing to heal herself from something she doesn’t remember; but is traumatic enough to cause her panic attacks, fear of talking to strangers and large crowds. At her therapist's insistence and to encourage herself to return to her old self, she signs up on the portal and looks forward to getting a pen pal. She soon matches with Daldust — finding herself opening up organically, she’s thrilled to have this communication channel with someone who cannot see her and whose reactions she doesn’t have to prepare herself for or worry about.

Finding her new confidence, she starts interacting more with the boys who frequent the house with Elisa, her crush — Elijah Park and the new face — Kim Moon Hee, Elijah’s roommate. She comes close to Elijah, surprised that he likes her too. Their relationship turns into a friends-with-benefits, but her heart longs for a deeper connection. Moon Hee seems to provide a connection, understanding, and solace without many words.

Can she truly heal from the unknowing traumas affecting her? Why does Moon Hee repair so much with so little ado? Does her heart recognise him better than she does? Will she have to figure all of this out on her own? Can she get help from Daldust — or is he already helping her?

Read this amazing romance by Eva Chau, which focuses on intimacy beyond the one of the body. It finds the balance between the intimacy of both — mind and body — featuring subtle comparisons of both. The tone is hopeful and coming-of-age. The story, at times, has the full potential of venturing into being creepy, but Chau expertly doesn’t let it. The prose remains on the beautiful development of characters with a soft focus on their backstories.
Profile Image for Ana.
103 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2024
My Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Spice Rating - 🌶🌶🌶 3/5

First of all OMG! & WTH?!

It's literally a k-drama but in script form. The emotions I felt, when I first saw the book cover and when I completed the book were totally polar opposite. It was definitely not what I expected it to be, it's like a whole new world. And when you complete the book only then the book's name while make so much more sense to you.

When I read the tropes, I was like that's interesting but when you'll read the book you'll be like DAMN Eva!!

✨ Tropes -

📜 Pen Pals
🧁 Love Triangle
📜 Tattoo Artist x Baker
🧁 Korean MMC x British FMC
📜 Found Family
🧁 Strangers to Friends to Lovers
📜 Friends with benefits
🧁 Neighbors
📜 Mental Health Rep.
🧁 Open-Door Spice

All the korean culture reference, all the k-pop mentions made this book such a special read for me considering I'm not only a k-pop fan but a k-drama addict too. The tattoo's for sure made it so much better and the spice level definitely didn't disappoint. Also not to forget, I cherish the friendship they all had, no matter what was happening or happened, it's so difficult to find bonds like that in today's world. 🙊

To wrap up, this book right here is entertainment at its prime. Throughout the book I was so hooked, guessing who's gonna be the endgame and specially Delilah's storyline, my jaw dropped for real for a whole damn minute. I was so freaking angry on Vance, but I'm happy that she overcame every single thing. It's like a roller-coaster ride of emotions. 😌

Overall, this book is a love letter which will definitely light up your rooms & shift atmospheres because it definitely did for me. ✨

I would like to thank Eva & SwipeTheBook PR for providing me the opportunity to ARC read this beautiful piece of art. I'm beyond grateful. 💖

Go Read it!!
Profile Image for Barnali.
46 reviews
September 22, 2024
✨" 𝑨 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆'𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 .”✨

 𐙚🔹𝓔-𝓐𝓻𝓬 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🔹⁀➴

ᴍᴏᴅᴇʀɴ ᴘᴇɴ ᴘᴀʟs by ᴇᴠᴀ ᴄʜᴀᴜ is a read on vulnerability, self-discovery and Genuine human relationships. It is the story of our FMC ᴅᴇʟɪʟᴀʜ sᴄᴏᴛᴛ, a baker 👩‍🍳by profession and an introvert dealing with forgotten bad past, social anxiety and panic attacks! It is her healing journey, coping with anxiety and emotional growth with the help of a great friend circle. How having a pen pal helped her to open up, spilling her thoughts and opinions on paper 📝. *This penpal moment is what I, too, want! 💖
I loved the character Elisa ❤️, her strong and confident best friend and also her roommate. She was always there with Delilah, supporting her and comforting her. It was she who brought two hot and handsome boys🔥🔥  Elijah and Moon Hee into Lilah's life, turning her life upside down! (* In a very good way!)

Author Eva Chau has beautifully developed the story 👌, flawlessly highlighting sensitive topics like mental health, childhood neglect, body image, etc. Her words and her characters made me feel all emotions, happy, sad, angry, anxious and everything at the same time. 💕

There were many points in the story where I could connect with Lilah! Her journey of coping with her anxiety was very comforting! Most importantly, she overcame her long-struck fear, recognising herself and putting herself first was really appreciable. ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴜᴅ ʟɪʟᴀʜ!❤️😎

🌿Overall I enjoyed the read!❤️ With a perfect touch of spice 🌶️🌶️ , humour and genuine human emotions, these read kept me glued to it! 

📖If you love:
𖹭 Happy ending.
𖹭 Found family.
𖹭 Genuine human relationships.
𖹭 Love triangle.
𖹭 Strangers to friends to lover.
𖹭 Mental health reps.
𖹭 LGBTQ+ reps.
Then don't forget to check it out!
.
.
4.5/5✨
45 reviews
September 23, 2024
Tropes: Contemporary romance with Pen Pals

Strangers to Friends to Lovers

Love Triangle

Open-door spice

Mental Health Representation

Multicultural Romance (British x Korean)

◆Review:

It's like I am watching a kdrama...I loved it..I am absolutely in love with this book.

I could actually picture the scenes and it felt like watching kdrama, and honestly I feel this book should be a kdrama!

It's a love triangle and thankfully each and every deserved character is having a happy ending unlike a few of the kdramas out there.

Until I read this book I never really knew anything about modern pen pals, it's an interesting thing especially for introverts like Delilah in this book.

Morden pen pal is basically making a friend in your city and exchanging letters anonymously.

Delilah is an introverted girl who has gone through a traumatic past, she goes through therapies and is getting better day by day and also letting herself out of her comfort zone day by day where she meets her neighbours Elijah and Moon hee.

Soon Delilah, her flatmate Elisa and the neighbouring men become the best buddies and they are always there for Delilah.

Read the book and find out how she ends up with and how she is getting better over her past traumas and what exactly was her trauma.

And I would like to mention their friendship, I loved the healthy friendship they have.

I would like to recommend this book to all the kdrama lovers out here, I guarantee you are going to enjoy this book.
Profile Image for CJ Albert.
17 reviews
September 28, 2024
✨️Book Review✨️

Modern Pen Pals by Eva Chau

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Firstly, I'd like to thank @evachauauthor and @swipethebook.pr for giving me the opportunity to read this incredible book!

Modern Pen Pals is one of the best books I've ever read, hands down! I'm completely head over heels in love with this book and all the characters within it.

I love all the characters in this book. When Delilah needed them most, they were all there for her. Delilah's healing journey throughout the book is like being on an emotional rollercoaster. I've never related to a character more than I did with Delilah. I love how all the characters showed Delilah love and helped her realize that love isn't just found in romantic relationships but also in the people and friends we surround ourselves with—in our own found families. And that's what all the characters in Modern Pen Pals become to Delilah in the end: her found family.

Now, normally, love triangles aren't my thing, and I tend to steer clear of them. But the way Eva wrote about the relationship between Delilah and her love interests, Moon Hee and Elijah, pulled me in! All throughout the book, I fell in love with both guys as I got to know them. Elijah was so hard not to love! He's funny and cute but also has a caring and tender side. How could I not fall in love with him?! Moon Hee himself is a charmer. He's quiet and mysterious and understands Delilah, which just pulled me in from the start. But then he showed his playful side, and I just fell even harder for him! He's perfect!

If you're a fan of:

💌 Pen Pals
❤️ Strangers to Friends to Lovers
💔 Love Triangle
🌶 Open-door spice
🧠 Mental Health Representation
🇬🇧 🇰🇷 Multicultural Romance (British x Korean)
🏠 Found Family
🎨 Tattoo Artist MMCs
🧁 Baker FMC
🌟 Soulmates
🏘 Neighbours
💘 He Falls First

Then this is the book for you!!
Profile Image for Booksandsurpass .
80 reviews
September 17, 2024
Modern Pen Pals by Eva Chau is an absolute gem that takes you on an emotional journey through Delilah Scott's path of self-discovery and healing after a traumatic experience. The book beautifully portrays her growth and the importance of self-love, making it a deeply touching and heartwarming read.

I have to say, I loved her roommate and best friend, Lilah. She added so much warmth and humor to the story, making me fall in love with her character instantly. And don’t even get me started on Kim Moon Hee – I'm completely smitten! He’s just the kind of character that stays in your heart. Elijah Park also brought his own charm, with his funny and friendly personality, adding even more joy to the story.

If you’re a fan of K-drama and K-pop, this book is definitely for you. It’s packed with moments that will make you smile and feel good while reading. The writing is smooth and delightful, keeping you hooked from start to finish. Delilah’s healing journey touched me deeply, bringing me to tears more than once.

This book has everything you could ever want – humor, romance, self-discovery, and healing. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I definitely need a paperback of this book on my shelf. A huge thank you to swipethebookpr and Eva Chau for the e-ARC. I’m head over heels for this book!
Profile Image for bookishmek.
46 reviews3 followers
September 26, 2024
Where do I even begin? This book is absolutely incredible, and the story is beyond mesmerizing. Evu Chau has truly done a wonderful job.

Let's talk about Monnie. Ugh!! He’s officially my dream guy now. The way he looks at Delilah, always there to make her smile and blush. I don’t want to spoil anything, but trust me, Monnie is one of the cutest fictional men out there. You’ll fall in love with him just like me.

And Delilah wow, she’s so relatable. Her journey is one that really resonates. As her story unfolds, you’ll learn so much alongside her. She not only changes her own life but can truly make an impact on yours as well.

“Sometimes all it takes is one step to change your whole life.” This really hit home for me.

I can’t forget to mention Delilah’s best friend and flatmate, Elise. She’s always there for her, and honestly, Delilah is so lucky to have someone like Elise in her life. Their friendship is so pure , and yes, I’m definitely a little jealous of their bond!

I hope I’ve convinced you to pick up this book. I can’t wait to dive into more of Evu Chau’s work. So what are you waiting for? Grab your copy now and get ready for an unforgettable journey.

ORDER IT NOW!

P.S. Oh god! I forgot to let u guys know that this book also helped me come out of reading slump.
Profile Image for debora.
68 reviews27 followers
September 3, 2024
first of all let me say something, i hate love triangles but this book exceeded my expectations on a higher level.

the found family in this book made me feel like i was home, every single one of them has a little special place in my heart because they're so different but still manage to talk things through and comprehend everyone's opinions <3

both elijah and moon hee made me fall in love so knowing that delilah was going to only choose one made me apprehensive on how everything was going to turn out in their friend group and between themselves, that's when the writing exceeded for me. Every trope has potential but love triangles are super hard to do specially when both of the love interests didn't do anything wrong and the couple just didn't work out as a couple but more like friends. So when i got to the part where she needed to decide it didn't feel rushed or something unnecessary, both the characters talked like grown ups and went they're way has friends which i absolutely loved they're chemistry has friends as well!
for that this author already won my heart because she made me like a trope i HATEEEEEE!

saying that this book is a 4.5 star for me and a super easy and amazing read if you want something heartwarming and relatable!! go read it rn!!
Profile Image for Alisha.
529 reviews157 followers
September 19, 2024
I LOVE IT SO MUCH!
Thank you, Eva, for writing this touching story. I absolutely love it and recommend it to everyone. There are so many things I love about the story, starting with the love triangle. I usually hate love triangles because they just create confusion and complications, but this one was different—there was no miscommunication or cheating, which was a major plus. The mental health representation was written beautifully.

As for the found family aspect, I’ve always felt that fantasy authors do it best, but Eva has proven me wrong. She handled it brilliantly. The pacing of the story was perfect—no dragging—and the page count was just right, not too short or overly long. There’s also an amnesia trope, which added another layer to the plot.

Elisa and Lilah’s friendship is the perfect example of the kind of bond everyone needs in their life. It was incredibly heartwarming to see Elisa comforting Lilah. While most people might give up on someone struggling with trauma, Elisa was so patient and caring. Even the new characters introduced later on were lovable.

And by the way, I’m totally Team Moonie because I want Elijah for myself! 😂
Profile Image for Mes Curls Reads.
188 reviews6 followers
September 24, 2024
A 5 star read for me!!

K-Drama Vibes + Multicultural Twist = Perfection

If you're a fan of K-dramas, love triangles, and a story that soothes the soul, Modern Pen Pals is the book for you! The love triangle between Elijah, Moon Hee, and Delilah brings the perfect mix of tension and heartwarming moments. Moon Hee—oh, how I love this character! He reminds me of someone special, and every time he was on the page, I couldn’t stop smiling. Elijah and Delilah are also incredible, but Moon Hee truly stole the show for me.

This book has K-drama vibes all over it, from the romantic tension to the multicultural mix of characters. I found the story both soothing and engaging, and it’s definitely a must-read for BTS Army, K-pop fans, and anyone who enjoys K-dramas. (But it is not limited to the people who enjoy K-dramas, everyone should read it)

Eva Chau’s writing is so smooth, and it’s like a balm for the soul. The pacing is perfect for those of us who want a story that doesn’t rush but takes its time to explore each character and their emotional journeys.

Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Arshiya.
78 reviews4 followers
September 21, 2024
To all the kdrama lovers this book is for you.

The story follows Delilah who runs a bakery and isn’t very social due to traumatic events in her past . On the other hand her best friend Elisa who is also her roommate, is a social butterfly and is friends with their next door neighbours Moon Hee and Elijah. Moon Hee and Elijah both are tattoo artist, and play an important role in Delilah’s healing process.

We follow Delilah's journey of self-discovery and self-love as she navigates the aftermath of a traumatic experience towards healing and growth. I liked how her character development was reflected in the story. The way she healed from her past trauma and stepped out of her comfort zone it all made me so emotional and love her even more.

Elijah is flirty, funny and soft hearted. Moon Hee on the other hand is quiet, thoughtful and kindhearted. Delilah’s bond with both the boys is beautiful yet different. Both Elijah and Moon Hee are sweethearts, but Moon Hee stole my heart.


We also get letters!!!! Yess Delilah exchanges handwritten letters with her Pen Pal (suggested by her therapist). And you won't be disappointed when you find out who the pen pal is.


Overall this was a cute, fluffy and cozy read with lots of Korean references.


39 reviews
January 13, 2025
I really don't know how to rate this. It's definitely not my typical genre so maybe I'm just not used to all the cheesiness (is that a word? Now it is.)
The character development felt a bit too unauthentic at times and the writing style was a bit funky.
It was pretty obvious from the first letter who Daldust was because it was hinted so clearly.

But it was still a kinda comforting read and the characters were really loveable. I love Elijah and his and Delilah's relationship towards the end. (Also he's a hottie with tattoos, so that helps).

I think what I enjoyed the most was the playlist Eva Chau wrote down for this book. Her taste in music is so good and it really created such a calm and beautiful atmosphere while reading, which made it way more emotional. I loved listening to the same songs along with the characters.

I also appreciate the amount of times Delilah is called a five-star Michelin (my fellow Stays know what I'm talking about).
Profile Image for Michelle.
109 reviews
September 20, 2024
Eva transports you to this small piece of London where you become intertwined in this group of friends. And while Lilah is our protagonist, Eva has created such relateable, 3 dimensional characters that you can't help but be invested and fall in love with the whole group. The story moves along at a pleasant pace, so that you never feel like you are in a slump. The love stories are relatable and feel like they could happen to you.

If you love a good romance with well-rounded characters and an ending that leaves you feeling fulfilled then give 'Modern Pen Pals' a read.
Profile Image for Diksha Pandey.
91 reviews6 followers
October 1, 2024
If you love writing letters or have sent letters to a complete stranger, this book is meant for you! Also if you are a fan of K-Drama, you are going to swoon over the story🌸
I love Delilah who is our protagonist's character's growth from being a complete introvert to accepting new people in her life and cherishing the bonds.
The love triangle which I hardly see in the books made me go and giggle like a kid 😅 I loved the references of the culture and understanding between the characters
There are so many cute moments between Delilah and her pen pal which makes me kinda make my own pen pal account 😀

A cute story which if possible I might get a paperback in the future
Profile Image for thebookish_maze.
192 reviews17 followers
November 16, 2024
The was this book had me on a CHOKEHOLD!!! I absolutely adore these characters and this world; it was the perfect mix of wholesome, spicy and intriguing. I’m so glad the main character ended up with the person I was rooting for (not gonna say the name because it’s a spoiler). This 100% reminds me of my favorite swoon worthy kdramas which made me enjoy the story even more!

Please go read this one if you haven’t already! It’s perfect for fans of kdramas, tattoo artist mmcs, tension filled novels with tons of spice and cute moments that will make your heart skip a beat!
Profile Image for Amanda.
69 reviews9 followers
September 12, 2024
I was blessed to be chosen as an ARC reader for this book! This book has everything you could want and more in a book. Eva Chau is an amazing author. I’m not usually a love triangle fan but the way Eva pulled it off made it fantastic. Hands down rate this book a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating because I absolutely loved it! I would read it again it was so good.
Profile Image for Amisha Kumari.
78 reviews3 followers
September 15, 2024
Finished this book in 12 hours and I loved this book. All the characters are so good everything is perfect this book contains everything drama , romance, friendship, emotions and ofcourse spice💋. Definitely read this book if you want to read a rom com which is fast read and the best part of this book is how deliah discovered herself again .
Profile Image for Simran Kaur.
168 reviews14 followers
December 3, 2024
The most wholesome romance book of the year award goes to this!!
The way i related to FMC was insane,
The male candidates woow just woowww
The chemistry, heat, spice 🔥🔥
The date scene 😭❤️❤️❤️

The main MMC is my favourite book boyfriend period!
The way he's so caring, so considerate, so thoughtful like he's the best of the best book boyfriends I've ever read.

If you doubt in true love, read this
The endgame will prove to you that your lover is right around the corner 😍😍
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