Letters to Inmate 29901: Friends to Lovers, Second-Chance Romance

by Liezl Joy

“Before prison, my heart was caged off, but she made it through the bars, claiming it!” ***

Lillie Clarke, a talented violinist, had everything figured out until she didn't. Heartbroken over her high school sweetheart cheating on her with the coffee waitress, she takes up her best friend's advice writing to Pen Pal Prisoners. Lillie agrees, but only on friendly terms. She starts writing to an incarcerated man.

Meet Dimitri "Bleeder' Hawke, who earned his nickname for his aggressive fighting style.

Dimitri was built to survive in prison, but painful memories haunt him. Until he receives an unexpected letter from Lillie.

When he gets out on parole, Lillie agrees to see him, and things don't stay platonic for long. But getting out of prison is only the first step in Dimitri's second chance. His violent past keeps trying to pull him back in, and he'll do anything to keep Lillie safe.

Even if that means staying away from her—or trying to.

An adult pen pal, contemporary romance filled with love letters, suspense, second-chances, friends to lovers, angst, and shocking twists.

459 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2024

About the author

Liezl Joy is addicted to writing anything romance with a dash of spice! (Sometimes contemporary, a lot of fantasy, a little paranormal… and a touch of dark.)

When she’s not raising her four-year-old daughter and writing, she’s daydreaming about plot twists and happily-ever-afters that don’t come easy.

You can catch Liezl Joy on her socials:

IG: liezljoyauthor
TikTok: liezljoyauthor

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before prison, my heart was caged off, but she made it through the bars, claiming it fully!

[Madison_renee2415 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. At first I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but as soon as the letters started- I was hooked!
Lillie is a teacher and Violinist who started writing to an inmate to help brighten up someone’s day.
Dimitri started receiving letters- when he never signed up for it- and he started living for the letters between him and Lillie.
Dimitri tries to not let his past touch Lillie and Lillie tries to get over her 1st love and try not to fall for Dimitri.
This was such a good book!

[Alyssa Estep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dimitri has been in prison for 7 years; he kept to himself to increase his chances of parole. He spends his time working out in the yard and visiting an old timer in the library. One day he receives a pink envelope that changes his life, it causes him to realize how alone he has been and that there may be a better life for him than the one he led before prison.

Ellie is a schoolteacher by day and a violinist by night, she is part of a four-string quartet that gathers everything on Tuesday and Thursday to practice. She was previously in a relationship with her high school sweetheart until she caught him cheating on her 6 months ago. Afraid to put herself out there due to her shyness she secretly admires another quartet member. Her best friend Sassy brings her to an event her mother is a part of, they write letters to prisoners to help them in their journey before they are released. She can't believe her best friend would do such a thing but eventually gives in and signs up for the program and picks 29901 to write her letters to. She writes a letter, opens her drawer, and discovers she only has pink envelopes. She decides to send it, anyway, not caring what the color is or who she is writing. I mean what are the chances that something could happen between pen pals?

I loved the way Liezl Joy wrote this romance, it's a slow burn as both main characters traverse new terrain and get acquainted with each other. The romance wasn't rushed, it was thought out, and precise in the execution between pen pals to lovers. There was a character I was shocked about; I probably shouldn't have been because normally when someone is too good to be true, they are hiding something. I enjoyed the growth of Ellie's character, she was shy, reserved, self-conscious, and unsure of herself. After she met Dimitri, she changed for the better, realizing that she deserved so much love and care from a partner instead of just the bare minimum. She found her voice and her sexiness as time went on and I loved that for her. The author wrote a great contemporary romance full of wonderful characters, a little spice, a couple of villains, & beautiful details. I can't wait to read more of Liezl Joy's books in the future.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lourdes | Lu and her books ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
⭐4/5
🌶️2.5/5

This book was a different experience from what I’ve been reading lately. The story was intriguing, and with the perfect balance of drama and romance. There were many twists and turns along the way that I definitely enjoyed.

Lillie is a violinist and a teacher whose heart is recovering after her boyfriend's betrayal. She knows what loneliness feels like, so she decides to join a prison pen pal program and starts writing letters to Inmate 29901.
Dimitri (aka Inmate 29901) is a fighter who regrets his past. He desperately wants to get out of prison and start a new and clean life. He has no friends, no family, and certainly no one who cares about him enough, so you can imagine his surprise when a guard hands him a pink envelope with a handwritten letter on it.

They start exchanging letters on a weekly basis, and suddenly those letters turn into a connection. They develop some kind of friendship, and once Dimitri is released on parole, that friendship turns into something more.

I think Liezl did a great job of crafting a natural and beautiful connection between the two of them.
Dimitri desperately wants to be better man, and Lillie is the only one willing to help him without judging him.
And Dimitri is there to remind Lillie of her worth and to cherish her like she deserves.
Despite being a tortured soul and a bad boy, he softened really fast for her.
Also, their chemistry was undeniable, and the sexual tension was off the charts.

I loved the ending; it was really sweet and beautiful. There was no epilogue, which is something I missed. Also, there were some minor issues that were unresolved, the whole Arthur thing felt a little inconclusive to me.

If you enjoy romance stories about finding love in the most unexpected places and with a delicious bad boy, then this book is for you! There's just something about a troubled, sweet-hearted bad boy that makes our hearts go crazy, right?

Thank you, Liezl for letting me be an ARC reader of your book!

[Aussie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very unique and I have step out of my comfort zone when I read this book . It was very intriguing since chapter 1 as well as full of twists and turns some were very unexpected and very surprising

Lillie who is a violinist and teacher that is recovering from heartbreak .. She received some advice from her best friend so she join a prison pen pal program, starts to write to innmate 29901 Dimitri Hawke "Bleeder" who was a talented fighter and have been struggling to be able to over come the memories of his traumatic pasts ..

Soon lillie's letters became his lifeline . He got granted pole and ended up moving to Lillie's town.. Their friendship that quickly evolves but his past won't leave them alone .

This was an beautiful experience to read such unique read and had me very intriguing.. the evolution of Lillie and Dimitri's relationship that was so beautiful to witness .. how they allow each other to become comfortable in their own skin aswell as their undeniable chemistry... I love how they have faced so many obstacles from people in their lives and a past that threatens to pull Dimitri back in ..

I am definitely will be reading more books from Liezl

If you want to pick up this book if you love :
- second-chance love
-love letter through out
-friends to lovers
-he falls first
- spicy
-pen-pal
- dual POV

[Juliana Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters to Inmate 29901 tells the story of Lillie Clarke, a talented violinist nursing a broken heart after her boyfriend's betrayal. On a whim, she starts writing to a prisoner, Dimitri "Bleeder" Hawke, whose tough exterior hides deep pain and regret. Their letters turn into a connection that neither of them expected. When Dimitri is released on parole, their friendship evolves into something more, but his troubled past threatens their fragile new beginning.

This book surprised me in a good way. It’s not the kind of story I usually pick up, but the characters drew me in. Lillie and Dimitri’s relationship develops naturally, and their chemistry feels real. I loved how their letters helped them open up to each other in ways they couldn’t with anyone else. It’s not just a love story; it’s about healing, second chances, and finding someone who sees the real you.

The side characters were a delightful addition. They brought humor and warmth, balancing the heavier moments in the story. I also appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from Dimitri’s regrets and struggles. Those parts made him more relatable and showed his growth as a person. Overall, Letters to Inmate 29901 is a heartfelt and touching read that stays with you long after the final page.

[Katie Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Okay, I’ll admit it—I was a little hesitant going into this one because I’d just read another book about jailhouse pen pals and it just didn't do it for me. But THIS STORY? It was completely different and absolutely beautiful. ❤️😭

I related to Lillie so much. That moment when she called Arthur “Dimitri”? OMG, MORTIFYING. IYKYK. 🫣🙈 Seriously, I have done this, and the secondhand embarrassment was SO REAL. I was so TRIGGERED! 👀

What really made this book stand out, though, was how deeply we got to see Dimitri’s regrets. Yes, he was a criminal, but you could feel his desire to make things right and his struggle to leave his violent past behind. It broke my heart and made me root for him throughout the whole book. 🖤💔

Watching Lillie not let anyone else’s opinions stop her from finding happiness. Watching her push through judgment and follow her heart. Is it possible to be SO PROUD of a character in a book?? Because I felt it. 💪🏼💕

This story is about second chances, messy emotions, and finding love in the most unexpected places. I absolutely adored it, and these characters will stay with me for a long time. 🖤✨

[Amber Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: This book SHOCKED me! I wasn’t sure what to expect and my expectations were exceeded. The underground fighting was a pleasant surprise. The combination of dark and thriller vibes of this book were fantastic. Lillie took a chance with writing to an inmate not thinking she would ever meet the inmate in person. Dimitri has never had an easy life and he was set on just dealing with the life he has chosen…that is until he received a letter from Lillie. He wanted to be better for her and be someone she deserved. Their journey wasn’t easy but they were stronger together. I really enjoyed this book and the connection between Lillie and Dimitri was so organic. They were both what the other was lacking in their life before they found each other. The ending was so perfect! I could read about these two and their life forever!

Tropes:
•Pen-Pal
•Love Letters
•Friends to Lovers
•Second Chance
•Prison Romance
•Dual POV

Rating:4⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Quote: “I'm an ex-convict who she met in prison, a good-for-nothing who can only fight with his fists and has nothing to bring to the table. But I'll fight for Lillie. I'll fight for her affection the best I can, even if it's the last thing I'll do.”

[Katherine Wojdyla-Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for sure. Just finished my second time reading this in 2 weeks. You will hate how much you love this story. the two main characters are the classic definition of opposites attract. Lillie, a sweet elementary school teacher who loves her cat and playing her violin as a part of a quartet group, and Dimitri the quintessential bad boy/criminal with not the best past that obviously leads him to spend some time in jail.
they meet by a risk that took Lillie way out of her comfort zone. of course, not everything was perfect, but to watch them grow into love and how they maneuvered through the obstacles of life was so amazing to read. add in a bit of spice and you have a recipe for a great story you will enjoy.
my only caveat would be at the end. I SOOO wanted another chapter after Lillie finally answers his question and to experience that with them. but trust me, that will not stop me from reading this story again

[Brooke Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this and absolutely loved the letters, they added feelings and made me connect to the story and stand out from any other book. An easy 4.5 that I’m rounding up to 5.

I was intrigued early on and loved learning about Dimitri and Lillie and seeing their story play out. I felt so many feels throughout this book and to me that makes a book that much better.

I would love an epilogue years down the road or short novella to check in on them and see how life has went for them since the ending.

This was my first book from Liezl but won’t be my last!

If you like
-penpals
-letters
-spice
-friends to lovers
-second chance
-dual POV

Then you’ll love this!

After being done a few hours now the characters and their story have still been on my mind! I love when that happens and hope to one day have more of these characters.

[Raquel Alves · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Penpal
Love Letters
Strangers to Friends to Lovers
Second Chance
He falls first


This novel was a risk I took as an ARC but honestly, so glad I took that chance. This was the book, I didn’t know I needed.
The way the main characters develop their personalities and grow throughout the book.
It shows how people make mistakes in their life and learn from them. I saw myself in Lillie a lot, in the way she, initially, thought about communicating with an inmate herself or even her best friend.
Lillie and Dimitri met and got to know each other the old fashioned way through writing letters and even without knowing they helped each other through so much.
From the beginning of the story to the end (excluding epilogue), a year goes by. It’s a story that is full of emotions, trauma and of course love.

[Ryann Henning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book from Liezl Joy and I truly enjoyed it! I never thought I’d like a book like this but I loved it! Dimitri Hawke is just swoon. Dimitri is behind bars for some crimes he committed. He lost his brother and is miserable. Lillie Clarke is mourning a break up and needs something to keep her distracted. Her best friend tells her about the prison pen pal. When Lillie and Dimitri connect, the rest is history. This book had me on my toes the entire time! The suspense, love, anger, sadness and so much more. The plot twist too! I felt everything. I wanted to throw my kindle sometimes with these two as well. The ending made up for it all. Thank you Liezl for trusting me with Dimitri and Lillie. It is a highly recommended book!

[VDKeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Lillie, violin player and 4th grade teacher, signs up for the prison pen pal program, she only intends to brighten up the days of an inmate named Dimitri Hawke. At first, his letters are of a suggestive nature but she quickly convinces him that future correspondence will only be platonic. She has her eye set on a certain cellist who plays in her quartet. Dimitri has other ideas when he is paroled a few months later and shows up on her doorstep. She’s alarmed and fearful. I recommend this for all contemporary romantic thriller fans. The characters are edgy and likable. It’s a quick, satisfying story.

[Stacey Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Letters to Inmate 29901 delivers a compelling story with well-developed characters that feel authentic and easy to connect with. The author does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, making you feel like you truly get to know them. I also appreciated that their happily-ever-after was realistic, adding depth and believability to the story. However, some of the terminology used doesn’t align with American English, which was a bit distracting given the U.S. setting and characters. Despite this, it’s an engaging read that leaves a lasting impression.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This book was down-right perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Lillie & Dimitri's story. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting as I started it, but the more I read & watched the characters grow the more I loved their story.

I really enjoyed the concept of their entire relationship starting as a Prisoner Pen Pal program that was meant to simply distract Lillie from her previous heartbreak which grows into something much more.

[Richel Short · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters to Inmate 29901 was my first pen-pal book, so I didn't know what to expect going into this. I was not disappointed on bit. This book draws you in from the start. It follows Lillie, a violinst and teacher who is recovering from a nasty heartbreak. She decides she going to join a prison pen pal program and starts to write to an inmate, Dimitri. The letters turned into more than either of them expected them to be. Dimitri gets released on parole and the connection between the two continues to grow, when Dimitri's past tries to threaten their connection. You definitely need to read to find out, I promise you won't be disappointed!

[Booksndteaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters hold a special place in my heart and this book just served it right. Lillie is my baby and i love her. This book was a good read for me. I really loved the chemistry between Lillie and Dimitri and the letters were everything.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It’s fast-paced, and the characters are likable. However, I felt something was missing: the letters they send to each other aren't included for the reader to see. I would have loved to read them, as it left me feeling like a part of the story was incomplete.

[Kyla T · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️ | 3 🌶️

🎻✨⛓️💌 eARC review 💌⛓️✨🎻

Letters to Inmate 29901 is like nothing I’ve read so far, and in a good way. I enjoyed the journey I had while reading it, the characters (main and side), and the main story. It has twists & turns that are perfect and unexpected, great romance, build up, beautiful story of growth, & the spiceeeeeee. 🥵

I missed not having an epilogue, but I enjoyed how it ended - beautiful 🖤

Tropes:
💌 second- chance
⛓️love letters through out
✨ friends to lovers
🎻 he falls first
💌 spicy
⛓️ pen-pal
✨ dual POV

[Ivona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk what you people are smoking but this is not good enough for this high af ranking. Dude cheats on her multiple times and often with the same woman, the plot is unrealistic and there are so many plot holes and lose ties left. And the ending is rushed....

[Lucie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the FMC’s strength. Even though she was hurt, she was able to love and heal another person. Her kindness was beautiful ! Loved the love story!

[Anna P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best endings I have ever read. Love the journey and Rolla coaster with this story. ❤

[Rebecca Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was cute and steamy. A lot of unexpected twists happen throughout the book. I loved the story line and the characters.

[Ava Durrell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was just not a book for me. Too many grammatical and spelling errors, and the story was not for me.

[Krisztina B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ah,I am soooo disappointed. Managed to read it up to 60% and he went back to his old ways including women. That was done end for me😤😒

[Reading.With.Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book it has twists and turns which will have you invested from the start. This follows Lillie she’s a violinist and teacher. After a break up her friends suggest joining a prison pen pal program. There she finds Demitri a fighter who’s been in prison. 5/5 recommend it

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This idea held a lot of promise, but it just didn’t hit the mark for me. I didn’t think the letters occurred often enough to really fall in love with the characters, and it just felt too unrealistic. The writing style in general was just not for me as well. It was a bit too long when it didn’t need to be, and a lot of grammatical errors - not just spelling, but overall sentences that didn’t make sense or flow correctly. It wasn’t a terrible book, and I do like how it ended, but not necessarily something I’d recommend to others. I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredible! My emotions were all over the place! I was frustrated, giddy, excited, happy and sad and happy all over again! Lillie and Dimitri had to jump through so many hoops they might as well have been basketballs (horrible metaphor I know) lol But their love for each other through everything warmed my heart😊 I would definitely recommend this book!