Mystery Correspondent

by E.L. Koslo

It's never too late for a little Christmas Magic...

When I moved into my house four years ago, I never expected to receive annual Christmas cards addressed to the previous owner's granddaughter.

The words written inside those cards pulled me into the fractured romance between the sender and the enigmatic S, who had disappeared without a trace.

When his last letter was written like a goodbye, an enclosed picture unlocked the puzzle, and I found myself drawn to a man I never expected to meet.

Would my mystery correspondent fulfill my desire for holiday magic or will the ghosts of Christmas past tear us apart?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Novella, Audiobook

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2024

About the author

Find the funny in your life.

That’s what EL Koslo strives to do in her life every day. She spent her youth with her nose in a book, often conjuring up storylines in a composition notebook she hid under her mattress. Her love of writing continued on through high school as she served on the school paper and wrote poetry for the literary magazine.

At University, she studied Art and Art History where she met her own prince charming after kissing a few frogs, of course.

Her love of reading and writing have been a constant in her life with her nose always buried in a book, tablet, or computer—both writing and reading.

She resides in the Midwest United States with her husband and four rambunctious children. Her days are filled with driving kids to school, activities, and sports; frequently squeezing writing time in while waiting in the carpool line.

Koslo’s characters are often developed while running on the treadmill at the gym, and she has a DVR full of Hallmark movies.

Her debut novel, Foreplay on Words, combines her love of steamy romance, awkward but loveable leading males, and headstrong heroines with a dash of humor and a little bit of kink.

Follow her at: https://linktr.ee/elkoslo

Instagram: @elkoslo_writes

Tiktok: @elkoslowrites

Facebook Page: EL Koslo Romance Writer

Facebook Reader Group: Dirty Words Brigade

ELKoslo.com

**** Please do not add any freely published works to my account that you have not asked for permission to add. They will be deleted and you will be reported. Draft work on serial reading apps is not fair game for you to add to an author’s goodreads account. ****

Reviews

[Kika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just LOVE the mystery letter trope, so it's no surprise that this really hit the spot for me!

Add to that 2 cinnamon roll MCs that just can't get enough of each other 😍🥰

So. Cute.

🫶


The 🎧audiobook🎧 (a quick 3-4 hour listen depending on your speed) was also great!
Definitely a win win for me! 💕

[Carly Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a deep detailed person and normally read 600-800 page stories. Most short stories tend to lack detail. This one does not! The author makes sure you feel like you’re in your own hallmark movie. A sweet quick read that also pulls at your heartstrings. 🥰

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing holiday story! It was like watching a Hallmark movie. It's a quick read, and I absolutely loved Ryder. The entire premise was unique and we'll done. The author also does well writing detail so that you feel immersed in the story.

[cakecoffeeandbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out so good and had so much potential but then I just didn’t buy that there was any chemistry or feelings between the 2 main characters. MMC wasn’t over his ex and FMC deserved better.

[Audio book lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

💌🎄 A stranger’s letters, a spark of fate, and a Christmas connection no one saw coming. 🎄💌

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Audiobook: 🎧
Standalone

Mystery Correspondent is a gentle, atmospheric holiday romance built on nostalgia, quiet longing, and the unexpected magic of a letter meant for someone else. I went in curious, this was my first E.L. Koslo book, and for a novella, it delivers a surprisingly solid emotional throughline. The premise is undeniably charming: anonymous Christmas cards full of heartbreak and hope, a lingering mystery, and a connection that forms before the two characters ever meet. It’s soft, warm, and very seasonally on-brand. While it didn’t fully sweep me away, it’s undeniably heartfelt and has a comforting vibe perfect for a winter afternoon.

Stella anchors the story with her genuine empathy and curiosity the kind of heroine who gets pulled into someone else’s heartbreak almost by accident. Ryder, the man behind the letters, is gentle, thoughtful, and marked by loss in a way that makes their eventual meeting feel earned. Their connection sparks quietly, rooted in shared emotion rather than high drama or sweeping plot turns. The past and present weave together to reveal how loss, timing, and second chances intersect, making the romance feel intimate and sincere.

The Story
For four years, Stella has been receiving Christmas cards addressed to the previous homeowner’s granddaughter letters from a man mourning the disappearance of his great love, known only as S. Each message reveals more of his fractured heart, pulling Stella deeper into a story that isn’t hers… until one final letter arrives sounding like goodbye. A photograph tucked inside unlocks the mystery, and Stella realizes the sender isn’t just a stranger he’s someone she feels an unexpected, powerful connection to. When fate finally brings Ryder and Stella face to face, their quiet chemistry and shared hope turn a chance encounter into something meaningful and tender. It’s a soft holiday romance with a clever premise and a satisfying emotional payoff.

🎧 Narration
Daphne Winters delivers a warm, steady performance and is absolutely the highlight here. As a new-to-me narrator, she impressed me with her clean character distinctions and the emotional clarity she brings to every scene. She captures the soft magic, the connection, and the gentle pull between Ryder and Stella beautifully. Her narration elevates the novella and makes it an easy, enjoyable listen she’s the kind of narrator who can carry a story effortlessly.

What I Loved
✔️ A heartfelt, unique holiday premise
✔️ Emotional letters that actually land
✔️ A tender, hopeful hero
✔️ Quiet, meaningful chemistry
✔️ Well-executed epistolary elements
✔️ Strong plot despite the novella length
✔️ Excellent narration

Tropes & Vibes
✔️ Holiday Romance
✔️ Fated Connection
✔️ Letters / Epistolary Spark
✔️ Strangers to Something More
✔️ Gentle, Low-Spice Romance
✔️ Serendipity & Christmas Magic
✔️ Soft, introspective tone
✔️ Emotional but not heavy

Final Thoughts
Mystery Correspondent is a warm, comforting holiday novella with a lovely premise and a sweet romantic core. It’s soft, cozy, and emotionally sincere perfect if you want a Christmas story that feels intimate without relying on big drama or high spice. Add in a standout narration performance, and it becomes an easy recommendation for anyone craving a gentle winter romance.

[HEATHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Audiobook Review✨

E.L. Koslo had me in the holiday spirit with this novella! This was a beautiful story that had a few emotional parts but it was worth it. I loved Stella and Ryder story. This book was a quick listen but you you got everything you needed and more!

The narrator Daphne Winters did a wonderful job telling Stella & Ryder's story. I really enjoyed her voice and the way she portrayed the characters. She held my attention and kept me entertained the entire time.

Stella bought a house and every year since she bought it she has received a letter addressed to the last owners granddaughter. Not having a forwarding address she opens the letter. The words written in this letter drawer her in and entangles her with this man and the mysterious S that just vanished. After four years the last letter she receives is a goodbye letter from him because he believes S has just moved on but inside this letter is a picture that finally unlocks the mystery. Now Stella has tracked down the man writing these letters and finds herself very attracted to him and wanting to get to know him more.

Ryder has been writing S for years and since she never responded decided it was time to let her go. Now a woman has shown up asking to speak to me. We start to get to know each other slowly but there will be a little hump they will have to overcome.

This audiobook had my heart melting! I fell in love with these characters and this story from the very beginning. I definitely didn't want it to end but all good things must end. This book had me swooning, laughing, smiling and left with with a wonderful ending. I HIGHLY recommend this audiobook.

Thank you E.L. Koslo for allowing me to listen to this ALC for my honest opinion.

[Tantalizing Tomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet romance with a bit of heat, as the author states this book is a PG-13/R story. It has a little mystery, a few hot Navy men and women all wrapped up in a Christmas romance. I will be honest and say that I tend to be a little biased when it comes to E.L. Koslo's books, I have yet to read something of hers that I do not like. In Mystery Correspondent we jump back and forth between the past and the present, this is not like another romance that I have read in the past, in the sense that this story starts with a felony. (I won't go into more detail about that, no spoilers.) The only thing I wish is there was more information on what happens to the two main characters after the end of the story, but that is what makes a good story, right? Wanting to know more about the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a well written story, that not only makes you think about how fate is something that could truly be a real thing but that loves a different romance. I think that this book is one that I have to give 4.5 out of 5 stars only because would have loved an epilogue that showed where the couple was in a year or so, but overall this story has a lot of things that I loved. This story is also a rating of a Manzano Pepper, there are a few scenes that will raise your tempature and have you toasty warm.
I hope this helps you find your next Tantalizing Tome!

[Alicia Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Warm Seasonal Story Enhanced by Smooth Narration

I really enjoyed this story and it was enhanced even more through the audiobook. The pacing stayed tight from start to finish and the mystery letters added a gentle intrigue that kept me listening. The holiday setting and emotional undercurrent blended together in a way that felt warm and grounded, and I never found myself drifting because something new always seemed to unfold right when I needed it to.

I usually prefer dual narration, but Daphne Winters completely won me over here. She did a wonderful job carrying the story on her own. Her character distinctions were clear, warm, and easy to follow, and she brought a softness to the emotional moments that made them hit even better. She handled the full cast with so much clarity that it was effortless to track who was speaking without ever breaking the flow of the story. She is definitely the kind of narrator who can elevate a book all on her own.

Overall this was a heartfelt, charming holiday listen with just the right touch of mystery. If you enjoy cozy seasonal stories with engaging pacing and a narrator who brings every character to life, this one is worth picking up.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super quick hallmark-vibes novella

This was a quick read, as novella’s often are. It very much gives hallmark vibes with the quick fall between the two MCs. Stella starts getting Christmas cards when she moves into her home, only addressed to an S. She becomes attached to these, looking forward to them every year, and it’s not until a picture is sent during her fourth year in the house that she is able to figure out who is behind the letters, and ultimately who the letters belong to. She believes she is doing the right thing is returning the picture and letters to R, letting him know what happened to S, now that she knows who both parties are. In his state of heartbreak, asks her to stay and distract him, so she tells him stories about herself, successfully distracting him. The two fall for each other fast and I mean like overnight fast. I would have loved to have had more to their story, but understanding that this is a novella, thus the story must move quickly. I do hope we get to see Stella and R again because I feel like there is still so much more left to their story. But E.L. Koslo did it again with making me swoon over our MMC, and this story was so easy to get into and just read through as a quick little pick-me-up between longer stories.

[Tammy - · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it's because I used to have several pen pals when I was a teenager, but for whatever reason, I'm always drawn to stories that involve letters (or texts or chats nowadays). This story revolves around a few mystery Christmas cards and I absolutely loved it.

When Stella bought her house four years ago, she wasn't expecting to receive a Christmas card addressed to the previous resident's granddaughter. She may have committed a felony by opening and reading someone else's mail, but she just couldn't help herself. The words written in that card, and the cards that are to follow, will draw Stella into a romance that reads like a Hallmark movie.

Although I started piecing together the mystery in this story early on, I still enjoyed watching the story unfold. The cards, Ryder, Stella...I loved it all. Did I mention Ryder? Oh my gosh, I just adored him. This book is well told, original, and has the perfect mix of heartbreak, romance, and Christmas magic. If you're looking for a short read to put you in the holiday spirit, I definitely recommend this one. One of my favorites of this holiday season!

[Jordan Beeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery Correspondent by E.L. Koslo

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

🎁 Christmas Novella
💌 Christmas Card
🎁 Military MMC
💌 Toy Drive

This book is a perfect holiday Novella to make some hot chocolate and cuddle up by the fire while you read or listen to! 🥰☕️

For four years Stella has been receiving Christmas cards addressed to the previous tenant. Each letter reveals more and more details. When it becomes clear that the sender is done trying she does some digging to find out information about both the sender and who he is sending these letters too! She feels a connection to this man so she finds a way to make it happen to fill him in on all the details she has found out! If love at first letter was a thing Stella definitely has it! 🤗

Narrator: I have never heard anything by Daphne Winters and I think she did a phenomenal job! You can clearly distinguish each characters voice with clean transitions. It was an enjoyable to listen too she has a great story voice!

Overall loved the story and the way it was told! Thank you so much for allowing me to ALC for my honest opinion! ♥️

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story, full of the Christmas vibes, nostalgia, tragedy, and a mystery I wanted to find out. The start went between the present and the past throughout 5 years. Stella was receiving a mystery card meant for the previous owner. It was exciting trying to find out who the man sending the cards each Christmas time was. It went by quickly despite a lot of things happening. Once the mystery was discovered, the book continued to move quickly after a tragedy was revealed.

I really felt like the attraction between them happened too fast right after. We had some tension, cute moments, heat, one more conflict, a misunderstanding, and an ending that left me satisfied.

I really liked the performance of the narrator, I felt the voice transmitted the emotions and intention of the book. Even the parts she narrated for the MMC.

Thank you E.L. Koslo for the ALC. This is my honest opinion.

[Bryanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally everyone sucked. Just a whole cast of the worst/most annoying types of people. But I guess that means tthe two leads deserved each other.

Sandra deserved so much better, from both her ex-- the man that simply has to "obsess" over a woman (his words) and apparently the friends they shared. No one thought to Google her or look her up on any social media for 4 years to see WHY she'd "fallen out of touch"??!? What awful friends, and an awful love. And this man writes her letters every single year and NOT ONCE looks up her social media to see why she's not responding?? He's "obsessed", but is too ingrained in his weaponized incompetence to do anybit of looking around himself. Poor Sandi.

Not to mention that there's just zero chemistry between the two lead characters. Though honestly, there's just no real personality in our fmc's narration at all to begin with.

[XenyMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We’d crossed a line and charged right on past Hallmark territory.”

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧

This was a cozy and fun holiday listen. E.L. Koslo brought all the Hallmark vibes, and Daphne Winters did an excellent job at bringing the story to life.

I really enjoyed the whole concept with the letters, although I gotta admit that I shed a tear or two when the truth came to light. I was glad that Stella was able to give Ryder the closure he finally needed. And I also enjoyed their relationships development. Yes, they kinda rushed into certain things, but they didn't go all the way until they were both sure.

I gotta say though, I wish we would've gotten to see Ryder interact with the little hellion.

Quote: “Ryder Hollis was everything I’d always wished for— my Christmas magic— and I was never going to let him go again. I’d follow him to the ends of the earth.”

[Emily Johnston (Booked.Up.With.Emily) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick holiday read that left me feeling hope for second chances at love.

Christmas novella
Mystery Christmas cards
Insta-love
Sweet moments

For the last few years since she moved into her home, Stella has been opening a Christmas card that is addressed to the granddaughter of the old owner. Even though she knows it's wrong, she finds a comfort in the letters. This year is the first time that any identifying information has been given, so she goes to find the owner of the letter and give him the tragic news of the letter's recipient.

The connection between Stella and Ryder after the initial meeting is sweet and heartwarming, almost like they were meant to find one another.

Daphne Winters does a great job voicing these characters!

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meant to meet
Rating - 4.5 ⭐️
I loved that this Christmas novella was full of romance with a little bit of mystery added.
Ryder and Stella were always meant to meet but neither actually knew that there was more to it that would be later revealed.
I also really enjoyed the red envelope that she anxiously waited for and received yearly.
This short story had the right amount of romance, was a little steamy plus had great characters and was just a perfect Christmas read.
I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook that was narrated by Daphne Winters.
Her narration was easy to listen to, fun and engaging.
Thank you to EL Koslo for the opportunity to listen to this Christmas novella.

[AW · Rating 4 out of 5]

What starts with Stella getting Christmas cards meant for someone else turns into a great love story.

I usually don’t enjoy stories with dual timelines, but this one shines by revealing Ryder’s past alongside Stella’s current journey. When they finally meet face-to-face, everything comes together in a great way.

Narrator Daphne Winters perfectly captures the tone. She distinguishes the characters well, making it a fun listening experience.

Huge thanks to Daphne Winters and EL Koslo for the audiobook review copy!

[Shedevilreads Bookstagram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery Correspondent by E.L. Koslo is a holiday novella romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Daphne Winters.

This is the second book of E.L.'s that I have read and it won't be my last. I really enjoyed the relationship between Stella and Ryder.

Daphne did a great job on the narration. She really knows how to bring a story to life. I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future.

I would recommend this book if you're looking for a holiday novella that has hallmark movie vibes.

[Polly Barreto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I read this before Christmas - but I am glad I finally read it!

Everyone who reads this will fall in love with Ryder and Stella! Loved their story from the first red envelope to the last red envelope! Cute, quick read that had me smiling throughout the book!

[Cheyenne L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so great fantastic full of full of Life full of fun just great fantastic book I hope you enjoy it

[Bookwormtvaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Loved this holiday romance and that connection between the two just added a bit of tension for this possible couple.

[Queen Of Goths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable heartwarming christmas love story. Love the slow burn, with the sweet believable characters. It was a lovely read for Boxing Day morning <3

[Kelly Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

letters to love

Ryder wrote to S…but Stella wasn’t the S the letters were meant for. The slow burn till the full steamy HEA happened was a nice buildup. Sweet to steamy.

[Shawn Steketee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, quick, little Christmas romance. It was like a little bit spicy Hallmark movie. If you have a soft spot for sailors, you may find this one even more enjoyable.

[Kristy Finto · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. I was really enjoying the letter part and the mystery behind it and wished it went on longer. I didn't love the romance all that much though.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Sweet

What a great find! It's a must read for anyone looking for that Hallmark Christmas movie vibe. It has all the warm fuzzies.

[Steph Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything by E L .
This was a super cute Christmas read that had my heart from the first red envelope. I don’t want to get to into the book because I’ll give away to many things . I suggest reading it yourself .
So good

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIO REVIEW (12.5.2025)
Listening to this story nearly a year after I read it brought me right back into this heartfelt, magical romance and me me fall for it all over again.

Ryder and Stella have the cutest meet-cute and a fated connection that I could not stop thinking about. This story is sweet, heartwarming, and charming in the most romantic ways and I loved it all over again!

On audio, Daphne Winters did a wonderful job on this story and really showed the magic, the connection, and the perfect way that fate brings Ryder and Stella together.

Thank you to E.L. Koslo for the ALC.

ORIGINAL REVIEW (12.5.2024)
If you love hallmark stories, Mystery Correspondent is perfect for you! I loved this sweet, slightly spicy, magical holiday story that was just so wholesome that I totally fell for the characters.