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Between the Scandal Sheets: a friends to lovers novella
Two old friends with an arrangement of a yearly reunion at a masked ball, and otherwise separate lives. But what happens when feelings and familial connections complicate the plan? For fans of tropes like second chance, friends to lovers, secret letters, and banter.
Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2026
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About the author
Carly Kaye
2 books7 followersCarly Kaye is a Tennesse, US-based single mom and former English Teacher. When not spending time with her two kids, Carly also works as a freelance copy-editor and travel advisor, and spends her free time volunteering in her community, with friends and family, or in other worlds (aka reading). She was inspired to write a balance of humor, angst, spice, the different faces love wears, and yearning. Her debut is a redemption arc for a beloved character, but of all women who've experienced being given a label. You can look her up on socials: @carlywritesandreads
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 14, 2026
First my blurb, then my thoughts!
Two old friends with an arrangement of a yearly rendezvous at a masquerade, and otherwise separate lives. But what happens when feelings and familial connections complicate the plan?
Peregrine Winter – introvert, illegitimate heir, big brother, politician, Seven Dials King and Father Christmas – devoted his life to his little brother, a title that wasn’t his and the common man, for his heart was lost many moons prior to a love that could never be.
Tristan Valentine – rogue, jester, disinherited heir, adopted stray, scandal sheet writer, poet, Saint – grew up unwanted, cast aside, his true nature an unforgivable sin. Lost and found, he never settled, always the first to leave.
Friends since school, fate drew them apart. Years later scandal did the same. Still, nothing could break their secret bond. Not absence, not unanswered letters, not even a fiancée. Their love impossible, one night a year was all they had – until Perry ruined it.
But when tragedy strikes and Perry’s life crumbles, Tristan steps up. Taking the biggest leap of his life, he never expected the favour returned…
This novella spans two decades in the life of Peregrine and Tristan. It’s difficult summarising this tale without giving to much away, so I’ll tease with a few keywords...
Christmas at school, two lonely boys, fencing, chess, snowball cricket and library notes.
Three years pass. An accidental run-in, a stolen kiss and a tattling maid.
Scandal, disinherited, cast out, safe haven, found family, lost friend.
Unanswered letters and a kitten in a basket.
Little brother recovery mission, payback and a kingdom.
Working man, scandal sheet, redemption and a birthday masquerade.
Perry the politician of the common man, Tristan the tortured poet and rogue.
And this is where friends become lovers. Separated by circumstance, neither man’s life stood still yet their hearts still beat in sync – but theirs is a love that cannot be... except for that one night a year. Or can it?
Spicy and sweet with plenty of action and captivating twists, this was a lively and entertaining read. Theirs is a road riddled with potholes, but, for better or for worse, they’re soulmates and life has an uncanny way of guiding them back together.
What especially touched me was how vulnerable these two are in private. Where Perry is constipated, Tristan is a well of emotion. They tease, bicker and fight, but they’re so very connected and they both grow so much throughout this story. Simply beautiful!
About halfway through, the story starts entwining with A Lady of Means: A Steamy Historical Romance, and while not strictly necessary, reading that one first will add dimension. It’s part of the reason Perry and Tristan’s relationship moves to the next level – and eventually to a hard-earned but so satisfying happy end.
Two old friends with an arrangement of a yearly rendezvous at a masquerade, and otherwise separate lives. But what happens when feelings and familial connections complicate the plan?
Peregrine Winter – introvert, illegitimate heir, big brother, politician, Seven Dials King and Father Christmas – devoted his life to his little brother, a title that wasn’t his and the common man, for his heart was lost many moons prior to a love that could never be.
Tristan Valentine – rogue, jester, disinherited heir, adopted stray, scandal sheet writer, poet, Saint – grew up unwanted, cast aside, his true nature an unforgivable sin. Lost and found, he never settled, always the first to leave.
Friends since school, fate drew them apart. Years later scandal did the same. Still, nothing could break their secret bond. Not absence, not unanswered letters, not even a fiancée. Their love impossible, one night a year was all they had – until Perry ruined it.
But when tragedy strikes and Perry’s life crumbles, Tristan steps up. Taking the biggest leap of his life, he never expected the favour returned…
This novella spans two decades in the life of Peregrine and Tristan. It’s difficult summarising this tale without giving to much away, so I’ll tease with a few keywords...
Christmas at school, two lonely boys, fencing, chess, snowball cricket and library notes.
Three years pass. An accidental run-in, a stolen kiss and a tattling maid.
Scandal, disinherited, cast out, safe haven, found family, lost friend.
Unanswered letters and a kitten in a basket.
Little brother recovery mission, payback and a kingdom.
Working man, scandal sheet, redemption and a birthday masquerade.
Perry the politician of the common man, Tristan the tortured poet and rogue.
And this is where friends become lovers. Separated by circumstance, neither man’s life stood still yet their hearts still beat in sync – but theirs is a love that cannot be... except for that one night a year. Or can it?
Spicy and sweet with plenty of action and captivating twists, this was a lively and entertaining read. Theirs is a road riddled with potholes, but, for better or for worse, they’re soulmates and life has an uncanny way of guiding them back together.
What especially touched me was how vulnerable these two are in private. Where Perry is constipated, Tristan is a well of emotion. They tease, bicker and fight, but they’re so very connected and they both grow so much throughout this story. Simply beautiful!
About halfway through, the story starts entwining with A Lady of Means: A Steamy Historical Romance, and while not strictly necessary, reading that one first will add dimension. It’s part of the reason Perry and Tristan’s relationship moves to the next level – and eventually to a hard-earned but so satisfying happy end.
February 9, 2026
I’m a sucker for yearning, pining and all the stolen touches.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews