Kristine W. Joy is an Amazon Bestselling Author who loves creating sweet and swoony stories full of sizzling chemistry and laugh-out-loud banter. She prefers her coffee iced and her kisses hot. When she's not dreaming up romance novels or writing from a cozy coffee shop in Northern California, she is spending time with her hubby and two young sons. Becoming a published author was a lifelong dream. Becoming a momma was the inspiration to make it a reality.
ARC Review The Secret Letters by Kristine W. Joy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Available Now
If you loved The Valentine’s Bet, you’ll definitely want to pick up The Secret Letters! 💌✨
Weston and Brittany’s story runs alongside the first book but can be read as a standalone. Their chemistry is so sweet, and I absolutely loved the letters they exchange. There’s just something extra romantic about falling in love through the written word.
The brother’s-best-friend trope? Always a favorite. Add in a rescue dog, creative sonnets, and some heartfelt character growth, and I was completely hooked.
This is a clean, feel-good romance (just kisses + mild language) that had me smiling the whole time. I was rooting for these two from the very beginning! 💕
📚 If you’re in the mood for a charming, swoony read, add this to your list!
Thank you to the author for my advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a really cute brother’s best friend, closed-door romcom!
I enjoyed when Weston and Brittany had scenes in The Valentine’s Bet, so was so excited to now get to read their story!
I loved that it was dual POV and enjoyed the pen pal/letters storyline. And I enjoyed getting cameos of Parker and Amy from The Valentine’s Bet too. I also really liked Harlee and hope she gets her own story soon.
5/5 Genre: Closed door/Sweet Romcom 🚨TW: mentions of parents’ divorce, overprotective brother 🔥 Level: Closed door, hot kisses
Read it if you like: 💌Dual POV 💌 Brother’s Best Friend 💌 Sweet letters/card 💌 Friends to lovers 💌 Penpals 💌 Sweet dog 💌 Closed Door
Favourite Moments 💌 When they met after a long time 💌 Moments with Amy and Parker and also Harlee 💌 Them teasing Parker (can’t spoil it) 💌 In the café 💌 The Ice skating rink (can’t spoil it) 💌 Accompanying her to find the apartment. 💌 Their cute cards letters or gifts to each other. (can’t spoil it) 💌 Him volunteering in the pet shelter 💌 The 4th of July party (can’t spoil it) 💌 Them opening up to each other and care for each other. 💌 The dog Rambo/Buddy hehe… (can’t spoil it) (lots more)
Swoony Moments 💌 He is such a hopeless romantic 💌 He falls first. 💌 He loves and cares for her. 💌 His love for animals. 💌 He respected her.
Synopsis: Brittany A lawyer who just had her heart broken because of her ex-fiance.
Weston A man who couldn’t find his perfect match though he joined so many speed dating meet-ups . And his dates never get to second date.
They meet again. And old feelings came back for Weston. Brittany is struggling and temporary staying with her brother, Parker who is Weston’s best friend. Things get interesting when Parker asked Weston to help Brittany to view the suitable apartment for her to stay and then when she found a place and settled down with the help of them. Weston left a housewarming gift to her. A card. Will they ever get together? Will her brother ever approve of their relationship if they do? Read The Secret Letters to find out!!
Review: Love love this off-limits love story. These two are just so adorable together. Hehe… their secret cards, letters or gifts to each other are just sweet and romantic at the same time. I missed writing and sending snail mails to my friends like last time and having pen pals. Now everything is digital/virtual era.
Love that they opened up to each other and care for each other and also Weston is such a hopeless romantic and also he head over heels for her however she is off-limits.
Love that he volunteered himself to the animal shelter and met his dog there. The dog is just so adorable and loves him too.
The people around them have them the encouragement to let each other know their feelings though there are obstacles that stop them from being together.
Can’t spoil the story. You will have to read to find out. This story made me smile, laugh, swoon and also would love to start writing snail mail to someone. Hehe
QOTD: Do you miss writing snail mail?
I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Thanks @kristinewjoy for the ARC.
This story is actually Parker's sister, Brittany and Parker's best friend, Weston's love story. This is the 3rd book of The Falling Friends Series. Please do read the first two books which are The Friendly Fall (Eliza & Nick) and The Valentine's Bet (Amy & Parker).
You can purchase this story from Amazon and it is available on KU.
We got to see a little bit about Brittany and Weston in the last book of the series, but now they finally get their own story. Weston is desperate to find the love of her life, going to as many singles events as he can, while Brittany just got out of a heartbreaking engagement that went wrong. When they meet, they aren't meant for each other and are better of as friends, but when Brittany starts to reflect on her feelings and Weston puts something else than love on the forefront in his mind, they are finally on the same line.
Most of their story revolves around the cards they send ot each other. They don't even talk that much to each other in the middle, sometimes even going months without saying anything verbally. But by only writing, they get to know each other so much better, even better than Brittany's own brother knows her.
I love this concept so much. I just want a summary of all the postcards and letters send, I think it would be so cute to see their relationship evolve through their correspondence.
It was very sweet to see Weston find his specialty by caring for the dogs in the sanctuary and even taking one home. He can finally do something that doesn't revolve around love and finding it in other people. He found it first in animals, which isn't less but much more unconditionally. This is the moment he is ready to date Britanny, because earlier would have put too much pressure on her to make it work because he has nothing else in his life.
Thank you Kristine W. Joy for the e-ARC. All thoughts are my own.
Brittany is an attorney who has just had her heart stomped on, which is how she ends up temporarily living with her brother, Parker, in his lavish penthouse.
Weston is Parker's best friend and also his top software engineer at Parker's company. Weston is a speed dating junkie looking for love in all the wrong places.
Parker decides Weston is the perfect solution to help Brittany find her own apartment. This request is preceded by Parker threatening Weston with bodily harm if he bats an eye at Brittany. Too bad big brother. You can't snuff out true attraction. What you do not know will not hurt you.
This has You've Got Mail vibes in pen pal format, and of course, Brittany and Weston are not strangers behind a screen. They know who the letters are from, but I could not help but see the similarities as these two get to know each other better through the written word.
This author lays out a wonderful story with an even better cast of characters. There is plenty of humor and so many sweet moments that made me almost tear up at times. This was truly an original story with the letters and everything contained within the pages. I got just as excited as Brittany and Weston every time they got a package or letter from the other one.
Sweet, clean romance is always my favorite and the best friend's brother trope is always a ball of fun.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Have you ever read a story and enjoyed it so much but can’t help but want to ask the author if some of the pivotal side characters will get a story, only to get a “we will see,” in response?! Well patience has been rewarded; this story was even better than I could have ever hoped for! While this story can work as a standalone, it’s even better if you have read, “The Valentine’s Bet!”
Weston is 30, software engineer, speed dating king, and loyal best friend to Parker Harris! The two guys have been close since college and now they work together! When some life upheaval happens adjacent to Parker, Wes goes with the flow and does what he can to help whether that’s apartment hunt, risk his own mortality over a cup of coffee, or move heavy boxes! Wes may attend far more singles events, but he’s good people! Fundamentally, he just wants to love and be loved in return! Swoon!
Brittany is 27, lawyer, girls’ girl, and loyal to her brother no matter how much time has passed since they last hung out! Recently her plans that she had have been turned upside down and placed in a bit of a dumpster fire. Cue the best big brother ever! Parker agrees to house her until she’s ready to move forward and when does move, he ropes in his trusty best friend. Same best friend who she had a crush on at one point, whoops! Same best friend who has been thrown into the deep end of being even more readily available to her. That dormant may not be as far removed as she thought.
While I’m a sucker for this trope, it’s the little secret exchanges that get me this time! It may have started out as a gift card to help get rid of a hideous painting, but it blossomed into so much more! Throw in a lovable pooch and a whole slew of random holidays you never knew existed and you have the wonders of this book! Not all slow burns can be appreciated as much as this one and I would happily reread this one anytime – if my schedule allows!
The Secret Letters ~ The Falling Friends #3 by Kristine W. Joy
The Secret Letters is a beautifully written addition to The Falling Friends series, further showcasing Kristine W. Joy’s strength in delivering heartfelt, clean romance. From the outset, readers can expect an emotionally engaging and thoughtfully developed story—and this novel fully meets those expectations.
The characters are authentic and well-crafted, allowing for a genuine emotional connection. The inclusion of the “secret letters” adds a meaningful layer of depth, skillfully blending themes of love, friendship, and second chances. Kristine’s writing style remains warm and accessible, drawing readers in with ease.
Notably, the novel demonstrates that a compelling romance can be both clean and deeply moving, without relying on unnecessary dramatics. It is a refreshing and uplifting read that will resonate with fans of the genre.
Overall, The Secret Letters is a strong and satisfying installment in the series, and a recommended read for those who appreciate sincere, emotionally rich romance.
Reasons I enjoyed this book: Easy-to-read, Happily Ever After, Inspirational, Original, Page-turner, Romantic, Realistic, Wonderful characters
This is a darling, sweet, clean romance. Right off, I’m going to highly suggest reading The Valentine Bet, also by Kristine W. Joy, before you start this story. You could certainly read it as a standalone, but the storyline and characters do overlap and makes the story even more well-rounded. The Secret Letters is the story of Brittany, right after her fiancé broke up with her and kicked her out of his house. With nowhere else to go, she calls her brother Parker, to see if she could stay with him. Weston is Parker‘s best friend and has known Brittany for years. Although they have not seen each other for a few years now. Their recent meeting brought on all kinds of chemistry, but also it came with a warning from Parker,” stay away from my little sister”! Forbidden love is always more intriguing. But being as good a friend as he is, Weston tries really hard, but the magnetic field is strong. This is a great afternoon read. It makes you smile and warms your heart. The story is charming and the characters enjoyable. It is full of laughs and sweet kisses. You also get other character's happily ever afters.
Fun Read about Weston and Brittany. Weston and Parker have been best friends since college and work together. Parkers #1 rule stayvaway from his sister Brittany. Brittany turns to Parker, when her fiance dumps her. Brittany moves in with Parker until she can find a apartment. When Weston sees Brittany again..oh he has the same feelings. Weaton is a serial dater and not able to find the one. When Parker and Weston help Brittany move she is happy to have her space, yet misses Parker and Weston. Brittany get a housewarming gift in the mail, and starts the pen pal ship these two share. Brittany finds a friend at work and thjngs are looking up.. When Parker and Amy throw Weston a birthday bash, he spoils the night by kissing Brittany. Brittany runs and pushes the feelings away. Weston and Brittany finds themselves together for the July 4th bash at the Hamptons. What Weston didnt plan was the letter that Brittany wrote to apologize, Parker finding and reading. It takes Amy to get Parker to calm down and Brittany has the courage to admit her feelings. Life turns out great for Weston and Brittany all over being pen pals!
Oh, this was so cute! If you've read The Valentine's Bet, you might remember Weston and Brittany- Parker's best friend and sister, so it was really fun to get their story, part of which takes place simultaneously. You do not have to have read the previous book to enjoy this one, but I do think I personally enjoyed it more having already seen some from these characters. These two were so good together. I loved their sweet chemistry and the letters/cards between them added such a fun (and unique) element to their story that I really loved. Kristine W. Joy never fails to deliver stories that will make you swoon and keep you smiling, and this one was no exception. If you love brother's best friend romance, this is one to add to your TBR.
The Secret Letters is a closed-door romance with kisses only and minimal minor language. It is the third book in The Falling Friends series and while they are interconnected, this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
I loved the first two books in this series so I was thrilled to read this one. Having met both Weston and Brittany in The Valentine Bet, I was delighted to see their story progress and also see Parker and Amy again, and see their story develop further.
But back to Weston and Brittany. We meet them as Brittany moves in temporarily with Parker after her engagement implodes and she's thrown out of her home. Knowing it's temporary, she starts looking for another apartment, assisted by her brother's best friend, Weston. Weston has been warned off Brittany because he's a serial speed-dater and is now looking for something serious, whereas Brittany is recovering from heartbreak.
Weston leaves her a welcome note, and suddenly they are secret pen pals, each looking forward to the next correspondence from the other. I loved watching them develop their relationship and their attitudes towards relationships and marriage. They genuinely loved spending time together, despite Parker's insistence that they shouldn't date.
This was a sweet story about two people finding each other at the right time.
I was immediately intrigued by the title/blurb of this book and was not disappointed! Brother's best friend and sending secret letters- yes please!
Weston has always noticed Brittany but his best friend Parker said she was off limits. Brittany is just finding her footing after a bad breakup. A simple kind gesture from Weston leads them to exchanging letters and deepening their friendship.
Favorite Parts: -Weston's birthday party -Brittany's growth as a character- it was really beautiful to see how she recognized things were different with Weston. -Their letters and the random pictures/trinkets they sent each other. -The first time that Weston and Brittany hung out together
Favorite Quotes: The woman is just the epitome of everything a man could want, but she’s also the epitome of what could potentially get me murdered by my best friend.
“Weston didn’t feel like that.” “How did he feel?” “Like I didn’t have to move anything to make room for him. Like I could just … exist. And he met me there.” The truth slips out before I can filter it.
I loved Brittany and Weston’s story from the dedication to the epilogue.
Brittany has given up on love and dating after a broken engagement, and Weston wants nothing more than to be in love but can’t get past date one. Both are so relatable and I could picture myself in both of their situations. Add in some mutual crushes from their younger days and this story is full of top notch pining and swooniest slow burn.
I adored the pen pal letters and packages. They got sweeter and sillier with time, as well as deeper and more meaningful. The parallel timeline with The Valentine’s Bet storyline was also so much fun! I enjoyed revisiting Parker and Amy’s story from a slightly different point of view.
I really enjoyed the side characters and can’t wait to see who else might get a story.
This brother’s best friend, forbidden relationship, pen pal romance is the 3rd book in the Falling Friends series.
I was excited to get to read a book that continued with Parker and Amy and Weston! However, I will say if you read the Valentine’s Bet a while ago you might be a bit confused at the timeline like I was 🤪 I read that one a minute ago so I had a hard time finding my footing timing wise.
Anyways, I enjoyed the back and forth with this one between Brittany and Weston, ESPECIALLY the letters. I thought it was such a cute way for them to get to know one another without having each others numbers! Also, Kristine did a great job having each of the characters grow emotionally individually rather than seeing a relationship as the thing to fix everything.
It was also fun getting commentary from Brittany and Weston about Parker and Amy since we only had their perspectives in Valentine’s Bet.
You’ll enjoy this book if you like 🤍 clean romance 💌 snail mail 🤗 friends/acquaintances to lovers
While The Secret Letters is a stand-alone book in The Falling Friends series, it actually runs a bit parallel to The Valentine's Bet (Parker and Amy's story) so it likely will make a bit more sense if you read that one first (it's a great read by the way!). This book follows Weston (Parker's best friend) and Brittany (Parker's little sister) as they work towards their happily ever after... Weston and Brittany's relationship develops through cards and letters (so awesome in today's dating app world), as they get to know each other in a way that will not upset Parker, since he has forbidden Weston from dating his sister. Deep friendship develops and leads to the recognition that not only do they really like each other but the chemistry cannot be denied. Overall, a really sweet read and one I highly recommend.
I received an ARC from the author and my review is voluntary.
- Friends to more - Sweet romance - Pen pals - Cinnamon roll MMC - He falls first - Brother's best friend
This story is so cute!!! The premise is that Weston, best friends with Parker from The Valentine Bet, is totally smitten with Weston's sister Brittany. Not that he'll do anything about it, thanks to Parker being a bit overbearing.
But when Weston, a hopeless romantic, reconnects with Brittany, a recently single woman, he decides to engage with her via written letters (SO ADORABLE!!) after Brittany sends him a quirky card as a thank you.
Soon these two look forward to the letters more than any dates they have (with other people...remember Parker). They are so, so sweet together. Think When Harry Met Sally meets The Notebook (but happier).
I could not put this book down and now hope that Harlee gets a book at some point. What a hoot she is!
A True Love Connection is when Everything Aligns Perfectly - This is a brilliantly written and heartwarming, brother’s best friend romance story with fantastic characters, great humour and an exciting storyline where Weston tried to help Brittany move on with her life after her broken engagement and they found the great love connection they deserved. The characters in the story gave us electric chemistry, witty banter and a connection that felt both intense and genuine, to ensure I was hooked on the story from the first page. I urge you to grab a copy of this book, then make sure you have plenty of time set aside, because once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down. It was a brilliant read from start to finish.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The right person doesn’t replace your world, they fit into it.
They are just friends who like to ice skate. They are just friends who like good coffee and Italian food. They are just friends who like to write each other thoughtful letters. They are just friends until a kiss redefines the way they have to look at one another.
I love a story that is a bit introspective. This is a very character-forward story, and deep dives into the complicated dating lives of Weston and Brittany. It felt grounded in reality while providing a lovely escape for a few quick hours. I particularly enjoyed the shared timeline with The Valentine Bet!
Overall, this was a fun, brother's BFF romance with all the happy feels!
I received a complimentary copy of the author's story to read and review. All thoughts contained here are my own.
The Valentine Bet is one of my very favorite Kristine W Joy stories and imagine my surprise to discover that The Secret Letters is set in the same timeline. Weston is grumpy Parker’s best friend and is crushing hard on Parker’s sweet sister, Brittany. Watching Parker and Amy fall in love through another angle was almost as much fun as watching Weston and Brittany navigate a forbidden relationship through a series of cards and letters.
Weston is a serial speed dater and Brittany is homeless after a failed relationship. The way their friendship slowly blossomed to more as they became penpals in NYC melted my heart. The swoon and laughs are off the charts. I am smitten with this couple and cherished every single interaction and each letter.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
This is a brother’s-best-friend, epistolatory rom-com. It’s cute and engaging, despite being a little slow at times. I felt it tried a bit too hard to be philosophical, spinning in questions of identity. The FMC is coming out of an unhealthy long term relationship and we hear many (many) times how in conforming herself to his expectations she gave up her hobbies, friends, and those things that made her “her”.
The ending is a little weak, tipping into cheesy, but overall it’s a good book.
Content: There is no sex or violence. The word p*ssed is used once, but otherwise the language is clean. The romance is limited to mildly descriptive kisses, they’re not overly heated but tongues are mentioned a couple of times. The FMC lived with her ex-fiancé prior to marriage. There is no real mention of faith or God.
awww I love the premise of this book... pen pals, I agree with Weston, It's an artform! Falling for your brothers best friend, that right there pulls me in every time, especially when the brother is Parker Harris (The Valentines Bet) and I loved that this books timeline runs relatively parallel to his book too. The two Harris siblings falling in love. Brittany is fresh from heartbreak and steering well clear of love, but Weston is the total opposite and putting himself out there at every single speed dating event he can get to. It's super sweet that they end up falling for each other over the written word, absolutely off to daydream about how romantic that is!
I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.
Weston is a lovable bachelor who is longing to find love. He can’t understand why it never works out.
Brittany has come home to her brother with a broken heart and a bad taste for love.
Having known one another for over ten years, Weston and Brittany already have a connection, but seeing each other after several years brings a new dynamic. Suppressed feelings start to grow stronger and I loved how that played out from their secret letter writing.
The back and forth letters were sweet and more often than not hilarious. It gave them a safe space to deepen their relationship and work through their own feelings.
The personal growth of both was top notch and relatable.
So much to love in this one!
Thank you to Kristine W. Joy for the copy. All opinions are my own.
A cute follow up to previous books in The Falling Friends series, this could technically be read as a standalone, but I think it will be enjoyed more if you know the characters already and have seen them together previously. The author does a good job with the "parallel" start to the story, playing off of scenes from book 2. I enjoy a good penpal story, and this one was well done. The tension around having feelings for your brother's best friend/best friend's little sister was well played, and it made for an enjoyable read. I read an early version, check this one out as soon as it is available!
The third book in the series and this one continues with characters from the previous book, The Valentine's Bet. The best friend and the sister of Parker, from the previous book made it seem like the story never ended. However if you haven't read that book (you should-it's terrific) it won't affect the enjoyment of The Secret Letters. I love the New York City background that seamlessly is accurate and yet more likeable than reality. Honest characters and a sweet rescue dog made it even richer. Fun and fabulous book!
This was such a cute read. If you like a brother’s best friend trope, this one is for you! Weston and Brittany’s story was a slow burn that was worth it. I loved the letters they write to each other and how their relationship grows. This was a closed door (kisses only) romance with swoon worthy moments. This is the 3rd book in the series but can be read as a standalone.
Thank you to the author for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.
I recently finished The Secret Letters by Kristine W. Joy. I loved reading the story of Weston and Brittany. It was sweet the way they became friends through letters, then realized they have stronger feelings for each other. I enjoyed the writing and the personal growth of the Weston and Brittany as well as Brittany’s brother Parker. We met Weston, Brittany, Parker and Amy in The Valentine’s Bet. It was nice to visit with the characters from that book. There are even some scenes that overlap - so fun! 💛💛💛
*forbidden romance brother's best friend *dual pov *he has crushed on her for years *all he wants is a healthy relationship built on love *she just got out of a bad engagement and isn't looking for romance *they write each other letters in the mail oh how swoony the letter writing is and how important it was for the development of their relationship!! i loved this one and thought the forbidden romance was played out well. it was definitely a slow burn and i was happy with how the story played out.
I really loved this one! Weston’s love at first sight with Brittany, his best friend’s little sister is just plain cute. He is so kind and tries so hard to find love and settle down. When he and Brittany hit it off effortlessly, they both pull back because of her brother and her recent breakup. When they begin to write each other letters and become secret pen pals, it is so cute! The ease between them is so sweet and the way they can be themselves around each other is perfect. The supporting characters are great as well. Super cute romcom!
I loved this brother’s best friend, forbidden dating, sweet romance. I loved Brittany and Weston and the friendship they formed by writing secret letters that were fun and creative and made me laugh and smile. The made-up holidays just to have a reason to send something, the sonnet was an adorable way to express feelings. There is so much I loved about this story, the sweet chemistry, the fun humor and the sonnet and sweet letters. A story you don’t want to miss reading.
Cute little rom-com! 3.5 stars rounded up. I wish there were more letters or even if the story had been told almost entirely in letters but I still enjoyed it. Loved that the book included Preston and Amy as well, as I had enjoyed The Valentine Bet earlier this year! The Secret Letters was a great preamble to summer reading. Light, fluffy, and sweet.