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Care Package

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Ryan is a deployed tactical soldier, living in tactical gear, sandstorms, and self-imposed isolation. Jackson is the NHL's golden boy player, wearing a million-dollar smile and a mask he never takes off.

When Jackson signs up for a military outreach pen-pal program, they begin trading letters across the globe. Soon, their letters become a sanctuary for raw honesty, sharp wit, and a building tension that burns hot enough to melt the ice and light up the desert. But what happens when the soldier finally comes home?

242 pages

Published July 1, 2026

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J. Clark

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5 stars
113 (23%)
4 stars
127 (26%)
3 stars
161 (33%)
2 stars
53 (10%)
1 star
28 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Liza.
593 reviews18 followers
October 6, 2026
How can you fuck up a book this bad? It started good with the letters. Unfortunately as soon as Ryan’s best friend says he known for a long time he was gay and he just want him to be happy I knew he would die. Because the author wasn’t creative enough for anything else.
So clearly Ryan lost his mind after that and comes back home. For reasons he know in which bar the hockey players are. In Seattle. Because Seattle has only one bar.

So after they unite you think ok now we’re getting something sweet and hot right? The sex scenes aren’t well written. The main topic is the PTSD and I know this is a real issue but I just wanted a fluffy read and this is fucking heavy.

Then the letters arrive. Going back (he is clearly not fit mentally) or separate from the military. So now Ryan thinks Jackson will leave him if he is going back. In fact he is quite sure about it. Why though? Jackson supports Ryan in everything. Why would he leave him over going back. I don’t think Jackson would and o don’t think the author knows her own character.

Another annoying scene. The man has PTSD, so they’re going to watch something light. A superhero movie. With guns. And soldiers and loud noises. Oh no Ryan has a flashback. Who could have guessed. Ffs just watch 10 things I hate about you or something.

I found a you’re your error. That’s one thing I can’t overread.

Not recommended. Could have been good. I am disappointed.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
13 reviews
July 23, 2026
The first half of this book had me in a chokehold. I loved getting to know Jackson and Splash and seeing their connection form through their letters. But the second half seemed like a rushed cluster of thoughts that didnt quite go together. Everything felt really jumbled and frantic with quite a bit of grammar mistakes, almost like the book was written by two different people. I wish the second half had been as strong as the first.
Profile Image for Bee.
69 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2026
Too American
Profile Image for m✨.
795 reviews2 followers
August 7, 2026
i could not vibe with this, i just kept checking grammar mistakes, and the writing style was difficult for me to get engrossed in the story
Profile Image for ꒰ঌely໒꒱.
179 reviews
August 4, 2026
tengo bronca porque le tenía mucha fé a este libro, me llamó muchísimo la atención la sinópsis y empezó siendo re prometedor. pero mientras más iba avanzando el libro, más se sentía como si estuviese leyendo un borrador más que un libro revisado y corregido

hablando de la escritura, sentí que hubieron muchísimos errores de continuidad entre capítulos y repeticiones innecesarias. había cosas que estaban escritas y narradas que de un capítulo para el otro parecía que la autora se olvidó por completo

la relación de los protagonistas no me la terminé de creer. creo que pudo haber sido abordada muchísimo mejor con un poquito más de ganas. no me molesta el instalove como tal, pero no me podes decir que ya prácticamente se aman después de haber intercambiado CINCO CARTAS me parece un montón. y me decepciona una banda porque de verdad esperaba verlos enamorarse y desarrollando su relación mientras se conocían a través de cartas, pero la autora se apuró demasiado

los últimos capítulos ya era repetir más de lo mismo a cada rato, ya terminando el libro confieso que me salte bastantes párrafos porque me ABURRÍA

SPOILER !!
la parte que estuvo mejor tratada a mi parecer, fue el fallecimiento de Brody. ese capítulo y los que siguieron con el duelo de Ryan por su mejor amigo me hicieron llorar, pero justamente creo que esto se logró porque SÍ sentí la conexión entre Ryan y Brody. a pesar de ser una amistad que se forma antes de que empiece el libro, sus interacciones te hacían tenerle cariño a la dinámica de mejores amigos que tenían los dos. algo que no creo que la autora haya logrado con la pareja principal

igualmente no creo que el libro haya sido un desastre. la idea era buena, nomás me parece que le faltó pulir muchas cosas antes de que lo publiquen (y un beta reader o un editor bueno, si es que este libro tuvo alguno)
otra vez, me creería si me dicen que esto es un borrador más que el libro terminado

1,5 🌟
Profile Image for Tasha.
150 reviews6 followers
July 22, 2026
Ryan is a soldier deployed overseas on active duty, Jackson is an NHL golden boy. Both men navigating through the noise of life with masks firmly in place wishing they could find a a quite place to just be themselves. Thousands of miles separate them but a connection is made through the exchange of letters.

A connection that had me smiling, chuckling, tears of heartache (I sobbed) and tears of joy. A slow burn love story that demonstrates family isn’t always blood, it’s the people who show up to hold your hand when you need it the most and choose to stand by you.

Care package is beautifully written and heartfelt.

Just breathe, my soldier, I’ve got you.

I see you

Holding the line…. ❤️🍪🦆(Trust me it makes sense when you read it)
40 reviews
October 29, 2026
Dnf - 85% the letters was really good but the writing was lazy. How you fall in love so quickly I’ll never know, after brody died it went down hill, the sex scenes were boring and the constant PTSD was mind numbing because it was like too much, even tho it’s legit something that people experience it was everything, a rock crashing at the beach, the coffee machine, something falling on the floor, the bloody explosion scene on a film! Seriously who chooses that film!?!! It was just so painfully boring and it had such good potential. Had it been by a better author it may have been done well
1 review
July 6, 2026
Wow just wow this book !!! Broke me in soo many ways .. if you love a book which hooks you and makes you not want to put it down u need to read this book!!! I have felt every emotion with this book!! It’s a must read!!!
Profile Image for Lily.
124 reviews2 followers
Did Not Finish
August 12, 2026
DNF @ 50%
I just... and this is totally a me thing, but the pro America pro military rhetoric in this book was too much for me. Especially in this day and age where, yes, military members are risking their lives every day, but it's not for our freedom (which is actively being taken away every single day, especially for women and immigrants) but for governments who couldn't care less about them. And the whole, oh my God, he's risking his life every day and I play professional hockey, I'm not good enough for him thing- no, those are two different careers, but careers nonetheless. He's a PROFESSIONAL athlete and diminishing his career and achievements for this man he's never met? Spouses and partners of military members have all kinds of careers, and all of them are valid. And Jackson WAS good enough for 'Splash', idk why he was constantly in his feels about how his career was meaningless and not good enough compared to fighting overseas in these horrible wars.
Profile Image for Livy dow.
502 reviews9 followers
July 31, 2026
There is just something so special about a story where two people fall for each other through letters, and Care Package delivered everything I wanted and more. The slow build of Ryan and Jackson's relationship felt so natural, and I found myself smiling every time they exchanged another letter.

Ryan is a deployed tactical soldier who has become used to keeping everyone at arm's length, while Jackson is the NHL's golden boy who spends his life hiding behind a perfect smile. On the surface, they couldn't be more different, but through their letters they were able to be completely honest with each other in a way they couldn't with anyone else.

The letters were easily my favourite part of the book. They were funny, heartfelt, emotional, and full of so much vulnerability that it was impossible not to become invested in their relationship. Watching strangers become friends, then slowly become something more, was beautifully written.

I also loved the way J. Clark handled the heavier themes throughout the story. Ryan's experiences while deployed and Jackson's struggles away from the spotlight added so much depth to their characters, making their connection feel even more meaningful.

The romance was full of longing, emotional tension, and so many sweet moments that had me completely hooked. By the time Ryan came home, I was desperate to see these two finally get the happy ending they both deserved.

If you love M/M romance, military romance, hockey romance, pen pals, slow burn, emotional character development, and plenty of heartwarming moments, I can't recommend this one enough.

Ryan and Jackson completely stole my heart, and Care Package is one of those books that reminds you just how powerful simple words on a page can be. 🖤
Profile Image for Macey.
10 reviews
August 14, 2026
Ducks and cookies are a love language

This book was everything. Literally every single thing I want in a book. It went straight to one of my favourites and I’m completely obsessed with Ryan and Jackson.

I loved how much time we got to actually watch them fall for each other. Their relationship builds through letters while Ryan is deployed and the yearning was some of the best I’ve ever read. I loved their letters so much I already want to go back and read them all again. By the time they finally met I was so attached to both of them.

Jackson was the sweetest. He was patient and steady and exactly what Ryan needed. I loved watching Ryan slowly open up and become more comfortable being himself after feeling like he had to hide so much of who he was. I also loved the friendships and side characters. They actually felt important to the story and I got so attached to them too.

There are some heavier moments that I wasn’t expecting and I definitely cried, but it just made me love the story even more. It was such a beautiful story about love, loss and having someone there beside you no matter what.

I laughed, kicked my feet, cried actual tears and fell completely in love with these two. I genuinely didn’t want it to end and I already want to read it again
Profile Image for Deborah.
287 reviews4 followers
July 25, 2026
Good

2.5 rounding up?
I was really not sure how to rate this one. Did I like it? Yes, I read it all in just one evening.
Did I like the concept of the story? Yes.
Did I like the writing style? Yes and no. I loved the letters. I enjoyed the super short chapters. I think that is why I read it so fast. Parts of this though seemed a bit chaotic. Mostly the second half. Things seemed to jump around where I didn’t understand the timeline on how much time has passed. One chapter they are somewhere and the next they are somewhere else with no idea how that happened or how much time passed.
There were also long paragraphs where both Alex and Ryan would be talking and sometimes it was hard to know who was saying what.

I did really like Ryan (Splash) and Alex. I thought this was a great idea for a storyline for a book. I love the pen pal trope. I didn’t even mind that there was hardly any steam. I just think the second part could have had better flow. Less all over the place.
Profile Image for Rosenthal Read.
137 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2026
DNF 20%
Ça va devenir ma DA.
Chapitres trop courts, lettres trop impersonnelles et pourtant, Jackson qui fait son coming out tout en ajoutant « dommage si tu n’es pas un soldat sexy » alors que eh, tu ne sais pas à qui tu parles, comment il pourrait réagir : surtout un militaire aka les mecs quand même assez fiers de leur masculinité. Attention je ne dis pas que ce n’est pas viril que d’assumer sa sexualité, mais souvent (sans vouloir faire de généralité) ils ne sont pas hypeeeer connus pour être open sur le fait de se faire draguer / de subir le flirt de quelqu’un ouvertement gay. Et si j’aime cette ouverture d’esprit, ça m’a paru un peu hors propos. Ça a manqué de développement, tout était trop survolé et peu approfondi. Aucune émotion en dehors de ces quelques échanges de lettres et en dehors on ne s’attache pas du tout aux personnages, à leur vie, à leurs amis. Des chapitres de 1min qui ne parlent de rien. Je n’ai pas eu envie de continuer, car ce n’était pas tel que je me m’étais imaginé dans la construction
117 reviews
July 25, 2026
Emotional debut with a lot of heart

Care Package is a heartfelt debut that really shines in its portrayal of military deployment, trauma, and the difficult transition home. The short chapters keep the story moving, and the emotional connection between the leads is sincere and affecting, with several moments that genuinely brought me to tears. While I felt some of the metaphors became a little repetitive and the writing could have benefited from another editing pass and more depth in places, the core of the story is compelling and clearly written with care. Tropes: hockey team / found family, military romance, pen pal, emotional hurt comfort. Content note: descriptions of military trauma, PTSD, and a death in combat. It’s a promising start from a new author, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in the series because this cast of characters has hooked me in.
Profile Image for Allyash.
20 reviews4 followers
August 1, 2026
Honestly, I LOVED THIS BOOK from start to finish. It's been a while since I've read an MM military romance that had this much substance. The story felt so real and showed what soldiers go through and how difficult it is to transition from military life to civilian life. It definitely isn't easy.

The letters they exchanged and the way they poured their hearts out and took a chance on each other were so beautiful. Honestly, this is what I think true love is. Once your soul connects with someone, what they look like physically doesn't matter. Of course, it doesn't hurt that they were both sexy as hell. 😂

Overall, I can't wait for the next book in the series. Hopefully, it's another military romance because there honestly aren't enough MM military books out there. I always enjoy them, and the forbidden aspect just makes the story even more intense and exciting.
4 reviews
August 2, 2026
Great debut novel

I love pen pal or texting books. This did that so well in the letter chapters. The relationship grew and wasnt an instant love/lust book. Pov was duel 1st person which I love. The emotions I teared up...twice which does t happen often. Now what could have been better in my opinion...the spice was low and I wouldn't say open door but not quite closed door spice either maybe a 1.5 🌶. The problems came at the 2nd half of the book. They started having rough transitions like they'd be at the arena in the box talking and in a rough situation on Ryan's ptsd then all of a sudden new chapter at home with no transition. It was slightly hard to follow. Would I have read this book knowing that yes I would have still read it. It was still a 4.5 star read and I look forward to watching this author grow and reading more from them.
Profile Image for Mel Walsh.
155 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2026
I adored this whole pen pal, soldier and hockey player vibe so much. UNTIL they met.

I had a vibe that I knew Brody would die and it was heartbreaking when it happened!

The guys meeting was just a huge let down for me I’m sorry to say! The spice wasn’t giving as much as I would have liked and I feel like so many moments and time in general was glossed over.

I love that Ryan and Nate formed a brotherhood together and I love that Jackson and Ryan ended up happy and together but the book really felt like it went in a different direction than where it started and where I thought it may end up.

Thanks for a good read though!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mary (Corporate Girly with an MM addiction).
86 reviews1 follower
August 1, 2026
OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I literally read it in one sitting, I could put it down. I just read a couple of books I was looking for for months, and they were kind of disappointing, so this was so refreshing.
The pen pal plot was so interesting and different, I was looking forward to those letter as much as Jackson was 🥲
And the ending? It was just perfection, my boys deserve everything that is good in the world.
I said it once and I’ll say it again, indie authors are AWESOME! Please give this a try.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 1/5 🌶️
Profile Image for Lyndsey.
90 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2026
Damn it! It was going so well! I was enjoying it! The slow burn of sorts, the emotion written on the pages of those letters! The development of Jackson and Ryan’s love story! THE COOKIES! I shed tears, I swooned!

Then BAM! They meet. They live happily ever after. The end!
That’s exactly what the last 40% of this book felt like, it felt rushed, it legit felt like I was reading 2 separate books! The conclusion felt like a race to the finish line, like, where’s my medal?!?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good book, the first half is a solid 4⭐️ but the second half just completely lost me.
Profile Image for Inda Deleon.
138 reviews9 followers
August 11, 2026
beautiful story

I loved this story, even when it was heartbreaking. I think some of it was just over explained and repetitive. I lost count how many times Jackson labeled himself the joker and that he didn’t need the mask anymore and the same with Ryan when it can to quieting the noise. Other than that, it really was a great story. I would have like a better epilogue where we actually got to enjoy their day with them and also the future of what Ryan was planning on doing too.
1,155 reviews
August 17, 2026
Znalazłam polecenie tej książki na Tok toku i mam mieszane uczucia. Na pewno jest napisana w innym stylu niż lubię. Rozdziały są krótkie ale naładowane bardzo emocjonalnie. Jak początek mnie wciągnął ta cała znajomość na bazie listów była fascynująca ale ciągle byłam sceptyczna, że można się aż tak odsłonić i zakochać na postawie słów. Domyśliłam się co się będzie działo w środku i nawet się wzruszyłam ale nie lubię takich emocji bo mam wrażenie, że są wyciskane na siłę. Doceniam bohatera żołnierza pokazanie jego pracy i traum, które wpływają na jego życie w cywilu.
Profile Image for Mel.
45 reviews
November 2, 2026
I gotta be honest, 40 percent halfway was interesting, I love how they become each other's anchors. But the rest of it, wassss, hmmmm... fine.... I love how short every chapter was even though they were no longer exchanging letters, so like I won't bored easily, SUPPOSED to... But I gotta tell my future self that to finished the rest of the sixty percent of this book was HARD. yes, it was too rushed somehow, but I guess I can't ignored Ryan's ptsd and truly glad that he healed fast with Jackson & the others help. Such a cute & cool concept tho.
1 review
August 29, 2026
bad

One of the worst books I’ve ever read in my life. The writing is just straight up chat gpt. If I see the word noise once more I’m gonna cry. And how come Jackson’s mask was gone for 12 chapters but suddenly came back and for 2 seconds to “finally being gone”. And don’t get me started on the ducks, we get it he’s a soilder who draws ducks no need to say it 10000 times. Honestly don’t waste your time reading this shit
678 reviews
September 8, 2026
2.5 ⭐️ I love the concept of the book, love the found family and the MCs. But this needs some serious editing and proofreading. It doesn’t flow and there are lots of plot holes and time jumps. I wish it had more detail and depth bc it’s trying real hard to be an emotional hurt/comfort read but it feels too surface level and juvenile kinda.idk, it has so much potential tho!
Profile Image for Meike .
55 reviews
September 9, 2026
Het ptss stuk was geweldig gedaan, maar ook dat was met weinig diepgang. Het hele verhaal miste wat diepgang. 1 brief schrijven en ze waren verliefd. Het leek ergens niet te kloppen, het verhaal was soms wat lastig te volgen, ook omdat het niet duidelijk werd hoeveel tijd er steeds versprong. Het was geen slecht verhaal, maar het miste wel wat diepgang en gevoel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Isaac.
64 reviews
September 15, 2026
At first I really loved it and the concept of the letters being sent back and forth between Ryan and Jackson was cute. But some things got extremely repetitive. Jackson would say one thing from his POV and Ryan would repeated almost the exact same thing from his own POV word for word.
Personally I would love to read another book like this with similar tropes but this one wasn't for me.
Profile Image for Kayleah Gurrera.
117 reviews
July 30, 2026
This was, at the same time, too fast and too slow of a read. Not sure how I feel about it fully yet but this had the potential to be a perfect book, it was just executed less than even tho tears were flowing a lot
Profile Image for Kelly George.
421 reviews3 followers
July 31, 2026
Shame

I had high hopes for this one but it didn’t quite meet my expectations unfortunately. It felt rushed, a bit all over the place and didn’t take time to delve into anything with any depth. The bare are there for a great story but it needs a lot more filling out
Profile Image for han :).
197 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2026
first half was incredible but second half kinda fell off tbh

the formatting was the hardest part to get used to…. say it with me now: when we introduce a new character’s dialogue, we start a new paragraph! my eyes cannot handle a block of text, they are weak and fragile!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews