XOXO, Aster

Princess Pen Pals #1

by A.W. Scott

Every princess deserves his happily ever after...

Princess Aster has given up on finding love. No one wants a little like him.

Charlie has decided it’s time to move after coming out leaves him with a life he feels unfulfilled by.

A pen pal program designed to help potential residents find friends before they move to the big city connects these two.

What they find is more than friendship.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, BDSM, Novella, LGBT, Gay

66 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 16, 2021

Reviews

[BelleLovesRomance · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3/5 🌶 1/5

⚠️ Detailed spoilers below ⛔️

RC and MCs:
🔢👑 MM, strict roles
🔢👑 Charlie Peterson 45yo and Aster Ivy 25yo
🔢👑 Charlie: Full time to freelance ccountant, resigned from his old firm after coming out and received homophobic treatment from his boss and colleagues.
🔢👑 Aster: WFH and has his own business called A Little's Designs that produces hand-made products for littles.
🔢👑 Charlie: Top, dom, Daddy, blue eyes, short dark hair, short beard
🔢👑 Aster: Bottom, sub, little boy, gay, glasses

Genre, tropes, and microtropes:
🔢👑 MM contemporary romance
🔢👑 Novella
🔢👑 Pen pal
🔢👑 Daddy kink
🔢👑 DDlb dynamic
🔢👑 Age play
🔢👑 Power exchange
🔢👑 BDSM elements
🔢👑 Kink exploration
🔢👑 Insta-love
🔢👑 Emotional growth
🔢👑 Feel-good romance
🔢👑 Age gap (20 years)
🔢👑 Gentle, caretaker Daddy
🔢👑 Sweet, shy, femme little boy
🔢👑 Pet names: Princess, baby

Safety info:
🔢👑 Angst: Low
🔢👑 OPD: No
🔢👑 Cheating/sharing: No
🔢👑 Third act breakup: No
🔢👑 Ending: HEA
🔢👑 Epilogue: Yes
🔢👑 POV: Dual, 1st person
🔢👑 Series structure: Interconnected standalone

Spice and kinks:
DDlb dynamic, Daddy kink, age play (stuffy, tiara, princess Elsa dress), power exchange, feminization (Aster wears nail polish, skirts, crop tops), brief blowjob, bareback.

CW/TW:
Explicit sexual content, homophobia, anxiety.

[vrstal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5. Highlights may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Content Warnings for book: Brief homophobia

Kink: Daddy kink, non-sexual age play (no diapers)

There's not tons to say for such a short story, but this was a sweet prequel to the Princess Pen Pals series that I assume is filled with more daddies, and hopefully more femme boys. A.W. Scott did need some editing here but I am really into the way she writes and look forward to reading more of this series. It's easy reads - fluffy, light, cute, and not bad sex scenes at all. I just hope there's more daddy kink in the other books.

[Janet (iamltr) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uh

Why did I finish this? Why did I continue to look at these very stiffly written words? I have no idea.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short and sweet instalove romance. I liked it.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

”I’m here because I want to know what it’s like to touch you. I’m here because I want to know what it’s like to taste your lips and feel your skin next to mine. I’m here because I want to know what the man who I’ve become obsessed with looks like in person.”

That was just too cute. I was introduced to Aster and his Daddy (Charlie) in Bailey. I ended that book knowing I had to see their story. I so wasn’t disappointed. Aster – excuse me, Princess Aster - was who he was, everybody else be damned. Charlie, on the other hand, has only recently come out of the closet, and only just coming into his own as a gay man.

There’s a twenty year age gap between Aster and Charlie, which I loved.
I love how their relationship began and progressed, via a pen pal program where they wrote actual letters that they sent through the mail.

Everything happens super fast, which is understandable because of the length of the story. I was good with that.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable and quick read. I hadn't planned on reading the next book in the series just yet, but after meeting the guys in this one, I'll be going right into it.

I’m not a fan of the cover.

[Jesslan Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

XOXO, Aster
By A.W. Scott

Aster is a 25 year old little who has never had a boyfriend. When his best friend talks him into becoming a pen pal for someone moving to the area he meets Charlie who's 44.

Considering how short the story is I won't elaborate. I will say it was a sweet insta-love story. I adore 'Princess' Aster and Charlie is perfect for him.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

XOXO, Aster by A.W. Scott

🩷 Penpals to Lovers
🩷 Daddy x Femme Little
🩷 Age Gap (20 years)
🩷 Insta-love
🩷 Novella
🔥 Daddy Kink

Overall: ⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Humour: 🤭.5
Intimacy: 🫂🫂🫂
Angst: 🥺

First person dual pov 👀

Content Warnings
On page: homophobia

[Audi♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pen pals?? How unique!
This whole series sounds adorable.
Super fluffy n sweet. I liked it.

[Jenny Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww, princess Aster was so cute!
I've just recently gotten into the age gap and age play stories but I have to say, I'm hooked. I found Princess Aster so sweet and I really liked Charlie for him.
Such a unique way to meet someone now days, without the internet and technology.
It was just really cute. I wouldn't mind reading more from them or Byron maybe next?
4 stars from me!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Za krótka, ale miła

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute super short story about Aster and Charlie who meet through a pen pal program. I absolutely love the whole meet online/dating app/pen pals trope... basically they don’t know each other or have never technically met in person and fall in love virtually. I’m a sucker for these! I haven’t found too many true pen pal books so I was suuuuper excited to read this. Plus I love those Littles... 😉

Aster is 25, and he’s also Princess Aster when he’s a Little. Charlie is just about to turn 45. Nice age gap too. Swoooon!

I love that they get to know each other through letters and Charlie accepts Aster’s little side. When they meet that first time.... oh my my. 🔥🔥🔥 I wish I had more of that.

They did fall in love quickly but for a short book it seemed to satisfy me. I still felt the connection between them.

I’m so ready to read about Byron and Jasper, Charlie’s brother. Very intrigued with that one.

3.5⭐️

This book includes: age play, dress up, coloring, sparkles. No ABDL.

POV: Dual 1st person

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short quick sweet read that I liked. Princess Aster has given up on finding love he thinks that no one wants a little like him. Charlie has decided it’s time to move after coming out so he signs up for A pen pal program designed to help potential residents find friends before they move to the big city connects these two. Aster a competent adult with a thriving business who just so happens to be a Little. This book was like a May-December romance. This was my first time reading this author. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet premise, but a 2.5☆ miss for me. I'm normally down with insta-love when it's done well, but this one lacked the character development to let me really buy into it. I ended up skimming through the last half. Also, needs an editor for homophone errors, missing words, etc. Despite all that, it had the root of a good story, and I'd definitely consider picking up another book from this author after she gets a few more under her belt.

[Smut Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and uncomplicated, I enjoyed this little read with easy characters to identify with and enough emotions to carry a reader along on an endearing journey.

[wordsandblankspaces · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't work

This story just didn't work for me. I understand that it's a quick read but there is no way anyone in the world could feel a connection to someone while they are writing their very first letter to them (hadn't received a letter yet and only knew Charlie's name). I also don't know what being gay has to do with being little. Aster wrote to Charlie about his lifestyle and said he should know what it means since he's been in the LGBTQ community or he can Google it. Not all Daddy/little relationships are between two men. And why not explain to Charlie what being little meant for him specifically instead of saying just look it up? Something needs to be different about this story because it just didn't work. This is the second time I have read from this author and both experiences were just sort of ok. I don't think they are for me.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This first book of the Princess Pen Pals series was a cute, instalove Daddy kink novel with a femme/Princess Little. It was too short of course, and it had a lot of typos, the real word types that are really hard to catch without a real proofreader, which was really distracting. Anyway, I'm still going to read the sequel.

[Avril · Rating 2 out of 5]

Premise was promising

The execution not so much. Near every paragraph has an error if some kind. Several plot issues were overlooked as well. Needs work, but could be fun if done right.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kindle Addict · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a big romantic but this was just ridiculous. Sorry but nothing made sense in this story.

1. First, when I saw “pen pals” in the title I assumed it would be digital ones but no we’re talking about old fashioned paper ones. I love writing and actually met my husband like this but come on, who in modern days would wait so long between letters with a person they don’t know (without also talking on the phone on the side)
On top of that there’s the fact that it’s supposed to be a pen pal system to help people who will move in your city in the near future but the princess MC immediately think he’s going to find someone to date. And of course even though it’s not organised through a queer website they magically get matched with another queer person that fits their likings but also someone who totally gets the little lifestyle (even though he’s never been a daddy/ don’t really much about it)

2. Some things didn’t make sense. Either because of typos or just laziness. For example the daddy talks about how impatient he gets when he doesn’t get a response quickly from the other guy so we assume they’ve been talking a few times off page (which would have been the logical thing!) only to see him receive his next letter where the princess MC is answering the questions from his first letter. So it’s only his second letter?

3. I think they exchange 2 (short) letters before sending each other packages. I’ve been through a relationship like this and sure it makes sense if the letters are long and detailed but here they really don’t say much in them. Very basic infos about themselves but bam he’s already sending him a big package. So of course, after just 1 more letter the daddy already knows that “he’s the one” and flies to his city (across the country) to meet him on his door step…without telling him. The poor guy goes 10 days without any news, starts to think “ok he doesn’t want to talk to me anymore” and the guy shows up at his door!

4. So of course, after 3 letters/ despite never having talked on the phone they go to bed right away (without protection because “damn the risks”) and confess that they love each other!?!

5. Oh and yeah the cherry on top is that the daddy gets impatient when he can’t move RIGHT AWAY because of snowstorms so he drives for 3 days with his moving van despite the danger weather

Honestly I’ve noticed this habit that romance authors have to write a quick novella as way to lure readers into their series and it’s not the first time that I think that those prequels are rushed. When I discovered the series I thought I was going to read it all but this novella is too rushed and now I’m put off to read the rest. Invest a bit more in those prequels if you hope to get new readers.You can do something amazing and details even with 100 pages.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars; it's cute with a happy, healthy Little

Full disclosure, I truly wasn't expecting much when I picked this up. The last few age play books I've read weren't...great. so imagine my delight and surprise when I picked this up and saw a lot of my favorite things about age play in one place. 

Aster a competent adult with a thriving business who just so happens to be a Little. He's confident in himself, has friends who love and support him, and reacts like a normal human to the situations he's put it. THIS is what I want from my age play books. I know a lot of people find incompetent Littles cute. I find them frustrating and unhealthy. Aster's relationship with Charlie is healthy and pretty darn cute. 

Now the good news is this book is short and sweet, so while the relationship felt a little underdeveloped, it was paced well. The bad news is because it's so short, it's errors are all the more glaring. Why there was so much background and exposition about things that seemingly had nothing to do with the story and the characters we never met, I don't know. Maybe it's set up for the second book, but here it just feels out of place and unnecessary. It takes up time that could have been spent on Aster and Charlie. I'm bummed we didn't get more of Princess Aster with Charlie and the smut, while it gets a passing grade, left me a little unsatisfied. 

It may sound like I don't like this book but I promise do. I love that Aster is a fully developed character and not just a Little. I like that all the female characters in this book are kind and supportive. The conversation about pronouns had me ready to forgive the completely unrealistic insta-love here (seriously a few time skips between letters would have been welcomed). It's not perfect but it does show what a little extra time and thought can do to a story. Even if it is only 53 pages. Happy and thriving Littles with strong support systems, that's all I want. 

This book was cute and the nice way to spend an afternoon. 3.5 stars but I'm rounding up because I want to read the second book. I'm hoping the extra length means that the things I disliked will be addressed and the things I did like get to shine brighter. 

[J.E. Benoit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Daddy/little dynamic does nothing for me personally and I knew that going into this. That being said, this story was still sweet. I have no frame of reference because I don’t usually read the Daddy/little trope, but it seemed to have been done well here.

The letters Aster and Charlie sent each other were cute and was a nice way for them to start getting to know each other and I liked the way they easily accepted one another.

The book was only like 80pgs and may have benefited from a little more time to fully flesh out the characters. It was definitely insta-love but they did seem well matched.

If Daddy/little is your thing, there’s a whole series of these books you may want to consider looking into!

[Guardian.angel54 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique story idea that just needs a little work

This was a cute short story. A lot of fluff. I'd really have loved to have a little more - a little more character background and story arc. It was kind of like a plain cupcake. It just needs some fancy frosting and sprinkles to make it perfect. There were also several editing issues that could have been easily resolved with a good proofreader. All in all, not a bad story. I really like the idea of the pen pal program. I'd just like to see more!

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooh, this will give you squishy feelings and even toothache, it's that sweet. Two men emailing each other, haven't met or seen photo's at first, one didn't even know if the other was male or female for a few letters. A short but gorgeous tale, a prelude to the series. I enjoyed it even though I'm not a fan of Daddy and Little, I like Daddy and Boy but Littles are not really my thing, although, to me, Aster seemed a bit more like a Boy than a Little. That said Aster is so freaking adorable I'll forgive him.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Princess Aster has given up on finding love as no one wants a little like him. Charlie has decided to move away from his current location as his life was made intolerable after coming out. A pen pal programme connects these two men who develop more than just friendship.

This was a nice short story with a little who prefers to be a princess, a loving Daddy and an instalove story. It was a nice quick read with a feel-good ending that will make you smile. Easy to read and understand. This is an MM story with some mature content.

[Denise Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet short little story

Quick easy to read little story .
Aster owns his own business, working from home, creating clothing for 'littles'. He started his business as he found it hard to find clothing he liked , when he was Princess Aster.
Aster and Charlie started writing to each other as pen pals. They clicked over their letters and a relationship began.
Really sweet little story
Would recommend as a quick feel good read.

[Merulus Valayil · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very short and while very sweet...

It felt like it was missing something. I wish the substance of their letters was just a little more. It would make the speed of their relationship make more sense, rather than just feel rushed. I also wish Aster's little made more of an appearance. These opinions might be because I'm used to much longer more complicated Daddy/little stories. I'm going to read the next one so we'll see if I can stick with the series/author.

[D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awalnya bingung karena ada kata Princessnya, apakah ini MM or bukan dan ternyata ini pure MM dengan Daddy/Little dynamics. Aster yang pada saat dia menjadi little adalah sebagai seorang Princess Aster ^^. Karena buku ini hanya punya sedikit halaman jadi jangan mengharapkan akan dapat full story, cerita mereka singkat dan padat.

[lettylaunica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute a little too short

This was sweet less steamy for My taste and more sweet, pen pal romances are my jam so I read everything I can, I didn't know about the "little" term but You always learn something new everyday. This was a little too short for me and it felt rushed but it was really sweet

[Assh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie Peterson (45 ans) et Aster Ivy (25 ans)

Daddy et princesse (MxM)

Mariah (Ri , meilleure amie de Aster)
Jasper (frère de Charlie, TDA et TDAH)
.

Dynamiqye daddy bien amené.
Histoire doudou et interesante mais sans plus. Pas d'intrigue profonde.

📖
Chaque princesse mérite son bonheur pour toujours…

La princesse Aster a renoncé à trouver l'amour. Personne ne veut un peu comme lui.
Charlie a décidé qu'il était temps de déménager après que son coming-out lui ait laissé une vie qui ne le satisfaisait pas.
Un programme de correspondance conçu pour aider les résidents potentiels à trouver des amis avant de déménager dans la grande ville relie ces deux-là.

Ce qu'ils découvrent est bien plus que de l'amitié.
📕


🖋️
« Je vais le faire. »

Ma meilleure amie pousse un cri aigu, ses mains claquent et m'encouragent. J'ouvre une nouvelle fenêtre, je me connecte à mon navigateur de messagerie et copie l'adresse du directeur du programme.

Chère Mme Thicket,

Je m'appelle Aster Ivy. Je suis intéressée par le programme de correspondance. Pouvez-vous m'envoyer des informations sur ce que je devrais faire et comment cela fonctionnerait ?

Meilleurs vœux,

Aster

Des papillons flottent autour de mon ventre alors que j'appuie sur envoyer, l'idée que c'est quelque chose d'important me submergeant pendant un moment. Je reste assise pour digérer tout cela pendant que Ri essaie de retenir son excitation.

De nous deux, c'est elle qui a toujours été la plus extravagante. Je suis plus réservée, souvent timide. Nous sommes les deux faces d'une même pièce de cette amitié.

« C'est énorme, Ri. Mais ça n'a aucun sens. Ce ne sont que des correspondants. »

Elle tend la main vers l'écran de l'ordinateur, cherchant la mienne pour me réconforter. Comme toujours, son contact m'apporte un sentiment de paix qui n'arrive qu'avec des années et des années d'amitié.

« Cela pourrait être énorme. C'est quelque chose de nouveau, de différent. Nous savons tous les deux que tu n'aimes aucune de ces choses. Tu préfères ce qui est confortable et ordonné dans ta vie. Tu as maintenant la vingtaine. Il est temps de changer un peu les choses et de tenter ta chance. »

Le bruit d'un e-mail entrant retentit, ce qui fait que mes yeux s'écarquillent tandis que je regarde l'écran de l'ordinateur et que je regarde Ri.

« C'est elle ? Elle m'a déjà répondu ? »

« Ouais, c'est elle. »

« Ne me laissez pas tomber. Lisez-le à voix haute. »

En me raclant la gorge, je lis la réponse par e-mail.

Docteur M. Ivy,

Merci de nous avoir contactés au sujet du programme de correspondance. Cette initiative vise à rassembler les gens de la communauté, tout en accueillant de nouveaux résidents.

Dans le cadre de ce programme, vous enverriez une lettre à une personne qui s'est renseignée sur nos services. Cette personne déménagerait dans la ville dans les six à douze prochains mois. Certaines personnes préfèrent se préparer plus longtemps, il peut donc s'agir d'un arrangement à plus long terme.

Si tu veux, je peux t'envoyer quelques options d'amis potentiels. J'en ai trois ou quatre qui pourraient te convenir si j'en savais un peu plus sur toi.

Salutations,

Mme Thicket

« Elle ressemble à mon ancienne institutrice, si sage et correcte. »

Ri ricane derrière sa main tandis que je la fais taire pour ses paroles stupides. Je relis l'e-mail plusieurs fois avant de taper une autre réponse.

Chère Mme Thicket,

Je n'ai pas grand chose de plus à dire. Je m'appelle Aster, comme je l'ai déjà dit. J'ai vingt-cinq ans. Je suis célibataire et je vis seul. Je suis ouvertement gay. Si c'est un problème pour la personne, je préfère ne pas être jumelé avec elle. La plupart du temps, je travaille à domicile. Mon entreprise est quelque chose que je peux faire de n'importe où, ce qui signifie que je m'aventure suffisamment loin pour connaître les recommandations de la personne à qui j'écris.

N'hésitez pas à me contacter si vous avez besoin de plus d'informations. Je suis plutôt ennuyeux.

Sincèrement,

Aster




.





...


Cher Charlie,
Je m'appelle Aster Ivy. C'est étrange, je sais, mais mes parents ont toujours été un peu anticonformistes. Je suis un homme de vingt-cinq ans. La plupart du temps, je travaille à domicile, même si j'ai tendance à sortir plusieurs fois par semaine grâce à ma meilleure amie super odieuse, Mariah. Elle me garde sain d’esprit de la meilleure des manières.
Mme Thicket a mentionné que vous souhaitiez écrire avec un ami sympathique LGBTQ. Excusez-moi si j'exagère avec ma prochaine question. Êtes-vous membre ou allié? Je demande parce que je veux connaître les meilleurs endroits pour vous diriger. Je suis ouvertement gay, donc je connais tous les meilleurs endroits où aller.
Qu’est-ce qui vous amène en ville ? Êtes-vous enthousiasmé par le déménagement? Je n'ai jamais fait ce truc de correspondant. Normalement, je suis un peu plus timide en personne. Mariah est la seule à pouvoir me sortir de ma coquille, alors pardonne-moi si je dis ou fais quelque chose de bouleversant.
J'ai l'impression que j'arrive juste à ce stade. Peut-être que vous savez autre chose à dire. Ou peut-être que vous aurez des questions à me poser.
Cela fait un peu old school de vous écrire de cette façon, mais j'ai plutôt hâte de recevoir une lettre de votre part. J'espère que cela ne vous effraie pas.

Meilleurs vœux,
Aster




🖋️

[Rebecca Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Aster is beyond adorable and I absolutely love the idea of writing letters the old fashion way. Charlie is super sweet and watching these two fall in love without meeting was beyond breathtaking. The instant love and connection makes me think of fated mates but that’s just how fate works when bringing soulmates together. This was just an amazing start to what’s gonna be an amazing series, can’t wait to read what’s next. 😁❤️