From USA Today Bestselling Author KL Donn comes the second stand alone installment in the Love Letters short story series. A match made… by an 8 year old? Dear Paisley,I wasn’t looking for love. I was fine with the life I had. Then you wrote me and a whole new world opened up. Dear Gage,I’ve been alone so long. Lost, scared, raising a son who needed a real man. Then you came along. Opening our … Gage,
I’ve been alone so long.
Lost, scared, raising a son who needed a real man.
Then you came along.
Opening our hearts to your loyalty.
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Gage’s promises are never broken and he intends to prove just that.
Tommy an eight year old from Jersey’s (from Dear Killian) class, writes to a soldier named Gage. Gage and Tommy become one pals and Tommy talks his mom, Paisley into writing to Gage as well. Paisley and Tommy are well acquainted with betrayal and a man letting them down. Tommy’s father is a man who never shows up when he says he will and it puts a lot of stress on Paisley. Tommy blames her sometimes even though he knows it’s not her fault. Gage is taken with both Tommy and Paisley, he wants them both to be his when he comes home. Now all he has to do is convince them and keep his promises. Loved this beautifully emotional read and you need to read it.
•Paisley & Gage•
I struggled a little with Tommy’s (the 8 yr old’s) point of views on this one. While some parts were great other parts didn’t feel authentic but more of how an adult would perceive there thoughts. And I know an adult IS writing it but it just felt a bit too much in parts. I can appreciate the sentiment behind it and think it was a cute idea it just fell a little flat for me. I think it also took a little bit away from the relationship developing between Gage and Paisley so it felt more rushed between them. Felt more about Tommy in a lot of the book, so I wish there had been a little more focus on them to balance it out.
I will say the little letter twist at the end was very cute and I enjoyed it.
Oh my god this is the most adorable book I’ve ever read.
After being assigned by his teacher a soldier to write a letter to, 8 year old Tommy finds a friend in Lieutenant Gage Draper. He’s everything young tommy needs at that moment and he bonds with him instantly through their letters.
Reading the letters between these two was so freaking adorable. Little Tommy is so desperate to see his mum happy he goes ahead and starts trying to set them up, this kid is an absolute genius but inside his heart is hurting for what he wishes he could have. You can’t help but feel sad for the poor boy.
Although this book is short is sure packs a punch, you get everything you never knew you needed and then some. It’s the perfect little read.
Loved Gage, Paisley, and Tommy! Really enjoyed how this started out. Different approach but it was perfect. Insta-connection all around 🙂
Read this today in the Boxset. Loving this series!
When 8 year old Tommy was given a class assignment to be a pen pal with an active duty soldier stationed overseas, no one could have predicted that his young life would be so profoundly impacted.
Tommy is a sweet kid, but going through a very tough time. While his Mom is awesome, his father left them before he was born and only shows up when he feels like it . . . which isn’t often. Tommy struggles with anger at school, especially when teased about his lack of a father at home.
Paisley is a hard working single mom, who loves her so more than anything in the world. While she would give him the world if she could, she can’t give Tommy a father who cares, and it breaks her heart. When Tommy’s attitude and behavior seem to improve after he starts corresponding with his soldier pen pal, Gage, Paisley is cautiously optimistic that Tommy may have a positive role model in his life.
When Gage receives Tommy’s letter, he is immediately taken with the young boy. He quickly realizes that Tommy is lacking a father figure . . .and that Tommy is trying to set Gage up with his mother through his letters. Gage quickly and unexpectedly loses his heart to Tommy and Paisley without ever laying eyes on them. Now, he just has to convince Paisley that he is in it for real and that they can be a family when his tour of duty is done.
Dear Gage is a very quick and enjoyable read. It is a feel-good story that leaves the reader with a smile on their face. KL Donn did a fabulous job giving Gage, Paisley and Tommy character depth right away so that readers could feel invested in their story right from the beginning. While it is a short story, the plot feels full and not rushed. It’s a complete and well written story that I easily fell in love with.
5 stars.