Mystery Correspondent

A Holiday Novella

By: E.L. Koslo

Narrated by: Daphne Winters

It's never too late for a little Christmas Magic... When I moved into my house four years ago, I never expected to receive annual Christmas cards addressed to the previous owner's granddaughter.

The words written inside those cards pulled me into the fractured romance between the sender and the enigmatic S, who had disappeared without a trace.

When his last letter was written like a goodbye, an enclosed picture unlocked the puzzle, and I found myself drawn to a man I never expected to meet.

Would my mystery correspondent fulfill my desire for holiday magic or would the ghosts of Christmas past tear us apart?

©2021 E.L. Koslo (P)2025 E.L. Koslo

✉️ A gentle holiday romance born from a mystery 📮

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Audiobook
Standalone

Mystery Correspondent is a gentle, atmospheric holiday romance built on nostalgia, quiet longing, and the unexpected magic of a letter meant for someone else. I went in curious, this was my first E.L. Koslo book, and for a novella, it delivers a surprisingly solid emotional throughline. The premise is undeniably charming: anonymous Christmas cards full of heartbreak and hope, a lingering mystery, and a connection that forms before the two characters ever meet. It’s soft, warm, and very seasonally on-brand. While it didn’t fully sweep me away, it’s undeniably heartfelt and has a comforting vibe perfect for a winter afternoon.

Stella anchors the story with her genuine empathy and curiosity the kind of heroine who gets pulled into someone else’s heartbreak almost by accident. Ryder, the man behind the letters, is gentle, thoughtful, and marked by loss in a way that makes their eventual meeting feel earned. Their connection sparks quietly, rooted in shared emotion rather than high drama or sweeping plot turns. The past and present weave together to reveal how loss, timing, and second chances intersect, making the romance feel intimate and sincere.

The Story
For four years, Stella has been receiving Christmas cards addressed to the previous homeowner’s granddaughter letters from a man mourning the disappearance of his great love, known only as S. Each message reveals more of his fractured heart, pulling Stella deeper into a story that isn’t hers… until one final letter arrives sounding like goodbye. A photograph tucked inside unlocks the mystery, and Stella realizes the sender isn’t just a stranger he’s someone she feels an unexpected, powerful connection to. When fate finally brings Ryder and Stella face to face, their quiet chemistry and shared hope turn a chance encounter into something meaningful and tender. It’s a soft holiday romance with a clever premise and a satisfying emotional payoff.

🎧 Narration
Daphne Winters delivers a warm, steady performance and is absolutely the highlight here. As a new-to-me narrator, she impressed me with her clean character distinctions and the emotional clarity she brings to every scene. She captures the soft magic, the connection, and the gentle pull between Ryder and Stella beautifully. Her narration elevates the novella and makes it an easy, enjoyable listen she’s the kind of narrator who can carry a story effortlessly.

What I Loved
✔️ A heartfelt, unique holiday premise
✔️ Emotional letters that actually land
✔️ A tender, hopeful hero
✔️ Quiet, meaningful chemistry
✔️ Well-executed epistolary elements
✔️ Strong plot despite the novella length
✔️ Excellent narration

Tropes & Vibes
✔️ Holiday Romance
✔️ Fated Connection
✔️ Letters / Epistolary Spark
✔️ Strangers to Something More
✔️ Gentle, Low-Spice Romance
✔️ Serendipity & Christmas Magic
✔️ Soft, introspective tone
✔️ Emotional but not heavy

Final Thoughts
Mystery Correspondent is a warm, comforting holiday novella with a lovely premise and a sweet romantic core. It’s soft, cozy, and emotionally sincere perfect if you want a Christmas story that feels intimate without relying on big drama or high spice. Add in a standout narration performance, and it becomes an easy recommendation for anyone craving a gentle winter romance.

Charming and Magical Holiday Romance

AUDIO REVIEW (12.5.2025)
Listening to this story nearly a year after I read it brought me right back into this heartfelt, magical romance and me me fall for it all over again.

Ryder and Stella have the cutest meet-cute and a fated connection that I could not stop thinking about. This story is sweet, heartwarming, and charming in the most romantic ways and I loved it all over again!

On audio, Daphne Winters did a wonderful job on this story and really showed the magic, the connection, and the perfect way that fate brings Ryder and Stella together.

A love letter mystery.

A love letter mystery.
Stella is a hopeless romantic, and Christmas is perfect for that. A new home and a letter meant for a previous resident. The dual timeline for the present and when she receives all previous letters worked perfectly. Ryder is a kind-hearted fellow. They fall so easily and share vulnerability. It’s a slow, low-burn spice with heartwarming moments.

Sweet Christmas Novella

What starts with Stella getting Christmas cards meant for someone else turns into a great love story.

I usually don’t enjoy stories with dual timelines, but this one shines by revealing Ryder’s past alongside Stella’s current journey. When they finally meet face-to-face, everything comes together in a great way.

Narrator Daphne Winters perfectly captures the tone. She distinguishes the characters well, making it a fun listening experience.

Huge thanks to Daphne Winters and EL Koslo for the audiobook review copy!

Hallmark vibes just in time for the holiday season!

This book gives off the perfect holiday vibes with a touch of Hallmark. From the get go I was drawn into the mystery letters and the heartbreak story that unfolded with a romantic happy ending!

The narration for this audiobook is spot on with voices for each character perfect for their personalities. It was also easy to differentiate between everyone including the “background” and male characters.

If you’re looking for a quick sweet, heartfelt holiday read this is the book for you!