4 stars! 
 Review at Of Pens and Pages. 
 Dear Aaron was different from the rest of Mariana ZapataaEUR(tm)s books, but fans and readers can expect a sweet friends-to-lovers story with her signature slow-burn romance. 
 Thanks to the Help a Soldier Foundation, 23-year-old Ruby Santos signed up to write weekly letters to a 28-year-old soldier, Aaron Hall. It was an unconventional start to their friendship but it's one that grew stronger as each mail, IM, and care package was exchanged and delivered. Their correspondence goes on even after the end of AaronaEUR(tm)s tour, and without even noticing it, theyaEUR(tm)ve become each otheraEUR(tm)s best friendaEUR"maybe even more for Ruby. 
 How is Dear Aaron different from her other works? Ms. Zapata wrote part of the book in an epistolary voiceaEUR"letters, e-mails, instant and text messages. I know some people donaEUR(tm)t enjoy a book without the usual narrative style, but I think it helped readers get a glimpse of what goes on in both charactersaEUR(tm) lives and see the gradual build of their friendship and feelings. Like her other books, the rest of the story is told in the female leadaEUR(tm)s point of view. 
 It was a slow start, but as soon as the pace picked up halfway through, I had a perma-grin aEUR(tm)til the very last page (Mariana, I want to frame the acknowledgment!). That first meeting made me squeal and giggle and ahhhh. I loved how their easy banter and ease around each other translated outside IMs and emails, and damn it, Aaron was so sweet!!! He was so thoughtful and caring and ahhhhhhh