On My Particular (& Unpopular) Hatred for Revising My Books

Listen, if you’re a writer, I already know what you’re going to say, so let’s save some time and cut right to the chase: Yes, I know that everyone else says revisions are the best part of the process. Yes, I know there’s something satisfying about tightening up a story and polishing it until it shines. And yes, I know that a lot of people say it’s way easier to fix something that’s already on the page versus the drafting stage of the process, when you’re pulling ideas out of thin air.

But I have a confession: I like the thin air trick. It feels like magic. Sue me.

And yes, if you’re wondering, this musing may or may not be due to the fact that immediately after turning in the revisions for The Rom-Com Conundrum (which I’ve been nicknaming JLC2), I’m now jumping back into early revisions for…JLC3. And while you may be saying wow Jessica, you seem pretty productive! (and I can’t disagree), what I’m saying is dang it I need this part of the process to be over so I can go back to drafting a new book!!!!!

To me, there’s something about a Draft Zero — the blank page, where you can play and be messy and write with abandon and no rules — that feels so freeing. Without a doubt, it’s my favorite part of the process. You leave the mess to clean up later and you just get to create.

Unfortunately, the revising stage is where the “later” comes in, and you’re left with a heaping dumpster file that you have to wrangle into something salvageable. Which is where I am right now with JLC3. But salvage we will, because we’ve got a book to write!

In Case You Missed It: We’ve Hit Turbulence is Coming to Brazil!

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for takeoff, because We’ve Hit Turbulence is flying to Brazil with Intrínseca! I am SO excited to see another version of my little book out in the world...and if you see me downloading Duolingo to brush up on my Portuguese, no you didn’t.

Nobody tell Olive that she has to get on ANOTHER flight…

And stay tuned, because this isn’t the only destination on Olive & Tyler’s itinerary…

And Lastly, A Love Letter to Beachside Paperbacks

Summer being in full swing means one of my favorite things — the feeling of a crisp paperback romance novel on the beach. And yes, it specifically needs to be a paperback. There’s no better feeling in the world than a warm paperback in one hand and a deli sandwich in the other, with your toes in the sand and the sun shining down on you. And even though it’s been a rainy few weekends in New York, summer weather is officially here and I’m ready, people! Speaking of which…

Something I’m Reading

I’m currently devouring Student Union by Julie Murphy, which was one of my most anticipated galleys of BookCon. (Thank you to my incredible friend Willow for grabbing me a copy!) It’s flirty and fun and hilarious, exactly as Julie’s books all are. It’s one of the best books I could think of to kick off the summer reading season!

Something I’m Watching

Anyone who knows me knows that if there’s a hockey romance, I am there. I tore through Off Campus recently and found it so swoon-worthy and fun — and every character was a treat! Maybe now I should check out the books from the library…

Something I’m Listening To

I can’t talk a whole ton about it yet, but let me just say that The Rom-Com Conundrum’s Spotify playlist is setting the revisions mood over here…

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget you can grab a copy of my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, here.

Are you an influencer, professional reviewer, or journalist? For review or media requests, you can reach out to my PR team on my website.

First Thing’s First: The We’ve Hit Turbulence E-Book is On Sale!

If you’re an e-book reader, you’re in luck — from now until 5/13, you can get the digital version of We’ve Hit Turbulence for only $1.99 anywhere that e-books are sold! You can learn more/find the links to all the deals through BookBub. Happy reading!

How I’m Feeling Post-Edits

Now that I submitted my revisions for my second book, The Rom-Com Conundrum (ball’s back in your court now, Ali!), I feel like I can take a deep breath again. This book took a lot out of me, you guys. More than We’ve Hit Turbulence ever did.

I think part of that has to do with the fact that by the time my editor saw WHT, it had been pulled apart, cleaned up, and stitched back together no less than 4-5 times. My editor got a very clean draft of that book. I had no book deal, so I had plenty of free time on my hands to fine-tune it. TRCC was drafted once, cleaned once, and sent along, because it was already under contract. It’s a very different experience, for sure! And it needed a lot more work, which was to be expected.

And because of that, I will be honest — I spent a lot of this revision process feeling way more defeated than I had in the past. The imposter syndrome was real with this one, let me tell you. Apologies to my poor writing group, my Brain Frog writers, for whining about this book over and over (and over…) again. We’ve made it to the other side! And I’m proud to say I’ve submitted a book that I’m really excited about and hope you love.

Up next: cleaning up JLC3 to send to my agents for review, creating some fun mood boards for TRCC stuff, playing with some notes for a potential JLC4…and then copyedits for TRCC, when those are ready! So a lot still to come, but I feel like a huge weight is off my shoulders with the majority of revisions under my belt. But the work of a writer never truly stops, as they say.

And Now…My Thoughts on BookCon’s Return…

I’m sure you’ve all seen the TikToks. The Reels. the Threads. The drama. BookCon 2026 was…a time. As someone who has attended every single BookCon since the dawn of time (2014), I was both shocked and not at all surprised about how things turned out. We knew this was going to be the first BookCon since the rise of TikTok, and that it would present a bunch of new challenges (bigger crowds, a different way of thinking about media coverage, excitement for ARC drops, etc). But one thing I was not prepared for was the crowd control issues. Eek.

I think the North Javits definitely wasn’t the best space for this event. I miss when things were on the main show floor, with plenty of room for the publisher booths, for people to queue for drops and mill around, etc. I really hope that BookCon 2027 takes the feedback into consideration, because I firmly believe we will get back to the glory days. We can do this, people!

Plus, it wasn’t all bad — I had such an amazing time catching up with so many book friends, attending my first influencer event as a featured author, going on a NYC bookstore crawl with my out-of-town pals, hanging out with my near and dear friend K.L. Walther at her Sourcebooks signing…the list goes on! I’m already counting down the days until BookCon 2027. I’ll have my walking shoes ready!

Something I’m Reading

My treat for finishing revisions was diving back into Broken Rival by Tessa Bailey, which is such an exciting treat. It’s equal parts fresh and new while still having that classic Tessa Bailey spice, and I am so excited to be working on it this fall! Trust me, this is going to be one you want on your TBR. I never thought I’d be a fan of time travel romance in the past, but let me tell you, I am swooning.

Something I’m Watching

As always, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is my favorite show to loaf around on the couch with. So now that revisions are in the rearview, I can give myself a bit of a break and enjoy some TV. I’m loving it! Though I think Jordan is a snakey snake clout-chaser. Get that guy OUTTA HERE!

Something I’m Listening To

Spotify’s Top Down playlist is my favorite summer music to play — I’m talking coasting down the highway, sunglasses on, sunroof open…and now that we’re in May, it’s officially time to enjoy some beach drives again. I can’t wait! I’ll definitely be bringing a book to the shoreline after work a few times this month to read and unwind after a long day. Maybe I’ll even do some writing there…

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget you can grab a copy of my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, here.

Are you an influencer, professional reviewer, or journalist? For review or media requests, you can reach out to my PR team on my website.

9 Things You Can’t Forget to Pack for BookCon 2026

If you didn't already hear the news, BookCon is back in NYC for the first time in 6 years! I’ve been going to BookCon since the inaugural one in 2014, and as such, I’ve picked up a few handy tips and tricks of things to make sure you pack before you head to Manhattan for the weekend. So without further ado, here are 9 things I recommend you absolutely pack in your bags this year:

1. A comfortable backpack. This is not the time for a cutesy belt bag or a bookish tote. Trust me — those things will get heavy on your shoulders throughout the day as you fill it with books and your inevitable artist alley purchases. You want a comfortable backpack with secure straps that can distribute the weight evenly and fit all of the extra stuff you need.

2. Comfortable sneakers. Similar to the backpack situation, this is not the time for cutesy shoes. You can still find things that go with your outfits and look nice, but they should be functional, versatile, and most of all, comfortable. You’ll be doing a lot of walking and standing/sitting on show floors! My favorite con sneakers are the Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker. I wore those babies for 2 straight weeks in Italy without a single blister.

3. Deodorant. It sounds silly, but the show floor an oscillate between being really hot and really cold, so you may find yourself sweating more than you typically do. Don’t let yourself feel uncomfortable!

4. Enough snacks to get you through the day. My go-to is to throw some granola bars and mini bags of chips into my backpack, as well as several frozen Uncrustables PB&J sandwiches that can thaw throughout the day. When you’re bopping from signing to signing or have somewhere to be, you don’t always want to wait on the super-long Javits lines for exorbitantly priced (and meh-tasting) chicken tenders. Having snacks (and bottled water, while we’re at it) is the way to go.

5. A portable charger (or two.) You’ll want to make sure you have a full phone battery to take pics, monitor secret galley drops, and stay in touch with friends. Don’t let your batteries die!!

6. A Sharpie. Because sometimes you’ll run into authors you admire while they’re roaming around the show floor, outside of any official panels or signings. If you want to get something signed spur-of-the-moment, make sure you have a pen on you!

7. Business cards (if you’re an author/influencer). There will be a lot of networking at BookCon — meeting friends on lines (who may become lifelong friends!), finding new readers, and wanting to swap profiles. As I’ve already mentioned, the Javits phone service is not always great, so having a business card to swap so you can follow each other later is always a handy trick. I’ll be armed with plenty of business cards, as well as We’ve Hit Turbulence pins and art prints, at BookCon this year! (So come find me!)

8. Layers. Certain rooms in the convention center are freezing, and others are boiling hot. Make sure your con outfit is planned in a way that you’re able to add some light layers if you’ll chilly, or shed them comfortably if it gets warmer.

9. A printout of your schedule. Phone service in the Javits Center is spotty at best, so if you made your own schedule (I recommend doing it in Excel), always print out 1-2 copies to stash in your bag. It’ll be much easier to reference that throughout the day versus scrambling for phone signal.

So those are 9 things I’d absolutely recommend packing with you — do you think I missed any? Let me know!

Also…

I Had You Guys Decide My Day, And Here’s What Happened

Last month, I did an Instagram Story challenge where I had you guys decide my day, and I compiled the results into this Instagram Reel.

It wound up being even more fun than I expected (especially when you guys pulled through for me and voted to get Applebee’s for lunch), and I think I may do one again soon…what do you think?

Don’t Forget That 4/12 is D.E.A.R. Day!

Mark your calendars, because 4/12 is D.E.A.R. Day in America! That stands for Drop Everything And Read, and it’s defined as a national celebration of reading designed to remind families to make reading a priority activity in their lives. It’s specifically this date because it’s Beverly Cleary’s birthday (she would’ve been 110). How neat!

I’ll be flying back from a trip that day, which means I’ll have plenty of time to drop everything and read on the flight. Hopefully you’ll be able to join me in carving out some reading time that day, too!

Something I’m Reading

I’m currently reading a traveling galley of a fellow 2026 genre debut — It Happened One Murder by Liz Lawson. It’s a really fun blend of mystery and romance (and murder!) that has me on the edge of my seat and constantly trying to guess where things will turn next. (For the record, I’ve been wrong most of the time thus far.) This is an exciting and different story that is really shaking me out of my rut, and I’d recommend preordering your own copy.

Something I’m Watching

Season 3 of XO, Kitty hits Netflix tomorrow, and I can’t wait! Those are definitely my weekend/post-Easter plans. I love the show, and it’ll serve as a great break in between revisions sessions!

Something I’m Listening To

Still my Lofi Study 2026 playlist. We are in the trenches of revisions on The Rom-Com Conundrum right now, people! Lots of work to do. Which means I should probably get back to it, huh?

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget you can grab a copy of my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, here.

Are you an influencer, professional reviewer, or journalist? For review or media requests, you can reach out to my PR team on my website.

In Case You Missed It, I Announced Something Exciting

I know I already announced my second book, The Rom-Com Conundrum, back in October, but it seems like with the whirlwind of the holidays and Comic Con, it may have gotten lost in the shuffle. So, once again, I’m delighted to share that my next YA romance is coming with Delacorte Romance in Fall 2027…I can’t wait to share more details with you!

Speaking of…

My Edit Letter For Book #2 is Here!

Last week, my edit letter for TRCC hit my inbox, and that means that I’m ready to hit the ground running with revisions! I have about two months to incorporate the changes and tweaks that my editor suggested, so for the foreseeable future, you can catch me at my desk after work and on the weekends working on polishing the manuscript so it can really shine. (My fabulous editor, Ali, has such a great knack for revising, so I trust her editorial eye with my life.)

It’s going to be a lot of late nights, snack wrappers at the desk, fueled by Dr. Pepper and pure spite for not wanting to give up on myself. It’s not a secret that revisions are not my favorite part of the process (I’m more of a drafting girl myself), but I’m determined to make this next book the best it can be, so I’ll do whatever it takes to get it there, dang it! So I’m ready to get to work. (By the time you read this, I’ll probably be sending SOS smoke signals somewhere, so look up at the sky when you get a chance.)

Also, This Month is my Golden Birthday!

March is one of my favorite months of the year, because it’s my birthday — and this year, it’s extra special, because it’s my golden birthday! I’m turning 28 on the 28th this year, which is fun. Plus, it’s a Saturday, so it’ll be an extra special weekend! Maybe I’ll give myself the day off from writing.

And maybe you should keep an eye on my Instagram on 3/28…for a birthday gift for you?

Something I’m Reading

Right now I’m reading The Seekers of Deer Creek by the illustrious Thao Thai, who is such a brilliant gem of a human. Her writing is always so gorgeous and the stories are always so rich and full, so I’m looking forward to diving into this one this week. And if you want to learn more about Thao, you can always subscribe to her very own Substack, Wallflower Chats — it’s filled with tons of lovely, thought-provoking essays. Give it a read!

Something I’m Watching

This past weekend, I got to see the new Twenty One Pilots movie, More Than We Ever Imagined, in theaters. Seeing a documentary about the show — and the band — that means so much to me on the big screen was more than a little emotional. It’s safe to say that I’ve officially let two men from Ohio mean way too much to me, which led to sobbing in a dark movie theater at 3:30 on a Saturday. But even so, it was awesome.

Something I’m Listening To

Nothing major to report here, since I’m neck-deep in revisions…which means I’m back to my Lofi Study 2026 playlist!

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget you can grab a copy of my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, here.

Are you an influencer, professional reviewer, or journalist? For review or media requests, you can reach out to my PR team on my website.

In this month’s newsletter, I reflect on that a little bit, talk about my characters occasionally having minds of their own, and chat about what’s next for my writing career.

January Was the Wildest Month of My Life

My biggest dream as an author was never to hit the New York Times list. It was never to sell millions of copies. While both of those things would certainly be nice, there was only one thing I really wanted — from the beginning, I told my team that my biggest goal was to have a sold-out event at The Ripped Bodice.

At first, I didn’t even think TRB would be open to hosting me as an unknown debut. But they did. And then, I didn’t think that a writer I looked up to so much, K.L. Walther, would agree to travel all the way from Philly to be my moderator. But she did. Then, I didn’t think we’d even get close to selling out the event. But we did.

I’m still pinching myself and can’t thank you enough for all of the calls, texts, flowers, and photos when you spot We’ve Hit Turbulence out in the wild. I had friends come from Philly, across the 5 boroughs, take the LIRR, and even fly from freaking O’ahu to come celebrate me and my little book. And for that, I’m eternally grateful. How lucky am I to be loved so much by so many incredible people?

And it’s only up from here — but more on that later.

How Does a Character You Wrote Surprise You?

A question I got asked a lot at my launch event and whenever I’ve been interviewed for media is which character was my favorite to write. And while Tyler will always have a special place in my heart, I found writing Delia to be so fun. She originally was a throwaway character who was only featured in a scene or two, but the more I wrote about her, the more she struck out on her own and demanded more space.

If you’re not a writer, that probably sounds a little bit strange. But the writers in the room will get it — that sometimes, characters you created start to stretch the limits on the page and demand their own personality.

The more I wrote about Delia, the more I felt like she was pushing to be snarkier, more rough around the edges. It’s a phenomenon that takes all writers by surprise, but it’s also part of what makes the whole process so fun. The more I wrote scenes with Delia in it, the more she demanded extra page time, and before I knew it, I had a fully fleshed out best friend that Olive and Tyler couldn’t see their lives without. Every time I worked on a scene she was in, I found myself smiling.

Pretty interesting stuff, how the fake people in your head can start to take on their own personalities. The magic of writing, I guess! Have you ever experienced anything similar?

What’s Next?

While I’m nowhere near done pestering you to read We’ve Hit Turbulence, there are some exciting things happening this month — first and foremost, I’m diving back into edits on The Rom-Com Conundrum, which is my second book with Delacorte Romance!

It’s about about a rom-com enthusiast who’s never been in love; when she sets out to write her own romance, she meets a grumpy library page and discovers that real love is far messier and more complicated than her favorite love stories. I hope you’ll love Sasha & Levi as much as you love Tyler & Olive! It’s an ode to all of the 90s and 00s rom-coms of yore that were so formative to me — plus some contemporary classics.

So that’s where I’m at this month — diving into those edits. I’m sure I have a lot of work to do, but I’m excited to get back on the page. So let’s do it!

Something I’m Reading

I’m currently reading an early copy of Tropesick by Lauren Okie (which is one of my work assignments!), and I’m truly having so much fun. For starters, I love books about writers — it always inspires me to get back to my own work. But also, this book is such a love letter to the romance genre, and it’s so sweet and funny. All of my favorite tropes are represented, including second chance romance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, only one bed…eeek! So much to enjoy. I actually read part of this book as a proposal when we were picking it up and I loved it from the start, so it’s so cool to see it in galley form now.

Something I’m Watching

I don’t need to explain myself further. You already know. That staircase scene…*swoon*

Benedict Bridgerton, wh*re that you are. You will always be my favorite Bridgerton boy!

Something I’m Listening To

I’ve been going back to listening to the audiobook of We’ve Hit Turbulence, because Shannon Tyo truly blew me away. I don’t typically listen to audiobooks, but this one converted me — and it’s extra surreal hearing your own words said by someone else! It’s so much fun.

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — you can get a copy here.

Are you an influencer, professional reviewer, or journalist? For review or media requests, you can reach out to my PR team on my website.

You can get a copy wherever books are sold by clicking here. You can also request a copy from your local library, your local indie bookstore, Libby, and more!

And…

There Are Still Some Tickets Available for Tonight’s Event!

If you’re in the NYC area, tickets are still available for tonight’s launch party @ 7pm at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn! My conversation partner is none other than the fabulous New York Times bestselling YA romance author — and dear friend of mine — K.L. Walther.

Tickets are required for the event — but each one comes with a copy of the book that I’ll be signing for you when you come meet me (!!). Come hang out with me and K.L. to celebrate the very first day that We’ve Hit Turbulence is out in the world. I can’t wait to see you there!

A Sincere Thank You

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you all for your support, enthusiasm, and love as I shepherded We’ve Hit Turbulence into the world. I wouldn’t be here without all of you, and I am so beyond excited to share this moment with you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Most Importantly: We’ve Hit Turbulence Hits Shelves in 6 Days!

We’re officially in the zone where I can say that my debut novel comes out in LESS THAN A WEEK. How on earth did that happen?! Can someone pinch me??? Are we sure I’m not dreaming??? This time next week you can walk into a bookstore or library and my book will be there??????????

In all seriousness, things are finally starting to feel capital-R Real. I have my finished books, many of you amazing readers have been tagging me in reviews and roundups, all of the exciting swag is in (pins and bookmarks and prints, oh my!), we’re all prepped for next week’s event…it’s about to be Go Time. And if I’m being entirely honest, it’s still a little tricky to wrap my head around the fact that the biggest goal of my entire life is happening in a mere 6 days. More to come about how pub month goes in February’s newsletter, but for now, I’ll leave you with this: EEEEEEEEEEK!

New Year’s Resolutions: Last Year Versus This Year

First thing’s first — let’s reflect on what my goals were for last year!

In 2025, I wanted to:

• Read 40 books. I wound up reading 50!

• Sell another novel. I wound up selling two. ;)

• Really ramp up my author Instagram account. I surpassed 2,100 followers this year and I’m feeling really proud about it!

And now, onto my goals for 2026:

• Read 45 books. I was going to say 50 since I hit that last year, but I foresee a very busy year ahead for me!

• Clean up The Rom-Com Conundrum. That girl needs a lot of work.

• Start playing with a rough outline for JLC4 (after cleaning up JLC3). I maaay have a 4th book idea percolating, and while it’ll be awhile before I can draft it in earnest, I have some scribbled-down notes that I’d like to play with and try to shape into something interesting…*wink*

• Hit 4K Instagram followers. I think I really can do it! (And a not-so-subtle reminder that if you don’t already follow me and want to help a gal achieve her goal, you can do so here.)

Bookish Things I Got For Christmas

Now that the holidays are behind us (*sniffle*) and the gifts I got have been sorted and put away, I wanted to share some cool bookish presents that I received! Let this be inspiration for the book lovers in your life for upcoming birthdays and holidays, if you need a few ideas:

• A padded book sleeve. It looks like a puffy jacket for a book!

• A junk journal kit. It’s the perfect place to put all of the adorable bookish stickers I accumulate from bookstores and preorder incentives.

• Bookmarks galore. I’m a huge collector of them — especially of ones from around the world — so I got a lot of great ones this year. A few honorable mentions are ones that are Marcus the Worm meme-related, little scarves, and even a crocheted puppy made to look like Writing Assistant!

• A really cool book desktop light. How neat is this?!

• The Bath and Body Works Book Loft-scented candle. It really does smell like a bookstore and makes for the perfect cozy reading vibe.

And so much more — I truly could go on for pages about all of the bookish gifts I got from friends and family. Everyone is so thoughtful in their gift-giving, and I’m so lucky!

Tickets Are Still Available For My Launch Party at The Ripped Bodice!

In case you missed it, I’ll be having my very first book event on Tuesday, January 13th @ 7pm at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn. My conversation partner is none other than the fabulous New York Times bestselling YA romance author — and dear friend of mine — K.L. Walther.

Tickets are required for the event — but each one comes with a copy of the book that I’ll be signing for you when you come meet me (!!). Come hang out with me and K.L. to celebrate the very first day that We’ve Hit Turbulence is out in the world. We’re so close to selling out and I’d love to pack the room with more lovely readers like you!

Something I’m Reading

I’m part of the traveling galley train for How the Story Goes by fellow 2026 debut author Andrew Forrester, and it's so good! I read it during my 24 hour reading marathon last month and it was a delight to pass along to the next reader. Hopefully you’ll pick it up and enjoy it, too!

Something I’m Watching

Oh my god you guys, last month I binged Heated Rivalry on HBO Max and my jaw was on the FLOOR. It was deliciously good and sweet and heart-wrenching. I’ll absolutely be grabbing and reading the rest of the books in the series while anxiously awaiting Season 2!

Something I’m Listening To

The official We’ve Hit Turbulence playlist, to get in the mood ahead of the book being on sale next week! 6 days! AHHH!!

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — you can preorder a copy here.

And if you order through The Ripped Bodice, your copy will come signed with an exclusive enamel pin and bookmark. How cool!

Are you an influencer, professional reviewer, or journalist? You can request a NetGalley copy of my book here, or reach out to my PR team on my website.

See you next month when I am officially a published author!!

An Exclusive Early Excerpt of We’ve Hit Turbulence

I’m excited to give you all an early sneak peek of We’ve Hit Turbulence — so keep reading to get a glimpse at the opening chapter!

Jack Cameron probably isn’t cheating on me, but one can never be too sure.

At least, that’s the thought running on a loop in the back of my mind as I shuffle, bleary-eyed, through the airport. How the hell are there humans in this universe who consider themselves morning people?

The airport at 4:00 a.m. is a lawless place—evidenced by the fact that the sun hasn’t even peeked over the horizon yet and I can already see a businessman in a tailored suit barking into his phone at whatever poor soul is on the other end. Nearby, a sleepy-looking woman is perched on a barstool sucking down a Bloody Mary like her life depends on it. And a few feet from where she sits, a rumpled-looking girl in a faded Loyola University sweatshirt is spread out on the floor, snoring peacefully, using her carry-on duffel as a pillow. The only unifying factor among the three is that they’ve made it past the dreaded airport security line, which I’m still inching my way through, staring at them enviously from the other side of the metal detectors.

With nothing better to do, I check my phone one more time, hoping a text has materialized. While it’s obscenely early on the East Coast, it’s not even midnight in Honolulu, so there’s no reason Jack should be ignoring my message.

Or the fifty messages I sent throughout the week.

Going for broke, I pull up his contact and hit the call button one more time, crossing my fingers. It rings for an entire minute before the voicemail clicks on.

“Hi, you’ve reached Jack Cameron. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you. Thanks!”

I hang up, dejected. While my boyfriend and I have never been the attached-at-the-hip type, we still manage to communicate every day—whether through a brief phone call, sporadic texts, or sharing funny memes and TikToks. But for the past seven days, I’ve barely heard from him at all. No likes on my silly stories or responses to my Snapchats, just a half-hearted text here and there. What started as a slow trickle of worry in my chest has already morphed into an all-encompassing panic.

I stare at our last messages from a week ago on my tiny screen until my eyes water—from the lack of blinking or the hurt, I’m not entirely sure.

Jack: Got a lot of studying ahead of me tonight—night, Olive.

Olive: Night, Jack. See you soon for spring break. :)

Well, maybe it’s a touch impulsive, but that’s the reason I’m hopping on a flight a whole week earlier than I originally planned.

Because Jack isn’t answering me, and something feels weird, and it’s the spring of my senior year at Becker High, so it’s not like I’m really missing anything. Which is exactly why it was easy to convince Mom, the die-hard hopeless romantic, to let me move up the trip and head to the University of Hawai’i a week early, using the excuse that Jack will have a bunch of exams next week and we won’t be able to spend much time together.

Maybe I forgot to mention to her that Jack has no idea I’m coming this early . . . but that’s not something I can worry about right now.

My bigger focus is that I can’t untangle the knot of worry in my stomach—because my boyfriend, a year older than me and already in the second semester of his freshman year of college, is ghosting me. I swore to my mother and my friends—and most importantly, myself—that we wouldn’t be the cliché. That what Jack and I had was more than a high school fling that would fizzle out in college. It had to be. But now here I am, with unreturned texts and unplayed voicemails and a level of anxiety steadily increasing with each passing moment.

“It was supposed to be a surprise, but I kinda told him about it already,” I semi-lied to Mom when she asked what Jack thought of my early arrival. It is going to be a surprise, but maybe not in the I’m here early; let’s spend more time together! way.

That’s the way I want it to be.

But I may not have mentioned to Jack that I was coming early.

There’s a very real possibility it’ll be more of a caught-him-in-the-act surprise. And part of me feels like I’d rather see what’s going on with my own eyes and be able to accept it at face value than over a stilted FaceTime conversation or text. I don’t have time to dwell on that, because the grumpy-looking TSA agent is already waving me forward and instructing me to drop everything in the scratched plastic bin making its way down the conveyor belt.

The trek through security is as agonizingly slow as expected.

I fight down a spike of anxiety as I watch them loosely search through my backpack, probably bending the pages of my planner in the process—my meticulously organized, detailed-within-an-inch-of-its-life book that I never leave home without. Relax, Olive. It’s just an ordinary planner.

Maybe so, but this isn’t any ordinary trip.

Like what you’ve read? Don’t forget to preorder We’ve Hit Turbulence, which hits shelves January 13th, 2026!

My YALLFest 2025 Recap

YALLFest 2025 was a total dream, and I’m still not over it. I got to go to Charleston to hang out with some of my best bookish friends, watch K.L. Walther absolutely crush her panel, explore some new bookstores, meet some fellow 2026 debut authors (and throw a party), and witness my publisher giving away early copies of my book to excited readers. I left Charleston feeling like I was on Cloud Nine, and here are a few photos to prove it! I’m already looking forward to next year — fingers crossed that I’ll get to be on a panel myself…

5 Gifts Your Writer/Reader Friends Actually Want This Christmas

Which the holidays fast approaching, you may be wondering what gifts to get the writers and/or readers in your life. While we always appreciate a good candle or bookmark, what are you supposed to do when you’ve already given your friend those things, time and time again? I’ve come up with a list of 5 gifts that I think your writer/reader friends would actually want/enjoy/use this Christmas, so without further ado, here are my suggestions:

1. A book sleeve. For the paperback fans like me, I hate when my copies get dented in my backpack or tote or beach bag. I love Book Beau’s gorgeous padded book sleeves, which makes transporting your books adorable and fun.

2. A Book of the Month subscription. I think I’ve gotten this for pretty much every reader in my life at one point or another. What makes a BOTM subscription a great gift is that they can choose which months they want a book and which months to skip, so it puts them in the driver’s seat and doesn’t force them to waste a month’s credit if they don’t see any books they want.

3. A custom book embosser. I am quite literally obsessed with my custom book embosser from Etsy. It adds a sweet touch to someone’s home library! (And also helps when people try to steal your books and claim they aren’t yours…)

4. A DIY library nook kit. If your friend is both a reader and crafty, these nifty library nook kits are a great gift that can keep them busy and also give them a gorgeous keepsake for their bookshelves.

5. A beautiful book page ornament. When in doubt, a gorgeous ornament is always a sweet gift! Ones like these made of book pages adds a special touch for the reader in your life.

But of course, let me know if I missed anything!

Tickets Are Still Available For My Launch Party at The Ripped Bodice!

In case you missed it, I’ll be having my very first book event on Tuesday, January 13th @ 7pm at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn! My conversation partner is none other than the fabulous New York Times bestselling YA romance author — and dear friend of mine — K.L. Walther.

Tickets are required for the event — but each one comes with a copy of the book that I’ll be signing for you when you come meet me (!!). Come hang out with me and K.L. to celebrate the very first day that We’ve Hit Turbulence is out in the world. I can’t wait to see you there!

Something I’m Reading

I’m always a huge fan of Tessa Bailey, and Catch Her If You Can is her latest book that I got an early copy of from work. I’m really enjoying it and Tessa’s trademark spice and banter is just *chef’s kiss*. Definitely recommend adding it to your TBR!

Something I’m Watching

It’s the holidays, y’all. Anyone who knows me knows that I have Hallmark on 24/7 this time of year (seriously, even right now). There’s something so sweet and fun about cheesy Christmas movies. I’m obsessed! Haul Out the Holly is quite possibly my favorite.

Something I’m Listening To

You + The Sun by Old Daisy is the one song that I feel perfectly encapsulates the vibes of We’ve Hit Turbulence, and it was the first thing I’d put it on whenever it was time to get in the headspace to draft or get back to revisions. In all the best ways, it feels like my book in musical form. Give it a listen and let me know what you think! I know I’ll be playing it on a loop during pub day.

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — you can preorder a copy here.

And if you order through The Ripped Bodice, your copy will come signed with an exclusive enamel pin and bookmark. How cool!

Are you an influencer, professional reviewer, or journalist? You can request a NetGalley copy of my book here, or reach out to my PR team on my website.

See you next month!

I’m Having a Launch Party at The Ripped Bodice!

I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be having my very first book event on Tuesday, January 13th @ 7pm at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn! My conversation partner is none other than the fabulous New York Times bestselling YA romance author — and dear friend of mine — K.L. Walther.

Tickets are required for the event — but each one comes with a copy of the book that I’ll be signing for you when you come meet me (!!). Come hang out with me and K.L. to celebrate the very first day that We’ve Hit Turbulence is out in the world. I can’t wait to see you there!

Quick note: You guys are getting this news early as newsletter subscribers, but I’ll be announcing this publicly tomorrow at 10am ET. Mum’s the word until then!

(Seriously, you guys. The one thing on my author vision board was having a packed house launch event at The Ripped Bodice. Literally the only thing. And now we’re so close to it actually happening! I’m tearing up just thinking about it.)

On Watching Your Friend Become an Author

Another fun thing that happened last month was getting to watch my longtime friend and fellow author Cait Jacobs usher their debut romantasy novel, The Princess Knight, into the world. (They even made a TikTok about the experience, which I personally found hilarious.)

There’s something extra exciting about watching a friend’s story grow from the original seed it once was to the gorgeous cover and brilliant tale that it is now. And on top of all of that, HarperCollins was the publisher who bought The Princess Knight, which meant I got to be Cait’s publicist for the whole journey! So it was extra special standing in the room on their launch night and watching one of their biggest dreams come true. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go convince the rest of my friends to write books so I can live the experience again and again!

5 Things I’m Grateful For This Year

With Thanksgiving almost upon us (and the holiday season after that!!), I want to take a moment to reflect on 5 things that I’m grateful for this year:

1. Getting so close to ushering We’ve Hit Turbulence into the world. I can’t believe that we’re already only two months away!!!

2. The opportunity to bring two new books to readers. I’m still pinching myself about those book deals, and I’m hard at work crafting some new, exciting stories for you!

3. Romance stories of all kinds. Because love is my biggest fuel for creating, being, and living.

4. Cute notebooks. Because as many as I have, I can never have enough.

5. My friends and family who have supported me along this entire journey. It’s been a long, long road, and I’m incredibly thankful for everyone in my life who cheered me on, always believed I could do it, and exercised patience when I had to cancel plans to make a writing deadline or was cranky and exhausted after a late night writing session. I have no idea where I’d be without my village, and I never plan on finding out.

What are you grateful for this year? I’d love to hear it!

Something I’m Reading

I’ve been a Jillian Meadows fan for awhile, and right now I’m diving into No Place Like You and I’m totally hooked. Full disclosure, I’m Jillian’s publicist for this title, but I’m reading it with purely selfish romance reader intentions right now, and it’s so great. I highly recommend!

Something I’m Watching

I will admit that I have been slacking and didn’t get around to watching Season 9 of Love is Blind since I’ve had such a chaotic month…YET! I am getting to it this month, mark my words. I’m surprised I’ve avoided spoilers online thus far!

Something I’m Listening To

I have not stopped listening to Breach by Twenty One Pilots on a loop since it came out in September. I’ll just come out and admit that right now. Highly recommend giving this one a listen!

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — you can preorder a copy here. And if you order through The Ripped Bodice, your copy will come signed with an exclusive enamel pin and bookmark. How cool!

Are you an influencer, professional reviewer, or journalist? You can request a NetGalley copy of my book here, or reach out to my PR team on my website.

See you next month!

It’s worth it, guys. I promise. Because I’m excited to share that…

I’m Publishing Two More Books!

I’m elated to introduce you all to THE ROM-COM CONUNDRUM, coming Fall 2027 from Delacorte Romance. I’m so excited for you all to meet Sasha & Levi and fall in love again with some of history’s most epic rom-coms. (Selfishly, rewatching so many of them for research was so much fun and gave me an excuse to include movie theater popcorn in my tax write offs for the year. I had a lot of it. Probably more than one human ever should over the course of drafting a book.)

While it’s still a bit too early out to have details about preordering, a cover, a firm publication date, and so on, you’re already one step ahead by being subscribed to this newsletter. You’ll be getting all of that exciting news first, whenever the time comes.

Plus…did you catch that wording there? It’s a two-book deal, which means now I really have to finish #LiarLiarWIP. I’m currently accepting all thoughts and prayers in regards to that endeavor. (EEEK!!!! BUT I GET TO SAY I HAVE BOOKS #2 AND #3 ON THE WAY!)

I’m so excited to celebrate this with you all, but for now, it’s back to promoting We’ve Hit Turbulence (please don’t forget to preorder, if you haven’t already!) and drafting #LiarLiarWIP. Let’s do this thing!

3 Ways To Support Your Favorite Authors (For Free!)

While preordering a book by an author you love is always one of the most effective ways to show their publisher that there’s interest and that the story is worth fighting for, the reality is that it isn’t always feasible for some people. Or, even after they’ve already preordered their copy, there are other ways that they want to show up for them, but don’t know how.

Today, I’m breaking down 3 ways that you can support your favorite authors for free — hopefully some of these tips resonate with you and you put them into practice, either for We’ve Hit Turbulence or other authors you love!

1. Request their books at your local library. With debut authors especially, libraries don’t know much about them, and often won’t know to stock copies. If you go into your local library, head up to the circulation desk, and tell them the book you’d like to see in stock, they’ll very often not only order the copy so you can read it, but will then keep it in circulation for others to read, too. And the more a book is checked out, the more popular it becomes in the system and the more people may see it!

2. Engage with their content online. Authors put so much work into their online content, you guys. (If only you knew how long I agonize over Canva graphics and crafting the perfect captions for you all!) When you come across a post from an author you love, engage with it! Like the post, comment on it, or share it with a friend. The more an audience engages with someone’s post, the more the algorithm will recommend it to other people. The more you comment on the Reels I make, the more often those stats say that it was recommended to/pulled in new readers who saw it and then gave me a follow! It’s all a snowball effect, and those two seconds to hit the Like button or tap out a quick comment matter more than you know.

3. Word of mouth is absolutely key. Does your teacher’s daughter’s niece like to read romance stories? Is someone at work obsessed with an author who is the perfect comp for a book you loved? Tell people about it! While so many of us in the bookish world are plugged into Bookstagram and Goodreads, that’s not the reality for many people. Chatting about the book to people in your everyday life helps expose them to it, and spread the web of people who are finding out about the book. Similar to the social media example above, it has a bigger impact than you may realize and is a huge help to the authors you love!

Those are just a few tips on my end, but if you have any more, I’d love to hear them! You can always respond to this email and let me know.

5 Spooky/Mystery Recs For The Chickens of the World (Me)

Now that spooky season is officially here, you may be in the mood for a ghost story or two. But…what if you’re a chicken, like me? What if you can’t stand blood or gore, or slasher stories, or anything that gives you the uncomfortable kind of chills? Luckily for you, I have some darker books and mysteries that fit the spooky season vibe while still being light enough to have a good time with no real fear involved. Here are 5 that I recommend!

1. Lights Out by Navessa Allen (*swoon*, but most certainly NSFW.)

2. The Last Word by Elly Griffiths (A writing retreat where things go wrong!)

3. She Started It by Sian Gilbert (The world’s worst bachelorette trip. UGH.)

4. Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson (For those who like a little humor with their murder mysteries.)

5. The Girl You Know by Elle Gonzalez Rose (Unraveling the dark mystery of her twin sister’s murder while posing as her, Parent Trap-style…)

Have you given any of these a read before? They’re all winners in my book, for a darker story without the total fear. You should give one a try this spooky season!

BookCon is Back, Baby!

Also, if you haven’t already heard the news — after 6 long years, BookCon is returning in 2026! To say I’m excited about this news is an understatement, because BookCon was easily one of the best parts of my year when I was a blogger. Tickets went on sale this week, our hotel is already booked, and I’m ready to roll…can’t wait to see how this goes! Are you planning on attending?

In the months leading up, I plan on sharing some of my best tips, packing guides, ways to decode the scheduling process, the whole shebang. So stay tuned, because there’s a lot more to come here.

Something I’m Reading

I begged my coworker for a galley of Rainbow’s latest, Cherry Baby, and I have been sucked in, you guys. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately because I’ve been so busy, but this one has been keeping me hooked. I read for several hours the other day without getting off the couch — that’s how much I’m enjoying it! It’s been so fun and easy to breeze through.

Something I’m Watching

Season 9 of Love is Blind drops today, baby! If you need me, I’ll be parked on the couch binging the first few episodes as my treat for finishing my daily writing. This show is so messy, and I’m here for it. Let’s see what antics there at this time!

Something I’m Listening To

Twenty One Pilots has always been my soul band, and with their latest album, Breach, almost a month old, it’s practically the only thing I’ve been listening to. I can’t wait to see what my Spotify Wrapped looks like this year! (It will be a surprise to nobody, least of all me.) Even if you’re not a fan, I recommend giving it a try. I’m obsessed with this one!

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — you can preorder a copy here. And if you order through The Ripped Bodice, your copy will come signed with an exclusive enamel pin and bookmark. How cool!

Are you an influencer, professional reviewer, or journalist? You can request a NetGalley copy of my book here, or reach out to my PR team on my website.

See you next month! (Or maybe sooner…who’s to say? *wink*)

A Q&A With a Book Publicist

I recently put up a post on my Instagram stories asking what your burning questions for a book publicist were — and I pulled a few to answer. Hopefully it clears up some things for you!

How do books at a publishing house get divvied up among publicists?

After we go to our seasonal launch presentation (where editors tell us all of the upcoming books for that year), we get to create wishlists of the titles that we want to work on! The scheduling of who gets assigned what varies based on availability, how full someone’s month is, etc. But for the most part, we get to hand-pick the books that we’re excited about!

What are some things that influencers do wrong when they reach out to request a review copy?

I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s something wrong, but…they don’t link their social media profiles in their request emails! I’ve said it before on various platforms — when submitting a galley request, you want to make it as easy for the team to say yes as possible. Share your links, your follower counts, your mailing address…anything you think they should know!

What is the one thing that you wish influencers knew about reaching out to publicists?

That galleys are, unfortunately, a finite resource. While I wish that I could give them to everyone, sometimes I have to be strategic about who gets what!

What do you look for when choosing which creators are a good fit for a book/campaign?

There’s no set criteria, but I love reaching out to influencers who cover books in the same genre — especially those who have fun, creative posts to shout out the books they love. It always catches my eye, and I often make a note to reach out when I have a title that’s a good fit for you!

What information would be helpful for an author to prep before their first meeting with their marketing & publicity team?

If you have any contacts in the media space (newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, etc.), both big and small. If there’s a local indie bookstore that knows you well/you have a good relationship with. Any particular ideas you have for a preorder campaign, influencers you’d like us to reach out to, your #1 news outlet that you’d like to see your book in, any ideas you could contribute for a feature or an essay…we come up with a lot of those things ourselves, but if you have any ideas for those things, we love to hear them!

(If you come up with blank on any of those subjects, don’t worry! That’s totally fine, too. But it’s good to know what ideas you have from the very beginning, so we can try to factor those into our plans.)

Do you focus on a specific genre for your publicity campaigns, or do you like a variety?

I tend to gravitate toward romance since that’s my true love, but I also enjoy spicing it up by taking on some other genres from time to time — fantasy, nonfiction, celebrity, mystery…and even a cookbook or two, if it’s a topic I find fun! I try to think about if it’s something that I’d enjoy reading, no matter the genre. It helps me get into a good headspace for a campaign! And diversifying your campaign genres helps keep your publicity skills sharp.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

In my opinion, there’s no better endorphin rush than booking a media hit for your author that they’re excited about. Being able to break the news to them that they’re going to be on The TODAY Show, NPR, featured in People…it’s always so rewarding to have those things come through!

When should a debut author think about starting to gather a street team?

Honestly, as soon as your book is available on Goodreads/somewhere for readers to look it up and take note of it, I’d get started! It’s never too early to start building your fan base, if forming a street team is the avenue you want to try.

Did I answer your question, or you still have something you’d like to know? Keep an eye on my Instagram, where I’m frequently doing Q&As like these!

Let’s Talk About Imposter Syndrome

Okay, I have a confession to make — even getting a book deal doesn’t help you shake the never-ending, gut-wrenching feeling that you’re a bad writer. Seriously. When I was going through my first round of pass pages for We’ve Hit Turbulence, I had a specific moment where I broke and called my boyfriend in tears, telling him that this book was terrible and that nobody should ever lay their eyes on it. The words on the page had bored me and stopped making sense to me — and I figured that if I didn’t like the book, how could anyone else?

Then I had a fresh chocolate chip cookie, closed my laptop, and took a nap. And when I woke up, I didn’t feel like the world’s worst writer anymore.

Imposter syndrome, this phenomenon that so many creatives struggle with every single day, is loosely defined as a psychological experience where an individual doubts their accomplishments and fears being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence of their success. And I’m willing to bet money that every single author of any single book you’ve ever read has felt the exact same thing, at least one or twice. It sounds silly in theory, but it’s terrifying in practice — this icy idea that you’re a sham, that you got your book deal by mistake, that you’re more terrible at this than anyone realizes. It’s especially common when you’ve been editing the same pages over and over, and things stop making sense in your brain.

Well, even though I can’t cure my own bouts of imposter syndrome, one thing I can do is talk about it. I can voice my concerns to my trusted people when they arise, and let myself feel the scary feelings, and then I can wash them away by doing something I enjoy that relaxes me — reading a book, playing The Sims, or going out to eat with my friends. I’m done hiding the feeling, and I’m done letting it control me. Because when the fog eventually does clear (and it always does), I look at my work with joy and pride, because I’m not half bad at this writer thing after all.

So, all’s this to say that even writers with book deals — even global bestselling authors, the titans of our industry (which I most certainly am not!) — sometimes deal with imposter syndrome. And I’m making a conscious effort at getting better when it comes to recognizing it, letting myself feel all the feelings…and then reminding myself how untrue those feelings are, and that to get where I am, I couldn’t be all that terrible.

(I guess I still can be. But you get the point!)

Also, You’re in Luck — B&N is Having Another 25% Off Pre-Orders Sale!

If you missed out on July’s special preorder sale through Barnes & Noble, then you’re in luck! They’re hosting another preorder sale now through 9/5, where you can preorder We’ve Hit Turbulence for 25% off. B&N Rewards & Premium Members get 25% off all preorders during the sale — and Premium members get an additional 10% off!

It’s the perfect opportunity to grab a copy if you haven’t gotten around to it — you can click here for more details/to order with the code PREORDER25. If you haven’t ordered your copy yet (or copies of any of the other books you’ve been eyeing!), this week’s your chance. Print books, ebooks, audiobooks — they all count. Don’t miss it!

Something I’m Reading

I recently dove into Marisol Acts the Part by fellow romance writer and college friend Elle Gonzalez Rose, and it was such a treat! It’s such a fun, snappy, quick read that felt perfect to close out my summer. Plus, all of the Legally Blonde nods were a delight!

Something I’m Watching

I just started watching We Were Liars, after being a fan of the books for so many years — and I have to say, I’m intrigued! I’m still pretty early on in the show, but it’s been great to turn on while working on some crafting projects. (Including maybe one that I can show you soon…)

Something I’m Listening To

I love a good bookish podcast, and a few of my lovely colleagues, Michelle and Rain, recently started this one — The Book Was Hotter! I’ve been listening while answering emails at work, and it’s so fun and fresh. If you love talking about romance tropes, characters you can’t get over, and what’s new in publishing trends right now, then I recommend giving this one a listen!

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — you can preorder a copy here!

Are you an influencer, professional reviewer, or journalist? You can request a NetGalley copy of my book here, or reach out to my PR team on my website.

See you next month!

Head here at 12:00PM ET to enter.

Best of luck to all who do! Crossing my fingers for you. And in the meantime, don’t forget to preorder your signed copies with goodies (including a special pen and bookmark) through The Ripped Bodice here!

Happy August! We’re officially in the dog days of summer, and while the heat has been brutal outside here in New York, I’ve found ways to stay cool by posting up in the pool with a good book and a cold drink, or snuggling up in the air conditioning with my favorite comfy hoodie (and aforementioned book). But in addition to reading, I’ve been really busy behind the scenes gathering some fun updates about We’ve Hit Turbulence to share with you, so let’s jump right into it!

Want a signed copy of We’ve Hit Turbulence? What about a signed copy with extra goodies?

Then you’re in luck — because if you preorder a copy of We’ve Hit Turbulence through The Ripped Bodice, then your copy will come to your doorstep signed with an exclusive enamel pin and custom boarding pass bookmark! You can find out more details and order your copy here. How exciting is that?! First of all, I’m an avid bookish preorder pin collector, and I also always say that boarding passes make the best bookmarks (I save mine from every flight I’ve ever taken). So what bette way to tie two of my loves into the celebration of my debut novel?

I absolutely love everything about The Ripped Bodice — I love shopping there, I love their vibe, and I love sending my authors there for work. So when I got the opportunity to organize a special signed preorder campaign exclusively with them, I couldn’t imagine anything better. If you want that custom pin and bookmark, then make sure to preorder through their store, because these goodies won’t be available anywhere else!

Maybe there will be more news coming soon about me and The Ripped Bodice. Who’s to say? *wink*

*You also don’t have to live in NYC or LA to preorder your copy from here! They ship across the US. :-)

Plus, some more fun news — you can now request my book on NetGalley!

And some more exciting news — if you’re a reviewer who uses NetGalley or Edelweiss to get early digital review copies of books, We’ve Hit Turbulence is available for request now!* I think this is when it’s starting to feel super real to me — there are people out there who are actively reading my book, who are not my partner, parents, friends, or family (whose opinions I am grateful for, but I would not expect the truth if the book was awful). It’s really starting to break containment now! I hope you guys enjoy it.

And — as you’ll find out on my Instagram later this afternoon, my physical galleys came in!! I am so stunned and excited and I can’t stop staring at them. You guys, the cover is GORGEOUS in person. I seriously can’t get enough. Look at it!!

*Unfortunately, I don’t have any input on which early review copy requests (physical or digital) get approved or denied. But regardless, I hope you’ll consider preordering a copy so you’re guaranteed to have a shiny new book on your doorstep during pub week!

Also — as writers, we need to practice better self care.

Last month, I went on my yearly trip to Lake George with my family — it was our 20th year, if you could believe it! After a week of delicious food, reading on the beach, and visiting one of my favorite indie bookstores (a literal CABIN FILLED WITH BOOKS, you guys!), I came back feeling refreshed and ready to write — and filled with more chocolate raspberry fudge and soft serve ice cream than any human being’s stomach should ever contain.

It got me thinking that as writers, we need to practice better self care. Because upon reflection, it’s only after my yearly trip to the lake that I come back feeling like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I’m ready to write like never before (or at least until the following year’s break). I realized that’s because throughout the rest of the year, I don’t really give myself much of a break with anything at all. I’m either working, or if I’m not working, I’m writing. If I’m not writing, I’m stretching my social calendar thin because I am an eternal people pleaser who wants to be a good, dependable friend, even my body and brain feel smushed by a steamroller. If I’m not doing that, I’m catching up on errands and my bottomless to-do list that feels like it gets longer the more I think about it (I just added three things to it by writing about it right now). And if I’m not doing any of those things, then I’m sitting with the crushing guilt that there is something I should be doing, and believing that resting is a sign of letting important things slip through the cracks.

And that isn’t true, of course. Rest is incredibly important for both your mental and physical health, and that’s a lesson that I’ve really been trying to work on. I can’t just shut my laptops (both work and personal) and escape to the mountains every time I feel a bit overwhelmed (I don’t have nearly enough PTO for that!), but I can start taking more, deliberate time to give myself rest where I need it. And I can actually schedule that relaxation time the same way I schedule a vacation, inking it in my planner to make sure that I honor it.

I’ve been starting slowly, taking an evening here and there to clear my schedule and do “brain off” things that make me feel centered — taking a long bath with bubbles, putting on a comfy matching PJ set, doing a face mask, cross-stitching while watching reality TV — and I’ve noticed that on those nights where things go slower and I let myself just be, without any sort of end goal or target I’m trying to hit or words I’m trying to write or pages I’m trying to read — I always wake up feeling more ready to tackle the next day. It’s a system that I’m still finding the balance of, but the early results seem promising.

But until we have results back on how that’s been going so far (pretty okay, I’d say), see below for some snapshots of this year’s vacation! And you can find some more here.

Something I’m Reading

Advanced copies of my fabulous friend K.L. Walther’s latest YA rom-com, We’re a Bad Idea, Right? have officially landed, and when I tell you that I practically burned rubber screeching into my editor’s inbox asking for a copy! First of all, that cover is absolutely stunning (you go with your bad self, Creamsicle Sunset!), and second, I cannot put this book down. Kaethe’s books are always such a delight, and this is the perfect vibe for the hottest days of summer. It makes me crave a Creamsicle really badly (I kind of want to try this recipe)…and look at those sprayed edges!

Something I’m Watching

Team Conrad all the way here. Really, that’s all I need to say. *swoon*

A slight grumpy old woman note, though — I’ve had it with streaming services doing one episode a week drops! If I wanted that, I’d just watch cable. I want to be able to rot on the couch all afternoon with a bowl of popcorn and blow through all of the episodes like God intended!!!

Something I’m Listening To

Lately, I’ve been listening to the Give It To Me Straight podcast when I’ve been going on my daily walks. I really enjoy Alex and Jon’s comedy skits on Instagram, and hearing them dole out real (and hilarious) relationship advice is super entertaining. It helps clear my head and make me laugh after a long writing session!

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — you can preorder a copy here!

Welcome back to my newsletter! Last time we spoke, I had some pretty big news – that We’ve Hit Turbulence had a cover and was officially available for preorder. Now, I’m back with a snazzy new newsletter graphic and some even more exciting news…

My First B&N Preorder Sale!

Barnes & Noble is hosting a preorder sale now through 7/11 where you can preorder We’ve Hit Turbulence for 25% off! B&N Rewards & Premium Members get 25% off all preorders during the sale — and Premium members get an additional 10% off! It’s the perfect opportunity to grab a copy if you haven’t gotten around to it. You can click here for more details/to order with the code PREORDER25.

I’ve been jealously watching writer friends for years as their books got to be a part of this opportunity, and finally it’s my turn! If you haven’t ordered your copy yet (or copies of any of the other books you’ve been eyeing!), this week’s your chance. Print books, ebooks, audiobooks — they all count. Don’t miss it!

DIY Writing Retreats – How to Make Them Work for You

And in more personal news, last month I had possibly one of the most fun weekends of my life. A bunch of my writer friends and I got together and finally made one of our dreams a reality – we organized a writing retreat! We stayed at this adorable old converted schoolhouse in the middle of rolling farmland, and it was so rejuvenating. I began the weekend by starting a brand-new first draft of Book #3 (jokingly being called #LiarLiarWIP for now) and saying my goal was going to be 8,000 words. Fast forward, and I ended off by getting 10,300 words on the page! Talk about productive.

But of course, the road trip couldn’t be all work and no play. We also broke up our writing time by sprinkling in some make-your-own pizza nights, pasta bars, filming funny Reels together, and of course, hot tub time. (My literal favorite thing.)

My takeaways: Writing with friends can actually be a really rewarding endeavor. Sitting at your laptop can feel like a pretty isolating experience, but being able to do it with friends and making a fun vacation out of it can actually put you in a pretty creative headspace. It was nice to have a weekend to go on a road trip with some good friends I hadn’t seen in a while, talk about our books, make some pizzas, and laugh and have a great time together. Everyone ended up smashing (and some even very much surpassing!) the writing/editing goals they set when we first got there. You’ll see a Reel about that soon!

Three things that I would suggest to anyone looking to book their own writing retreat with friends:

1. Pick a location central to all of you. My group was pretty spread out, so we picked an AirBnb that would be similar-ish driving time for all of us!

3. Create an itinerary. Whether or not you stick to it is a totally different thing. But having the structure as a guide was really helpful – and we also used it to plan out our meals so we knew exactly what to get when we went grocery shopping and unpacked.

4. Bring a writing supplies basket! I packed a basket with some of the writer tools that I love, and some I don’t use as often, to share with the group. In addition to classic pens, notebooks, and index cards, we also had some writing games, some prompt cards, and some handy writing dice with fun story ideas to help shake some thoughts loose.

All in all, it was an incredible experience, and I’m hoping that we make it a yearly event going forward!

Also, Check Out 2026Debuts.com!

Fellow 2026 debut author Brianna Heath (Robbie McNeil’s Hit List) put together a 2026 Debuts website, which you should check out when you get a chance! You can find tons of great news reads from debut authors across all genres to add to your wishlist (and to take advantage of that handy 25% off preorders sale this week).

Something I’m Reading

I recently finished reading Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage, which I really enjoyed! I’ll admit it – the cover hooked me from the start, and then watching everyone else devour the series gave me FOMO. I’m glad I jumped in and gave it a try, because I’ll definitely be reading the other three books in the series!

Something I’m Watching

I finished watching Season 2 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and all I can say is this: dirty sodas are delicious, and the MomTok dynamic is so toxic. But it was an entertaining show to watch while working on a secret crafting project…which I’ll hopefully be able to share with you soon!

Something I’m Listening To

Especially now that summer is in full swing, I’ve been listening to the official playlist for We’ve Hit Turbulence nonstop. If you want to get a feel for the vibe of the book you can expect in just 6ish (!) months, or you need some summer bops to play with the windows down and your sunroof open, you should check it out! And then you should go order your copy through the B&N preorder sale by 7/11.

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — and you can preorder a copy here!

If you’re reading this email, you’re a subscriber of my newsletter, which means two things:

1. I love you, and

2. You get an early look at the book cover for We’ve Hit Turbulence!

That’s right — the official cover reveal will go live on my Twitter & Instagram accounts tomorrow at 10am ET, but newsletter subscribers see it right now. (But please keep it confidential until tomorrow!)

Alright, let’s get right to it! *deep breath*

Drumroll, please…

My fabulous artist, Mallory Heyer, truly blew me away with this design. I love every single thing about this cover, from the colors, to the title treatment, to Olive & Tyler (and his pizza tattoo, which I promise is relevant to his lore and will make sense when reading), and even the rainbow outline all along the borders of everything! I mean, wow. From the second I first saw the sketch, I knew this was meant to be my cover. And I was still speechless when I saw the final result!

And again, I truly can’t thank you all enough for coming along on this journey with me. There are still so many fun things to come, but this is a really big step and I’m excited to celebrate it! So if you need me, I’ll be staring at this cover for the foreseeable future, and envisioning it on bookstore shelves and endcaps. Only 218 days to go, but who’s counting?

And if that enticed you, I have even more exciting news — We’ve Hit Turbulence is now available for preorder! It can be purchase wherever books are sold, but I suggest heading straight to my book’s page on PRH’s site to find all the handy links in one place. Preorders are incredibly important to authors (especially debuts!) because it helps build excitement for the book, as well as show the publisher/bookstores how much demand there is for it, which helps them with adjusting the amount of copies they print and tons of other things. So if you’d like to support, that would be incredible! And of course, I’ll be explaining a whole lot more about preorders as we get closer to pub, but for now — if you’re excited about the book, I would be eternally grateful if you preordered it!

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add We’ve Hit Turbulence to your to-read shelf on Goodreads — it’ll be available everywhere books are sold 1/13/2026, and you can pre-order here. Have a great week!

Welcome to my May newsletter! This month, I get to talk about summer reading, AKA my favorite part of the entire year. And we also have some exciting new We’ve Hit Turbulence developments in store…so let’s get into it!

All Hail Summer Reading!!!! <3

If you know me well, you know that I was put specifically on this planet for one thing and one thing only — to float in the pool with a book and a cold drink in the sunshine. And slowly but surely, we’ve been creeping toward that weather this year, and I am SO excited. The pool is open, the ladder is about to be put in, and summer reading weather is just about upon us. Plus, my best friend’s wedding is this month (if you’re reading this T, I am so excited!!!!), so it’s a good excuse to take my book outside and work on my tan.

Just a few books that I have in my summer reading queue to dive into while I’m in the pool this year:

1. Does Anyone Else Feel This Way? by Eli Rallo (because I’m certainly having a quarter-life crisis, if I’ve ever seen one)

2. Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jiminez

3. The Survivor Wants to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

4. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

5. Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage (because a few of my book besties have finally convinced me to read this series!!)

Do you enjoy reading outside in the sun? Did you love any of the picks on my list? Shoot me an email back and let me know!

Also…Some People Have Copies of WHT?!

If you couldn’t tell, I’m being totally cool and normal about the fact that blurbers have copies of We’ve Hit Turbulence already. If you’re not familiar how the process works, my editor send out very (very!) early bound manuscripts to a handful of authors in the industry to read and give short blurbs/quotes for us to use. (If you ever notice another author’s quote on the front or back cover of the book you’re reading, this is the process of how they get there!)

While on one hand, it’s really cool and exciting that there are people out there who are reading my book (some of them may even be reading this newsletter right now!), it’s also…extremely terrifying? Because for the first time, my book has broken containment and is being read by people who are not me, my friends/family, or my agents/editors. People who have no obligation to tell me they like the book or want it to succeed. Which is making my imposter syndrome run wild!

Like I said, feeling totally cool and normal about it. Not sweating about it at all. (help me)

April 26th Was Indie Bookstore Day!

If you didn’t know, April 26th was Indie Bookstore Day 2025, which was so fun! I managed to stop into The Neverending Story and grab the cutest romance reader candle (which smells delicious and always fuels me while I’m writing).

Independent bookstores are the heart of the industry, and nothing’s better than shopping local. I’ve had the privilege of getting to visit several amazing indies over the years, and the list of the ones I still have to hit keeps on growing! I look forward to Indie Bookstore Day every year, because it’s a great opportunity to visit some tried-and-true and brand new shops. If you haven’t visited your local indie in awhile (or ever!), I suggest you open a new tab on your phone right now and find your nearest one and go pop by. Even if you’re not a big reader yourself, it’s a great place to grab gifts for your loved ones!

What’s your favorite indie bookstore? Shout them out and let me know!

Something I’m Reading

One of the perks of being the publicist for one of your best writing friends’ debut novel is that you get an early copy! I’m dipping into The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs this week, and I am HOOKED. I’m usually not a big fantasy gal, but I haven’t been able to put this one down — and having my name in the acknowledgements doesn’t hurt, either. ;-) If you have any interest in romantasy, trust me, you need this book when it’s on sale 10/14!

Something I’m Watching

I know I’m super late to this one (which I’m usually not!), but the newest season of Love is Blind is boring me, you guys. It’s so slow, and the drama is kind of blah…I have to admit, I’m a bit disappointed! But I’m going to solider on through (I have 5 episodes left) and hope that things get better. I hear there’s some interesting drama at the altar…

Something I’m Listening To

Honestly? Just a lot of my Discover Weekly on Spotify. Their algorithm is spot-on in a way I’ve never seen before, and it’s been a great way to discover new music in the genres I love, so I;’m on a kick of making sure I listen to it every Monday when I can!

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — it’ll be available everywhere books are sold 1/13/2026, and this newsletter is the best place to find the latest info about that, so stay tuned. Have a great week!

By the time you’re reading this, I’ll be sitting poolside on a cruise with a cold drink in one hand and a good book in another. Wish you were here! But as soon as I get back, it’s time to get back to writing, which leads me into sharing one of my favorite writing tools today…

The Most Dangerous Writing App

When I was in college, one of my professors had us do an assignment where we had to check out this free website called The Most Dangerous Writing App. It’s exactly what it sounds like — a website where you set a timer and write as much as you can, as fast as you can…but the caveat is that if you pause the writing for too long, it’ll delete all of your work. Literally, all of it. And there’s no way to get it back.

It’s incredibly stressful and definitely a touch nutty, but it’s become of the most helpful ways that I break out of writer’s block. Not even just for novel writing — I used it in college for essays, or sometimes even when I need to brainstorm what I’m going to write in this newsletter. It’s a really great way to lock your inner editor — and self-doubts — in jail for a few minutes and just let yourself freely word-vomit onto the page. You’d be surprised how many times it actually knocks something loose in my brain and gets my books flowing again when you don’t have time to be critical!

(If you do successfully keep writing until the timer’s up, you get to download the text file of all you wrote so you can drop it into your novel’s Word doc or wherever you write, but that’s not as fun to talk about.)

All’s this to say, if you haven’t tried it yet…I dare you to! Even for thirty seconds. Even if you’re not a writer. Even if you’re reading this email while scrolling through work stuff. Put aside 30 seconds, give it a try, and see if you can beat the machine…and what you can come up with!

I Have a Pub Date!

If you haven’t already seen on Instagram, We’ve Hit Turbulence officially has a pub date! You’ll be able to buy it anywhere books are sold on January 13th, 2026. That’s just 286 days away, but who’s counting?

So much fun news still to come, including info about preorders, events, and more. But for now…save the date!

My Top 3 Tips for Beating Writer’s Block

Speaking of The Most Dangerous Writing App, I did in fact have a few more tips for writer’s block that I find helpful and figured I’d share. So quickly, rapid-fire, here are my top three!

1. Take a walk. It sounds simple, but sometimes when I’m getting frustrated with my writing and need a bit of a break, I’ll close my laptop, pop in my headphones, and go take a 30-minute walk. Not only is it good exercise, but letting myself just listen to music and enjoy the sights really helps me come back feeling refreshed, and the mindless walk is a great chance to mumble to myself (lol) and work out the kinks of the story.

2. Do something creative that isn’t writing. I took up cross-stitching a few years ago, and it’s become a really fun, relaxing activity to work on while I watch a show or sit in the sunshine or spend time with family. Sometimes being able to work on something else creative that isn’t working on my manuscript, using my hands and bright colors and patterns, really helps me relax. And then I go back to my writing feeling way less stressed, and ready to tackle the session!

3. Read, read, read! This is the golden rule for writer’s block, and writing in general — reading makes you a better writer. When I’m feeling like I’m hitting a dead end, I’ll pick up a book and dive into some of the authors that I love. It leaves you feeling inspired, and plus, reading is just fun.

Something I’m Reading

I’ve been wanting to dig into First Time Caller by B.K. Borison ever since it came out and the hype was so incredible for it, but I forced myself to wait so I’d be able to get it on my annual birthday B&N shopping spree with my boyfriend! I brought it with me on the cruise — and dipped in a little before I left — and I’m loving what I’m reading so far already. I want to savor this one and don’t want it to end!

Something I’m Watching

I finally caught up on the second season of XO, Kitty this week, and it was as sweet and swoony as I was hoping for! Although, if I’m honest, I didn’t totally love how the season ended off, so I’m hoping that the Season Three renewal sticks and that we find out more about what’s next for Kitty…though seeing Peter K in this season definitely made that snag worth it.

Something I’m Listening To

I’m a big Jon Bellion fan, so when his latest single, WASH, came out last month, I was all over it! It’s safe to say that this song has gotten a lot of playtime in the few short weeks it’s been out, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it makes it onto my Spotify Wrapped this year.

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — it’ll be available everywhere books are sold 1/13/2026, and this newsletter is the best place to find the latest info about that, so stay tuned. Have a great week!

It’s officially March, which is my favorite month of the year — though I think I’m a bit biased! It’s my birthday, but it’s also the start of spring, warm weather, and the freshness of a new season ahead. And in the spirit of fresh starts, I have some fun updates for you, so let’s get right into it!

Tax Season as an Author is Not for the Weak

Let me start by saying that numbers and I are not friends. I don’t think we ever have been. I’ve barely passed every mass class I’ve ever taken by the skin of my teeth, and I triple-check even basic math with a calculator because I don’t trust myself. And so, one thing that you fail to realize when you become an author is how much math suddenly gets involved.

For starters, a bit of an insider secret (not really, but alas) — your author advance isn’t taxed when it’s paid to you, so you have to pay taxes on it later. Seems simple enough, right?

Maybe, unless you’re like me, and trying to calculate 30% of a sum of money to put aside for taxes next year induces a cold sweat and a wave of anxiety like no other. I always say that the two services I’ll always pay for no matter the cost are 1) vacuuming the inside of my car, which I loathe doing, and b) someone filing my taxes. And so, I set out in search of a CPA who understood author advances, the various tax write offs you get as an author (Including books!!! And new notebooks!!! And pens!!!!!!!!! And tickets to book events!!! And going to YALLFest!!!), and whatever the heck a Schedule C is. (To be entirely honest, I am still not sure, even though it’s been explained to me no less than five times.)

The good news is now I don’t really have to know — because I gathered my receipts and info, found a really awesome CPA that I trust (hi, John, if you’re reading this), and now it’s out of my hands! Thank goodness that there are people in this world who enjoy doing math for others, because I am not one of said people. Glad that’s over…until next year!

I Also Got a Teensy Peek at my Cover…

While I can’t share it with you yet, I can say that I did get to take a sneak peek at a cover sketch for We’ve Hit Turbulence, and you guys…it’s gorgeous. It’s already everything I wanted in a cover, and it’s not even done! I can’t wait to share it with you. While I’m not sure when that’ll be happening yet, I can say that you newsletter subscribers will likely be the ones to see it before anyone else. So stay tuned!

It’s My Birthday Month and I’m Hosting an Instagram Giveaway!

My birthday is this month, which is why I said I’m biased about it being my favorite month of the year. But that’s actually not the reason I’m hosting a giveaway this week over on my Instagram — it’s actually to celebrate the fact that I hit 1,000 Instagram followers!!! Seriously, I’m still so in awe and grateful for all of you and that so many people actually care about my author life and my little book. *sniffles*

So, if you want to win a Barnes & Noble gift card and some other fun goodies, make sure you head to my giveaway post and enter before Saturday, 3/8! (Plus, being subscribed to this newsletter is an entry bonus, so you guys are already halfway entered, in that case. *wink*)

Something I’m Reading

I’m currently reading Love & Lattes by fellow Delacorte Romance imprint sibling Beth Reekles, and it’s such a delight! I’m already itching to get back to it tonight. It’s sweet, funny, and addicting — my favorite parts of a Delacorte Romance book!

Something I’m Watching

To nobody’s surprise, I am hooked on the new season of The White Lotus. Though I do have to say, I think the second season is still my favorite…but hopefully things pick up with this one soon! I’m curious how everyone’s stories are going to wind up tying into each other, but that’s always the most exciting part of this series, so fingers crossed it gets good.

Something I’m Listening To

I started listening to The Well-Read Podcast when I booked some of my authors on there for work, and I have to say, I’ve become addicted! It’s becoming my favorite thing to listen to while I’m at work or driving. There are so many great interviews with established and debut authors, and it’s so fun to hear the inner workings of some of my favorite books. If you’re looking for a new bookish podcast to pick up, consider this my formal recommendation!

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — it’ll be available everywhere books are sold in Spring 2026, and this newsletter is the best place to find the latest info about that, so stay tuned. Have a great week!

So, I Accidentally Went Kind of Viral

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you probably saw my posts and stories from last week…so, long story short, I got my most recent draft of We’ve Hit Turbulence printed at Staples. I submitted the order on a Sunday afternoon, and then time got away from me and I didn’t have a chance to pick it up that day. So the next afternoon, I figured that I’d go pick it up on my lunch break — and that it would be a good idea to document it on my author IG account, to capture this exciting milestone of holding the (pretty much basically totally finished) version my debut novel in my hands. So I posted an IG story, and away I went.

What I *wasn’t* expecting was, when I picked up the manuscript, for the woman working at the copy station to tell me that she read my book on her entire lunch break the previous day, and she totally loved it. I almost burst into tears right then and there (but managed to hold it together until I got in my car, but barely). It was so incredibly touching — and an immense relief — to have a total stranger tell me that they loved my book. While I’m very grateful for all of my family and friends who praise my writing, sometimes you can’t help but wonder if part of the reason people think it’s good is because they know you. So to have a total stranger tell me such a wonderful thing, not knowing me at all and under no obligation to say anything at all, was really touching. It made me feel like maybe this whole book contract isn’t a fluke after all.

And then, I couldn’t help but Tweet about it, because it was such a genuinely heartfelt thing. And…it kind of got over 259,500+ engagements? LOL. So I seem to have made a bunch of new friends, so hello, if you’re one of them! Welcome aboard. :-)

While that certainly wasn’t my intention, I’m really glad that I had the opportunity to tell that story, and that the sweet Staples employee made my day. I can’t wait to give her an early copy when they land later this year! (Speaking of which: I can’t believe that early copies are going to land later this year!!!!!!!)

Anyway, speaking of why I needed a physical copy of my latest draft of We’ve Hit Turbulence…

I Turned in My Rewrites of My Novel!

On Monday, I turned my rewrites of We’ve Hit Turbulence — which is why I needed to print a hard copy in the first place, because I always do my final re-read as a physical copy to catch any last minute mistakes.

So now, if you’ll excuse me: WOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳

While the book isn’t completely *done* — my fabulous editor Ali is going to look it over again, and then it may need a few more rounds of tiny tweaks and copyedits — the story as a whole is tightened up and finished. And while it’s been a long road to get here, and it certainly feels relieving to have a break from constantly playing with those pages in between long days at work, I’ll admit that I’m going to miss Olive and Tyler’s antics for the next few weeks, until I get to work on them again. But the little refreshing time away will be beneficial in the long run!

For now, I spent this week celebrating with some of my friends after submitting on Monday, going to a local Mexican restaurant that we love for a toast and some good food. And This week I’m going to soak in as much Sims and reading time as I can before I pivot to working on tweaking #SecretRomComWIP, the next story in the pipeline… ;-)

5 Great Valentine’s Gifts for the Rom-Com Lover in Your Life

With Valentine’s Day coming up next weekend, you may find yourself in a last minute scramble to grab another gift or two for your special someone. Luckily, as someone who lives and breathes rom-coms in all their forms, here are 5 recommendations of gifts for the romance lover in your life — bonus points if they’re bookish romance lovers, too!

1. Custom romance trope pens. Because why write with a regular pen when you can write with one that says Busy Reading Smut?!

2. A fun “blind date with a book” package. Etsy has tons of them for all sorts of genres and reading tastes.

3. A cute book tropes crewneck. There are tons out there — try to find out their favorite tropes first. If you so, this will be a winner!

4. A paper rose book bouquet. Bonus points if the pages are from one of their favorite books.

5. A bookish flower vase. Whether it’s for paper flowers, real ones, or bookmark collections (which is what I use mine for), you can never go wrong with an adorable vase.

So, what are you waiting for? Get shopping!

Something I’m Reading

I managed to read 5 (!) books in January, which is the most I’ve done in a single month in years — and I capped it off with Unromance by Erin Connor, which had me hooked from start to finish. I mean, come on — a romance writer who stopped believing in love, and a soap opera actor who falls head over heels for every girl who looks his way? This one is such a joyful romp that you’ll love.

Something I’m Watching

Deviating from my usual rom-com brand for a second, I’m completely hooked on Season 2 of The Night Agent. Trust me, even if you’re not usually into political thrillers, you need to start this one. You won’t be sorry!

Something I’m Listening To

I’m currently in the middle of trying to brainstorm some songs for the We’ve Hit Turbulence official playlist, which is taking a bit longer than I’d expected. So before I can share that with you, I’m sharing another song that’s been in my head lately — Midwest Indigo by Twenty One Pilots, which is a perfect fit for the freezing weather we’ve been having in New York! What have you been listening to?

Let's Get Social!

Don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I'm always looking for new bookish friends and would love to chat! And don’t forget to add my debut Young Adult romance novel, We’ve Hit Turbulence, to your shelf on Goodreads — it’ll be available everywhere books are sold in Spring 2026, and this newsletter is the best place to find the latest info about that, so stay tuned. Have a great week!