Welcome 2025 & Happy New Year (it’s not too late to say that)! I hope your new planner is marked with many awesome things, your TBR is tight with great reads, & you kick ass on your goals this year.
Ah, we have so much to catch up on! Deep breath. Centering…. Okay. Book news first.
ICYMI: Every Good Thing came out on December 20th! It’s now on KINDLE UNLIMITED, along with its older sister, One Thing Better, and cousin, Yes No Maybe. Readers love the roller coaster ride of Every Good Thing, so if you like emotional jostling with hard-earned happily-ever-afters, please check it out. You will thank me (once you stop crying). Though it is a sequel to One Thing Better, it can be read as a standalone.
2025 kicked off with me feeling incredibly grateful and excited over all the BEST OF 2024 lists that showcased Yes No Maybe!! Many IGers and TikTokers called it their favorite romance of the year! Can. You. Freaking. Believe. It? Their support means so much to me!
Oh, and Yes No Maybe received a HUGE YES with THIS…
Yes No Maybe was selected from over 2,000 Indie books reviewed by ReedsyDiscovery as one of its BEST PICKS OF THE YEAR and THE BEST INDIE ROMANCE!! *Me, Arsenio-Hall-fist-pumping in the air*
Thanks to the Reedsy Editors for selecting it and for all you lovely readers who read, reviewed, and talked it up. It’s a true Cinderella story that would make even bestselling author Jack Graham incredibly proud.
*Yeah, Jack. You aren’t the only one who can write a good romance. Te he.
Speaking of New Year’s goals, here are last year’s wins:
📚 I met last year’s goal of publishing two books (barely)! (203,750 words)
🆓 I added a slew of free bonus content to my website, including A Good, Old Fashioned Duffy Family Christmas, Jack’s Bonus Epilogue, Dot’s Soulmate Recipe, and Lena & Ben’s Bonus Content for Every Good Thing. (22,559 words). They’re available to subscribers if you need to catch up. (Do it! They’re amazing!)
👩🏼🤝👩🏻 I secured my own found family by getting used to social media, even TikTok (just in time, right?), and engaging with beautiful, supportive, and bookish new friends. I love them all sooooo much. 🫶🏻
Jumping into 2025, here’s what’s coming:
💞 I’m publishing two contemporary romances this year! The first is Every Chance After (preorder and blurb to come), an age-gap romance featuring Marnie and Grady (my new favorite couple-to-be), gators, and a devastating first scene. It’s already ripping me to pieces and I’m only on chapter eight. We’re shooting for a late May release. Here’s its gorgeous vibe so far:
🧬 The second (title TBD) is about a scientist fascinated by carnivorous plants. Nom. Nom. Hopefully, her story will “fly” into bookstores in October.
🗣️ More updates and sneak peeks behind the scenes on social media. If you don’t follow me, please be my friend and say hi!
🗂️ I’m getting hella-organized and building my permanent ARC team. Every Chance After will get every chance to reach more readers. More info on that is coming soon!
🥳 Finally, I’m just owning it this year! All of me–just owning it. I’m confidently calling myself a writer, and embracing my age (I’ll be 50 soon… eesh, I mean today. I really need to get this newsletter done) and overall creative, anxious, awkward, and kindhearted self. Yay, me!
And Yay You! What are YOU embracing in 2025? I want to know!! TELL ME NOW! Also, I want to know what you got for Christmas and what you’re reading. All the things. (Too much coffee this morning, but it’s still true.)
My favorite quote from Every Chance After this week:
My thoughts drift to strange places, strange, even for me. Playing The Game of Life by candlelight, Mom telling me that the power company messed up, again, (years later, I learned that electric companies don’t make mistakes), and her joyfully choosing the Life Path over the Family Path.
“Don’t you want a bigger family?” I asked her.
“That just means more people to disappoint you.”
I can’t wait for the chance to bring you this story (ha, chance… that’s not going to get old).
Until Next Time,
Jessica
