Allie Samberts's Blog

How many eldest daughters do we have in this chat? I’m guessing quite a few. I’m one! Like attracts like and all that. But parenting an eldest daughter as an eldest daughter myself has been a wild ride—one that I’ve been thinking about a lot lately as she celebrated her eleventh (WHAT?!) birthday last week.

And if you’re not here for my musings on parenthood and you’re a paid subscriber, jump down to the updates section for a little art preview for Not on the Same Page. But first…

I am sitting in my public library, waiting for said eldest daughter to get out of theater practice and trying to get some work done. It’s 6:32 PM, and I am proud of myself for not bringing coffee with me. I thought about it, though. I really did.

I do, however, have pumpkin spice black tea. So, you know…I may have still ruined my sleep.

I am still fundraising for Feeding America as part of Writers Against Hunger! If you have some extra cash on hand, please consider donating here. Every dollar donated provides at least ten meals for those in need, and this time of year is especially difficult. Your money goes a long way! As of the writing of this newsletter, I’ve written 16,029 words on Not on the Same Page which comes out to $32.06. So…you know…far under my 50k/$100 goal. But let’s be real. I’m donating $100 anyway, and I’ll finish this book no matter what. We always knew November was going to be hard.

I honestly don’t think I fully realized how cool my daughter was until she turned eleven last week. I thought of her in myriad other positive ways—amazing, wonderful, funny, special, weird (in the best way), or a whole host of other shining adjectives. She was all of those things. “Cool” just wasn’t the word.

Raising my daughter has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. And that isn’t entirely because I’m a raging feminist and I am extremely mindful about how I talk to her and about her, about how the world will break her down and how I can build her up before (and after) that happens. (I am this way about my son, too, but I know this world is harder on girls than it is on boys. I’ve lived it. And from one eldest daughter to another, I want to heal some of the “eldest daughter” tendencies in myself to make her life easier. You know the ones. Wanting to take care of everyone. Wanting to make everyone happy. People-pleasing. Taking up the least amount of space possible. These things are not necessarily a product of being the eldest daughter—my mother certainly didn’t instill these traits in me—but they have been assigned to us by a society intent on creating likable women. The kind who smile when told to do so and never, ever make waves. But I digress.)

But it wasn’t only that. It was parenting her as a four-year-old while we lost her sister. She was old enough to know we were having a baby, old enough to know she was a girl and to know her name. So, in my grief, I had to guide her through hers, as well. I had to carry on because of her. In may ways, she saved me, though it was never her responsibility to do so.

She missed most of kindergarten because of COVID. She did online school with her peers, but she was so social that she definitely suffered for it. My quirky, noisy kid needed a quirky, noisy classroom full of other quirky, noisy kids. And not only that, we had a newborn baby at the time who required a lot of attention. But I remember thinking that she was so resilient. Whatever we threw at her, she took on with a smile and found the bright side. That was an exhausting time, but I was so proud of her. Proud of me, too. I had moved from a loss to another pregnancy to COVID, and I was doing okay.

All of a sudden, she was in third grade, fourth grade, now fifth. She’s over five feet tall. (Yes, seriously.) There’s something about being able to look your kid in the eyes that makes you take stock of whether or not you deserve the privilege. I think I do. I think I’ve done a good job with her. I think I’ve been able to heal some of her world enough that she knows she has a soft place to land when it breaks her down.

And now, she’s just such a cool kid. She does improv and theater and dance. She talks about these things in technical terms, and she takes it seriously like a professional. When she’s on stage, she lights up. She might not know exactly who she is yet, but she’s closest to it when she’s performing.

She has goals. And friends. She hangs Pride flags on her walls and will defend trans kids with fervor. She wears all black…except today she had on a red sweater. I told her she looked great. She said, “I know.” And my heart swelled because she didn’t need me to tell her that—she had her own cool confidence.

More and more, I keep thinking to myself, Wow. She’s such a cool kid.

She won’t hug me. She hates it. She’s “too cool” for it. But then again, she always has been. When she was a newborn, she was happiest when no one was touching her. People didn’t believe me until they tried to pick her up. She let them know. I was proud then, and I’m proud now. (But I still hug her at every drop-off. Someday, she’ll understand why.)

On her birthday, I told her it was my birthday, too. She rolled her eyes (there is a lot of eye-rolling lately), but it was true. I was reborn the day she came into the world. I’ve never been the same. There is a time before she was here, and a time after. In a million ways, I am better for her presence. In absolutely no way am I worse. We’ve grown up together. We’ve changed and learned and built a life. That’s really cool, too.

I don’t write my books for her. Not even in a hypothetical, “I do everything for my kids” kind of way. I write them for me. But I write books I’d be proud to have her read one day—ones that feature consent and body positivity and a more loving, tolerant world. I think someday she’ll tell her friends I’m an author, which would be…well…cool. Maybe someday she’ll be as proud of me for doing this thing as I am of her for everything she does.

Maybe someday, she’ll think I’m cool, too.

I am over 50k words into Not on the Same Page!! This is a huge milestone that I am so excited to reach. I am so proud of this book, especially given how sick I was. Here’s to the next 50k!

The event at The Well Red Damsel was amazing! If you missed out on grabbing a signed copy from me, my shop is open.

And now…the first look at artwork of Casey and Trina for paid subscribers. Who’s excited???

Read more

Phew! What a week. Not a Strong Enough Word re-released on ebook this week—have you read it yet? Or, if you read the indie version, did you check out the bonus epilogue? If not, what are you waiting for?

Read it Now

We also had two birthdays this week along with a retro roller rink birthday party that honestly healed something in me. But, thus concludes the Samberts’ birthday and anniversary season for 2025.

And now I have a week and a half before the start of the holidays!

So, I’m fresh out of thoughts this week. Which means I’m popping in with just a little bit of news for you before I retreat back into the writing cave.

First up, I’ll be at The Well Red Damsel for their anniversary celebration tomorrow! If you are in the Milwaukee area, come say hi. I’ll have books to sell, and Natasha has a ton of awesome things planned, too.

Christmas by Design is on sale for $4.99 for the audiobook at Libro.fm. This is an AMAZING deal! (68% off)

Common Grounds is on sale for $7.50 at audiobooks.com. This is also an AMAZING deal! (70% off)

Definitely snag an audiobook before these sales run out!

Finished all my books and looking for something new to read? Try Bottle Shock by Michelle Naomi Mosley.

An out-of-work actress and her best friend’s brother enter into a marriage of convenience—only to inconveniently fall for each other—in this spicy small town romance from the author of Rare Blend and Double Barrel .

He’s after a house. She’s the key to getting it.

Scotland “Scottie” James swore she’d never end up back in her small hometown. But with acting gigs drying up and the city spitting her out, Red Mountain is the only place to go—and the last place she wanted to be. Taking a job at her parents’ real estate firm is meant to be a detour on her way back to the stage. But when she’s asked to help her best friend’s older brother find a lake house, she accidentally lands her biggest acting role yet: Gavin Ledger’s wife.

For Gavin Ledger, winemaker and devoted single dad, life revolves around his daughter. The perfect lake house could help her feel closer to the mother she’ll never know—but there’s one problem: the seller will only sell to a married couple. His solution? The one woman guaranteed to test his patience. Scottie is dramatic, glamorous, and nothing like the steady, quiet life he’s built, yet being her husband—on paper—feels dangerously easy.

The longer they play house, the more it stops feeling like an act. And when the final curtain falls, Scottie will have to decide if chasing her old dream is worth losing the best thing she never saw coming.

Like bottle shock, love can take you by surprise—but the best things in life are often the ones you never planned.

Read it Now

Sorry I don’t have more this week, friends! My brain needs a break. But I’ll be back next week! In the meantime, give Not a Strong Enough Word a download for me. Every download helps!

Happy reading,
Allie

Not a Strong Enough Word is back in digital form from Page & Vine today, and the great news is you can get it ANYWHERE, including Kindle Unlimited! AND you can request the ebook at your local library!

Kindle/KU

Barnes & Noble

Apple Books

Google Play

Indie Bound

Amazon UK

Amazon AU/NZ

Kobo

Scarlett Frye was once a literary genius. With two bestselling novels, a million-dollar book deal, and a love story of her own, she had it all—until the pressure broke her. Five years ago, she canceled her book tour, shredded her contract, and disappeared. She left everything behind, including Ryan Whitlock, the editor who believed in her… and the man she loved.

Now, after years of healing, she’s ready to write again.

For Ryan, Scarlett’s disappearance wasn’t just a professional loss, it was personal. It shattered his heart and sent him into a slump. That is, until an anonymous manuscript lands on his desk. The writing is brilliant, raw, and achingly familiar—it can only be Scarlett’s.

As fate brings them back together, Scarlett reluctantly agrees to let Ryan edit her comeback novel, even though it means working with the man she never stopped loving. Old passions reignite, but when pressure builds and buried secrets resurface, Ryan fears history will repeat itself.

Scarlett walked away once. But as they navigate love, loss, and the weight of the past, she and Ryan must be strong enough to rewrite their story before it’s too late.

Read it Now

“There’s something about Allie’s writing that feels like a warm cup of coffee and Not a Strong Enough Word was not the exception. Except, this time, the cup of coffee came with a box of tissues as a side. Every word in this book was delivered with emotion and something that I can only describe as magic. Allie comes straight to break your heart, but don’t worry, by the end, she mends it again.”
-- Ambar Cordova, author of The Truth Never Spoken

“Allie Samberts delivers a heart wrenching second-chance romance, drenched in the messy, beautiful weight of grief, burnout, and hope. Raw, poignant, and unflinchingly real—Not a Strong Enough Word will stay with you long after the last page.”
-- Linny Mack, author of Changing Tides

“Perhaps the perfect words for this breathtaking love story are ‘must-read.’”
-- M.K. Williams, author of The Infinite-Infinite

“Allie has mastered the art of balancing the rawest emotions with hope, and joy, and pleasure. A truly special book. I have not stopped thinking about this book. Allie has captured grief, and overwhelm, and the weight of pressure so astutely I felt she could have ripped these words from my own soul. A must-read for fans of Book Lovers, Writers and Lovers, and Beautiful World Where Are You.”
-- Holly June Smith, Author of Can I Tell You Something?

Read it Now

Please be advised, Not a Strong Enough Word is intended for mature audiences and deals with mature themes.

Possible content warnings listed here.

Don’t forget to preorder Not on the Same Page (and the gorgeous Not a Strong Enough Word paperback), book two in the Strong Enough series. It’s an interconnected standalone set in the publishing world for fans of no strings attached/friends with benefits and emotional romance.

Preorder Now

Cross-posted on my website.

Happy November! The season where we’re all trying to recover from the five Halloween parties, twelve trunk-or-treats, and the sugar high (and subsequent crash) the week before. Oh, and this year we had a time change AND a full moon right afterwards. Fun!

Now we get to prepare for an even busier holiday season, the end of the semester and, if you’re me, five family birthdays in a four-week timespan.

It has also historically been NaNoWriMo season, and while NaNo has shut down (more info here), there were at least a few people bemoaning the challenge, saying the ability to write 50,000 words in this particular month was something only those who didn’t have the extra mental load of *waves hands vaguely at the time of year* November could feasibly do.

So…is November the worst month to get anything done? And if so, what does that mean for my draft? But first…

It’s still pumpkin spice season, and I will die on that hill. Pumpkin spice isn’t a Halloween flavor. It’s a Thanksgiving flavor, thankyouverymuch. (But also, I wasn’t able to drink coffee for almost all of September, so I still have half the bottle of flavor syrup on my counter.) But my husband has officially ordered the Christmas spiced coffee, which we will start to drink as soon as the fall spiced coffee is gone. We are transitioning!

Speaking of transitions, I ordered a pink Christmas tree for my office. We moved furniture around and painted over the spring, and now I have space for holiday joy, which I believe will make me…if not happy, then motivated. And yes, my favorite color is teal, but I felt a teal Christmas tree would look strange. Also, all of my branding is pink, and I am doing this in no small part for the ’gram. Let’s be real.

For our weekly activism, I’ll update on Writers Against Hunger later in this newsletter, but if you have money to donate, I would appreciate it! $1 equates to 10 meals. TEN! So every little bit helps. You can donate to me here and see the team page here.

I have never personally participated in NaNoWriMo. Before I started writing novels, it never felt to me like writing 50,000 words in a month would be helpful. It seemed too fast, too rash, and like I’d need to do too much editing…or at least that’s what I said. The truth of it was that—again, this was before I started writing novels—I was afraid to start. Writing that many words was daunting, and I didn’t think I could do it.

But the more criticism I read about the event, the more I was on board with November being the absolutely worst time for it. YES, writing in November is hard. YES, writing that many words (1666 approximately) per day requires focus and time—something that’s a lot harder to come by if you have a job and kids during the holidays. Harder, too, in some ways for those of us on semester schedules where everything needs to be wrapped up in a nice little bow by December 15th-ish each year.

These mostly feminist takes bemoaned the privilege the creators must have had to set up this challenge during the busiest time of year, and I have to agree. (Though a big part of me also thinks you can write 50,000 words any month of the year, so it’s okay if NaNo wasn’t for you! But another big part of me knows how much easier it is to do these things when you have a community of cheerleaders around you.)

Personally, because I’m a teacher, I try to stay away from doing much of anything in the fall. I did write Pumpkin to Talk About in the fall, but that was twelve days of focus in September, which is very different than thirty days of focus in November. I also finished The Write Place in November, but I had started it beforehand and it was my debut. I didn’t even have a pen name or plans to publish it yet. I was free from social media and marketing and all the other constraints I have on me now that my career is a bit more established. (My kid also still napped in the middle of the day when I was writing those two. RIP to that phase.) I’ve never even had a fall release for this reason. My novel writing months have been June, July, and then January through March. Anything that gets written outside of that time is a bonus.

So how am I coping with drafting Not on the Same Page right now?

*laughs hysterically, a little unhinged, and screams into the void*

Sorry. I just needed to crash out for a second.

The good news for me is that, before November started, I had about 40,000 words written, which is about halfway through the book. Exposition is the hardest for me to write because I always feel like it’s so boring, no one cares, I’m a horrible writer, and most people will DNF the book in the first forty pages because it’s too slow.

Luckily, none of these things are true, and also now that that’s out of the way, the rest of the book is going to go a whole heck of a lot faster. And frankly, it doesn’t matter if November is the worst month to be writing all these words. Ya girl has a deadline, so I have to get it done! So what has been helping me? A lot of strategy, actually. If you’re in the same boat, here are some tips:

Just write. I knowwwwwww this is easier said than done. That’s literally what this whole newsletter has been musing about. But you have to carve out time to do it, even if it’s five minutes at a time.

Don’t set word counts. I mean yeah, have goals, I guess. Goals are good. But don’t let perfection get in the way of progress. Twenty words are more than zero. One sentence is still forward progress. And, often, once you get one down, you can keep going.

Use your notes or dictation app. Personally, I can’t write full scenes on my notes app or while dictating, but I can outline scenes that way. I can get great ideas and allusions and pieces of dialogue down to come back to later. If you’re like me, this is really important because the busier I get, the less my brain can hold. But I was able to write a scene really quickly yesterday because I dictated the outline in my car on my way to school!

Grab a writing partner. Or an alpha reader. An accountabillibudy, if you will. Someone you trust to read as you go and demand more from you. You won’t want to disappoint them! (Bonus: They’ll provide suggestions as you go, and you’ll end your draft having at least one reader already.)

Avoid the temptation to edit. Unless you need to fix a scene to make something else make sense, keep moving forward. If you get stuck editing too much, you’ll use all your precious time doing that.

See what else can go. Sometimes, something’s gotta give. So, can you offload some social media posts to a friend or PA? Can you send fewer newsletters this month? Can you order food once or twice instead of cooking, or let go of the idea of having a perfectly clean house, or get a babysitter for a few hours of uninterrupted writing time?

Take breaks. I know this sounds counterintuitive, but rest days exist for a reason. You need to turn your brain off every once in a while in order for it to function at full capacity. So build in break time, and actually REST.

Remember, this is temporary. Your life won’t always be this busy. Your kids (if you have them) won’t always be in this phase. Try to enjoy what you can, and keep your eyes on the prize: You are going to feel so proud of this work you pieced together in stolen moments. There’s magic in writing this way!

Okay, okay. The moment you’ve been waiting for. LOOK AT THESE GORGEOUS COVERS!!! And sprayed edges!!!! OMG.

Not a Strong Enough Word is coming to ebook on November 11 (next week!) and paperback June 2, 2026. Not on the Same Page is coming to both on August 18, 2026. And you can preorder them now! (The ebook is available EVERYWHERE, including Libby!)

Aside from the sprayed edges and gorgeous new cover, Not a Strong Enough Word will also have a bonus epilogue and updated formatting. I cannot wait for you all to have these books in your hands!

Learn More (and Preorder) Here

I’ll be signing at Well Red Damsel in Wauwatosa, WI on November 15 from 10-12:30 for their anniversary celebration! Natasha has all kinds of awesome things planned, so you definitely should stop by if you’re in the area. I will have books for sale, and I’ll be happy to sign whatever else you bring with you. I hope to see you there!

With SNAP benefits ending for many, I’ve joined Lyssa Kay Adams and several other authors for Writers Against Hunger to raise donations and pledges for Feeding America. This is perfect timing, too, because I will be hopefully in the home stretch and finishing up a draft of Not on the Same Page this month. So, I am asking for donations to support Feeding America (and to help motivate me over the finish line)! You can donate to me here and see the team page here. I am also donating $2 for ever 1,000 words I write in November. So far, I’ve raised about $10!

For 70% off!!! If you need a new audiobook, snag this one while it’s only $7.50!

Listen Now

Two of my author friends have had recent releases that you definitely need to check out!

Christmas in paradise with my best friend… what could go wrong?

I spend every Christmas Eve with Mateo Sanz. It’s a decade-long tradition, but this year, his family is spending the holidays in the Dominican Republic. Did I mention it’s a destination wedding? Or that his cousin is marrying his ex-girlfriend? Oh, and I offered to fake date him to avoid the god-awful familial pity that’s no doubt following him straight to the Caribbean?

It should be an easy task, except Mateo is not only confident, charismatic, hot as sin, and the kindest man I’ve ever known. He’s also the best friend I’d never want to risk.

But the only way to convince his family this fake relationship is the real deal is through a whole lot of PDA, and when he begins whispering sweet nothings in my ear or holds my gaze even when there’s nobody around, the lines begin to blur.

One thing I forgot to mention? I, Daisy Zimmerman, have been in love with Mateo for as long as I can remember, even though there is no way he feels the same.

It would ruin more than our friendship if my secret were to slip out, and I’m not ready to lose the most important relationship in my life over a fake dating fiasco.

I only have to survive the week in the tropical paradise without letting my feelings for him be known. It should be easy, especially if we’re never alone. All we have to do is keep our hands, mouths, and hearts to ourselves.

We can follow all the rules…right?

The One Final Rule is a fake dating, friends to lovers, Christmas novella set in paradise. This is perfect for fans of Holiday family drama, the one bed trope and feel good romance like The Gift Rarely Given or Hallmark movies.

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Alexis and Seth are just friends.

Alexis LeMarche only has eyes for one thing: getting into Yale’s Ph.D. program. But senior year of college is hard enough already, without the pressure from her mom to get a “ring by spring”—a distraction she doesn’t need.

While Alexis is avoiding distractions, Seth Cameronis looking for one. Despite his desire to be an actor, he’s expected to go to law school—a future that’s been planned for him since birth. So when the opportunity to be Alexis’s fake boyfriend for Thanksgiving comes up, Seth is eager to accept the role of a lifetime.

But as the lines between real and fake start to blur, Seth’s long-held feelings reach a boiling point that he can’t control. With the friendzone crumbling, Alexis clings to her grad school plan—which doesn’t include falling in love. Can Seth go from stand-in boyfriend to the leading man of Alexis’s heart?

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I hope you are all having a great (if busy) November so far! If you have other tips for coping with the busy-ness of the season, let us know in the comments!

Happy reading,
Allie

Happy Halloween!!! I hope your day is filled with treats and no tricks, and all the pumpkin goodies you can handle. (No candy corn, though. That stuff is gross.)

I have so much news today, so let’s get right into it!

Pumpkin to Talk About is $0.99 TODAY ONLY in the US and UK Kindle stores! Grab it so you can read while the kiddos go trick-or-treating!

Get it Now!

We will be revealing the covers for Not a Strong Enough Word and Not on the Same Page next Wednesday, and I am so excited for you to see how gorgeous these covers are.

I’ll be signing at Well Red Damsel in Wauwatosa, WI on November 15 from 10-12:30 for their anniversary celebration! Natasha has all kinds of awesome things planned, so you definitely should stop by if you’re in the area. I will have books for sale, and I’ll be happy to sign whatever else you bring with you. I hope to see you there!

Starting tomorrow, my website shop and TikTok shop will be closed until mid-November. If there’s anything you want to snag, grab it now!

And finally, with SNAP benefits ending for many, I’ve joined Lyssa Kay Adams and several other authors for Writers Against Hunger to raise donations and pledges for Feeding America. This is perfect timing, too, because I will be hopefully in the home stretch and finishing up a draft of Not on the Same Page next month. So, I am asking for donations to support Feeding America (and to help motivate me over the finish line)! You can donate to me here and see the team page here. I will use this newsletter and Instagram to update my progress!

I don’t know if you saw, but the third Hartwell Hills novel is out now! You definitely want to read this one. It is SO CUTE.

Quinn Compton has one goal: make it to the National Finals Rodeo. After an injury that nearly ended her career, she’s more determined than ever, and Hartwell Hills Ranch is her solution. The perfect place to keep her head down and train. If only a certain Hartwell wasn’t so distracting.

Wyatt Hartwell has two goals: rebuild his tarnished reputation and win over Quinn Compton. She’s shot down every flirty line he’s tossed her way, but that only makes him want to know the woman behind the steely focus even more. And when one bad decision leaves him jobless and back at his family’s ranch, she’s suddenly everywhere he turns.

When Quinn’s rodeo season gets more chaotic than she bargained for, Wyatt steps in, determined to prove he’s not the careless playboy everyone thinks. From dusty arenas to neon-lit dance floors, their new friendship starts to blur into something Quinn didn’t see coming, and a whole lot more dangerous to her heart. Quinn came to Hartwell Hills for herself, not a rodeo announcer with a cocky attitude. But love can make you a fool, and falling for Wyatt might be a ride worth taking.

Read Now

I hope you have a safe and fun Halloween, and a wonderful weekend of reading!

Happy Halloween,
Allie

We’re doing a title reveal for newsletter subscribers FIRST this week, and there’s a sign up to help me with my cover reveals for the first two books in the Strong Enough series. But first…

I used to think that if you had to drink a pumpkin-flavored coffee drink iced that it was too warm outside to truly enjoy it, but even now that the weather has cooled off (finally), I am still drinking pumpkin spice cold brew. And it is, actually…better? I feel like it’s better iced. I might actually drink iced coffee well into the winter. Why not? The world is on fire, and we need all the simple pleasures we can get. Who needs rules about coffee temperature?

I also hemmed and hawed about whether or not to buy a new water bottle on Threads. Y’all enabled me, like you always do. My HUSBAND enabled me, which he never does. (Just kidding, he always does. But he is VERY practical.) Anyway, I bought the water bottle, and it might, in fact, change my life. Will this be the purchase I needed to finally hydrate??? Stay tuned.

Speech season started this week. (For those who don’t know, I am the assistant coach of the school’s Speech team, which means late night practices three times a week and tournaments almost every Saturday from December through February.) I was nervous about the addition to my schedule because I had already been feeling overwhelmed, but I am THRIVING. I’m definitely improving health-wise, and there’s an added energy now that we’ve gone through auditions. This year’s team is going to be awesome. I can feel it. And, honestly? I could use the win. Figuratively. I mean, we compete so literal wins are nice, too, but I’m mostly looking forward to being in a space where students are excited again.

And I have been WRITING! A lot! we’ve crossed 22,000 words in the new manuscript, and I’ve squealed approximately 10 times because these two are so cute. The yearn is yearning, the plot is plotting, and I am totally vibing with all of these characters—new and old. I really think you’re going to love it. And to celebrate, I wanted to do a title reveal!

Drumroll please…

AHHH! It’s got a title, so it’s REAL NOW! Are you excited?????

Not a Strong Enough Word is being re-released as an ebook on November 11, but both Not a Strong Enough Word and Not on the Same Page are opening for preorders on November 5 when we reveal BOTH covers.

Want to help with the cover reveals? Sign up here to get all the info from Page & Vine and help spread the word about these books!

While you’re waiting for Not a Strong Enough Word and Not on the Same Page, wto of my incredible author friends have new books either just released or coming soon!

Esther Vernon has lost everything.

After her sister is killed in a tragic accident, Esther inherits her two small nieces. Her new title of single guardian puts her travel vlogging career on an indefinite hold. For someone who has never had a permanent address, it’s a nightmare. Instead of finding the best dinner spots and dating athletes wherever she goes, she’s stuck with bedtime routines and dirty diapers. Settling down was not in her plans.

After a painful divorce five years ago, Felix Hayes hasn’t been able to connect with people outside of his brothers. Being awkward and a little too particular about germs doesn’t help. Despite his successful career as a psychiatrist, his personal life needs desperate attention. As he watches people around him find love, he yearns for some of his own—maybe a family, too.

Felix’s brother is engaged to Esther’s best friend, so their worlds collide. Esther finds a surprising friend in Felix, who vows to show her that her life isn’t over. And as feelings build between them, Esther must admit that Felix might be right. She can find excitement right where she is. Her past looms behind her, and her future is uncertain. But Felix might be the only one capable of holding her steady when a threat comes for her burgeoning family.

Read Now

Quinn Compton has one goal: make it to the National Finals Rodeo. After an injury that nearly ended her career, she’s more determined than ever, and Hartwell Hills Ranch is her solution. The perfect place to keep her head down and train. If only a certain Hartwell wasn’t so distracting.

Wyatt Hartwell has two goals: rebuild his tarnished reputation and win over Quinn Compton. She’s shot down every flirty line he’s tossed her way, but that only makes him want to know the woman behind the steely focus even more. And when one bad decision leaves him jobless and back at his family’s ranch, she’s suddenly everywhere he turns.

When Quinn’s rodeo season gets more chaotic than she bargained for, Wyatt steps in, determined to prove he’s not the careless playboy everyone thinks. From dusty arenas to neon-lit dance floors, their new friendship starts to blur into something Quinn didn’t see coming, and a whole lot more dangerous to her heart. Quinn came to Hartwell Hills for herself, not a rodeo announcer with a cocky attitude. But love can make you a fool, and falling for Wyatt might be a ride worth taking.

Preorder Now

That’s it for now! I hope you are enjoying some beautiful fall weather and reading some fantastic fall books.

Happy reading,
Allie

We’re continuing our good news/bad news trend this week, and I also want to muse a little on the state of my mental health and how it has affected my writing this fall, but if you’re a paid subscriber, I do have a little treat for you, so be sure you make it to the end!

Let’s start off with some excellent news, shall we? I’ve been able to tolerate my normal amount of fully caffeinated coffee over the past week, which is really fantastic. Oh, pumpkin spice, how I have missed you. And it is now almost cool enough to believe it’s really fall in the Midwest, which I have welcomed with open, sweater-covered arms. Next up, the pumpkin patch!

We’re also closing out Banned Books Week in the US, so if you’ve read a banned book this week, let me know in the comments. I’m currently teaching Hamlet and The Crucible, which both feel apt for very different (and many similar) reasons right now. Also, make sure you do something to honor this week, whether petitioning against book bans in your community or making a donation. I have been doing both for a long time, but might I suggest directing some funds toward the American Library Association? They always do great work.

If you’re not a writer (and maybe even if you are), it might sound weird when I say that my characters talk to me. I have famously taken the stance that, when it comes to writing my books, I just work here. The characters do what they want, and it’s simply my job to get their shenanigans on the page.

(That’s not entirely true, though. Sometimes, I play god and force them to do what’s best for the story, but those parts are always harder to write. It’s almost as if they’re resisting me every step of the way. Jerks.)

Even when I was a little kid, I would have conversations with my characters. In retrospect, this is really embarrassing, especially as those conversations would—as most good ones do—happen in the shower. In the ignorance of my youth, I was completely in my own world and unaware that my family could very likely hear every word. (Though now, my newly-six-year-old son’s constant chatter when he’s alone in his room feels like a genetic feature. My mom is probably reading this right now, nodding and muttering (with good humor), “Yep. Payback’s a bitch.”)

Now, though these conversations do very often still happen in the shower…and in the car…and on a run…and while I’m walking the dog—mostly when my mind is settled and a bit bored—they are largely internal. I say “largely” because sometimes my author and beta-reader friends will get lengthy voice memos from me as I work things out aloud, though often enough I realize I’ve figured something out on my own and delete the voice note before I send it.

But if you’ve been around for a while, you know that I’ve been struggling with my physical health since Not a Strong Enough Word released, which has impacted my mental health, as well. Ryan and Scarlett spoke to me. Loudly. They were so loud, in fact, that even when I wanted to quit writing, I couldn’t. That feeling you get when you’re reading a great book and you desperately want to know how it turns out? Yeah, I had that with them. The same thing has happened with all of my other books—entire chapters typed out on my notes app in bed, a sticky piece of dialogue that came to me on a run, whole plot points worked out in the shower. And, like I said, it’s been that way since I was a kid.

So, here I was, thinking this is just how writing goes. (And this is where I can picture some of you saying, “Oh, you sweet summer child.”) But as it turns out, when your own voice gets too loud in your head, those other character voices get very, very quiet.

At first, it wasn’t noticeable. The characters were still talking to me. I just needed rest, and when I’d rest, then they’d come roaring back the next day or so. That’s fine. It sounds like burnout, which didn’t surprise me after writing two full-length books and a novella and a half, releasing four of those, putting another on submission, all while keeping up my full-time teaching job and my editing side hustles. (When I type it all out like that, it feels obvious that I had a one-way ticket to writer’s block.) And then I booked my own tour for Not a Strong Enough Word where I talked about mental health and burnout and miscarriage like someone who had the answers (ha ha), expecting to come back after these events and write my little heart out.

Reader, that was not the case. Those characters started getting really quiet. Drawing them out took work, to the point where I wasn’t sure if I was cut out for this anymore. It used to be so easy. It was supposed to be the thing I enjoyed, the thing I did just for me. And it was starting to feel like drudgery.

But I signed a book deal! Things were great! And they were—they are!—but my health kept deteriorating. (Again…this should probably have been obvious.) But—and this one’s on me—I didn’t do anything to help myself. I thought I was with the medications and supplements and afternoon walks and knitting projects and summertime with my kids, but I wasn’t really getting to the core of the issue. And those characters zipped their lips, crossed their arms, and glared at me. They weren’t going to budge until I admitted a few things. Namely, that I’ve been pushing myself too hard.

Look. I’m 41 years old. I’m a teacher. I have children. I lived through COVID lockdowns and remote teaching. I’ve experienced burnout before, okay? But not like this. This was Burnout with a side of existential dread. Burnout+. Burnout 2.0, even. Usually, it’s just my brain speaking to me. This time, it was my body.

But, as always, my characters knew best. (Jerks.) After all, I just work here! It’s my job to listen to them. And their silence was speaking volumes: “We aren’t going to move until you start actually taking care of yourself. Pull out of some events. See some new doctors. Quite some of the side hustles. Actually do your PT exercises for that hip that’s been bothering you for a year so you can get back to running. Stop eating fast food every other day. And, for the love of god, drink some water.”

“FINE, YOU JERKS,” I screamed, and then did all those things. In fact, I one-upped them and also changed my diet and started meditating every day again. SO THERE.

And you know what? I’m feeling better. My anxiety is still high (but, I mean, whose isn’t?), but everything feels manageable. My body feels better than it has in years, since well before all of this started. (Yes, this is probably a sign that I should have been listening to it way before this. I get it now.) And, best of all, [redacted] and [redacted] are talking to me again. 2,000 words just flew out of me this weekend in a couple of hours. We’re back, baby.

If you need a sign to slow down and take care of yourself, this is it. Don’t be me! Listen to those voices telling you to take a step back. It’s okay. It’ll all still be here for you when you’re ready.

We’re switching up the order this week so I can tell you about two amazing new books you HAVE to check out this week before I update you on some things and give my paid tier a little treat.

Jenna Laing has always been what the people of Crowmorne call ‘a bit strange’. As a child, she was drawn to the spooky and the scary, and as an adult, she’s no different.

When the mysterious and long abandoned Miller Mansion re-opens as a Halloween haunted house, Jenna buys tickets in a heartbeat, and invites a first date, hoping he’ll share her love of horror and jumpscares.

Those hopes come crashing to the ground when he panics and runs off screaming, leaving her injured and in the hands of scare actor, Mason Miller.

Mason never expected to inherit a mansion, or the eye-watering bills that came along with it. His haunt is a quick way to make money, but Jenna might be the most unexpected surprise of all.

One look at her is all it takes to fall hard, then even harder when he discovers they share similar tastes both in and out of the bedroom.

And since Mason is an expert in designing experiences that make people feel something, this Halloween he’ll guarantee Jenna finally has a man to match her freak.

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Florence Sadler is fed up. Behind her quirky, wild-child exterior, she cares deeply, feels everything, and is desperate to get out from under the shadows of her three older brothers to find her passion in life. After months of fruitless job hunting, she’s at the end of her tether. Then, an unlikely solution to all her problems blindsides her when her brother’s best friend offers her a job and a place to live. If only she could forget the mind-blowing evening they shared. Impossible, especially when her new boss makes it his mission to reignite her lost spark.

Dexter Moore has it all: a home, a successful business, loyal friends, and a loving family. The only thing missing is someone to share it with, a reality Dex accepted long ago. But when Florence struts into his life, a beacon of light he didn’t know he was searching for, he’s suddenly rethinking every decision he’s ever made. Torn between his head and his heart, Dex is powerless to resist the pull they’ve both fought for months.

Hot summer afternoons and balmy starlit evenings drive Florence and Dex closer together, and “one night” becomes the first of many. Their magnetism is undeniable, but will untold fears and decade-old vows end their future before it even begins?

Our Long Days is the final book in the Sutton Bay series. A series of interconnected standalone stories set in coastal New England, with lots of feelings, swoon and spice!

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All of this is to say that I have had to take a hard look at my schedule this year. I had planned to do a fall witchy release, and that got postponed because of my new publishing schedule. I had planned to do this serial Christmas novella, too, and if this were last year, I would have absolutely been able to do it. But because I am really trying to listen to my body and my limits, I am going to have to postpone that, as well. The good news is that Christmas comes around every 365 days, so I’ll have another shot at it next year, but if I don’t focus, this next books will never get written. And it needs to. Because I have a contract now.

Maybe a spring or summer serial novella? When I get my health back where I want it and have a better handle on this new trad publishing world I’m entering into.

I’m so sorry. I know this will be disappointing to some of you. BUT I have also realized that (on accident), I’ve been neglecting my paid newsletter subscribers since this all started. And I am very sorry for that, as well.

So I am working on a content calendar that includes this newsletter. I will have at least one thing per month (hopefully two!) for paid subscribers only from here on out. Sometimes those will be early peeks at artwork, maybe a few exclusive bonus chapters or short stories. If there’s something you want to see, please let me know in the comments!

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I am happy to report that I seem to be on the mend. After so many recurring issues, it’s hard to be totally positive about it, but I’m cautiously hopeful. That said, I’m still playing catch up, so I’m keeping this newsletter short again this week. Don’t worry! I’ll be back to my fully wordy self really soon.

I am also happy to report that I’m back to drinking coffee…though it’s decaf for now. And while normally I’d rant against what is basically bean water, it has been nice to have at least this little treat in the mornings. (And yes, it is pumpkin spice flavored. Ya girl needs her fall joy.)

I am happy to announce that I have another series of books going on submission! Because of my publishing timeline with Page & Vine for the Strong Enough series, and because I had to put some things on hold, I realized I wasn’t going to be able to publish Spellbound by Starlight and Secrets this fall. And even if I could have gotten it together, I wouldn’t be able to release the next book for longer than a year after. Because I ended this one on a cliffhanger (I KNOW. I’M SORRY.) I thought it best to polish it up and put it on submission while I work on books two and three in the Not a Strong Enough Word universe. My hope is to find a publisher for these three sisters (and a couple of hilarious side characters, too) who can help me bring them to life! So cross your fingers and toes for me, because the first book is in the hands of some editors now, and we are hoping for good news.

Today is the last day to apply for my new street team! If you love hyping my books and getting free stuff, you should definitely apply. There’s a lot more info on the form itself about what is expected and what you get in return, so check it out!

Apply Now

Because I am unable to attend Book Harvest, I have quite the overstock of a couple of titles that I couldn’t cancel before they shipped. But that means we get to have a sale on signed copies until October 1! This sale is for US only, but it’s a good one, so if you need to round out your collection of Allie Samberts titles, now is the time to do it!

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My friends at Page & Vine have some new releases you absolutely need to check out! You absolutely won’t want to miss these books.

Set against the backdrop of Cape May’s close-knit community, Chasing Stars is a heartfelt romance about finding the courage to love again after loss, and discovering that home isn’t always a place—sometimes it’s a person.

Miles Corbin lives his life on his own terms. A successful real estate agent by day, and a surfer Casanova by night, Miles lives every day like it’s his last. Scarred by his recent divorce, Miles prefers to keep love at arm’s length. He’d much rather chase thrills in the ocean over risking love again. That is until Jenna Rossi walks into his life.

When Jenna Rossi inherits her family’s neglected beach house in Cape May, New Jersey, she plans to sell it quickly and move on with her life. But charming property manager Miles Corbin has other ideas. As he helps her navigate necessary repairs, he also becomes her personal tour guide through the tranquil beach town’s romantic charm, determined to give her even more reasons to stay.

As their new friendship blossoms, deeper feelings begin to take root. Miles hasn’t opened his heart again since his divorce, but something about Jenna makes him want to take a chance. Jenna swears she doesn’t need a white knight, nor does she want one, but Miles’ thoughtfulness and guidance has her dropping her guard and falling hard.
But just when they’re settling into the idea of forever, a secret from the past threatens to tear them apart for good—one that connects them in ways neither could have imagined.

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For Augustus Hayes, first love was instantaneous. From the moment he found her scaling a tree in his yard, plucking purple flowers from its branches, August knew his heart belonged to Elena Ramos. Elena had the exact same experience; about August’s older brother, Zach, that is. Deciding he’d rather have her as a friend than nothing at all, August ferments himself in Elena’s friend zone, unable to let go of the hope that someday, she’ll choose him. Elena Ramos has always romanticized the world around her. Chalk it up to her writer’s soul or her passion for romance novels, but she believes whole-heartedly in young love. Anyone can do it right the first time, if only they refuse to give up. At least, that’s what she tells herself each time her on-again off-again relationship with Zach Hayes begins to feel more like a nightmare than a daydream. After nearly a decade, they call it quits for good, and her best friend steps in to fix her broken pieces. Only then does Elena realize how blind she’s been to the person standing in front of her all this time. Just as Elena and August decide to transform their friendship into something more, an unimaginable tragedy strikes them both. Will a lifetime of falling in love be enough to hold them together when their entire world falls apart?

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She wanted to write a bestseller. She wasn’t ready for the plot twist.

Being an indie romance author was supposed to be a dream come true. But after publishing umpteen books, I still haven’t “made it” and now I’m just waiting for the dark cloak of insignificance to completely snuff out my career.

I decide to roll the dice on a marketing guru who swears he can yank me out of obscurity. But after a frantic search for “book boyfriend material” and an unexpected bar encounter, I accidentally blow my entire budget on an escort.

Forrest is a charming single dad by day and hotter-than-sin escort by night. But before I can fire him and ask for a refund, he reminds me how I got here in the first place… I’m in desperate need of inspiration.

He might be a walking red flag, but Forrest is ready to be my muse, which means spending the next three months helping me “research” my next bestseller. (Hey, I’m manifesting here.) Our game plan? Act out all the romance novel tropes that make a bingeable love story: brooding billionaires, masked men, cowboys in small towns, and even swoon-worthy green flags.

Forrest plays all the book boyfriend parts perfectly. So perfectly I’m starting to wonder if his feelings for me might be real, or if he’s just earning his paycheck. I’m not sure if I’m trying to write a love story or live one out.

After all, there is no such thing as happily ever after with a professional escort…right?

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That’s all for now! I hope you grab some great books for your weekend and enjoy some rest and relaxation with romance.

Happy reading!
Allie

I’ve been sick! And not the typical, back-to-school respiratory kind. The I was stressed to the max and my body is screaming at me to take a break kind. So this newsletter is going to be short, but full of news. (Which, I guess, is the actual point of a newsletter). And since I can’t stomach the thought of coffee right now because the gut and stress are actually pretty linked, we’re skipping right to it.

So, listen. I said this newsletter was going to be mostly news today, and it is. And then I had typed out an entire explanation about my health issues. I even scheduled it to send! But I’ve kept all of this private for a reason, and I don’t owe anyone an explanation. So I deleted it.

The bottom line is that I’m fine. But also…my body is shouting at me and I probably need to listen.

Suffice it to say, I have been sick or injured off and on since May. Every time I think I’m better, I jump back into doing all the things, and my body reminds me that that’s a terrible idea. And this time, it smacked me in the face. Probably because I thought I was listening, but I really wasn’t.

You would think that having been burned out and writing about a woman who walked away from publishing for five years because she was burned out WOULD HAVE BEEN A F*****G hint from me to me, but that is not how it works. I do not listen to myself. That would be smart, and like Trina constantly tells Scarlett, I’m the dumbest smart person I know.

So, like the horrors, I persisted. And now I’m paying the piper. Again.

Which means I’ve had to make some tough choices. (More on that later.) I’d like to pat myself on the back for finally listening to my body, but lol we all know I have not been doing that, and this is where it got me.

I want to scream, “I’m listening now, okay! You can feel better any time!” But that’s not how it works. Yet, I am healing emotionally and physically. It’ll take a while, but I’ll get there. And I know without a doubt that it’s going to make for better stories and—more importantly—a better Allie.

Now, to heal my gut so I can drink coffee again.

Here comes the good, the bad, and the ugly.

First, because of all of this, I’m no longer attending Book Harvest in October. Ya girl needs a break. If you preordered a book, please check your email for options about shipping or a refund. If you had books that you wanted signed that you were bringing with you, you can feel free to send me an email to ask for a bookplate.

Second, my serial holiday novella start date is going to be pushed back a bit to closer to the middle of next month. Frankly, no one cares about Christmas until after Halloween anyway, so I’m calling this a win-win. BUT Jack won the MMC name vote, so our two characters are going to be Jack and Claire, and I think that is just perfect.

Third, some good news. I am expanding my Street Team! You can apply here. The form closes on September 26, so don’t wait! You get lots of goodies for participating. All the details are on the form, so be sure to check it out.

And finally, my signed copy shop closes today for a while. All books ordered will ship out on Monday. If you were eyeing a signed copy, grab one now! I have a restock of Love Out Loud and SO MANY HOLIDAY NOVELLAS. (Plus all the other ones, too.)

Looking for something new to read? Check out Live, Ranch, Love by Emma Lucy!

A sweet and sexy enemies-to-lovers romance about a wellness influencer who returns to her late aunt’s ranch in Colorado where she clashes with the grumpy and handsome head rancher.

She’s here to sell my ranch, but now I think she might steal my heart.

Rory Jones prided herself on the successful life she’d built as a wellness influencer and author—until she walked in on her boyfriend with another woman after a family funeral. Forced to run away to her late great aunt’s ranch in Colorado, Rory’s hoping that fixing up and selling the place will help her find her confidence and inspiration to write again.

But Wyatt Hensley, the grumpy head rancher, isn’t willing to hand over the reins to the job he gave everything up for. Especially not to a yoga-loving, manifestation guru who doesn’t even know how to ride a horse. Yet, with a past that’s taught him to not bother dreaming anymore, even Wyatt knows he can’t hold on forever.

Until one day they strike a deal that might just save both of their careers—help Rory turn the ranch into a wellness retreat and Wyatt can stay.

With Rory’s shattered self-confidence and Wyatt’s last drop of hope also on the line, staying professional is a must. But can they ignore the sizzling tension growing between them that could jeopardize it all?

Especially when the rocky path ahead seems a lot easier with the other riding beside them.

Releases September 30, 2025.

Preorder now!

I’ve turned off comments on this post because even responding to well wishes feels overwhelming right now. (See? Yay me for taking care of myself!) But I hope you all are also finding ways to soak up the fall and take care of yourselves, as well.

Happy reading,
Allie

When I first published these thoughts last year (don’t worry…I’ve added some updates!), I had just finished writing Love Out Loud. In many ways, it was a different world and a different time, but so much of the emotions remain the same year after year. Now, having published Not a Strong Enough Word—a book I dedicated to the daughter we lost for so many reasons—I think these words are more poignant than ever. And knowing that this book is my debut in the traditional publishing space makes it even more relevant now.

A brief pause to say we are talking about miscarriage today, if you hadn’t put that together, so if you need to protect your mental health and also want my news and the holiday novella poll, skip the “Thoughts” section.

Last year, I had turned the comments off. This year, they’re on. (Progress!) But I still ask that you refrain from sharing your own stories and let this annual post be about Olivia and me. I want to give her the space she deserves. Thanks for respecting the boundary.

As I am writing this, I am taking my first sips of pumpkin spice, AHH IT IS SO GOOD. I realized today that it is mid-September and I haven’t had any pumpkin spice yet, but I had ordered the syrup in August and put it in my pantry for this occasion. (Many thanks to past me!) Mmmmm. It is pumpkin spice season. It won’t make anything in the world better, but it does make me a little happier.

And, speaking of the state of the world…I wrote a poem about gun violence in schools and posted it a few weeks ago. It is, unfortunately, evergreen. And just to be clear, we are talking about schools, not…the other thing.

Okay. Big, deep breath.

On September 5, 2018, we lost a baby. I was seventeen weeks along. We knew she was a girl. Her name was Olivia. Sunday, the 8th, is the anniversary of the day she was delivered. Last weekend—the one I spent in joyful, bookish spaces—was the anniversary of her loss. And I am so, so grateful to have had the opportunity to be surrounded by a community that exuded such joy and support. It healed a part of me, truly.

There isn’t a day I don’t think about her. I’m acutely aware of every milestone we’re missing, how our lives would have been so different had she lived. Not better, necessarily, but different. One of my dear friends who experienced a similar loss told me once that, after the initial pain of grief fades, it’s mostly like a constant buzzing. A white noise behind every thought that you didn’t ask for and you can’t get rid of. I think that is really accurate. Except for this time of year, I don’t wake up or fall asleep thinking about her. I’m not Big Sad all the time about her. But she’s there. She’s here. She’s with me.

But it feels appropriate to be thinking about her now when I have so much to celebrate, because none of this is possible without her. We wouldn’t have my son if it weren’t for her loss. I wouldn’t have finally taken the plunge and written my first book. I certainly wouldn’t have written Not a Strong Enough Word or put any of my books on submission. There is something about experiencing such a loss that puts other things like literary rejection into perspective. But one thing remains true: I wouldn’t be so motivated to be here, doing these incredible things, meeting such amazing people, if it weren’t for her.

My therapist at the time wanted me to write about her, and I guess I sort of did with Not a Strong Enough Word. But even with the obvious references to her in that text, I try to honor her in every book, in some way. Mac lost a sister in The Write Place, and so did my daughter. Jenny teaches Twelfth Night in The Write Time, and Olivia was named for one of the characters in that play. Katie and Brandon in The Write Choice have kids with a significant age gap like we do. Emery and Trevor struggle with grief and loss and finding love in spite of it all in Common Grounds. In Love Out Loud, Lark has been making decisions with others in mind her whole life and wants more, just like I did when I started writing.

Because of Olivia, I will always write women with complicated backstories. They might not always have something traumatic in their backgrounds, but they will always have history. And they will still put themselves out there, banter with their love interests, and be generally funny. They’ll still have fun and be silly and fall in love. Because women who have complicated histories deserve to be loved, too. And they deserve to be able to talk about their pasts without shame or judgment. Just like me. Just like all of us.

So, this weekend, I’m thinking of her and acknowledging the bittersweet nature of parenthood, writing, and life in general. But I, personally, think it’s pretty cool that I can do that now, after seven years. It’s what I hope for my characters. It’s what I hope for all of us: that we can move forward. That we are products of our pasts, but not beholden to them. That we can live and love and laugh, and that all of it is louder than the white noise of our grief.

So many updates for you all!

First, I am gearing up to start this serial holiday novella for paid subscribers. Now through the end of the novella, I’m offering a 50% discount for paid subscriptions so it’s the perfect time to jump on the paid tier, get exclusive access to novella chapters as they are released, artwork, and more this holiday season! Click here to access the discount.

Our poll last time was to vote for our female main character’s name. Claire won! I’m not surprised we leaned into The Nutcracker. I’m actually kind of excited about it. This week’s poll is for our male main character’s name, and is only for paid subscribers to vote. So…upgrade now to get in on the fun! And remember, there will be polls at the end of each installment for you to vote on what comes next. This is going to be a blast!

If you came to see me toward the end of Meet Me on North in Milwaukee last weekend, you know that I ran out of books! So I’m going to be opening my shop for ONE WEEK starting today through Friday, September 19. All books ordered during this time will ship out on Monday, September 22, and then the shop will be closed again until after Book Harvest. (NOTE: Love Out Loud is very low in stock, but there are more on the way. If you’re looking for that one, check back toward the end of the week. If it’s not here by the end of the week, I’ll do a special update.) If you’ve been looking for a signed copy of one of my books, now is the time to grab one! I’m not sure what stock I’ll have left after Book Harvest or how long it will take me to restock since I’ll be working on this novella and my deadline for book 2 in the Strong Enough series is fast approaching.

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Speaking of the Strong Enough series, the last day to get your hands on an indie copy—ebook or paperback—is October 1. (Actually, that is the day the listing comes down, so you definitely want to order before then!) I don’t have any more signed copies, but you can still get it from Amazon or Bookshop.org if you order now!

I will be opening slots on my Street Team soon, so keep an eye out for that information.

Need a new book to read? Try Let Me Say It Again by Dani Ryan!

Reddington Lyons seemed to want one thing—me.

He’s my ex-boyfriend’s older brother, my fake fiancé, my ex boss, and the one man I was pretty sure could make me believe in the one thing I’d given up on. Love.

Red was nothing more to me than a means to a bi-weekly paycheck. Until I dropped his dry cleaning off at the same time he was hosting a party.

He was trying to impress a potential investor, lied that we were engaged, and then somehow convinced me to go along with said lie.

The only problem? He was relentless, always got his way, and made me want to pull my hair out. Yet, every time we faked it up as a happily engaged couple, we grew closer.

The night of our engagement party—we crossed the line.

We were forced to spend a long weekend together in Newport and, guess what, we crossed a line.

Then we had to live together. His house was by no means close quarters, but it wasn’t big enough for our growing desire for each other.

When all is said and done, I have to call it like it is, and the truth is, I don’t think I can imagine Red as anything but my fiancé. Didn’t catch that? Let me say it again—my very real fiancé.

Let Me Say It Again is a ex’s brother, black cat x doberman, fake engagement, billionaire x personal assistant, secret crush, close proximity, slow burn, angst and banter-filled romantic comedy with no third-act breakup and a happily ever after.

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I hope you have a wonderful week and are able to find some joy in your lives. We are all grieving something. May your love be louder than your grief.

Happy reading,
Allie