Jillian Dodd's Blog

It's release day!

We are so thrilled for the release of The Things We Swore We'd Never Do! This book is very special to us as it is our first traditionally published novel and we can't wait for you to get your hands on it. It's also our 60th release! 🎉

Growing up one broken rule at a time.
It started with a list.
The things we swore we'd never do.
Kiss boys. Lie to our parents. Wear push-up bras.
We were nine years old and certain of everything.
McKenna Moore was everything I wasn't—fearless, opinionated, and always one step ahead. I was the quiet one, never needing to be the center of anything. But standing next to her always made me feel braver.

We spent summers at the lake, made pinky promises in the dark, and bottled our girlhood like fireflies in a jar.

We thought we had forever.
But growing up has a way of breaking things wide open.

Of shattering the pieces you thought would always fit.

Now the list is back—and her older brother, Callum, the boy who faded from our world as we grew up, wants me to finish it.

He wants me to break every rule we swore we never would.

Every crossed-out line, every broken rule, feels like a step toward something I'm not sure I'm ready for.
But maybe becoming who you are means letting go of who you thought you'd always be.

XOXO
Kenzie + Jill

Things We Swore We'd Never Do

That Someday
It's finally time to read the last book in
Damon + Ainsley's trilogy!!

We thought the best way to kick it off is to just let you read a nice long preview of it. This book speaks for itself!!

Start reading here then just click over to our website to keep going.

It's over 3,000 words!!

It's crazy to think that when I surprised Ainsley at her graduation, I ended up getting an even bigger surprise. That she's pregnant. With my baby. And due in just a few months.

I was extremely upset. She was upset I'd found out the way I did.

After a heated conversation, she showed me an ultrasound picture. We opened the gender results together and found out we're having a girl.
And I couldn't be happier…….

https://jilliandodd.net/pages/that-so...

That Someday

It's crazy to think that not only is this the 15th anniversary of the very first That Boy book being published, it's also the 250th anniversary of our country.

And I'm thinking about all the fireworks.
I love them!

Many years, it's just me staying up to watch them.
(Unless I'm lucky enough to have Kenzie in town!)
We write a lot about fireworks in our books.

The flashes of colors.
The boom in your heart.
The way they make our characters feel in reference to their love.

Damon and Ainsley have always had fireworks between them. From the day they first saw each other, to watching them after Chase and Devaney's wedding, to watching them from Tripp's yacht.

The love and chemistry is there for them.
But the question will be--is it enough?
Is it enough for them to get through tough times?
Can they love, forgive, and make things work?

And we just can't wait for you to read the final book in their trilogy.

(And spoiler alert – there is an actual proposal in this book that take place while fireworks go off in the sky.)

Also, we're are swooning over Damon…. as you will after you read this excerpt.


Damon pulls up to a box and presses some buttons, and the gate opens. Then we drive down a paved road that curves its way through a grass- and tree-filled area. I see some roofs in the distance, but the large majority of it is undeveloped. I remember Damon telling me that his dad and Jennifer had bought a plot here so that she could have enough garages for her cars and closets for her clothes.

We pass a few homes before he parks on the side of the road and gets out of the car. I follow suit, and by the time I am ready to get out, he's opening my car door for me, taking my hand, and leading me out into the grass.

“Why are we standing in the middle of nowhere?” I tease.

“I wanted you to see this,” he says. “This piece of property consists of four acres overlooking the lake. Remember on the Fourth of July when I told you I was thinking about buying land here?”

I take in the trees dotting the area, the beautiful view of the lake. The clean, fresh scent of the breeze. And my mind starts going, imagining what kind of home I would build on a lot like this—the aesthetics of the exterior, the cozy spaces inside. A big family kitchen and a deck with lake views.

“Pretty, huh?” Damon asks, his thumb brushing across my fingers.

“It's … I want to say spectacular because the view is, but that seems too grand of a word for this place. It feels warm, friendly, natural.”

He turns to face me, cups my cheeks in his hands, and holds my gaze. “And it's ours. Do you like it?”
“Like it? I love it. And I love you,” I say, leaning in for a kiss.

When my belly bumps against him, he backs away slightly, placing his hand on it. “I love you so much. I can't believe we're having a baby.”

He kisses me.
But it feels like so much more than a kiss.
It feels like a new beginning.
Of us.
Of our love.
Of our commitment to each other.
“I can see it,” he says, murmuring into my hair.
“You, me, and our little girl. This land. A home filled with laughter and love.”

“A whole life,” I say with a contented sigh.

That Someday

You're going to want to read this one 💕
XOXO,
Jill + Kenzie


P.S. Be sure to mark your calendar for our Dodd Squad Release Party on July 1st. As usual, we'll have games and prizes and lots of fun. The group is a great way to meet your new book bestie! (See the invite below!) http://smarturl.it/DoddSquad


P.P.S. It's also your last chance to get a deal on the That Boy series bundles! Ebook bundles are 40% off, Paperback 30% off, and Hardcover 20% off. (And all books sold from our store now come signed!) https://jilliandoddstore.net

Kenzie and I have another teaser for you this week
for That Someday!

And we'll be honest, this is one of our favorite scenes in the book because Damon is just …. incredible.

We've totally fallen in love with him along with Ainsley, and it was so fun writing the last book in their trilogy.

We can't wait for you to read it!
There are so many sweet and touching moments in this book it just makes us smile every time we read it.

And we think the world needs as many smiles as it can get!

In other news, we have a couple sales going on that we want you to be aware of.
That Crush, the first book in the trilogy is currently FREE!

Sale ends on the 25th.
Free on Amazon, Apple, B&N, Kobo, and Google Play.

We're also having a sale on That Boy series bundles
in our store. If you haven't read this series, it's a great time to binge read. Ebook bundles are 40% off, Paperback 30% off, and Hardcover 20% off.
(And all books sold from our store now come signed!)

We'll be back next week with two emails.
The first will tell you all about The Things We Swore We'd Never Do and a little more about our deal with Bloom Books.
And the second with be another That Someday teaser.

Kenzie and I are working hard writing our next book.

(And it's due to the editor in like two weeks!!)
☀️Happy Weekend!
Jill + Kenzie

That Someday

That Someday
Emotions are high in this book. Especially between Damon and Chase, who actually get into a fight.
At football practice!
Check out the excerpt below!


No one dares to speak to me in the locker room. They can tell I'm pissed because Chase wouldn't throw to me today.
Treyvon bumps my shoulder, but when I give him a glare, he holds his hands up and backs away.
I was going to shower, but I feel like I didn't get in the kind of practice I needed, so I go over and ask our backup quarterback if he has time to throw to me.
“Sure,” he says. “I'd love to get some more reps in. Did you see the Chicago game yesterday? I can't believe their quarterback is now out for the season, just as they clinched playoffs. I always want to be ready to go if my number is called.”
“Good for you,” I tell him as we make our way to the indoor training facility.
Chase is still here, laptop on his knees, looking at film or plays or something. I ignore him and roll a basket of balls over to Hunter.
“Anything you want to work on?” I ask him.
He nods. “Sideline throws.”
“Just tell me where you want me to be, and I'll be there.”
And … I am.
I'm actually impressed with myself.
And it may be because I'm trying to prove a point.
I know Chase is watching.
And I might be overly praising the backup. Telling him how amazing he is.
What a great toss it was.
Finally, Chase slams the cover of the laptop shut and marches away.
When he turns and looks back, I catch his eye and give him a smug smile and a shrug.
I can't help it that I'm good.
That I'm thrilled about having a baby with Ainsley. Sure, I wish I had known sooner, but I'm thankful for what she did.
And I don't care what Chase thinks about any of it.
I'm still staring at him when he drops the laptop, rushes toward me in a flash, and tackles me to the ground.
We're wrestling, and I'd say there's more slapping going on than actual punching. I feel like we're scuffling over something stupid, like we used to when we were kids.
But this isn't stupid.
I push him off me, leap up, and walk away. “I'm not doing this with you,” I say sternly. “Get over it.”


That Someday

We're so excited to share with you the cover and blurb for the last book in Ainsley and Damon's trilogy, That Someday. Just like the other books in the That Boy Series, this book centers around romance, family, and of course, football.
That Someday releases July 2nd and you can pre-order today.

Blurb-

When college football star Damon Diamond shows up to surprise his girlfriend at graduation, he's the one who ends up blindsided.

Ainsley is pregnant.
Seven months pregnant.
And he had no idea.

Damon should be furious. Instead, after the shock wears off, all he can think about is her. Their daughter. Their future.

Because the truth is, Ainsley didn't keep the pregnancy from him out of fear—she did it out of love. She knew Damon would sacrifice everything for her and the baby, including the football career he'd spent his entire life working toward. So, she made the impossible choice to wait and tell him once the season was over.

Now they're racing toward a future neither of them expected to happen so soon—balancing a long-distance relationship, football playoffs, new careers, and the overwhelming reality of becoming parents while still figuring out adulthood themselves.

Somewhere between them choosing baby names, designing their forever home, and falling even harder for each other, Damon realizes something undeniable.
Some loves aren't temporary.
Some loves are forever.

And theirs has always been leading to that someday.

That Someday: Damon + Ainsley #3

It's time for Christmas in July! (Almost!)

A sweet romance author needs to spice things up.
Both on the page and in real life.
She's dated heroes, heartthrobs, and her favorite tropes.
But could her happily ever after be living next door?
Her next research subject?
Her annoyingly hot neighbor.

Champagne is always a good idea. Especially when you’re the perfect combination of incredibly happy and just tipsy enough not to be drunk. Matt and I are in the limo Grandmother insisted take us home tonight.
Tonight. I don’t think the smile ever left my face. Grandmother is married, and I’m … well, I’m with Matt. We danced. And it was amazing.
He squeezes my hand. “What are you thinking about?”
“How we first met.”
He chuckles. “You had all that alcohol, and I asked you if you wanted me to remember you in your bed. Dead. But when you asked if you would be naked, I will admit that my mind went places.”
“What kind of places?” I flirt.
“Obviously of you in my bed. All sprawled out. I might have even wished for it.” He laughs out loud. “Of course, then my wish came true. I learned very quickly that I needed to be more specific in my wishes.”
“Oh, are you referring to the night you opened the door, wearing nothing but workout pants? You were slightly out of breath. A little sweaty. I forgot why I was there.”
“I noticed. You were totally checking out my body. Of course, you were shit-faced. I just didn’t know it yet.”
“I asked you what your favorite position was. You said you’d have to show me.”
“And you told me it was for research. Speaking of that …” He pulls me closer and puts his lips on mine.
Which is a wondrous feeling, but I can’t help but be surprised by it. This is Matt. My neighbor, who I lived next door to for a year and only admired from afar. At least he has no idea about that.
“Speaking of what?” I ask coyly in between kisses, wondering if he’s going to bring up his favorite position.
“I read Candy-Coated Love.”
Oh. Shit.
“And I was thinking that the golden retriever in the book sounded a lot like Phoebe.”
“Probably,” I try to say nonchalantly. “I am inspired by everyday events. I’ve always thought that she’s a pretty dog.”
“And what about the guy?” He leans back, gives me a smirk, and speaks in a girlie voice, “A six-foot-plus mountain of lean muscle with a perfect smile, who looks like a fairy-tale prince and has an adorable, playful dog.”
“You memorized the book?”
“Not the book, just that part. And the fact that they live across the hall from each other. Admit it—you’ve been crushing on me this whole time.”
I should deny it. But I’m done fighting with him. “It’s all true.”
“Excellent,” he says. “Because I was thinking about candy-coating myself later.”
“Excuse me?”
“You like chocolate, right? And I was hoping that, tonight, I could talk you into coming to my place.” And just when I think, Oh, that’s so sweet, literally, he cracks a grin. “Maybe we could do it in the missionary position?”
“Ah! That was a low blow! You can’t use my stories against me.”
“Oh, really?” He laughs. “It’s because of the book that I have chocolate. And champagne chilling. Rose petals on the bed. I’ll bring you coffee and breakfast in the morning—just like your hero did in the book.”
I falter for a moment as the story comes back to me.
“I want that again,” I blurt out.
“Wait?! The book wasn’t about me? Shit.”
“Oh no. It totally was about you, but that’s not what I meant. I know the sexy stuff is selling, and I know it was good for me to get out there, but it’s not what I want to write. I like crafting sweet stories where I focus on a couple’s relationship, not their sex life. The kind of book where you can feel their love through the pages.”
“Then, that’s what you should do. Which works out for me because I’d like to date you, Kitty. Just you. And I feel like that would be hard to do if you were dating guys for research.”
“But back to the candy-coated part,” I say, quickly changing the subject.
He looks down the front of my dress and grins. “Does that mean you’ll come over tonight, Valentine?”
“I will. And who knows? With enough champagne, maybe I’ll reenact the first night I slept in your bed.”
“Minus the puking,” he says.
“Deal.”


Thank you for going on this wild, romantic, trope-filled journey with us and Kitty.
We hope you love her ending as much as we do.
XOXO,
Jill + Kenzie

Happily Ever Afters

Sun. Sand. Cocktails
A sweet romance author needs to spice things up.
Both on the page and in real life.
She's just going to a destination wedding.
Instead, she finds temptation at the altar.
Her next research subject?
The adorably handsome best man.
(Although, her first impression of him, isn't so great. As in typical Kitty style.)


A guy is pacing back and forth on a path leading to the pool. He’s scrubbing a hand through his hair, to the point where it’s sticking up in blond spikes. He’s talking on a phone.
Yelling into a phone, more like it.
“You had weeks to tell me that. Weeks. How do you think this is going to look? What do you mean, you don’t care? I already paid for everything! Do you even know what this is costing me? Do you think I have all this money to throw around? Yeah, he’s paying for me, but I was paying for you. What difference does it make? You could’ve at least gotten a free vacation out of it.”
He lets out a bark of a laugh. “You? Not wanting something for free? Since when? Fucking hell.”
By now, there are people eyeing him up with disgust. It’s not a pretty sight or sound, watching and listening to a full-grown man having a meltdown.
“Fuck off, Linds.” He shoves the phone into his pocket before letting out a few more choice words at a significant volume.
Which, of course, is when I have to say something. “Hey. There are other people in the world besides you. You’re being rude.”
That leaves a few people snickering and nodding in agreement, which gives me more courage.
It also earns me an absolutely filthy look from him.
“Was I talking to you?”
“I don’t know. Were you? You were practically screaming, so, yeah, you could’ve been talking to me.”
“Mind your business.”
“Keep your business to yourself, and I’ll mind mine. How about it?”
He’s halfway to the table by the time I realize I’ve really done it. Why not dance a jig in the middle of a minefield? I don’t know this man from Adam, yet I’ve gone and made him mad.
And he’s on his way over to me.
Until Hayley intercepts him.
“Briggs! Just the person I wanted to see!” She hurries over and gives him a hug around the neck. “Thank God there’s somebody else here who I can actually stand to spend more than a minute at a time with!”
Briggs.
This is Briggs.
Also known as the best man. Also known as the guy I’m supposed to meet, form a connection with, and, if Maggie has her way, engage in sweaty, rum-fueled sex with.
The guy who looks like he would gladly strangle me once he’s finished strangling the girl he just screamed at over the phone.
Of.
Freaking.
Course.

Grab your copy here. -> Save The Date

XOXO,
Jill + Kenzie

P.S. We're having a sale on the Crawford Brothers series. Get each book for just 99¢. -> Vegas Love

Sun. Sand. Cocktails

A sweet romance author needs to spice things up.
Both on the page and in real life.
She's just going to a destination wedding.
Instead, she finds temptation at the altar
Her next research subject?
The adorably handsome best man.


If you love:
🏝️ destination wedding drama
💕 forced proximity
💋 witty banter
🔥 and chemistry that refuses to behave

You're going to devour this one.
Save The Date

Book five in the Dating in the City series is officially LIVE — and trust me, this hero does not wait for his cue.

A sweet romance author needs to spice things up.
Both on the page and in real life.
She wants a little drama.
Instead, she lands center stage.
Her next research subject?
The ridiculously charming actor on the verge of fame.
He’s ambitious.
He’s magnetic.
And he definitely knows how to deliver a performance.
Expect laughs, flirty banter, tension, and one heroine who may or may not be in over her head.
Ready for your close-up?
👉 Grab your copy here. Party of One

Tell us if you fall in love with him. We need to know.

XOXO, Jillian and Kenzie