Leave It Up To Love

by Kristy Woodson Harvey

From New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey comes a funny, feel-good tale—a seaside romp about chasing dreams, losing illusions, and writing your own story.

Ready for her big break after publishing her first novel, Lila Everwood has two fresh book ideas and dreams of quitting her barista job. She’s hopeful about her future—until her writing catches her literary idol’s attention in all the wrong ways.

Elizabeth Lancaster, the queen of regency romance, hasn’t written a word in three years. Her publisher’s solution? A ghostwriter. Specifically, her favorite coffee server. It’s either brilliance or madness—and her literary agent son Grady thinks it’s definitely the latter.

As the ideas begin to fly, so do the sparks—between Lila and Grady. And, as Lila’s and Elizabeth’s worlds collide, the two writers must lean on each other, learning something vital in the In life, love, and publishing, sometimes you have to write your own happy ending.

58 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 1, 2026

About the author

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of eleven novels including A Happier Life, The Summer of Songbirds, and The Peachtree Bluff Series. Many of her books have been optioned or are in development for television and film and have received numerous accolades, including Good Morning America’s Buzz Pick, Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Reads, Katie Couric’s Featured Books, and Joanna Garcia Swisher’s The Happy Place Read. Kristy is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize.

A Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism, her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Southern Living, Parade, Traditional Home, USA TODAY, and many more. She also holds a master’s in English, with a concentration in multicultural and transnational literature.

Kristy is the cocreator and cohost of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction with fellow New York Times Bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, and Patti Callahan Henry. She is also the co-founder of the interiors site Design Chic, with her mom, Beth Woodson.

She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband, son, and dog, Salt, where she is (always!) working on her next novel.

Reviews

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t horrible, but wasn’t anything special either. It seemed a little pointless to me. A famous writer learning to love writing again with a little love story too.

Nothing exciting for me personally.

Thank you to Amazon First Reads for the advance copy.

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, sweet read and a nice introduction to Kristy’s writing. While I enjoyed it, I think her style would really shine in a full length story.

Lila expects a big break with a book contract but is instead offered a ghostwriting job for her favorite author. It is not what she planned, but she agrees, leading her to the reluctant Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s charming son, Grady. But perhaps what starts as an unexpected detour may turn into something even better?!

Because of the shorter length, the romance did not have as much time to fully develop, but the story itself was enjoyable and left me wanting more from this author. I am definitely interested in reading more of her work.

I gave this a 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Jennifer Vido · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet!

This new short story is a delightful read about a young woman who takes a sidestep in her career to help her literary idol find her voice again. Their unlikely partnership sets in motion a new path neither was expecting. What I liked best about the story was the relationship between the authors. Highly recommend!

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun short story about a writer who is given the chance to be a ghostwriter to her favorite author.

I loved the relationships formed in this story and would love to see a full novel. Just what I need this Sunday evening.

[Tammi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and very Hallmark movie in a book. It follows a struggling writer/barista who ends up ghostwriting for a famous romance author and (of course) falling for the author’s very skeptical literary agent son. Small-town vibes, publishing drama, and a tidy little romance.

Nothing groundbreaking, but cozy and easy. I’ve enjoyed other books by this author more and I’m definitely still looking forward to Summer State of Mind.

Cute, cheesy, quick read. 💁‍♀️💕

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story about overcoming heartache and finding you passion again

I really liked this story. A best selling author lost her spark and was able to find it again through friendship and family.

[Alexis Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute story! Predictable, but adorable, and I couldn’t help but smile throughout. Now I just need a cottage by the sea where I can sit and write my book :)

[Lisa Yelichek · Rating 5 out of 5]

pure Kristy

This left me wanting more as I loved this short story about writers. It was sad, sweet, hopeful, and had me cheering in the end. Quintessential Kristy. Bravo!

[Lysette H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story

Loved this short story about authors re-finding their voices and opening their hearts back after loss. I look forward to KWH’s next!

[jenna noel · Rating 3 out of 5]

a short and sweet story about love and writing. definitely gave hallmark vibes

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little easy read short story romance for the in-between reads.

Thanks to Amazon First Reads .

[Marea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lila Everwood grew up reading books and one of her dreams was to be like Elizabeth Lancaster, a very successful regency romance author. When her first book was published, Lila was over the moon and thought she was on her way. So, when she was called into the publishers office, she thought it would be about her next regency romance, not because of the way she was writing them. She was writing too much like Elizabeth Lancaster. Inside of stopping her from writing, the publisher had another suggestion. Elizabeth had not been able to produce a novel in 3 years, if Lila would help by being a ghostwriter for her, then maybe there could be success for everyone. Now the question was would it work for everyone involved, including Elizabeth’s son and agent Grady. Or would it be a complete and utter flop? Only time would tell and maybe a little romance along the way.

This is the first time I have read one of Kristy’s books and I have to say it was a nice, light read. Only 58 pages so perfect for when you do not have much time but want to read something with an HEA. Does it have some flaws in it, sure but again for the price and the time it takes to read it, it's not that bad.

[The Cookster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.0/5

Anyone who follows my book reviews will be aware that romantic fiction isn't a genre that I typically concern myself with. However, they will also know that I do appreciate a well-executed short story, which is how I came to read this offering from Kristy Woodson Harvey.

This is a pleasant, feel-good tale about aspiring romance writer, Lila, being given the opportunity to work as the ghostwriter for her literary idol, Elizabeth Lancaster. Also on the scene is Elizabeth's son, Grady, who is also his mother's agent. As well as helping Elizabeth through her dry writing spell, could romance also be on the cards for Lila?

"Leave It Up to Love" is neatly structured and Kristy Woodson Harvey delivers a rounded story with characters that are sufficiently fleshed out, which is what a short story needs to do. There are no real surprises in this story and you know that all the pieces will conveniently fall into place, but it ticks the boxes that it needs to for readers who enjoy this type of fiction and will take less than an hour of your time.

[Annissa Joy Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read but a very satisfying read!! I hope Kristy will write more about these very fun and interesting characters!!

Lila works in a coffee shop and has one book published. She has a meeting at the publishing house and is hoping they like her two ideas for new books. A curveball is thrown at her and she is asked to ghostwrite for Elizabeth Lancaster who has published 90+ books but has not written a word in three months!! Will this arrangement work? Also, Elizabeth’s son is her agent and there might be some sparks between him and Lila.

This short story is available as an Amazon First Reads now and will be available as an audiobook and e reader book on March 1. I highly recommend you pre order now!!!!

[Debbie Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind the Scenes

I am not usually a fan of short stories but I did enjoy this one. Partially because I could “see” the setting so clearly, I found myself immersed in the story quickly. I have been reading several regency books lately and find that there is a pattern to them so it would be an easy thing to see a ghostwriter being able to assist an author of this genre.

I wonder if there are many new authors who actually work as a ghostwriter in order to get their start. I guess if your intent is to be a writer, then you might write anyway you can even if you do not receive the credit for the writing.

It is interesting to see that the three main characters could be developed in a short story. I guess I could see this possibly developed into a full length novel.

[Rae Payette · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great short story!!

Elizabeth is a struggling author, who hasn’t been able to finish her romance novel since losing her husband.

Lila, is a budding author, who just finished her first romance novel - only to be told they can’t publish her work because it’s too much like Elizabeth’s. A plan is devised to have Lila help ghostwrite Elizabeth’s book. At first, Elizabeth wants nothing to do with it - but Lila’s infectious personality wins her over - and that’s not the only person she wins over.

Grady, Elizabeth’s son and agent is involved in the ghostwriting deal, and he has been struggling with the idea of love after losing his father….until Lila.

And the rest is left up to love. 💕

4🌟

[Linda Galella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon First Reads February 2026


As a bonus short read, LEAVE IT UP TO LOVE, by Kristy Woodson Harvey, is a good offering for readers who enjoy light fare with a touch of southern charm, romance, books about publishing and clean writing.

It’s tough to develop characters in less than 60 pages but Harvey is successful because the story is limited to a core of three characters. Additionally, by keeping to a simple plot, the story is satisfying. Real life challenges facing the characters have a brief but plausible opportunity to effect growth and change.

An enjoyable hour long story with moments of humor, heart tugging, hope and ultimately love📚

[Kerris Solomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love was Always the Answer!

This was such a cute short! Lila was exactly what this family needed after such a major loss. Truly, all three of them needed each other. It’s not always easy to find normalcy after heartbreak, but with a small push every day and some persistence, Elizabeth was able to find herself again. And Grady no longer had to shy away from his feelings and love altogether.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not a fan of romance fiction, but the author deserves credit for choosing a subject for her short story that she’s familiar with. ‘Leave it up to Love’ is about an up and coming romance novelist who reluctantly agrees to be the ghostwriter for an established writer of the same genre. It doesn’t take long to see where this story is going and, unlike the twisty murder mysteries I prefer, things go exactly to plan. All a bit too predictable and comfortable for me.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this sweet read from Amazon first reads and I am so glad I did.

This short story is about finding yourself after loss, and allowing yourself to accept a little help - all while finding yourself again in the process.

The author packed a LOT of emotion into a small package.
I had never read anything by this author before, and now I think I will dive into some more works.

Thank you Amazon first reads, for a glimpse at this novella early!

[Diane Borja Ferreira · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a cozy romance to finish over a cup of coffee, this is a winner. Leave It Up for Love is a charming, "bite-sized" romance that delivers exactly what it promises: a sweet, low-stakes escape. It’s the literary equivalent of a perfect macaron—light, airy, and gone far too quickly.

[Jacqui Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story immensely. I would have preferred a longer story, but from what I've learned from Kristy Woodson Harvey her voice was excellent. She had two dintinct points of view and the story flowed well. I will read more from the author.

[Tasha Cockburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon First Reads bonus read.
A wonderful short story navigating grief, love and writers block. A feel good read!

[Corina Blas · Rating 3 out of 5]

short little aurher story but also falling in love.

[Megan Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pure escapism, a fun beach read for a cold day.

[Michelle Kiefer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little love story but pretty predictable from the beginning.

[Penny Hollingsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

It was a very short read. I Got it on February first reads. It is An easy fast and cute read.

[Shawna Mayerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully sweet

Wonderfully sweet shirt story. Such cute characters developed fast. Would love to see them developed into a full length book.

[RedRedtheycallmeRed · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story about a barista/writer who gets a contract to ghostwrite a novel for a best selling author. There's a sweet romance with the writer's son/agent. A cute, feel-good afternoon read.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, great characters, quick read. It has all warmth and humor you can expect from a Kristy Woodson Harvey book.