Jen Petersen > Recent Status Updates

I can already tell I’m going to be hanging off a cliff after this in waiting for book 4. 🙃

Kass flirting in the Russian-esque language when Saga can’t understand him is perfect 😂

Wanted something funny and this is fitting the bill!

I’m somewhere between cathartic understanding and emotional torture.

Aiofe 😭 I’m adopting her too, ok?! The girlies in these books actually have my heart. 💔

Hearing Joey’s story in the next book is actually going to ruin me.

I don’t think this book is supposed to be sad but my pregnancy hormones combined with the musings of an older man nearing his death are getting to me 🥹

Realizing I have a “type” when it comes to the fantasy romance genre— think Rebecca Ross or Rachel Gillig. Romantic, atmospheric, lyrical, lush writing with a focus on the yearning (and not the spice). 😅 Ok so that in mind… this book fits the bill!!!

Well that was a brutal and rather gross end to part 3. Cheers. Almost to the end!

Have never read a book like this and I’m really enjoying it. It’s very atmospheric. Absolutely a winter read!

Really enjoying this so far! Epistolary novels always get me. The added historically relevant photographs are great fun.

And so begins my winter reading picks ❄️ Some things I’m excited about with this one— it’s written in the form of letters, journal entries, archives, etc. LOVE THAT. & it’s set in Alaska! Until I can actually manage to go there, reading about it will do.

VIRGINIA MY GIRL 🐎

“The horrors that we have seen, the still greater horrors we shall presently see, are not signs that rebels, insubordinate, untamable men are increasing in number throughout the world, but rather that there is a constant increase in the number of obedient, docile men.” —George Bernanos

A favorite quote! The full quote wouldn’t fit but it’s 👏🏼.

We’re slowing making our way through— this one has dragged a bit more for me.

It can’t be helped. The saga must continue for me.

Read this first at the start of 2025 and it just felt appropriate to christen 2026 with a second read! In this season of my life I’m in the business of talking to toddlers all day. The need for empathy and communication skills is high. Thankful for tool-building books like this. Truly I believe every person could benefit from the framework of NVC.

“It is terrifying to be a parent. To choose to behave one way with your child, and then watch what comes of it. It is like planting a garden with aster and dynamite, but you never know which, and either sprouts up at the oddest times to remind you of what you did well or poorly.”

What a felt explanation of the experience.

Easily my favorite romance novel I’ve read this year. The writing is beautiful. The fact that her interests are poetry + baking… just yes. I feel like I’m reading something “About Time” coded with the way it weaves conversations about love and grief and family and meaning together seamlessly. It’s on Kindle Unlimited too!! 👏🏼

Quirky and cute thus far! Reminds me a bit of Becky Chambers in that it’s rambly in a nice way.