It feels almost impossible to sum up 2025 in a few paragraphs - but I’m going to try. It’s been a year of incredible highs, a few tough lows, and more connection and gratitude than I could have imagined. It’s the year my book, This Wasn’t Meant to Happen, finally came into the world, which (aside from having all my children) is and always will be my proudest achievement.
As part of the book’s release I was able to have some incredible conversations on podcasts that have meant so much to me and to the baby loss community. From talking to Bex and Laura on The Worst Girl Gang Ever and the incredible baby loss advocate Elle Wright (author of Ask Me His Name) Caro and Jen on The Other Mothers, and of course, joining Giovanna Fletcher on Happy Mum Happy Baby for a conversation that was full of emotion, honesty and support and which, thanks to the incredible platform she has built, reached over 200k people. And, at the end of that conversation, being able to share my letter that I had written to baby loss mothers: To the mother whose baby is still, but who is still a mother. I was so nervous to read it out, and I couldn’t look at Gi as I knew I would fall apart if I did, but I am so thankful she gave me the space to do so. I am still getting messages about it. To know that so many baby loss parents felt seen and comforted because of it means the world.
Another truly special honour of this year was being asked to become an ambassador for Petals, the baby loss counselling charity which supported me through my own loss - a role which I have been doing since October and which has allowed me to continue the work that began with writing This Wasn’t Meant to Happen. Through that, I was invited to speak at their biannual conference and reconnected with my counsellor Sue after eleven years.
As part of the promotional trail, I also wrote about both my experience of having Poppy, and writing the book in national magazines and newspapers such as You, Stylist, and Red. I was lucky enough to receive generous reviews in Red, Woman, Woman’s Own, Fabulous, Woman & Home, Daily Mirror and was interviewed for the BBC News. I also had my first short story, The Place We Always Stay, published in My Weekly (you can read it here). I have also been published in the U.S. for the first time - something which still feels completely surreal.
But the absolute highlight? Connecting with all of you. Those who have followed this journey for years, and those who’ve discovered the book more recently. I’ve read every message, every review, every post about the book on social media and I’ve been so touched to hear your stories - of babies held forever in hearts, of your own grief, love and resilience.
The journey to writing this book wasn’t easy. But promoting it has reminded me why I knew I had to write it. Talking about baby loss, sharing stories, and opening up conversations has shown me that writing this book made me more than an author - it gave me a purpose. The novel is so much more than a fictional story. It’s about giving voice to a community that so often feels silenced. It’s about being authentic, about sharing the difficult parts of life in a way that helps others feel seen. It’s about connection, understanding, and bringing stories into the light.
The last few months of 2025 have been challenging personally, with family ill health making life harder than expected. But staying grounded in gratitude, community, purpose, and family has reminded me that we can get through anything with the support of others. We really are never alone. If you find yourself in challenging times, my advice is simple but powerful: lean on your support networks, be gentle with yourself, and remember that small acts of self-care and love - toward yourself and others - can make even the hardest days a little more bearable.
2025 has been a year of transforming pain into beauty and meaningful connections, and I hope to carry that forward into 2026. I’m especially excited that This Wasn’t Meant to Happen will be available in Australia in February/March (date tbc). Knowing it will reach readers across the world feels really special.
To everyone who has supported me - whether as friends, family, or readers, by sending messages, coming to events, reading the book, or simply following along here - thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do have one small request, though. My book is currently ridiculously close to 200 reviews on Amazon (as I write this, it’s at 193!), and I’d love to reach that milestone by January 1st. So if you haven’t left a review yet, now would be the perfect time!
This book was always going to rely on word of mouth, and seeing the overwhelmingly positive four- and five-star reviews has meant more to me than I can say. It’s proof that there is an audience for stories about love, loss and how we learn to live on, and I’m endlessly grateful that my publisher allowed this book to find its place on the shelves.
As we head into 2026, which recently was announced as the National Year of Reading - I hope more publishers feel able to take chances and say yes to novels that teach us something about life, rather than simply following trends. Of course, there is room on the bestseller lists for thrillers, romantasy, murder mysteries - for books that enthral, excite, and elicit attention. But there should also be space for quieter, more reflective stories. Stories that are authentic and human. Stories that help us understand life, love, and survival. Stories that make us feel seen, held and heard, and offer a soft place to land when we’re going through difficult times.
Now, to look ahead. I don’t believe in resolutions; they’re often unachievable goals that are made to be broken. But intentions are softer, kinder, more reachable - so my intentions for 2026 are simple, but meaningful:
To stay connected to my purpose and continue to find ways to honour Poppy and the babies we love so much in my work.
To read more (always!) and share more about the books I’ve read.
To make art a part of my life (the watercolour set is brought, so it will be so!)
To write another book (I have an idea and the structure… I just need to start, so watch this space!).
And, most importantly, to be thankful for the journey, wherever I may be in it.
Here’s to a peaceful, joyful, and connected 2026 for you all.
With love and gratitude,
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