Hey lovelies,
That’s a humdinger of a graphic, huh? Don’t worry, I’ll get to it and the free book but first - my grandkid grew a tooth! I mean, how freaking clever is that??
Yes, I am aware that babies everywhere do exactly the same thing including my own two, but I am totally obsessed and biased 🥰
He’s 5 months now and rolling and starting to get on his hands and knees and rock so it’s all happening with Baby Irish ☘️☘️☘️
Wild and Wanted reactions - who knew virgins could be so divisive??
Firstly, thanks to everyone who has bought, read, loved and reviewed my new release - big love to you all. I really appreciate every one of you. And if there’s anyone out there who’s read and enjoyed and not left a review yet, I would absolutely love if you do. It’s not understating it to say one of the most helpful things you can do for your favourite authors is to leave a review.
Amy batts her eyelids…
Now, I’ve thought long and hard about writing this next bit in case people think I’m trying to be all ‘how dare you’ over some bruising reviews (which I’m absolutely NOT) but, what the hell, we’re all friends here, right, and I’m sooo curious about YOUR opinions on this topic…
So, there have been quite a few unfavourable reviews which I’d love to dig into. Not because I’m annoyed about them - I’ve been doing this a long time and am well used to low star reviews. Readers are entitled to their own opinions and often what one person doesn’t like about a book will be the exact thing that will make another reader buy it, so I call that a win! 🥰
I guess I just wasn’t prepared for so many reviews to be about the fact Stevie is a virgin who took a virginity pledge at 16 and wears a purity ring. Now, to be absolutely clear, I’m not a fan of purity culture. Each to their own - you do you, boo - but it’s not something I would have ever considered for me or as a way to raise my kids. BUT…it actually exists, right? So, I thought, why not that be why Stevie’s still a virgin at 22.
Well, that and a bunch of grief and family dysfunction over the death of her beloved sister a couple of years prior of course….
It’s clearly struck a chord with some readers though which I find really interesting more than anything. I guess what I was trying to achieve with the book is what Misty nailed in her fabulously thoughtful GR review below.
Instalust isn't usually my thing but if you want a decent plot line in a romance of 300 pages, things have to develop pretty quickly and I think Amy Andrews did this really well.Stevie is a country music star but a city girl at heart who is staying on the ranch to write songs and become more in tune with her genre. Clay is the grumpy cowboy who lost his career after an accident and has felt lost in life ever since.
I actually really enjoyed the plot surrounding Stevies purity ring. It's not something I've seen a lot in books and it really lent credibility to her immaturity and inability to deal with her attraction to Clay. She's only 22, barely been kissed and suddenly she's forced into the company of a sexy as sin cowboy who looks at her like he wants to devour her — I'd be quaking in my boots too. Plus, she's not saving herself for marriage, she's saving it for herself which I think is really admirable.
The spicy scenes in this were soooo good. It wasn't the spice as much as it was the care, the tension and the exploration for the both of them. The scenes were incredibly sweet whilst also being hot!
Stevie & Clay brought out the best in each other. He taught her confidence and how to stand up for herself, and she taught him that even though his career is over, his life isn't.
I really enjoyed this one and read it all in one sitting! I'll definitely be checking out more of Amy's books and continuing with the series
The spicy scenes in this were soooo good. It wasn't the spice as much as it was the care, the tension and the exploration for the both of them. The scenes were incredibly sweet whilst also being hot!
Thanks Misty - loved it!
So, the whole point of this ramble? I’m really keen to hear your views on the subject. If you’re keen, leave me a comment and let me know if virgins and/or purity culture is a hard no for you or does it all depend on the execution?
I cannot wait to hear what y’all think!
And if you haven’t picked the book up and would like to judge for yourself you can get it at the button!
Okay - onwards! Book recs but firstly something FREEEEE!
This month in honour of pride🌈you can pick up this freebie from the fabulous Rachael Stewart!
Gabriella Garcia never stays anywhere for long.
Supermodel. Wanderer. Heartbreaker.
But no matter where life takes her, she always comes back to Sasha Campbell—her best friend, her anchor, the one person she trusts with everything.
Sasha has spent years pretending she isn’t in love with Gigi.
But when one reckless night changes everything between them, friendship turns into passion—and suddenly the one line they cannot afford to cross becomes impossible to resist.
Because forever was only ever each other.
And I have 3 new releases to share as well, which I’m super excited about!!
Laura Carter’s sports romance - brother’s best friend, Friends to Lovers, age gap, single mom, cinnamon roll MMC, ranch vibes
Olivia Spring’s romcom - fake-dating, workplace romance, forced proximity
Elizabeth Brights’s cowboy - small town, city girl. woman-in-peril, romantic suspense
I reckon they’re going to keep you busy, right? So, I’ll leave this newsletter here but don’t forget I’d love to hear your opinion on the virgin/purity culture debate I’m having with myself because I am officially curious AF!
Until next time, big love from me!
PS - I know a few people subscribe to this newsletter because they’re budding romance authors. Or maybe that’s something you’ve been tossing around in your head now for a while, but you just don’t know where to start or you’re not confident enough or whatever...
As a founding author at the How To Write Academy, I’m here to tell you, we have the perfect online course for you! The How TO Write Love course - curated by 4 bestselling romance authors including me!! - teaches you how to write a romance that readers will love. And, right now, it’s on sale for 30% off. But only to the end of June! So, if this sounds like you - why not check it out at the button below?
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