I’m keeping this newsletter short and sweet because I have other exciting, upcoming things to share with you soon, and those deserve a newsletter of their own.
But for now I must draw your attention to the fact that... today is July 21, 2026.
That means my debut novel, THE MATCHMAKER’S COTTAGE, is exactly 21 days away from publication (August 11, woot woot!)
As it happens, though, July 21 actually holds a special place in my heart for another reason: it was the original release day for THE MATCHMAKER’S COTTAGE. 🤯 That’s also why you may still see the occasional listing or website that shows a July 21 publication date—it’s caused a tiny bit of confusion here and there.
When I first signed my book deal with Berkley many, many moons ago (January 2025, to be exact) all I knew was that I was going to have two books releasing a year apart, one in 2026 and one in 2027, and that the release dates were “probably going to be around summer time”.
Fast forward to October 2025. I was getting ready to reveal the cover, share preorder links, and announce my release date all at once. July 21, 2026 had been chosen, and I quickly grew attached to it, even though it still felt impossibly far away. I also felt an unexpected sense of camaraderie with the other July 21 releases (especially my fellow aforementioned debut authors!) as though we were all part of the same little club. I planned summer trips around July 21, told my friends and family, and put it in my calendar in all capital letters.
Enter Target.
I’ve already shared this exciting news, so there’s no need to rehash, but YES, my debut is actually getting a Target Exclusive Edition! In fact, as of the publication of this newsletter, preorders for the exclusive edition are currently, um, sold out????
Still not sure what to say, think, or do about that (my pub team at Berkley has been made aware, just in case) but here we are.
Side note: it must be said, every time something like this happens, and the imposter syndrome quietly creeps through, I can only think of this scene from Arrested Development:
Anyway, thank you for letting me wax poetic on my original release date and once again share my new release date, as well as some good Target Exclusive Edition preorder news, with you!
See you on August 11th!
Since 7/21 still feels momentous to me, I’d like to take the opportunity to share some of these other 7/21 releases, AKA my once-upon-a-time pub day buddies!
Big, huge congrats and celebrations to these fellow romance authors and freshly released novels:
Happy July 21st! It’s gonna be a good one. 🥰
On the off chance that you’re wondering why you’re receiving this newsletter for the first time, well, first of all: thank you for being here!
Secondly, the reason why you’re suddenly here is because you opted in to being a subscriber to my Substack with your entry to the Must-Read Books of August Giveaway!
Hopefully you also won some books in the exchange, but even if you didn’t, welcome!!! I promise that future newsletters will be more interesting (questionable), but for now, I’m just so happy you’re here! Thank you for indulging my July 21 segue newsletter, sent to you at 9:15 PM EDT, as I quietly slip it into your inboxes before the day is officially over.
So, goodnight to everyone on Eastern Time, and to all: talk soon! ❤️
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