How did we get here so quickly?!
It feels like just yesterday (January 2025) I was getting my offer from Berkley. And then just a few hours ago (June 2025) I was signing my contract. Mere seconds after that (October 2025), I was sharing my release date, preorder links, and cover with all of you. Minutes later (March 2026), the Target news with my EXCLUSIVE EDITION and new release date popped up. And now (August 2026), we’re actually here—well, almost.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. Despite good reviews, positive feedback, a general air of excitement buzzing around the book, the imposter syndrome is loud and and it’s making me question a lot of things.
Did I do enough to promote?
Should I have planned (and personally financed, mind you) a book tour?
Is my launch party going to be good enough?
Will people buy my book?
Will people like it? Will they like it enough? (Whatever that means)
WILL THEY LIKE ME?
It’s fun times in my brain right now, let me tell you.
But despite bad brain things making everything a little more challenging, the truth is, there IS a lot of excitement and anticipation that feels like it’s all worthwhile. I’ve compiled some pre-pub week notes and news in this newsletter to help you find all the fun stuff in one place!
There isn’t a tour, per se, but I will share fun places that I’ll be popping up in the next few weeks as I’m able to! For now, anyone in the Greater Toronto Area (and beyond!) is welcome to join me at my launch event, hosted by the lovely people at Hopeless Romantic Bookshop!
The Details:
🗓️ August 11, 2026
🕖 7:30 - 9:00 PM
📍 Hopeless Romantic Bookshop (1080 Queen St W, Toronto)
🎟️ $5 for entry
I’ll be in conversation with the wonderful Emily Ohanjanians author of THE BOOK TOUR, followed by a signing and mix & mingle!
There are very few tickets available—if you’re planning on attending, please ensure you purchase one, so that we can make sure the space accommodates everyone. 😊 If tickets sell out, please contact romantics@hopelessromanticbooks.com to be added to a waitlist!
I can’t wait to see you all there!
Along with my launch event, Hopeless Romantic Bookshop is running a preorder campaign that includes some exclusive artwork!
Preorder from Hopeless Romantic Bookshop to get this beautiful art print, plus a signed copy of my book!
Other indie bookstores that I’ve collaborated with have a selection of bookplates, bookmarks, postcards, and stickers that they’re able to share along with every purchased copy of THE MATCHMAKER’S COTTAGE. Here’s a list of all participating locations:
A Novel Romance (Louisville, KY) - signed bookplate, stickers, bookmark, postcard
Book People (Austin, TX) - signed bookplate, stickers, bookmark, postcard
Book Boudoir (Edmonton, AB)
Evermore Books (Ottawa, ON)
Tropes and Trifles (Minneapolis, MN)
Slow Burn Books (Calgary, AB)
Meet Cute Bookshop (La Mesa, CA)
Wink & Woo (Palouse, WA)
The Reading Nook Store (Glendora, CA)
Daydream Bookstore Cafe (Arlington, TX)
In Bloom Bookery (Temecula, CA)
Storied Bookery (Hattiesburg, MS)
Periwinkle & Prose (Frederick, MD)
Word After Word (Truckee, CA)
Flower Crowns & Fiction (Cobble Hill, BC)
Grimsby Books (Grimsby, ON)
At the very least, by preordering through one of these stores, you’ll receive a signed bookplate! Some locations also have other goodies. Take a look at what’s being offered at A Novel Romance, Book People, and more:
I’ve been lucky enough to receive some truly wonderful reviews for my debut novel. If you’ve taken the time to read, tag me on Instagram, submit a review on Goodreads, send me a message, or otherwise share your thoughts about my story, I truly, truly appreciate it.
Check out my blurbs and other lovely things people have said at this link on my website: https://katsloane.com/books
I got my first trade review last week as well—a lovely review from Library Journal, which you can read HERE. My favourite part is on this image:
I’m also featured in a few different places at the moment, which is both exciting and mind-blowing at the same time. Check out the following links for some excerpts, articles, reviews, book lists, and giveaways that include THE MATCHMAKER’S COTTAGE!
Jezebel included THE MATCHMAKER’S COTTAGE in a roundup of “The Romance Books You Should Read This Summer”, calling it “A delightfully warm and charming second chance romance between a perfectly cast grumpy/sunshine pair that proves sometimes you really can go home again.” Gah!
She Reads included THE MATCHMAKER’S COTTAGE in their list of “Small-Town Romances We’re Obsessed With”, saying it’s “Full of cozy charm, lovable townspeople, and the promise of second chances … the kind of feel-good romance that makes readers want to pack up and move to a small town themselves.”
The Nerd Daily posted an Exclusive Excerpt
Harlequin Junkie and I did a fun Q&A!
Bookshop.org has my book on their list of Most Anticipated August 2026 Book Releases 🤯
Red Carpet Crash—check out the Giveaway and also their Review!
Fresh Fiction list of August 2026 Romance Titles
Hasty Book List’s Book Haul Roundup
And probably more! If you see anything about me or my book out in the wild, feel free to tag me in it or share. Sometimes I stumble onto things that I didn’t even realize were out there!
There are also a few giveaways currently happening:
🍂 Win 1 of 10 finished copies through Goodreads, which ends TODAY! Enter here.
🍂 Win 10 incredible autumn releases via my friends at Berkley, ending 8/7. Enter here.
🍂 An August Autumnal Giveaway with me and my writing bestie, Kate Goldbeck, (also her dog Joey) which includes a signed copy of THE MATCHMAKER’S COTTAGE as well as Kate’s books, YOU, AGAIN and DADDY ISSUES in their limited edition dust jacket glory! ✨ Check out this post on Instagram ✨ to enter!
This will likely be my last newsletter until pub day. I’m sure I will be 10000% in my feels at that point, so I’ll spare you the sap right now, but thank you as always for being here.
See you on the 11th! 🍂
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