Turning 40

On Friday, May 22nd, I turned 40.

Yes, that makes me a 1986 baby. An elder millennial. Someone who was able to get through high school social media-less (and relatively unscathed because of it—or at least with all my deepest, darkest secrets and embarrassing moments offline), but then in university, was posting photo albums on Facebook with 50+ pictures and giving them titles like “~*the nights we won’t remember with the friends we won’t forget*~”

Good times.

Turning 40, this year of all years, had me thinking a lot about the significance of such a big birthday in a year where other pretty momentous things are happening. I feel like I summed it up best in the caption of the Instagram post I made for my 40th, where I said:

It’s difficult to fully encapsulate the feeling of achieving such a big goal in such a milestone year—one where my kids are old enough to witness it and understand, and I have the support of an incredible partner, and the love and enthusiasm of the most amazing family and group of friends. It’s one of those things that you almost don’t want say out loud, just in case.

So instead, I’ll live it out loud. I’ll live it in a weekend away in NYC with the best guy in the world, visiting my dream publisher as one of their authors. I’ll live it in the pride that my kids show of my accomplishments. I’ll live it in the moments, big and small, that have marked and defined this journey and are still to come.

And that’s pretty much what it’s all about. Living in those moments, the big ones and small ones, enjoying this journey as I get to experience it, and really, truly immersing myself in all its parts. It’s easy to get lost and stressed—to feel like you aren’t doing enough, posting enough, writing enough, editing enough. But it’s so important to take a step back and look at it for what it is: an achievement.

Did I know that, the year I turned 40, I would have my debut novel being published? No, of course not. Is it pretty fucking cool, though?

Yeah. It’s pretty fucking cool.

Things are quiet now in these few months before pub date. One exciting thing that’s happening, though, (until tomorrow!) is a giveaway with my lovelies, Lavanya Lakshmi and Stephanie Parente. Check it out:

☀️ Head on over to my Instagram to see the post

☀️ Follow all three authors:
@lavanya.lakshmi.writes
@etnerapwrites
@katsloanewrites

☀️ Tag a friend (or two!)

Another thing that I’m so, so, soooo pumped to share is this BEAUTIFUL art piece by the extraordinary Flora Gois that I commissioned for my book. Thank the lord for Flora, her talent, and her infinite patience to read my hundreds of emails, as she put together something truly amazing for me. Just look:

Blond MMCs are having A Moment again (thank you, Dean de Laurentis) and I’m just sitting here like, I been knew—I knew that from the very early days of THE MATCHMAKER’S COTTAGE, Ethan needed to have a golden god vibe to him. It’s one of those times where the character dictates the author’s hand. And, in my mind, the inspiration was the OG blond MMC: Sebastian St Vincent. But I’m good with the Dean comparisons now, too (the Off Campus brainrot is real right now, guys).

Either way, Flora nailed it—his tall, athletic handsomeness, the burnished bronze of his hair, the soft look he reserves for his estranged childhood bestie, Julia (Gem) and the tinge of regret that colours all his actions following their falling out. Julia, for her part, is perfect as well: closed off, no-nonsense, but still longing for the way things were (even if she’d never admit it). The expressions are spot on, the clothes, their faces, hair, height difference, ALL OF IT. I’m honestly obsessed and I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out. Oh, and my favourite part?

THE HANDS ALMOST TOUCHING UGHHHHH.

Is there anything more poignant and powerful than the almost-hand-touch???? I die.

If you’d like to get your hands on your own copy of this beautiful piece, you’re in luck. I’ve collaborated with local (to me) indie bookstore, Hopeless Romantic Bookshop for an incredible preorder campaign! If you preorder my novel through them, you get a signed copy on release AND this beautiful print to call your own.

I suggest you head on over there and do just that. Justice for the Blond MMC!

Feels crazy to talk about Book 2 when Book 1 isn’t even officially “out there”, but since a lot of stuff is happening behind the scenes—and I’m about a week away from handing in my developmental edits—I figured I’d share a little sneak peek, starting with this impromptu moodboard I made based on the images I shared with my cover art team at PRH:

AND… here’s an ❄️ exclusive look ❄️ at the first line:

Out of all the chaotic and unprecedented occurrences Natalie Johnson could have anticipated that day, getting punched in the face by a twelve-year-old somehow hadn’t been one of them.

That’s all I’m going to say for now. Stay tuned for more news coming very soon! 👀

I don’t always include info about books I’m reading, because, if I’m honest—I’m not always reading. 😩 I wish I was, but between the stuff I have to do for my own book, plus working full-time, plus all the running around required of me as a mom of two busy, active kids, there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day.

(That said, I did devour The Deal in about a day and a half, but that just goes back to that Off Campus brainrot I was telling you about earlier)

Other than reading about Briar U’s finest, I do have quite the collection on my NetGalley shelf that I’m currently working through. In no particular order:

I can safely say that they all have me hooked in their own ways. I wish my full-time job was reading so I could spend my days finishing them all, but the small moments of literary enjoyment I get will have to suffice for now.

And that’s May! Thanks for sticking around. Talk soon! 💕

Looking for other ways to show your support?

• Pre-order THE MATCHMAKER’S COTTAGE 🍂

• Add it to your Goodreads 💖

• Request it on NetGalley or Edelweiss 📖

• Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and Facebook 👩‍💻

• Request TMC on Libby or at your local library 📚