The Summer I Swapped Hallmark for a Kindle

After a little summer break, I’m back!

While I had never intended to take a break from my Substack, real life was calling my name. Summer was filled with beach days, family time, and a much-needed break from my usual TV routine. With the “90s summer” nostalgia trend making its way around this year, I decided to do the one thing I loved doing as a child of the 90s… read books.

For my birthday, I treated myself to a Kindle Paperwhite and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! To retrain my brain to focus on the words in front of me, I started with what felt familiar… fluffy romcoms with a happy ending.

Here’s what I read this summer:

• Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

• Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson

• Fake Dating My Best Friend by Leah Blair

• Date with Danger by Jenessa Fayeth

• Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters

I also started Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower recently and I’m planning to start The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros with one of my besties.

Share Here for the Feels

My summer reading list gave me plenty of new stories to discover, and now I’m ready to catch up on all the movies and series that have been waiting on my watchlist. And actually, just last night, I finally watched Meet Me in the Margins, which premiered earlier this summer on Great American Family. A side-by-side comparison of the book and movie is definitely coming!

At the end of the day, one of my favorite things about storytelling is that it doesn’t really matter what medium it’s told in. Whether it’s a Hallmark movie, a novel, or a feel-good TV series, I’m always chasing the same thing: characters who feel like friends, stories that leave me smiling, and those moments that make me laugh, cry, or believe in happy endings just a little bit more.

So don’t worry, I haven’t abandoned the Hallmark movies for books. If anything, this summer reminded me why I started Here for the Feels in the first place. I just found another way to experience the stories I love.

Thanks for sticking around during my little summer hiatus. Grab your favorite blanket, your favorite drink, and maybe a movie snack, because we’re back! In the meantime, tell me what I need to catch up on! Leave a comment and tell me what your favorite movie was from this summer. I’d love to hear from you!

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