My debut novel has been out in the world for over 3 months.
It feels like I just birthed her yesterday. Yes, she’s my baby, and yes, you may hold her … but only if you support the neck.
Being a first-time author is a lot like being a new mum.
There are tears – happy ones, sad ones, and tears for no good reason.
No one asks how I’m doing anymore; they just want to know how the book is going.
99% of the photos in my camera roll are of her. Mr Giuseppe (my dog) is quite jealous.
And sleep? Ha! What’s that? I’ve been flat chat.
The newborn phase has been a whirlwind:
12 podcast interviews
11 author events (3 to go)
5 book signing events
7 online interviews
4 radio interviews
4 newspapers
2 magazines
Thank you for enduring my relentless book baby gushing. Okay, I’ll stop now … *crosses fingers behind back*.
I had a reader email me to ask permission to post a review on Goodreads. No one’s ever asked me that before (nor do I expect a permission slip in future).
Naturally, I said yes. But the second I hit send, my inner overthinker kicked in. What kind of review? A scathing one-star? Shit … unseeeeend.
I usually avoid Badreads, but curiosity won. I clicked. Braced myself. And there it was: a glowing review that made me want to dedicate any future books to this reader.
“What Did I Miss? by Holly Brunnbauer is pure delight from start to finish! I adored every page of this funny, heartfelt, and refreshingly honest story about rediscovering yourself after love and loss. Makayla is such a relatable heroine flawed, hilarious, impulsive, and incredibly easy to root for. Watching her stumble, learn, and grow while navigating post-divorce chaos was both moving and wildly entertaining.
Brunnbauer’s writing sparkles with wit and warmth. The humor had me laughing out loud (seriously, some scenes are comedy gold!), yet beneath the banter lies a genuine emotional core. I loved how the story balanced self-discovery, friendship, and romance without ever feeling forced or predictable. And the chemistry? Off the charts!
This book perfectly captures that messy, liberating stage of rebuilding your life and reminds you that it’s never too late to start over. Fans of Sally Thorne and Beth O’Leary will absolutely devour this one.
Holly Brunnbauer has delivered a standout debut that’s charming, empowering, and full of heart. I’m officially a fan and can’t wait to see what she writes next. Highly, highly recommend to anyone craving a feel-good, laugh-out-loud romance with depth and soul!”
Emily ~ Goodreads
Thur 23 Oct (6:30 PM - 7:30 PM) Ballarat, VIC
Madeleine Cleary in conversation with Holly Brunnbauer.
Collins Booksellers on Lydiard
Sat 15 Nov (11 AM - 12 PM) Bacchus Marsh, VIC
Moorabool Author Panel
Bacchus Marsh Strawberry & Cherry Festival
Wed 19 Nov (6:30 PM - 7:30 PM) Hoppers Crossing, VIC
Holly Brunnbauer in conversation with Emma Mugglestone
(And yes, Emma has agreed to wear the pink Chiko hat. Legend!)
Hoppers Crossing Library
The rumours are true – I’ve crossed over to the dark side. Crime, thrillers, memoirs, and, more recently, historical fiction have all stolen my attention. I’m sure I’ll veer back to romance soon, but for now, I’m happily lost in these darker, twistier tales.
The Butterfly Women is a captivating debut – an evocative blend of history, romance, and crime that shines a light on the forgotten women history tried to erase.
In 1863, danger seeps through the shadowy laneways of Melbourne.
By day, men uphold society’s rigid values. By night, those same men cast off their moral facades, indulging in debauchery behind the closed doors of a notorious brothel.
For the women working at the Papillon, this house of ill repute once offered a glittering escape from the hardship and oppression that defined their lives. But everything changes when a serial killer begins to stalk the streets of Little Lon. Suddenly, the city’s most vulnerable are no longer just exploited – they’re being hunted.
With the deaths of these women dismissed as unimportant, it falls to them to fight back. Bound by resilience and sisterhood, they set out to catch the killer themselves.
For those new around here, our family is knee-deep in building our dream off-grid home in regional Victoria.
We (okay, I) call it The Wombat Haus. The name is … let’s say hotly contested. Hubby isn’t a fan, but since he hasn’t offered anything better, I win by default.
Moving on.
Interior walls and ceilings are officially painted! I personally contributed a heroic 3.5 hours to the cause before developing a mild case of PTPD – Post-Traumatic Painting Disorder.
Next up: bathroom tiles.
I picked something white-ish (which, shockingly, is much harder than it sounds).
Want a peek once they’re laid? Keep an eye on my Instagram stories (@hollybrunnbauer) for #TheWombatHaus updates.
Shelf improvement: Read my book
Freebie: Book Club Pack
Newsy news: Media
Save the date: Events
Stalker mode: Instagram
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