That’s right — Honestly Always You is finally out in the world! This book took me 11 days to draft but over a year to edit (that ratio is pretty standard for me 😂), so seeing it in the wild is just the best.

Keep reading for all the details!

Since my upcoming book comes out SUPER SOON (August 24th, 2021!), let’s talk about the setting of Honestly Always You. It may surprise you!

The Location

You might not know this, but Honestly Always You is set in Orlando, Florida! When I was researching colleges for The Secret of the Codex, the University of Central Florida kept coming up (they have one of the best anthropology programs in the country). So while there is a mention of the theme parks we know and love, the book focuses on Mandy and Justin on and around the UCF campus. (With a Montana cameo. If you’ve read the Codex series, that’ll sound familiar. 😉)

Keep reading for a bunch of inspiration pics so you can really picture the setting for yourself (and some hints at how the pics relate to the story).

As often happens with book ideas that won’t let me go, the first chapter of Honestly Always You started writing itself in my head when I woke up one morning, so I knew I had to open my computer and get it down! I’m so glad I did — I love how it turned out!

Since Honestly Always You is releasing later this month, I thought I’d give you an extended excerpt from the book: the first chapter! I think it sets up the story nicely — and the drama! (Content Warning: Expect a little mild language in this excerpt. The book has stronger language and adult content.)

Enjoy!

Today’s officially the cover reveal for Honestly Always You, my steamy romance that comes out on August 24th, 2021! i’ve been DYING to show you this cover because it’s just GORGEOUS. It fits the story so perfectly.

If you love:
✨ Rom-com vibes
✨ Long-standing unrequited love
✨ Fake relationship escapades
✨ A touch of forced proximity
✨ A little bit of angst
✨ Lots of steam
...then this book is for you!

Okay, I can't wait any longer. Are you ready??

I’m releasing a book this summer! *cue confetti*

Keep reading for the story behind it plus ALL THE DETAILS.

Enjoy!

The Story Behind the Story

Back in May of 2020 (you know, in the midst of quarantine craziness), through discussions with some writer friends, I had an idea. I'm not even sure what the discussion was about, but the idea wouldn't let me go.

One day, I woke up with the story writing itself. This happens to me from time to time, where I'll wake up in the morning and the scene is literally writing itself in my head. And it's usually compelling enough that I have to jump out of bed and write it down.

So that's what I did!

Over the next 11 days, I wrote the first draft of this book. I had a ton of stuff I felt piling on me at the time, and I needed an escape. This book was that for me. I've added a little more angst since then, to the tune of another 10,000 words, to make the story make sense, but this book was exactly what I needed at the time. Writing is my therapy, after all. (Like, seriously. I write my fiction similarly to how people journal.)

Want to know what the idea was?

If you’ve read my first book, The Secret of the Codex, you know that I love romance. Kayla and Grady are #couplegoals, and I just loved writing their story.

But except for some fairly steamy-but-still-clean kissing scenes, I didn’t get too much into the romance part. It didn’t feel true to the characters or the story.

In the second book, The Prophecy of the Codex, I explore this a little further. Don’t worry — I don’t get into a lot of details, but you definitely get the point.

I suspect the subsequent books will stay in that same vein.

You have to write what works for the story.

But on February 9th, I started a new book. And this one’s a romance. Like a full-on steamy romance. For mature audiences.

Why the switch?