Oh 2021, how you will be remembered as one of the greatest and hardest years of my life! To think I started out the year focused on surviving distance learning and unemployment, unsure about the future and what was in store. And now the year is about to come to a close and I’m just a couple of months away from my first book being published. Literally some of the highest highs and the lowest lows! I have so much to be thankful for every year, but this year in particular has brought me so many things I am grateful for. So please indulge me while I share them with you!
My Family: Let’s start with the obvious, and the most important. I am, as always, extremely thankful for my entire family, who for a while there were the only people I could actually see on a regular basis! In particular, I am thankful for a husband and a kid that I still actually like even after spending every waking hour together for eighteen months. Legit would not have survived without both of them and our little family unit is my favorite, always.
My Book Team: I have THE BEST agent and editor out there and I am so thankful to have them both in my corner. I am also extremely grateful for the amazing team at Putnam who are rockstars at everything from cover design to publicity and marketing. I would be lost without them and I feel like I won the book deal lottery when I landed in the hands of these truly stellar people.
My Writer Friends: There have been many, many times throughout this year when my writing friends have saved both my sanity and my book(s). I am so thankful to have friends who understand this crazy ride I’m on, and I am so so so thankful for all the people in the community who have supported me, blurbed my book, reviewed my book, and given me critiques and feedback.
Romance Books and the Romance Community: I am so grateful for the guaranteed HEAs I so desperately needed at some of my lowest moments this year. I cannot describe how essential it was for me to escape to my happy place and lose myself in love stories. And this year I’m especially thankful for all the love the romance community has shown me.
Getting Back to Work: I love writing books and I hope I get to do it forever, but I also really love being a wedding coordinator, and I am so happy to be back at work. I have worked with some amazing couples this year and I am so thankful to those who continue to trust me with one of the most important days of their lives.
My IRL Friends: Even though our relationships these days are relegated mostly to text threads, I am so grateful to have friends on the other end of the phone whenever I need them. And I can’t wait to see all your faces in person again soon!
Throughout 2021, there were some moments when I felt really lost and overwhelmed and stressed and anxious and hopeless. A lot of people (and a lot of books!) helped me stay positive in those dark times and I am so thankful for all of them (and all of you!). I hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving!