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August 2024

Hey there,

The Guy from the Wedding is just about to enter the typesetting stage. After four years of wrapping my head around this book, I can’t believe I get to share it with you in just under three months!

In case you missed the announcement, this enemies-to-lovers workplace romance will be coming out 1 November 2024 on most major e-book retailers. It’s the fifth book set in Somerville Downs, and also the longest book in the series.

This month’s newsletter comes with a sneak peek at an early chapter. By this point in the story, Liam and Katrina have already made a banger of a first impression on each other. Could this be the moment they discover they’re perfect for each other? You’ll have to wait til November to find out.

(Or you can reply to this email and let me know want to be added to the guest list when Advance Reader Copies come out in September. Just say, “Hey Birdie, I want an ARC!” in your message and I’ll let you know when we’re ready to go.)

A book I’ve enjoyed lately is Rescued by the Wolf, a sweet paranormal romance by Nola Li Barr. This author’s signature style is a love story within the context of a family saga, and I am HERE for it. The “will they or won’t they” is a given (which, frankly, is why most of us choose to read romance!), but it was the multigenerational intrigue that kept me hanging on.

Peace,

Birdie 🐦

A sneak peek at The Guy from the Wedding

LIAM: Just six months ago, I stood over a double sink like this one. But unlike tonight, I was stone cold sober, looking down at all of my ex-girlfriend’s stuff on the half-cluttered countertop, after I’d shoved my belongings in suitcases borrowed from my parents.

I note the empty space around the other sink, where another person’s stuff would go. I remember the black leather jacket outside and my gut tightens. It looked like a guy’s jacket.

“So, you live here with someone?” I call through the open door, hoping I don’t sound as tense as I feel.

“My sister,” she replies. “This is our parents’ apartment, but they don’t live in Perth anymore.”

Back in the living room, I check for photos. She could be lying. I hear her punching buttons on the washing machine down the other end of the apartment, but I’m not certain anymore that’s the only reason she invited me up here. No way anyone’s this nice and helpful, even if the incident was her fault.

All I find is a faded, framed picture of a very old couple. It sits on a shelf of cookbooks beside a decorative fishbowl full of tiny green army men.

Katrina catches me pulling a figurine out of the bowl. She smirks, but keeps her distance. “Do you make a habit of stealing cheap plastic toys from random strangers’ homes?” she asks.

I point at the frame. “Are those your parents?”

“Grandparents. If this is a jab at our ability to decorate, don’t bother. We already know. Can I get you something? We don’t have beer or whiskey, but I can do water or tea.”

“Water would be great, thank you.”

“Well, feel free to have a seat. Couch or barstools or whatever. Did you want to watch me pour the water—make sure I don’t poison you?”

“Are you this hospitable with everyone you invite up here?”

She smiles. Or grimaces. I’m not sure which. But as she heads to the kitchen, I’m pretty certain I’ve said something off-colour. She doesn’t look at me when she passes me the water. I meant that remark as a joke, not to imply she invites random guys up here all the time. Somehow, I don’t think that landed.

Maybe I should say something to reassure her I’m not some creep. Her eyes flick to a bloody scene playing silently on the TV, and I wonder if she regrets me being here now. But saying something out of nowhere could make the situation worse. Like, hey, miss, just so you know, I’m definitely not going to murder you, you can take my word for it. Yeah, better not say that.

The Guy from the Wedding

Wedding bells are ringing … but not for them.

Katrina Lee just can’t catch a break. She’s single, failing to mingle, and spending precious weekends surrounded by blissfully happy newlyweds-to-be. It’s just an occupational hazard of working for The Wedding Elves. Another hazard? Her sister’s new business partner, whose first job as co-owner seems to be putting her off guys for good.

Liam Donovan left Melbourne, determined to start a new life in Perth. He never dreamed this would mean working with the sour-faced woman he met at an old friend’s wedding, let alone falling for her. Now he’s caught between the man-in-charge he wants to be and the pathetic loser he swore to leave behind.

The Guy from the Wedding is a sweet enemies-to-lovers workplace romance, set in the world of Somerville Downs.

👉 Pre-orders now open on selected platforms 👈 (with more on the way)

From friends and around the way

No Kisses for the Neighbour Next Door by Francesca Spencer
A handsome firefighter. A strait-laced librarian. A small town spring fair where the spark of pent-up emotions could burst into flames.

When Cardinals Appear by Katie Eagan Schenk
She has a promise to keep. But when her plans are thrown into a tailspin, will a persistent red bird show her how to let her dreams take flight?

In the Beginning: A Marriage Survivors Club Book by Annette Nauraine
The Marriage Survivors Club are six, diverse, 50-something women, drinking, cursing and praying their way through menopause.

Closed Door Romances for 99c
Low-heat and closed door romance book sale. Ends 31 August.

Booked on Clean & Wholesome Love
A clean and sweet romance book fair. Find your new favourite book!

Sweet and Clean Romance Books
Sales of sweet and clean romance books to fall in love with. Available for a limited time.

Free Clean & Sweet Romance Reads
Newsletter giveaways of sweet & clean romance. Ends 31 August.

Small Town Romance Book Fair
Cute locations, quirky characters, happily ever after.

You might enjoy this too:

A quick listicle about relationship challenges by Olivia Petter via The Independent:

If they say they’re not looking for anything serious right now, take them at their word. Secondly, focus on looking to partner up with people who share the same values as you around commitment. Don’t try to convince yourself that you want less than you set out looking for, just because you’ve met someone who you like.

Read the rest: The seven hardest parts of being in a relationship and how to overcome them

By the way, reviews are a huge help to small-time indie authors. Both good reviews and bad ones help readers hone in on the books and authors they resonate with. If you’ve enjoyed one of my books, I’d love it if you would leave me a review or star rating on BookBub, StoryGraph or Goodreads.

The Guy from the Internet – BookBub – StoryGraph – Goodreads

The Guy from the Library – BookBub – StoryGraph – Goodreads

The Guy from the Park – BookBub – StoryGraph – Goodreads

The Guy from the Flower Shop – BookBub – StoryGraph – Goodreads

Well, that’s it for now! Subscribe to my newsletter if you’d rather get these updates with pictures, sent to your email inbox. You’ll also get a little thank you gift for signing up.