The Friday Five!

May 8, 2026

1. It’s here!

   

   Change of Plans, my fifteenth novel, came out on Tuesday. We had a great event at the bookstore of my heart, Flyleaf Books, with the fabulous Angela Velez as my conversation partner. (Her newest, Tangled Roots and Wild Dreams, is out next month.)

   

   We talked about the book (of course) but also the struggle of writing, reality shows and breakfast sandwiches. It was so fun to see so many people I know and love, everyone from family to high school BFFs to people I worked with when I was waitressing. Thank you to everyone who came out. I can’t think of a better way to start up this tour.

   From there, I flew to NYC to do a total bucket list item: a reading at the Strand. It is so iconic that I knew it from TV and books long before I was lucky enough to get there in person. We had SO much fun, and Tamara Fuentes made it so easy for me to relax and just be in the moment. And we had such a big crowd! (Including my cousin Miranda, whose last name I stole for a college in the new book. As one does!)

   

   Also I was given the BEST gift ever, courtesy of harleysbooks: a bedazzled copy of Change of Plans. All I want to do is stare at it. GORGEOUS.

   

2. I’m writing this from Milwaukee, where I had my third event last night at Boswell’s Books. I do not have pictures because it was such a whirlwind that I totally forgot to get any. So picture, if you will, a discussion with the fabulous Donna Ghorbanpoor (author of Oh My Affogato!, which came out on Tuesday as well) and a great crowd. Tonight: Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, IL. Whew! If, like my mother, you want to follow along with me, info on the tour is here.

3. In the midst of all of this, as well as editing my new book, I have somehow still managed to read some GREAT novels. One was Heart the Lover by Lily King, which is just as good as you have heard, if not more so. (Also, I think it might be partially set in a fictional version of Chapel Hill, bonus!). Now I am racing through Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. I cannot put it down, which makes these days of planes, trains and automobiles that much better. My suitcase is already bursting, and stopping at all these bookstores is not helping. I already and self conscious about luggage shaming! (For those of you who do a whole tour with only a carry-on, all I can say is HOW?)

4. On TV, I’ve been rewatching some favorites. (Like comfort food, but for your eyes.) One is The Comeback, now in its third season. It’s just so cringey and wonderful, which is a weird mix but just works. I’m also going back through Hacks, which is a GREAT thing to watch when you are happy and tired and alone in your hotel room. If you have other recs for me, let me know. I’ve got a lot more time sitting on planes to go.

5. One thing about being on tour is getting to catch up with my readers. Not only of the books, but this Substack as well. I wrote this post today specifically because a few of you mentioned The Five (some OG fans even brought up my LiveJournal!) and how much you’ve enjoyed these weird little missives over the years. If you have been reading this for a bit, you were with me through the down times, not just these up ones. When I was deep in insecurity and anxiety about my career, the YA market and if I’d ever get published again. Know this: your encouragement got me through some hard days. So thank you, and thanks to everyone who has come out to tell me what the books have meant to them. My heart is so full. And now I will stop before I start blubbering all over my keyboard.

Have a great weekend, everyone!