Blog - L.A. Detwiler

Pope Francis: We, the childless, are worthy

1/20/2022

L.A. Detwiler Great Dane Puppy

A prominent figure recently made statements about purposes and worth....and what life choices deem some as selfish. It was aimed at men and women, but I'm talking about women for now because it is what I know.

I'm not here to debate religion. I am here to say this because I worry that especially for women, the message could be detrimental. I worry that somewhere out there, those words cut deep for someone.
Here's the thing:

If you mothered children, you are worthy in my book.

If you mothered others in any way, you are worthy.

If you can't mother in the traditional sense, you are worthy.

If you mother as a dog or cat or any other creature mom, you are worthy.

If you don't mother in any way at all, you are worthy.

Our worth as people and especially women is not solely tied to our mothering qualities. Being a mother is important and admirable. I respect you all. But I also respect those of you who don't feel that calling, that purpose. I respect those of you who are called to it in a non-traditional sense. I respect those of you who love and nurture in different ways. I respect those of you who love and nurture yourself enough to chase the life that is right for you.

There is nothing selfish or detrimental or shameful about living your own purpose, your own life, and your own calling....whatever that looks like.

It takes all types, all beliefs, all values, and all pathways to make this world a better place, in my opinion. Never follow the pathway that you feel you must. Follow the one that sets your heart on fire.

And yes, I am in the dog mom only category....and proud of it. To those who have ever loved a dog, you know there is nothing selfish or ugly or detrimental about that bond.

usa today bestselling thriller author l.a. detwiler: Why I write

1/11/2022

L.A. Detwiler Horror and Thriller Author

Hello and welcome!

If you're new in this space, I'm USA Today Bestselling thriller and horror author L.A. Detwiler. I'm a high school English teacher by day and a total bookworm by night. I'm married to my junior high sweetheart, and we have six rescued cats as well as a very wild Great Dane puppy named Edmund.

I started writing in the sweet romance genre (I wrote my first book during college), but a few years ago, I found my writing home in thriller/horror/all things creepy. I'm a huge fan of writers like Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, and Poe, and they heavily influence my writing.

I write books that focus a lot on the female perspective and emotional horror. I love to play with the idea of unreliable narrators and the concept of villains. My Great Dane Edmund shows up in all of my books (and before that, it was my mastiff, Henry).

My first thriller, The Widow Next Door, hit the USA Today Bestseller's list. It's published with HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter. The audio book is actually coming out this spring, and I'm so excited! I also have a popular serial killer's book called The Diary of a Serial Killer's Daughter. It's the winner of the bronze medal for Reader's Favorite, and I'm so proud of it.

I'm a coffee addict, a Netflix binger, and I buy way too much at Ulta. I live in a small town in Pennsylvania where I love sitting in my hammock reading all the books.

I'd love to hear about you! Tell me where you're from, what you do for a living, and what books you love.

Stay Safe and Be True,

L.A. Detwiler

should writers try for the nyt bestseller's list?

1/4/2022

USA Today Bestseller the widow next door l.a. detwiler

New York Times Bestseller.

It's a title. That's it.

It doesn't mean you are more worthy or have a more important writing voice (I don't think, anyway). It doesn't equate to happiness or complete, automatic success. Some would say it's a fool's dream.

Still, it's been my dream since I've realized my first two dreams: To get published and to hit the USA Today Bestseller's list. Both of those dreams felt IMPOSSIBLE. I still pinch myself that both came true.

Hitting the NYT Bestseller's list is, truly, an impossible goal, too, even more than the others, probably. It's something I might spend my life chasing without ever reaching it.

But that's okay. Because I've come to learn that the chase is truly what keeps your heart on fire with passion. Dreams, big, wild dreams, are what helps us make sense of this whole journey. Dreams are what keep us looking up at the stars.

So, I'm entering 2022 with my heart and mind focused on my goal: I'm going to write my best book to date. Will it hit the NYT list? Probably not. Most definitely not.

Still, I've seen over the past six years of my journey that the definitely nots definitely stand a chance.

I'm off to doing my research for what I'm hoping will be my best book to date. It's a thriller and it dabbles in all sorts of topics I'm loving learning all about.

Until then, I hope you, too, are daring to dream big...and then daring to dream even bigger.

Stay Safe and Be True,

L.A. Detwiler

focus on your truest passion

12/28/2021

Rachel Hollis Girl Stop Apologizing L.A. Detwiler

There's something magic about this time of year, the days right before the calendar switches.

I know, I know: You can set goals and change your routine any time of the year. You don't have to wait for January 1st.

Still, I love the symbolism in that blank page, that whole year ahead. I love the idea of setting goals, of dreaming dreams, and of trying to set intentions for a better version of yourself.

This year, in 2022, I'm getting focused on my truest passion: writing. I'm chasing my big, wild dream of being a NYT bestseller. I'm focusing in on my writing and paring down my schedule to chase my biggest passions.

I'm making self-care a priority, which means saying "no" to some things and simplifying. It means prioritizing and asking the hard question: What truly makes me happy?

I'm going into 2022 feeling ready to live more passionately and to stop apologizing (thank you, Rachel Hollis) for being my truest self.

I hope that you are doing the same. I hope you have your eye on 2022 as well, and I hope it fills you with excitement.

We've got this. Let's go get our dreams, friends.

Stay Safe and Be True,

L.A. Detwiler

45 Powerful Mantras to inspire you to chase your dreams in the new year

12/23/2021

At 33, much of my time and effort is now devoted to an important yet elusive topic: finding a way to live my best life. I’ve spent my 20s figuring out who I am and climbing imaginary, socially constructed ladders. I’ve spent my years following the carefully laid path for me through college and then house buying, marriage, and “success.”

Now, though, in this decade of life, I’m focused on finding my passion, my true passion, and trying to find ways to be a happier version of myself. I don’t have it all figured out, not even close.

Still, as the year comes to a close and a new year opens, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to find true joy and how I can make next year the year of dream chasing. If you’re also trying to live a more fulfilled life of passion and purpose, here are things I’ve learned along this crazy journey called life so far.

I hope you find some of them helpful. Carry your favorites as mantras into next year. Send a few to a friend who needs some encouragement. Write them on Post-it notes on your mirror. And feel free to add your own in the comments below.

Happy New Year,

Author L.A. Detwiler

1. It takes courage to say “no” to something that isn’t right for you. Be brave enough to chase the life you want.

2. Your body is a miracle, no matter what size it is. Appreciate how it moves, how it sustains you, and how it helps you live your life. Stop criticizing yourself because you’re too something or not enough of something else.

3. Don’t let the fear of criticism slow you down from living the life you deserve. When you get weary of this life, remember that there is always the chance for beauty and change.

4. You are never stuck in a life you hate; find the bravery to change your destiny if you choose.

5. Work tenaciously hard for the life you really want.

6. Realism can dent passion; it’s okay to have your head in the clouds sometimes.

7. Always believe in the beauty of the stars.

8. You are your own, truest best friend. My dad taught me this lesson when I was young, and it’s the one piece of advice that rings true more often than not. When you learn to love yourself, other people’s jaded opinions don’t matter as much.

9. Find what sets your soul, your heart, and your dreams on fire…and then do more of whatever that is.

10. Money, fame, and awards do not automatically equate to fulfillment. You have to know what you’re really chasing in order to find true happiness.

11. Wear what makes you feel like a bomb and skip the trends that don’t. Your clothes are an expression of who you are; no one gets to decide what that looks like.

12. Love doesn’t complete you. Only you can do that. Love should, however, help you see the best sides of yourself and smile more.

13. If he doesn’t make you laugh, it’s going to be a long road. Find someone who can make you giggle when you feel like crying, and even the hardest days will be tolerable.

14. You don’t have to stay the same. Change can be good, even if people don’t see it that way. Don’t be afraid to grow, to change your mind, and to change your goals.

15. Be brave enough to dream ridiculously big. Spend time envisioning your dreams coming true, and find faith that they will. Living in a dreamer’s world can help you unlock your passions.

16. You are always, always, always, enough, right now, today, in this moment.

17. You are worthy of respect regardless of your bank account, your clothing size, your job title, and your relationship status.

18. Work hard at what you love, even if it feels like no one is seeing what you’re doing. Work hard for you.

19. Take time to breathe in fresh air and to bask in the warmth of the sun. Life will try to dictate a fast pace for you; slow down on purpose.

20. Love what you see in the mirror. You are uniquely, imperfectly you—and that’s a gift.

21. You are capable of beautiful, amazing, ridiculously awesome things if you learn to believe in yourself.

22. Tearing other women down does not build you up. Find strength in supporting other women. You don’t know everyone’s story, so be kind whenever you can. The high road doesn’t flood with toxicity.

23. If you’re unhappy, change. Change one thing, even if it’s super small, until you’re closer to the life you want.

24. Take time to think about what makes you deliriously happy. When are you at your best? Then, seek out more of those moments.

25. Love is always a risk, but it’s also one of the most rewarding emotions. Don’t hide your heart out of fear; you are strong enough to handle a broken heart if you need to.

26. Age brings wisdom, grace, and perspective. Don’t fret over a few gray hairs or wrinkles.

27. You can do it all, but you shouldn’t have to. Ask for help. No one does it all alone, even if they pretend to.

28. Social media isn’t a golden standard to measure your life by. Dream new dreams when the old ones fail to excite you.

29. Every day is an opportunity for surprises, for dreams, for happiness. Wake up knowing and believing beautiful things are right around the corner, and you’ll see that they come true.

30. You are a warrior underneath it all. Do not be afraid of failure or hard times; know that you can handle it.

31. Rest and relax. Taking care of yourself is the best way to make sure you have something left to give to others.

32. This life is a journey. You won’t be perfect at everything all the time. Learn and grown. Don’t be afraid to fail. Everything, from your job to winged eyeliner, takes time to master.

33. Skip the high heels, the tight pants, the lipstick if you don’t love them. There is no standard for what beauty truly is. Set the standard for your worth, and don’t accept mistreatment from anyone.

34. If the mean girls are excluding you, let them. Find a group who truly accepts you for who you are, not what you bring to their image. Not everyone will love you, and that’s okay. You are not meant to be for everyone.

35. You have a purpose. You have meaning. You are here for a reason. Never stop believing that.

36. Even when you think no one sees you, they do. You affect more people on a daily basis than you could ever know.

37. The world needs your light, your gifts, your dreams, and your vision.

38. It’s okay to fall down. It’s okay if you don’t spring right back to your feet. Sometimes, we need to weep, to feel, to fall apart. Still, I know you’ll get back up eventually because you are strength itself. All women are.

39. Life will never be fair, but that doesn’t mean you have to add to the injustice. Seek out kindness in your words. Speak for those without a voice. Try to find ways to balance out fairness in your small corner of the world.

40. It’s easy to feel like it’s all just pointless. It’s easy to feel like hard work doesn’t matter and that doing the right thing doesn’t get you ahead. Still, believe in your values, your morals, and your standards if for no other reason than because you believe in yourself.

41. You are capable of so much more than you could ever know. Trust in yourself and your path.

42. Your dreams are worthy solely because they are yours.

43. The people you surround yourself with bring meaning to your life, not stuff.

44. The world will try to harden you, but stay focused on who you are and what you want to spread in the world.

45. You are a gorgeous human being deserving of so much love, respect, and dignity.

highly anticipated domestic thrillers of 2022

12/20/2021

The Delivery a Thriller L.A. Detwiler

Can a mother's love go too far?

This is the question that inspired me to write the Maternal Instincts thriller series, my next book release. The first book, The Delivery, is coming out on February 2022. It's a twisted domestic thriller that really digs into the psychology of motherhood, marriage, and instinct. It's a slow-burn that has a feel like "The Yellow Wallpaper" thanks to the first-person narration.

Book two, The Labor, actually retells the story from the husband's perspective and is free when you purchase book one (There's a link in the back of the book!). I wanted to show both sides of the story but wanted to keep their perspectives isolated.

Book three, Evette, releases in June of 2022 and is a continuation of the characters....and introduces some new ones.

Read on to check out the full blurb, and then let me know if this sounds like your kind of book.

Stay Safe and Be True,

L.A. Detwiler

From USA Today Bestseller L.A. Detwiler comes a brand-new chilling domestic thriller that will hook you from page one.

Evette Harding's world of maternal bliss is perfect except for one thing: there’s something wrong with her husband.

John is a lawyer and loving husband by day. However, ever since the baby came, his dark habits from the past are re-emerging. Once, she was fine with playing Bonnie to his Clyde. Now, with the baby to think about, it terrifies her.

As she delves into his hidden life and dangerous lies, she begins to fear for her safety. But when maternal instincts creep over the line of paranoia, will she go too far to protect her child? And in a house full of dark secrets, will she solve the most important one before it is too late?

The Delivery is a dark, page-turner of a domestic thriller with a jaw-dropping twist.
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Creepy christmas psychological horror

12/18/2021

The Christmas Bell Horror Novel

If you're in the mood for a holiday read and you love horror, The Christmas Bell is the perfect addition to your TBR pile. This horror novel follows three women in the same family as they unleash an evil presence over the days leading up to Christmas. Will they survive the sinister spirit or fall prey to dark secrets from the past?

I'm giving you a free look inside the book so you can see if it's right for you. Check out the prologue below and then be sure to head to your favorite bookstore to learn more...or, forward this to a friend so they can check it out.

Happy Holiday Season!

L.A. Detwiler, Author

The tree glowed with the traditional lights, a symbolic beacon of brightness amidst the horror that had become her life. She stared at them, wishing she could disappear into the vast number of bulbs on the strand. Wishing she could feel them burn her from the inside out. She wondered if her guilt would crumble with the ashes of her flesh, or if it would, in fact, remain long after the semblance of who she was incinerated.

In the distance, she could hear the Christmas carolers belting out the words to “Silent Night,” but they grated on her nerves. This was not a holy night—it never would be again. This was a night tinged by sorrow, regret, and guilt.

Sorrow for the death of her twin that she painted on her face.

Regret for the part she played.

And guilt—not for the thing she had done, but for the fact that within her core, buried underneath the superficial sorrow and grief and sadness, something else remained.

Joy. Season’s joy, yearlong joy at the fact that she was finally gone. Her greatest tormentor, her greatest fear was gone from this world. She was finally dead.

“Dear, they found this in her things. I didn’t want to give it you, but Father said we should. It was her final wish, after all.”

She turned to look at her mother, or the being who somewhat resembled her mother. After the past few day’s events, she knew that her mother would never exist the same way again either. Sure, she would paint on that faux smile outlined with red lips as she baked pies and went to the women’s choir practice and talked at the supermarket to her friends about upcoming charities. But behind every story, every lie, there would always be the ugly truth that everyone recognized but couldn’t admit. They had failed as a family. They had failed as parents. And Anne had failed as a sister.

Her eyes fell now from the gray, pallid skin of her mother’s tear-stained face to her trembling hands. They looked so wrinkled, so unappealing, as they stretched toward her with the item. It was wrapped in a crumpled piece of notebook paper, the kind that is too thin to be of any substance or natural looking. It was crudely taped around a spherical object, pieces of the translucent tape sporadically placed, as if the wrapper had been in a hurry. The gift lacked finesse and certainly wasn’t one Mother would ever put under the perfectly decorated tree on a normal year. But this was no normal year.

Anne stared at her name hurriedly written in a frenetic scrawl on the front of the tiny package. Sobs threatened to rack her body. She was glad Rachel was gone in so many ways—but there was still something haunting about touching an item that belonged to a girl who didn’t know what fate awaited her.
Or did she? That was something she would push aside for now. She took the package from her mother, choosing to wander to her room to open the final gift. She was surprised her mother granted her this courtesy. Perhaps her mother had already decided, however, to wash her hands of this delicate, vile matter. Her mother in her stark white apron and adeptly curled hair—it wouldn’t do to dirty her face with tinges of the truth. It wouldn’t do at all. She would leave that to Anne, just as she had done back in July.
In her room, perched on her bed, Anne tediously peeled back the layers. Had Rachel really thought this far ahead? She had never been close to her, especially after what happened in July. Why would she decide to leave her a gift now? Was it a final parting, a final remedy for a life that was lived in the recesses of wickedness?

As her fingers pulled back the paper, she knew there was no gift that could assuage her cruelty, could save her soul from the torments she must be facing. Lives are filled with mistakes—but Rachel’s had been filled with fiendish feats performed with remarkable malevolence too filthy to be wiped clean.
When the paper was removed, she studied the metal object in her hands. A bell sat in her hands, a rusty red color. She placed a hand over her mouth, shaking. The bell was familiar. She’d seen it once before but had thought nothing of it. She’d thought it nothing more than her overactive imagination mixing trauma and Christmas together.

But here it was, real in all ways. It was covered in scratches as if someone’s fingernails had dug away until the rusty metal underneath peeked through. She looked closer, leaning in to see a hooded girl carved on the front of the bell, remarkable detail embossed in the surface. She looped a finger through the twine, flipping the ornament between her fingers to examine it closer. As the bell twirled between her fingers, rotating, she noticed that the back didn’t match the front. On the back side of the ornament, a message was carved.

And when she read the words carved in the festive adornment, a foreboding gloom drowned her until she was gasping for air. A dread like she’d never felt swept through her veins, clawing at her skin until she could scarcely remember who she was. She choked on sobs, crumpling to the ground. A ringing in her brain drowned out all her awareness.

As she looked once more at the words, she knew she wasn’t imagining it. For where words such as Noel or Happy Holidays or Good Tidings should have been, a dire warning of the most menacing kind was clawed into the surface of the metal. She knew who it was from. She knew what it meant. She just didn’t know what the consequences would be.

But when her eyes finally unlocked from the carved words, she saw it. Across the bedroom, near the corner. And as her heart beat wildly, words frozen in her throat, she knew that she wasn’t actually safe at all . . . and that the sinister occurrences were probably only beginning.

Christmas and all its joys had morphed into a Darker Christmas Spirit—one that there was no celebrating and certainly no escaping from.

At the realization, she tossed the ornament across the room, only to notice that where the twine had been, a bloody cut was now seeping on her finger. She watched the red droplets fall, knowing that the White Christmas the carolers sang about outside their home had turned to red.

Horrifying, fiendish red.

Yes! I want to read more...

Overcoming rejection as a writer can strengthen your dream

12/13/2021

The Diary of a Serial Killer's Daughter

Rejected.

The word in the email devastated me, and tears began to fall. The manuscript, The Diary of a Serial Killer’s Daughter, was a passion project. I became so invested in telling the story of Ruby, a girl who was very unique, a poet, and the daughter of a serial killer. Still, after hours and hours of hard work and a belief in my story, that one word shattered my confidence.

When not only one but several traditional publishers turned down my book after The Widow Next Door had seen such success, an old, ugly friend started creeping in—doubt. Dream chasing often is accompanied by this fear, no matter what goals you are chasing. However, writing, in my experience, is a particularly vulnerable craft, as is any form of art. You pour your ideas, vulnerabilities, and views into your words.

After those rejections, I started to wonder if my dark, twisted story was worthwhile at all. Fears and questions plagued me: Should I abandon the book?

My husband, though, helped me understand that the obstacle of rejection wasn’t actually an obstacle at all; in fact, as he helped me realize, it was an opportunity for me to take charge of my dreams.
I decided to do something I had never done: self-publish my book.

In a way, the rejection came at a perfect time. At this point, I had written over fifteen books. I had experience with the market, with publishing, and with how to finetune my craft. I knew all of the editing and formatting tricks. I’d taught myself so many of the marketing hacks, graphic design, and blurb writing involved in the process. Most of all, I’d experienced some success with The Widow Next Door hitting the USA Today Bestseller’s list. I told myself that if I wrote a book that could do that once, I could do it again.
So I trusted my gut, and I trusted my story. Was it scary as hell? Absolutely. Did I cry a few times and wonder if I could really do it? Yes.

Still, I trudged on. The Diary of a Serial Killer’s Daughter came out in March of 2020—right in the middle of a global pandemic. So yes, the timing wasn’t wonderful. Still, it managed to sell thousands of copies and even win a book award. Most of all, review after review poured in from readers who understood the power of Ruby’s story, who really got the themes I tapped into, and who the story impacted in deep ways. For me, that last part is what it’s really all about.

Our journey to our dreams will always be filled with obstacles, fear, and rejections. This should not stop us, however. Instead, if we let them, these rejections can strengthen our journey to our dreams and help us understand our true passions.

Being rejected from traditional publishers reminded me why I wanted to write in the first place: to tell the stories on my heart. Not the stories others wanted me to tell. Not stories that were deemed commercial or watered down to meet some rigid book equation. I wanted to have the freedom to tell uncensored, sometimes dark, deep stories that touched on issues, especially about women, that many books in the genre shy away from. I wanted to illuminate real, genuine women’s issues and showcase the darkness in the world. I wanted to make readers think and not just give them a cookie-cutter story that the industry sometimes dictates.

The other thing I learned that I hope you have learned, too, is that no one gets to reign in your voice or your dreams. You are the champion of your passions and of your goals. You get to decide what that looks like and what voice you share with the world. This is not to say you should ignore all experts in the industry, nor does it mean you should ignore constructive criticism. There is a fine line between confidence and cockiness, and one must learn to navigate that line in order to truly grow into the best version of themselves. However, you also cannot let experts tread on your passion, your dreams, or your future. Learn to trust your gut. If you believe in something, find a way to make it happen. Step outside of your comfort zone if you have to.

Rejection is never easy or fun. We’d all love to hear nothing but “yes” and find our way to success paved in glittering, resounding assurances. However, sometimes rejection makes the final destination sweeter than we could have expected because it reveals a resilience, a dedication, and a passion we may not have even known we had.

Want a free sample of The Diary of a Serial Killer's Daughter? Click here.

Buy your copy now

the christmas bell: a christmas Psychological horror novel

12/12/2021

"L.A Detwiler has a way with words that suck you in a dark creepy tunnel until you've finished!" ~Goodreads Reviewer

The Christmas Bell L.A. Detwiler

A few years ago, my husband and I were watching the movie Krampus when I got the idea to write a Christmas horror novel. I wanted to combine my love for the holiday season with all things creepy. This is where The Christmas Bell was born.

I had so much fun writing in the world I created, I actually ended up writing many more books in this world (the town of Oakwood). Still, The Christmas Bell is my favorite because it combines family tradition with horrifying secrets.

If you love all things Christmas and aren't afraid of a little horror, check out the blurb below and see if it sounds like your kind of horror read.

From USA Today Bestseller L.A. Detwiler comes a disturbing paranormal horror novel that will bring hell to the holidays and chilling fear to the festivities.

Some Christmas ornaments should be left in the attic. When Candace Mills, 26, heads home for the holidays to visit her mother and ailing grandmother, she's expecting a peaceful, dull Christmas. She has no idea, though, that a single Christmas ornament is about to send her into a whirling chasm of evil.

It starts with the Christmas bell, scratched and worn in one of Grandma Anne's boxes in the attic. Once they put it on the tree, Grandma Anne starts to say terrifying things and act strangely. Candace and her mother assume it's her dementia talking—until they start to have dangerous encounters with a fiendish being.

As the secrets of Anne's past involving her twin sister rise to the surface, the women face sinister horrors from a dark force looking for revenge. Will any of them be able to survive, or will they fall prey to the malevolent secret Grandma Anne is harboring from her past?

Find out more by clicking here.

5 Book gifts for the romance reader

12/12/2021

Book gifts romance readers

If you have a romance reader on your holiday list, you know that buying a book for them can be tricky. Check out my top five picks, though, for romances they will love and probably haven't picked up yet. From sweet romance to a little spicy, this list of books is sure to make your gift buying easier...or help you build your own winter TBR pile.

1. For those who like a little spice

Jeannine Colette Reckless Abandon Book photo by L.A. Detwiler

If the romance reader on your list likes their books with a touch of spice, any book by Jeannine Colette will satisfy their book boyfriend craving. I love how her books all center around really fun cities and the idea of roses. This one happens to be one of my favorites because it has the right amount of alpha book boyfriend and flirty fun.

2. For the Sweet Romance Fan

At First Sight Nicholas Sparks

If sweet romance is your thing, then, of course, Nicholas Sparks is an amazing choice. One of my favorite book gifts to give is the book At First Sight because it's one of his less-popular options. At First Sight is actually a part of a book duet, which includes True Believer. I love this story because it has a deep love story mixed with a story about parenting. True Believer comes first in the series, so consider buying both books for that romance lover on your list.

3. For the Romantic Comedy Lover

Liane Moriarty What Alice Forgot

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty is one of my all-time favorite book recommendations and book gifts. It leans more women's fiction than straight romance, but a love story is definitely the center of the tale. It is a laugh-out-loud story about aging and what it means to be in love. Basically, Alice falls on a treadmill on page one and forgets the last decade of her life--so she thinks she is in her late twenties again. She's forgotten everything: the feud she has with her once friends, her distance from her family, and her divorce. This book is about how she tries to sort through what happened to her and how her life ended up so different than what she wanted. My favorite part is the interactions with the snooty prep-school moms.

This book made me laugh so hard, but it is also a poignant tale of dreams and living the life we want. I love, love, love this one.

4. For the Hallmark Movie Lover

The Trail to You Lindsay Detwiler Hallmark Lover

The Trail to You is a sweet small-town romance about two people brought together by a dog...a mastiff named Henry, specifically. This book came to be because I wanted to write a book in which my mastiff, Henry, was a main character. This story follows two broken people as they try to find love again. When Ronan's mastiff, Henry, goes missing while he is on a tour of duty, he will be sent on a trail to get his beloved best friend back. That trail, though, will lead him to a small town and a girl who is suffering from tragedy of her own. Can the two find their way to love...or are some paths just paved in heartache?

If the reader on your list loves dogs and Hallmark-type romances, this book is sure to make them swoon. It's filled with laugh-out-loud antics and also celebrations of one of the greatest loves I've ever known: the love of a dog.

5. For the Dark Romance Lover

Pepper Winters The Boy and his Ribbon

This book is a roller coaster of emotion. Although it centers around a love story, it's about so much more than that--it has suspense, abuse, survival, and so many other dark themes. I love the winding tale of survival and how these two people are brought together. It's a story that feels uncomfortable sometimes because of the darkness--but that's how I like a story.

There is a sequel called the Girl and Her Ren which I found equally intriguing. These books by Pepper Winters are unputdownable, truly. I flew through them and still haven't forgotten the incredible plot. Definitely check these ones out.