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I’m declaring the holiday season officially open—starting November 1. After a tough year and a long reading slump, I decided to chase joy early this year with one thing that never fails to cheer me up: holiday romances.

In this kickoff episode of my holiday reading season, I share why I’m leaning hard into cozy Christmas books this November, how I’m rebuilding my relationship with joy (and Christmas itself), and what I’ve been reading on my own mini reading retreat. Then, bestselling author Lauren Blakely joins me to talk about her newest audio-first release Merry Little Kissmas and the fan-favorite My Favorite Holidate. We chat about her writing process, full-cast audiobooks, and why she loves creating spicy, escapist holiday romances that feel like “Hallmark movies with heat.”

📚Books Mentioned:

Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakely — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Romance | Audio ✅

The Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Romance | KU ✅

The Holiday Hookup List by Alexis Daria — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Romance | Audio ✅

Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅

Boys of Riverside by Thomas Fuller — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction / Sports | Audio ✅

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel — Buy on Amazon | True Crime / Art Heist | Audio ✅

⏰ Time Stamps

[00:00] – Why I’m starting my holiday season early

[01:00] – Rebuilding my relationship with Christmas and joy

[03:00] – My holiday reading retreat and first books of the season

[04:00] – Interview with Lauren Blakely begins

[06:00] – Lauren’s backlist and audio-first process

[10:00] – My Favorite Holidate and holiday escapism

[12:00] – Merry Little Kissmas preview (grumpy hero, fake dating, hockey!)

[15:00] – Lauren’s recent reads & audiobook recs

[18:00] – Wrap-up and where to find Lauren online

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