Headin' for Pennsylvania and some homemade Pumpkin Pie

Hi there!

I can’t believe I’m writing this with less than 2 weeks to go in 2025! The year has had some bright spots, but overall, like many of us, I’m ready to move onto 2026.

One other thing that’s changing in 2026 will be my newsletter provider. I’ll be moving over to Flodesk, so things will have a new look, a new sent email ([email protected]), but the same old me!

If you don’t see a newsletter from me on January 2nd, email me to let me know - I want to be sure I can pop into your inbox every once in awhile!

Here’s to more books, less unprecedented times, and overall more love in the New Year. :)

What’s new with Rachel?

I took a look back at 2025 and did my 2025 Wrapped - Author Version - it was especially interesting to see how many miles I traveled for book events this year! The shortest trip was 4.4 miles round trip, while the longest was 1716 miles round trip. Plus, I learned I almost have twice as many page reads in 2025 as I did in 2024. Here’s hoping I can hit that number before the clock strikes midnight on the 31st.

Thanks so much for sticking with me on this year’s trip around the sun - can’t wait to see what 2026 will bring.

Writing Corner and Book News

I don’t have much book news of my own to share right now (but lots coming in 2026!) so I’m going to share a book that I absolutely love as a recommendation for you. 🙂 

I mentioned last time how much I was loving the Heated Rivalry TV show - this book comes from the same author, also features hockey players, but is set in its own universe. Featuring an anxious goalie called up from the AHL and a golden retriever Himbo who just wants to be loved, this book makes me laugh, cry, swoon, and sweat a little. And, it’s perfect for this time of year, because it takes place over the Christmas season! It doesn’t have that Hallmark movie quality a lot of Christmas romances do (guilty), but is still perfect for enjoying this time of year. This was actually my first Rachel Reid book which led me to the Game Changer series that I love so dearly. It doesn’t have the same re-read count as Heated Rivalry, but I did complete my 4th re-read of it earlier this month, and wanted to share it with all of you! Grab it on Amazon or Bookshop.org today!

P.S. These are affiliate links to the ebooks on both sites - the paperbacks are backordered, like most of Rachel’s books right now (which is AMAZING, but don’t get me started on how unprepared the publisher was for the Heated Rivalry TV show because I might never stop.)

Spotify Playlist

This time of year, it’s Christmas music all around whenever I’m in control of the radio, so sharing a little Christmas Hits playlist with you today, if you need to get in the spirit.

Book Spotlight

Excited to share some book recommendations with you this week and all throughout 2026! I love that this week’s are all holiday romances - so festive and fun. Going to have to add these to my TBR for when we’re in PA next week…

Don’t forget, you can escape to Holly Ridge with my two Christmas romances, if you haven’t had a chance to yet!

Ex-boyfriend’s dad, age gap, runner x reluctant runner, sunshine and sunshine.

MARGO

After an ex-boyfriend told me I’d never be able to run a half marathon, I did what any logical woman would do: I set out to prove him wrong.

We’re going to pretend like I didn’t collapse at the finish line of the race.

It’s a good thing the hot paramedic caught me before I could fall.

It’s an even better thing I ran into him at the bar the next night.

He might be my ex’s dad and sixteen years older than me, but that won’t stop me from wanting to enjoy some holiday cheer with the man I can’t stop thinking about.

FINN

I knew who she was when I caught her, but she didn’t know who I was.

When her initial shock of my identity wore off, she came home with me.

I gave her the best night of her life.

It makes sense that I found her again at the finish line of another race, and now I’m determined to keep her around for longer than a night.

Forget the age gap. Forget her history with my son.

She might be the best Christmas present I’ve ever received, and I’m in no hurry to say goodbye.

What more could you want? Click here to read it now!

Falling for my emotionally unavailable and annoyingly good-looking friend is not on my holiday to-do list.

Jordan’s a walking, talking heartbreaker who flirts like it's his job and breezes through women faster than a nor’easter.

We’ve grown up in the same small town, run with the same friend group, and he’s been my secret crush for too long.

But I’ve always known better. He doesn’t do relationships, and I don’t do casual hookups—that is, until things start to shift between us. One minute we’re throwing snowballs, the next we’re tangled in Christmas lights and caught in a flirtation that feels much too real.

Every holiday event finds us closer, cozier, and constantly under mistletoe that I swear wasn’t there before. I’m trying to resist. Really, I am. Yet when Jordan finally kisses me, my defenses melt faster than a snowman in July.

This was supposed to be a drama-free holiday season. Instead, I’m in way over my head, and the one man I promised I’d never fall for... is the only one I want.

friends-to-lovers , small town, bad boy/good girl, secret crush, heroine owns a coffee shop, same friend group, low angst, feel-good romance.

Sign me up! Click here to read it now!

Two Strangers. One kiss. Zero chill.

Sometimes a spontaneous kiss with a stranger can change everything.

Jess: All Jess wants for Christmas is a date to her family’s holiday dinner—so she doesn’t have to sit at the kiddie table. Again.

But when her blind date with her brother’s friend turns into a bust, she ends up kissing a stranger under the mistletoe instead. Oops.

Clark: Life after hockey was supposed to be quiet, simple, and 100% scandal-free.

Then his kiss with Jess goes viral, and suddenly the entire town (and the internet) is in his business.

Neither of them expects a repeat encounter… but a little Christmas magic, some spiked cider, and one perfectly timed snowstorm just might make these unlikely soulmates’ holiday dreams come true.

This one comes from a fellow SHU Writing Popular Fiction author friend. I can’t wait to check it out. Click here to read it now!

Alright, I’m off to start packing for our trip to PA and rewatch Heated Rivalry before episode 5 drops at midnight. Maybe get distracted by some Heated Rivalry edits. Who’s to say?

Stay hydrated, call your Reps, and escape with a good book.

Romantically Yours,

Rachel