You know what the say about best laid plans..

Or the one where I ramble a bit about life, escape, and being gentle with yourself.

Author

Rachel Holm
September 30, 2025

Oh hi!

I had a plan for the Make You Mine This Christmas rollout. There’s a spreadsheet and everything! What I would post each day, trying to get the news that this book is coming out in front of as many people as possible.

[CW: Cancer]

And then [insert horrifying news story here] happened. Then I got sick. And most recently, my uncle died. All while more horrifying news stories happened.

He had been battling cancer for over six years and the signs were there over the past couple of weeks, but it still seemed to happen more rapidly than expected. I’m writing this from my second hotel in the last 4 days, having gone home to unpack and snuggle my cats after Books Books Books before hopping on a plane to get to Cleveland. It’s been great being with family. I learned in March when I last saw Uncle Ken in person that he had read all of my books up to that point, and my cousin let me know yesterday he had Capitally Unexpected with a bookmark in the middle of it. I hope he’s got library or KU access now, so he can finish Hunter and Michelle’s story, and catch up with Austin and Brody next week. ❤️

Life hasn’t been easy for most people this year, so I know my story is one of many where people have struggled to be creative, to stay on track, to find joy in the little things. But joy is resistance, having ways to escape and relax is more important than ever, and Brody and Austin are coming to shelves/Kindles/libraries near you next Thursday whether I post on social media every day or not. (This is not a release day delay post.) Doing the best we can with the energy we have each day is all we can ask of ourselves in this life, and being gentle when it feels like that best isn’t enough is a skill I find myself needing to practice.

If you find yourself feeling the same way these days, I hope it’s helpful to know you’re not alone.

Now, let’s share some joy, shall we?

This is the Safe-For-Work art I commissioned from Magpie Castro of Brody and Austin. It’s such a heartwarming Christmas moment not directly from the book, but very easily imagined to work for these two. You all are the very first to see it here in my newsletter.  😍

This is one of the art prints you’ll receive with a signed paperback or release box from my store or by submitting a pre-order proof form from another retailer - if you want to get your hands on it, that’s the best way to guarantee you get a copy!

If you need a refresher on what all these pre-orders entail, I’m sharing it below.

Signed copies from my website! Buy a signed copy from by release day to receive two art prints* and three stickers alongside your signed book.

Next, I'm trying something new this time around - Release boxes! These boxes will come with all the same goodies as the pre-order campaign: a signed book, two art prints*, and three stickers. These boxes will also include some really fun extras that I'm calling a "reading immersion kit", along with some exclusive paper goods. These are limited, so if you want one, be sure to grab it ASAP!

Finally, if you prefer to buy ebooks, support your local indie bookstore, or have a gift card burning in your pocket to another retailer, I have a form up to submit your proof of pre-order—do this, and I'll send you an art print and a sticker and if you indicate you bought a physical copy, I'll send you a book plate as well. Since physical books become available for order way closer to release date, this form will stay open for proof of order through 10/16.

I'm so excited for everything I've been able to put together as thank you for supporting Austin and Brody's story - I hope you will be too! Head to geni.us/MYMTC for all the links you need.

Carry Me Through Christmas Discount Code

As promised, I’m sharing an exclusive discount code for the new cover of Carry Me Through Christmas from my website. Using code CMTCNEWSLETTER when you check-out with a copy of CMTC in your cart will get you 50% off a signed copy through Make You Mine This Christmas release day (10/9). If you purchase both together, I’ll ship your copy of CMTC with your MYMTC pre-order (who let me make these titles so long? Acronyms for life!)

Last Call for Make You Mine This Christmas ARCs!

The first round of ARCs went out last evening, but I’ll send another round out on Friday - this is your last chance to sign-up if you want to read Austin and Brody before release day. Find all the details here!

Ink & Indie is this Weekend

This marks the end of the 2025 Signing Season - I’m excited to wrap it up so close to home with an event sponsored by a Romance bookstore. I’ll do an official 2026 event reveal soon!

I’ll be back later this week with a sneak peak at the beginning of Brody and Austin’s story.

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

Romantically Yours,

Rachel