It's release day! 🎉
Apr 26, 2024 12:30 pm
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Two emails in one week?! Don't worry, this won't be a regular occurrence, I just have exciting things to tell you!
Nothing Like This is officially out in the world!
I’m always excited to put a book into my readers’ hands, but this one is very special to me. It’s one of the most emotional books I’ve ever written and also one of the most intense. There’s a lot of mental health rep in here and a lot of growth. I’m so excited to hand off the first part of Mackenzie and Hyla’s story to all of you.
Keep scrolling for an excerpt from the first chapter!
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Where it all started 💋
🩷 “Maybe I should sneak into your suitcase and come too. There must be some cute boys on vacation at the beach. Have you had any fun on the trip before?”
I laugh, but it’s not as full as it should be because when I think about having fun on that trip—which I never have before—I don’t think of guys. It’s a truth I’ve recently come to understand about myself. I’m a lesbian. I’m still getting used to that word. To the label. I hate labels, but it’s the truth. I don’t see myself in any kind of fulfilling relationship with a guy. I have no desire to hook up with a guy. I can fully enjoy how attractive some guys are, but I don’t feel any personal attraction to them. I was actually thinking about hooking up on this trip. With a girl. For the first time.
“You okay?” Hyla asks, head tilted.
I stare back, heart beating harder. I haven’t told anyone this yet. Not my parents. Not my best friends. Not even Miles. My platonic other half. The only person I like enjoying my peace and solitude with.
“No one”—I clear my throat—“I haven’t told anyone.”
Hyla grabs my hand and squeezes it tightly. “Anything you tell me is safe. I know I’m good at picking up on gossip, but you know I never spread it. I would never betray your trust.”
I swallow hard and nod. Hyla could hold the world’s secrets and never tell. It makes me wonder how many of her own she’s keeping.
“I’m not… I’m not into guys.” I breathe out a sigh and force myself to look at her.
She brushes her thumb over mine. “When did you realize?”
“I’ve had an idea for a while, but I figured it out for sure over the last few months.”
Hyla gives me an encouraging smile. “That’s really special, discovering that about yourself. Embracing it.” Her voice is gentle, almost wistful. “Can I, um—”
“What?”
“What’s it like? Being with another girl?”
Oh.
“I don’t know. I haven’t yet.”
She tucks some hair behind her ear, hand still wrapped around mine. “Do you want to?”
I almost laugh. Of course I want to. But then I see her face. The question there.
Do I want to?
Right now.
With her.
“Hyla. I don’t know—won’t that be weird?”
She shrugs. “It’s just a kiss.”
“For my sake? So I can say I’ve kissed a girl?”
“One of the hottest girls in school,” she says with a smirk.
“Right.”
“And… maybe I want to know what it feels like. But only if you’re okay with it.”
I stare at her for a moment. I’ve never noticed a spark with her. She’s Hyla, and I’m drawn to her the way everyone is. The way anyone is drawn to a bright light. What’s a little kiss between friends?
“Just a kiss?”
“Mhm.”
“With the hottest girl in school.”
She laughs and nods, letting go of my hand, her fingers dancing up my arm as she moves closer. My heart beats erratically as she leans in toward me, cupping the side of my face.
Holy shit! I’m about to kiss Hyla. 🩷
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P.S. Don't forget...
📚There's still a Friends Like This series sale going on. Book 1 is FREE and books 2-8 are 99 cents each through the 27th! Don't miss out!
🎶As I do for all of my books, I have a playlist for this one! Is it angsty AF? Yes. Is it 40% Taylor Swift? Also YES.
💜Finally, if you're already hyped about Mackenzie and Hyla's love story, don't forget to pre-order part two, Trust Like This, which will be out next month!
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Looking for a little more angst?
Check out the first book in this incredible duet by my release day buddy/ author friend Ashley Alexander!
𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚃𝚘 𝙴𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝:
First Loves
Virgin MCs
Dark Secret
Brother's Former Best Friend
Small Town
New Adult
Friends to Enemies to Lovers Vibes
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Thanks for hanging out with me today! I hope you love every emotional second of Mackenzie and Hyla's roller coaster love story! I can't wait to start teasing you with part two in my next newsletter! As always, thank you for all your support. :)
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Behind the scenes with me...
Want to know what I'm working on right now? Listening to? Reading? What's rumbling around in my head? Well, I'm going to tell you anyway!
🖊️Currently working on: Still Always Like This (and about to start the Trust Like This bonus scenes)
👀Currently distracting me from that: I'm pretty focused on this one because I'm in my feelings over it.
📖Currently reading: Taking a short break until I'm ready to start the 3rd book in the Kingdom of Lies series.
🎧Currently listening to: Pucking Ever After Vol 2. IYKYK
If you want more fun behind the scenes info, make sure you join my FB reader group, Bethany’s Book Besties! It's where we talk about books, romance, my characters & their love stories, and where I share random unedited snippets of what I'm working on and other fun teases! And this year there might be an exclusive giveaway or two as well!
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That's it for me today! Until next time, take care and happy reading!
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