Book Enthusiast by Becca Freeman

Back Where We Started is officially out NOW! Hi book pals, I won’t bury the lede: my second novel Back Where We Started is out in the US and Canada today and I would love for you to consider buying a copy and adding it to your TBR pile. I’ve been talking about this book for years now… basically since I opened a fresh Google Doc and typed the word “Prologue” in January 2023. But to celebrate its release, I thought it could be fun to rewind and tell you its origin story.

Plus, links. Lots of them. Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries. Hello from the train from London to Edinburgh, Dorothy, we’re not on Amtrak anymore. There’s a complimentary meal served on real plates. The man behind me ordered a full english breakfast! (I got a bacon roll.) I’ve never traveled in the UK beyond London, so it’s been fun to watch the suburbs zoom by outside the window.

AKA my book comes out 6 days!!! Hello, We are officially 6 days. (DAYS!!!) out from the publication of my second novel, Back Where We Started. I’m currently in London, basically just bopping around before heading up to Edinburgh this weekend for one of my best friends’ weddings. And escaping my day-to-day has been an excellent distraction from my book anxiety. But in the quiet moments, I’m still a ball of nerves.

Plus, links. Lots of them. Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries. Hi friends, We’re T-9 days from book 2 pub and I’m feeling loopy! I’m giddy and unfocused and have suspected at multiple points over the past week that my brain might be leaking out of my head. As you read this, I’m hopping on a flight to London.

Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries. Last week felt like the calm before the storm. (A metaphor which is somehow both apt and too dour for my new book coming out in just over 2 weeks. Maybe “the prep before the parade” is better?) Anyway, Olivia was away, so it was a light week podcast-wise, and somehow most of my book publicity things landed the week before or after. So, I tried to do something I’m generally quite bad at and… just chill.

Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries. If you read my “Week in the Life,” you’ll know this week was exciting, busy, neurotic. This was the first week I had press to do for my new book—video shoots, podcast interviews, books to sign—and it’s all feeling more real.

This is my fourth attempt at writing a newsletter about how I’m feeling one month out from publication of my second novel, Back Where We Started. (Fourth time’s a charm. That’s how the saying goes, right? RIGHT?) The first time, I started with a breathless account of my hopes and dreams for this book when I began writing it in January 2023. Shelf-talkers! Readers discovering it on the romance shelf at their local indie! Better yet, on one of those “hot new releases” tables.

Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries. Hi friends, I—a child-free woman enrolled in no educational program to speak of—went back to school this week. As a September 1 birthday, I’ve always identified with the school calendar more than Gregorian calendar for fresh starts.

This letter is brought to you by Bookshop.org. They just hit a very exciting milestone: $50 million donated to indie bookstores! Hi Book Pals, It’s been a minute since our last edition of Book Matchmaker—past rounds live here—so I’m excited to be back in your inbox fixing up some new couples. And by couples, I obviously mean you + your perfect book! Are you chasing a feeling, a place, the high of a beloved book? I’ve got you.

Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries. Hi friends, This week was big. HUGE, even. I can’t decide if I’m going to be devastated come Monday—which I’ve set as my personal “back to school”—when there’s no big, exciting thing or a little bit relieved. Let’s go through the highlights: MONDAY: I announced the tour for my forthcoming book! I’m heading to 11 cities in October and November, and would love to see you if you live in any of them.