I've had this bookmarked and somehow I've read other posts of yours and not this one until tonight. I am so moved and heartbroken by your story. Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing. I hung onto every word. You write beautifully and I'm so glad you're here <3 sending you love, my internet gal pal.
This is so beautifully written, Janelle. It took me a day to let it all soak in and find the words to write in response. I'm so glad that you found (and continue to find) relief in pouring through so many romance novels . While the pain from your unfathomable loss was/is still so sharp and will never, ever truly fade, I am so glad you are at a point where you can write again. How lucky for us all that you are so generous with your words. Thank you and love you sm! xoxo
p.s. I am currently listening to Meryl Streep narrate Tom Lake which I am pretty sure falls into the HEA category (I'm not done yet but I have a sense that it will). It is truly such a beautifully told love story that is so, so well written and Meryl's narration/performance is off the charts.
I love the resurgence romance is getting and I'm with you in that it's all I've been able to read since having my first baby 20 months ago. With the state of the world and the rawness of motherhood I can't possibly take in any story that doesn't have a HEA! Thanks for that abbrev btw :) And thank you for sharing your open and wounded heart with us about Rowe, I hope writing this newsletter is an easy and comforting reentry into writing for you as I'm so excited to hear more about your novel, your writing thoughts and life in general. So glad you're here <3
I only really started reading romance semi-regularly a couple years ago, but I like to think the genre has developed quite a bit, for everyone’s benefit, and more people are accepting that it is a legitimate genre! Certain tropes or themes annoy me more than others, and I have lately found myself getting frustrated by miscommunication that could be solved by, IDK, texting or speaking, but isn’t just to delay the HEA. But there’s still something so enjoyable about it, and a good romance is so, SO good and satisfying. Also, I know in my heart that I could not do better than even the books I don’t like! To me, the sign of a truly good romance is when I physically kick my legs out in delight or I’m reading a tense part right before bed and decide at the last minute to save it until morning, as something to look forward to.
Also, if you haven’t seen it, Colman Domingo was recently on The Graham Norton Show giving a romance novel-worthy description of how he met his husband. As a perpetually single person, it did, indeed, make me believe in a thing called love: https://twitter.com/weltonsmac/status/1753513426846892275
I’m so glad romance was able to give you such comfort throughout such an awful period, and that it still does. Although we don’t know each other, I’ve loved watching Ollie grow on your Instagram and seeing the love he is surrounded by, and how you continue to honor Rowe. Thank you for sharing all of this with us.
Yes! Petty miscommunication really irks me in romance novels too, lol! Totally on the same page as you. I also LOVE stopping right at a good part and saving it for later too! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and kind words. I will definitely look up the Colman video!
I found your Substack after spending 11 days in the NICU and needing recommendations for things to take my mind else where and somehow didn’t read this post until now. Thank you for sharing, sending my love.
I've had this bookmarked and somehow I've read other posts of yours and not this one until tonight. I am so moved and heartbroken by your story. Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing. I hung onto every word. You write beautifully and I'm so glad you're here <3 sending you love, my internet gal pal.
Thank you, Annie! ❤️
Love reading your writing again, Janelley. This was heartbreaking and beautiful. Also making me want to start reading romance…
Love you, Tessa 🤍 please read it!
This is so beautifully written, Janelle. It took me a day to let it all soak in and find the words to write in response. I'm so glad that you found (and continue to find) relief in pouring through so many romance novels . While the pain from your unfathomable loss was/is still so sharp and will never, ever truly fade, I am so glad you are at a point where you can write again. How lucky for us all that you are so generous with your words. Thank you and love you sm! xoxo
p.s. I am currently listening to Meryl Streep narrate Tom Lake which I am pretty sure falls into the HEA category (I'm not done yet but I have a sense that it will). It is truly such a beautifully told love story that is so, so well written and Meryl's narration/performance is off the charts.
That really means a lot, Susie. Love YOU so much. OHHH I would love to hear Meryl narrate, need to listen asap!
I love the resurgence romance is getting and I'm with you in that it's all I've been able to read since having my first baby 20 months ago. With the state of the world and the rawness of motherhood I can't possibly take in any story that doesn't have a HEA! Thanks for that abbrev btw :) And thank you for sharing your open and wounded heart with us about Rowe, I hope writing this newsletter is an easy and comforting reentry into writing for you as I'm so excited to hear more about your novel, your writing thoughts and life in general. So glad you're here <3
Thank you so much, Carly! I’m glad romance has helped you, as well. It’s just the best!
I only really started reading romance semi-regularly a couple years ago, but I like to think the genre has developed quite a bit, for everyone’s benefit, and more people are accepting that it is a legitimate genre! Certain tropes or themes annoy me more than others, and I have lately found myself getting frustrated by miscommunication that could be solved by, IDK, texting or speaking, but isn’t just to delay the HEA. But there’s still something so enjoyable about it, and a good romance is so, SO good and satisfying. Also, I know in my heart that I could not do better than even the books I don’t like! To me, the sign of a truly good romance is when I physically kick my legs out in delight or I’m reading a tense part right before bed and decide at the last minute to save it until morning, as something to look forward to.
Also, if you haven’t seen it, Colman Domingo was recently on The Graham Norton Show giving a romance novel-worthy description of how he met his husband. As a perpetually single person, it did, indeed, make me believe in a thing called love: https://twitter.com/weltonsmac/status/1753513426846892275
I’m so glad romance was able to give you such comfort throughout such an awful period, and that it still does. Although we don’t know each other, I’ve loved watching Ollie grow on your Instagram and seeing the love he is surrounded by, and how you continue to honor Rowe. Thank you for sharing all of this with us.
Yes! Petty miscommunication really irks me in romance novels too, lol! Totally on the same page as you. I also LOVE stopping right at a good part and saving it for later too! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and kind words. I will definitely look up the Colman video!
WAIT I JUST WATCHED IT 😭😭😭 my heart! 🥰
Hi! Stranger on the internet here. This was just so moving and real and beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us and can’t wait to read more. Hugs
Alyssa, I so appreciate your feedback. Thank you for being here 🥹 hugs back!
Absolutely beautiful, Janelle. I read this with a lump in my throat. I can’t wait to read more of your writing—thank you for sharing it with us!
Ali, that really means a lot. Thank YOU for reading and for your kind words. 🤍
I found your Substack after spending 11 days in the NICU and needing recommendations for things to take my mind else where and somehow didn’t read this post until now. Thank you for sharing, sending my love.