I am currently offering a sale to celebrate my book’s 2-year birthday! In honor of my book’s birthday, I would like to offer a sale. From now through December 13, all print copies in stock are buy one, get one free when you buy directly from me. Email in bio to purchase at the sale price. Offer good through Dec. 13 or while supplies last.

Paperback and ebook copies are still available to purchase on Amazon. Pre-signed copies are available at This Old Book in Grayslake at regular price. Bookshop.org has paperback copies available for a slightly reduced price on my author page at bookshop.org/shop/michellehabrych.

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Two years ago today, I released my memoir into the world. With You are Not Alone: My Experience with Postpartum Depression, I prayed it would reach those who most needed to hear my story and help others understand the world of maternal mental illness.

This Amazon review confirmed that it has done that: “I never would have thought what I was suffering was PPD until I picked up this book. So many moments in the book I thought had been plucked from my own life. This is a much-needed resource for postpartum parents. Easy to read and understand, raw, and relatable.”

In honor of my book’s birthday, I would like to offer a sale. From now through December 13, all print copies in stock are buy one, get one free when you buy directly from me. Email michellehabrych@gmail.com to purchase at the sale price. Offer good through Dec. 13 or while supplies last.

Paperback and ebook copies are still available to purchase on Amazon. Pre-signed copies are available at This Old Book in Grayslake at regular price. Bookshop.org has paperback copies available for a slightly reduced price on my author page at bookshop.org/shop/michellehabrych. 

Although this is a hard topic, it is also a necessary one. Support the young families in your circle of life and get them a copy today!

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Jess has moved away from her Australian home to London. However, Nora, the 90-year-old grandmother who raised her, has an accident and she is called to come home to Darling House, the estate where she grew up. At the hospital, a distraught and possibly confused Nora says things to Jess that she doesn’t understand, so Jess, a journalist by trade, starts asking questions. Will she uncover the truth behind Nora’s accident? What will it mean for her family?

Homecoming is a dual-timeline historical fiction mystery told from many points of view. It includes the full text from a fictional true crime book about the Turner family tragedy. With its numerous characters and story-within-a-story format, the book is 547 pages in length. The story starts off strong and pacing is quick, yet my book club and I agreed that it could have been a great story with a hundred pages cut out. Sometimes it is difficult to keep track of the characters, the timelines, and, as a result, who knows what about the mystery.

I would argue that if Die Hard is considered a Christmas movie, then Homecoming is a Christmas book. If you’re looking for something “less cozy” this holiday season, curl up with a cup of cocoa and delve into the Turner family mystery in Homecoming. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator Claire Foy does a lovely job. It was not available from my library but it was on Spotify with my premium membership.

The post Homecoming book review appeared first on Writing by Michelle Habrych.

The book follows Sadie as her wish comes true and she relives her year, determined not to make the same mistakes. In the process, she realizes that maybe what she wished for is not what she truly wants. While this is definitely a romance, The Second Chance Year also offers a deeper look at the importance of living life and pursuing your own goals rather than trying to conform to the desires of those around you. 

If you like puns, you will adore some of the crazy food similes and metaphors that are prevalent in the book. Sadie’s voice is clear throughout the story and I enjoyed following her on this adventure. This is a good read for any time of year, though I particularly enjoyed it as a holiday read.

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Daphne Noelle loves Christmas and creating sweet treats to sell at her holiday pop-up shop in the lobby of the office complex where Tristan Knight’s architecture firm has a home on the top floor. He wants her and all of the people crowding the elegant building out of his way, even threatening to get Daphne thrown out. However, everyone loves her muffins and cookies, which Tristan’s assistant has delivered to the office for a meeting, much to his chagrin. When Tristan finds himself in need of help for some holiday events, he grudgingly turns to Daphne for catering assistance. A miscommunication leads to a fake relationship, and sparks fly.

This romance is a bit on the spicy side, though the premise and the cover make it look simply sweet. If this were a holiday movie, it would be rated at least PG-13. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Melanie Mendez, with a running time of 6 hours. It’s a great book to enjoy while cooking or decorating for the holidays to get you in the spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC audiobook. All opinions are my own.

This book releases on Nov. 19, 2024.

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“Holiday Hideaway” is the story of a squatter who is discovered by the new owner of the empty rental property just before Christmas. Tilly has no place to stay for a couple of weeks so she decides to camp out in what she assumes will be a vacant rental for which she is the agent. Then an attractive-looking guy shows up with keys in hand, and she runs for the attic with her dog and sleeping bag. What ensues is a comedic series of near misses and text exchanges before things take a turn and the two come face-to-face at last. 

Told in alternating points of view, this holiday rom-com is a great way to spend a couple of hours. So grab a mug of your favorite holiday tea or coffee and curl up by the fireplace to enjoy this sweet tale available exclusively on Amazon Kindle and audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Some guests staying at the Chatham Coastal Inn have their own storylines. Franny, a former resident of the town, has returned in time for her beloved sister to pass away. Unable to bring herself to stay at her sister’s home, Franny takes up residence at the B&B while fulfilling her sister’s last wishes. Widower Aidan and his young son Luke are spending their holidays at the inn due to an unplanned renovation at their home. Coincidentally, he and Riley dated seriously in high school but split up when she pursued a life in the big city and he chose to stay on the coast.

While mostly predictable, The Christmas Inn feels like a holiday hug. My only complaint was that the author spent too much time describing the food or a scene, which slowed down the pacing of the story. Overall I enjoyed the story enough that I would give it 3 ½ stars out of 5.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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When holiday plans change, Julie finds a way to include everyone, and I do mean everyone! That was the most difficult part of this book– keeping the many different characters straight in my head. Once I was able to do that, I enjoyed this sweet story by Susan Mallery. Though the family was dealing with grief and change, it was told in a lighthearted way. It’s got a few mentions of sex but would be rated PG if it were a movie. In fact, if you love Christmas movies about families, One Big Happy Family is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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I have some favorite authors and Liane Moriarty is definitely part of that group. Her books are creative and unexpected, with memorable characters in unique situations surrounded by mystery.

Here is my review of her latest book.

Would being told the expected age and cause of your death change how you live your life? Would you believe such a prediction was true? What would you do with such knowledge?

On a short flight, the lives of many passengers and a crew member are changed when a strange woman, later dubbed “Death Lady,” walks the aisles of the plane, pointing and predicting. Her unwelcome words disturb the passengers, especially the ones who are told to expect their deaths within the next year.

Here One Moment follows the aftermath of the predictions, as well as telling the personal story of the Death Lady. I found her narrative to be particularly engaging. Author Liane Moriarty once again brings to life on the page quirky and believable characters in unusual situations. This intense book drew me in, kept me reading, and surprised me along the way. Readers who like suspenseful and twisty books will love this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

You can get a copy here or wherever books are sold. This is an affiliate link; thank you for supporting my work.

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I have written my memoir, You are Not Alone: My Experience with Postpartum Depression, as one way of helping new moms. It’s the book I needed when I was going through it. More than a memoir, it’s also a self-help book and devotional. The book can be read in 5-minute sessions, such as when mom has a quick break in the bathroom.

Below is a sample “chapter” from the book. Each begins with an excerpt from the journal I kept during the months I was experiencing PPD. Then I address the topic and offer a prompt to interact with the recorded memory.

I am currently running a sale on in-stock paperback copies for those who are local (or want to pay shipping). Here is more information.

If you are reading this after the sale ends or you are not local, you may always buy my books at these places. Please consider buying a copy to share with a new mom. Your gift could be the help she needs on the path towards healing.

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