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July 2025

Dearest Reader,

It’s officially summer here in the Northern Hemisphere, and she entered with a bang! In New York, we sweated through a heat dome at the end of June, which came as a bit of a shock to the system after what was a fairy mild start to the season. At least heat is a good excuse to stop for ice cream, right?🍦

It was so wonderful to hear from some of you after the announcement of Flyweight at the end of May. (ICYMI: I have a third book coming out next year!) Each and every time I hear from a reader, it really does make my week. I imagine you as cheerers on the roadside of an endless marathon I’m running, and I’m grateful to accept your proverbial orange slices. They keep me chugging along.

Like many of you probably will, I took advantage of the summer weather to travel this year, and had the amazing privilege to visit my favorite place in the world again. This past June, I took a solo trip to England, splitting my time between bustling London and the bucolic Cotswolds. I know what you're thinking, but yes, travelling solo can be just as fun, even for introverts. The best part is getting to be in control of your own itinerary, and mine was jam-packed. (Seriously, I hit over 20k steps some of the days.) Here are some highlights!

Entrance to Kit Kat Club with columns and a curved marquee, surrounded by trees and white building architecture.

From there, I made a couple of literary pilgrimages, spending a day in Stratford-Upon-Avon to see Shakespeare's birthplace, and stopping (too briefly) in Bath to visit the Jane Austen Centre and the Roman Baths. Unfortunately, I couldn't get close to the famous Royal Crescent, as Robbie Williams was having a concert in front of it later that night. Oh well—just an excuse to go back!

Of course I had to visit a stately home, so I chose Charlecote Park, a National Trust property nestled along the banks of the River Avon in Warwickshire. The house was built in 1558 and later renovated in 1823 into what you see today. I was lucky enough to visit while the "Library of Memories" exhibit was on, which featured excerpts of writing from former mistress of the manor, Mary Elizabeth Lucy. These stories were written for her grandchildren, so they're full of character. I loved being able to read them posted throughout the house as a reminder that it was not a museum like it may appear, but a home to many vibrant lives.

My favorite of these memories was Mary reccounting the time her skirts knocked over a harp: "Now I am going to tell you of a tumble that would make you laugh at poor Grandmama had you seen it. I was setting myself to play the harp, and was in the act of sitting down, when my crinoline, a horrible sort of petticoat, all steel hoops, knocked the stool over and down I went to the floor and the harp along with me, for I had it in my arms, and so its whole weight rested on my chest." It was a charming story (Mary was fine, by the way), and struck me especially as it includes the plight of having to wear such voluminous, restrictive clothing. It's easy to imagine the women in old oil paintings were perfectly stoic and statuesque, but this is a reminder that they were entirely human.

Large historic mansion with a gravel pathway leading to its entrance, surrounded by lush green lawns and neatly trimmed bushes under a blue sky with some clouds.

Open field with a stone fence, a large tree, rolling hills in the background, and a partly cloudy sky.

In London, I finally saw Cabaret on The West End after watching Amy Lennox's 2022 Olivier performance about a hundred times on YouTube, and it did not disappoint. I’ve been singing “Wilhommen” to myself every day since. (Though, who am I kidding, I was doing that before I saw the show.) It's a particularly timely piece, and I thought this revival really nailed the message of the story.

While in London, I also visited Bethnal Green, the borough of East London where Flyweight is set. I have so much to share with you from that day, but I’ll wait until I’m able to tell you a little bit more about the book!

A richly decorated room with golden wallpaper, ornate picture frames, a marble fireplace, and antique furniture, including chairs, tables, and lamps, with a patterned ceiling and red patterned carpet.

These memories are compiled into a memoir, which I purchased while I was there. Charlecote has some wonderful walking trails that I took advantage of, and even a secondhand bookshop. I felt as if I'd stepped into a romantic novel for the afternoon.

A woman taking a selfie outdoors near a river under a large tree with green leaves, smiling and wearing sunglasses and a white blouse.

My favorite part of the trip was my last full day in England, when I got to walk a small portion of the Cotwolds Way—a 102-mile public trail that starts in the Cotwsolds town of Chipping Camden and leads all the way to Bath. I didn't go that far, of course, starting my journey in the town of Broadway and heading across gorgeous countryside to visit Broadway Tower, a folly built by the 6th Earl of Coventry.

A medieval-style stone tower with small windows, battlements, and a flagpole on top, situated on a grassy hill with a dirt path leading up to it, under a partly cloudy sky.

Historic room with 19th-century decor, featuring a large central table, four chairs, bookcases with books, and arched windows, all enclosed by red velvet ropes.

If you've read At Summer's End, you know that I love a good folly, especially one with romantic connection. This one was designed as a token of love from the Earl to his second wife, Lady Maria, who had a passion for the countryside. So indeed, what could be more perfect than this opulent tower, with parkland designed by Capability Brown, and a location from where she could see across sixteen counties? The view and surrounding grounds were breathtaking, but I spent just as long lingering in the rich interiors. It's easy to see why William Morris became a frequent visitor of this place. The natural beauty was endlessly inspiring.

Luxurious sitting room with large arched windows, vintage furniture, a fireplace, and view of greenery outside.

A young woman with sunglasses and a striped shirt taking a selfie on a raised platform with a scenic landscape of green fields, trees, and a blue sky with clouds in the background.

I arrived home exhausted, with a bag full of souvenirs and a head full of inspiration. Now that I'm back on US soil, I'm looking forward to working on edits for Flyweight, and hope to start something new. In the meantime, it's back to the the grind of reality. Can you believe I've barely left the house since I've come home? Apparently, I needed to go into full hermit-mode to recover from that trip. But really, what's the point in going out when there are no adorable sheep grazing beside the roads? Sigh.

As always, it's a pleasure and a privilege to write to you. I hope you all have a lovely summer, and plenty of adventures of your own.

Until next time,