They always say you can’t go home again, but let me add to that advice. If you do return home to live with your stoic, lawyer father and meddling mother, make sure you’re not thirty with a bankrupt business and a failed romance.
These were the TED Talk-like thoughts running through my mind as I hunched over boxes in the mildewy basement of Tino’s Italian restaurant, thankful there wasn’t a mirror for me to peruse the assuredly disastrous state of my hair. I rolled my eyes at my senseless inner monologue as the wind howled outside, threatening to send the ancient boardwalk restaurant crumbling.
“Let’s face it,” I said aloud, admittedly like someone who was one incident shy from a complete meltdown. “No one’s calling your disastrous self for a TED Talk anytime soon.”
My shirt covered in food and my mood as low as it gets from what happened before retreating to the basement, I moved box after box, looking for the mysterious serving dish. Plumes of dust and probably death-inducing mold wafted into the air, but I was a bit thankful for the escape. The Italian music blasted up above, and there were footsteps dashing about as the dinner rush was on. My own feet ached from waitressing all night–and not well if I was to be honest. Still, it felt good to have a moment away from the hustle and bustle of Tino’s, of spilled drinks, and of the constant reminder that everything had fallen apart. 

And just as I had told myself life couldn’t possibly get any worse, it did.
Because as I stepped backward, I lost my balance. The bare bulb shined brightly, now illuminating what I imagined was a horrific face as I tumbled down the stairs, the box and heavy silver platters clanging on top of me. I crumpled down, down, down, thinking this was where it all ended—on the dingy steps of Tino’s basement. Maybe they could use the silver platters at my funeral.
When I finally landed at the bottom of the stairs, time warping back to normal speed, everything was fuzzy and fading. My entire body hurt, and I felt myself slipping away. But before it all went black, I heard what I thought was a distinctively British voice yell out a punctuated and startled, “Oh no.”
Oh no, indeed, I mused as everything turned inky.

​

We hear so many things about how if you keep dreaming, good things happen–and I really do believe that. However, sometimes you find yourself in a season of life where you’re just stuck. Where it feels like the dream is so far away. Where you just keep getting rejected.

That was the inspiration for my book “The Summer Song.” Tillie Ashby isn’t your typical stars-in-her-eyes romance character at the beginning. She’s really struggling–with a failed business, a failed financial situation, a failed relationship, and a lost best friend. When she moves back to her hometown of Ocean City, Maryland, at the age of thirty, it feels like things can’t get any worse.

But Tillie’s story is also about how sometimes magical, once-in-a-lifetime dreams and love can come from unexpected, chance encounters. When a UK pop sensation who is hiding for the summer literally runs into Tillie, a series of life-changing events take place. But can Tillie and Leo’s worlds really mesh? Or is Tillie destined for heartbreak again?

This is a book about rediscovering your dreams. It’s a book about pulling yourself up from the ground–again and again. It’s a story, too, that reminds us popstar or down on our luck, we’re all just trying to find happiness.

“The Summer Song” is a sweet romance ready for pre-order now. Grab your beachy read and find out why falling in love with a popstar can be a bad idea…or so it would seem.

​

A puddle of tears soaking into his hoodie when your world is falling apart.

A pair of hands tugging you tighter, holding you together so the pieces don’t shatter.

A homecooked meal on a weekday, nothing fancy, just the two of you sharing food and sharing chores and sharing in your day.

A look across the room that says he’s got your back, no matter what, even when the throngs of people around you are closing in.

A meeting of the minds in an almost magical way that allows you to share in a wordless inside joke.

A midnight kiss on the cheek when he thinks you’re sleeping, when no one’s watching, just because he feels the need to express his love.

A patched heart, sewn together with his words and careful gestures, that is strong enough to outlast any of the past’s destructive events.

A playful scream when he tickles you in the kitchen, flour smeared on your cheek as you wiggle away, angry at the annoyance but secretly relishing in the simple laughter.

A hugged pillow, squeezed against your chest, when the rift between you feels ever growing, when you question if it’s all going to work out.

An awareness that even on his worst day, he is the calm in the storm that is life, the presence that keeps you grounded, and the hand you crave to touch.

An apology, an acceptance, a step towards him because you are magnetized to the man who lights you up, even though he’s not perfect.

An undeniable chemistry, whether you’re wearing leather and lace or stained, holey cotton.

A feeling of acceptance, of knowledge, on a level no one else can understand.

A knowledge that whether life is wild, untamable, monotonous, horrifying, unbearable, or calm, he will be there, cheering you on in chasing your goals and picking you up when you shatter to the ground.  

Love is two of you against the world, pulling together even when you feel like pulling apart. It’s a commitment to the sentiment that you will raise each other up when your arms are shaking from the exertion.

Love is, against all odds, unstoppable, unquenchable, and sometimes unfathomable.

Yet, above all, love is what sets the heart on fire and sparks us to life, opening our eyes to who we really are and what we can become together.

Love is...

​

Over the past three and a half years of my writing journey, I've been fortunate to meet so many people in person and online. I've had so many wonderful women join me in celebrating real, genuine love stories. Along the way, I've come to realize that so many of us don't realize one thing: Every single one of our love stories is magical and novel-worthy.

That's not to say our relationships are perfect. Far from it. If you know my husband and me, you know we fight a lot. We are often caught in the grocery store in a heated battle about snacks or ribs or something equally as ridiculous. We struggle with adulting, and we sometimes have different visions for our lives. 

Our life is also far from glamorous. Most weeks, we spend our evenings watching Netflix, playing video games, and eating the simplest foods we can microwave because we're just too lazy to cook anything. Date nights usually involve staying in or hanging with our mastiff, Henry. Candles, rose petals, and fancy getaways just aren't in the cards for us right now.

When I started writing love stories, I knew I wanted to see my own love story in the pages of books. I wanted to read about realistic couples who went on simple dates, who dealt with budget issues, and who didn't always have glamorous lifestyles. Sure, it's fun to read about the alphas who can whisk away their women to one-of-a-kind adventures. But for some of us, that's just not reality. I wanted to write love stories that showcase reality... and prove that love of all kinds can be beautiful.

Along the way, so many of you have joined in my vision and shared stories of your own journey to love. The thing I've come to learn is this: So many of us have similar love stories, similar experiences with married life, and similar struggles. 

So while it can be easy to discount your own love story and fret about how it pales in comparison to the sexy heroines and heros of romance novels, I think the message is that you have to celebrate your own reality. You have to embrace the journey you are on when it comes to love, no matter what stage you are at.

Whether you're still searching for "the one" or you've found him or her, I think we all need to realize that every single love story is beautiful. It's worth celebrating. It isn't about the size of the ring, the glamour of the dates, or the perfect moments you collect. Sometimes what makes a love story magical are the struggles, the trials, and the fact that even when things are falling apart around you, one look from your person makes you feel like it's all going to be okay. It's about how you love each other even when you're both sweaty and your makeups melting from a broken air conditioner and 100 degree weather. The beauty of love happens in all of the little moments that don't make it onto the big screen in Hollywood--the simple dinners, the memories, the inside jokes, the play.

I am so glad you are all here to share in your journeys to love, no matter what that looks like. I'm so glad we have a place we can be candid about what love and marriage look like.

Most of all, I'm so thankful that I'm not alone in believing that all love stories are beautiful, noteworthy, and magical in their own way.

I hope this week you can think about the magic of your own journey to love, no matter what that looks like. I'd love to hear about your own love, too, so feel free to hit comment below or join the conversation on Facebook.

He got down on one knee at King's, our favorite restaurant at the time.

We'd gone there for late-night breakfast dates. We'd gone there after prom, on random Saturdays, on lunch dates.

And so, on a Friday, he got down on one knee in the middle of King's while we ate dinner. There was no fanfare, no clapping, no flashiness.

It was just me and the boy I met at the art table, in the middle of a sleepy restaurant, thinking about forever.

I said yes, and he slid the ring on my finger. We continued on with our date because in reality, nothing had changed. We were still the same people we were before he got on one knee. We were still the couple who argued over stupid things, who laughed at the same jokes, who could know what each other was thinking with a single look.

We were still the couple who had been through ninth grade social, two proms, graduation, first dates, first dances, and first kisses.

Yet, we were also different. Because in that moment, we realized that the boy and the girl who met at the art table would grow up to be a married couple who chased their dreams together, who built a life together. With that ring, the next phase of our love story began, the simple, genuine love has led us where we are today.

Every proposal story, big, small, embarrassing, or even disastrous, is special in its own way.

I'd love to hear about your proposal... or about your dream proposal. Comment below and let us know how your next phase of your love story began.

If you love talking about simple, genuine love, be sure to connect with me on Facebook where we chat romance, fashion, makeup and more.

​

First, let me say this: I’m a huge fan of Keith Urban. The Australian accent, the tattoos, and that sexy voice--I’m in love.

But I never realized my love for the guitar-playing Australian would lead to this.

It was the summer of 2017, and I’d been playing Keith Urban’s latest CD on repeat in my car (yes, I’m old school and still love CDS). For some reason, it was song 12 that started haunting me.

The song, “That Could Still Be Us,” was this super moody song about a couple who broke up but was still longing for each other. I don’t know why, but the song just hit me. It made me feel something.

Let’s be clear--the song really shouldn’t have connected with me. I’ve been with my husband since we were twelve. I’ve never really been through a breakup. I don’t know what it’s like to deal with the emotions of leaving someone you still love. But Keith Urban made me feel like I did.

Suddenly, I was thinking about life in our small town. What if my husband and I after all this time called it quits? How would we separate our lives--not just our belongings, but our emotions and identity? Sometimes when you’re with someone for so long, your lives meld into one. How would we separate them again? And how would it be to live in this tiny town where everything would remind me of our life together?

I couldn’t get the song or the idea out of my head.

And that’s where Still Us was born. I knew I wanted to write a book that captured that emotion. I started imagining this couple who had been together for years but break up… only to realize they can’t get over each other, no matter how hard they try.

I already had two character names I was saving. I’d come up with the names Luke and Lila while still feeling loopy after wisdom teeth surgery (boy, that’s another story for you… it includes me putting my hood up and running into the pharmacy to look at school supplies while my husband was getting my meds). Suddenly, I had the story that Luke and Lila would fit in.

I knew I also wanted to capture humor because that’s my favorite kind of book--one that can make you angsty and make you laugh. I imagined Lila, a twentysomething vet with student debt, having to move back in with her family after the breakup. It’s Lila’s sometimes crazy family that helps bring the comic relief to a book that would otherwise be quite heavy--Grandma Claire is a character you’re not going to soon forget, especially the scene with her blind cat in the casino.

So it started with my love for Keith Urban, a song that moved me, and a storyline that haunted me. That’s where Still Us came from.

What do you think? Have you ever had a song that just wouldn’t let go of you? Hit reply and tell me about it. I’d love to hear from you.

​

My two most popular sweet romances, Remember When and Inked Hearts, are #free for a limited time!

Remember When is a romantic drama about a married couple trying to survive a car wreck in the middle of a blizzard. As Jessica and Todd fight to survive, they reflect on their love story. Will their love be enough to help them survive?

Inked Hearts was named a Romance Times Top Pick in October of 2017. This is book one in the Lines in the Sand series, set in Ocean City, Maryland. When Avery finds her marriage over and her life falling apart, she moves to the beach town of her dreams to start over. She makes one promise to herself: No man this time. She's living for herself. 

But then she meets Jesse Pearce, the green-eyed, tattooed hunk who may just change her mind about the line she drew in the sand. 

Check out the links below to grab your copies now. This free sale is for a limited time, so hurry!

Inked Hearts links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2uOxzwg
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2uqY4FH
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2uOU2ts
Amazon AU: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0746CY464
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1258997826
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1126749727
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/inked-hearts ​


Remember When:

books2read.com/remember-when

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2nBtxBk
Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XQ93NW4
Amazon AU: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B06XQ93NW4
Amazon CA: www.amazon.ca/dp/B06XQ93NW4
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1217027413
Nook: https://www.bn.com/w/books/1126007226
Kobo: www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/remember-when-27

Tissues. You will need lots and lots of tissues.

Let me preface by saying I'm not usually one to cry at movies (EXCEPTION: Marley & Me. That one killed me). But Irreplaceable You made me tear up, made me weepy, and made me so emotional. It's a true tear-jerker movie with beauty, emotion, and a whole lot of feels.

It is a tragic romance about the devastating effects of cancer. I know what you're thinking--because I thought it too--there are so many movies out there already about this topic. Fault in Our Stars, and A Walk to Remember, for example--how could anything beat those?

Nonetheless, Irreplaceable You does a good job at creating its own feel and story line. For one, the protagonists are in their early 30s and planning their wedding. The age of the protagonists alone created a new set of problems, emotions, and a different dynamic. 

Abby, who is diagnosed with cancer, worries about what will happen to Sam once she dies. Will he be able to find joy again? Will he be able to find someone to share his life with again? Thus, she decides to spend her final months preparing for her death by scoping out the dating scene for Sam. Her hope is that she can find a replacement for herself so she can die at peace, knowing he'll be happy.

I know it sounds like an odd premise... and it made me a little uncomfortable at first. However, Abby's quirky personality was able to shine even during the most depressing moments. There are small moments that break up the depressing, heavy scenes and even made me laugh. Furthermore, Abby's sense of dark humor throughout the movie allowed the tension to ease at points and allowed me to appreciate her character even more.

The story is a tad cliche at points and is pretty predictable. However, I felt like the point wasn't to have some over-the-top plot or unexpected twist. The point was to capture the emotions of this tragedy while also showcasing the depth of a love story. The movie did just that and ripped my heart out in the process.

I think the fact that Abby and Sam were childhood sweethearts added a layer of depth to the story as well. They didn't meet during her diagnosis or shortly before or after. They had already lived so much of their love story and were looking forward to decades more when cancer ripped that from them. Their shared history makes it all that more difficult to accept, for the characters and the audience. 

I liked that their history came through in their interactions. The memories conveyed, their roots, and their catch phrases made them feel so real as a couple.

At times, I did wish I could see more of Sam's character. I felt like he wasn't as open in the movie as Abby. Of course, she is the main focus, which could be why I felt like that. Still, I wish I could've seen more of his struggles with the diagnosis and the situation. Sometimes, it felt like he wasn't emotionally moved by what was happening like he should've been. I also don't know that the movie accurately depicted the true devastation, emotionally and physically, of cancer. The movie skipped over a lot of the heavy issues Abby would have been dealing with. I think this could have made it richer and more realistic.

I will say that this movie is very heavy, especially with the ending. It really makes you think about so much. Most of all, it made me think about time and how time with my husband is really the most important thing. 

If you're looking for a romantic drama with all the feels, check out Irreplaceable You on Netflix... but be sure you have some waterproof mascara and some comfort foods ready to go.

Have you watched this yet? What did you think? Comment below and let me know if you have any other Netflix recommendations!

I love Valentine's Day.

Not the commercialized, Hallmark-y version. Not because I think it's the only day of the year you should celebrate your loved ones.

In truth, I love it for this simple reason: I love pink and sparkles....and the stores are filled with pink and sparkles.

Okay, so that is the main reason I love the holiday. An excuse to make adorable pink cookies (that, let's be real, are usually burnt and gross, but it's the thought, right?) and a reason to buy glitter... since I was a little girl, it's been right up my alley.

However, as I get older, I've come to realize that Valentine's Day IS important, even though it gets a lot of negative publicity.

Over the years, my husband and I have been through quite a few different versions of Valentine's Day. We've done the traditional roses/candy/cards Valentine's Day. We've done the going out to eat for a candlelit dinner celebration. Our first year of marriage, we did the "we're on a majorly tight budget" and spent only $5 on each other while cooking at home. We've done the "we've-been-married-a-while-now-let's-get-massages-instead" Valentine's Day. We've done the Netflix and pizza celebration. 

We've changed our celebration for the day of love as we've changed, and I have good memories from all of them.

However, I've come to learn this over the years: Married or single, the beauty of Valentine's Day is simply the belief in the value of love.

I agree that the holiday has been over-commercialized, like so many things. Still, I think the power of the holiday is in the fact that we as a society still value love.

Love is something we often overlook in life. We get so busy making money, working on our careers, and just trying to keep up with life. We often forget to celebrate the most beautiful, most complex emotion around us.

And I'm not talking beautiful on the outside. As you know, I believe that it's the imperfect kind of love, the sometimes ugly-crying, messy versions that are the most beautiful.

But love is something that heightens our human experience, whether it be romantic love or any other type.

So this Valentine's Day, whether you're a proponent or an opponent of the holiday, I hope you'll take a minute to think about those you love in your life. I hope you'll take a moment to remember that the importance of the holiday is to take a moment and celebrate the emotion in all its forms in your own life. 

I hope you remember that Valentine's Day isn't about how much money you spend or putting on a big show one day a year. It's about remembering all year long how powerful love can be... and how it can bring a richer, fuller experience to our lives.

Happy Valentine's Day, however you celebrate,

XoXo,

Lindsay Detwiler

Head over to my Facebook Page to enter to win this awesome Valentine's Day Sweet Love Prize Pack!