Hi friend, and welcome to the Journal. I am so glad you found your way here, whether you are a friend, family, or a complete stranger who judged a book by its cover — like I do — and thought mine was worth picking up.
If we were sitting down together, I would probably start by telling you that growing up, being a wife and mother and the creative arts were neck and neck for my biggest passions. In college I tried both music and writing, and I eventually chose writing, thinking I would go into publishing, a bit like Maeve. God has a special way of turning my plans into His, though. I met my husband during the height of COVID, and six and a half years later we are married with two daughters and two dogs, who are my life. I have always loved anything artsy, and just recently, my love of writing reemerged — hence where we are now.
You will find bits and pieces of me in every character here, by the way. No one character is completely me, or completely anyone else. They are just different parts of me and my life, mashed up into my imaginative world. And in case you were wondering, I have never actually lived in Austin — I have visited a couple of times and loved it, and it is a lot easier to make things up about. Making this based in Dallas would feel strange.
That is what I want this Journal to be: a cozy window into my heart, and a real connection between us, outside of social media. A place where I can share the story behind the stories, in small, unhurried pieces.
What you will find here
Launch news when there is something real to celebrate, honest writing updates on Books 2, 3, and 4, and spoiler-free notes on the Austin of the books and the people in it. I will also share public notes about events and bookstores, whenever there is something true and confirmed to tell you. Recipes and bonus scenes are starting now, with the London Fog drink and the Chapter 1 sneak peek already here, and more to come as I have them ready. If you are just starting out, begin on the Book 1 page, meet Maeve and Alistair, then meet the whole Morning Set and explore the Book 1 map.
What you will not find here
You will not find spoilers here, and you will not find dates for Books 2, 3, and 4. Those books are coming soon, and I mean that in the kindest, most honest way: they are in progress, and I will not promise a date before I know I can keep it. I would rather write slowly and well than rush a book you deserve to love. No prices here either, or a hard sell. These are clean, slow-burn romances, where friendship matters just as much as falling in love.
A note on letters
You may also hear about Letters from Gabriella, now and then, when I have something worth sharing. A letter is something I send to your inbox, not a post to browse here, and it will link to the Journal posts from that month, so you get one email instead of a flurry of them. The Journal itself is here whenever you visit, whether you subscribe or not.
So pour yourself something cozy, take your time, and look around. I am so glad you are here, and I cannot wait to share what comes next with you.
With all my thanks, Gabriella
