Today’s the day! I finally get to share the cover for Jessica’s New Beginning, the second book in my Starting Over Trilogy, coming March 3, 2026. This story picks up where Emily’s Next Chapter left off (okay, there is a bit of overlap), and I can’t wait for you to step into Jessica’s world with me.
Why the Wait Until 2026?
Since Emily’s Next Chapter was released in May 2025, my life has been filled with whirlwind excitement. I’ve been on the road with more than 25 events and book signings since May, with 10 more still to go before year’s end. Connecting with readers face-to-face has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and I want to give these events the time and energy they deserve.
And then there’s the Midwest winter. With snow, ice, and bitter cold, December through February isn’t exactly ideal for a book tour. So, I’m giving myself a little breather, letting the anticipation build, and coming back refreshed in early spring.
Why Presales Matter
If everything goes to plan, presales will open January 6, 2026. Preordering might not seem like a big deal, but for authors, it’s huge. Every preorder counts toward release-week sales, which helps a book reach more readers. If you already know you’ll be reading Jessica’s New Beginning, ordering early is one of the best ways to support the book (and me).
What the Story is About
So, what’s in store for Jessica?
After the unraveling of her relationship with Lucas, the father of her daughter and the man she thought she’d spend forever with, Jessica has poured her heart into two things: raising Lily and building her career as a physical therapist. She’s proud of what she’s accomplished, but the ache of loneliness still lingers.
Enter Will: a teacher, widower, and father of two who carries his own quiet grief. His wife died five years ago, and while he’s carefully worked toward healing, he hasn’t dared to open himself up to love, until now. Their connection is instant, undeniable, and complicated.
Jessica soon learns that falling for Will means facing more than her own hesitations. His daughter, Sophie, struggles with the fear of losing her mother’s memory. And just as Jessica begins to see a future with Will, she is dealt an unbearable personal loss that threatens to upend everything.
As grief collides with the fragile beginnings of love, Jessica must decide if opening her heart again is worth the risk. Can Will’s late wife’s letters provide the hope and strength they both need?
Why This Book Matters to Me
The Starting Over Trilogy has always been about second chances, at love, at life, and at finding yourself again when the path ahead feels uncertain. Jessica’s New Beginning carries that theme forward, showing how messy, painful, and beautiful those chances can be.
Jessica’s journey is one of resilience and rediscovery, a reminder that it’s okay to lean on others while carving out a future of your own. My hope is to continue exploring these themes through book three, which I plan to release in fall 2026, so that the trilogy as a whole feels like a full-circle story about what it truly means to begin again.
What’s Next
For now, I hope you’ll celebrate this cover reveal with me. It feels like the next step in an incredible journey that began with Emily’s Next Chapter. Mark your calendars for January 6, 2026, when presales go live, and March 3, 2026, when Jessica’s story officially arrives in your hands.
In the meantime, I’ll be at more events through the end of the year, meeting readers, signing books, and sharing my love of storytelling. Thank you for being part of this adventure. Without your support, none of this would be possible.
PS… want to help share the news? Please engage with today’s Instagram post! Comments, likes, and shares can help create amazing visibility!