Since the very first book event I attended as an author, I noticed something. Readers would pick up holiday-ish books from authors who had them for sale. And then I started talking to other independent authors, and they would almost look at me in shock (or maybe something more like, Are you serious?) when they found out I hadn’t written a holiday romance yet.
So, I did some thinking. I asked some of my reader friends. And then I looked at my own reading habits and was suddenly like, Ann, why don’t you write a holiday book?
Fast forward to this past December. I had dinner with two friends I met through the Minnesota Bookstagram community. And I asked them: Should I write a holiday book? And if so, what should it be about?
They had ideas.
One of the best was about a dog who would help bring a couple together.
So, I did more thinking. And finally, an idea started percolating.
Now, if you know me, you know that I love dogs. I’ve had many dogs as part of my family over the years. Unfortunately, allergies and different life circumstances mean I’m now a dog grandma, not a dog mom, but I still love dogs.
So, it should come as no surprise that when I’m on social media, I love scrolling through dog-related content. Some of my favorite videos are those obviously AI-generated animal shelter scenes where the dog gets to choose the human.
Now, we all know that isn’t how things work. (Though if there is a real-life animal shelter like this… woo-hoo!)
But in my fictional storyland, why couldn’t it work this way?
And So, A Pawsitively Merry Meet Cute Was Born
Once I had the idea, I started writing. And the words started flowing.
In my first-ever holiday romance, coming out October 6, 2026, two lonely adults, Betsy and Drew, both decide they need a dog for companionship. So, they end up at the same animal shelter on the same day.
But the “choosing session” doesn’t go quite as planned.
A lovable and sweet golden retriever named Einstein, who has refused to choose his forever home in the past, decides he likes Betsy. And Drew. In fact, he likes them both.
This poses a unique situation for the animal shelter manager, especially when both Betsy and Drew want Einstein to come home with them. So, she suggests a dog share.
And, well, that’s about all I’m going to tell you about A Pawsitively Merry Meet Cute because if you want to know what happens next, you’re going to have to read it for yourself.
I will tell you this, though. I’m super proud of this story.
I love how it starts. I love how it ends. I love the fictional town of Holiday Springs, Montana, that I created for the story. I love Einstein. I love Betsy and Drew. I love everything about it.
And I hope you’ll love it, too.
Preorders Are Available Now!
So, where am I going with all of this?
I want to share that preorders for A Pawsitively Merry Meet Cute are available now.
For those of you who don’t know, preorders can be incredibly helpful for independent authors because they boost early sales numbers around a book’s release.
Sure, I’d love to land on a bestseller list. What author wouldn’t?
But more importantly, I’d love to get this book in front of more readers. Every preorder, purchase, library request, review, and recommendation can help introduce Einstein, Betsy, and Drew to someone new.
If you’d like to preorder, you can choose whichever bookseller you prefer:
- Order from Bookshop.org (don’t forget to add your preferred bookstore)
- Order from Barnes & Noble
- Order from Books-A-Million
- Order on Amazon
And don’t worry, A Pawsitively Merry Meet Cute will be available on eReader platforms, too.
Wherever you choose to order, I appreciate it immensely. Every single reader who chooses to spend a little time in Holiday Springs means more to me than I can say.
Don’t Forget Your Local Library
Oh, and if you’re library-friendly, please request A Pawsitively Merry Meet Cute from your local library!
Library orders are another wonderful way to get books into the hands of more readers, and I would absolutely love to see Einstein finding his way onto library shelves.
Here’s the information your library may need:
- A Pawsitively Merry Meet Cute
- Available through Ingram
- ISBN: 979-8-9909551-3-4
- Retail price: $17.95
- Release date: October 6, 2026
Thank You to All My Readers and Supporters
Thank you to everyone who has supported my books, shared my posts, attended my events, recommended my stories, or simply cheered me on along the way.
I can’t wait for you to meet Einstein. And Betsy and Drew, too, of course.
But let’s be honest. Einstein is probably going to steal the show.