This is my mama. My OG bestie, the one who has been cheering me on since before I was born, the one who had so. many. rules. but made it so I could always tell her anything and everything. Literally, the best mom, the best friend, then, now, and always. And I have to tell you a funny story about her…

I’m on tour for SUMMER STATE OF MIND right now all the way across the country in Washington, so I can’t celebrate with my mom in real life, but she is every amazing mom I ever write. But the first book I ever wrote, DEAR CAROLINA, featured a not-so-amazing mom.

And when it was about to come out, my mom said: “Everyone is going to think that terrible mother is me!” And I said, “Mom, it’s fiction. No one is going to think that.”

So, fast forward to the first event I have for DEAR CAROLINA. Everyone is proud and excited, and I am soooo nervous. But my talk goes great. People laugh. They seem engaged. And then it’s time for Q&A.

The very first hand shoots up. And the very first question: “Is the mom in the book based on your mom?”

Of course, this woman has no idea my mom is in the audience. And Mom sends me that patented I told you so mom look from the back row. Oops! What can I say? Mom is always right! We still laugh about that one!

This book, SUMMER STATE OF MIND, features all types of moms. Birth moms, surrogate moms, aunts-who-feel-like-moms, dog moms, women who cheerlead us, and, I mean, yeah, bad moms, too. Because they’re out there and that’s just the truth of the whole thing.

Today, I want to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all the women out there who love us, who cheer for us, who make us who we are, even if it isn’t in the traditional “mother” sense of the word. And, for those out there for whom this day is a little harder, I’m holding you extra close in my heart today.

If you don’t have Mother’s Day plans yet, stop by and see Marie Bostwick and me in Gig Harbor, WA at Invitation Book Shop at 4:30! Tomorrow, I’ll be in Seattle at Red Ticking and then in Coronado, CA. Check out my whole tour schedule here!

Mother’s Day has always felt to me like one of those holidays that carries so much more than flowers and cards. It’s about the women who shaped us, the ones we’re still becoming, and the stories that live between generations.

If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift, I can’t think of anything more meaningful than a story shared.

Maybe it’s for your mom.
Maybe it’s for your daughter.
Maybe it’s for a friend who’s been everything to you in different seasons of life.
Or maybe—just maybe—it’s for YOU. (Trust me, you deserve a treat!)

If Summer State of Mind finds its way into your Mother’s Day plans, it would mean the world to me.

Get in a SUMMER STATE OF MIND!

Tour Stops Coming Up!

Tonight, I’ll be in Gig Harbor, WA with my friend Marie Bostwick to celebrate Mother’s Day! Hooray! Come hang out with us—and bring your mom. Registration is free!

Tomorrow, Monday, I’ll be at Red Ticking in Seattle. It is gorgeous, and I can’t wait to see it in real life!

Tuesday, I have a private luncheon in San Diego and then will be at the Coronado Library with Adventures by the Book on Tuesday evening.

Wednesday, I get to go home for a couple days to regroup and un-jetlag, I hope! And then I have several more NC and SC events. I’d love to see you there!

Thank you for ALL your support of SUMMER STATE OF MIND so far! I am so very grateful!