A Note from Susan:
Hello Kristy fans,
Susan Wiggs here—and oh my stars and little catfish, I am thrilled to be writing to you today as a fan and long distance friend of Kristy Woodson Harvey. Kristy, you’ve outdone yourself—again! Beach House Rules should come with a warning label: “May cause binge reading, emotional outbursts, and urgent group texts to your book club.” What a joy it’s been to see this heartfelt, twisty, sun-drenched novel taking over beach bags everywhere.
There’s something magical about discovering a story that makes you laugh, cry, and call your best friend to say, “You HAVE to read this.” That’s the real power of books—and readers like you make it all happen.
That’s why I’m especially excited to share my new novel, Wayward Girls, probably the most unusual book I’ve ever written. Beginning in 1968 and spanning decades, it follows a group of girls locked away in a so-called “reform school” run by nuns, where rules are rigid, secrets run deep, and escape is not just an option—it’s survival. Think “Sister Act” meets “The Shawshank Redemption,” with friendship bracelets and a roar of rebellion. It’s about justice, resilience, sisterhood—and the stories we refuse to let die. I wrote it for anyone who ever felt powerless… and found her strength anyway.
If you love rooting for brave women, unbreakable bonds, and underdogs who rise up, I’d be honored if you gave it a read—or even recommended it to a friend. Libraries, bookstores, audiobooks—every request and every mention helps stories like this find their way into the hands of the people who need them most.
So thank you, from the bottom of my author heart, for reading, sharing, reviewing, and spreading the word. You are the real literary influencers!
Wishing you a joyful summer filled with great books and great company—fictional or otherwise.
With love and gratitude,
Susan
How fun is it to have a note from a favorite author just for us? Happy, happy pub day, dear Susan! And I also want to wish a very happy pub day to my fab friend Lisa Scottoline for The Unraveling of Julia, which I called “pulse-pounding, propulsive, and utterly unputdownable,” and one of my very favorite poets, David Gate for his debut book of poetry, A Rebellion of Care. David’s work is emotional and breathtaking, and this book is a must-have! I’ll be talking more about all of these over on Instagram!
I’m Turning 40 Tomorrow!
I know… I can’t believe it! Wow, time flies. If you know me, you know I LOVE a birthday, so, a whole new decade? Well, let’s just say we’ll be celebrating extra big! I’ll share some pics and fun stories next week, but rest assured we’ll be celebrating all week. Bring on the cake! (And champagne, of course!)
Beach House Rules in Writer’s Digest:
I am SO happy and so fortunate that Beach House Rules, my latest summer novel, has been featured in so many of my favorite publications! Check out this interview with Writer’s Digest, where I chat about the role of social media and public opinion in Beach House Rules, my advice for other writers, and so much more.
Behind the Scenes of my 2026 Novel:
I hope you’re enjoying Beach House Rules! And… if you’ve already read it, I hope you’re looking forward to 2026 like I am! I am working away on my next novel, and so excited to share all about it in the coming weeks and months. But, for now, a little tidbit: We’ll be heading back to Cape Carolina and visiting some old favorites from Under the Southern Sky! This book isn’t a sequel, but you will definitely see some familiar faces, which is always so much fun to me! Stay tuned!
This Week on Friends & Fiction:
Join us Wednesday, July 16th at 7pm Eastern on the F&F Facebook page and YouTube channel as Mary Kay Andrews & Ron Block welcome beloved New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani to discuss The View from Lake Como, her new novel about one woman’s quest to build her own life before it’s too late.
xoxo Kristy
