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This episode originally aired 9/3/2024

If you’ve ever burned yourself out trying to make the holidays perfect, this episode will hit home. A Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth reminded me that joy doesn’t come from doing it all — it comes from slowing down and setting boundaries.

In this re-air from the What to Read Next vault, I revisit my conversation with author Morgan Elizabeth — queen of small-town, feel-good rom-coms with early-2000s movie vibes. Before our chat, I share my reflections on A Bright Side of Christmas, a story about Wren, a teacher who embodies the Christmas spirit but loses herself to people-pleasing and burnout. This one hit me hard because I’ve been there — learning that saying “no” can be an act of self-care.

Then, Morgan joins me to talk about her journey from blogger to bestselling rom-com author, her signature “vibes only” writing style, and why her books feel like pumpkin-spice-scented serotonin. If you’re craving small-town romance, pop-culture nostalgia, and cozy holiday feels, this episode is for you.

📚 Books Mentioned

A Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Small Town, Teacher/Grumpy Neighbor | KU ✅

Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Legally Blonde Vibes | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

Cruel Summer by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com | Mean Girls Inspired | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

Passenger Princess by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com | Grumpy Bodyguard / Road Trip | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

If This Was a Movie by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Friends to Lovers, Hallmark Vibes | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Enemies to Lovers | Audio ✅

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood — Buy on Amazon | STEMinist Romance | People-Pleaser Heroine | Audio ✅

Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Vacation Fling | Audio ✅

Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young — Buy on Amazon | Emotional Contemporary | Grumpy/Sunshine, Single Mom | Audio ✅

⏰ Timestamps & Topics

[00:00] — Why I’m re-airing this episode & my reflection on A Bright Side of Christmas

[02:00] — How Wren’s burnout reminded me of my own people-pleasing years

[04:00] — Morgan’s rom-com universe and the comfort of her small-town worlds

[06:00] — Morgan’s journey from mom blogger to full-time author

[08:00] — How “vibes-only” writing keeps her stories fun and cozy

[09:00] — Where new readers should start with Morgan’s books

[12:00] — The story behind Passenger Princess

[14:00] — Writing holiday romances with heart and humor

[15:00] — Morgan’s recent reads and author friends

[17:00] — Why both of us will defend New Jersey forever

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