Almost There: 11 Days Until Wherever You Will Go Launches

In just 11 days, my new historical novel Wherever You Will Go will finally be out in the world. I’m excited. I’m nervous. And I’m so grateful.

This book has been one of the most emotional journeys I’ve taken as a writer—full of ups, downs, surprises, and some very late nights wrapped in a duvet (more on that in a bit). But today I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what it’s taken to get here, and to thank you for being part of it.

Writing the Past into Life

To tell this story, I had to travel—figuratively—back to post-war London and the Caribbean. I’ve read historical records, listened to oral histories, and followed the threads of women’s lives who, like my heroine Essie, had the courage to leave everything behind in search of something better.

Wherever You Will Go is set in the late 1940s and is deeply rooted in the experience of the Windrush Generation. But at its heart, it’s a story about love, legacy, and difficult decisions. It's about what we carry—and what we choose to leave behind.

Finding the Right Flavour

One of the biggest challenges was finding the right tone. I didn’t want to write just a love story. I wanted to explore identity, motherhood, and the hidden stories of women who were often overlooked.

There were moments I worried. Is this working? Is it too much? Not enough? But then I’d read a passage, or step into Essie’s world again, and feel it: this is the story I was meant to tell.

When the Sound Booth is Your Blanket Fort

One of the most surreal, and honestly, funny, parts of this journey was recording the audiobook. I was supposed to use a professional studio. Twice. But both times, background noise made the recordings unusable.

So, I did what any determined author would do—I built my own makeshift studio. In the dead of night, when the world was quiet, I’d squeeze into a small space, cocooned in duvets and blankets, and record the audiobook in chunks. Sometimes I’d lose my voice. Sometimes I’d forget how to pronounce a name I invented. But in the end, I got it done. It was uncomfortable, intense—and incredibly satisfying.

Learning to Market With Heart

I’ve always found marketing a bit daunting. But this time, I’ve leaned into it—connecting directly with readers, sharing sneak peeks, and learning (slowly!) how to talk about my work without cringing.

I won’t pretend it’s been easy. But knowing there are readers out there who love historical fiction as much as I do makes every effort worth it. If you’re one of those readers—thank you.

Already Dreaming of Book 2…

While I wait to share Wherever You Will Go with you, I’ve already written over 20,000 words of Book 2 in the series. This next book will follow a new lead, Alice, as she unearths secrets from the past and wrestles with her own identity in a rapidly changing world.

Early days—but I’m loving the direction it’s going.

Thank You for Being Here

Some of you have been with me since Holding Paradise. Others discovered Lovers and stayed. And some of you might be brand new, just curious about this upcoming novel about a woman’s journey through history, family, and love. However you got here, I’m so glad you came.

If you want a free novella that introduces you to the world of Wherever You Will Go, sneak peeks and looks behind the scene, make sure you’re signed up to my newsletter!

Wherever You Will Go. Just 11 days to go!