The Kiss Countdown

The Love Simulation

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

When it came time for our family to start packing for our summer trip — a week in Oahu — there was one item in particular I had to give serious thought to: which book did I want to bring with me on vacation?

I had finished reading a novel two days before our trip. Which meant I had to make sure the book I packed, the book that would take up valuable carry-on space, would be a book that would grab my attention and not let go until the last page. A book that would distract me and keep me entertained while flying. A book that would keep me company as I looked up from the page every now and again, to gaze out at the endless Pacific Ocean, marveling at the many shades of blue. 

I couldn’t just randomly grab a book from my stack of not-yet-read books. Generally I alternate between fiction (lately rom-coms) and nonfiction (usually a memoir). I had just finished a novel; however, I broke my own rule and decided I needed a romantic comedy with me on the trip. A feel good story with a guaranteed happy ending. A book that wasn’t a question mark in any way. I didn’t want to take a chance and hope I would like this new book. I wanted a book I was certain to enjoy.

From the dozens of unread books I have at home, I chose The Love Simulation by Etta Easton. (You may remember I wrote about how much I enjoyed Ms. Easton’s debut novel, The Kiss Countdown. In case you missed it, you can click here to read that blog post.)

The Love Simulation was everything I hoped it would be. 

During our trip, we visited a spacious Barnes and Noble, and of course, I couldn’t leave without purchasing a book. While I roamed around the store and picked up several different titles, I decided to maintain the romance theme. I purchased Heidi Shertok’s Unorthodox Love. Though now that we’re home, I’m in the middle of reading a memoir, so Ms. Shertok’s rom-com will need to wait a bit. But I like knowing it’s here. As an added bonus, I felt quite proud to be supporting an African-American author and a Jewish author.  

Now my question for you, dear readers — what’s your decision-making process like when it comes time to pack a book for a trip? Do you bring physical books or e-books? Or, do you not read books at all and instead opt for magazines? I’d love to know. Feel free to share in the comments. 

Please note: I am including a link to buy the book that I’m highlighting this week. If you use my link, I do make a small commission on your purchase at no additional cost to you. I am working with Bookshop.org which also sends a portion of the profit to support local, independent bookstores.

The Kiss Countdown

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

Has this ever happened to you? 

You find out about a new book. Maybe you saw it advertised in a magazine or included in an email from Bookshop.org. You do the thing we’re not “supposed” to do and make a judgment call based on the cover and/or title and/or author. You add the book to your ever-growing, want-to-read list on Goodreads. You’re on a a bookstore date with one of your closest friends, you see the book on the shelf, and decide to purchase it, because it seems wrong to go into an independent bookstore and not buy at least one book. But then the book sits on your shelf for a bit, because you have such high hopes for the book, you don’t want to be disappointed. You want the book to be everything you’re hoping for. 

Or is that just me?

That was the situation for me and The Kiss Countdown, a debut romance written by Etta Easton. 

The main reason I was so excited by this book? Because it features an astronaut. 

And friends, if you didn’t know, for most of my childhood (pretty much all the years between fourth grade and eleventh grade), I dreamed of becoming a United States astronaut. 

The Kiss Countdown was so enjoyable. So good, in fact, that after I finished reading it, I immediately went online to learn more about the author. And I was super excited to learn that Ms. Easton’s second contemporary romance, The Love Simulation, will be published on March 4th, 2025. 

The chemistry and the romance between Amerie and our astronaut, Vincent, was a delight to read. At the same time, this book is more than the romantic story of a woman and a man. The book also deals with the power of female friendships, of adult children worrying about their aging parents especially when one parent has a serious chronic illness, and it explores the struggles involved with entrepreneurship.  

As a result, for this week’s blog, I’m sharing some of my non-romance favorite parts:

“Gina runs her thumb over my forehead to smooth out the frown. ‘Nuh-uh, none of that. How can you say all those sweet things about me but then deny what’s plain to see about yourself? You are a diamond; you’ve just forgotten how bright you can shine. Don’t worry, we’ll get you there.’ ”  (This exchange is between our main character, Amerie, and her best friend, Gina.)

“Gina’s words pierce through me. Who is the old Amerie? It’s like I’ve been in survival mode for so long. I don’t remember what anything else feels like. Sure, I’m good at putting on a convincing genial face, but most days are still a struggle.”

“ ‘Amerie, I’d watch you sit across the room like you were in a trance, only to go to the restroom and come out with bloodshot eyes from crying behind closed doors. I realized that we never taught you it’s okay to be vulnerable. You don’t have to be strong for me. You don’t have to hold in the fear that you’ll lose me so tightly that it suffocates you.’ ” (This is Amerie’s mom speaking to her.) 

“ ‘How do you and Daddy do it?’ I ask.
“ ‘Do what?’
“ ‘Live and love so freely, knowing your time together may be limited.’ I hate to acknowledge out loud the reality of my mom’s health, but I have to know.
“ ‘When it comes down to it, your dad taught me that our love has to be bigger than our fears.’ She smiles like a woman waking up on her wedding day. ‘I never thought I’d get married and have a beautiful family, but your dad is stubborn. He wouldn’t let me push him away, and here we are thirty years later. And make no mistake, as hard as some of them have been, they’ve all been good. Tomorrow isn’t promised for any of us, Amerie. My health just serves as a daily reminder.’ “

Please note: I am including a link to buy the book that I’m highlighting this week. If you use my link, I do make a small commission on your purchase at no additional cost to you. I am working with Bookshop.org which also sends a portion of the profit to support local, independent bookstores.