This was the exact book I needed this week.
The kind of cozy, reflective read that feels like a warm blanket when the snow won’t stop falling (as we saw this week with the 20 inches we had dumped on us) and when the world feels a little too overwhelming (stay informed, but please also protect your mental health).
Love Walked In was the perfect companion and one I keep thinking about long after swiping to THE END.
One of the themes that stayed with me most was personal reflection. Both main characters, Mari and Leo, are carrying loss, and the way they move through that grief felt quietly honest.
Applause for a low-angst romance.
Leo is grieving the recent loss of his grandfather, who owned the family bookshop. His grandfather wasn’t just family… he was a guiding force. Leo spent much of his life making choices he thought would make his grandfather proud, even when those choices meant putting his own wants last.
And I think a lot of us can relate to that. (please tell me I’m not alone…)
How often do we make decisions for others? For family expectations, for responsibility, for what feels “right” on paper, while quietly shelving our own desires?
Mari’s story hit me just as deeply. She has her dream job, yet she still carries the hurt of her childhood. Books… and the bookshop… were her refuge. Her safe place. And while she thrives professionally, she’s cautious, even avoidant, when it comes to taking risks in her personal life.
Books were her escape.
But the “real world”? That felt much harder.
I don’t think I’m alone in seeing myself in that. (again, please don’t leave me out here on my own…)
Reading Love Walked In felt especially aligned with what we’re exploring this month inside The Alignment Edit.
For years, I filled my calendar completely. Every obligation. Every responsibility. Every “should.” And then I’d get frustrated… angry, even… that I had no time.
No time for the extra family moments I wanted.
No time to take care of my physical health.
No time to rest.
That cycle sent me into overwhelm more times than I can count. And while I’m much better now, I’ll be honest… I still have days where I have to work my way back out of it.
Here’s what I’ve learned uncomfortably, and definitely imperfectly in my 40’s.
If you don’t take time for yourself…
If you don’t make space to heal…
You won’t be able to grow.
You won’t finish the book.
You won’t create the project.
You won’t show up as the best version of yourself.
Self-Love doesn’t just walk in.
Sometimes, you have to clear space for it.
If this post has you nodding along, I’d love to invite you to join us this month for The Alignment Edit.
Together, we’re…
looking at our calendars honestly,
identifying what’s supporting our goals,
and gently releasing what isn’t.
It’s not about doing more.
It’s about making space for what matters.
✨ For just $7/month, your upgrade gives you access to…
our monthly mini challenge (sent February 9th-15th)
ongoing creative and mindset support (ask me anything in the chat)
and helps us donate a book to a local women’s shelter
Your creativity deserves time.
Your healing deserves space.
And your story deserves to be lived… not rushed.
If Love Walked In taught me anything, it’s this… growth begins when we finally choose ourselves.
Melissa
The Literary Assistant
If you’re reading this, I know you care about literature.
And one of the reasons I love reading is because stories hold a mirror up to our lives—sometimes more gently than advice ever could. Seeing characters navigate grief, identity, and desire reminds us we’re not broken for struggling. We’re human.
If you love that intersection of books and self-reflection, I highly recommend checking out Emma Hemingford over at Fictional Therapy. Her tagline says it all…
Your literary agony aunt. I solve your problems with advice from classic books.
It’s thoughtful, insightful, and such a beautiful example of how stories help us understand ourselves. Give Emma a follow!
Upcoming WORKSHOPS
A practical workshop for authors who want to use Substack to build readers, share their work, and earn income sustainably.
Substack is one of the fastest-growing platforms for writers—and for good reason. It allows authors to build genuine relationships with readers, share work on their own terms, and earn income through paid subscriptions.
But many authors hesitate to start because they’re unsure what to post, how often to show up, or how Substack fits into an already full creative life.
This 90-minute virtual workshop is designed to change that.
Led by author–publisher Colin Mustful and author’s assistant and newsletter strategist Melissa Makarewicz (hey, that’s me!), this session combines the creator’s perspective with behind-the-scenes implementation expertise—giving you both clarity and practical systems.
Learn how to design a reader journey that naturally turns curiosity into connection.
This workshop walks you through the five key stages of an author sales funnel—Discovery, Connection, Nurture, Conversion, and Retention—and helps you map a system that fits your creative rhythm. I’ll be drawing on my experience helping authors build authentic, sustainable marketing strategies, this session provides clear steps to attract and retain readers. Whether you’re launching your first book or refining your existing outreach, you’ll gain practical strategies to create a funnel that sells.
Register individually as a standalone event or gain access to the Zoom link with a paid subscription to Colin Mustful’s Substack.
You're not alone.
You’re not alone.