Leave It Up To Love
- Judith D Collins
- Mar 16
- 4 min read
A Short Story
Narrators: Jorjeana Marie; Courtney Patterson
Brilliance Publishing
ISBN:9781511388078
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Publication Date:
Format: Auido & e-book
My Rating: 5 Stars
From New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey comes a funny, feel-good tale—a seaside romp about chasing dreams, losing illusions, and writing your own story.
Ready for her big break after publishing her first novel, Lila Everwood has two fresh book ideas and dreams of quitting her barista job. She’s hopeful about her future—until her writing catches her literary idol’s attention in all the wrong ways.
Elizabeth Lancaster, the queen of regency romance, hasn’t written a word in three years. Her publisher’s solution? A ghostwriter. Specifically, her favorite coffee server. It’s either brilliance or madness—and her literary agent son Grady thinks it’s definitely the latter.
As the ideas begin to fly, so do the sparks—between Lila and Grady. And, as Lila’s and Elizabeth’s worlds collide, the two writers must lean on each other, learning something vital in the process: In life, love, and publishing, sometimes you have to write your own happy ending.
From the Publisher
In the mood for a story about following your dreams with a side of bookish romance? When aspiring writer Lila accidentally crosses her idol, bestselling author Elizabeth Lancaster, it seems like disaster—until Elizabeth’s charming agent son Grady proposes a ghostwriting deal. What starts as professional necessity becomes personal transformation as Lila reignites Elizabeth’s creative spark while finding her own bestselling success—and unexpected love. Fans of Emily Henry will love this one!
—Emily Freidenrich, Editor
My Review
Kristy Woodson Harvey, one of my favorite authors, is back with a charming short story that will surely capture your heart. In her delightful novella, LEAVE IT UP TO LOVE, we meet Lila Everwood, a determined yet struggling writer who finds herself in an unexpected role as a ghostwriter for her literary idol, the deeply grieving author Elizabeth Lancaster.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of a North Carolina coastal town, the story beautifully weaves together themes of creativity and healing. Lila steps into Elizabeth's world, helping the talented author navigate the heavy fog of writer's block that shrouds her after personal loss. As Lila dives into this creative partnership, she not only discovers her own voice but also develops a close connection with Grady, Elizabeth’s charming son. Their relationship blossoms amidst the backdrop of literary aspirations and emotional growth.
This cozy novella is rich in character and brimming with heart, inviting readers on a journey of romance, mentorship, and the triumph of spirit in the face of adversity. It’s a story that reminds us of the power of love and creativity to heal and inspire.
Highlights...
The Struggling Debut:
Lila Everwood has published one novel that didn't perform well, forcing her to work as a barista while pitching new ideas to her publisher.
The Idol’s Block:
Elizabeth Lancaster, the "Queen of Regency Romance," has not written a word in three years following the death of her husband.
The Ghostwriting Deal:
Facing pressure from her publisher, Elizabeth is forced to hire a ghostwriter. Her publisher chooses Lila—who is actually Elizabeth's favorite barista—because their writing stcozy feel bood story yles are remarkably similar.
The Skeptical Agent:
Grady, Elizabeth’s son and literary agent, is initially highly skeptical of the arrangement and fears it will be a disaster for his mother’s legacy.
Creative and Romantic Sparks:
As Lila and Elizabeth begin to collaborate, they help each other rediscover their creative voices. Simultaneously, a romantic tension develops between Lila and Grady.
The Resolution:
The collaboration becomes a transformative experience for both women. Lila achieves her own professional success while helping Elizabeth overcome her grief and writer's block, leading to a "happy ending" for everyone involved.
My thoughts...
LEAVE IT UP TO LOVE is a charming and feel-good story with a picturesque NC seaside setting. We meet two authors, both not knowing they need one another. A delightful story of reflection, chasing dreams, and unexpected opportunities.
The fun, feel-good vibe and atmosphere are uplifting, filled with humor and positive vibes, with its small-town charm and well-developed characters. A story within a story which keeps you engaged while focusing on the "magic" of unlikely friendships.
A reflective tale centered on themes of perseverance and finding one's voice after a loss while exploring the deeper emotions of grief, self-confidence, and second chances.
The audiobook...
Immerse yourself in a captivating short story that encapsulates the rich storytelling depth found in KWH's full-length novels. This enchanting tale is brought to life through an audiobook featuring the mesmerizing narration of two beloved voices, Jorjeana Marie and Courtney Patterson. Their dynamic performances create an unforgettable listening experience, inviting you to journey into the narrative's vibrant world and feel each emotion as it unfolds.
The core takeaway of LEAVE IT UP TO YOU is that your voice matters, even when you feel overshadowed by your heroes. The story highlights three main lessons: healing through creativity and second chances.
Ultimately, it’s a reminder that vulnerability is the key to both great writing and great love. A huge long-time fan, I highly recommend all KWH's novels and short stories.
Special thanks to Brilliance Publishing, Amazon Original Stories, and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Mar 1, 2026
About the Author
Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of a dozen novels, including Summer State of Mind, Beach House Rules, and the Peachtree Bluff series. Two of her titles—A Happier Life and The Summer of Songbirds—are in development for film and TV. Along with accolades from Good Morning America, Southern Living, Katie Couric, and JoAnna Garcia Swisher, she’s won the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing and was a finalist for the Southern Book Prize.
Kristy graduated summa cum laude from UNC-Chapel Hill’s school of journalism and has a master’s in English from East Carolina University. Her writing has appeared in Southern Living, Parade, and USA Today. She’s the cocreator and cohost of Friends & Fiction, a hit web show and podcast, and cofounder of the award-winning Design Chic website with her mom, Beth Woodson. She lives with her husband, son, and dog, Salt, on the North Carolina coast, where she’s always at work on her next novel. WEBSITE
