Lily Writes

One year ago this week, I stepped away from my second—maybe third—career. It’s never easy to release an identity you’ve worn for years, or a work family you’ve shown up for day after day. The hardest part isn’t the leaving itself—it’s the moment you finally admit it’s time.

Once that decision is made, though, something shifts. You stop pushing upstream and begin moving with the current. Energy aligns differently. Possibilities open.

Remaining friends with my former work family—without the deadlines, urgency, and chaos—has been a gift. I still worry about not being there when things get hard, but I know their strength. I trust their leadership. They are resilient, intelligent, compassionate—the best kind of humans.

Each year, I create a list—not goals, but experiences, highlights, creative intentions. The length of the list matches the last two digits of the new year. That means 2026 gets 26.

I have my personal list, but this one? This one is for the writer in me.

Here’s what I’m inviting into 2026:

1. An unreliable narrator—because truth is slippery and perspective matters.
2. M/M romance—heart-forward, emotional, and unapologetic.
3. Holiday romance: Christmas—cozy, tender, and full of magic.
4. Holiday romance: Valentine’s Day—featuring Katie’s red-haired neighbor and a tiny, curvy chihuahua with opinions.
5. Holiday romance: Halloween—spooky vibes, sweet chemistry.
6. Mafia romance: Luca’s story—a hero with aphasia and a fierce heart.
7. Mafia romance: Matteo’s story—forced marriage, enemies to lovers, fire everywhere.
8. Finish Clandestine—Yes, Chef. No excuses.
9. A chaotic rom-com starring Diana Knox—mayhem required.
10. Small-town brothers matchmaking rom-com—Lysander, Hamlet, and Oberon (Ophelia’s brothers).
11. Rock star romance: Tavish Dean—music, longing, obsession.
12. Rock star romance: Marissa Manetch—spotlight, sacrifice, love.
13. Curves series—Charlotte, Rylan, and Monodine take center stage.
14. Single mom romance series—Alicia Hain Jackson and Taylor Monroe finding love on their own terms.
15. Hades’ Hounds of Hell series—Mars, Plutone, Ares, Apollo (good boys, all of them).
16. Protectors series (Xavier’s men)—Zero, Falcon, Hunter.
17. Beaumont Next Generation series—Mikhail, Elijah, Pavel, Mila, Yulia, Aurora Elise, Vesper, Benjamin, Nicholas, Adam, Carlo, Ava, Olivia, Thomas, Hope Graves.
18. Riders Next Generation series—Tucker, Raven Wing Rider, Lark Song Rider, Orchid Moon, Ashwin Rider, Jay Fire Rider, Birdie Bear Rider, Sunshine (ZeeZee’s).
19. Loose Lake Women series—second chances, broken hearts healing, freedom reclaimed.
20. Deer Falls series—a honeymoon-haven PR campaign goes hilariously wrong; accidental love everywhere.
21. Armstrong Stunt Ranch series—behind-the-scenes romances in Montana where movie stars train and fall hard.
22. Seraphi other-world sci-fi romance—stars, destiny, longing.
23. Shifter romance—because sometimes instinct knows first.
24. Dakota House series—yes, that sex club.
25. Rescued injured wolf story—she’s not just a wolf… and she’s definitely his mate.
26. Road-trip enemies-to-lovers romance—chaotic cross-country travel, small-town matchmakers, and a hard-earned HEA.

Here’s to new paths, creative joy, and stories that won’t leave me alone until they’re told.