171 Comments

Someone get this woman in a writers’ room now!!! This bookstore will be Netflix famous soon, mark my words🥳

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down to watch a series about this bookstore not gonna lie

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Sames x

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I was literally just thinking: “she’s going to sell film rights from her substack” then I read your comment. It’s only a matter of time!

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I had the SAME exact thought. And I hope really so!

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Hi! I'm a new reader. The way your words make me feel as though I'm *right there* is so powerful. Thank you for this. Your storytelling is the best kind of escapism.

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My hot husband had ex's (still) calling, texting, and flirting after we were married. I finally stomped my feet and said no more. Yeah, he's got the hotness factor and upper hand in our marriage. Each time he walks through our door I remind myself that his hotness is even more steamy on the inside. I'm the luckiest 65-year old woman ever, to have landed his hotness at 62! Great read, I loved it! Thanks for your work.

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I doubt if I’m a hot husband but I hope my wife says words like these when I’m not around.

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God. I didn’t know I was waiting for this, but I really really was! I adore this bookstore, thank you for making my morning full of laughter and on the lookout for anything ‘hot’ ha!

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The mildew sweater!!! I’m dying!!!!

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Maybe the girlfriend gave him the smelly sweater and he's only wearing it to be polite.

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Ok, ok. So, we agreed on your last post on an 8 character contemporary romance bookshop series. How can I support you in this? Virtual co-work? Early reader? Regular boxes of maple syrup shipped direct from Canada? You name it, I’ll do it.

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Taylor Swift tickets, Amanda. The lottery was not kind to me.

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Well, I mean, that feels like a comparable trade.

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I mean, we could go TOGETHER. I’m not a monster!

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Wait, wait, I need to get TWO tickets now? I mean, I was willing to give a kidney to this series, but I need the other one.

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This is where my head went to as well. Clearly previously-hot coffee guy is a big part of the film!

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Because I'm old I had to google Timothèe Chalamet. But I can still get this whole story. Wise and witty!

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I only know said hot man as my 17 year old has been crushing on him for years now. Wonka 🤷🏼‍♀️

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I’m also Julie Ann Murphy, with a married Seavy attached. Had to say hello when I saw your name!!

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I just saw your comment pop up and was confused as thought I’d commented on something! Hello, lovely of you to say hi. I’m a Murphy by marriage and my first name is double barrelled so always called Julie-Ann, never Julie… well, when people don’t appreciate how a hyphen works that is! Though I often get Gillian, Julian, Julia, Julia-Ann and once, Ann-Marie 🤭😂🤷🏼‍♀️

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I found you!!! I didn't realize I'd been waiting to find you for so long!

I hate to admit, I had no idea who you were. Your publication was one of those add-on options after subscribing to someone else. I read "Tales from a tiny indie bookshop..." and thought, "Yes, please!" This was exactly what I was missing today. Thanks, Jess!

Now to scour your archives, or maybe I should pace myself, leaving them as little treats I allow myself to consume after I've finished each day's task list. 😉

This had me giggling, and feeling like we're just hanging out in the bookshop. I pictured Meg Ryan and her employees in You've Got Mail, just enjoying each other's company, checking out hot customers. So fun.

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Yay!! You found me!!

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Read this and laughed out loud. Looked in the mirror and said: "Yep, I still got it." (The fact that I'm 65 and lost it years ago, is irrelevant.)

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How do you have me howling at every paragraph Jess?! This is so very good and so quotable but Notes only let's me highlight one quote - I can't make these kinds of decisions. Absolutely dying to know who the hot actor is (even though there's a fair chance I won't know him) - I'm Whatsapping you for this intel right now!

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That's hot. This whole newsletter this week was smart and funny. Thank you for spilling some real truths.

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This is so good - delicious and charming and funny and excellently paced. Off to read everything you’ve ever written

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oh, thank you!!!! that's so kind!! xx

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New reader and binging all of your posts - truly laugh out loud content. My takeaway from this one is that your bookstore needs to host a singles bookclub (asking for a friend... 😂)

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Right. That’s it, Jess. I’ve made a decision. The pleasure I’ve been receiving from your writing is practically obscene. Your book is now at the very top of my Christmas wish list. Thank you for brightening everything.

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oh, that is such a kind thing to say!!!!! Thank you so much xx

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Funny and cute. Even to a very old person like me. I had to look up Mr Chalamet and....not hot. Needs a meal and a comb. I was rather hoping the hot actor might turn out to be Tom Cullen, but I think he's probably a couple decades too old..... I don't want to depress you but you will find as you get older that the already poor ratio of hot men to lovely women just dwindles away to nothing...

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Tom Cullen is...38! This actor is in his 30s. Similar look!!

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You have no idea how unhappy it makes me to be told that. I think it was the full beard as Thomas Seymour in Becoming Elizabeth that had me hoping that he might be within 25 years of me but 38 is positively child-like. Heigh ho. Something else about getting older - the chaps you think are hot are ALWAYS indecently too young.

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Don’t try watching The Summer I Turned Pretty....

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That phenomenon is not restricted to women, I’m afraid.

But at least it’s more acceptable for women. For me, I know I’d be labeled as a ‘filthy pervert,’ for commenting on such things. At this point I’m 50, and I know I’m at least a decade away from the hazy, undefined edge of ‘dirty old man.’

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I REALLY want to know if very handsome famous actor is who I think it is. I hope his butt warmth was everything you imagined 🍑😅

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i may or may not have texted jori "i'm pregnant now" after sitting there

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🤣🤣🤣 you're hilarious (although I could have texted that !)

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😂😂😂😂😂

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