BOOK LAUNCH…BOOM!

Hey friends,

The launch of The Summer Before is officially a wrap, and I couldn’t be happier! A huge thank you to everyone, especially my incredible launch squad, for your unwavering support. It means so much to me. As you may know, The Summer Before is aligned with several domestic and sexual violence advocacy organizations. Currently, a portion of the proceeds is supporting Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and their CONNECT program, and I’m also in discussions with organizations in Boston and along the North Shore to expand this support.

Since recording the Dear Katie podcast (episode coming soon), where I had the honor of speaking with Katie Koestner, I’ve been in touch with some wonderful New England private schools about adding The Summer Before to their 2025 summer reading lists. Katie, an internationally respected expert on student safety and healthy relationships, and the founder of the Take Back the Night Foundation, has been an incredible advocate for my work. She appreciated how the book presents the perspective of a secondary victim—an angle that’s often overlooked in discussions about sexual assault. Katie even offered to help connect me with schools, so fingers crossed! I’ll keep you posted on any developments.

Though the launch is over, my journey with this book is just beginning. I have a series of events lined up, and I’m beyond excited to meet and connect with many of you in person. The response to my second novel has been humbling, to say the least. They say putting out a second book is the real test, and with your reactions so far, I feel incredibly fortunate. Many of you from the launch team have already bought the book and left reviews—I’m eternally grateful! For those who haven’t yet, please do when you can; reviews are so valuable for us authors. The more reviews, the more readers we reach, which means more support for advocacy efforts. Plus, everyone who leaves a review is eligible for our launch squad giveaway—don’t miss out on some awesome prizes! Leave your review on Amazon and Goodreads if you have it, then shoot me an email or DM me so I can enter you.

This month, I’m excited to share that I’ll be teaming up with some incredible authors to bring you monthly book reviews on stories we think you’ll love. My pick for October is Please… Tell Me More by Patti Gaustad Procopio. The title hooked me, and knowing it’s about a dysfunctional family, I had to dive in. Like many of us, I find myself drawn to exploring other people’s challenges—it can be oddly therapeutic. Patti is also an animal lover, so that’s a bonus in my book!

Please… Tell Me More is a moving story about family, sisterhood, and the fragile bonds we build over a lifetime. Rose, one of the protagonists, lives with the traumatic memory of her sister Lily drowning—a tragedy she believes was her fault. The family dynamic is complex, shaped by alcoholism, anger, and dysfunction. The narrative follows Rose’s journey to college and her attempts to cope with life’s harder moments, even when that means turning to a hidden bottle of Merlot. This heartfelt story about sisterhood and resilience will stick with you long after the last page.

Thank you all for everything! I can’t wait to update you on what’s next, but first, there’s plenty of marketing ahead. Let’s just say I’m over halfway there!

With gratitude,
Dianne C. Braley