Guilt Free

Books have always been my guilt-free escape.

Crack open a new story, and suddenly I’m not in my office preparing for yet another video call—instead I’m strolling a Spanish moss-laden cobblestone street in Savannah, Georgia tangled up in a daring romance, or falling for the broody neighbor who just moved in across the street. No plane ticket required. No one rolling their eyes at my indulgence. Just me, a book, and that delicious tingle of anything could happen.

Romance novels are my favorite. Maybe it’s the unapologetic hope woven through every page, or the way a first kiss can make my heart race as if it’s my own. Maybe it’s the thrill of the chase or the quiet comfort of a happily‑ever‑after waiting just around the corner. Each story is a mini‑vacation for my heart—a trip I can take between laundry loads or while waiting in the carpool line.

And can we talk about the guilt‑free part? There’s something wonderfully rebellious about choosing joy—choosing a book because it lights you up. Some people collect passport stamps. I collect love stories. Some leave me grinning, some leave me sighing, and a few have me fanning my face like, “Well, hello, sir!”

So tonight, while the rest of the world scrolls and snores, I’m slipping into another adventure, no suitcase required. A hero who will make me swoon, a heroine who will make me cheer, and a world where love always wins—because sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of escape a heart needs.

With Love,
RJR