Leave It Up to Love

by Kristy Woodson Harvey, Jorjeana Marie (Narrator), Courtney Patterson (Narrator)

1 hour, 24 minutes

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 In life, love, and publishing, sometimes you have to write your own happy ending.

Genres: Romance, Short Stories, Fiction, Contemporary, Novella, Ebooks, Amazon

Audible Audio

Published March 1, 2026

About the author

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of eleven novels including A Happier Life, The Summer of Songbirds, and The Peachtree Bluff Series. Many of her books have been optioned or are in development for television and film and have received numerous accolades, including Good Morning America’s Buzz Pick, Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Reads, Katie Couric’s Featured Books, and Joanna Garcia Swisher’s The Happy Place Read. Kristy is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize.

A Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism, her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Southern Living, Parade, Traditional Home, USA TODAY, and many more. She also holds a master’s in English, with a concentration in multicultural and transnational literature.

Kristy is the cocreator and cohost of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction with fellow New York Times Bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, and Patti Callahan Henry. She is also the co-founder of the interiors site Design Chic, with her mom, Beth Woodson.

She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband, son, and dog, Salt, where she is (always!) working on her next novel.

Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but sweet.

Amazon Prime Bonus Read Feb 2026

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t horrible, but wasn’t anything special either. It seemed a little pointless to me. A famous writer learning to love writing again with a little love story too.

Nothing exciting for me personally.

Thank you to Amazon First Reads for the advance copy.

[Sharon_🌺 · Rating 3 out of 5]

LEAVE IT UP TO LOVE (a short story) by Kristy Woodson Harvey provided a nice introduction to this author.
A gentle, easy little read is sometimes just what you need!

[Reina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This just wasn’t my cup of tea. It felt pointless, and I didn’t connect with any of the characters. I read it, and don’t remember anything but a couple of names and a few details. It was just too slow for me, and not enough context to keep me fully engaged. It definitely shouldn’t have taken me 4 days to finish a 58-page book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Kristy Woodson Harvey. So how could I resist this short story bonus from Amazon First Reads? Two authors, one young( Lila) and the other a bestselling author( Elizabeth) with a long list of titles under her belt, are forced to work together. It was compelling. The characters were interesting, and I liked the romance between Grady ( Elizabeth's son) and Lila.





Goodreads review published 16/02/26

[Suja · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of the story was quite interesting - ghostwriting for a famous author who is suffering from a writer's block. Unfortunately the story did not address the premise well. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and the love angle between the writer's son and the ghostwriter seemed too forced. The story was too short to explore anything more in the romance area. Was not impressed with the story

My rating 2*

[Jennifer Vido · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet!

This new short story is a delightful read about a young woman who takes a sidestep in her career to help her literary idol find her voice again. Their unlikely partnership sets in motion a new path neither was expecting. What I liked best about the story was the relationship between the authors. Highly recommend!

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun short story about a writer who is given the chance to be a ghostwriter to her favorite author.

I loved the relationships formed in this story and would love to see a full novel. Just what I need this Sunday evening.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and sweet.

I've read most of Kristy's books and definitely enjoy them. This short story is cute but very predictable. I'd almost say, weak.
This newish trend of short story books on Amazon has its Pros and cons. I'll leave that here.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible and immature writing. Boring and unbelievable characters, with no depth or personality. I wouldn't have even picked it up if it weren't a short story. But I also would have DNF'd if it were any longer.

free from Amazon first reads via Kindle

[Amy K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

A sweet little love story wrapped up in a team novel writing project with a dual purpose goal. Loved the characters and coastal setting.

[Carol (Reading Ladies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this short story! Would love a sequel!

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pass!

This felt vapid and unfinished. The emotional stakes never materialized, and the writing lacked polish — passive constructions, awkward phrasing, and at least one editing error pulled me out of the story entirely.

Short fiction demands control. This didn’t have it.

[ADs · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the idea of this book, but believe it to be poorly executed. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, nor the love story. The romance felt more like it was just added in there to give Grady something to do. It was too rushed even in a short story. I wish this story was based solely on the ghost writing and spent more time on the writers interacting and actually working through their struggles together.

[Jessica Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, I loved the relationships that blossomed!

And this quote >>> "Unfortunately, I don't think anyone can fix a person's broken heart. It's just a place she's going to have to get to on her own."

[Tammi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and very Hallmark movie in a book. It follows a struggling writer/barista who ends up ghostwriting for a famous romance author and (of course) falling for the author’s very skeptical literary agent son. Small-town vibes, publishing drama, and a tidy little romance.

Nothing groundbreaking, but cozy and easy. I’ve enjoyed other books by this author more and I’m definitely still looking forward to Summer State of Mind.

Cute, cheesy, quick read. 💁‍♀️💕

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, sweet read and a nice introduction to Kristy’s writing. While I enjoyed it, I think her style would really shine in a full length story.

Lila expects a big break with a book contract but is instead offered a ghostwriting job for her favorite author. It is not what she planned, but she agrees, leading her to the reluctant Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s charming son, Grady. But perhaps what starts as an unexpected detour may turn into something even better?!

Because of the shorter length, the romance did not have as much time to fully develop, but the story itself was enjoyable and left me wanting more from this author. I am definitely interested in reading more of her work.

I gave this a 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Emilie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Amazon First Reads: This was so much less than it could have been, in every way

[readwithmichele · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Formal review forthcoming.

[madison · Rating 2 out of 5]

glad it was a short book. glad it was free through prime reads. it was cute for like 10 seconds at the end but did not enjoy this book at all lol. weird to read a book about someone writing a book

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bonus prime first read for February and all I can say is I'm glad it was a short story which was done in less than an hour.

It tells me the story of an author whose debut novel did not set the world alight, the publishers aren't feeling her ideas for a follow up and instead suggests she ghost writes for a famous author currently suffering from writers block since the death of her husband.

Neither woman is particularly interesting, and the added romance element felt very unconvincing and the whole thing was underwhelming.

Not awful, but nothing here to love either

[Court · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting March off strong with a wonderful and heartwarming short story from the incomparable Kristy Woodson Harvey!

This delightful story follows Lila, an aspiring romance writer, who is asked to ghostwrite for her favorite author, Elizabeth. Elizabeth (Lizzie 🤣) is in a bit of a writing slump for the last three years after her husband’s death, and her agent (& son!) Grady is trying to help her get back on track.

We have the plucky Lila, the regally fabulous Elizabeth, and her rakishly handsome son Grady… and this is a KWH story, so it’s full of heart, humor, and love.

I loved this one from start to finish and my only regret? I wish it was a full novel! I want more! 😂💚

Thanks, Kristy, for giving us a mini story in between novels — I can’t wait to go back to Peachtree Bluff this fall! ♥️

March is off to a strong start! 💪

[Cindy Feigert · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy breezy read. A story about not giving up. One character has lost her ability to write her long time genre. Another character is just getting started in the world of publishing. They come together to help each other. Plus a new romance.

[BookstagramSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and sweet little romance. Nothing over the top. But just a sweet little story about new love and writers. Loved the narration.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the gifted audiobook.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet!

[Sydni · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read this because it was short & free with Amazon First Reads.. wouldn’t have otherwise!

[mandie ୨୧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i feel like this was written for a women in her 50s, living her life on the beach in the hamptons or something

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Short, predictable bit of fluff.

[Julie Blackburn · Rating 2 out of 5]

cool premise but shallow characters

The premise is fun - ghostwriting for a famous writer, and her agent/son is on the heroine’s side. However, the relationships between the characters felt very superficial and contrived.

There are some parts that don’t make sense - Elizabeth notices when her favorite barista, Lila, is missing, who she sees and interacts with daily, but say nothing about it when that barista is now her ghostwriter?

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little short story.

Lila thinks she has a big publishing deal at her agency “Apprentice”, but it turns out they want her to ghost write for a popular author named Elizabeth that she practically worships. They think her ideas for her second novel too similarly parallel Elizabeth’s work and Elizabeth has been going through a dry spell. Lila also works at the coffee shop Elizabeth goes to daily.

Elizabeth lives in a home her and her late husband Anthony made their own on the beach. She hasn’t been able to write anything in 3 years. Her son Grady is her publisher. Lila is from a farm town.

Lila goes over to meet Elizabeth and Elizabeth says she does not need a ghost writer. Lila challenges her and asks to see what she’s been working on. Since she has been writing nothing, she has nothing to show. Elizabeth agrees to let Lila ghost write for her. Elizabeth is very particular. Lila is able to escape the house for lunch and seems like she’s developing a crush on Elizabeth’s son Grady Lancaster. Lila sends some pages to Grady asking him to be her agent. He asks to hang out on her day off. They paddle board and get ice cream. He says he can’t be her agent.

We learn that essentially Elizabeth lost her husband and her ability to write as a result. Lila wants to help her. She purposely writes 3 horrible chapters for Elizabeth to review. It gets her writing. Grady tells Lila he can’t be her agent because he hasn’t stopped thinking about her. They kiss. In the end, Elizabeth lets Lila’s name be on the cover and asks her to write another book with her. Happily they both leave it to love to make decisions.