When I first started putting together the letters that make up my book, I knew I was writing about love. But as the manuscript took shape, I realized I needed to make something clear to you, my readers.

This is a love story, not a romance.

I know, it’s a subtle distinction.

When we think of a "romance novel," we often expect a specific formula: two people meet, face conflict, and ultimately end up in a guaranteed happily-ever-after. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I love a good romance! But that’s not what On My Mind and in My Heart is.

Set in 1998, this story is told entirely through letters, emails, and notes. It’s about the raw longing, the slow-burning emotional intimacy, and the painful distance of a long-distance relationship.

• It’s a love story because it focuses on the internal world of the characters, the way they learn to love through the written word, and the sacrifices they make for that feeling.

• It’s not a romance because this story doesn't follow a pre-planned path. It is messy, it is real, and the chaotic, unscripted nature of life and distance governs it.

I wrote this for anyone who has ever poured their soul into a letter, who has loved someone deeply despite insurmountable miles, and who knows that love is less about the final destination and more about the journey of holding someone in your mind and in your heart.

I hope you enjoy stepping back into 1998 with me.

Warmly,

Gabrielle A. Hunter