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A new summer-bound romance from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson arrives next year, promising an Irish-tinged love story and a cover that already has readers buzzing. The novel, titled In Every Possible Way, blends whimsy and romance and includes an exclusive first-chapter preview unveiled alongside the cover art.
What to expect from Alicia Thompson’s next book
Alicia Thompson, known for books like Love in the Time of Serial Killers and Never Been Shipped, returns with a hopeful, slightly magical romance. The story pairs a protagonist at a crossroads with an unexpected Irish twist.
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- Genre: Contemporary romance with light magical elements.
- Setting: Urban evenings that shift into the green of Ireland.
- Tone: Witty, tender, and quietly emotional.
- Release date: June 16, 2026.
Official blurb — a fresh take on the premise
Here’s the publisher’s updated description of the plot, rephrased to capture the story’s beats. Jess, tired of awkward romances and self-sabotage, tries one more date on her thirty-seventh birthday. When a night that should have been forgettable turns dangerous, a blow to the head upends her reality.
She wakes far from home. With no passport, no phone, and no clue how she arrived, Jess finds herself in Ireland. A reserved mechanic named Eamonn becomes her anchor while she navigates strange streets and stranger luck. Over forty-eight hours, the pair share quiet confessions and unexpected warmth.
The heart of the book: a sudden connection that feels like fate, yet may hide secrets and challenges. Thompson teases romance readers with a story that looks outward to travel and inward to healing.
Why readers are talking about the cover reveal
The author and publisher released the cover ahead of the book’s arrival. Fans reacted to the design and the promise of Irish scenery and gentle magic. The reveal includes a short excerpt, giving a taste of Thompson’s voice and the novel’s emotional stakes.
Exclusive excerpt: a reimagined opening scene
Chapter One — a rewritten scene inspired by the preview
Jess meant to spend her thirty-seventh birthday quietly. Instead, she agreed to a first date that promised something different. It started with hopeful daydreams about a storybook ending. It ended with an awkward meal and a man whose patience wore thin.
The restaurant was ordinary, the kind of strip-mall spot you remember for the neon sign outside. Her date arrived late. He had an Irish lilt and a casual look that first read as charming. But charm shifted quickly to judgment. Small talk faltered. Jess’s favorite dress, soft and familiar, drew a look that stung.
They traded polite comments. He mentioned his panang curry and a careful choice of soft drink. She tried to answer, but nerves turned her words sideways. When she spoke about books, he barely hid his boredom. When she confessed she’d never left the country, he called it irresponsible. When she revealed she didn’t own a passport, he scolded her with a smile that never reached his eyes.
Conversation landed on his family. He listed siblings by name, casual and brisk. The tone changed. He snapped when she made a self-deprecating joke. “Stop,” he told her sharply. “Don’t put yourself down.” It came out harsher than he intended.
She tried to laugh it off. He kept pushing. Comments about her dress and her smile pierced the evening. He criticized her tone, her jokes, even her enthusiasm. At one point their talk circled back to Ireland, and he mocked the place’s appeal. Jess thought about art history lectures, green landscapes, and the old stories that had once charmed her.
The meal arrived lukewarm. The curry was bland. The date, once full of possibilities, stumbled on small cruelties. When he tried to pass an awkward compliment about her figure, she accepted it out of fatigue. Silence settled between them like a damp coat.
Jess wanted to leave. She stayed because she was hungry and because sometimes leaving felt harder than staying. The night closed with a mixture of relief and dread. Nothing magical had happened yet. But fate had other plans.
Key moments captured in the excerpt
- Birthday hopes colliding with awkward dating realities.
- An encounter that mixes brusque behavior and unexpected tenderness.
- The first hint that something beyond ordinary life may intervene.
Book details and how to reserve a copy
In Every Possible Way will be available June 16, 2026. Pre-orders are open through major retailers. The novel is being pitched to readers who love travel-flavored romance and gentle magic.
- Author: Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling romance writer.
- Title: In Every Possible Way.
- Available for pre-order now; official street date: June 16, 2026.
Who might enjoy this book
This title appeals to readers who favor heartfelt modern romance. Fans of gentle speculative elements will find the Irish twist appealing. If you like novels that mix travel, family dynamics, and quiet transformation, this one is for you.
Reading notes
- Expect emotional intimacy rather than explicit scenes.
- Characters rely on conversation and small gestures.
- The novel leans into atmosphere and character growth.
About the article’s author and scoop
This preview and cover reveal were shared by a books writer who covers fiction and TV. The excerpt gives a taste of the book and the author’s voice. For readers who enjoy discovering new releases early, this is an advance look at a summer title to watch.
