Jessica Topper's Blog
February 8, 2025
My very first box set is here!
I'm thrilled to share that for the first time ever, the four original books in the Love and Steel series have been bundled into a binge-worthy BOX SET!
Love and Steel Box Set: Rockstar Bundle (Books 1-4) contains two full-length novels and two novellas. These books have over 3,000 ratings combined here on Goodreads! If you haven't read any of them yet, this is a great time to start - BUNDLE UP and GET COZY with my rock stars, they are unlike any others you might find in the genre.
It starts with the book that started it all - Louder Than Love. I had never intended it to become a series. But things have a funny way of working out...and it turns out the world of Lauder Lake just lent itself to more stories.
I hope you'll check it out - if you are already a fan and have the books in your collection, please spread the world to friends if you think they might like this handy-dandy 4-in-1 set!
Love and Steel Box Set: Rockstar Bundle (Books 1-4) contains two full-length novels and two novellas. These books have over 3,000 ratings combined here on Goodreads! If you haven't read any of them yet, this is a great time to start - BUNDLE UP and GET COZY with my rock stars, they are unlike any others you might find in the genre.
It starts with the book that started it all - Louder Than Love. I had never intended it to become a series. But things have a funny way of working out...and it turns out the world of Lauder Lake just lent itself to more stories.
I hope you'll check it out - if you are already a fan and have the books in your collection, please spread the world to friends if you think they might like this handy-dandy 4-in-1 set!
January 11, 2025
Get What You Need is finally here!
This may just be the book I didn’t know I needed.
At long last, Get What You Need is out in the world. GWYN, as I affectionately call it, has been lingering on the back burner of my mind through my haphazard publishing career.
If Louder Than Love was the book of my heart, then Get What You Need may just be the book of my head. In fact, when I was looking back through my rough notes on this story that explores the characters from my debut ten years into the future, I realized I had started jotting them down before Berkley had even picked up and published Louder Than Love. So, obviously I had wanted to stay with these folks in their world for a little bit longer. And I hope you will too!
Many readers tell me they do a re-read of Louder Than Love every year, or whenever they feel the need. Fair warning, diving into GWYN right after may be a shock to the system. After all, the adorable five-year-old is now fifteen and some of her thoughts, words and actions aren’t so cute anymore. I now see there may be a little of me in her teenage rebellion.
At fifteen, my family picked up and moved to a new city, and I had had to leave all my friends behind. Kids who had known me forever, that I had never had to prove myself to. And I had never really had to keep myself company before…being “the new kid” really forces some introspection on you.
With Abbey, she experiences the opposite – being thrust back into her childhood home after years of shaping her persona in Manhattan. Coming back to kids who knew her when she was younger, and they are all pretty much strangers now. And she feels she’s an enigma. Plus, having a famous rock star for a stepfather, in her words, “rates pretty high on the freak scale.”
While Abbey was the catalyst for this story (at one point I was calling this book “Abbey’s Road” in my head) and Louder Than Love’s beloved couple Adrian and Kat are a constant, to me the real star is Natalie. We never meet her on the page in Louder Than Love, but she’s Adrian’s estranged daughter and she had certainly shaped him – Natalie appears in his stories to Kat, his triumphs and his regrets, in his views of fatherhood and trying to be a better man the second time around.
I was so happy to bring Nat across the pond and give her a bit of the old “Love, Loss & Rock and Roll” treatment that this brand of books has become known for.
I may be too close to this story at this juncture. Could it be read as a standalone? Maybe. It is, at its heart, a tale of sisterhood. Of small town solace, where the grounding presence of the lake and its community welcome you.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, whether you’ve followed the entire journey through the Love & Steel novels and have reached this point. Or whether you are about to reach for your first Jessica Topper novel to see what’s been going on in her head, and her heart.
At long last, Get What You Need is out in the world. GWYN, as I affectionately call it, has been lingering on the back burner of my mind through my haphazard publishing career.
If Louder Than Love was the book of my heart, then Get What You Need may just be the book of my head. In fact, when I was looking back through my rough notes on this story that explores the characters from my debut ten years into the future, I realized I had started jotting them down before Berkley had even picked up and published Louder Than Love. So, obviously I had wanted to stay with these folks in their world for a little bit longer. And I hope you will too!
Many readers tell me they do a re-read of Louder Than Love every year, or whenever they feel the need. Fair warning, diving into GWYN right after may be a shock to the system. After all, the adorable five-year-old is now fifteen and some of her thoughts, words and actions aren’t so cute anymore. I now see there may be a little of me in her teenage rebellion.
At fifteen, my family picked up and moved to a new city, and I had had to leave all my friends behind. Kids who had known me forever, that I had never had to prove myself to. And I had never really had to keep myself company before…being “the new kid” really forces some introspection on you.
With Abbey, she experiences the opposite – being thrust back into her childhood home after years of shaping her persona in Manhattan. Coming back to kids who knew her when she was younger, and they are all pretty much strangers now. And she feels she’s an enigma. Plus, having a famous rock star for a stepfather, in her words, “rates pretty high on the freak scale.”
While Abbey was the catalyst for this story (at one point I was calling this book “Abbey’s Road” in my head) and Louder Than Love’s beloved couple Adrian and Kat are a constant, to me the real star is Natalie. We never meet her on the page in Louder Than Love, but she’s Adrian’s estranged daughter and she had certainly shaped him – Natalie appears in his stories to Kat, his triumphs and his regrets, in his views of fatherhood and trying to be a better man the second time around.
I was so happy to bring Nat across the pond and give her a bit of the old “Love, Loss & Rock and Roll” treatment that this brand of books has become known for.
I may be too close to this story at this juncture. Could it be read as a standalone? Maybe. It is, at its heart, a tale of sisterhood. Of small town solace, where the grounding presence of the lake and its community welcome you.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, whether you’ve followed the entire journey through the Love & Steel novels and have reached this point. Or whether you are about to reach for your first Jessica Topper novel to see what’s been going on in her head, and her heart.
December 5, 2023
Who's Up for a New Holiday Series?
Happy December! I swear the moment the calendar page turns, my brain goes into holiday mode. Although truth be told...this year, I've been fully immersed since July...daydreaming of snow, twinkling lights, nostalgic once-a-year foods…the whole nine yards.
Or should I say – all eight candles?
My writer BFF Amanda Usen and I had started brainstorming a Hanukkah romance series a couple years ago. This mainly consisted of throwing out “punny” titles, dreaming up quirky meet-cute scenarios, and drinking lots of rocket fuel courtesy of our friend Amy’s magical Nespresso machine she always brings on writer retreats.
At some point, “what if?” became “why not?” and we began drafting our stories.
Inspired by the epic NYC music cruises my friend Jake has hosted for years, I crafted a fun spin on the traditional Jewish singles party: The Matzo Baller. Picture an over-the-top party boat, cruising around Manhattan for 8 hours on the first night of Hanukkah and you get the picture.
Amanda began mixing “Challah-Day”-themed drinks and a dinner menu and suddenly, we had music, booze and enough latkes to sail us right into a fun and flirty holiday series about eight friends who have become “found family” – a trope we both absolutely love.
Eight friends. Eight books. The first two released today – and they are spoiler-free, take place simultaneously, and can be read in either order!
I hope you will add THE HANUKKAH HOOK-UP and THE DREIDEL DO-OVER to your TBR stack and your holiday wish list this season!
Or should I say – all eight candles?
My writer BFF Amanda Usen and I had started brainstorming a Hanukkah romance series a couple years ago. This mainly consisted of throwing out “punny” titles, dreaming up quirky meet-cute scenarios, and drinking lots of rocket fuel courtesy of our friend Amy’s magical Nespresso machine she always brings on writer retreats.
At some point, “what if?” became “why not?” and we began drafting our stories.
Inspired by the epic NYC music cruises my friend Jake has hosted for years, I crafted a fun spin on the traditional Jewish singles party: The Matzo Baller. Picture an over-the-top party boat, cruising around Manhattan for 8 hours on the first night of Hanukkah and you get the picture.
Amanda began mixing “Challah-Day”-themed drinks and a dinner menu and suddenly, we had music, booze and enough latkes to sail us right into a fun and flirty holiday series about eight friends who have become “found family” – a trope we both absolutely love. Eight friends. Eight books. The first two released today – and they are spoiler-free, take place simultaneously, and can be read in either order!
I hope you will add THE HANUKKAH HOOK-UP and THE DREIDEL DO-OVER to your TBR stack and your holiday wish list this season!
September 13, 2023
LOUDER THAN LOVE TURNS 10!
Can you believe it? Next week (Sept 17th) marks the 10th anniversary of Louder Than Love. A decade of Adrian “Digger” Graves - the heavy metal hero who came to life (and love) on the pages of my debut novel about love, loss and rock & roll…
To celebrate all things Digger, Kat and Abbey, I would love to gather your favorite quotes from the book. Feel free to share them with me at jess@jesstopper.com or here on Goodreads – you can comment on this blog post, in a review, or even use the Add a Quote feature, which is pretty nifty!
If you have memes or quote graphics, send them my way as well! I’ll be sharing all the reader-love all week long across social media, along with some other surprises as well!
Haven’t read the book yet, but would like to? Louder Than Love is currently FREE on most e-reader platforms (in most countries) for a limited time!
Looking for more book sales, freebies and news? If you follow my my Bookbub page, they will send you a personal note when I have a book sale through them, or a new release. (PS it's easy to cross-post reviews over there too, and share the booklove!)
Thank you for holding this book in your hands and in your hearts these past 10 years. It’s been a wild ride and your support means the world to me.
xoxo
Jess
To celebrate all things Digger, Kat and Abbey, I would love to gather your favorite quotes from the book. Feel free to share them with me at jess@jesstopper.com or here on Goodreads – you can comment on this blog post, in a review, or even use the Add a Quote feature, which is pretty nifty!
If you have memes or quote graphics, send them my way as well! I’ll be sharing all the reader-love all week long across social media, along with some other surprises as well!
Haven’t read the book yet, but would like to? Louder Than Love is currently FREE on most e-reader platforms (in most countries) for a limited time!
Looking for more book sales, freebies and news? If you follow my my Bookbub page, they will send you a personal note when I have a book sale through them, or a new release. (PS it's easy to cross-post reviews over there too, and share the booklove!)
Thank you for holding this book in your hands and in your hearts these past 10 years. It’s been a wild ride and your support means the world to me.
xoxo
Jess
December 18, 2020
'Tis the season for a FREE holiday read!
Christmas in New York City, anyone? Shopping on 5th Avenue? Watching buskers in Central Park?
I know there's little travel going on this year. But I just wanted to spread some virtual holiday cheer!
This is little holiday short story I wrote a few years back, following the main characters in Louder Than Love. It's free on Kindle, Nook, Apple Books, Google Play, and Kobo - worldwide!
Just a note: if you haven't read Louder Than Love, you will encounter spoilers. It's told from Adrian's point of view, which readers have often asked me for, and it was such fun to write.
I hope you enjoy this little bundle of joy, and I look forward to sharing more new words with you in the new year!
xox
Jessica
I know there's little travel going on this year. But I just wanted to spread some virtual holiday cheer!
This is little holiday short story I wrote a few years back, following the main characters in Louder Than Love. It's free on Kindle, Nook, Apple Books, Google Play, and Kobo - worldwide!
Just a note: if you haven't read Louder Than Love, you will encounter spoilers. It's told from Adrian's point of view, which readers have often asked me for, and it was such fun to write.
I hope you enjoy this little bundle of joy, and I look forward to sharing more new words with you in the new year!
xox
Jessica
November 12, 2020
LOUDER THAN LOVE re-release!
One of the most repeated questions I've had from readers over the years was "When will this book be available in print?" I am thrilled to share the news that the wait is over on December 8, 2020!
It's the same heartfelt story of "love, loss and rock & roll" but with a bold new cover, and it's hitting stores in ebook AND trade paperback.
If you plan to shop local during the holidays, consider requesting the book at your favorite indie bookstore. They should be able to order it for you, and may even stock a few on their shelves! It helps raise my visibility as an author, and helps brick-and-mortar businesses that are struggling during this rough year.
Whether you are reading it for the first time, or the fifth time, I hope you find something new to love about it when you dive in!
~Love and light to you all,
Jessica
It's the same heartfelt story of "love, loss and rock & roll" but with a bold new cover, and it's hitting stores in ebook AND trade paperback.
If you plan to shop local during the holidays, consider requesting the book at your favorite indie bookstore. They should be able to order it for you, and may even stock a few on their shelves! It helps raise my visibility as an author, and helps brick-and-mortar businesses that are struggling during this rough year.
Whether you are reading it for the first time, or the fifth time, I hope you find something new to love about it when you dive in!
~Love and light to you all,
Jessica
February 18, 2020
LOUDER THAN LOVE News!
The question I get asked most often by readers (besides "Please tell me Adrian Graves is real?") is "When will LOUDER THAN LOVE" be available in paperback?"
I'm happy to say VERY SOON! The entire Love & Steel series is getting a re-boot, with new covers coming soon and yes, yes, yes, available in e-book AND print this spring!
The books are currently off-sale while the magic happens, but stay tuned!
I'm happy that Goodreads is a place where fans can still review and discuss them...and I'm always happy to answer any questions you may have about the series.
Thanks for your patience!
xo
Jess
I'm happy to say VERY SOON! The entire Love & Steel series is getting a re-boot, with new covers coming soon and yes, yes, yes, available in e-book AND print this spring!
The books are currently off-sale while the magic happens, but stay tuned!
I'm happy that Goodreads is a place where fans can still review and discuss them...and I'm always happy to answer any questions you may have about the series.
Thanks for your patience!
xo
Jess
January 14, 2018
ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY!
Happy 3rd anniversary to Dictatorship of the Dress! To celebrate, I'm giving away 10 signed copies right here on Goodreads!
Dictatorship of the Dress
by Jessica Topper
Dictatorship of the Dress
by Jessica Topper
December 6, 2016
FREE HOLIDAY SHORT STORY!
Stuff your stockings, spin your dreidels, and start reading! Well...soon, anyway! The elves and I are still tinkering, but MORE THAN MERRY, a free short story in the Love & Steel world, is coming soon!
It's going out exclusively to subscribers of my (very occasional) newsletter as a gift this holiday season! You won't find it anywhere else!
Join Adrian, Kat and Abbey as they prepare for the holidays…and so much more! Perfect for fans of Louder Than Love!
Be sure to sign up in order to receive this free short story when it becomes available in mid-December!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
It's going out exclusively to subscribers of my (very occasional) newsletter as a gift this holiday season! You won't find it anywhere else!
Join Adrian, Kat and Abbey as they prepare for the holidays…and so much more! Perfect for fans of Louder Than Love!
Be sure to sign up in order to receive this free short story when it becomes available in mid-December!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
February 8, 2016
A Dollar and a Dream...
Not long after I finished writing Louder Than Love, I dreamed up a fairy tale ending for the main characters, Kat and Adrian. That became Deeper Than Dreams, the novella that bridges Louder Than Love with the next book in the series, Softer Than Steel. And I am happy to say the price-dropping fairies have waved their wands and made DEEPER THAN DREAMS only 99¢ this month! It's available for this price wherever ebooks are sold!
(Please note: for maximum happily-ever-after enjoyment, this novella should be read after Louder Than Love.)
(Please note: for maximum happily-ever-after enjoyment, this novella should be read after Louder Than Love.)
