Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness... The Shoe Diaries (The Friendship Chronicles #1) by Darby Baham

"Reminiscent of Sex and the City and the Shopaholic series in the best possible way. Her stories are a lot of fun and yet she still tugs at your heartstrings."--Gail Chasan, Special Edition Editor

Description:

Release Date: January 25th, 2022

It’s never too late to put your best foot forward

From the outside, Reagan “Rae” Doucet has it all: a coveted career in Washington, DC, a tight circle of friends and a shoe closet to die for. When one of her crew falls ill, however, Rae is done playing it safe. The talented but unfulfilled writer makes a “risk list” to revamp her life. But forgiving her ex, Jake Saunders, might be one risk too many…

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Darby Baham’s Washington Post bylines
I had the perfect date dress. Why did it hang in my closet unworn for more than a year? -- March 201
When it comes to relationship advice, sometimes it’s best to ignore your friends -- February 2016
I’m the oldest sister in my family and I’m single. And that’s okay. -- March 2016
I was afraid to say ‘I love you.’ Here’s how I found the courage. -

GUEST POST

RUNNING INTO AN EX 

Every woman I know watching the Ja Rule & Fat Joe Verzuz saw Nelly walk up to Ashanti, arms wide open, and cringed just a little at the memory of having an ex-boyfriend approach you at the exact wrong time. But at least she looked amazing when it happened; that was definitely the saving grace.

I lived in the same city for 15 years, so I think it's safe to say that I've had my fair share of running into exes. Some have been the way you always hope for it to happen--I looked amazing, lipstick was popping, clothes were fitting just right, another dude was on my arm. And some, well... let's just say I think it should be a crime to run into an ex after you've just died in a spin class.

Regardless of the circumstances, though, it's always the same initial thought for me. "Is that who I think it is? Crap, it is. Can I get away without him seeing me? Nope? Sigh, nope. Well, here we go... heyyyyyy."

Probably one of the funnier instances I experienced in DC was when I spotted a guy who I'd dated for a couple months, but things had sort of naturally fizzled out. And there he was, at a football tailgate with his kid. I was so scared that he would assume I’d planned this impromptu sighting that I literally ducked down and tried to hide from him while running away for at least 2 minutes. I'm fairly sure he didn't see me (let's hope, it was pretty embarrassing! Not a good look for your girl.) but many, many people at the tailgate did.

And still, overall, I'd consider it a success. Because despite all the antics, I didn't have to subject myself to what would only have been Issa Rae-level, awkward conversation with him.

Reagan Doucet, the main character in The Shoe Diaries, also has one of those cringe-worthy ex encounters. Like me, she sees her ex and tries to quickly assess if she can run away from the situation. Unfortunately, he notices her, and everything that many of us are scared will happen, does. He is incredibly condescending, tries to get her to forgive him without any genuine work for it, and generally leaves an awful taste in her mouth.

Thankfully, she has her friends to laugh with her after the experience and remind her that she's a badass despite how she feels. Not everyone is as lucky. So, if you, like Reagan (or me!), ever need a reminder that your ex should be the one hiding from you when he sees you… take this as your prompt. And maybe you can be like Ashanti; fabulous and unbothered while he drools.

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Darby's book will be included in the January edition.

About the author:

Darby Baham (she/her) is a debut author with Harlequin Special Edition and a New Yorker of five years who sometimes desperately misses the sprawling shoe closet she had while living in Maryland. She’s had personal blog posts appear in The Washington Post’s relationship vertical and has worked in the communications industry for more than two decades. The New Orleans, LA native is also a lover of big laughs and books that swallow you into their world. Her first book, The Shoe Diaries, debuts in 2022.

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