Praise

In Sincerely Yours, Sonia D. Hebdon drops readers into Haven Cove in 1989, where Josie, a sharp, music-soaked teenager with a gift for language, falls into a charged romance with her new neighbor Blaine while secretly writing an advice column called “Sincerely Yours.” What begins as an 80s-inflected love story of mixtapes, eyeliner, and illicit nights out steadily opens into something stranger: a paranormal narrative about writing itself, about stories that breathe, unfinished worlds, and the frightening possibility that words do not merely describe reality but conjure it. The novel openly frames itself as a paranormal love story rooted in 1980s music and in the idea that certain writers can create literal worlds, and that premise becomes the book’s true engine.

What I liked most was the book’s unabashed sincerity. Hebdon is not aiming for cool detachment; she wants feeling, and she goes after it in full view. Josie and Blaine are drawn with the kind of heightened, romantic glow that suits the novel’s cassette-tape heart, and the pages are thick with Cure songs, club lights, handwritten letters, and the intoxicating self-invention of adolescence. I found that atmosphere persuasive even when the prose grew ornate, because the book’s emotional weather is so clear: loneliness, awakening, first love, artistic hunger, the longing to be seen as oneself rather than as a role assigned by family or town. The advice-column scenes also give Josie a moral and emotional gravity that keeps her from becoming just another dreamy heroine; her anonymity becomes its own form of courage.

My reaction to the novel’s second half was more mixed, but still engaged. Once the Whitlock Society and the metaphysics of authorship move closer to center stage, the book shifts from nostalgic romance into meta-paranormal fantasy, and that turn is genuinely intriguing. I admired the ambition of a story that asks what happens to unfinished narratives and imagines rare writers as conduits who generate actual worlds. The book feels stuffed with mood, mythos, sentiment, and soundtrack, but that excess is also part of its personality. I never had the sense of a cynical machine at work; I felt the presence of a writer who loves 80s music, believes in the numinous charge of words, and is willing to let teenage feeling burn bright instead of sanding it down into irony.

I’d recommend Sincerely Yours to young adult readers, especially those who enjoy YA paranormal romance, clean fiction, coming-of-age fantasy, and music-laced stories with a gothic shimmer. Readers who love emotionally direct fiction and retro atmosphere will probably be its natural home crowd. In spirit, it sits somewhere between the swooning supernatural pull of Twilight and the mixtape melancholy of an 80s-mad Sarah Dessen alternate universe, though Hebdon’s metafictional streak gives it its own curious voltage. My verdict: this is a heartfelt, melodramatic, odd little spell of a book, and when it works, it reminds me that sincerity is not a weakness but a strength.

– LITERARY TITAN

“Sincerely Yours is a stunning and soul-baring collection that whispers truth, grief, and resilience. Sonia D. Hebdon has a gift for saying what others only dare to feel. Her work is a hug for the broken and a mirror for anyone trying to make peace with life’s ache. Read it. Let it hold you.”

– –D.E. Sherman, Bestselling Fantasy Author

Sincerely Yours is an unforgettable journey back to 1989, wrapped in the glow of vintage record stores, handwritten letters, and mysterious powers. Josie Worthington is the kind of heroine you root for fierce, flawed, creative, and endlessly relatable. Her anonymous advice column quickly turns into something far more powerful, and watching her navigate the unfolding mystery is both thrilling and heartwarming. What makes this book stand out is the perfect blend of supernatural suspense and emotional depth. The connection between Josie and Blaine Cordwell is tender and beautifully paced, full of slow-burn tension and starry-eyed moments. Add in a coastal town setting, a dash of danger, and a playlist of iconic 80s tracks, and you’ve got pure storytelling magic. This is the kind of clean, empowering YA fiction that resonates deeply free of harsh content, yet full of meaning, strength, and wonder. If you're a fan of Stranger Things, Paper Girls, or To All the Boys I've Loved Before, this one’s for you. I closed the last page wanting to hug the book and then immediately read it again.
Sincerely Yours is more than a story. It’s a love letter to identity, courage, and the magic of finding your voice.

– Modern Bookshelf

Stepping into the pages of "Sincerely Yours..." was like taking a delightful trip to the 1980s! As someone who loves that era (and especially the music), the nostalgia factor in this book was awesome. From the alternative music references to the vintage fashion, the author perfectly captured the essence of the decade without it feeling forced or cliché.

Beyond the fantastic '80s vibe, what truly won me over was the romance between Josie and Blaine. In a world of often-complicated YA relationships, their story was a breath of fresh air – wholesome, clean, and genuinely sweet, completely devoid of any unnecessary drama or contrived misunderstandings. It was a pure and heartfelt connection that blossomed beautifully. Josie herself is an incredibly likable protagonist with so many admirable qualities; her purity and courage are inspirational.

While "Sincerely Yours..." is clearly aimed at teens and young adults, I, as an adult reader, found myself completely in love with this story. It's a testament to a truly well-crafted story when it can resonate across age groups. As C.S. Lewis famously said, "I am almost inclined to set it up as a canon that a children's story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children's story." This book absolutely nails that sentiment, proving to be an awesome read for anyone, regardless of age. Highly recommend for a dose of '80s magic and a genuinely charming story!

– Ricky Baker

Sincerely Yours…: Written In The Stars And Inked In Destiny! is a really touching small-town romance that pulls you in from the start. I loved how the story centers around destiny and second chances, showing how love can come back around when you least expect it. The main characters had such a natural, believable connection that made their journey feel real and emotional. The setting of Haven Cove adds that warm, close-knit community feel that makes the story even more special. It’s heartfelt, romantic, and leaves you looking forward to the next book in the series.

– Megan Reiss

In Sincerely Yours, Sonia D. Hebdon drops readers into Haven Cove in 1989, where Josie, a sharp, music-soaked teenager with a gift for language, falls into a charged romance with her new neighbor Blaine while secretly writing an advice column called “Sincerely Yours.” What begins as an 80s-inflected love story of mixtapes, eyeliner, and illicit nights out steadily opens into something stranger: a paranormal narrative about writing itself, about stories that breathe, unfinished worlds, and the frightening possibility that words do not merely describe reality but conjure it. The novel openly frames itself as a paranormal love story rooted in 1980s music and in the idea that certain writers can create literal worlds, and that premise becomes the book’s true engine.

What I liked most was the book’s unabashed sincerity. Hebdon is not aiming for cool detachment; she wants feeling, and she goes after it in full view. Josie and Blaine are drawn with the kind of heightened, romantic glow that suits the novel’s cassette-tape heart, and the pages are thick with Cure songs, club lights, handwritten letters, and the intoxicating self-invention of adolescence. I found that atmosphere persuasive even when the prose grew ornate, because the book’s emotional weather is so clear: loneliness, awakening, first love, artistic hunger, the longing to be seen as oneself rather than as a role assigned by family or town. The advice-column scenes also give Josie a moral and emotional gravity that keeps her from becoming just another dreamy heroine; her anonymity becomes its own form of courage.

My reaction to the novel’s second half was more mixed, but still engaged. Once the Whitlock Society and the metaphysics of authorship move closer to center stage, the book shifts from nostalgic romance into meta-paranormal fantasy, and that turn is genuinely intriguing. I admired the ambition of a story that asks what happens to unfinished narratives and imagines rare writers as conduits who generate actual worlds. The book feels stuffed with mood, mythos, sentiment, and soundtrack, but that excess is also part of its personality. I never had the sense of a cynical machine at work; I felt the presence of a writer who loves 80s music, believes in the numinous charge of words, and is willing to let teenage feeling burn bright instead of sanding it down into irony.

I’d recommend Sincerely Yours to young adult readers, especially those who enjoy YA paranormal romance, clean fiction, coming-of-age fantasy, and music-laced stories with a gothic shimmer. Readers who love emotionally direct fiction and retro atmosphere will probably be its natural home crowd. In spirit, it sits somewhere between the swooning supernatural pull of Twilight and the mixtape melancholy of an 80s-mad Sarah Dessen alternate universe, though Hebdon’s metafictional streak gives it its own curious voltage. My verdict: this is a heartfelt, melodramatic, odd little spell of a book, and when it works, it reminds me that sincerity is not a weakness but a strength.

– Book Reviewer

Sincerely Yours is one of those rare YA books that manages to be charming, mysterious, and deeply meaningful all at once. From the very first page, I was swept into the seaside world of Haven Cove and completely captivated by Josie Worthington a fiercely relatable heroine with a voice as bold as her vintage wardrobe. The 1980s backdrop is more than just nostalgic; it’s alive with iconic music, fashion, and heart. The subtle supernatural twists were beautifully woven into the story without ever overwhelming it, and the tension of Josie’s anonymous advice column and the consequences that follow kept me turning the pages late into the night. What really makes this book shine is the heart at its core. The relationship between Josie and Blaine felt genuine and tender, built on shared pain and quiet strength. And the deeper message about embracing your voice, standing by your truth, and never apologizing for who you are hit me in the best way. It’s empowering without being preachy just honest and inspiring. Think Stranger Things meets Nancy Drew with a dash of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before but entirely its own magic. And as someone who appreciates a clean read with substance, I was so thankful this book avoided unnecessary language or scenes. It’s perfect for teens and adults alike.
This book wasn’t just a story it was a feeling. I can’t wait to see where Josie’s journey leads next. 💛

– Scotliteboost

This one actually hooked me more than I expected. It has that mix of mystery, supernatural, and romance, but what stood out to me was the atmosphere. The whole Haven Cove setting feels off in a good way, like something isn’t right under the surface and you’re just waiting for it to snap. The writing is easy to get into and moves quickly, but still gives you enough detail to picture everything clearly.

My favorite part was the scene in the library when Josie starts writing without realizing it and that creepy nursery rhyme shows up. That moment felt genuinely unsettling and was the first time it really clicked that something bigger was going on. I also liked how it connects back later with the typewriter and the Whitlock Society. It made the story feel more thought out instead of random twists just thrown in.

The dynamic between Josie and Blaine works too. It’s not overdone, and it actually adds to the tension instead of slowing the story down. You can tell there’s more coming with them and with the whole “writing becomes real” idea, which is probably the most interesting part of the book.

Overall, it’s a solid start to a series. If you like Stranger Things type vibes with a darker edge and some romance mixed in, this is definitely worth checking out.

– Anthony Vultaggio

Sincerely Yours... Written In The Stars And Inked In Destiny! has a premise that sounds simple enough at first: a small coastal town in 1989, a girl named Josie who lands a gig writing an advice column for the local paper, and a mysterious guy named Blaine who shows up from LA with a famous dad and a lot of secrets.

But then the anonymous letters start showing up, and things get a lot more interesting. Someone is warning Josie that she'll disappear unless she and Blaine figure out what's really going on in Haven Cove. The detail that genuinely got under my skin is the question the book keeps circling back to: what if you're not actually real? What if someone is literally writing your life? That angle is so much creepier than your standard paranormal mystery, and author Sonia D. Hebdon leans into it in a way that leaves you feeling unsettled in the most satisfying way.

There's also a secret society lurking beneath the town's picture-perfect surface that keeps you piecing things together all the way through.

At only 170 pages, this one moves fast. It's the kind of book you accidentally finish in one sitting and then need a minute to process. If you like mysteries that make you question reality, this one will stick with you. Already counting down to Book 2!!

– Heather Landau

This book is a dazzling journey into a supernatural world where imagination and reality intertwine seamlessly. From the very first chapter, the story grabs you with its rich atmosphere, blending a sense of mystery with a nostalgic 80s soundtrack that makes the world feel alive and immersive. Every scene pulses with energy, and the author’s attention to detail draws you fully into a universe where stories literally come alive and destiny is written in ink.

What makes this book truly stand out is its perfect balance of suspense, magic, and heart. The characters are vivid and compelling, each with their own secrets and ambitions, and the plot twists keep you turning pages with anticipation. The writing is stylish, clever, and cinematic reading it feels like stepping into a movie you don’t want to end.

For anyone who loves supernatural adventure, layered storytelling, and a touch of nostalgia, this is an absolute must read. It’s thrilling, imaginative, and unforgettable highly recommended for readers seeking a world that lingers long after the last page.

– BOOK LOVER Nordberg

As someone who enjoys fantasy, romance, and mystery, I really enjoyed Sincerely Yours… Written In The Stars And Inked In Destiny! by Sonia D. Hebdon. The story pulls you into Haven Cove, a seemingly quiet seaside town in 1989 where writers have begun mysteriously disappearing. Following Josie as she starts writing the Sincerely Yours advice column at the local newspaper was such a fun entry point into the story, especially once the anonymous warning letters begin arriving and the mystery deepens. I loved Josie’s rebellious personality and her dream of becoming a writer, and the slow-burn connection with Blaine felt genuine while still letting the suspense take center stage. As the clues about the secret society and the strange question of whether Josie herself is “real” start to unfold, the story keeps building tension while maintaining strong Stranger Things-style small-town mystery vibes. The 80s atmosphere, music references, and twisty plot made it a really engaging read, and the ending definitely left me curious to see what happens next in Haven Cove.

– Samantha Sesenton

I always love a good series book so when a friend of mine recommended " Sincerely yours Written in the stars and inked in Destiny" I jumped in. I was intrigued by the description of the book and the story line of a small town and two young lovers. The author Sonia Hebdon made you so invested in the two main characters, Josie and Blaine. They are relatable and the author uses such detail in describing them even so much as their clothing. It makes it easier to visualize them in your head and genuinely care about them and what happens. I loved that the author incorporated music into the book . A Lot of those songs brought me back to my younger years. As I was reading this book I could visualize it as a series on tv. I loved that there was a vast variety of genres all rolled into it. Romance, Supernatural , paranormal just to name a few. The cliffhanger at the end made you eager to dive into the second book. I can't wait to read more by Ms. Hebdon.

– Jennifer Carboy

Sincerely Yours…Written In The Stars And Inked In Destiny!” is a heartfelt 1980s-set YA paranormal romance that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly current. Hebdon centers beautifully diverse, neurodivergent, and spiritually seeking characters who don’t quite fit the mold yet refuse to shrink themselves. Through music-soaked scenes, eerie disappearances, and a tender slow-burn romance, she writes for quiet observers, deep thinkers, and teens and adults who’ve always felt different but deeply yearn to be seen, safe, and fully accepted. The series stays intentionally clean, avoiding explicit content, graphic violence, and gratuitous language, instead highlighting friendship, faith, identity, and emotionally resonant, respectful romance. Written from a Christian, values-based perspective, it handles spiritual themes and moral choices with care, making it a comfortable, uplifting choice for families, teachers, librarians, and the wide range of teens they serve.

– Rick Lite

There’s something undeniably magical about the way Sonia D. Hebdon weaves words, music, and fate together in this gorgeous supernatural YA debut. Set in the misty coastal town of Haven Cove in 1989, Sincerely Yours follows Josie Worthington as she uncovers a legacy tied to mysterious predictive letters and a destiny that feels both thrilling and terrifying.
The 80s atmosphere is immersive without being overdone, the fashion, the vibes, the soundtrack references all feel authentic and lived-in. But the real standout is the included Spotify playlist. Listening to the hand-picked songs while reading made every emotional beat hit harder; it’s like the music became another character in the story. This is a book about embracing who you are, the power of stories, and believing in something bigger than yourself. Beautifully written, heartfelt, and impossible to put down. Highly recommend!

– SKYE

This book is bold in a way that surprised me. It doesn’t just tell a supernatural mystery, it questions reality, fate, and whether we have control over our own stories. Josie is a force: rebellious and creative. The tension builds steadily, especially once the letters begin, and it never really lets you breathe. The romance with Blaine feels destined yet fragile, like something that could shatter at any moment. Haven Cove itself feels alive, almost like it’s watching them. I loved how the ‘80s atmosphere contrasts with the darkness underneath, it makes the danger feel sharper. By the final chapters, I felt completely immersed in their fight for the truth. It’s the kind of story that lingers long after you close the book.

– Sabrina Parrino

I’ll be honest, supernatural romance isn’t usually my first pick, but this one pulled me in. The mystery about the missing writers and the secret society felt solid and well thought out. Haven Cove doesn’t just feel spooky for the sake of it; it feels controlled, like something calculated is happening behind the scenes. Blaine’s character stood out to me, there’s strength in the way he walks away from fame and chooses something real. The relationship between him and Josie doesn’t build super fast, which made it believable instead of forced. The stakes feel real when the letters start threatening her existence. There’s grit beneath the romance, and I respected that. It’s not just about love, it’s about identity, truth, and fighting for what’s real.

– Ray Giustini

I did not expect Sincerely Yours... Written In The Stars and Inked In Destiny to hit me the way it did. From the first chapter, I felt like I was sitting beside Josie in that newsroom, reading letters that felt way too real. Her fear of disappearing cut so deep. The connection between her and Blaine wasn’t flashy or dramatic, it was human. I loved how their bond felt like two lonely souls finally recognizing each other in the dark. The anonymous letters had me anxious the entire time, but it was the emotional stakes that wrecked me. By the end, I was in tears, not just because of the mystery, but because of what it said about identity and destiny. This book feels like a love letter to anyone who has ever wondered if they matter.

– Salvatore

As someone who is obsessed with Stranger Things, this book felt like stepping into Hawkins’ cooler, coastal sister town. Haven Cove has that same small-town, something-is-seriously-wrong vibe that I live for. The ‘80s details aren’t just aesthetic, they’re embedded into the characters, especially Josie with her alternative music obsession. The secret society and the disappearing writers reminded me of the conspiracies I love about the Upside-Down storyline. Even the slow-burn romance had that Mike and Eleven intensity where every glance means something. If you love mystery, nostalgia, and teens uncovering dark secrets, this book absolutely delivers.

– Caterina Parrino

As a 42-year-old teacher and busy mom, I don’t always have time to sit and really get into a book but Sincerely Yours…: Written In The Stars And Inked In Destiny! completely pulled me in.

I loved how the relationship developed naturally. The characters felt mature and real, with past baggage and real-life fears that made their connection believable. The emotional moments actually hit, and I found myself thinking about them even when I wasn’t reading.

Haven Cove has that cozy small-town feel that makes you want to move there, and the romance had just the right mix of heart and tension.

If you love heartfelt, destiny-driven love stories with depth, this one is worth the read.

– Kerri

Sincerely Yours by Sincerely Yours is a heartfelt story that really stayed with me. From the first few pages, I felt connected to the characters. The writing feels honest and easy to read. It almost feels like you are reading real letters from someone’s life. The emotions in the story feel true and not forced. I liked how the characters were not perfect, which made them more real. Some parts made me smile, while others made me a little emotional. The story moves at a steady pace and never feels rushed. By the end, I felt both sad and hopeful at the same time. It’s a simple but meaningful book that leaves a lasting impression.

– Julianna