I read 20 books in the month of May. Even though it's a smaller reading month for me, I hit both of my diversity goals.

**CW/TC: We talk about depression, self harm, and dark thoughts. Please only listen if you have the mental space to do so. Take care of yourself.

A common theme that has come up during reader interviews is the shift that happened during COVID. How reading romance became a new strategy to help with people's mental state. I share some of my own mental health journey, how reading has brought me comfort for decades.

For full show notes, head to: www.jaycereadsromance.com/podcast/mentalhealth

We chat with indie bookstore employee and avid romance reader, Addy. What is it like working in the indie bookstore space. What are they seeing in regards to romance from both the retail side and publishing side. We also mention A LOT of books.