Welcome to another Weekend Read. My featured book this week is the heartwarming romance novel Forty Going on Nineteen by romance author Kristina Thornton. So grab yourself a cuppa, get cosy and let’s get chatting to Kristina.

BLURB:

Two best friends. One outrageous week. Ten birthday dares. And a plan to turn back the clock… just a little.

Louise Nightingale, a routine-loving single mum, is hitting forty and feeling stuck. Enter Katie Sinclair: party planner, mischief instigator, and her best friend. She’s whisking Louise back to her hometown of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, for a week of pubs, bubbly, and very carefully crafted chaos.

The catch? Ten challenges designed to push Louise out of her comfort zone. Cue the embarrassing moments, questionable decisions, and a very familiar face—Tom Gardner, her school crush, turned slightly-too-charming adult. He’s handsome, smug, and possibly a little off-limits… or maybe not.

Full of laughter, flirting, and the kind of friendship that saves you from yourself, this is a delightfully cheeky story about love, life, and taking a few chances before forty hits.

If you love stories about lifelong friendships, laugh-out-loud mishaps, and swoon-worthy second-chance romance, this charming tale of self-discovery, daring challenges, and unexpected love will have you smiling long after the last page.

BUYING LINK: geni.us/FGON_A

Welcome to my blog, Kristina. What do you like writing most?

In each novel I have written, there are usually a few scenes that I’ve had in mind for ages, which I look forward to writing. I suppose each book is built around these stand-out, dramatic segments. I write in order, so Chapter 1, then Chapter 2 etc. So sometimes I have to wait a good while to get to a part that I’m particularly excited to write. This is when the writing flows because I’ve already been thinking lots about what’s going to happen and it’s half-written in my head. It’s really enjoyable, when everything falls into place and it just works and you can’t type fast enough as the scene falls from your brain. I love those moments.

Do you have a special place for writing?

Under the stairs. It’s nicer than it sounds—honest! I have a little desk with shelves above it with some of my favourite novels and writing craft books on. My debut, Claire Morris is Completely Lost was shortlisted for two Romantic Novelists’ Association awards: The Debut Romantic Novel Award 2025 and The Joan Hessayon Award 2024 and I have the certificates framed and hanging near my desk to remind me what I have achieved so far. It’s useful to have reminders of the writing good times nearby for when I’m finding things hard or experiencing moments of imposter syndrome.

What inspired you to write this book?

I began writing Forty Going on Nineteen when I was about to turn forty, so I very much channelled some of my hopes and fears into the main character, Louise. The aim was to create a positive book about getting older, empty nest syndrome, and embracing life but also about self-discovery, which happens repeatedly throughout life.

Plus, I made Louise a celebrant, after my mum trained to be one. Her stories about conducting weddings and funerals inspired me, and I thought what a perfect job for the main character of a romance novel! To be surrounded by romantic love, but to not have it… yet.

What time of the day do you write best?

Usually when it’s school pick up time! I’ll faff about, the words won’t be flowing, then everything will fall into place, and I’ll get really into a scene about half an hour before I need to pick up the children. Time pressure makes me get on with the task at hand. Ideally, I try to write in the mornings, but that doesn’t always work out.

About a year ago, when I was working hours here and there as a school exam invigilator, I would only have about forty-five minutes to work on my first draft before I had to set off for work, and I got some of my best writing done in that time. I definitely respond well to a deadline, which is probably to do with my background as a broadcast journalist.

I know what you mean, I have a deadline mentality too! Your book sounds fab, Kristina, I hope it soars.

Meet Kristina

Kristina Thornton writes fun and emotional romantic fiction full of self-discovery, friendship, and drama. Her second novel, Forty Going on Nineteen was published in July 2026 (Harpeth Road Press). Kristina’s first book, Claire Morris is Completely Lost (Northodox Press) was shortlisted for two Romantic Novelists’ Association awards: The Debut Romantic Novel Award 2025 and The Joan Hessayon Award 2024. She grew up in Doncaster and now lives in Derbyshire, England with her husband and two sons. As well as being an author, the former BBC presenter and broadcast journalist is an associate lecturer in journalism at the University of Worcester.

Contact links

WEBSITE: https://www.kristina-thornton.com

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/author/kristinathornton

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50956446.Kristina_Thornton

INSTAGRAM: @kristinathorntonauthor

FACEBOOK: @Kristina Thornton – Author

TIKTOK: @kristinamaythornton

X: @KristinaT83