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Booked & Bothered: Why I Wrote a Novel About a Messy Girls Trip to Essence Fest


Booked & Bothered: Why I Wrote a Novel About a Messy Girls Trip to Essence Fest

Every summer, something magical happens in New Orleans. The streets buzz with music, melanin glows under the Southern sun, and the Essence Festival brings together culture, fashion, sisterhood, and soul. But while some folks go to find themselves… others go to lose their minds—and that’s exactly where my novel Booked & Bothered was born.

It Started with a Group Chat

You know the kind. The “Let’s take a trip!” chat where everybody’s excited—until it’s time to book the flight.
I’ve seen friendships tested over hotel deposits, “who’s sleeping where,” and why somebody invited her. So I thought, what if I took all that real-life mess and gave it a stage?
Cue: four girlfriends. A plan. A plane ticket. And drama that didn't get left on the jetway.

Sisterhood Ain’t Always Pretty

I didn’t want to write a perfect vacation story. I wanted real. Because sometimes your bestie is the one who’s secretly jealous. Sometimes brunch turns into a therapy session. And sometimes that trip you needed to relax ends up exposing everything you were running from.
That’s the vibe of Booked & Bothered—funny, chaotic, heartfelt, and just a little shady.

Essence Fest Was the Perfect Backdrop

Essence isn’t just an event. It’s a movement. A celebration. A mirror. And for Black women, it’s a place to feel powerful, connected, and seen. That’s why I had to set this story there. The food, the music, the heat, the history—it all created the perfect backdrop for my characters to come undone and rebuild.

The Characters Are Pieces of All of Us

There’s:

  • Tasha – the planner, who’s doing too much to avoid doing the emotional work.
  • Jazmine – the wild one, single and searching for something deeper.
  • Renee – the mom of the group, married but not as happy as she seems.
  • Keisha – the dreamer, who might just be writing all of this down…

Each woman represents a layer of friendship, identity, and what it means to “show up” for yourself—and your girls.

Messy? Yes. But Also Magical.

Sure, it gets wild—there’s rooftop drama, beignet breakdowns, and even an ex who shows up with a new girlfriend. But underneath it all is a story about healing, honesty, and holding space for each other.

Because sometimes, the most important journey you take… is the one with the people who know your mess and love you anyway.

What’s Next?

Booked & Bothered is coming soon.
Until then, I’ll be sharing sneak peeks, character interviews, and behind-the-scenes tea.
Follow me on [Instagram/Facebook] and drop a comment below:
Have YOU ever had a messy girls trip? Tell me everything. No judgment. Just vibes.



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