This week, the Salt Lake area book community said goodbye to our beloved Jenn of The King’s English, which also meant G. and I said goodbye to friends. We met Jenn and Chris at the Utah Book Festival two years ago. They were there to work for TKE, but hey, it was a cocktail party, so there was time for chatting, too. We all hit it off (and if you are a couple who has ever been on the prowl for couple friends, you know how rare this is) and have since shared meals and game night and porch-sitting and swapping of Netflix queues. Chris, a terrific writer, inspired me and a few others to put together a little writers group—which was short-lived but totally fun. He’s also a connoisseur of hand-rolled cigarettes and a brave goer to ice cream “are you from the ward” socials, and got me my first and quite possibly last movie role.

Jenn introduced me at that 07 book fest and at just about all my local events since. She baked the first Sweethearts tour heart cookies and makes a mean mac and cheese. Also, she was pretty much super woman in her job and always made book events fun. Together they love movies, food, good wine, books, Touch apps, their cats, and each other.

All us local authors who know how much Jenn has done for us are sad to see her go, but it’s an extra big sadness for us say goodbye to both Chris and Jenn because it felt like our friendship had really just started. But, Jenn is pursuing a new opportunity, still in bookselling, and we’re excited for her and wish them both the best.

They came over to help us celebrate our anniversary a week or so ago…note Jenn’s shirt: “Will work for books.”

(Safe travel, guys, I know our paths will cross again soon…)