***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – see the winner below!***
And the randomly selected winner who will receive a copy of the book and a little DIY cash is… Julie Smith (she joked we’d find her at her desk daydreaming about finishing a half-painted bathroom). Congratulations, Julie!
If You Were Here is Jen Lancaster’s witty, relatable novel about a young couple navigating the thrills and headaches of renovating their first home. Lancaster’s humorous voice and eye for the small disasters and triumphs of DIY life make this title a perfect fit for readers who love books about home projects, marriage, and the chaos that comes with turning a house into a home. For anyone who follows renovation blogs, likes funny memoir-style fiction, or enjoys a story that balances practical details with laugh-out-loud moments, this paperback was an ideal addition to the reading list.
We were delighted when Jen mentioned us on her blog last year, and to celebrate the paperback release we hosted a giveaway offering a copy of If You Were Here plus a prize that will help with a real-life project: a $100 Home Depot gift card. Whether you use the card for paint, tools, or simply as a bookmark replacement, it’s a little boost to help keep those house projects moving.
- PRIZE: One copy of If You Were Here by Jen Lancaster and a $100 Home Depot gift card.
- TO ENTER (for the original giveaway): Comment on the post with the phrase “IF YOU WERE HERE.”
- BONUS QUESTION: Tell us what we might see if we were standing with you right now — your current DIY project, a crowded subway, your lunch, or whatever moment you’d share.
- GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, March 7th at 8pm EST or at 10,000 entries, whichever came first.
- NUMBER OF WINNERS: One winner was selected at random.
- PRIZE SHIPS: To the 48 contiguous United States (we try to include international options when possible).
- OFFICIAL DETAILS: One entry per email address. The winner was chosen using random.org and announced as an update to the original post.
This giveaway was not sponsored, and we were not paid to promote it—we run occasional giveaways simply to thank readers for visiting and engaging with the blog. For general giveaway notes: we always aim to be transparent about rules, eligibility, and prize fulfillment. Photos were provided courtesy of the book’s publisher.
If you missed this particular giveaway but enjoy Jen Lancaster’s blend of humor and home-improvement storytelling, consider picking up the paperback or checking your local library. If you’re inspired to start a renovation or DIY project after reading, keep a list of priorities, budget for unexpected repairs, and remember that the mess and mistakes are often the best stories later on.
Thanks to everyone who entered and shared a snapshot of their life — whether it was a messy paint project, a commuter crowd, or a favorite sandwich. We love hearing the small, real details that make daily life interesting, and we’ll be back with more book-related giveaways and home-focused content in the future. Stay tuned and happy reading (and renovating)!