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That’s My Style
Scrubby’s PBnJ is a small-town contemporary romance about a sandwich shop owner in learning, through work, faith, friendship, and a tender slow-burn relationship, that she is worthy of love and success. What were some sources that informed this novel’s development?
I remember back in the early 2000s, I think, there was a restaurant that opened in Downtown Chicago that specialized in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. That always fascinated me, and I wondered how they would have done had everything been homemade, and not essentially store-bought bread, peanut butter, and jelly.
How did you decide to lean so fully into the rhythms of ordinary life instead of pushing for more dramatic plot turns?
That’s my style. This book took place in the same universe as some of my other works, namely Afternoon Rebecca and 14 Hours of Saturn. There was a lot of crossover with this book and the others. Brynn is from Pine City and worked at Anderson’s Steak & Seafood, two places first found in Afternoon Rebecca, along with Dollar Junction Community College and her attorney, Charles Ruckman. Scrubby and Dewey meet Saturn O Syres and Janus Rings at a dance at a civic club in their hometown. Saturn O Syres is the protagonist of 14 Hours of Saturn, and she and Janus went to the dance a few times. Ordinary life is what I write about, and the little things one may not notice before.
Dewey and Brynn’s romance feels intentionally gentle and old-fashioned. What kind of love story were you hoping to write between them?
Christians with pasts. Also, I prefer true romance – boy meets girl, boy likes girl, boy tries to woo girl – over boy and girl meet, then immediately jump into physical relations
How much of the restaurant world, menus, cleanup, staffing, and daily routines, came from observation or personal experience?
Very little, if I’m honest. I have worked at restaurants in the past, and some of that did inform this, but it was more just my imagination over anything else.
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Alongside her lively best friend Sabrina, Brynn pours everything she has into her business, determined to make her vision succeed. But when an injury leads her to Dewey Huckleberry, a thoughtful EMT with a gentle heart, Scrubby’s carefully ordered world begins to shift. As her business grows and her personal life becomes more complicated, Brynn must confront old insecurities, trust the people who care about her, and decide whether she is ready to open her heart to a future she never imagined.
Filled with warmth, humor, romance, and small-town charm, Scrubby’s PBnJ is a feel-good novel about faith, healing, community, and finding love in the most unexpected places.
Scrubby’s PBnJ
Scrubby’s PBnJ is best described as a small-town contemporary romance with a strong slice-of-life streak. It follows Brynn “Scrubby” Green, the owner of a niche sandwich shop in Indiana, as she tries to keep her business growing while navigating friendship, faith, self-doubt, and a slow-building romance with Dewey Huckleberry. The story moves through the rhythms of the restaurant, local events, family gatherings, and Brynn’s changing sense of herself, so the book is just as much about building a life as it is about falling in love.
I liked how committed the book is to ordinary life. It spends time on menus, cleanup, staffing, church, small-town festivals, and the thousand little decisions that make up a working life, and that gives the novel a grounded feel. It’s not trying to be sleek or ironic. It wants you to sit with these people and watch their days unfold. I liked that. The writing is plainspoken and earnest, and that honesty gives the story a certain charm. Sometimes conversations circle back to the same insecurities or values. Still, there is something refreshing about a novel that knows exactly what kind of world it wants to build and refuses to just hint at it.
I also found myself thinking about the author’s choices around Brynn. She’s written as someone who is capable, careful, and deeply sincere, but also very hard on herself. That combination gives the book its emotional center. Her romance with Dewey is tender in a way that feels intentionally old-fashioned, and the novel leans into that without apology. Same with the faith element. It’s not tucked into the background. It’s part of how Brynn sees the world, and whether a reader connects with that will probably shape how they respond to the whole book. For me, the strongest parts were not the biggest plot turns, but the quieter moments where Brynn slowly starts to believe she is worthy of love, success, and being seen clearly.
I came away thinking this is a warm, sincere read for people who enjoy character-driven fiction more than sharp plotting, and who don’t mind a story taking its time around everyday details. I would recommend it most to readers who like wholesome contemporary romance, small-town settings, food-centered fiction, and stories where emotional growth matters as much as the relationship itself. If you want a gentle novel with a steady heart, one that feels like spending time with familiar people in a place that slowly becomes home, Scrubby’s PBnJ has a lot to offer.
Pages: 533 | ASIN: B0FMPB2HNX
Afternoon Rebecca
Afternoon Rebecca is a charming, slice-of-life romance about Jeff Linn and Rebecca Firkins, two small-town Christians navigating the world of online dating. It chronicles their awkward but heartfelt journey from their first messages on Church Chat to a tentative first meeting at a restaurant in Centerville. The novel explores themes of vulnerability, faith, and the small moments that build meaningful connections, all set against the backdrop of quaint Indiana towns.
The writing is lighthearted and rooted in the quirks of Midwestern life. Kizman’s prose shines in its humor and detail, particularly in how he captures Jeff’s nervous, rambling internal monologue. For example, the scene where Jeff debates his shoelace while waiting for Rebecca is both endearing and relatable: “Not wanting to trip like a klutz when meeting Rebecca, he stands… drops down to one knee, and begins to retie his laces.” It perfectly sets up their whimsical first interaction, with Rebecca jokingly addressing his kneeling as a marriage proposal. These vivid moments breathe life into the characters and pull you into their world.
The depth given to Jeff and Rebecca’s internal struggles is something I liked, though I did find that the first few chapters focus a bit more on description. Jeff’s preparation for the date, for instance, delves into vivid details like his parrot’s Biblical recitations and his neighbors’ lawn habits. While these moments add color and charm, I felt like they slow the momentum compared to the lively dialogue-driven scenes at the restaurant.
What truly impressed me were the novel’s heartfelt observations about faith and relationships. Rebecca’s backstory, including her reflections on trust after a failed relationship and her connection with her church community, was beautifully handled. These moments, coupled with the light humor sprinkled throughout, make the story resonate deeply.
Afternoon Rebecca is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys wholesome, faith-based romance with a touch of humor. Its small-town charm and lovable characters will appeal to fans of Nicholas Sparks but with a more grounded, quirky vibe. This book is especially perfect for readers looking for a cozy escape that celebrates the joys and challenges of forging authentic human connections.
pages: 143 | ISBN: 196623905X
