A Tender, Awkward Moment from Strawberry Moon

Amber Hoyem — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

When a whispered confession turns into “stinky man,” you know the moment was going too well.

I love sharing small moments from Strawberry Moon that show the awkward, tender, very human side of early colonial life. This one has always made me smile — and wince — in equal measure.

John Whipple shows Sarah his new home, hoping she’ll admire the place and—ideally—him. She looks around the empty space and quietly says it feels lonely.

He tries to brush past the awkwardness with clumsy flirtation, joking about someday having animals and furs to keep him warm. Sarah laughs and tells him he’d have to take the furs off her first, stepping away as he reaches for her before letting him pull her close.

She whispers something soft in her language, and he can’t translate the words, but her lingering touch tells him exactly what she meant. When he asks what she said, she hesitates, grows shy, and tells him it means “stinky man.”

John freezes, sniffs his armpit, and dies a little inside. She sees the hurt flicker in his eyes and wraps her furs around him, kissing him gently and calling him “silly man” instead.

Even in 1637, flirting was dangerous work.

Learn more about Strawberry Moon here.

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Early Readers Are Discovering Strawberry Moon

Amber Hoyem — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

One of the most meaningful parts of releasing a debut novel is seeing readers begin to step into the world you created. This week, an early Goodreads review described Strawberry Moon as:

“Well‑researched, immersive… the bleakness of colonial New England is palpable.” — Goodreads Reviewer

I’m grateful for every reader who takes the time to share their experience. This story grew from years of genealogical research, archival digging, and a desire to understand the emotional lives of people whose histories were only partially recorded. Seeing readers connect with that world means more than I can say.

If you’ve stepped into Strawberry Moon, thank you for entering a world where identity, loyalty, and survival are deeply intertwined. And if you’re just discovering the book, welcome — I’m glad you’re here.

Learn more about Strawberry Moon here.

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Amber Hoyem | Updates

A Tender, Awkward Moment from Strawberry Moon

Early Readers Are Discovering Strawberry Moon