Hi friend,
There's been a lot going on behind the scenes lately, the kind of stuff that quietly weighs on you until you look up and realize you've been carrying it for a while. But putting this month's snail mail together was a kind of therapy. Choosing the colors, finding the stickers, seeing Ada's illustration for the first time, it reminded me why I started this little society.
Spring has always felt like permission to bloom. Not all at once, and not without effort, but in that quiet, inevitable way where something in you loosens up and says, okay, everything will be okay. Where the hard season slowly gives way to something softer, something worth waiting for.
That's what Bookshop Girl Spring became for me this month. Not just an aesthetic, but a feeling. This little envelope is full of that energy, sent straight to you, because you deserve it. And this month, I needed it too.
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What Was Inside Your March Snail Mail
- A 5×7 postcard illustrated by @gael_me (Ada Abigael), created exclusively for Heartbound and inspired by the soft, hopeful energy of spring.
- A QR code that brought you here, to this members-only space filled with special surprises, extras, and behind-the-scenes moments just for you.
- 3 stickers to keep or share.
- A bookmark that matches the vibe of the theme.
- A reading prompt to encourage you to pick up a read set in a bookshop.
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Get to Know Your March Artist: Ada Abigael
We are so honored to feature Ada Abigael for this month's postcard!
How would you describe your art style in three words?
Cute, Cartoony and Colorful.
What drew you to this month's theme, and what did you hope readers would feel?
I tried to make the artwork soft and bright, exciting and hopeful — feelings I associate with Spring. I hope the readers feel the same.
Do you have a favorite romance trope or love story?
I enjoy most romance tropes but I am a sucker for Friends to Lovers.
Where do you usually find inspiration?
Inspiration often just pops up out of nowhere, but recently when I intentionally seek it out, I look up other people's work, learn what draws me to their pieces, and use it as a jumping off point.
How do you like to slow down or find softness in everyday life?
Reading, watching videos, and — unbelievably — doing chores sometimes help me unwind.
Where can readers find and support your work?
I'm most active on Instagram at @gael_me. You can also visit my portfolio website at adaabigael.weebly.com!
Any small joy you've been loving lately?
To actually see the progress in my skills as an artist and enjoy the process — that is a win and a joy.
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Member Extras
Bookshop Girl Spring Phone Wallpaper
Soft, springy, and perfect for your lock screen.
10% Off Exclusive Discount
Use code MARCHBLOOM to get 10% off books!
Please do not share this with anyone outside of the society, we will know.
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Behind the Design
When we saw the first sketch for March's postcard, I genuinely gasped. It was more than what I had hoped for.
A reader on their way to Heartbound Book Shop. Spring colors — soft yellows, pinks, and greens. A bookshop window full of books. It captured everything this theme was meant to be, and then some. Ada brought a lightness and warmth to the illustration that I didn't even know I needed until I saw it.
This is the kind of postcard you frame. 🌸
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Thank you for being part of this little garden we're growing together. Thank you for choosing something slow and intentional in a world that moves so fast.
And thank you for letting Heartbound bloom in your mailbox.
With love,
Jenika & the Heartbound family 🤍