LOVE AND OTHER INCURABLE AILMENTS

Linda Sienkiewicz

Serenity Tomczyk isn’t dying—she just has anxiety, a WebMD habit, and a cat named Margaret Thatcher. After breaking off her engagement and losing both parents, she retreats into a predictable life of retail shifts, group therapy, and the safety of solitude.

Then a box of passionate letters appears in a dumpster behind her aunt’s home décor shop, and Serenity becomes captivated by the mysterious man who wrote them. Soon, she’s chasing a fantasy 900 miles from Michigan to Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, in search of the stranger she knows only as “Birdy.”

Thrown from her carefully padded comfort zone, Serenity discovers unexpected friendships,

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Serenity Tomczyk isn’t dying—she just has anxiety, a WebMD habit, and a cat named Margaret Thatcher. After breaking off her engagement and losing both parents, she retreats into a predictable life of retail shifts, group therapy, and the safety of solitude.
Then a box of passionate letters appears in a dumpster behind her aunt’s home décor shop, and Serenity becomes captivated by the mysterious man who wrote them. Soon, she’s chasing a fantasy 900 miles from Michigan to Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, in search of the stranger she knows only as “Birdy.”
Thrown from her carefully padded comfort zone, Serenity discovers unexpected friendships, uncomfortable truths, and the possibility of love. But when her imagined happy ending begins to unravel, she must decide if holding on—or letting go—is the bravest thing she can do.
With wit, heart, and irrepressible warmth, Love and Other Incurable Ailments is a story about connection, courage, and becoming yourself—just when you thought it was too late.
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  • Regal House Publishing
  • Paperback
  • October 2026
  • 230 Pages
  • 9781646037056

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$19.95

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About Linda Sienkiewicz

Linda K. Sienkiewicz is an author and poet whose work blends humor and heart. Her debut novel was a finalist for the Hoffer and Sarton Awards. She is the recipient of a poetry chapbook award and the author of five poetry chapbooks and a children’s picture book. She holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, serves as Honorary Director of Detroit Working Writers, and volunteers with a Michigan nonprofit. Love and Other Incurable Ailments is her second novel.

When she’s not writing, she’s usually walking her corgi, who aspires to be a champion agility dog if he could learn not to pee in the tunnel. Website: LindaKSienkiewicz.com

Praise

“Witty and raw… a fainthearted yet feisty woman finds love where she least expects it.”—Foreword Reviews

“A wonderfully quirky and different sort of story about a woman discovering her unexpected strength.”—Story Circle Review

“A tender and layered story for readers who gravitate toward character-driven fiction steeped in emotion and human connection. It’s a book that doesn’t just entertain—it lingers.”—Midwest Book Review

“Equal parts ballsy and fainthearted, Serenity is a character you can’t help but root for. A smart, satisfying story about reinvention, resilience, and the beauty of beginning again.”—Kristin Bair, author of Clementine Crane Prefers Not To

“Breezy, funny, compassionate, and deliciously sexy. The story welcomes you into an oceanside community full of characters you’ll love getting to know and spending time with.”—Lisa Peers, author of Love at 350°, A POPSUGAR Best Book of the Year

“Funny, voice-driven, and heartbreaking… Love and Other Incurable Ailments speaks to the healing power of taking a leap of faith and finding a soft landing in the waves, sands, and salty air of true community.”—Heather Frese, author of The Baddest Girl on the Beach

Discussion Questions

  1. Serenity struggles with anxiety, hypochondria, and unresolved grief. How do these conditions shape her choices and worldview throughout the novel? Did you find her relatable? Why or why not?
  2. The love letters from Birdy set Serenity’s journey in motion. What do you think the letters represented to her emotionally? Have you ever idealized a person or relationship from afar?
  3. Serenity moves to Ocracoke, North Carolina, hoping to find love but ends up finding community. What does the island represent for her? How do her relationships with Emma, Quade, Jake, Birdy and Raf help her heal?
  4. The islanders have a saying: “We don’t judge. We just want to know who’s sleeping with who.” What does this quote say about the culture of the island, and how does it contrast with Serenity’s former life?
  5. Imagine Serenity hadn’t found Birdy at all. Do you think she still would have stayed on Ocracoke and found happiness? What does this say about fate vs. choice in the novel?
  6. Serenity’s story deals with themes of identity, grief, reinvention, and acceptance. Which of these themes resonated most with you, and why?
  7. Serenity’s fear of dying young becomes a driving force. How does this fear transform throughout the novel? What does she ultimately learn about living fully?
  8. Birdy turns out to be a far cry from Serenity’s fantasy. What does her reaction reveal about her growth?
  9. What role does Margaret Thatcher the cat play in the story? How do pets help us process loneliness, loss, or change in our own lives?
  10. Jake is kind, grounded, and quietly supportive. How does Serenity’s perception of him change over time?