At the movies with Kerry Winfrey...plus a book giveaway

We're so glad to have Kerry Winfrey here to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, Not Like the Movies! It's a follow-up to Waiting for Tom Hanks, which was one of Melissa's 2019 favorites. Not Like the Movies was equally spectacular and Melissa gave it a five-star review. Thanks to Berkley, we have one e-book (via NetGalley) for a lucky reader! (While this can be read as a stand-alone, there are spoilers for Waiting.)

Kerry Winfrey is also the author of the young adult novels LOVE AND OTHER ALIEN EXPERIENCES and THINGS JOLIE NEEDS TO DO BEFORE SHE BITES IT, both from Feiwel and Friends. When she’s not writing, she’s most likely baking a pie or watching far, far too many romantic comedies. She lives with her husband, son, and dog in the middle of Ohio. (Bio adapted from Kerry's website.)

Visit Kerry online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
Chloe Sanderson is an optimist, and not because her life is easy. As the sole caregiver for her father, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s, she’s pretty much responsible for everything. She has no time—or interest—in getting swept up in some dazzling romance. Not like her best friend, Annie, who literally wrote a rom-com that’s about to premiere in theaters across America . . . and happens to be inspired by Chloe and her cute but no-nonsense boss, Nick Velez.

As the buzz for the movie grows, Chloe reads one too many listicles about why Nick is the perfect man, and now she can’t see him as anything but Reason #4: The scruffy-bearded hunk who’s always there when you need him. But unlike the romance Annie has written for them, Chloe isn’t so sure her own story will end in a happily-ever-after. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
Any time someone says a book of mine made them actually laugh out loud. Or when someone says a book of mine made them cry. Maybe it’s weird to be happy about making people cry, but any time I can elicit a strong emotion, that’s a great compliment!

Which character is more similar to you, Annie or Chloe? Why?
Even though Annie and I are both huge rom-com fans, we’re not much alike at all. I’ve never made any real life decisions because of romantic comedies, and I’m actually not very romantic. But I do have a lot in common with Chloe! I’ve been known to schedule my emotional breakdowns, kind of like Chloe’s Five Minute Cries, and I love bright colors. Oh, and her love of yacht rock is absolutely from me. Every song she loves in the book is a personal favorite of mine.

If you could cast Not Like the Movies for the big screen, who would play the leading roles?
This is such a fun question, but hard because I rarely have actors in mind when I’m writing. I see the characters as the made up people in my head, and I can’t really picture them as actors. But I LOVE when readers “cast” the book for me!

What is your favorite rom com movie of all time?
My favorite classic is You’ve Got Mail. I love that the stakes are high and the emotions are big, and I always cry at the end. My favorite underrated romantic comedies are What If (Zoe Kazan and Daniel Radcliffe!) and Just Wright (Queen Latifah and Common!).

What is something that would surprise people to learn about you?
I would love to write a super creepy mystery novel. Unfortunately I’m very easily scared so I’m not sure I can ever make it happen.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you (or that you have witnessed) recently?
Most of the funny things that happen to me involve my three year-old. The other day he asked me, “Do you remember that time you got a haircut? Do you think…someone could give you another one?” I mean, I already knew I needed a haircut, but three year-olds love to roast you. They don’t hesitate to let you know if they don’t like your clothes, your hair, or the food you made them.

Thanks to Kerry for chatting with us and to Berkley for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends July 12th at midnight EST.