Jayne Denker had us at hello...plus a book giveaway

Today we're pleased to welcome Jayne Denker back to CLC to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, The Rom-Com Agenda. This one will definitely motivate you to have a cozy 80s and 90s rom-com movie night with a big bowl of popcorn, whether it's with your friends, your crush, or your significant other. (And if you have a VCR, even better...) Melissa gave it five stars, so check out her review. And speaking of the number five, St. Martin's Press is offering FIVE copies to some lucky readers!

Jayne Denker is the author of romantic comedies, including The Rom-Com Agenda and the Welcome to Marsden series. When she's not hard at work on another novel (or, rather, when she should be hard at work on another novel), she can usually be found frittering away stupid amounts of time on social media.

Visit Jayne online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
Leah Keegan is used to being alone, especially after taking care of her sick foster mother for the past year. But now there’s nothing keeping her in the charming town of Willow Cove. So it’s time to move on, again. Eli Masterson thought he and Victoria were meant to be together until she breaks things off with him and jets off to Rome for a year. He's left licking his wounds and taking care of her cat. Eli is determined to win her back. But how?

When his friends are sick of Eli's wallowing, they decide to give him a makeover. If he wants Victoria back, he has to become the type of guy Victoria needs, even if they aren't so sure Victoria is what Eli needs. The makeover ensues, including a haircut, wardrobe overhaul, and a pages-long list of rom-coms Eli needs to watch. Leah is inadvertently drawn into the makeover scheme, and ends up being Eli's guide in the world of meet-cutes and grand gestures. Even though she secretly believes that Eli doesn't need to change a thing. Even though she's almost positive that Victoria doesn't want Eli back. Even though she secretly might be falling for Eli. 

"Filled with charming characters and a heartwarming love story, The Rom-Com Agenda celebrates friendship, self-acceptance, and finding your voice. Denker delivers a joyous ode to the romantic comedy genre that is sure to delight readers!" 

- Kate Bromley, author of Here for the Drama and Talk Bookish to Me

"The Rom-Com Agenda is a funny and heartwarming story with characters you’ll want to meet again. An homage to the romcom movies we grew up with." 

- Sophie Sullivan, author of Ten Rules for Faking It

"In The Rom-Com Agenda, Jayne Denker has crafted the perfect swoony, slow burn, sentimental romantic comedy that we all deserve. I was absolutely swept off my feet by this delightfully witty romance between a complicated heroine and an idealistic hero. Movie references a huge bonus!" 

- New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
I've heard back from some wonderfully kind readers over the years! I'd have to say whenever someone says that one of my books brightened their day, it means the world to me. That's why I started writing romantic comedies--I just wanted to make folks laugh and forget their problems for a little while. Also a lot of my books are set in New York State, and when a fellow New York State resident says, "Yes! My region is exactly like that!" I'm thrilled to bits, because I always want to be as accurate as possible.

What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing The Rom-Com Agenda?
It's been a rollercoaster ride, that's for sure. It was a thrill when my agent of ten years, Jordy Albert of the Booker-Albert Literary Agency, told me she'd gotten me a print and audio deal--my first. Working with everyone at St. Martin's has been a joy, from finessing the MS with my editor, Alex Sehulster, to seeing the absolutely adorable cover for the first time. 

The challenges were more personal; I signed the book deal and worked on the edits while my mom was in and out of the hospital repeatedly with a variety of health problems. She passed just about two years ago, a victim of the really bad covid surge in late 2020/early 2021, so it's bittersweet that she isn't here to finally see one of my books in actual bookstores. She was always so supportive of everything I did.

If The Rom-Com Agenda were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Gosh, I'm truly not certain! Sometimes I have an entire cast list in my head when I write, but with RCA that didn't happen. I'd welcome readers to take a stab at it--I'd love to see their suggestions, because I got nothin'! I will say that there is one character that I could envision a particular actor playing. When I got stuck writing, I'd ask myself "how would [the actor] play this scene?" or "what sort of response would [the actor] give here, and how would their delivery sound?" It worked like a charm--hearing their voice in my head or seeing their mannerisms got me unstuck every time.

Which TV series are you currently binge-watching?
I'm not watching anything at the moment because I'm up to my eyeballs in edits for my next book, the follow-up to RCA, but I did take time to blow through the latest season of Emily in Paris, because how could I not? I think, when I'm done with my edits, I'll try Wednesday on Netflix. I've also been meaning to binge White Lotus for a while--maybe I'll finally get to it.

What is your most favorite rom-com of all time?
Haha that's a question that can have me pondering it, answering it, and then changing my mind a million times, but I'd have to say probably one of the OG rom-coms, Bridget Jones's Diary. It was so innovative when it came out, and I remember trying to smother my non-stop laughter when I was reading in bed so I didn't wake up my husband. (I failed.) I reread it often and watch the movie frequently too.

What is something you hope to accomplish in 2023?
I plan to truly appreciate RCA's release, to really be present and enjoy seeing it in bookstores. And I need to get the next Willow Cove book's edits done! After that I hope to stand still and breathe for a minute. It's been pretty crazy the past couple of years.

Thanks to Jayne for visiting with us and to St. Martin's Press 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 January 16th at midnight EST.

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