If the sexy-as-sin best man would quit being such a tempting distraction.
When it comes to marriage, my motto has always been, just say no. And for good reason. Plenty of them, in fact.
So how the hell did I wind up as the bride’s style consultant—and maid of honor, by the way—in Silicon Valley's biggest wedding of the season?
Underneath my Grumpy Gus mask, I’m just a sucker for a friend in need. But it doesn’t mean I’m going soft. I’m definitely not about to fall for the best man’s tousled, beachy hotness...or those ocean-blue eyes that look right past my prickly exterior to my marshmallow center.
With the bride refusing to see the signs of the groom’s all too familiar shady behavior, it’s up to me to save my friend from making the same mistake I nearly did. Even if it takes some of my trademark tough love.
That means a hard pass on sexy times with the best man. Right? (Courtesy of Amazon.)
It's advice I've read many times from other authors myself, but: write every day, even if it's just the "nifty 350" (350 words, which only takes 15-20 minutes) because it keeps the story and characters fresh in your mind. Admittedly, I don't always follow this advice, but it is so much harder getting back into the flow when I take several days off.
Funny enough, it was a review for this book, Fall For You. When I wrote it, and even now, the grumpy-sunshine trope was/is wildly popular. But it seems that it's always the male lead who's grumpy. And I thought, jeez, we women have plenty of reasons to be cantankerous or untrusting, yet showing that side usually labels us as bitchy man-haters. I relished the challenge of writing a reverse-grump story and giving Bailey legitimate reasons for her view of the world, making her someone readers could identify with and love, despite her prickly bits. Reading this review from a reader who connected with a character (and story) like this was the ultimate compliment: "I really felt close to Bailey. This book hit so many of my emotions because our lives are similar. I loved how Garrett loved her anyway. Really good book!"
If Fall For You was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
Oof, that's a toughie, since I usually close my eyes and picture every character from scratch, building out their personalities, physical traits, gestures, habits, etc. as I write and revise. If I must, I'm going to say Carey Mulligan for Bailey, especially after seeing her incredibly complex character in Promising Young Woman. I'd go with Chris Evans for Garrett, mostly for what I perceive as his laid-back, "beachy" vibe and easy smile, which may hide his real depth.
Summer! I'm a shorts-and-flip-flops gal from way back.
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? (Like how John McEnroe narrated Devi's life on Never Have I Ever.)
I loved McEnroe as the narrator for Devi. Who thought that up?? I'd aim high and go for Emma Thompson. So talented, and with that fantastic dry wit, she'd strike the right tone of always being able to laugh at yourself.
If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
Bass Lake, California - the setting for the first book in this series, and a place that speaks to the young and not-so young versions of me. I'd also like to take us to Pitlochry, Scotland, the setting for the last book in the series, Spring Breaking. I haven't actually visited that particular part of Scotland, but feel like it's now in my blood from all the research. Plus, Highland hairy coos!
Thanks to Hayleigh for chatting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.
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