Author Interview Jennifer Lee
Author Interview

Author Interview: Jennifer Lee

Now This Is Us by Jennifer Lee is out now! I’m thrilled Jenn joined me for an author interview to chat about her writing process, her debut novel and her romance recs. 

About Jennifer Lee

Book hoarder. Coffee Addict. Romance Writer. Jennifer Lee has dreamt of publishing her first book since she was a young girl, and now, she’s finally making that dream come true. When she’s not hiding in her writing cave, she loves spending time with her college sweetheart-turned-husband, her two amazing kids, and her rescue pup.

Buy your copy of Now This Is Us  by Jennifer Lee!

Check out the Synopsis for Now This Is Us  by Jennifer Lee

Our friendship was beautiful magic.
Our love was vibrant chaos.
Our undoing was pure misery.

Jordan King was my best friend—until one reckless moment ruined everything.
He wanted me to answer for what I’d done, but he underestimated our chemistry and the undeniable desire lurking beneath our skin.
All it took was one heated kiss to awaken our sleeping hearts and ignite the passion in our veins.
But we built our relationship on lies and kept it hidden in the dark, and in the light of day, it all came crashing down.

That was then…

They say time heals all wounds, but sometimes our scars are just too deep to ignore.
When I moved back to town six years later, it wasn’t a choice, it was an obligation.
I wasn’t looking for romance.
I wasn’t looking for love.
So what if Jordan embodied sexy sophistication in a bespoke suit, and his larger-than-life presence was inescapable?
He broke my vulnerable heart before, and I’d be a fool to let him do it again.

…Now this is us.

Now This Is Us is a mature new adult romance, and some themes/events in this novel may be considered too graphic for some readers. Please proceed with caution.

Author Interview: Jennifer Lee

Jenn, I’m so excited to talk with you about your debut novel, Now This Is Us, which hits shelves May 19th, 2022. 

Thank you so much for reaching out and asking me to do this! My first interview…so exciting!

Can you tell me a little about the inspiration behind Now This Is Us?

Well, I’ve struggled with anxiety for half of my life, so I’ve always wanted to write a romance novel demonstrating what it’s like loving and caring for someone who sometimes gets swept up in a current of panic and doubts. Before I even really knew my characters, I wrote a scene involving my female main character in the thick of a panic attack, and my male main character comforting her the best way he knew how. It was a vulnerable scene for me to write, and it really set the tone for how the rest of the story would go.

Now This Is Us sounds like a friends to lovers to enemies, then back to lovers, second chance romance with a time jump. So good! Can you tell readers what other tropes to expect?

Sounds confusing, doesn’t it? Ha. Now This Is Us is friends to enemies to lovers to strangers. There’s also a bit of suspense as the prologue sets the scene for something that happens in the second half of the book.

If you were to break down the feeling or vibe for Now This Is Us, what three words would you choose?

Angst. Tension. FEELS.

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Author Interview: Jennifer Lee: Let’s Chat About Writing

I can’t wait to read your book! I’d love to know if you’re a plotter or a pantser. What seems to work best for your writing?

I am 100% a pantser. Even when I attempt to plot scenes ahead of time, I end up changing most of it, so I’ve stopped trying. My characters feel so real to me that I think I would do them a disservice if I tried to force them into certain situations, so I let them tell me what should happen next. 

While we’re on the subject of writing, do you have any favorite snacks, music or rituals for your writing? 

I always have coffee by my side and music playing. As for genre, every scene is a mood, so I have LOTS of playlists depending on what I’m writing each day. (My husband asked me why I made a “break up” playlist, so I had to reassure him it had nothing to do with him. Whoops.)

Do you have any advice for fellow writers?

If you have a story to tell, tell it! I wish I would have done this sooner because I think of all the times characters and ideas popped into my head, and I ignored them because I was too scared to try. What if those ideas turned out to be amazing? Now, I’ll never know.

Can you expand on your decision to self publish and why that was the best choice for you and your manuscript?

Sure! For me, I enjoy working at my own pace and having creative control over every aspect of my book. As soon as I finished, Now This Is Us, I wanted to share it with the world instead of going through the long process that comes with traditional publishing. Maybe one day that will be the path I explore, but I’ve always gravitated towards independently published romances as a reader, so I feel most at home in the indie romance community. 

Reading Recs, TV Casting & More: Author Interview: Jennifer Lee

What started your foray into reading and loving the romance genre? 

I’ve been a reader since I was a young child, and English was always my favorite subject in high school, so I went on to major in it in college. I’ve always had a romantic heart, so I’ve always gravitated towards book that explored love in all forms. 

I can’t wait to read Now This Is Us. What are some romances on your TBR and/or must read romances?

Since I’ve been writing instead of reading, my TBR is out of control! I’m really looking forward to reading June First by Jennifer Hartmann and Nothing Feels Better by Brit Benson. As for must read romances…I always recommend Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan, Swear on This Life by Renee Carlino, and Forever and Never by Ella Fields.

Who is the perfect reader for Now This Is Us?

If you enjoy tension and steam, this is for you. If you enjoy a strong female friendship, this is for you. If you enjoy characters that are flawed but loveable, this is for you. If you’re looking for a book with lots of feels, this is for you.

I always love talking about TV and movies. If you were to cast an adaptation for Now This Is Us, do you have anyone in mind for your characters?

I’ve been asked this a lot lately! I honestly can’t say who I’d cast for my two main characters, Jordan and Harper, because they exist so clearly in my mind, I can’t envision them as anyone else. Devlin, Jordan’s brother, would be Henry Cavill, though. And Jordan’s best friend, Grant, would be Charlie Hunnam. 

What are you hoping readers get / understand or feel when they read Now This Is Us?

This story is emotional, but it’s also hopeful. Even in dark times, the light shines again. If even one reader feels changed after reading my story, I think this journey was worth it.

Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me, Jenn! How can readers best connect with you?

Thank you! This was so much fun! For book and reading updates, readers can find me on Instagram: @storiesandcoffee and TikTok: @storiesandcoffeeblog.

Want more Author Interviews? Click here for interviews with April Asher, Katie Golding & Hannah Bonam-Young.

Momma, wife, baker, reader & smart ass. I am Really Into doughnuts, inside jokes, trash TV, pizza, 48 Hours & George Michael.

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