New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey returns with a unique, sexy romantic comedy about a young married couple whose rocky relationship needs a serious renovation.
We had the pleasure of chatting to romance author Tessa Bailey about her upcoming release, Love Her or Lose Her, which publishes on January 14th! She chats to us about its inspiration, the eyerolls received over the romance genre, what she’s working on next, and more!
You can find Tessa on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads, along with at her website.
Hi Tessa! With the new year, what are three things you are looking forward to or hoping to achieve?
Hello and thank you for having me! In the new year, I’m really looking forward to good food, good friends and new experiences! I’ve been working pretty much non-stop for the last seven years and I’m finally taking some time to redecorate my office and reflect on some accomplishments, be they big or small, instead of racing to the next one.
Your new novel, Love Her or Lose Her, releases on January 14th. If you could only describe your book in five words, what would they be?
Sexy, unique, thoughtful, playful, relatable.
Now tell us a little more! What can readers expect?
Love Her or Lose Her is my first book about a married couple! They’ve hit a communication breakdown after ten years of marriage and while they’re still in love and the passion is alive and kicking, they just aren’t working. So I send them to therapy with an eccentric hippie to discover their Love Languages.
Did anything inspire Love Her or Lose Her?
Yes! There is a podcast called Where Should We Begin by Esther Perel. She’s a world-renowned couple’s counsellor who records anonymous sessions with married couples and I find it so raw, honest and though provoking, I wanted to explore it in my own way.
Were there any parts that you felt stumped by or struggled writing?
Of course! There’s always a place I get stuck in mostly every book. In this particular book, I had to come to terms with the heroine, Rosie, also being responsible for the marriage failure. I couldn’t blame it all on the man, as much as I wanted to!
What attracted you to the romance genre?
Many things. Mainly, I love being able to take risks and walk in another person’s shoes, while still having the happily ever after safety net beneath me. Romance is dependable in a world that is so often undependable.
The romance genre often still receives an eye roll and a scoff from many people. Have you ever been on the receiving end of this as a romance author or reader?
Oh yeah. Maybe on a weekly basis. I just tell myself the eye rollers have a false, preconceived notion of what romance is. That it’s frivolous or unrealistic. But we know the truth. A well-placed line or a heroine’s journey can make the world look different to a reader and we’re allowed to enjoy stories about love and personal growth without a main character dying or something cataclysmic happening. Maybe the world would look different if more people were in love with love. Romance is important to us and we shouldn’t have to defend it to anyone.
You published your first novel in 2013, what have you learned since then?
Not to ask everyone for an opinion when you have an idea. Someone will always feel obligated to try and “improve” your idea or point out why it won’t work. I like to keep my ideas to myself and let them blossom. Trust yourself.
What’s next for you?
Speaking of ideas I’ve kept to myself, I wrote my first paranormal. It releases in March! I’m going to give more details soon, but it’s unlike anything I’ve ever written and I’m so excited to feel nervous and vulnerable about a book release.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for us? Any 2020 releases you’re looking forward to?
I’m wholeheartedly obsessed with Kerrigan Byrne historicals, so I’m looking out for those. And anything Mariana Zapata writes. I’m also excited for The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez.
Tessa you saved my whole year. “Not to ask everyone for an opinion when you have an idea. Someone will always feel obligated to try and “improve” your idea or point out why it won’t work. I like to keep my ideas to myself and let them blossom. Trust yourself.” Like I am learning this the hard way and I just needed to hear it from someone I admire so much as you. <3 all the love!!!