A secret romance sends three estranged sisters to the Amalfi Coast to follow clues about their mother’s past, and challenges them to a whole new future, in this emotional novel from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst.
We chat with Jennifer Probst all about her new release, The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti, along with writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, Jennifer! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Of course! I’m a mom of two teenage boys *yikes!*, live in the beautiful Hudson Valley NY, am passionate about rescue dogs and have two of my own, and have been writing romance since I was twelve years old! I also have a Masters in English Literature.
How has the first month of 2022 been for you?
Well, I wish I could lie and say great—but to be honest, my entire family came down with COVID so it’s been a bit of a struggle. Thankfully, we’re pulling out of it, but in NY it’s been freezing cold, dark, and quite depressing. I’m hanging on for spring!
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
The first romance novel that changed me forever was Palomino by Danielle Steel. It was so passionate and I was twelve when I read it. My dad has come home with a box of books from the library filled with romance. My mom yelled at him, but he told her I read everything else and he didn’t think it was bad. So I got hooked and went on to all the greats—Judith McNaught, Sandra Brown, Jayne Ann Krentz, Nora Roberts, Joanna Lyndsey, etc. All of them made me want to be an author. I was obsessed with books from the moment I discovered them.
One book that’s my favorite that I always remember is The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. It’s from the POV of a dog and it’s brilliant.
Your new novel, The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti, is out February 22nd! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Romantic, lush, emotional, uplifting, and a must-read!
What can readers expect?
I love everything about this book and can’t wait for release! It’s a saga about three sisters who discover a trunk in their mother’s closet after her death that contains secret love letters and a deed to a home in Positano, Italy. They know nothing about the man or the house. They travel to Positano to find out who her secret lover was, and track down her past. Along the way, they heal their fragmented relationship and make great changes within their own fractured lives.
Where did the inspiration for The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti come from?
Not sure! All my travels to Italy and dreams of an epic love story that spans over the years. I love the idea of love letters so I always wanted to write a romance that centers around it. This book has been within me for a long time.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
Yes, it’s a big book with four characters so I needed to juggle multiple points-of view, and two different timelines. I was also writing this during the pandemic so that was a challenging time. But I took it one day at a time, one word at a time, and trusted my instincts to get me to the end. It was an exciting journey and I loved writing this book. Especially since I felt like every day I was visiting Italy!
Were there any favorite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved stepping into Olivia’s world and going through her first love and how it changed over the years. How hard choices needed to be paid. It’s fascinating in life that love and pain can be so entwined sometimes, but in a bittersweet way. Same with parents and children. Those are some themes I explore within the book.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on my next women’s fiction book, A Wedding in Lake Como. And I just finished writing a new three book series called Twist of Fate. Book one, Meant to Be, releases April.
Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?
I’ve already read so many great books but still behind for January releases! ! Maid in Manhattan by Lauren Layne was so charming, along with Lucky Leap Day by Ann Marie Walker and Getting Real by Emma Chase. Looking forward to Electric Idol by Katee Robert, and Book Lovers by Emily Henry.
