We chat with author Hannah Bonam-Young about Next of Kin, which follows two bickering strangers who are trying to foster their younger siblings, so they team up to create a stable home, but the chemistry between them threatens to undo their plans.
Hi, Hannah! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! Thank you so much for having me! My name is Hannah Bonam-Young and I live in Niagara Falls, Canada with my childhood-friend-turned-husband, Ben, and our two kids. I’m the author of three previously independently published romance novels that are being rereleased this year by Dell (Penguin Random House). I’m obsessed with my orange cat, Higgins, (named after a beloved character from Ted Lasso), Taylor Swift, all genres of books, and spend far too much time watching reality tv and scrolling TikTok.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I started writing “poetry” when I was a kid because I had a lot of feelings—haha. From the third grade onwards, I was a frequent flyer at my school’s library and devoured multiple books a week. Everything from classics like Anne of Green Gables to Jane Blonde and the entire Rainbow Fairies series. English was always my favorite subject in school and I knew from a young age that books were always going to be my ideal way to escape. In middle school I began writing stories of my own and never really stopped.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Anne of Green Gables
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang or Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Your latest novel, Next of Kin, is out February 6th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Comforting, tender, thoughtful, romantic, and hopeful.
What can readers expect?
Next of Kin is a romance novel about two bickering strangers forced to move into the same apartment in order to qualify for guardianship of their younger siblings. I think it would be a great fit for readers who enjoy found-family, forced proximity, a strong female lead overcoming people pleasing tendencies, and a grumpy but secretly a softie hero. Readers can also expect some open-door spicy scenes after a slow-burn.
Where did the inspiration for Next of Kin come from?
While driving a few years ago I heard a local news story about two grandparents who’d met in an online forum and had decided to move in together in order to qualify for guardianship of their grandchildren who had been placed in foster care. They successfully raised those kids together in an unconventional household and I thought that was so beautiful and affirming.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I love any scene with Warren’s younger brother, Luke. Luke is Deaf and communicates exclusively with American Sign Language. He’s incredibly sarcastic, a little bit of a trouble-maker, and enjoys riling up his big brother. Luke and Chloe form such a fun, unique bond and I love all the moments in which they awkwardly navigate their new familial dynamic, wind up Warren together, or whenever Luke cares for Chloe’s newborn baby sister, Willow.
What do you love about the romance genre?
Is “everything” too vague? Because, honestly, everything. I love witnessing two characters fall in love. I love that romance novels reflect what is arguably humanity’s most universal experience and shows us that despite all our messy, flawed parts we are all worthy and capable of receiving and giving love. Plus, as someone who deals with anxiety, I’m glad there’s a genre with a guaranteed happy ending.
What’s next for you?
Next to You, the sequel to Next of Kin, comes out April 9 and Out on a Limb comes out June 4th! I’m finishing up my next project and will be able to talk more about that later this year—which I am very excited about.
Lastly, are there any 2024 book releases that you’re looking forward to?
SO many! The Catch by Amy Lea, Right on Cue by Falon Ballard, Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Hogle, Match Me If You Can by Swati Hegde, Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman, This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan, Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage, Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream by Tehlor Kay Mejia, The Rule Book by Sarah Adams, Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez, Daydream by Hannah Grace, Napkins and Other Distractions by M.A. Wardell, The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava, Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi, and The Design of Us by Sajni Patel.
You can find Hannah on Instagram and Tiktok, and at her website.
