We chat with author Nikki Payne about Sex, Lies and Sensibility, which is a deliciously spicy Sense and Sensibility inspired rom-com and follows two sisters who roll up their sleeves to run a dilapidated, beach town inn but must learn to work with the locals.
Hi, Nikki! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
By day, Nikki Payne is a curious tech anthropologist asking the right questions to deliver better digital services. By night, she dreams of ways to subvert canon literature. She’s a member of Smut U, a premium feminist writing collective, and is a cat lady with no cats.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
Man, when I first realized I had this deep love for writing and storytelling, it wasn’t like there was this one magical moment. It was more like a series of little moments, you know? Growing up, stories were all around me—TV shows that felt like they were speaking directly to me, those daydreams where I’d zone out and create whole worlds, and yes, those intense Barbie play sessions where drama was on another level. It was all storytelling, and I was all in.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The first book that really stuck with me? “The Monster at the End of This Book.” It just kept me in suspense no matter how many times I read it
- The one that made you want to become an author: What made me want to become an author wasn’t exactly a book. It was the power of stories themselves—the ones from every part of life, including those TV shows and my own wild imagination during those Barbie playtimes.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: And a book I can’t stop thinking about? That’s tough because there are so many, but “Famous Adopted People” by Alice Stephens was such a dark, funny, absurd, and poignant story
Your latest novel, Sex, Lies and Sensibility, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Smoldering, hilarious, yearny, compassionate, and diverse
What can readers expect?
It’s about two sisters hitting a major life snag, finding out they’re the outside kids and losing everything but a chance to save a rundown property in Maine. But it’s not just about saving the house—it’s about them navigating love, especially when a mysterious indigenous tour guide Bear throws my main character, Nora, for a loop. It’s passion, distraction, and a deep dive into what it means to fight for what you want.
Where did the inspiration for Sex, Lies and Sensibility come from?
I wanted to explore the concept of Black girls facing exile, their resilience, and what it means to fall in love when you’re up against the wall. I wanted something to feel a little like a cross between Issa Rae’s “Insecure” and “Schitts Creek”
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Writing this book, there was this beautiful moment I adored crafting—Bear and Nora, running, falling in love, recognizing each other’s needs for love and care. It was about physical and emotional connection, and it was everything.
This is your second novel! Were there any key lessons learned between writing the two?
From my first to my second novel, the biggest lesson was to stay away from reviews. They can infect, sure when they are bad, but even when they are good, they burrow deep into creative places where they shouldn’t.
With it being Valentine’s Day, what’s your top three romance movies?
“Pride and Prejudice” (2005), “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” and “Abbott Elementary” for that mix of romance and realness.
What’s next for you?
Oh, I’m diving into a sexy murder mystery. Keep your eyes peeled.
Lastly, are there any 2024 book releases that you’re looking forward to?
And books I’m hyped for in 2024? Kristina Forest’s “The Partner Plot,” Kennedy Ryan’s “This Could Be Us,” Etta Easton’s “The Kiss Countdown,” and Myah Ariel’s “When I Think of You.” It’s gonna be a good year for books, y’all.
