We chat with author Jennifer Dugan about her new irresistible enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine queer romcom The Ride of Her Life, which follows a wedding-obsessed city girl who inherits a horse farm from her estranged late aunt, and clashes with the cocky, unfairly hot farrier who thinks she’s going to run the barn into the ground.
Hi, Jennifer! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! Thanks for having me! I’m a writer from upstate new York, who writes adult romance, young adult romance and horror, and young adult graphic novels. When I’m not working, which is kind of rare juggling so much these days, I’m usually playing video games (currently addicted to Fallout 4) or running around outside with my Boston terrier puppy, Holly Pig. I also have two great cats, Bonks and Talullah who love to lay on my keyboard and bat pens out of my hand when I’m trying to work. Honestly, they’re the best assistants a person could have.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I fell in love with storytelling even before I was old enough to write! I used to cut pictures out of magazines and newspapers and glue them together to make my own comics and picture books which I would then “read” to anyone who would listen. It only got more fun once I was able to read and write on my own. While other kids were out playing, I was holed up in my room writing page after page. I’ve truly had the story telling bug for as far back as I can remember, it’s been a massive part of my life.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The very first book I remember reading on my own was Little Critter: I Was So Mad. I was absolutely enamoured with Little Critter as a kid. If we’re talking actual novels though, the first I remember reading was Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends. I was obsessed with Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High. I really thought I was going to grow up and marry Jessica Wakefield!
- The one that made you want to become an author: Pet Sematary by Stephen King. A well meaning uncle gave it to me when I was in third grade (apparently he thought the misspelling in the title meant it was for kids!) and I was terrified. It really made me realize the power words have over readers, and I was excited about the idea of being a part of that.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: I recently read THE LOVERS by Rebekah Faubion and when I say it’s my new favorite book, I’m not kidding. I have been forcing preorders on everyone I know, it’s that good. It comes out in September and I hope everyone reads it so we can shout about it together.
Your latest novel, The Ride of Her Life, is out May 28th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Playful, messy, swoony, funny, flirty
What can readers expect?
The Ride of Her Life is an enemies to lovers romance about Molly, a city girl turned fish out of water when she inherits a run down horse farm… and a hot grumpy farrier along with it. Readers can expect a lot of swoons, a dash of awkwardness, plenty of messiness and missteps, some laughs, and a satisfying happily ever after.
Where did the inspiration for The Ride of Her Life come from?
During the COVID shut downs, I got really addicted to watching farrier videos on tiktok. The more I watched, the more I realized that would make a great job for a love interest—farriers have to be strong yet gentle, calm, confident, and patient to gain the horses trust. What better match for a flighty, stressed out city girl?
I also love setting books in locations that get taken for granted—like the gym in my adult debut Love at First Set. Where I live, farms are part of the every day scenery, so the idea of diving into one as a setting seemed very natural.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really loved reconnecting with my horse girl roots as I researched this book. I got to spend a lot of time with horses again, which I haven’t done since I was a kid. I particularly loved writing Otis, one of the grumpier horses at the barn. He was loosely based on my cousin’s horse that she had growing up that I always wished was mine. In a roundabout way, now he is!
I also really loved writing the changing dynamic between Molly, our main character, and Shani, the love interest. Their banter both before they realize their feelings and after was a blast to write.
This is your second adult novel! Can you tell us a bit about your process when shifting between the two audiences?
I love being about to work in both the YA and adult space, but it can definitely be tricky shifting between them, especially when the schedules overlap. I’ve found I do best working on young adult in the morning, then taking a nice long break for lunch or going for a long walk, and then going back to work on the adult romance in the afternoon. I need my characters to start young and gradually age up through out the day, especially since my adult work has some spice. I can’t get back into the YA mindset after writing adult situations, ha!
What’s next for you?
I have a young adult graphic novel coming out this fall, Full Shift, which is a coming of age romance about a sapphic teen werewolf struggling with their identity.
I also have a very fun adult romance coming out next year that we should be announcing soon. I’m dying to tell every one about it! I can share that it’s a second chance romance involving former child actors, a flower shop, and a cat named Gouda. It’s very swoony and a bit spicier than my first two!
Lastly, are there any book releases that you’re looking forward to picking up this year?
I’ve already plugged The Lovers, but I’m adding it here too for completionist sake. I’m also very excited about The Pairing by Casey McQuiston. I’m also dying to start Lucy Undying by Kiersten White. I’ve been chomping at the bit to read it since she first started talking about it, and I was lucky enough to have just gotten an arc. It’s definitely next on my TBR!
