For fans of Josie Silver and Emily Henry, this charming and quirky debut has it all: childhood friends, love triangles, enemies-to-lovers, and a My Big Fat Greek Wedding subplot.
We had the pleasure of chatting to author Christina Pishiris about her debut novel Love Songs For Skeptics, writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi Christina! Tell our readers a bit about yourself!
I’m Christina Pishiris. I was born in London to Greek Cypriot parents. I studied English at the University of Sussex and went on to become a journalist reporting on the TV industry. When not writing, my hobbies include compiling cheesy eighties playlists, coveting the neighbour’s cat, and writing protest letters to Guerlain after they discontinued my favourite perfume.
2020 was an incredibly bizarre year, and it’s rolling on into 2021. Have you set any resolutions for the year?
I don’t usually do resolutions, but this year have succumbed to the cliché to get fit. I started doing a some dance workouts in my living room during December, so all I need to do is keep the momentum going!
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I always loved the creative writing at school. My favourite task was to write a short story using as many words from a 20-word list as possible. It’s such a great lesson in giving your creativity some boundaries and then watching it fly! I wish I’d remembered this trick when I was writing my novel as I often found myself unable to write because the blank page held too many possibilities and I had no idea how to commit to one!
Your debut novel, Love Songs for Skeptics, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Romance and hi-jinks in London.
Now tell us a little more! What can readers expect?
It’s about music journalist Zoë as she tries to get the scoop of her life to save her magazine, then slap bang in the middle her first love returns to the UK. On top of this she has chief bridesmaids duties for her brother’s wedding, and then there’s a music publicist who wants to get his boyband into her magazine and isn’t above using slightly devious means to achieve this…
What was the inspiration behind this novel?
I liked the idea of exploring the ‘first love’ trope and nostalgia generally. Zoë is a good person, but it takes time for her to trust new people or try new things which means she sometimes sticks to what she already knows, even when it’s not serving her. I think a lot of people can relate to that. Change is scary!
Was there a certain scene or character that you enjoyed writing?
There’s a scene in London’s iconic Natural History Museum that was a lot of fun. I also loved writing Nick because he and Zoë don’t hit it off at the beginning but are forced together to achieve a common goal. That mental sparring was a blast to write.
With this being a romance novel, we have to ask… What are your favourite romance novels and rom-coms?
I’ve read some real stand-out romances this year. My faves have been Mhairi McFarlane’s If I Never Met You (fake dating trope – yum!); Emily Henry’s Beach Read (rivals to lovers – another delicious trope); and Sarah Hogle’s You Deserve Each Other. Engaged enemies to lovers? TAKE MY MONEY NOW.
I’ve also loved books by Kate Clayborn, Christina Lauren and I’m very partial to re-reading my old Jennifer Crusies.
My fave romcom films are all a bit old now, but I don’t think they’ve ever been beaten. (Does this mean I’m old?) My top five are: While You Were Sleeping, Strictly Ballroom, Only You, 10 Things I Hate About You and The Proposal.
What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
I’ve been writing on and off for years and first completed a polished manuscript in 2006 but I couldn’t get an agent interested. I felt very disheartened after that so it took me a while to commit to writing a brand new book. I wish I hadn’t procrastinated so long because that book became Love Songs for Skeptics and here I am talking about it with complete strangers rather than just my family and friends! For any writers out there still waiting for that magical ‘yes’, please remember that rejections are part of being traditionally published so try not to let knock-backs keep you down for too long!
What’s next for you? Are you working on anything that you can tease our readers with?
People love Zoë’s family in Love Songs For Skeptics so I’ve gone BIG on the extended Greek family in my new book. My character is a couples’ therapist who’s just been dumped and is forced to move back in with her parents.
Lastly, what are you currently reading and what 2021 book recommendations do you have for our readers?
I’m currently reading Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long because it is brilliant. The books I’m looking forward to most in 2021 are the new ones from Mhairi McFarlane, Lindsey Kelk ,Christina Lauren, Sarah Hogle and Emily Henry. I also love the sound of Angie Hockman’s Shipped and The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon – they’re both enemies-to-lovers which always takes me to romcom heaven!
