In Elise Bryant’s YA novel, One True Loves, Lenore has graduated high school and is ready to embark on a European cruise with her family where, influenced by her best friend Tessa, she seeks a European summer romance. But the cute boy that Lenore has her eye on (Alex) ends up being a total jerk. Even worse, Alex and his family have been assigned to Lenore’s dining table and their families have decided that they will be doing all the excursions together. Yet, the more time Lenore is forced to spend with Alex, the more she starts to open-up and show her true self – maybe Lenore will get a European summer love story after all.
We chat with Elise Bryant about European destinations, inspiration, possible sequels, and all things One True Loves!
Hi Elise – thank you so much for chatting with us! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi! Thank you for having me! I’m a high school special education teacher turned YA author. I loved reading funny, swoony romances growing up, but I could rarely find ones starring Black girls like me. And when I started teaching, so many of my students were asking for these joyful kinds of books too – so I decided to try writing one myself. That book ended up being my debut novel Happily Ever Afters, and its companion novel, One True Loves, was just released this month! When I’m not writing rom-coms, I really love reading, watching Real Housewives, and eating dessert.
What sets One True Loves apart from other young adult novels?
I think there are very few young adult novels that center a Black family on vacation. I loved being able to highlight Black excellence in this book — but also Black rest and Black joy. We still aren’t seeing enough of this in books that are published, regardless of age group! And Lenore is a Black girl that’s bold and hilarious, but also vulnerable and imperfect. In One True Loves, she’s given the space to be messy, discover what makes her happy outside of others’ expectations, and prioritize her mental health. I’d love to see more Black girls in YA get to be flawed and still be given grace and love through it all.
What are three songs that would definitely be on Lenore’s European cruise playlist?
- “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- “Beyond” by Leon Bridges (this song plays during an important scene in the book!)
- “Cuz I Love You” by Lizzo
Have you been to any of the beautiful European destinations that Lenore’s family visits in One True Loves?
I actually haven’t! I had big plans to go on a research trip in 2020, but then…well, you know what happened. Instead, I watched a lot of YouTube videos and read stacks of travel books. I hope the setting comes across as authentic, and that I get to take that cruise someday!
What is the main message that you want readers to take away from One True Loves?
I want my teen readers to learn from Lenore that it’s okay to still be figuring it out. I think a lot of people of color can relate to Lenore’s struggle – wanting to make your parent’s sacrifices worth it, having to work two times as hard to get half as much. It’s a lot of pressure to be your ancestors’ wildest dreams when you’re not sure what your dreams are yet. Those expectations are a heavy weight to carry on your shoulders. But prioritizing our happiness and living lives that bring us joy is the best way to honor our families and the ultimate realization of those dreams.
Who or what inspired Lenore’s love of fashion and photography?
Lenore’s love of fashion is all me! I love planning outfits for my characters (and myself!), and I like to use it as a way to express who characters are. The love of photography is partly inspired by my daughter – she was carrying her Instax camera everywhere during the months I wrote this book. But I mostly wanted to use the camera as a device for Lenore to be present for herself instead of performing for others, which is a lesson she’s learning over the course of the book.
Do you relate more to Lenore or Tessa (the main character in Happily Ever Afters) and why?
Tessa is very much like me as a teenager, and I borrowed a lot from my own life to write that story. I was very anxious and awkward and earnest back then – and still am! But there’s a lot of me in Lenore as well. I really relate to her need to meet others’ expectations of her. Being socially performative, while hiding her true feelings from friends, and also striving to be the daughter her parents expect. A lot of that was taken from my own life (and therapy sessions!).
What are some challenges that you faced while writing One True Loves and how did you overcome them?
I wrote this book from April to August of 2020, so it was a very strange time to be writing a romantic comedy. Especially one set on a cruise ship. It felt like a fantasy novel! While it was hard at first though, it became somewhat of a reprieve during that turbulent time. I woke up and wrote from 5-7 every morning, and was able to escape into this story of Black joy and love. It was my guaranteed bright spot every day, and I got to write the kind of world I want to live in. I also got to make myself laugh (see: all the fart jokes) on days when I was feeling so sad.
Is there any chance that you’ll write a Happily Ever Afters book 3 (perhaps featuring Lenore and Tessa’s best friend Theo or one of Lenore’s siblings)?
I don’t have any plans to follow those characters as of now, but I never know what inspiration will strike in the future! My next book will be released early next year, though, and takes place in the same world as Happily Ever Afters and One True Loves. It’s called Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling, and it follows two Black teens, a Dungeons & Dragons dungeon master and the lead singer of a punk bad, as they fall in love through chance meetings and missed connections on holidays over the course of one year. One of the main characters is actually in One True Loves, and Lenore makes an appearance in this book, too!
What was the last book you read?
I’m currently reading Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and I love it! She blends swoony romance with authentic portrayals of mental health struggles so well.
