We chat with author Jillian Meadows about Give Me Butterflies, which is a swoony, steamy, STEM romance in which two curators at a science museum—a handsome but grumpy astronomer and an anxious but sunshine-y entomologist—realise they are the perfect match.
Hi, Jillian! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi, readers! I’m Jillian Meadows, a contemporary romance author who loves to write romance that feels like a warm, cozy hug. I hope my books give you that heart-bursting, butterlies-in-your-stomach feeling we’re all searching for in a love story.
When I’m not writing, you can find me devouring a romance novel, playing board games with my family, trying to learn the skills needed for latte art, or enjoying the outdoors!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I fell in love with writing in high school! I had an amazing English teacher whose passion for creative writing brought that same passion out in me, and I’ll never forget the paper I wrote in her class about my first kiss. It was awkward, funny, and cheeky, and I had a blast finding my voice (and poking a little fun at my first kiss accomplice at the time).
Over the years, that love of writing morphed from blogging about random stories from my life, to writing a few middle grade novels that never saw the light of day, to now writing love stories for people I’ve made up in my head!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
- The one that made you want to become an author: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
Your latest novel, Give Me Butterflies, is out January 21st! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Cozy, heartwarming, swoon-worthy, nerdy, steamy
What can readers expect?
Give Me Butterflies is a nerdy, swoony workplace romance that takes place in a museum. We’ve got a grumpy astronomer named Finn and a sunshine-y entomologist named Millie, and we get to see them both overcome some emotional and traumatic events so they can find love with each other. At its core, Give Me Butterflies is about finding joy after loss, how we can help heal the people around us, and what an important role found family can play in our lives. And in between all of that, you’ll find moments that make you laugh, kick your feet, and maybe even blush!
Where did the inspiration for Give Me Butterflies come from?
Well, I’ve always loved museums. I have four daughters, and we have visited many museums during their childhood. On a visit to a science museum, I just had this thought that it would make a fun setting for a romance novel, and the story just took shape from there! I knew I wanted both main characters to have a STEM-related job, and I loved getting to bring Millie into this insect-centered role. And honestly it helped me fall in love with entomology along the way!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I’m a lover of side characters. Trust me, I absolutely adore Millie and Finn, but side characters are my jam. I think authors get to have a little more freedom and fun with them— making side characters one of my favorite parts of writing. So, Millie’s best friends were a blast, and then I also had so much fun with Finn’s nieces, Avery and Eloise. They are modelled after two of my daughters, and it was so exciting to get to bring my daughters into the story that way.
Did you face any challenges? How did you overcome them?
Oh, I’m constantly facing challenges as an author, and most of them are just inside my own brain. Impostor syndrome is running rampant through my mind on a daily basis, and I also struggle quite a bit with how to keep my creative brain space working properly. But honestly the best way to combat both of those is to take breaks from working. It’s hard— so hard— when I’m on a deadline or time constraints, but going outside or spending time doing something completely unrelated to work really does help.
We’re also living in an age where most authors are trying to be very present on social media, and I love so many aspects of that part of my job. It’s the best way for me to interact with readers and hear what they love about my books and keep in touch with other authors. But it really can wear on me mentally, and I find my healthiest (and coincidentally most productive) days are the ones where I set myself a time limit or stepped back from social media.
Why romance?
I love love stories. Give them to me in any medium— books, movies, tv series, conversationally, through visual art… I’ll soak them up. There are a million ways to show love, experience love, share love, and I’m here for all of it. Often, a romance novel isn’t just exploring the love between the two main characters, but is also showing the love of family and friends and even pets, and how all of that impacts our lives.
At its core, I believe romance is about hope. No matter what our backgrounds are or where we are in life, we’re always hoping for something, and seeing a character in a book hope for the same things and achieve them gives us a sense of comfort and encouragement for reaching that ourselves. Seeing our selves and our feelings portrayed in our favorite characters is invaluable.
Romance holds such a special place in my heart for that reason. It’s a safe space to explore, learn, and experience life from someone else’s point of view and see their happily ever afters come true.
What’s next for you?
Hopefully many more books! I have two more books to publish in the Oak Sisters series, and then I have many ideas brewing in the background. I’m excited for the chance to dive further into those and see which avenues I want to persue next. I might try out some romantasy, magical realism, or dip my toes into a romantic suspense idea, but no matter what, more romance will be on the way!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up in 2025?
How much time do you have?! Because here are SO MANY! But I’ll list a few:
- First-Time Caller and Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
- Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
- Winging It With You by Chip Pons
- You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon
- Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez
- Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
- Love is a War Song by Danica Nava
- Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
