We chat with author Liana De la Rosa about Mutual Discord, which follows a girl’s girl influencer who gets a serious reality check when she discovers she’s fallen for her best friend’s boyfriend in this forbidden friends-to-lovers romance.
Hi, Liana! Welcome back! How have you been since we last spoke for the release of Isabel and the Rogue?
Two years have gone by so fast and I’ve stayed busy! Not only did I publish the final book in the Luna Sisters series, GABRIELA AND HIS GRACE, but I’ve written my first contemporary romance, MUTUAL DISCORD!
Your latest novel, Mutual Discord, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Messy, angsty, empowering, timely, and informative.
What can readers expect?
MUTUAL DISCORD is pitched as a messy friend-to-lovers, best friend’s boyfriend romance, and it’s all those things…but it also celebrates Puerto Rican culture and bad ass women in history who had their discoveries or innovations stolen from them. It’s a story of rediscovery yourself and friendship, in all its forms.
Where did the inspiration for Mutual Discord come from?
Sofia and Alex’s story idea was the product of me procrastinating on TikTok. I was supposed to be brainstorming book pitches, but instead I was watching a video about Amelia Earhart on TikTok. But that video got me thinking about content creation and what it would mean for a creator who considers herself a feminist, a “girls girl” to fall in love with the one man she can’t have: her best friend’s boyfriend. And the storyline for MUTUAL DISCORD began to take shape.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
There’s a scene in the book in which Alex takes Sofia to a WNBA game, and Sofia gets to see him in his element (he’s the VP of Marketing for the team). More importantly, Sofia gets a glimpse of what it would be like to be in an actual relationship with Alex and it breaks her heart because he’s dating her best friend.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Considering this was my first time writing a contemporary romance, I initially struggled with everything! I pondered if I should make it single POV or dual POV; should it be first person tense or my typical third person; how do the youths speak these days. I second, third, and quadruple guessed myself throughout the first draft, so the fact that Sofia and Alex’s story is a real book that readers are enjoying feels like a miracle!
What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned since your debut?
I’ve learned that the only thing I can truly control about my publishing journey is the quality of the book I write. I have no control over the marketing budget, how readers will feel about it, or how it will sell, but I can control the story itself. Thus, I work hard to ensure every book I write, including MUTUAL DISCORD, is the very best it can be.
What’s next for you?
In January, I will be launching a new historical romance series with the first book, titled RECKLESSLY YOURS. It’s about an adventure-seeking second son who matches wits with his captivating mountain guide on the slopes of the Himalayas. I originally wrote this book in 2019, so I’m thrilled to finally be sharing it with readers!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
I’m excited to read SUNFLOWER SEASON by Danica Nava, who writes some of the funniest romcoms being published right now. I’m also looking forward to OLD FLAMES by Nadine Gonzalez, which shares an August 18th release day with MUTUAL DISCORD. A book about writers with ghostly vibes? Sign me up! I recently read THE PADDOCK CLUB by Madge Maril, and absolutely loved it! Her dialogue is so smart and witty, and her prose is to die for!
