We chat with author Sophie Sullivan about Maybe This Once, which is a small-town, opposites-attract romance about two people who end up with more feelings than they bargained for after pursuing a summer fling.
Hi, Sophie! Welcome back! How have you been since we last spoke for the release of Can’t Help Falling In Love?
I’ve been good! Thank you for asking. I hope you have as well. Can’t Help Falling seems like so long ago 😊
Your latest novel, Maybe This Once, is out February 10th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Nostalgic, sweet, funny, heartfelt, romantic
What can readers expect?
They can expect to feel good about saying goodbye to Smile and all its residents. Though, I hate saying goodbye to anything and I hate when things are over, I went into this book thinking like a reader and tied up all of the loose ends that I knew existed so that readers could close the book with a…well, a SMILE.
Where did the inspiration for Maybe This Once come from?
I wanted someone special for Grayson. I read an article once about Ozzy Osbourne’s family and was intrigued by the fact that one of their children didn’t want to be in the spotlight. She left the house to allow the rest of her family to do what they wanted. That didn’t mean they weren’t close; it just meant that they were pursuing something she didn’t choose and didn’t want. And I started to think about how, we don’t have a choice what we’re born into and the impacts that can have on shaping your life overall.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really loved writing Charlie’s scenes with Ollie. She drops her guard more with her because there’s less chance of getting hurt and more chance of feeling helpful. Ollie is always a favorite to write.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
There’s always challenges when writing because life is like that and we write through, around, over, and under all of the things that are happening around us. I try to stay focused in the story. I think about what I want from their relationship, the scene, the book. And I keep going even when it’s hard. We all have experience with that and there’s no other way to get to the end goal.
Your debut novel published just over five years ago. What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned when it comes to writing and publishing over the years?
How little control I have over what happens once it’s released. My part is the writing; developing the characters and weaving a story that hopefully pulls you in and makes you want to go back time and again. But it’s hard not to be able to shape the book’s trajectory; to sit back while it goes out into the world. So, I guess, I’ve learned to at least try and focus on what I can control.
What’s next for you?
I’m hoping it won’t be long before I’ve got some fun publishing news to share. I’ve written a really fun enemies to lovers romcom. I’m working on a book with my daughter—a mother daughter murder mystery written by a mother daughter 😊 – and l have one more book coming out from SMP in December. Oh, and more writing 😊
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
I’ve recently starting listening to audiobooks more often so I want to listen to a Lynn Painter. I’m excited to read Coach by Jason Reynolds. Rachel Lynn Solomon has a new one coming out that looks fun and so does Alexa Martin. There’s so many good books on their way.
