Much like the FMC in Just Friends, Skylar, was the character that inspired me to return to my computer and continue my self-publishing journey, Noah was an MMC who pushed me to keep going too. Though his character didn’t get a point of view in the original Just Friends short, readers fell in love with him through Skylar’s eyes. That was one of the reasons I was so excited to revamp Just Friends—so we could finally hear from Noah directly. And I swear, it just made me want to spend even more time with him.

Let’s get to know Noah a little more intimately.

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Skylar was the first FMC that got me back in front of my computer after I released part one of No Fraternizing to quiet results the year prior. I knew very little about self-publishing then, but I knew I loved writing what I loved to read. And friends-to-lovers was the trope I gravitated toward when I decided to give this self-publishing journey another try—and Skylar was the FMC that made me fall in love with writing friends-to-lovers stories. I never gave her a last name, and it just feels wrong to do it now. She was the around-the-way girl who had left Brooklyn but returned and found that everything was different—including her childhood friend, Noah.

The original short story Skylar appeared in didn’t allow us to get to know the girl from Brooklyn beyond a few pages, but the Author’s Cut edition of Just Friends helped with that.

Still, let’s get to know Skylar a little more intimately now.

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Xander Cox is one of those book baes you didn’t think you’d like very much but turned out to be a diamond in the rough… the rough being the circumstances that brought him into the spotlight. When Last Comes Love (the story Ready or Not spins off from) ended, readers weren’t exactly ready to watch the FMC, Rylee, move on from the MMC, Lennox. But then they met Xander—the new MMC in Ready or Not—and things got complicated. Xander is perfect, and I can’t wait to return to his and Rylee’s story to make us all fall even harder for him. There’s a lot more to Mr. Cox though.

Let’s get to know Xander Cox a little more intimately.

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Malika O’Shea as the baby sister of the O’Shea sisters is the most calculated. She’s my favorite because she lives in her head and isn’t afraid to manifest even the craziest of situations, but with a purpose. Her story was one of the most interesting. The first villain a lot of us were rooting for. And although Malika had the most salacious story among her sisters, there’s more to her than what’s shown in the parts of her story.

Let’s get to know Malika O’Shea more intimately.

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Mikayla O’Shea is one of those characters I really like on page. She’s impossible, unpredictable, and the girl has a fuse shorter than the fireworks used in the Macy’s July 4th fireworks show out here in New York City. She does not play and is the livelier sister, unapologetically. She’s passionate through and through, and sometimes that passion can come across as overwhelming, but she is Mikayla O’Shea to the bone. But there’s more than what meets the eye with this middle sister.

Let’s get to know Mikayla O’Shea more intimately.

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Hassani Franklin was an instant favorite in my book world. He was definitely a favorite for me. There have been several character breakdowns I’ve done on Hassani—that’s how much of a fan I am. He is the total package. The only thing missing for him was a love that gave him life, which he found in his friend Ayla.

Let’s get to know Hassani a little more intimately.

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Much like his love interest in No Fraternizing, Emmanuel “Manny” Perez was my very first male main character. The same day I created Lila Moore in my head, Manny came to life too. A flawed character who respected order and rules—even when doing so was complicated and inconvenient. Manny was the kind of character I connected with the moment he appeared on the page.

Let’s get to know Manny more intimately.

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Lila Perez (neé Moore) is the FMC who started it all for me. She was the very first self-published character to appear in my very first self-published story, No Fraternizing, Pt. 1. I thought her up after visiting a barbershop with my boyfriend (now husband), and she lived rent-free in my head from that moment on. Lila was the first character I ever fleshed out to completion—one who came alive on the page beyond anything I could’ve imagined. She’s like the Eve of my book world… the first to walk its terrain. And I wouldn’t have chosen anyone else to go first.

Let’s get to know Lila Moore a little more intimately.

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Joelle Victors may not have had much airtime in my book world, with only a short story and an erotic suspense, but once you meet her you won’t forget her… or her story. I’ve toyed with the idea of giving Joelle a spinoff story, but nothing has come to me naturally yet. Still, I loved how twisty and crazy her tale was and really liked Joelle as an FMC. Some of her history was hinted at in her story, but there’s so much more to know about Joelle.

Let’s get to know Joelle more intimately.

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Dallas was an MMC we all loved from his short story in Forbidden: An Anthology. He was the brother with the level head and the friend of Ayanna Dale. He had love for her from the moment they met during their freshman year, but bad decisions and a fear of compromising the easy friendship they fell into kept both Dallas and Ayanna from taking things to the next level. It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Dallas wherever he is.

Let’s get to know Dallas a little more intimately.

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When I developed Ayanna’s character, I just knew a time would be had with her. She was the around-the-way girl who wasn’t quite raised to be that way. Her parents did everything they could to raise a suburban princess, but Ayanna just wanted to be around people who were down-to-earth. Her story in Forbidden: An Anthology was so scandalous, but it’s the lick-back many dream of after being done wrong. Her spontaneous “act now, think later” attitude is entertaining to read on the page. She lives life by the seat of her pants and isn’t too hung up on herself to be seen doing it. She’s one of my favorite heroines who frustrates me to no end—and I love her.

Let’s get to know Ayanna a little more intimately.  

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Genesis Garner’s story in Forbidden: An Anthology was the only romance amongst the five stories. It was based on a random question I wanted to see played out on the page. A woman who believed she was living her forever, only to be faced with two crushing situations in one night, felt too layered not to explore. And Genesis, to me, was an intriguing character. Her continued story, Meant to Be, was one of the first unconventional romances I’ve written—and I’ve been hooked ever since. Genesis carries a lot of pain, and much like her friend-turned-lover, August Hall, she experienced the loss of a parent at an early age, which helped shape who she is.

Let’s get to know Genesis a little more intimately.  

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August Hall is a character that started as just a plot point. I loved that I got to give him a voice by the time we reached his story in Meant to Be. We first met him through Genesis Garner in her short story in Forbidden: An Anthology, and from there, I always knew I wanted to build him out. I’ve always wanted to create a main character who was a chef. There’s just something about a man who knows his way around a kitchen. And in August’s case, his kitchen is where he transforms healthy food into savory cuisine. 

The situation he found himself in with Genesis was one I really enjoyed writing. The angst and quiet determination that pulsed through his character helped Meant to Be stand out in the Forbidden series. August is like a quiet storm—and we loved getting caught in him.

Let’s get to know August a little more intimately.

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Joi Friday’s story was one not many people were excited for when I announced I’d be continuing her short story from Forbidden: An Anthology. Readers simply didn’t like her—and honestly, I couldn’t blame them. But I also couldn’t resist the challenge.

When I created her for “Decadent Contradictions – Sponsor for Hire,” I fleshed her out completely, flaws and all. But I also made sure to include the why. Her choices weren’t always great—many were incredibly selfish—but Joi lived a life that made her think happiness was tied to what she could touch, wear, or spend. And I was more than ready to show her otherwise. But let’s see what really makes our girl tick, shall we?

 Let’s get to know the infamous Joi Friday a little more intimately. 

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Jeremiah Rhames made his first appearance in the No Fraternizing series when he interrogated Lila Moore after she was picked up during Romello “Mello” St. Claire’s arrest. From the moment I created him, I knew there was more to his story. He wasn’t as much of a standout as Mello, but as a young NYPD detective, I saw the potential for depth, struggle, and growth. What started as an outline quickly turned into a fully realized character. Jeremiah was an old soul, a man who had every opportunity to leave the hood he grew up in but chose to stay and make it better. And for that, he’s a favorite.

Let’s get to know Jeremiah Rhames a little more intimately.  

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Though we didn’t get to experience They Call Me Mello through Rayelle’s eyes, seeing her through Mello’s perspective gave us a clear enough picture. This headstrong, independent woman switched her hips into Mello’s world and turned his temporary stay in Miami into a permanent one. She was just what he needed.  

I personally loved her character. She was flawed, real, and genuine at heart. She had the kind of quiet strength that made Mello reflect on everything he thought he knew about love. And much like her now husband, Rayelle has a story of her own.  

Let’s get to know Rayelle Bell a little more intimately.  

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Romello “Mello” St. Claire was a character that stole attention from the very first scene he appeared in. We couldn’t forget the way he pulled up in front of Kuts Kings or the presence he made known when he stepped into the shop in part two of the No Fraternizing series. From his first appearance to his final one in part three, readers have always wanted more Mello. And they got it in both his short story in Forbidden: An Anthology and his spinoff romance, They Call Me Mello. There’s a lot to love when it comes to Mello, and just like the other characters we’ve dived into, he’s got an interesting backstory. 

Let’s get to know Mello a little more intimately.  

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Danyelle Hayes (now Danyelle Ali) started as a side character in When Life Gives You Sunsets. While we first meet her now-husband, Clyde Ali, in earlier chapters of the summer romance, Danyelle makes her appearance when Clarke needs a little guidance while unexpectedly falling for a grieving Yusuf Baldwin on vacation. Though Danyelle didn’t appear in many chapters, her story with Clyde had me hooked. When I started developing her character for the When Life Gives You Sunsets spinoff, I wasn’t just locked in on her love story—I was locked in on her.  

Let’s get to know Danyelle Hayes a little more intimately.  

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Amir Jones is by far my favorite book bae of them all. And trust me, with every new story and character I create, there’s plenty of competition. But Amir? He still stands in a league of his own. What I love about him is that he’s not perfect, and he never pretends to be. His flaws are what make him real, and he owns them without hesitation. He stepped onto an outline one day and has been living in my head rent-free ever since.  

Let’s get to know Amir Jones more intimately.  

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Much like his wife, Danyelle, I took a liking to Clyde based on his and Danyelle’s story. Whenever I develop side characters, their stories are never as detailed as the main characters. I usually create their profiles as brief summaries, and if I feel there’s a story worth telling, I don’t hesitate to explore it. That’s exactly what happened with Clyde Ali. His love for Classic R&B and the intrigue of his relationship with Danyelle—starting when she was just his little sister’s best friend—were all driving forces behind me taking a trip down memory lane to tell the origin of their love story.  

Let’s get to know Clyde Ali more intimately.  

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I knew from the outline for Girl Code that I would really like Melodee. Truthfully, her story started as a what if question that my mind ran away with. I loved how much of an around-the-way girl Melodee was—down-to-earth and deeply devoted to the people she loved, for better or for worse. She’s a lover girl at heart, someone who cherishes her relationships and the idea of love and romance. Despite the heartbreak she experiences and the disappointment of divorce, she still believes in love. And she and I have that in common—we love love.  

Let’s get to know Melodee Delon-Jones a little more intimately.

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There’s not enough words to express how much I love Everett Peters and his emotionally and self-aware self! I always wondered how the children of therapists would be like, and I got the chance to live vicariously through Everett and his sister Eryn. Everett’s story, Gluttony, is the longest story I’ve written to date. It was pages of detailed development that resulted in a story rich enough to sink our teeth into. For a seven deadly sin I thought I wouldn’t know what to do with, Everett made that journey such a pleasure.  

Let’s get to know Everett Peters more intimately.  

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Desiree Armstrong’s story was short but impactful. Readers fell in love with her and her husband almost immediately upon meeting them. This is the magic of a short story—it demands getting to the heart of the characters quicker than a novella or slow burn. Her story was unforgettable (pun intended) and left a lasting first impression. It takes a special kind of person to navigate the journey back to themselves the way Desiree had to after losing her memory.

Let’s get to know the FMC from Twice in Love more intimately.

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Apryl Wilde is definitely one of my standout characters. She’s successful, headstrong, and has a knack for turning life’s hardest hits into fuel for her fire. She’s one of my alpha women characters, a type of FMC I truly love writing. Apryl was, and still is, the perfect other half of the fifth book in the Love is Cure series, with most readers liking her instantly. Let’s dive deeper into Apryl’s story and uncover what makes her tick.

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Readers loved Zane Armstrong from scene one. His patience stood out immediately, followed by his unwavering, devoted love for his wife, Desiree. After her near-tragic car accident left her without any memory of him, Zane didn’t feel defeated—he rose to the challenge. Through heartfelt efforts, he guided them both down memory lane, recreating their cherished moments and taking readers along for the emotional ride. Though Zane and Desiree’s story in Twice in Love is short, it’s undeniably sweet.

Let’s get to know Zane, the man who stole hearts from the very beginning, more intimately.

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Jaleel Gordon is a fan favorite. He’s loyal, devoted, and loves him some Eva Gordon. When we first meet him, he’s a husband and father excited to return home for the holidays. This theme continues throughout the follow-up story to the holiday short, Home for Christmas, titled Home Before Midnight. And the follow-up only made us love him more.  

Let’s get to know Jaleel Gordon more intimately.  

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Eva Gordon is one of those characters who feels like a warm hug wrapped in a love story. She’s the definition of grace, balance, and knowing your worth, even when life throws curveballs your way. When I created Eva, I wanted her to represent the kind of love that doesn’t just exist for someone else but also for yourself. She’s deeply relatable, from her bubbly personality to her firm boundaries, and her story is one of resilience, healing, and rediscovering love on her own terms. Eva’s journey in Home for Christmas was a joy to write, and she’s a character that stays with you long after the last page.  

Let’s get to know Eva Gordon more intimately.

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Meki Knight is a reader favorite because he’s far more than what his surface suggests. When we first meet him in Unsilent Knight, Meki comes across as a bit aggy, with little patience for our FMC, Cadence. But as his character unfolds, particularly in A Love Deferred, we discover a deeper, more endearing side of him that’s impossible not to fall for. Meki is a man shaped by his past, someone who seeks love and isn’t afraid to admit it—even if it takes time.  

Let’s get to know Meki more intimately.

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I’ve had some favorite characters over the years, but if you asked me which character I identified with the most, it would be Cadence. I injected a lot of myself into her character makeup. Working in IT (as I did in my twenties) and loving yoga (a practice I’ve been committed to for many years) are just a couple of our shared traits. Though we are different in many ways—especially her fear of love—Cadence mirrors me in her love for order, planning, and organizing. She’s a favorite of mine and of readers, too.

Let’s get to know Cadence Nice, now Cadence Knight, more intimately.  

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Kai Avery is the kind of character that embodies ambition, style, and the pursuit of greatness in every sense. He’s sharp, creative, and unrelenting when it comes to achieving his goals. As one of the most driven men in my book world, Kai’s journey is about more than just success—it’s about balance, vulnerability, and finding the courage to pursue what truly matters. His charisma and undeniable talent make him unforgettable, but it’s his growth that makes him truly stand out. Whether you’re rooting for him or frustrated with him, one thing is certain: Kai leaves an impression.

Let’s get to know Kai Avery more intimately.

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Desmond Ellis is a character who doesn’t get nearly enough attention in the Love is Cure series… but that’s just my opinion. He’s truly an amazing man—one who knows the meaning of sacrifice and embraces it wholeheartedly. Not only is he kind, but he’s also incredibly smart and altruistic. He has all the ingredients of the perfect book bae because, let’s be honest, he is the perfect book bae. Desmond came into Mykal’s life at exactly the right time because the path she was on wasn’t leading anywhere good. Everything changed the moment he “stole her job” 🤭.

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Mykal Jones is a character who sparks strong opinions among readers. Many find her difficult to like, even after her transformation by the end of Envy, while others empathize with her choices, even if they don’t agree with them. One thing is certain—Mykal leaves a lasting impression. Her story is raw, unapologetic, and at times, challenging, but her growth? Absolutely top-tier. 

Let’s dive deeper into who Mykal truly is.

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Zoe Stewart is a series favorite, and for good reason. She’s down to earth, easygoing, and tells it like it is—even if her honesty might be taken the wrong way at first. Zoe values her relationships deeply and comes across as an incredibly relatable character on the page. There isn’t a single negative thing we can say about Zoe. She embodies the virtue of all virtues and was influential enough to spearhead the development of a new town that will set the stage for the next era in my book world.

Let’s get to know Zoe, now Mrs. Greene, a bit more intimately. 

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Rylee Daniels is one of my favorite characters, if not my favorite, that I’ve created thus far. I don’t shy away from saying that because it’s true. I love all of my characters, but Rylee is a standout. She’s strong without realizing it, brave despite her uncertainty about where life is taking her, yet willing to go along for the ride. She stole my heart as just an idea, but when I developed her character, I fell in love with her as an individual trying to make it in the game of life. Her friendship with Lennox was one I loved exploring, and her future in my book world is a bright one.

Before we go any further, let’s get to know Rylee Daniels a little more intimately before we meet her again!

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Bryant Greene was a character I liked the moment I created his character summary. Besides being good friends with one of my favorite characters—Lennox Walker—Bryant’s journey to success was impressive. Now, greed is the vice I’m no fan of. I can’t take it when someone with so much still wants more, especially when that “more” means taking from people who have far less. But Bryant and his greedy ways didn’t completely turn me off. His growth in book three of the Love is Cure series was fun to write and even better to read.

Let’s get to know Mr. Greene a little more intimately.

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Leelah Waters was our second virtue in the Love is Cure universe, and her personality is one that a lot of readers loved, myself included. She mastered the balance between her soft side and her firm, more authoritative side, creating a dynamic that Pryce Williams couldn’t wait to return to. Leelah is one of the virtues who can relate to the vice she’s paired with because, at one point in her life, she was caught up in that same vice. Some readers felt she made Pryce work too hard to earn her affections back, while others thought she didn’t make him work hard enough! Personally, I think she handled everything with the perfect amount of grace, bringing both her and her high school sweetheart to a conclusion they could enjoy and heal from—together.

Let’s get to know our girl Leelah a little more intimately.

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Trey Everest first appeared in When Luke Met Juliette as Luke Lockett’s best friend. He shines in a brief but impactful scene, giving Luke advice that helps him land the love of his life, Juliette. Trey is levelheaded, a great friend, and an adventurer at heart. When I created his character summary, I was immediately drawn to his story. Pairing him with Serenity and the unconventional way they meet felt right, and their story practically wrote itself. Despite Serenity’s hesitation and trust issues, Trey never wavered—and we loved to see it.

Let’s get to know Trey more intimately.

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Serenity Payne is a character I admire. She’s been driven from the time she was a little girl, and the moment she had the chance to create a life she’d love, she seized it. However, Serenity has also lived much of her life in fear and self-protection—constantly on guard, not wanting to experience the same heartaches she saw the women around her endure, particularly in love.

Serenity took living vicariously pessimistically, and for understandable reasons. Let’s get to know the FMC of a story that, if it hadn’t existed, we might never have gotten From Friends to Forever.

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Naazir Goodman is an MMC I think of often, and I genuinely like him. The contrast between his personality and his outer shell is intriguing. The fact that he was more than what met the eye in Ebb & Flow is one of the reasons his character made a lasting impression… not only on me, but on readers too.

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Nubia Merci. A personal favorite of mine. Nubia’s story started as a free download for my subscribers, and if I’m not mistaken, it was one of the first free offerings I shared with my mailing list, aside from the sign-up stories. Readers fell in love with Nubia just as much as I did, and they often asked if her and Naazir’s story would continue. Of course, it was an automatic yes. And not only because I loved these two as a couple, but because I was simply in awe of Nubia’s character.

Let’s get to know the woman behind the name a bit more intimately.

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Asher Truesdale stepped into my mind, then onto the page, and instantly stole my heart. I can’t even discuss him without blushing. He’s one of my favorite book baes, if not my absolute favorite (don’t tell Amir!), and for very good reason. His patience is the most attractive thing about him, but the man is full of traits that radiate excellence.

Let’s dive into the man who has become an instant favorite for many of us—the incomparable Asher Truesdale.

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Lauryn James is by far one of my favorite heroines. I have never written a character like Lauryn. Mainly because I always feared that I would feel too deeply as I wrote  a story like hers and her experience with trauma. I dreaded writing her story because of this. There was even a moment in the writing process where I felt I needed to take a break to conduct my version of a character Q&A. I had to do that because I’d developed her guarded character so well, she was even guarded towards me! But once Lauryn let me into the bones of her character, I was rooting for her from inception. To this day, I would ride for Lauryn James.

Let’s get to know a character who truly deserved the happily ever after she received.

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Yusuf Baldwin is part of my new school of book baes who have waltzed onto my pages and stolen my heart without apology. Simply by being his amazing and vulnerable self, Yusuf is truly a character readers couldn’t help but love and feel for.

My heart ached as I wrote his story. By every sense of the word, Yusuf did everything right, yet his life didn’t seem to reflect that. And not once did he hold back on the page, letting his feelings, his hurt, and eventually his healing shine through.

We know Yusuf well, but let’s get to know him even better.

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Clarke Ali made her first appearance in my book world in When Luke Met Juliette. She was the outspoken friend at the Valentine’s dinner table, and though she had only a few lines, it was enough to give readers a taste of her character. Readers got to know Clarke much better in her story, When Life Gives You Sunsets, a beautiful tale about love and healing hearts.

Clarke later appeared in my Valentine’s Day short story, Living Out a Love Song. This story was set in the past and showed a younger Clarke Ali. Clarke is one of my favorite characters. Her name is one I fell in love with the moment I gave it to her, and she’s the risk-taking, life-exploring spirit that gave When Life Gives You Sunsets its sunny feel. Let’s get to know her more intimately.

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Luke is one of those characters I knew readers would have mixed feelings about. He doesn’t fit the perfect image of the book bae who does everything right. He’s brash, brutally honest, and unapologetic about it all. And honestly, I really love that about him. He isn’t the most amiable person to read about, and he doesn’t say the things you’d expect from a book bae. He’s flawed in his thinking and a product of what happens when prevention goes too far.

Despite this, Luke’s heart is pure, and he is giving in so many ways. A nurturer by nature, the way he loves would surprise people who judge him only by what they see on the surface. And for that, I adore him.

Let’s dive into Luke’s backstory to get a better understanding of who Luke Lockett is.

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Juliette Hart is a character favorite for me. Most of my heroines are usually fighting the feeling of falling in love out of fears brought on by their own consciousness. While at the start of When Luke Met Juliette, Juliette is doing everything to avoid falling for a guy again, she hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility of love. She’s just prioritized her career. As luck would have it, prioritizing her career creates a magnetic force that pulls her headfirst into love.

Let’s get to know our girl Juliette Hart, the girl with the gorgeous red hair, a little better.

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