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| Credit: Pete Albert Photography |
Devon Daniels is a born-and-bred California girl whose own love story found her transplanted to the Maryland shores of the Chesapeake Bay. She's a graduate of the University of Southern California (fight on!) and in her past life worked in marketing, product design, and music.
Devon loves writing books that make people laugh, cry, and swoon, and feels incredibly lucky that her job is to make people happy. Her debut novel Meet You in the Middle was chosen as one of the Best Books of 2021 by USA Today.
When she's not writing, you'll find her clinging to her sanity as mom, chef, chauffeur, and referee to four children, or sneaking off with her husband for date nights. (Bio courtesy of Devon's website.)
Devon loves writing books that make people laugh, cry, and swoon, and feels incredibly lucky that her job is to make people happy. Her debut novel Meet You in the Middle was chosen as one of the Best Books of 2021 by USA Today.
When she's not writing, you'll find her clinging to her sanity as mom, chef, chauffeur, and referee to four children, or sneaking off with her husband for date nights. (Bio courtesy of Devon's website.)
sSynopsis:
After a particularly brutal breakup, Cassidy Sutton has had it with dating. So when her grandmother gives her a 1950’s dating guide entitled 125 Tips to Hook a Husband, she decides to turn the retro advice into an ironic “What not to do” article for Siren, the popular online women’s publication she writes for. And who better to secretly test the old-fashioned tips on than Jack Bradford, chauvinistic creator of rival men’s site Brawler? She’ll write an article that will entertain female readers everywhere and embarrass their sexist nemesis at the same time. Two birds, one stone.
But her perfect plan soon proves to be anything but. Those vintage courtship tips Cassidy was so quick to poke fun at? They actually seem to work, calling her most closely-held beliefs into question. Even worse? Jack isn’t falling for any of her tricks—and it’s not long before their ‘fake’ relationship starts to feel like the realest one of her life. As her cat-and-mouse game starts to spiral out of control, Cassidy has to decide if she’s playing to win, or if she’s willing to lose it all for love. (Courtesy of Amazon.)
After a particularly brutal breakup, Cassidy Sutton has had it with dating. So when her grandmother gives her a 1950’s dating guide entitled 125 Tips to Hook a Husband, she decides to turn the retro advice into an ironic “What not to do” article for Siren, the popular online women’s publication she writes for. And who better to secretly test the old-fashioned tips on than Jack Bradford, chauvinistic creator of rival men’s site Brawler? She’ll write an article that will entertain female readers everywhere and embarrass their sexist nemesis at the same time. Two birds, one stone.
But her perfect plan soon proves to be anything but. Those vintage courtship tips Cassidy was so quick to poke fun at? They actually seem to work, calling her most closely-held beliefs into question. Even worse? Jack isn’t falling for any of her tricks—and it’s not long before their ‘fake’ relationship starts to feel like the realest one of her life. As her cat-and-mouse game starts to spiral out of control, Cassidy has to decide if she’s playing to win, or if she’s willing to lose it all for love. (Courtesy of Amazon.)
"If the Doris Day/Rock Hudson battle-of-the-sexes rom-com classics had a baby with How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, the result would be The Rom Con. Devon Daniels has written a surprising, sexy slow-burn romance that’s packed full of enough pop culture references to keep any romantic comedy fan happy."
—Kerry Winfrey, author of Faking Christmas
—Kerry Winfrey, author of Faking Christmas
"I devoured this book. Part How to Lose a Guy a in 10 Days and part Fifty Shades of Grey. Yes, you read that correctly. Daniels captures the very core of what I love most about a rom-com: sexy anticipation and soulful longing wrapped in quick-witted prose. Jack and Cassie are the couple we can't help but root for, and The Rom Con is the perfect rom-com. Daniels has created an absolute gem."
—Rochelle Weinstein, author of What You Do to Me
"With winks to How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, The Rom Con strikes the perfect balance between feminine and feminist with its clever premise, reminding us that 'old' does not mean 'over.' Readers will delight in the pop culture references from both the past and present, delicious tension, and witty dialogue. This hilarious and heartwarming love letter to classic romance movies and spunky grandmothers everywhere is going on my favorites list!"
—Meredith Schorr, author of Someone Just Like You
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
I love when people say that reading my books feels like watching a movie, or that they feel like they’re in the room with my characters. I work really hard to layer setting details (detailed descriptions, sensory elements like sights, sounds, smells, etc.) into my story in an organic way, which I think really contributes to a more immersive reading experience.
I also love when I hear from readers that they appreciate my wide vocabulary! I’m a word nerd, and I personally love coming across and learning new words while I’m reading, and I love that my readers appreciate it, too.
How is Cassidy similar to or different from you?
Cassidy is similar to me in that she’s passionate, headstrong, opinionated, and independent. In general, I like to write heroines who are reflective of the women I surround myself with in real life: smart, fierce, imperfect women with strong opinions.
I love when people say that reading my books feels like watching a movie, or that they feel like they’re in the room with my characters. I work really hard to layer setting details (detailed descriptions, sensory elements like sights, sounds, smells, etc.) into my story in an organic way, which I think really contributes to a more immersive reading experience.
I also love when I hear from readers that they appreciate my wide vocabulary! I’m a word nerd, and I personally love coming across and learning new words while I’m reading, and I love that my readers appreciate it, too.
How is Cassidy similar to or different from you?
Cassidy is similar to me in that she’s passionate, headstrong, opinionated, and independent. In general, I like to write heroines who are reflective of the women I surround myself with in real life: smart, fierce, imperfect women with strong opinions.
But Cassidy is different from me in that she’s single, frustrated with the app-driven dating world, and feeling left behind as all of her friends pair off and get married. I’ve been married for 18 years, so I’m pretty far removed from that experience—and I managed to miss the app-dating world entirely!
If The Rom Con were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
While writing, my inspiration for Cassidy was actress Shantel VanSanten (I’ve loved her in everything she’s been in!) For Jack, I pictured Jamie Dornan with a very Christian Grey-esque, power CEO-energy.
What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
Since writing The Rom Con, I’ve found myself drawn to books with a similar 1950s nostalgic energy, and there are a couple I’ve read and loved recently that fit the bill: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (bonus: the TV adaptation is brilliantly done), and Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown. Both are unputdownable.
If your life were a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
Kristen Bell. As the voice of Gossip Girl, she’d be the perfect person to make the mundane details of my life sound much more dramatic. Plus, she and I share a similar frenetic energy—and I’ve also been known to spontaneously break out into song!
Tell us about a favorite Thanksgiving tradition in your family.
Thanksgiving has become one of my favorite holidays because years ago, my husband and I decided to change up how we do it. We host a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with our extended family the weekend before, and for the actual holiday we go on a road trip with our kids. We choose a destination within driving distance (basically, our surrounding states—we’ve visited towns in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and New York). Being flexible and doing little planning is part of the fun—one of everyone’s favorite memories was the year we couldn’t find a single restaurant open on Thanksgiving and ended up having Thanksgiving dinner at Waffle House! Last year, we chose a cabin in the Poconos, and we loved it so much that we picked another cabin in western Maryland this year. The kids loved the hot tub in the forest, and nothing makes my husband happier than a wood-burning fireplace (bonus for me: there’s no cozier reading experience than curling up by a crackling fire!)
Thanks to Devon for chatting with us and to Berkley for sharing her book with our readers.
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18 comments:
My mom always used to say that a man that takes care of his teeth and his shoes will be a good husband. I am not sure I agree with that anymore...but I still find myself looking at both!
I never received dating advice. Way back in the olden days I could use my judgement and trust.
It's more-so marriage advice, but live with your partner before getting married. You find out more things that way.
Probably the best advice I've been given about dating is to take it slow. Which kind of hasn't worked out much for me over my lifetime of dating. Lol. But it is good advice.
I was told, "don't bring home trouble." It meant don't get pregnant.
Pay attention to the way he treats other people and animals.
Don't date someone you work with.
Best advice I have ever been giving is "Don't date someone you work with". Thank you for the giveaway.
I've never been given any dating advice.
The best I received; check out his mother.
Just show up.
I've never been given any.
I was given dating advice by my mother, but it's not fit for print!
I've never been given dating advice. My mother told me two things though: 1) Don't marry beneath your station, and 2) Find someone like your father. Unfortunately they broke the mold when my father was created.
I never received dating advice unless you consider being told to wear a chastity belt actual advice.
I was told not to judge a man by the car he drives
Never been given any dating advice
Take it slow.
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