Interview with Lauren Layne, author of I Knew You Were Trouble

What can you tell us about your new release, I Knew You Were Trouble?

It’s the final book in my bestselling Oxford series, but it can absolutely be enjoyed on its own! No need to read the preceding books. It’s a bit of a modern-day “star-crossed lovers” story. Despite getting off on the wrong foot, prickly Taylor and charming Nick are obviously meant for each other. They just can’t get their timing quite right. Until they become roommates

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

Ooh, awesome question! My reading list is pretty varied, so this list is as well. I sometimes think people want/hope I’ll give contemporary romance suggestions since that’s what I write, but to be honest, I don’t read much within my own genre!

Einstein, Walter Isaacson (best biography I’ve ever read, and I’ve read many!)

It Happened One Autumn, Lisa Kleypas (hands down, my favorite Regency!)

Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand (politically alienated, to be sure, but I give the ambitious protagonist a lot of credit for inspiring me to do more with my life!)

Perfect, Judith McNaught (a tiny bit dated now, but worth it for the sheer emotion she manages to evoke)

Harry Potter, JK Rowling (the whole series is just … I don’t have words for how fantastic it is)

The Great Gatbsy, F. Scott Fitzgerald (a little cliche, but I recently reread it and think it’s one of the most beautifully written works that exists today)

Who are your literary heroes working today? Why do you admire them?

Nora Roberts, for three reasons: she’s prolific, a truly fantastic storyteller, and she’s refreshingly zero-BS, and does things her own way.

Jo Rowling. She’s so good she gives me goose bumps.

What’s on your writing desk?

Ha, well … I live in a small space in Manhattan, and my husband and I are pretty minimalist! We both work from home, and our work space is actually two fold-out tables that we bring out at 6am when we start the work day, and put away at 5pm when it’s time for cocktails. I keep it clutter free. Just my laptop, planner, water bottle, and a timer I use to reset each hour to keep myself on track.

What makes your world go round?

If I say wine, will you judge me?

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An author! I was an avid reader from a young age, and I thought it sounded like the best job in the world. I was right.

What scene in I Knew You Were Troube was your favorite to write?

I hardly ever say this, but the “resolution” scene in this one really got to me. (i.e., the scene when the hero/heroine overcome their differences and decide to live happily ever after). I can’t say much about it without giving away spoilers, but it was particularly emotional!

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

It changes quite a bit, depending on what part of my life needs a boost of motivation. Right now I’m really focusing on the simple concept of “Decide.” As in, to accomplish those things I want to accomplish in my life, I simply need to make the decision to start them, rather than the decision to do something else. Sounds simple, but it’s crazy how often we humans forget we have a choice!

Lauren Layne is the author of the new book I Knew You Were Trouble. 

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