I recently had the amazing opportunity to interview Courtney Deane, the talented Author of “When Happily Ever After Fails”. I’ve also shared my glowing review of the book here on the blog! For those who, like me, cherish a good romance read, there’s nothing quite like immersing oneself in a heartwarming romance with just the right touch of sensual tension, and “When Happily Ever After Fails” delivers that and more. In our interview, Courtney Deane shares insights about her favorite rom-coms, the inspirations behind her story, and much more!

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NJ: What inspired you to write “When Happily Ever After Fails”?

CD: I was dealing (poorly) with the sudden death of my mom and looking for an outlet for my grief. Therapy hadn’t been particularly helpful – though, obviously, it can be for many people – so I turned to writing. It’s a medium I’ve always loved, and I thought expressing some of my thoughts and experiences on paper might help me feel better.

CD: Since then, I’ve realized that I have more in common with my protagonist, Abigail, than I thought. She, too, likes to find the positive in everything and turn tragedies into something beautiful. I truly didn’t know I was essentially attempting to do the same thing by writing this book. I just thought it would be a good alternative therapy!

NJ: What is your favorite rom-com and why is it your favorite?

CD: Bookwise, I love One Day in December by Josie Silver. It has that wonderful mix of humor and heart that I’m always a fan of, and missed connections and second chances are two of my favorite tropes. Plus, I’m a sucker for a holiday setting. Who doesn’t want something magical to play out at Christmastime?!

CD: Movie-wise, I’m all about Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I just love irreverence and Jason Segal. It’s non-stop laughs and he’s the perfect lovable loser to root for. Also, that Dracula musical! AMAZING. I Google whether that’s going to be made into an actual show like once year.

NJ: What wine would pair well while reading “When Happily Ever After Fails?”

CD: Easiest question ever – rosé! Those who’ve read the book will understand. If you’re feeling particularly fancy, frisky or celebratory, sparkling rosé.

NJ: I thought it interesting to not have the story be told through Nate’s perspective as well. Is there a particular reason as to why you decided to have the story told through Abigails perspective?

CD: That’s a valid question, as I know it’s not necessarily the norm. I thought about it briefly, but felt very strongly that this is Abigail’s story. Yes, there is romance and a love interest(s), but the story is really about this lost young adult navigating the increasingly complicated world around her. I really wanted the reader to remain with her and in her head throughout the entirety. These other characters – no matter how lovable, funny or annoying – are part of her story.

NJ: Which of the characters do you personally relate to and why?

CD: Since Abigail’s thoughts and experiences are taken from my own life, it would be super awkward if I didn’t say her! I want to make a clear distinction, though, that she is not me. She is a completely separate entity who unfortunately inherited some of my real-life problems. But we are not the same person or personalities. As I mentioned earlier, though, I really didn’t know we had as much in common as we did until another interviewer asked me about my motivation for writing the book and to share any similarities I had with my MC. Then, as I started talking, I was like, “wait a minute. We’re more alike than

I thought/intended…”

NJ: What part of the book was the most fun to write?

CD: That’s a tie between anything involving Mathilda and the drag queen supper scene…which also involves Mathilda! She was just such a fun character from start to finish. In theory, you don’t want to play favorites with your “babies,” but I definitely will. She’s my number one!

And the drag queen supper club: bachelorette parties, fake identities, bathroom shenanigans and a Lady Gaga impersonator singing Radio Gaga. How could that NOT be fun?!

NJ: How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?

There are two answers to this – and one additional statement.

Additional statement first. In a literal sense, my “ideal” reader is anyone who connects with the book. Full stop. Demographics, genres and every other label aside, if the book resonated with you for whatever reason, then you’re my ideal reader. Doesn’t matter what you look like, how old you are, what you typically read, if you giving a flying eff about rom-coms, etcetera, etcetera.

Okay, onto the other two parts of this answer.

With the operative word being “assume,” I had assumed my typical reader is women and non-binary individuals who identify with women’s communities who are between the ages of 20 and 50. That was my assumption. However, I’ve had a handful of readers outside this age cohort who have said they really enjoyed the book, so assumptions are sometimes there to be proven wrong! That being said, I’d say the typical reader is anyone who is coming up on, currently in or has experienced young adulthood – something most of us can relate to.

My other ideal reader is anyone who can relate to the heavier themes of this book. Going through something that you feel like no one else can relate to (i.e. being an only child and losing both your parents in separate deaths) is truly the worst. The situation doesn’t have to be similar, but I truly hope this book touches those who have experienced that feeling – that sense of being alone in a crowded room where people feel miles away and unable to help you.

You can’t pin that sentiment on a specific demographic – and I know this book may not be right for everyone who goes through that – but I really, really hope it finds its way to some readers who could use it. Bottom line: you’re never alone, and help is always out there. It may not be within your current friends-and-family network, but it exists, so seek it out wherever, however, whenever and whyever possible.

NJ: Why did you choose to have Abigail and her students make a new ending for “Romeo & Juliet”?

Because that was always the crux of the book: that a twentysomething struggling with early tragedies just can’t take that theme anymore, so she decides she won’t and opts to rewrite the endings of any sad tales that cross her path.

I picked Romeo & Juliet because it’s a story almost universally known, so I felt I wouldn’t have to offer a

lot of explanation or plot summary on it. More importantly, there’s a very interesting theme/question(s) posed in the classroom by this selection. Is a story still worth reading if we know the ending? Are the characters still valuable if we’re aware they won’t make it to the end? There’s a literal interpretation there, but it goes much deeper than that when you think about Abigail and her relationship with her parents, especially her dad having a terminal diagnosis. Did his advice, opinions and desires stop mattering once it became evident his story would be cut short?

NJ: If your book was made into a TV show, which actors would play your characters?

I’ve totally cast this already – but as a movie a few years ago. Keep in mind I’m not a twentysomething anymore so I’m not necessarily up on today’s hot, young actors.

So, if you rewind the clock 20 or so years, I’ve got:

Abigail – I see her as a combination between a Rachel McAdams and a Greta Gerwig

Quinn – Jim Sturgess

Mathilda – Condola Rashad

Nate – Gabriel Macht

Charles (Abigail’s father) – Robert Englund

Grace (Abigail’s mother) – Melissa Leo

NJ: What do you think makes a good rom-com?

I’m big on the “com,” so lots of laughs! I’m super on board with messy, fallible, relatable characters, so I’ll take that over the whole “high-powered PR exec. who has to save her family’s Christmas tree farm and falls for the local lumberjack” any day, though I do have a soft spot for Hallmark Christmas movies. I don’t consider them rom-coms, though, just roms. They’re not particularly funny in my book.

Getting us to feel the longing from a strong bond is great as well. I think that’s why the second chances and missed connections tropes resonate so much with me. Plus, everyone loves a good redemption story. I know I do!

I have to say , this is my favorite interview as of yet! I highly recommend reading, “When Happily Ever After Fails’ when it releases on April 9, 2024.

Follow Courtney Deane!

Instagram: @AuthorCourtneyDeane

TikTok: @CourtneyDeane

YouTube: @CourtneyDeane

You can find When Happily Ever After Fails on Barnes and Noble and Amazon .

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