Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Becky Dean!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Becky Dean
Becky Dean is a fan of adventures both real and fictional. She can frequently be found drinking iced tea, watching science fiction shows, and planning exciting trips for herself and her characters. Though she’s a proud Baylor grad and lives in Texas with her family, she remains a California girl at heart. She is also the author of Love & Other Great Expectations, Picture-Perfect Boyfriend, and Love Unmasked.
About the Book: Hearts Overboard
Set sail with this banter-filled rivals-to-lovers romance between a STEM-loving girl and a jock guy that will fill you with wanderlust…and have you rooting for love in the great outdoors!
Love is on the horizon…
After a very public breakup during which her ex, Caleb, tells her she is both (a) boring and (b) stuck in her ways, Savannah Moore decides that going with her mom on her company cruise to Alaska presents the perfect opportunity to show people how fun she is.
It won’t be easy, though. Her longtime nemesis, Tanner Woods, is also on the ship. His family and Savannah’s are friends, and Tanner knows her better than she’d like to admit. When he learns of her plan, Tanner wants to help, and he encourages her to try everything: zip-lining and dogsledding, hiking the bear-infested Alaskan wilderness, singing late night karaoke, and taking a polar plunge. That’ll show Caleb just what he’s missing.
Except after spending so much time with Tanner, Savannah’s not sure Caleb is the one she wants anymore…
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
Since travel romance is what I write, when I was brainstorming new ideas, I started with the setting. An Alaskan cruise is on so many people’s bucket lists, and I had recently been on one and it was just as amazing as I’d hoped, so I thought it would be a fun setting to explore. Then, because I like to throw characters into situations that challenge them, I knew the main character had to be someone who wouldn’t necessarily be excited about all the adventures. And what’s better than two rivals forced into proximity while exploring the great outdoors??
The inspiration for Savannah deciding to attempt one new thing a day came from my own life a few years ago when I decided to try a new thing each month and did everything from visiting new restaurants and museums in my city to skydiving.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
I love both Savannah and Tanner equally! But I’ll say Tanner because he’s such a teddy bear. Once you get past the “dumb jock” role he purposefully plays, he’s a great guy who would do anything for other people and just needs a big hug.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
Without spoiling anything, I’m proud of the whitewater rafting scene. It gives readers what they expect and want in a romance novel, but I think it does so in a fun setting and in an original way.
YABC: What came first, the concept, landscape, characters, or something else?
The setting and the rivals-to-lovers romance were the starting points for this book. The characters and premise grew from there. Every book is different for me in terms of what I start with, so it’s always fun to see how they come together.
YABC: What can readers expect to find in your books?
Readers can expect lots of banter, fun and rich settings that play a big role in the story, humor, nerd references, and hopefully lots of swoons. My books are always lighthearted while slightly touching on deeper, uplifting themes. And readers can always count on a happy ending!
YABC: What is your favorite snack when writing?
I’m not a big snacker, but I always have to have a giant glass of iced tea. Plain is fine, but flavored is even better.
YABC: If you were able to meet them, would you be friends with your main character?
I would definitely be friends with Savannah. We would watch science fiction shows together and drink milkshakes and visit museums. I might have to make her try some new restaurants, though.
YABC: What fandom would you write for if you had time?
I would write for Star Trek! I grew up watching it and have seen nearly every episode of all the series since the original and all the movies multiple times. I love all science fiction, but that remains my favorite fandom. And I think its overall hopeful and optimistic view of the future fits my style of uplifting stories.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I have another YA travel romance releasing with Delacorte Romance in 2025 called Love Unmasked. It’s a hidden identity romance set in Venice! I got to travel there for research last year, and I hope readers will love the romance and mystery in such an iconic city.
YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?
Thanks for having me!
Title: HEARTS OVERBOARD
Author: Becky Dean
Release Date: July 9, 2024
Publisher: Delacorte Romance
ISBN-10: 059364784X
ISBN-13: 9780593647844
Genre: YA Romance
Age Range: 12 and up
~ Giveaway Details ~
Three (3) winners will receive a copy of Hearts Overboard (Becky Dean) ~US/CAN Only!
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
