Julie Olivia wanted to write a cozy story taking place during autumn in the 90s, and therefore came up with "If It Makes You Happy."
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
I wanted to write the coziest place I could imagine in the coziest months imaginable. It only made sense to set a cozy autumn book in the 90s. I always link the autumn months with the 90s. Something about Gin Blossoms or The Cranberries really feels like falling leaves and comfy sweaters to me. Plus, I love the swoony feelings associated with classic romances like "When Harry Met Sally" or "You’ve Got Mail," and I was chomping at the bit to write something like it.
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
For me, Reading Rainbow means reading stories with inclusion and representation, and celebrating what it means to be ourselves. Reading Rainbow builds community and understanding and means advocating for voices and stories historically underrepresented.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
Books give us the unique ability to see new perspectives and experience worlds and cultures outside of the bubbles we commonly find ourselves in. It builds curiosity which can lead to research and education. Fiction especially is so important for building compassion and empathy toward other people and backgrounds. Especially now, it is imperative that we build and nurture these skills. There is far more that connects us than divides us. Representation reflects real life, and I crave that honesty in my books.
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
"If It Makes You Happy" is a book set in autumn of 1997 where a newly divorced woman moves to a small town in Vermont to run her mom’s bed and breakfast, only to find an unexpected friendship with the charismatic single dad next door. I’m an active advocate of the "friends to lovers" trope, and I want more of that swoony, "we actually like each other too much and that’s the problem" type of romance. Plus, I love autumn, and I love the 90s. I found that every fall I wanted to combine the two into the most quintessential fall romance reminiscent of classic 90s romcoms, so here we are!
What can fans expect from your book?
Lots of cozy nostalgia! Almost every fall activity you can think of: harvest festivals, trick or treating, Thanksgiving meals with family, and snowy holiday fun! And, of course, all the swoony, slow burn romance!
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
Onto the next book! I’m always cooking up something!
