How To Fail at Flirting Q&A

On their first evening together, Naya and Jake visit (what sounds like) an amazing ice cream shop with some interesting flavours… if you could create a weird ice cream flavour yourself, what would it be? (OR what is your favourite flavour?)
I am a sucker for Butter Pecan ice cream—I’ve loved it since I was a kid; however, I found a recipe for gin and tonic ice cream and I’d love to make that again. That one is incredibly easy and the ice cream stays a little soft in the freezer from the alcohol. Here is a version of the recipe I like, though I usually cut back the sugar a bit. 

What was your inspiration for the story, and which was your favourite scene to write?
I initially sat down to write this story when my son was very young—overwhelmed with momming, work, and life, I sat down to write a fun story about the role exes have in shaping us. Diving into Naya and Jake’s world became my hobby, my escape, and where I began to find so much joy. My favorite scene to write was the night Jake and Naya met—they have an instant connection and I loved writing those first moments of attraction and the inklings both have that the other is special.

What’re your favourite romance tropes (to read or to write)?
My favourite romance trope to read is enemies to lovers. If two people completely clash and can't stand each other, I will keep reading until they discover they’re in love. I’m working on writing one now and it’s so much fun. I’m not married to writing any particular trope, but I love having professional conflict in my books!

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Jake is a fantastic ‘hot nerd’ romance hero, who are some of your favourite cinnamon roll heroes?
 My ‘hot nerd’ was mt favorite part about writing How to Fail at Flirting. A cinnamon roll hero is warm and gooey, soft, sweet, and maybe a little crusty on the outside. Here are a few of my favorite cinnamon roll heroes:

• John Donovan from Hearts on Hold by Charish Reid
• Rafe Whitcomb from Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon
• Martin Krause from Teach Me by Olivia Dade
• Samson Lima from The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
• Zafir Ansari  from Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
• Oliver Lore from Dark Wild Night by Christina Lauren

If How to Fail at Flirting were turned into a film, who would be your dream cast?
In my head, this film has an all-star cast!
Naya: Jurnee Smollett
Jake: Henry Cavill
Felicia: Issa Rae
Aaron: Jesse Williams
Flip :Alan Alda
Davis: Eric Bana

Who would you cast?