July 2, 2024

Writing Unabashed Power Ballads

Rainbow Rowell on nostalgia and the exploration of what-ifs in Slow Dance.

Writing Unabashed Power Ballads

Rainbow Rowell on nostalgia and the exploration of what-ifs in Slow Dance.

I fell in love with my husband in high school.

I couldn’t have told you that then. I didn’t understand what it felt like to be in love. Like — I didn’t know what I was looking for, so I had no idea that I’d found it. The fact that he and I eventually figured some things out and got married still seems like several extraordinary strokes of luck.

My inspiration for Slow Dance came simply from wondering, what if we hadn’t been so lucky?

Slow Dance tells the story of Cary and Shiloh, two bright kids from a rough neighborhood whose friendship keeps each other afloat during high school. They promise each other before graduation that nothing between them will ever change.

It isn’t a promise anyone could keep.

When the book opens, the characters are in their 30s. Shiloh’s a single mom working at a children’s theater, and Cary’s an officer in the Navy — and they haven’t spoken for fourteen years.

What happened? That depends on who you ask …

One of the things I wanted to explore in Slow Dance was how limited we are by our own perspectives. When Shiloh and Cary look back, they can see only slivers of what happened between them. They’re both walking around with half the story. (Half the story, at most.)

I was thinking, as I wrote, about the way old friends give you access to your younger self. There’s a part of Shiloh that only comes out when Cary is around. She can only be that version of herself when she’s with him.

All I ever write are love stories, but I think Slow Dance is my most romantic novel yet.

I wanted it to feel big and unabashed, like a power ballad — like the very last song at a school dance. Full-throated and full-hearted. I just wanted to leave it all on the floor.

I hope you feel some of those high notes when you’re reading it.

Rainbow

"The growth of the characters, especially Eve, was beautiful to witness. They reminded me that relationships take time and work, and healing is never linear." ✨

We're so touched by the meaningful takeaways from Once Upon a Time in Dollywood. What inspired you about Eve's story?

📷+💬: @readwithtee
Did you know that Heiress Takes All takes place all within 24 hours? That's also how long it took us to finish this page-turner. 📖💙
Who better to bring a book to life than the author herself? ✨ Listen to a line from Once Upon a Time in Dollywood narrated by @ashleyjordanwrites, and pick up a copy at our link in bio to discover the rest of the story.
"Living in the area that this book takes place made for such a FUN reading experience!"

Spectacular Things takes place in Victory, Maine, a nod to Liz's aspirations for her daughters and a perfect setting for a polar plunge. Is there a book set in your favorite place? 💙📍

📷+💬: @dariasbooked
We’re still not over Hattie Morahan’s incredible narration of the Broken Country audiobook. It’s time for a revisit. 💙
"She made her first attempt at outlining her next play, settling on the working title Down From Dover, based on a Dolly Parton song. Seemed fitting for the setting."

We love the little bit of Dolly weaved throughout Eve's story. 🦋✨ Drop your favorite Dolly Parton song in the comments below!

📷: @JacobRivsan
"Emily Henry’s latest novel is a dazzling, layered story about love, legacy, and the power of who gets to tell the story." ✨

Great Big Beautiful Life is a lovely reminder that it's always worthwhile to view stories from multiple perspectives. Who's storyline resonated with you the most?

📷+💬: @rhosynvie
Spectacular Things brings a burst of light blue and heart to your library shelves! 💙 

📷: @juliawreads
She's the voice of your favorite audiobooks, BookTok's undisputed queen, and now - our latest guest on Bookmarked, the Reese's Book Club podcast! Let's just say the mic loves her. 🎙️✨

You might know @JustJuliaWhelan as the voice behind Gone Girl, all of Emily Henry's novels, and 700 more audiobook titles. But did you know she's also an acclaimed actress and author of My Oxford Year? Maybe you've heard of it. 

In this week's Bookmarked episode, @DanielleRobay and Julia break down book-to-screen adaptations, being a people-pleaser, and having that voice that readers just trust.

For the inside scoop on all things audiobooks, start listening at the @iHeartPodcast app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you love to listen.
@raeganrevord always knows your next move - and we're guessing it's adding our Spring YA Pick Heiress Takes All to your TBR.