Top Ten Tuesday: Debut Authors Who Have Me Looking Forward To Their Sophomore Novels

Since I missed last week's Top Ten Tuesday prompt about debut authors, who's sophomore novels we're most looking forward to, I am posting my list a week late.  This topic was too good to completely miss, so please excuse me being a week behind.  Let me know in the comments if you've read any of these debuts, and if you too are looking forward to their next novels.

1. Juliana Romano -- I read FIRST THERE WAS FOREVER earlier this year and was completely swept up by it.  It's the type of story this quiet contemporary reader really gravitates toward, full of heart and emotion, in the coming ages of being a teen.  Her sophomore novel, SUMMER IN THE INVISIBLE CITY, sounds just as fabulous -- I can't wait to read it!

2. Ellie Cahill -- Though I know this author is not a debut, as she uses this pen name for her New Adult novels, but I still decided to include her in this list because these are her first NA novels to write.  WHEN JOSS MET MATT was such a refreshing, addicting read.  I'm really looking forward to CALL ME, MAYBE, her second NA novel, because these are the type of fun, easy-going romances I crave.

3. Michelle Levy -- I'm not sure what this author is working on next, but after reading NOT AFTER EVERYTHING, I know it will be on my TBR list when it's out there.  This novel is another quietly, yet so emotional read that truly gripped me.  I have high hopes for what she plans to produce next.

4. Bethany Chase -- As the year wraps up, I already know this novel will be at the top of my favorites list, so of course I am looking forward to Bethany Chase's next novel.  THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY is everything I yearn for in adult contemporary fiction.  Everything from the depth of emotion, to the identifiable setting, to the unforgettable journey -- it all just swept me up and away.  I will read anything this woman writes.

5. Annie Cardi -- Another emotional, yet so rewarding debut that completely won me over.  THE CHANCE YOU WON'T RETURN was one of my favorite debuts read last year, so of course I am eagerly waiting to read what Annie Cardi has in store for her readers next.  I know it will be brilliant!

6. Kristin Rae -- WISH YOU WERE ITALIAN was such an adventurous, fun debut from Kristin Rae!  Her writing style captivated me in an unexpected way.  What could have been told from just the surface, delved much deeper -- casting a unique, and unforgettable story.  I am really looking forward to her sophomore novel, WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED.

7. Sarah Combs -- This list would not be complete if Sarah Combs were not on it.  Her debut novel, BREAKFAST SERVED ANYTIME was my most favorite read of 2014.  It so quietly, yet eloquently told the story of how one summer can change a young teen's life.  Her richness with words, and ability to tell an unforgettable story, pulled at my heart.  I know her next novel will be just as breathtaking.

8. Nickolas Butler -- SHOTGUN LOVESONGS was such an engrossing, beautifully told adult novel.  I listened to the audio of it and found myself sitting in my car idle, long after I reached my destination because I wasn't quite ready to turn it off.  BENEATH THE BONFIRE is sure to be amazing, I just know it, and now I must get my hands on it.

9. Ashley Poston -- Hello gorgeous book covers!  THE SOUND OF US was the perfect blend of music + romance + teenage angst for this contemporary reader.  I can't wait to read her follow up, WE OWN THE NIGHT, which I'm sure is going to be a win for me as well.

10. Jenny Kaczorowski -- Another series from Bloomsbury Spark that I am eagerly waiting to continue.  THE ART OF FALLING was a refreshing, enjoyable read and I am really looking forward to THE TRICK OF LANDING.  The So-Cal vibe is really screaming my name.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Review: First There Was Forever by Juliana Romano

First There Was Forever by Juliana Romano
Published: April 14, 2015 by Dial Books
Source: From the publisher

Perfect for fans of Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty and Huntley Fitzpatrick’s My Life Next Door, Juliana Romano's expressive debut is an absorbing and bittersweet story about first love, first loss, and the friends that carry us through it all.

Lima and Hailey have always been best friends: Lima shy and sensitive, Hailey funny and free-spirited. But Hailey abandons Lima to party with the popular kids and pursue Nate, her disinterested crush. As their friendship falters, Lima and Nate begin spending more time together. And before Lima knows what she’s feeling, she and Nate do something irreversible. Something that would hurt Hailey....if she knew it happened.

Lima thinks she’s saving her friendship by lying, but she’s only buying time. As the secrets stack up, Lima is forced to make a choice: between her best friend forever, and the boy who wasn’t meant to be hers. [goodreads]

First There Was Forever has been my favorite debut read of the year so far.  I didn't realize how connected I was to the story until I had to put it down and found myself thinking about the characters, wondering what they were going to do next, and how their actions would be a catalyst for whats to come.  This novel kept pulling me back in with that slow yearning that so many quiet contemporary YAs have a tendency to do.

Lima and Hailey have been best friends since they were little girls.  Growing up on the So-Cal coast, they've had plenty of adventures to find themselves in.  But as they venture into their high school years, their playful girlish days begin to morph into lipstick, parties, and boys.  Lima is reluctant to step into this new role though, choosing to stand in Hailey's shadows as she navigates this new teenage lifestyle.  But when Lima begins to feel left behind by Hailey, she doesn't quite know where to find herself either.  I really identified with the strong friendship between Lima and Hailey and how it has the ability to shift and change as the two girls begin to shift and change themselves.  Their voices read like teenage girls to me, even reminding me of myself at that age.

As the two begin to drift apart, yet so desperately trying to cling to the foundation their friendship was built on, Lima forms a new relationship with the one person who's always been off limits to her: Hailey's crush.  My first reaction was to scream at Lima, don't you dare! That's best friend code!  But as Hailey's awful actions started to grate my nerves, I started to understand the pull that Lima had toward Nate.  As she kept their relationships a secret, it added another layer to the story's authenticity.  Again, it was a reaction that I knew wasn't right, but still felt very real for a teenager to be making.

My favorite aspect of this story is how the ending did not tie up all the loose ends into a neat and tidy bow.  It left heartache to be heartache, but presenting a sense of hope that eventually would find its purpose.  First There Was Forever is an excellent debut from author Juliana Romano, one that has put her on my auto-buy list.  The rawness and authenticity touched me on a deeper level, rewarding me with an unexpectedly fulfilling reading experience.

First There Was Forever: Q & A with Juliana Romano

First There Was Forever by Juliana Romano
Published April 14, 2015 by Dial Books

About the book: Perfect for fans of Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty and Huntley Fitzpatrick’s My Life Next Door, Juliana Romano's expressive debut is an absorbing and bittersweet story about first love, first loss, and the friends that carry us through it all.

Lima and Hailey have always been best friends: Lima shy and sensitive, Hailey funny and free-spirited. But Hailey abandons Lima to party with the popular kids and pursue Nate, her disinterested crush. As their friendship falters, Lima and Nate begin spending more time together. And before Lima knows what she’s feeling, she and Nate do something irreversible. Something that would hurt Hailey....if she knew it happened.

Lima thinks she’s saving her friendship by lying, but she’s only buying time. As the secrets stack up, Lima is forced to make a choice: between her best friend forever, and the boy who wasn’t meant to be hers. [goodreads]

I recently read this debut novel and found myself unexpectedly connecting with the story.  The writing pulled me in and had me reminiscing of past YA contemporary loves I'd read by Jenny Han and Huntley Fitzpatrick.  If you're looking for a solid, well-rounded contemporary piece that focuses on the growing up and growing apart of friendships, then I highly encourage this novel to be added to your reading pile sooner rather than later.

Please welcome author Juliana Romano to the blog as she sits down with me for a little Q & A...

Ginger: I loved the friendship dynamic between Lima and Hailey. There was an authenticity to their relationship that felt very relateable. Did you write these characters from inspiration?

Juliana: The inspiration for Lima and Hailey’s friendship came from a lot of the friendships I’ve had over the years, including the one I have with my big sister, Clarissa, who is my best friend. And once I started writing about Lima and Hailey, I found myself observing all the friendships around me, and I saw so many patterns. Lima and Hailey have a lot of ups and downs, and often Lima can’t predict when Hailey is going to be warm or cold to her. Hailey melts her heart at the most unexpected times, which is something that happens to me all the time with my close friends.

Ginger: As someone who has visited and fell in love with So-Cal, what was your favorite locale to write about for the book?

Juliana: The beach! I never realized how many ways there are to describe the beach until I started writing about it. Especially So-Cal beaches because they are kind of gritty, it’s not all white sand and turquoise water.

Ginger: I'm a huge music junkie! Were there any tunes playing while writing certain scenes? If not, any music that comes to mind when you think of a particular character or scene in the book?

Juliana: I love this question! Music was a huge part of the book. When I wanted to channel Lima, I would listen to Joni Mitchell and Simon and Garfunkel because those are her favorite artists. And when I needed to get into an LA frame of mind, I’d put on contemporary California bands like Lavender Diamond, The Like and The Chapin Sisters. And when I think of Hailey I think of pop music like Taylor Swift and Rihanna. I always imagine Hailey does a lot of dancing alone in her bedroom.

Ginger: If you could sum up this book in one sentence, what would it be?

Juliana: “First There Was Forever” is partly a romance, and partly an ode to growing up in Los Angeles, but mainly it’s a book about the love between two friends, and the heartbreak that comes as they change.

Ginger: Very impressed with your debut work and looking forward to what's to come. Any news on what you're currently working on that you can share?

Juliana: I’m writing a few things, but the next up is a story of a girl growing up in New York City and it takes place between her junior and senior year of high school. Not LA!

Visit Juliana Romano's website | goodreads