PS: I Hate You

Lauren Connolly is an award-winning author who specializes in writing contemporary and paranormal romance novels. Her passion for storytelling was ignited by authors such as Tamora Pierce, Sharon Shinn, and Patricia Briggs, who inspired her to create narratives featuring magic, love, and strong female protagonists. Connolly pursued professional writing in college but initially felt pressured to focus on literary fiction because others deemed it more “serious” and “reputable.” However, this was not where her passions lay. Participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in 2016 rekindled her love for writing, leading her to embrace the romance genre she had always felt drawn to (McDonald, J. E. “Lauren Connolly Interview.” Embrace the Extraordinary).

Her diverse living experiences, including residing near lakes and mountains such as Colorado or a small river town in the state of Delaware, have significantly influenced her work. The serene and sometimes mysterious ambiance of these settings inspired the creation of fictional towns like Folk Haven, the backdrop for her paranormal romance series, or the locations Maddie and Dom seek out in their quest to spread Josh’s ashes in PS: I Hate You (McDonald).

Connolly’s writing often explores themes of grief, healing, and second chances.