LIGHTNING ROUND
What’s your favorite writing season: hopeful spring, beachy summer, reflective fall, or cozy winter, and why?
I love summer and Christmas—for different reasons. Summer is such an easy season to be lighthearted and free, and Christmas is full of love and family.
What’s one snack or treat that always appears when you’re deep in writing mode?
Coffee. I’m obsessed. I actually write best when I make myself a cup of coffee, shut everything out, and type.
If your main character had a motto, what would it be?
Life is full of surprises.
What’s one small thing that instantly puts you in a creative mood?
Silence. Ha. (It’s rare.)
THE SPRING SPARK
May often signifies the start of something new. In what ways did this story represent a new chapter for you as a writer?
I noticed that in my last few books, I don’t have to wrestle with the story hardly at all. The mechanics of writing are so ingrained that it flows so easily. I’m in my season of flow.
What was the very first image, line, or idea that sparked this book?
I think I came up with the title first. THE BROKEN HEARTS BEACH CLUB just came to me, and then I built a story around it.
Tell us about a scene that changed significantly from your first draft to your final version. What made you rethink it?
Like I said, I’m in my state of flow right now, so not much changed, but sometimes I don’t write the Epilogue until after my first edit. I think I might have done that on this book. (I’ve written two more books already since this one, so that first edit is foggy…)
Many authors say their characters “talk back.” Did any character surprise you or take the story somewhere unexpected?
Mine don’t talk back, but they’ll say something odd, and then I’ll think, “Ohhh, you’re right.” And then the story will take a turn that I didn’t see coming.
Setting can shape a story in powerful ways. What role does the setting play in your book, and what inspired you to choose it?
I choose beaches I’ve been to for my summer books. Since it’s a beach club, I needed to set it at a beach!
THE PERSONAL TOUCH
What’s a behind-the-scenes detail about writing this book that readers might never guess?
As I wrote the book, I had Luke Bryan in mind as the fictional musician.
Springtime is ideal for discovering new books. Which book is currently at the top of your TBR pile, and what other books are you looking forward to reading?
I have so many with my publishing company Harpeth Road Press! I’ll take suggestions for others.
Every book comes with its challenges. Was there a moment during this one that reminded you why you fell in love with writing in the first place?
My books are like children—you never know what they’re going to do. This one was easy. It napped well, ate when it should…
If readers could step inside one scene from your book and experience it in real life, which scene would you choose and why?
I think the Epilogue. It’s so fancy and fun.
LOOKING AHEAD
Can you give readers a sneak peek into your next project, minus any spoilers?
I give zero details about my projects, but I can say that my Christmas book is coming out both online and in stores nationwide in October, and it features a wife of a famous songwriter…
Where can readers connect with you and keep up with your latest writing news?
(Website, social media, newsletter) My website. My socials including Facebook
BONUS: The Author’s Playlist
Share three songs that capture the mood of your book or that helped inspire you while writing.
“One Margarita” by Luke Bryan
“Key’s in the Conch Shell” by Kenny Chesney
“Beach Bums” by Josh Turner
From the USA Today bestselling author of The Summer House, with over one million copies of her books sold, comes a touching beach read, perfect for fans of Sheila Roberts, Jill Shalvis, and Debbie Macomber.
After heartbreak hits in three very different ways, Emily Jacobs and her friends Sienna and Blair take up Sienna’s offer to escape to her client’s luxurious beach house for sun, sand, and girl talk. But paradise comes with a twist: in his absence, the owner of the house forgot to reschedule his staff, leaving his brooding and impossibly tight-lipped personal chef, Patrick Owens, in charge of dinner for them. Every. Single. Night.
Emily can’t help but be intrigued by the chef with his guarded eyes and irresistible culinary skills. Certainly, they should know something about the person serving them food every night. As she tries to break through his tough exterior, his limited small talk creates deeper questions, just as a massive storm blows in, threatening their peaceful getaway.
Between laughter, late-night conversations, and undeniable chemistry, Emily realizes life’s storms reveal more than the weather’s.
An uplifting and dreamy novel about friendship, fresh starts, and the kind of love that sneaks up when you least expect it. If you enjoyed the TV movies based on Jenny’s books and are looking for more feel-good romance, look no further!
Women's Fiction Friendship [ Harpeth Road Press, On Sale: May 11, 2026, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781963483581 / ]
When I graduated college, one of my friends said, “Look out for this one; she’s going to be an author one day.” Despite being an avid reader and a natural storyteller, it wasn’t until that very moment that the idea of writing novels occurred to me. Sometimes our friends can see the things that we can’t. While I didn’t start straight away, that comment sowed a seed and several years, two children, and hundreds of thousands of words later, I completed a novel that I felt was worthy of publication. The result is Coming Home for Christmas, a heart-warming story about friends, family, and the magic of love at Christmas. The rest is history. When I’m not writing, I’m a mother of two boys and a wife to a very supportive husband.
Jennifer Vido is the author of The Gull Island Series, sweet Lowcountry romances inspired by her love of coastal living and small-town charm. Serendipity by the Sea won Best First Book from the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest, and Baltimore Magazine readers named her Best Local Author in 2024 and 2025.
A Vanderbilt graduate, Jennifer traded in teaching French to follow her dream of becoming an author. She loves discovering and sharing literary gems through her Jen's Jewels column, celebrating the books that make her heart happy.
Jennifer lives in Maryland with her husband and is mom to two grown sons. Her rescue dog, Fripp, is her constant companion, though he's better at napping than editing. When she's not writing, you'll find her at the beach with her toes in the sand, dreaming about her next romance.
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