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Alison Cochrun is a high school English teacher living outside Portland, Oregon. When she’s not reading and writing queer love stories, you can find her torturing teenagers with Shakespeare, crafting perfect travel itineraries, hate-watching reality dating shows, and searching for the best happy hour nachos. 

Want to keep up on all things Alison then follow her on Instagram, Twitter, or check out her website: https://www.alisoncochrun.com/

 What’s the strangest thing you searched for on the internet for your novel?

I had to Google so many weird things about reality dating shows for writing this book, and one of the weirdest things I ended up doing was watching an employee instructional video on how to edit for a reality television show. Also, I had to look up the proper term for someone who works at a spray tan business. The correct nomenclature is “spray tan technician.” 

What book (or author) made you fall in love with the romance genre? 

It’s a tie between Helen Hoang and Casey McQuiston. Helen Hoang’s book The Kiss Quotient was the first contemporary romance I’d ever read with a neurodiverse protagonist, and it really shifted my perspective on who could be the focus of a happily-ever-after. Casey McQuiston’s Red, White, and Royal Blue was also the first queer romance I’d ever read (I didn’t know there were so many queer romances out there before that book!) and it also helped me see that characters like me could be at the center of love stories. They both helped widen my scope and perspective.

What is your favourite trope? Why?

I have a lot of tropes I love in romance, but I’m a huge sucker for enemies-to-lovers, especially when it’s done well. I love it because it’s so full of delicious tension and angst, and ultimately, it feels like it’s a trope based around the idea of someone seeing you at your absolute worst and wanting you anyway. And I find that to be so charming and delightful. Plus, enemies-to-lovers books always have the best banter!

It’s the morning after, and a lover is making your main character the perfect breakfast in bed. What is it?

Well, if Charlie were making Dev breakfast in bed, Dev’s perfect meal would be some variation of eggs benedict (maybe salmon on a biscuit) with country potatoes on the side and at least four strips of bacon. If Dev were making Charlie breakfast in bed, he wouldn’t… because Charlie firmly believes you should never eat in bed. Instead, Dev would attempt to make Charlie a vegan veggie scramble served at the table, fail miserably, and order Postmates breakfast burritos instead.

What book are you reading currently?

I’m currently reading IN THE EVENT OF LOVE by Courtney Kae. It’s a sapphic Christmas romcom that reads exactly like a Hallmark Christmas movie, and it’s so cozy and sweet and steamy! It comes out Fall of 2022, which is going to be the year of the queer Christmas romcom! There are so many good ones coming our way (including my own, if I’m allowed to say so!) 

The rapid fire question – Best Date: Lady Gaga night at the gay bar or cable car up a mountain.

Definitely cable car up Table Mountain, specifically. Table Mountain is the single most beautiful place I’ve ever been, and personally, I would choose to go there for a date any day! 

Check out our review of The Charm Offensive here.

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