Lorelei Layne, Author

Astrid's worst nightmare: running into her father's friends while out with Alex—the guy who literally flew away with their toys when they stopped making payments. The AUDACITY of loving him anyway. amzn.to/4ouhO4X

High school sweethearts. Different worlds. Years apart. Alex and Astrid's story is about what happens when love isn't enough the first time—but growth changes everything. ASTRID & ALEX: THE BEGINNING 📖 amzn.to/4ouhO4X

Writing a reunion scene where just the SCENT of them brings everything back—that's the physical memory of love hitting like a freight train. Our bodies are such traitors (affectionate).

She came from money. He came from grit. They fell in love anyway. Then life tore them apart. ASTRID & ALEX: THE BEGINNING—where second chance romance meets class divide and nobody's heart survives intact. amzn.to/4ouhO4X

Money can't buy what Alex and Astrid have—but it sure tried to destroy it the first time. Second chances, class dynamics, and heat that'll melt your kindle. ASTRID & ALEX: THE BEGINNING amzn.to/4ouhO4X

The tension isn't just romantic—it's watching Astrid try to navigate family dinners when Alex just repossessed a plane from someone passing the mashed potatoes. ASTRID & ALEX is deliciously awkward. amzn.to/4ouhO4X

The physical memory of love means writing characters who can't be in the same room without gravitational pull. They broke up. Their bodies didn't get the memo.

When your worlds collide: Astrid at a charity gala, Alex repoing a plane in the parking lot (probably). The image of them trying to make it work is both hilarious and heartbreaking. amzn.to/4ouhO4X

The most toxic thing about Astrid's world? They hate Alex for DOING HIS JOB. He's not the villain—he's just the one who shows up when the bill comes due. And she loves him for it. amzn.to/4ouhO4X

Writing second chance romance hits different when you realize you're exploring your own 'what ifs.' These characters carry so much hope and regret. No wonder they're hard to get right.

Pleased to announce that book 2 (a novella and book 1 are already out, see link in bio) is "STEALTH SECRETS", a continuation of the Hearts & Tailwinds series!

It'll be coming out in 2026.

Real talk: Do you believe in "right person, wrong time" or do you think if they were truly right, timing wouldn't matter? Because second chance romance lives in this tension.

They broke up because loving each other wasn't enough. They're back because maybe NOW it could be. ASTRID & ALEX: THE BEGINNING—second chance romance for people who believe in growth, grit, and getting it right eventually. amzn.to/4ouhO4X

Writing the first kiss after years apart and trying to capture that "your lips remember mine" feeling without being corny is... a journey. When it works though? Chef's kiss literally

"Right person, wrong time" hits different when you realize the TIME wasn't the problem—it was who they were AT that time. And watching them grow into people who can do it right? That's the whole genre.

Romance writer problems: Writing "their eyes met across the crowded room" when I haven't been in a crowded room in six months and have no plans to change that.

Blue collar meets trust fund in the messiest, most swoon-worthy way possible. ASTRID & ALEX isn't just second chance romance—it's about proving love can survive when everything else says it shouldn't. amzn.to/4ouhO4X

Class warfare but make it personal: your boyfriend's entire business model is repossessing the status symbols of your parents' social circle. Astrid and Alex's love story was basically impossible. amzn.to/4ouhO4X

Pumpkin spice latte in one hand, crippling self-doubt in the other. It's NaNoWriMo prep season, baby. Time to convince myself I can write 50,000 words while also believing every single one will be terrible.

Preparing for NaNoWriMo like I'm stocking a bunker: snacks, coffee, emergency pizza money, and a doc full of character names I'll definitely change halfway through. The apocalypse is coming and it's self-inflicted.

Found crumbs in my keyboard from last week's stress-eating session. How do other authors write emotional scenes without comfort snacks?

My browser history: average pilot salary, how to pose for Instagram, can you kiss in a cockpit, and where to buy bulk cheese puffs.

Four hours into writing their first kiss and I've eaten an entire bag of Babybel. The romance author lifestyle is not what Fabio led us to believe.

Alex started as a military pilot in my first draft until a chat with my editor made me realize commercial aviation was a better fit for the story. Character development is all about finding these little truths.

Note: describing romantic tension is significantly harder when you run out of snacks. Doordash to the rescue. Again.

My Pinterest board for Astrid keeps growing. Found a vintage Chanel suit that perfectly captures her "old money meets new media" vibe. Sometimes character building happens through visual inspiration.

Today's writing research: learning about circadian rhythms of long-haul pilots. The things we do for authentic characters. Currently reorganizing my entire sleep schedule to match Alex's.

Deleted 3,000 words today. The scene where Alex and Astrid meet during a flight delay was too cliché. Back to the drawing board - maybe she's doing a sponsored post in the cockpit?

Mapping out Alex's flight routes on a real airline schedule to make sure their meetings are actually possible. Romance needs magic but also logic.

Writing at the airport today for atmosphere. Just watched a pilot help a lost kid find their parents and suddenly have a new scene to write. Real life makes the best inspiration.