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- [00:00]
Kennedy
Foreign.
- [00:10]
Reggie
Hello, everybody. Welcome back to. I'll read what she's reading. I'm Reggie.
- [00:13]
Mikayla
I'm Mikayla.
- [00:14]
Kennedy
And I'm Kennedy.
- [00:15]
Reggie
And we're so excited to introduce you guys to our guest Today. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Hannah Brown. You might know her from the Bachelorette, and she is a Dancing with the Stars mirror ball champ. She's also a New York Times best author. And we got to talk to her about her new release that's coming out Next week on 24 June, the four engagement rings of Civil Reign. And she is just as bright, beautiful, and incredible as you would think she is. From what you see online, she is that and more. And we are so happy we got to talk to her.
- [00:54]
Kennedy
Well, I loved getting to sit down with her and just kind of chat about things outside of, you know, the Bachelor world, the reality TV world, and just kind of how she writes her characters and how she kind of puts a little bit of herself into each and every one of them.
- [01:09]
Mikayla
Yeah. And if you didn't know, she has a book before this, it's called the Mistakes We Never Made, and it's kind of like interconnected standalone romance book. So that was really fun to kind of see where the idea started from and the process started with. With these four characters, the core four. And I think it was just really cool to see her brain, you know, as it always is with authors, to see the inner workings of their brain is always so fun.
- [01:43]
Reggie
So without further ado, welcome Hannah Brown. And with us today is the lovely Hannah Brown. Welcome to the podcast. We're so happy to have you here. This is so exciting for us.
- [01:58]
Hannah Brown
We're so excited to chat with you guys.
- [02:01]
Reggie
Yeah, you have been doing so much. It's so fun to see all the stuff that you've been posting about. And you have a new book coming out soon and just finished it yesterday. I'm. We're so excited to chat with you about it. How has everything been going? All your press, all you've been doing so much?
- [02:23]
Hannah Brown
Well, I feel like I'm just now, like, starting the press for the book, but there's just a lot kind of going on simultaneously, which has been. Made it a whirlwind, I'll say. But it's been so great. I'm so fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to come out with another romance novel and people, you know, are just now starting to read it, getting a little bit of the early access copies out there, and it's just been so great to see People have also an attachment to this new character, or not new character, but really, in my first book, Sybil is like a side character in this whole thing, and people really just like loving her story and being invested. So it's been really awesome to hear and see.
- [03:09]
Kennedy
You know, readers love an interconnected standalone romance series. And so when we found out it was still set within the first book's universe, we were so excited, because you have. The setting of the first one was just so incredible, and the friend group was so much fun. So to hear that, it's just kind of like continuing. Continuing on. We were super excited.
- [03:31]
Hannah Brown
Yeah. I want people to, like, come to find these books, you know, whichever one that they decide to start first, but then be so interested in the universe and the friendship that they want to know more about these individual women and their love stories and how the Core 4 kind of are interweaved between everything. Because I do think one of the most beautiful love stories you can have in your life is your friendships with the women in your life. And so that was actually the. The first idea that I had is I wanted it to be around, like, this group of friends and how your friends have, like, the front row seat to all our most beautiful relationships in our life. So, yeah, I hope people who loved the first book are so excited to go on this journey with Sybil. And then there are other people that come to know the series by Sybil and then want to know more about her other friends. So it's. I. I like. I like those standalone but in the same universe books, too. So I hope other people like it, like, this universe that I've created.
- [04:39]
Kennedy
Well, and then you also just get the cameos from the characters you love from other books. And obviously your newest book is no exception to that. You know, you get to see the characters that you came to love from the first one and now in the second one. So I just think it's so special.
- [04:54]
Mikayla
You kind of answered our first question already, but if you want to add on to it, can you tell us, like, the moment you decided to write your own romance novel and what pushed you, but you kind of said that, like, you think friendships are the greatest thing and the most, you know, beautiful thing in life. And so is there anything else you want to add that kind of pushed you to start writing romance novels?
- [05:18]
Hannah Brown
Yeah, I mean, that was, like, my initial idea, but when it comes to just, like, what made me decide to kind of go down this. This route and, like, this new season of my life, I've always loved Reading romance. But I also thought it was a really cool way that, you know, coming from my background, I was on reality tv, dating, and people have really just been so invested in my love story and my personal life. And so it just felt like a really cool way to be able to put out other love stories in the world for other people to enjoy and to really be able to draw inspiration from my own life and interweave it in there in some way so that people can kind of still get those parts. Part to me, but in a new, creative way that's not always, like, my personal life out there, but being able to use the thoughts, feelings, emotion, experiences that I have to be able to put out something creative into the world, It's. It's been so awesome.
- [06:21]
Mikayla
I love it. I feel like reading the first book, I feel like there's some times where I was like, oh, this seems like a little bit like Hannah. And I love it that you're kind of, like, putting your own experiences and, like, getting to write characters that maybe have similar experiences to you. And I think that's just, like, so fun. And I'm sure it's, like, really fun for you to see these characters come to life and be like, I sprinkled a little bit of myself into this character and a little bit of myself into this character. I think that would be so rewarding as an author.
- [06:53]
Hannah Brown
Yeah. I feel like Taylor Swift with my Easter eggs, you know? Yes.
- [06:57]
Reggie
Well, and especially after reading your memoir. It was so cool, too, because I read so your romance book first, then your memoir, and then four Engage Rings of Civil Reign. And so it was really cool to have read that first one and then hear more of your story and then read the other one and be like, oh, my goodness, I can see how she's put so much of herself in these books, but still keeping it true to this character's story.
- [07:29]
Hannah Brown
Yeah. So the. The core for the. The women in the book are all kind of like a part of me. So I feel like I expand on certain experiences or just different emotions or feelings are just. We're all not just one thing. So I feel like Emma and mistakes we never made is very, like, type Bay and takes care of people and feels like she has this responsibility that maybe she puts on herself more than anybody else puts on her. And, like, there's a part of me that's like that or like, Sybil feels like the complete opposite side of the coin who's wild and messy and can sometimes be, like, a little selfish, but she's not Trying to be, but just that's just her own journey that she has to go on. And, like, that's part of me as well. And even though they're, like, totally different, both I really relate to in different seasons in my life. And so really being able to expand on that with Sybil, Emma, Willow and Nikki, like, it's been really cool to like, flush that out in a way for myself too. And like, sometimes those parts of myself I'm not always proud of, but being able to, even in those characters, give them a background of like a, oh, this makes sense. She is this way. Or this is the journey that she has to go on, to heal, to grow, to become a better version of herself. It's giving me the opportunity to do that in the same vein. Or it's. Or it's something that I've also gone on the journey with or not quite there, but I get to, like, do the work through my character and then be able to, like, what I hope the readers also do is, like, learn from the character to be able to take and implement in their life. Even though these are romance novels that are supposed to be fun and sexy and like an escape. What's really important to me is that there is something that you take away from every book and every character. And I think that's what makes characters, like, live with us because we, like, feel a sense of ourselves in them and inspiration from them and their bravery or the thing that they faced and to be able to have the love that they deserve.
- [09:37]
Reggie
That's so beautifully said and I'm so curious to know, and you kind of touched on this a little bit, but are there any, like, specific life experiences that you feel have shaped you as a writer? You kind of shared, like, how, you know they've made a difference in your characters, but like anything that as a.
- [09:55]
Hannah Brown
Writer specifically, I mean, I guess it's like. I hate to say it, but I do think living. I mean, I feel like it's like the most, like, generic answer that could come from me. But living my life with a lens on me, like, especially in my romantic relationships, definitely shaped me as a writer, especially in this genre, because I kind of lived out all the, like, myths that our relationship. I've had the fairy tale looking dates and experiences and still, like, there were parts of me that had been hurt and needed healing on the other side of all that. So I can really, like, draw a lot of inspiration from a lot of the. The relationships, no matter how long they've been in my life. But for sure that experience and then just. Just romantic relationships in general. I've. I've done a lot more dating than I thought I was going to. And yes, in like, a very, like, bizarre way. But it has really helped me be able to craft characters and that are different and unique and then be able to also, like, have true authenticity of, you know, emotion experience in a way that I probably wouldn't have had had I not left my small town in Alabama and gone on this journey. Like, I wouldn't have the experience that I have now to be able to tell bigger, wider range of story.
- [11:43]
Mikayla
I. I love it. I feel like. I feel like with your characters as well, it's like no one fits in one mold. And I think that there is a lot of different faces that people can have, and it doesn't have to be just like, a type A personality. Like, you can also be type A, but then also be really fun and wild. And I can really see how you've gone on, like, this healing journey. I'm sure writing these characters have helped you heal and be able to recognize that, like, I can still be type A, but have, like, a lot of fun and I don't have to just fit in this one mold. And I can heal from, like, things even though I'm type A. And I want things to go specifically how I want, but kind of letting go so that you can let the healing process. I just love that you've used your life experiences to write these characters and kind of help you process through your feelings. And, like, being able to have characters that have diverse sides to them is, I feel, like, really important that characters. It's more realistic to show that characters have, you know, all different sides and not just one and to kind of go along with that. Is there. Have you always been, like, a reader? Have you loved. Always loved romance books and you just, like, knew you wanted to become a writer or how. How did. How did that start?
- [13:05]
Hannah Brown
I think it started with Jeannie B. Jones and Magic Treehouse books and then names, you know, but in Divergent series, like, that's like, where. Can't forget Nancy Drew and all that. But, like, yes, I have always just, like. I think I definitely struggled. Not. Not think. I know I had definitely struggled with, like, anxiety even as a, you know, younger child, and just, like, I could perform, but really, like, was a very internal person, very much an introvert. So, like, reading for me was a way to be able to escape in some way, even as a young child and has always kind of been the place where I feel Like, I can recharge, and sometimes life can be hard and messy and be able to, like, dive into another character's world for a little bit. And so I've always loved reading. And as far as it comes to romance, I guess I always read romance books. Like, YA romance, definitely in my teen high school years. But then I feel like I really got back into the genre with the Legends of Our Time. The Colleen Hoover I love Rebecca Serrell, Emily Henry. Around the time that I was kind of coming up with this idea with these. These four women and obviously relationships being a part of it. So that's like. I think a lot of people right now who are jumping back into romance. I feel like the romance genre is just blowing up. And it's because of a lot of these amazing writers who write books that we just, like, take in, like candy. They're just. You can't put them down. They're so easy to read and fun. And so that's where I really, like, fell back into this genre. I was like, oh, I think this is. This is the thing that I can write because I can draw from a lot of experience, and I love the way that you can, like, escape, and it's something quick and easy with a very busy season. Like, I love to know that I'm going to get happily ever after, because a lot of things in life we cannot predict and. And expect. And it's just like watching a Gilmore Girls episode where, you know, at the end there's going to be some type of resolution or even if they go through something hard, the next day, they're going to be cracking jokes and being okay. Like, I need a little bit of that in my life. And so. And I think a lot of people do too. So that's what made me, like, love this genre and want to be a part of it and. And create.
- [15:42]
Reggie
Yeah, Everyone loves a good love story, and everyone loves to escape from life sometimes. And that's totally okay. I know that, like, I can have a really great day, but I. At the end of the day, I'm like, I need to sit down and immerse myself in a world outside of my own.
- [15:59]
Hannah Brown
And to know that, like, you know, sometimes we're in life and it feels like, are we ever going to overcome this thing that we have? And in these love stories, these romance novels, they typically do overcome. Not that they get it all right, but you know that you're going to see somebody go on a journey to become better, to find love, to learn more about themselves, and it. It kind of can give you the courage or the, you know, possibility of, oh, like, I can do this too. Well.
- [16:30]
Kennedy
And it's kind of cool because even reading your memoir, you kind of start off your memoir saying, like, you hope people get something out of this book and you hope people learn things and women can be feel empowered from your book. And it's cool because I feel like before I was a big reader, I kind of had this certain connotation with romance novels. They were just kind of like, not wishy washy, but just, you know, no.
- [16:54]
Hannah Brown
Maybe didn't have depth, but they can.
- [16:58]
Kennedy
You can still have such an emotional connection to the characters. Like, even for example, I really resonated with Emma and her dad in the mistakes we made. Like, you still interweave those really emotional connections and like life lessons in a romance novel, but you still know there's going to be a happy ending at the end.
- [17:16]
Hannah Brown
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I honestly can totally see the perspective that you had before. And I think there was a season that I also was the same way. But that is what is so important to me about my books and really just anything I do in my life that, like, I'm not just a just bachelorette looking for love. Like, there's depth and there's obstacles that I'm gonna have that I need to go through. And it's not just gonna be this, like, everything's perfect course of life that I'm on because that just has not been the cards dealt to me and a lot of people. And same with these love stories, like in the first book, mistakes we'd ever made. I feel like the true core of what Emma has to learn is that she has to deal with the anxiety that she has and family issues and being able to loosen control, the things that she has no control over and be able to find that freedom and sense of peace in her life to actually rest in the fact that she can be loved without having to perform or be this person that everybody needs. You just is loved. And with Sybil, she has to also. She has to go on a journey of. In this next book. Like, she has a lot of past relationship scars that have really not allowed her to step into the future and the love that she deserves. And I can really resonate with that too. I mean, both things, that's. That's why they are a part of me. And that's when I mean like, that those are the parts of me that. That are. That are me. It's not the, you know, going on a road trip with your Frenemy and falling in love with them. That's. That's never happened to me. Or, you know, being a runaway bride who's ran away from most relationships in life, I can kind of get one. We have had four, but.
- [19:24]
Reggie
And, well, you're putting yourself in these stor like we've been talking about, but it's got to be so fun for you to add these new things that, you know, maybe you wouldn't do. Like, what's that?
- [19:37]
Hannah Brown
Like, you can do whatever you.
- [19:39]
Reggie
Yeah.
- [19:40]
Hannah Brown
Yeah.
- [19:40]
Reggie
That's gotta be so fun.
- [19:41]
Hannah Brown
Fully expand on the crazy and not have to take all the responsibility. Like, they have to, you know. Yeah. That's really fun. To be. And to be able to go to the extreme of these parts of who I am and to know, like, even in that, like, in the extreme part of me, they still find their happy ending. Like, if I was fully that way, even more than I am, I. You know, they. They get a happy ending, and so I deserve that too.
- [20:09]
Reggie
Yeah.
- [20:10]
Kennedy
And there's such a vulnerability to. I mean, obviously your memoir is about your life, but then you have these other two romance books where you're putting so much of your part, a part of yourself into these characters.
- [20:20]
Hannah Brown
But.
- [20:21]
Kennedy
And obviously, like, you've done the Bachelor, you've done Dancing with the Stars, You. You're on Instagram, you know, is there a certain, like, aspect of writing books that's almost more vulnerable than putting yourself on TV or on social media? I know that's kind of a weird question, but.
- [20:40]
Hannah Brown
No, it's not. It's not. Yeah. I mean, putting out anything creative onto the. Into the world, like, you know, doing a TikTok dance or something can be vulnerable because you never know.
- [20:55]
Reggie
Yeah.
- [20:56]
Hannah Brown
What comments are gonna say. Like a full book, a work of art in some way, to be able to put that out there and. Yeah. And have to wait for what people are gonna say about it. Like, it. Judge it. That's really hard. Different. It's kind of different. Like, the memoir, the first book that I wrote, like, that was hard because I was, like, being vulnerable about things like I never had before. It's so interesting. Like, I still am so proud of that book, but I was processing, like, in real time when I was writing the book. This isn't, like, wisdom that I've been, like, holding on to for years. It was like, I'm going through therapy the first time writing a book, so I felt so much anxiety. I was like, this book just needs to go out because the year in between, because books take A long time. I was really struggling because I'm like, what are people gonna think of me? Are they. You know, it was so hard. That was really hard. And vulnerable where jumping into romance novels, it's like people are going to judge, like, this world, this. My skill, my, like, those type of things. So it's very, it's very different in the way that it's vulnerable. But yeah, I think definitely can be way more vulnerable than some of the other experiences. I don't know. They were all vulnerable on their own, on their own terms.
- [22:32]
Kennedy
And let me just tell you, I can never do what you do.
- [22:35]
Reggie
Nope.
- [22:35]
Kennedy
Like, I can read a book, but to applaud a book, to write a book. Nope, that's not happening for me.
- [22:41]
Hannah Brown
Yeah.
- [22:42]
Reggie
Yeah.
- [22:43]
Hannah Brown
Well, I will say, like, I have a great team. I'm never going to pretend, like, I did not have resources that I know that I am so lucky to have just given the opportunities that I've been, that I've been given in life. And so I was able to work with a co author, Emily Larrabee, who's been doing this for years and had so much experience. And, you know, I can have an idea and like, can really, like, know these characters and be able to write, you know, paragraphs, chapters, but I don't know how to, like, the planning and structure of a book. Like, I can. I have no structure in my own life. Like, I need help being able to make sure that those themes and everything is being weaved through the whole book in entirety. And we're really giving, like, this big, beautiful picture in the way that I hope and have in my head that it's actually going on to the, the, the pages in that way. Like, I am so thankful for a wonderful co author, my publisher and editor. Like, just. I have a lot of hands in the pot to make sure that this is something that is exactly my vision. So I, I've had a lot of help and I'm so, so grateful for that and. But also, like, feel like it is truly mine too.
- [24:10]
Kennedy
Yeah. Well, anything you do in life takes a village. Like, anything you do.
- [24:14]
Hannah Brown
For sure, for sure.
- [24:16]
Kennedy
Like, there's.
- [24:16]
Mikayla
Yeah.
- [24:17]
Kennedy
So I guess it kind of leads into our next question. What does your writing process look like? Like, do the characters just kind of pop into your brain and you're like, oh, she needs a story or what?
- [24:26]
Mikayla
Yeah.
- [24:27]
Kennedy
What does it look like for you?
- [24:28]
Hannah Brown
We had kind of like, we've hit a few times, like, because I like, broke these characters down from me. So that, that was, that was kind of like, all me trying to figure out, okay, what would. If I took this feeling, emotion, this side of me, what would that character be? And then crafting that and then how did these characters. How can, like, look at Emma and Sybil, for example? Like, they are two sides of a coin. Very different, but they can complement each other in a way. Like, Emma's strengths are a weakness in Sybil and vice versa. And so, like, that is what I found in my life, my closest relationships. They bring out the best of me and are able to support me in the areas that I need support. So that's kind of where that. The start of everything.
- [25:23]
Kennedy
So.
- [25:23]
Hannah Brown
So that's kind of how I come up with the characters. And then it's like, who is that love interest that would really also complement them and trying to craft. So characters come first for me. But I'm definitely a plotter because of the team that I had. Like, it's a lot of, you know, coming with notes of and. And the ideas and like, how I see things going and then having my co author coming and we're coming together and being like, okay, so what plot points are going to get this story and develop these characters in a way? So definitely more of a plotter from the beginning. And then I would say, like, with the four engagement Rings of Civil Rain, very different experience than mistakes we never made. We stuck to the plot from the very beginning. It felt like it just flowed. There wasn't as many, like, oh, this is not working the way that I had intended. Like, mistakes whenever. Made mistakes whenever. I mean, sorry. Like the four engagement rings. Civil Reign. The four engagement Rings of Civil Brain has had many different. It stayed the same in essence, but there were some things that, you know, I really wanted to all make happen that just weren't. And having to kind of not start over, but really start peeling back the layers. I also think Sybil was a more complicated character to write about. So with this book, it went different than the first. So there was a trying to put as much as possible in there and then having to like, peel it back and then. Yeah, it's a lot of editing going back and forth. You know, there's so many benefits to having a lot of people supporting and encouraging you, but it also can be hard when there's that many eyes in the process. You know, it's not just like me getting to. To do it all on my own or it's. It's a lot of different people coming at it from a different way. So, so helpful when, you know, we need to be. We need to get back on course and can be hard. Especially with Sybil, for example. Like, I know her. Yeah. My co author was like, I can't relate to her at all. So it was really on me to make sure that she came across the way that she deserved. Like, the first round of edits of the editors was, like, civil is, like, one of the, like, most unhealthy people. Like, does she eat? All she eats is chicken nugget. And, like, barely hydrates. And like, she's saying therapy, you know, like, she doesn't need. She needs to stay in the room and not get out. And I was like, okay, like, that's kind of me. But all right, well, we'll try to make sure that she's gone enough on her healing journey on her own before this. So, like, things like that are just. Were harder to make sure. And I had to kind of step up to make sure that she, like, had the proper voice in a way. So that was a little bit of a challenge. But overall, like, the thing that's the same is still, like, having the wisdom in my corner and the encouragement. But both books have kind of taken on a different route and course for how they've been able to be made. Yeah, that's really cool.
- [29:06]
Reggie
Well, and I can see that just hearing you say that. I can see that in your book, like, peeling back those layers with Sybil. And I just have to say, not to take away from this little conversation we've just had, but you. I just have to compliment you on the tension that you were able to do so well in the four Engagement rings, the Civil reign. I was, like, giggling because there were just so many moments because Sybil, I feel like her character, she knows who she is. She just maybe doesn't know what she wants, and she's trying to figure that out. And it was really, yeah. Cool to see her pull those layers back. And also, I just had to compliment you on. There's so many particular scenes that I was just like, yeah, the tension.
- [29:58]
Hannah Brown
This book was. I was at the LA Festival of Books and there was, like, a panel that I was doing. They were asking about sex scenes and. And things like that. And this book was really different. And, you know, a lot of people love a spicy romance, and this book is different because there's, like, a true, true hurt between these characters. So Sybil is a runaway bride, and she ran away from a great guy, but she had some things that she had to deal with and then kind of waited a little too late and so this book kind of picks up with a year later, after the wedding gone wrong, and she goes on a much needed vacation that ends up being like, forgetting Sarah Marshall vibes where you end up on the beach with your ex, but instead of One Exit Two. And so there's this longing, but also there is a sea in between them of being able to truly get to where they can get back together. And that can't just, like, happen overnight. Like, there's a lot of hurt feelings and emotions and questions that slowly get answered and slowly get confronted until you can have that moment. So having to create that tension of, like, oh, I just want to get back to you, but there's so much that I've done and you've done that's made it to where almost it feels impossible. That was hard. But also fun to be able to create. And some. Some stories don't have that. You know, it's too. People coming from totally different worlds coming together. And there's just. In those types of books, there's. There's that fun spice of. Of the unknown where it's like, she knows these. These. These characters and she knows how she's been hurt or hurt them, and we have to overcome that to get to that beautiful moment that we all are kind of, like, waiting for.
- [32:08]
Reggie
Yeah. I love. I love. I love being on the edge of my seat and the waiting, the tension. Give it. Give it all to me. I love it.
- [32:14]
Hannah Brown
I love it. Oh, there's definitely a lot of that in the foreign game.
- [32:17]
Reggie
Yes.
- [32:18]
Hannah Brown
So I'm glad that you enjoyed it and it wasn't too frustrating.
- [32:22]
Reggie
Oh, well, sometimes it's. It's not fun to be frustrated, as funny as that sounds. But, like, it just makes the. The page turning more aggressive. And that's my goal. I'm like, give me more aggressive page turning. I love getting to feel all the emotion.
- [32:38]
Kennedy
Well, it's like, as an author, wouldn't you want your readers to, like, chuck the book across the room? Because they're like, can you guys just figure it out and be together? And then, you know, you have this moment as a reader where it finally happens, and you're like, the really. Oh, my gosh.
- [32:53]
Mikayla
It's about time.
- [32:54]
Kennedy
It's about time.
- [32:56]
Reggie
It's.
- [32:56]
Mikayla
Yeah, it's fun.
- [32:57]
Hannah Brown
Yeah. I mean, I definitely think there's, like, a fine line of that, that you want people to be, like, frustrated to the point of, like, they're invested, but not just like, okay, she's missed every opportunity like this. This is ridiculous. You gotta give us A little bit more than that. So, yeah, it was. You know, we want people to not just be like, this was so frustrating, but also, like, there was an enjoyment of the whole journey. Make it worth it, right?
- [33:24]
Reggie
For sure.
- [33:24]
Hannah Brown
Do you. So this is.
- [33:26]
Mikayla
It's kind of categorized as a trope. Do you have, like, a favorite tri trope? Did you know that this was gonna be, like, the trope of the book? Maybe you don't write for tropes. I feel like they just automatically categorize themselves into tropes. But do you have a favorite one that you like reading or writing?
- [33:47]
Hannah Brown
Look, I love the redemption story because I feel like I need. I have needed that so many times to feel like I deserved and was worthy of a second chance. So I love a second chance romance. I know some people are really frustrated by them, don't think they're realistic, but I really do because I think. I don't know. I think there's a lot of times, like, I think we're learning more as we become, like, more of a therapy culture. Like, hey, a lot of things in our past make it to where we can't show up, whether we want to now in the present. But I look back at different relationships, and not that I'm, like, want to, like, I'm so happy where I'm at, but I'm like, oh, if I would have known this or that and I. I would have. This relationship could have probably worked. It's not. It wasn't supposed to. Like, it's not my journey, but, like, so I love that once people have grown or can grow together to become a different relationship to different people. I love that story because it's been my own story of, like, I feel like I have found new life and I've grown and I've changed. I love to see people do that. There's a little bit of fake. A fake dating trope in this new book, and I love those. I think it's fun, but I try to, like, turn them on their head in a way that it's. It's a different way than I think people typically expect there to be. Fake dating. I don't, like, write with, like, a trope in mind, but working with a publisher guy who's at a team, that's, like, lean into the trope. So both of my books have a second chance romance at play and then have, you know, they're different. Like, the first book, it's a road trip, so that's like, a classic trope. And, like, that forced proximity when you're you're stuck in a. A car with someone. But moving forward, I kind of want to try something new and different. But, yeah, for myself, I. I love a. A second chance.
- [36:00]
Reggie
Yeah. I love hearing that because I feel like you can learn so much about a person based off of, like, tropes. They. They like.
- [36:07]
Kennedy
That's a good point. Thought about that.
- [36:10]
Reggie
Yeah.
- [36:10]
Kennedy
Because what does it say about me that minds, enemies to lovers. What does that say?
- [36:14]
Hannah Brown
Just kidding. Yeah. And for me, I'm like, if I freaking hate a person, like, there's. I can't. I can't get over it. Like, I'm probably gonna, like.
- [36:23]
Reggie
Yeah.
- [36:23]
Hannah Brown
Ever. Yeah. No.
- [36:26]
Mikayla
I think the second chance romance is really quite beautiful because it's almost like the wrong time, but the right person. And I think there's a lot of growth that happens when that trope isn't a book. They're. They're growing separately, but then also growing together when they get that second chance to be together. So I think it is a really fun trope. And it's like, almost deeper, like, more romantic almost. Yeah. Like finding each other and you're history.
- [36:59]
Kennedy
Yeah. You're choosing each other for a second time, regardless of your history.
- [37:04]
Hannah Brown
Yeah.
- [37:04]
Kennedy
Yeah.
- [37:05]
Reggie
I love it as well.
- [37:06]
Hannah Brown
It can also be really toxic. Yeah.
- [37:08]
Kennedy
Yes.
- [37:09]
Hannah Brown
For sure. So this is it all going the right way. But yeah. In real life, it doesn't always work out, but I love to write stories where it does. And it's like, it's deserving because I do think far and few between. But in my book, it is deserving that they find their way back to each other. Beautiful. Yes.
- [37:30]
Reggie
You mentioned this. That your first book. So Mistakes we never made. There's a road trip element to that. I feel like your books have such fun vibes and locations. Would you consider yourself like a big travel person? Like, where. How do you choose where your books are set?
- [37:50]
Hannah Brown
I. So it's funny. Yes. I do consider myself someone who loves to travel anywhere warm. I don't really care about going anywhere where I need to wear a jacket. But yeah, I love a good look. I love a good beach read with, you know, on the beach. Like, we're setting the scene. And even if I can't be somewhere with some sand and some beautiful ocean, I want to be able to read about being there. So I think that definitely plays a part of, like, the setting of my books. But like, when I was saying about, like, travel, like, I have become somebody that's traveled, but before I was on the Bachelor. Bachelorette. I'd Never been really anywhere. My parents didn't really travel much. That just wasn't the opportunities that I had at the time. And then, like, my first flight outside of the country was to Singapore, and that's like, crazy. Like, that is like. Like, first of all, like, the. One of the longest flights that you can take. And it was just a totally different culture. And, like, it just made my world so. View so much bigger. And I just think travel and new experiences is so important and so thankful that that show is essentially what made me realize how important that was to me. So, yeah, I'm. But then at the same. In the same vein, like, I do think it's always important to write and take. I don't know, with. With some of the. The things that I'm exploring for in the future. Like, I do love something that kind of takes you back home, too, so I. I appreciate both.
- [39:44]
Mikayla
Did you get to travel to some of the places that your books take place at? Like Vegas.
- [39:52]
Hannah Brown
Yeah.
- [39:52]
Kennedy
And Hawaii.
- [39:53]
Hannah Brown
Yeah.
- [39:53]
Kennedy
So Malibu.
- [39:55]
Hannah Brown
Vegas was like, when I was in, like, seventh grade, so. But I mean, it definitely left a. A mark. So I haven't been to Vegas as an adult, but yeah, like, where the wedding was set and mistakes we never made and kind of that road trip I've done that. I lived in California for, like, four years. I moved to Nashville a couple of years ago. I'm from Alabama, so just kind of like closer to home, but with, like, you know, there's still so much going on in Nashville, so I love it. And then Hawaii. Yes. I've been to Maui and loved it. Actually went there on. What birthday was that? My 28th birthday. And just, like, loved Maui. And that's kind of where the. Obviously where the inspiration came from in the four engagement rings. Civil rain.
- [40:48]
Kennedy
Yeah.
- [40:48]
Reggie
So fun. I love the vibes. I'm here for the beach. The beach. Read Vibes, Warren. Vibes. I mean, we're in Utah, so sometimes most the time it can.
- [40:56]
Kennedy
It's cold.
- [40:57]
Reggie
Pretty cold. So if I can escape to somewhere.
- [41:00]
Hannah Brown
Now, like, I can't. I've never been to Utah.
- [41:02]
Reggie
You know, it's right now, it's spring, but Bipolar. It's bipolar. Like, it snowed last week and now it's like 65 degrees. It can't make up its mind ever.
- [41:13]
Hannah Brown
But it's a beautiful place, honestly.
- [41:16]
Reggie
Yeah, you can get. Yeah, we can get like, four seasons in one day, I swear.
- [41:20]
Hannah Brown
Yeah.
- [41:20]
Mikayla
Yeah.
- [41:21]
Hannah Brown
I don't know. I realized. I don't know if I'm a Four Seasons girl. I think I want to just live some somewhere tropical. I was actually on the phone with my fiance and he was like, you know, I think we've just. We're warm weather people. I'm like, I've been trying to tell you. Yeah, Trying to tell you we need to move somewhere tropical. Like that is for sure goal to be able to have like somewhere to escape.
- [41:45]
Reggie
Yes. Yeah.
- [41:48]
Hannah Brown
My least favorite season. Which winter. I, you know, I like it for like a week.
- [41:54]
Reggie
Yeah.
- [41:54]
Mikayla
Yeah.
- [41:54]
Hannah Brown
I like it for Christmas.
- [41:55]
Kennedy
Yeah, same.
- [41:56]
Hannah Brown
And that's it.
- [41:57]
Reggie
Yeah. And I wonder why I live here, but you know.
- [42:01]
Kennedy
Yeah.
- [42:02]
Reggie
Well, we have some like fun little rapid fire questions we would love to ask you before we close things. What. So you told us your favorite trope. What was your last five star read? Do you read a lot? Like, I mean, I know you love books, you love reading, but I know you've been busy or even.
- [42:19]
Kennedy
What was your latest reading?
- [42:21]
Hannah Brown
I know. Okay, my latest read. My latest read is. Oh, the Tell. Have you all heard of the Tell?
- [42:30]
Mikayla
No, I don't know if I have.
- [42:31]
Hannah Brown
Oh my gosh, what's her name? The Tell is by Amy.
- [42:35]
Kennedy
Hold on, what genre is it?
- [42:37]
Hannah Brown
It's like a, a memoir Tell by Amy Griffin. It's really, it's a hard read because she's. It's. It's dealing with just like which I. Things that have happened in our past that we completely shut out and then it resurfacing and like knowing how to like deal with that. And it's just a really beautiful book. But that was my last read. I like picked it up at the airport and like finished it very quickly and it was, it was a really beautiful read. But like definitely has some trigger warnings in there. Yeah, that was really great. And then the last. I haven't, haven't read many like what I would call fun books, but.
- [43:25]
Mikayla
Okay.
- [43:25]
Hannah Brown
And then I've been reading a book that just kind of in between everything called Rewire your brain and just about like we think we have to be the same way for forever. We're gonna deal with all these things. Things, it's just who we are. But there actually are ways that you can change and grow. See, this is just like who I am. This is like, I really believe in like the, the ability to change and be a different version of yourself and, and doing things and knowing the tools to be able to actually accomplish that. So those have been the two that I've read.
- [44:06]
Mikayla
I love it.
- [44:06]
Reggie
Beautiful.
- [44:07]
Kennedy
You know, I need to read more books like that because sometimes I read a book And I'm like, I think I just got stupider from reading this, you know, like, just like, full smut. And I'm like, you know, I should pick up a memoir or, you know, a book that's gonna make me a little smarter.
- [44:23]
Hannah Brown
No, there's seasons for everything. I think I'm just like, in this season where the tell was kind of one of those I just picked up at the airport. And instead of doing the, like, reading books like I said, I've started rewire. I'm like, halfway through. Then I had to pick up something else. Like. But I. I love a good. I think after. Oh, well, actually, I have ordered from Amazon to come to my house. The new Hunger Games.
- [44:53]
Kennedy
Oh, it's good.
- [44:55]
Reggie
It's great.
- [44:56]
Hannah Brown
I cannot wait. I don't know. I should be doing, like, wedding planning while I'm away. But no, I'm gonna be riding that.
- [45:03]
Reggie
Yeah.
- [45:03]
Kennedy
No.
- [45:04]
Reggie
Yeah. Buckle up. I'm excited for you.
- [45:07]
Hannah Brown
Y' all love it. Oh, yeah, It's.
- [45:10]
Reggie
The Hunger Games has been my entire personality for the past month. Like, as a kid, it was like, when I was in middle school, but recently it's all that's on my tick tock. It's all I dream about. I can't get it out of my brain. So, yeah, I'm excited for you.
- [45:25]
Hannah Brown
I love it. I love it, too. So hopefully I'm going to get some time here. I'm going to Costa Rica for Bachelor in Paradise. I'm going to be a part of. I'm calling it, like, paradise relations. I'm there to love it and make sure people are just having a good experience while on the beach. Advising when I can.
- [45:55]
Kennedy
Yeah.
- [45:57]
Reggie
Everything.
- [45:58]
Kennedy
You're going to use everything that you're learning from your book that you're reading right now to help everyone. You're like, the perfect person to do that.
- [46:04]
Reggie
Yeah. You're just, like, bubbly.
- [46:07]
Kennedy
You've just learned so much and you're just going to help everybody out. I can't wait to watch that.
- [46:11]
Reggie
I know. I'm so excited.
- [46:12]
Hannah Brown
I hope so. I think I have a lot to be able to be like, oh, I wouldn't do that. I've done it. If you want to. If you want to do it for the fly, like, go ahead and here's another option.
- [46:23]
Kennedy
Like, here's another option.
- [46:26]
Hannah Brown
But, you know, I have some time on the plane and being there to reach.
- [46:30]
Reggie
Yeah.
- [46:30]
Hannah Brown
Not wait. I haven't really had that. So that's why I'm like, man, I wish I could, like, give y' All a better answer. This is not rapid fire. I'm really sorry.
- [46:38]
Reggie
No, we love it.
- [46:39]
Kennedy
That is a great answer.
- [46:40]
Reggie
And how exciting for you. And also, you're getting married soon. Congratulations. You've just got a lot of exciting things to look forward to. So, I mean, if you have time to read, you have time to read, but, I mean, there's a lot of other things you've got on your plate that are just as exciting. So if not more so, you know.
- [46:59]
Hannah Brown
There is going to. We've got a honeymoon where I'm gonna get to read quite a bit. So I'm just. You've got to give me all the, like, best reads that y' all have had.
- [47:07]
Mikayla
Absolutely.
- [47:10]
Reggie
Yeah.
- [47:11]
Hannah Brown
Yeah.
- [47:11]
Reggie
Well, how exciting. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. This has been so fun. We're such big fans of you, your books, everything you do. So thank you so much. Just give our listeners, like, where can they find you? Where can they find your books? We'll link it in the show notes.
- [47:31]
Hannah Brown
But yeah, you can find me on Instagram, Tik tok at Hannah Brown. I don't know if that's my actual. I can't remember my TikTok handle. I think it's Hannah K. Brown.
- [47:40]
Kennedy
Let me look for you.
- [47:44]
Hannah Brown
But to find just anything going on with life. There's a lot going on with a lot of wedding content, Bachelor in Paradise updates, and then, of course, celebrating and. And offering more information about where I'm going to stop on my book tour for my new book, the Four Engagement Rings of Civil Reign. You can find that wherever books are sold. And if you want to check out mistakes we never made, you can also find that wherever books are sold. But, yeah, I'm going on tour. Would love to see you guys out there if I'm coming to a city near you. So, yeah, really excited and would love to have y' all come on and join the fun.
- [48:24]
Mikayla
You have such an exciting couple months coming up, and I am just rooting for you. I'm just your biggest fan, and I just. I want to be a big cheerleader for you.
- [48:34]
Kennedy
But also, I hope you get to have a vacation after the next few months.
- [48:37]
Reggie
Yes. To just.
- [48:39]
Hannah Brown
Yeah. Yeah. At one point, we weren't gonna do a honeymoon until later, and then I was like, we should just rot on a beach.
- [48:48]
Reggie
Yeah, you deserve it. So you deserve it.
- [48:51]
Hannah Brown
We're gonna do that. And then, yeah. Come the beginning of August is when everything slowed down, which. Which is crazy that I know that I'm just going, going, going until then. But it's all going to be fine. All worth it and would love for people to, you know, yeah, support, root me on and hopefully enjoy this book on their summer vacays.
- [49:12]
Reggie
Yes, everyone. Check it out.
- [49:13]
Kennedy
Perfect summer read.
- [49:14]
Reggie
Yes. Perfect summer read. So thank you so much, Hannah. We appreciate it.
- [49:18]
Hannah Brown
Yeah. Thank you.
- [49:33]
Charlotte
Welcome to Skytalkers. I'm your host, Charlotte.
- [49:36]
Caitlin
Hey everyone, I'm your other host, Caitlin. From interviews with the cast of the latest show on Disney plus to in depth discussions about themes in Star wars, to deep dives into the behind the scenes of Lucasfilm, we hope that when you tune into Skytalkers, you feel like you're a part of the conversation.
- [49:51]
Charlotte
Our goal from the beginning of Skytalkers was to create a space where we could talk about Star wars in the way we wanted to. Caitlin and I are lifelong best friends who love Star wars and have been podcasting about the galaxy far, far away since 2017.
- [50:03]
Caitlin
Join Us Weekly in laughing, obsessing, and exploring all the parts of our favorite galaxy. Whether you've been a fan for over 40 years or just a few months.
- [50:11]
Charlotte
Listen to new episodes of Skytalkers every Thursday. Wherever you get your podcast.