Alyson Derrick

Derrick reframes the landscape of young adult and contemporary romance by intricately weaving themes of identity, unrequited love, and friendship-to-romance narratives. Raised in the small town of Greenville, Pennsylvania, she humorously notes that burn barrels substitute for recycling bins. This backdrop enriches her storytelling, allowing Derrick to infuse her narratives with authentic emotional complexity. Her writing, notably in works like "She Gets the Girl," which is a New York Times bestseller, explores how personal experiences, such as her close relationship with her grandmother, anchor her character development and emotional depth.\n\nHer approach to writing emphasizes the emotional work required to create characters distinct from herself, suggesting a method that benefits readers seeking genuine and relatable characters. Derrick's narratives often capture the magic of holidays, which further accentuates the romantic tension and personal connections between characters. Her standalone book "Forget Me Not" was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, demonstrating its resonance with both critics and young audiences.\n\nAlyson Derrick's bio reveals her evolution from a food truck entrepreneur to a successful author, sharing her Pennsylvania home with her wife and their dog, Hank. This transition underscores her preference for storytelling over other pursuits, thereby offering readers books that resonate with authenticity and warmth. Her collaboration with Rachael Lippincott has resulted in multiple bestsellers, making her works essential reading for those interested in contemporary romance with nuanced character portrayals.