Love, Shelly Page | Q&A with the Author of Brewed with Love

Dear reader,

It’s cute to meet you! Welcome to Love, Underlined, your new online community for romance readers. Each month we invite one of our romance authors to answer a romance-themed Q&A. This month, Shelly Page, author of the cozy, witchy romantasy Brewed with Love, shares her favorite romance tropes, her book crushes, and more! Read on for the inside scoop.

Love,

Underlined

What was the first romance novel you read?

The first romance I ever read that wasn’t one of the classics like Pride and Prejudice was probably A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray. Now, this book isn’t exactly a romance, but I remember the romance subplot vividly and I was hooked to the genre from then on.

What romance are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Fly with Me by Andie Burke which is a Sapphic fake-dating romance between a pilot and a nurse. Now I’m desperate for a life-saving encounter on an airplane so I can meet the woman of my dreams.

What are your favorite tropes?

My favorite romance tropes are fake-dating (hence my current read), second-chance romance, stuck together, and secrets.

Who’s your book crush?

It changes depending on what I’m reading, but right now, I’m totally crushing on Stella Soriano, the love interest in Fly with Me. She’s your classic type A character with a heart of gold who looks good in a uniform. (Swoon!)

What inspires your writing?

I’m inspired by real life and whatever I’m currently reading or watching. Brewed was inspired by a small town my mom used to live in near the Redwoods in California. The entire magic system in the book is based on the properties of redwood trees. For instance, redwoods often grow in fairy rings, meaning they sprout new trees from their branches that end up being clones of the mother tree. One witch in the coven can clone themself and another can regenerate!

What’s your favorite part of writing romance?

I love capturing the adrenaline-filled, magical moment of a first kiss. It’s usually one of the first times we see characters physically act on their romantic feelings for each other. It’s rewarding and hopefully swoon-worthy!

Share with us an out of context quote from your book!

“Ximena grunts when I pull her in front of me to stay hidden. Her body is warm and soft against mine. Her breath tickles my cheeks, and her eyes shine with mischief as she bites her bottom lip. Focus, Sage. You can kiss her later.”

**Describe Brewed with Love in three emojis.**

🪄🌳👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩

Read Brewed with Love by Shelly Page

Brewed with Love

By Shelly Page

A cozy sapphic romantasy about a teen witch trying to keep her family’s apothecary up and running, with a little help from her ex-best friend—and first crush.

“Brewed with Love will charm readers with its magic potions, quirky town, sweet romance, and witchy vibes.” —F.T. Lukens, New York Times bestselling author of Otherworldly

Plant witch Sage Bishop intends to run her family’s apothecary one day. The doors just have to stay open until she can take over from her nana. That’s why she spends all her time perfecting a tonic that’ll put Bishop Brews on the map.

She certainly doesn’t need their latest hire—and her ex–best friend—Ximena Reyes causing any distractions. Alas, at the first sight of Ximena’s cheeky smile, Sage flees the shop, allowing someone to break into Bishop Brews and steal the tonic she’s been tinkering with, one that wipes their high school cheer captain’s memory.

With Bishop Brews now at risk of being shut down, Sage reluctantly partners with Ximena to find the culprit. As the mystery deepens, so do pesky old feelings. Their first kiss and Ximena’s subsequent ghosting keep replaying in Sage’s mind. Will she be able to resist Ximena’s charm, or will she let it work its magic for a second chance at love?