All about the debut novel Not For Me

Who is Jade Young?

Jade Young is an indie author from Melbourne Australia and Not For Me is her debut title.

Want to know my thoughts on Not For Me? Check out my book review.

What is Not For Me?

Cassandra

Harley Wingrove was my first crush. High school quarterback, the dreamiest eyes I’d ever seen, and such a kind, gentle heart. But he was never interested in anything other than football, so I moved on.

Austin Anderson was my first love, the man I created a life with over the last fourteen years, and we were happy. At least, I thought we were. Until he left a note, ending it all.

Harley

Cassandra Herring has always been the girl for me. I’d known it from the first moment I saw her step out of her father’s truck on the first day of pre-k. Life got in the way of us ever becoming anything. And by life, I mean my love for the game, and my ex-best friend, Austin Anderson. When Cassandra showed up in our hometown looking for a job, and no diamond ring in sight, I knew the universe was finally on my side, giving me a second chance at winning over the only girl I’d ever loved.

Crossing paths for the first time in fourteen years, Harley can’t be just friends with Cassandra, no matter how hard he tries, but she fears it’s too soon to move on to someone new.
When face to face with the inevitable, she’d forced to unravel and confront cold hard truths, no matter how difficult they might be.
Will all be forgiven once everything is said and done?

Interview

What was your inspiration for Not For Me?

It all began with a winery local to me. Actually, Wingrove Estates is very strongly based off said winery. When I began writing and determined that Cassandra was a wedding planner, I knew right away that I would use Marnong Estate as my inspiration for it. As for the story itself, I guess I just read a lot, and wrote a story that I wish I had read. 

What drew you to writing romance? 

I’ve always been a writer in some capacity, but I began with lyrics and poems. I used to believe that if I wanted to be a published author, I would need to create some sort of magical, mystical universe. I had no idea the romance genre existed in the way that it did until maybe two years ago when I started reading again constantly. It was then that I realised that I could create a little universe, but that universe could be magical in its own way. I think before I wrote Not For Me, I attempted to write about 12 different stories, but nothing ever stuck until Harley and Cassandra’s story. 

What was your process for writing your debut? 

It took me about 10 months start to finish. I began with dot points on where I wanted the story to go, and followed those very loosely until the story just kind of took over and before I knew it, there were twist and turns galore and a very happy ending! 

Did your characters change from brainstorm to final edit? 

Not really. I always knew the type of people I wanted my two main characters to be, it was just a matter of executing them perfectly on paper. There were characters that made through every round of edits until the final one and were scrapped at the last minute, though. 

What is your approach to world and character building? 

I read a lot of small town romances in the last two years, so I guess I knew what people liked and didn’t, but also knew what I liked in those books and didn’t. I based the town off my favourite place I used to visit as a kid, and based the people off people I wanted to read about. 

How would you describe Not For Me in five words?

Romantic. Small-town. Sexy. Heartbreaking. Healing 

Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write? 

Any scene with confrontation and the entire epilogue! 

What was your favourite book growing up?

Harry Potter & Percy Jackson.

Do you have a favourite genre to read?

Romance mostly, but I also love thrillers and mysteries.