Author Spotlight: Interview with Jessica Sydney

All about the novel After All This Time

Who is Jessica Sydney?

Jessica Sydney is a romance author based on the east coast of the United States. She fell in love writing from a young age and how it’s able to transport us into alternate realities.

Her goal is to make you feel every emotion that exists when you read her books. She wants you to able to see yourself in the characters she writes.

When she’s not writing, you can find her watching her favorite TV shows, listening to her Spotify playlists, or chaotically mood reading her way through her TBR.

You can join Jessica’s author journey by following her on Instagram, Threads, or TikTok at @authorjessicasydney.

What is After All This Time about?

Two childhood rivals.
One summer that can change everything.
Will they finally succumb to their feelings for each other or let them boil over?

Dani Solomon started writing when she was eight years old. She’s on the cusp of publishing her debut romance novel she’s been working on for years. On top of that, she’s a full-time college student studying creative writing and magazine journalism.

When Dani was a teenager, she lost someone she was very close to. Now, almost a decade later, she’s still haunted by the traumatic experience when her eyes are wide open and when they’re tightly shut.

Luckily for her, she had a distraction in the form of the annoyingly charming Noah Kaplan. Okay, maybe she wasn’t so lucky. She had to endure spending time with him since she was a little girl because their mothers have been best friends since college. Dani and Noah were the bane of each other’s existence.

Noah Kaplan started writing when he was eleven years old. He’s close to publishing his debut mystery/thriller novel he’s been working on since high school. Along with getting his debut novel out into the world, he’s a full-time college student studying creative writing and film.

Five years have passed by since Noah and Dani uttered a single word to each other. An unexpected tragedy brings them back together and it’s like no time has passed. The only difference is the undeniable chemistry and palpable tension between them.

As the two of them reconnect, their distaste for one another transforms into something neither of them expect or maybe they saw it coming from the very beginning.

Interview

What was your inspiration for After All This Time?

I knew I wanted to write a small town romance because Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score made me fall in love with the trope. I wanted to put my own spin and do coastal. I knew I wanted to have mental health representation because I struggle with anxiety. All of these factors inspired me to write this story.

What drew you to writing?

Writing has been something I’ve been doing since I was really young. I just loved how I could escape reality.

How did you choose which character to centre the story around?

Since the story is dual POV, both characters have their time to shine which I love. You get to learn a lot about Noah and Dain in their own POVs.

What was your process for writing After All This Time?

My process started out with character studies and I just started writing. I didn’t plot any of it, which I regret a little. It took me 4 months to write the first draft. The entire process took around 10 months or so.

How would you describe After All This Time in five words?

Heartfelt, healing, swoony, humorous, and heat

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

There are so many scenes I absolutely love in this book. I can’t just choose one. I can say I love the scenes where Dani comforts Noah during his panic attacks.

What was your favourite book growing up?

I wasn’t a reader growing up. I got into reading towards the end of 2022 and never looked back.

Do you have a favourite genre to read?

Romance is my favourite genre. I’m sure that isn’t a surprise. I love how romance books can make you feel things and there are so many sub-genres out there.