this week’s Jen’s Jewels column on FreshFiction.com, I chat with Savannah Carlisle about her newest coastal romance, IF I’D HAVE KNOWN. From Gigi and Austin’s witty banter-turned-romance to the intriguing Salty Breeze B&B inheritance mystery, Savannah gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at her inspiration, writing process, and the surprises that shaped the story. She also shares her dream casting, the playlist that fueled her writing, and a sneak peek at what’s to come in the next seaside installment. Cozy up with your favorite fall drink and get ready to fall in love with this charming small-town series.
Jen: What inspired you to write IF I’D HAVE KNOWN, and how does it connect to the first book in your coastal romance series?
Savannah: When I first wrote The Summer of Starting Over, I wasn’t planning on turning it into a series. I wrote a big supporting cast because I love shows like Virgin River and Sweet Magnolias that have a tight-knit community. In the midst of writing the first book, however, I fell in love with the idea of Austin and Gigi getting together. By the time I was editing that book, I knew there was going to be a series, so I was able to play up their chemistry with each other even more to set the stage for IF I’D HAVE KNOWN.
Jen: Gigi and Austin’s friendship takes an interesting turn in this story. What made you want to explore their dynamic in a friends-to-romance arc?
Savannah: I love that Austin and Gigi have a banter that’s more reminiscent of an enemies-to-lovers story. In fact, I started out thinking that’s what their relationship would be. However, the more I worked them into the first book, the more I realized they were just good friends who called each other out on things. They both push the other one to be better.
Jen: The Salty Breeze B&B storyline adds a layer of mystery. What drew you to include this inheritance plotline alongside the romance?
Savannah: I’m a recovering attorney, and Gigi is based in part on my best friend from law school. Land use and estates and trusts are a big part of her practice, so I was looking for an issue Gigi could tackle in the story from a professional perspective. It might seem shocking that the owner of a B&B wouldn’t have a will, making the inheritance a puzzle to solve, but it actually happens more often than you’d think.
Jen: Simon’s arrival complicates things for Gigi. What role does he play in challenging her journey?
Savannah: In the first draft, Simon was Gigi’s love interest, and Austin had a bad feeling about him and set out to reveal his true motives. However, during the course of editing, we decided that didn’t really work. However, I wanted to keep him because it’s pretty common for relatives to come out of the woodwork when someone dies without a will and there’s something valuable at stake. He gives Gigi a bit of a ticking timeclock and makes her even more invested in finding another heir to save the B&B.
Jen: When writing this book, did you follow a strict outline or let the story unfold more organically as you went along?
Savannah: I’m definitely a plotter, not a pantser. I write my synopsis first and then start breaking it down into beats and then into chapters. Of course, things change along the way, and I have to adjust. This one underwent a pretty big edit to change Simon’s role.
Jen: If this book were adapted into a movie or TV series, who would you cast as Gigi, Austin, and Simon?
Savannah: I always cast the characters as I’m writing because I need to see them act things out in my mind. I’d love to see my books made into Hallmark movies, so I usually think about actors on their network. For this one, I knew immediately who I wanted for Austin and Gigi: Christopher Russell and Jessica Lowndes. I think Brennan Elliott would make a good Simon because he played a character that reminds me of this one in the Cedar Cove series.
Jen: If you had to create a playlist to capture the mood of this book, what songs or artists would definitely be on it?
Savannah: I do create playlists for every book while I’m writing. Here’s the one I had for this one:
• Invisible String, Taylor Swift
• No Man’s Land, Miranda Lambert
• Big Day in a Small Town, Brandy Clark
• Lipstick, Runaway June
• Sun to Me, Zach Bryan
• Homecoming Queen, Kelsea Ballerini
• Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Stevie Wonder
• (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
Jen: What’s next for the series—can readers expect more love, secrets, or seaside adventures in book three?
Savannah: Next up is Where We Belong, which follows Austin’s sister Chloe, who owns the café on Main Street, and Michael, the investor in Jesse’s business in The Summer of Starting Over. In the first two books, we see Chloe crushing on Michael, but she’s 10 years younger than him, and he doesn’t see her that way. By the time we get to Book 3, however, it’s years later and she’s matured a lot. She lands a spot on a reality TV show to win money for her café, and successful businessman Michael steps in to help. Along the way, he starts to look at her differently, and she ends up teaching him as much as he teaches her about business.
Jen: What books are you most looking forward to reading this fall, and what’s one thing (cozy or fun!) you’re personally looking forward to this season?
Savannah: I love fall books! I’m currently reading Pumpkin Everything by Beth Labonte while out in Colorado enjoying the fall foliage. It’s still summer where I live, so I’m doing all the fall things out here: drinking pumpkin spice lattes, hiking, horseback riding, and snuggling up beside the fire with a good book.
Jen: What are the best ways readers can stay connected with you and your writing journey?
Savannah: I’m on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok, and my website always has the latest on my upcoming releases.
Jen: Thank you for stopping by to chat about your new release. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Savannah: Thanks for having me, Jen! I appreciate your support!
Big Dune Island #2
A Heartwarming, Charming Romance
Lose yourself in the stunning coastal town of Big Dune Island with this incredibly heartwarming read, perfect for fans of Denise Hunter, Debbie Macomber, and RaeAnne Thayne. This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.
Gigi Franklin is planning her best friend's wedding, and long-time friend Austin Beckett is trying to help her keep the private event top secret. As Gigi and Austin work together, their rivalry increases and sparks begin to fly, but Gigi's too busy building her law practice to make time for dating.
If the wedding wasn't enough to manage, she's also tasked with finding the rightful heir to the local Salty Breeze B&B. Then, newcomer Simon Ridley arrives in town, throwing a wrench in the process.
As Gigi races against time to uncover the truth about the B&B's ownership and pull off the perfect wedding, an old journal surfaces that might change everything she thought she knew about love.
A moving beach read that will have you yearning to take walks along the coast and craving the beachy splendor of island living. Look no further if you're searching for a feel-good coastal romance!
Women's Fiction Friendship [Harpeth Road Press, On Sale: August 19, 2025, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781963483345 / eISBN: 9781963483338]
Born in sweltering Singapore, Celine Ong (she/they) was raised in mosh pits, and writes queer romance novels about chaos gremlins with bad manners, weird feelings, and big hearts. With a B.A. in Psychology, by day, she works with her local queer community. By night, she’s just a little court jester. Hold Me Like a Grudge is their debut novel.
Jennifer Vido writes sweet romances set in the Lowcountry, earning acclaim as the award-winning author of the Gull Island series. Her debut novel, "Serendipity by the Sea," secured the prestigious Best First Book award from the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest. In 2024, Vido's talent garnered further accolades, with Baltimore Magazine readers naming her Best Local Author in their annual Best of Baltimore poll, while the Baltimore Sun acknowledged her with an Honorable Mention in their Best of 2024 Author category. When not writing fiction, she interviews authors for her weekly Jen’s Jewels column, leads water exercise classes, and directs a legal nonprofit. Currently residing in Maryland, she and her husband are proud parents to two grown sons and a rescue dog named Fripp.
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