If you are looking for the perfect book recommendation to shake off those Winter blues and get you heated up for Spring, look no further than Neely Tubati Alexander’s ‘In A Not So Perfect World’ (out March 19). The acclaimed first-generation Indian American author of ‘Love Buzz’ is back with a delightful Caribbean-set romp following an ambitious apocalyptic video game designer whose best-laid plans go off course when sparks fly in paradise.
Sloane Cooper is up for her dream job as a designer for a top video game company. During the interview, though, she somehow promises the all-male panel that she’ll remain single and fully dedicated to the work. It’s actually fine—after her last boyfriend cheated on her, she vowed to focus on her career anyway.
Enter Charlie, aka Hot Neighbor Guy, a near-stranger who shocks her with the offer of an all-inclusive trip to a Turks and Caicos resort. The catch? Charlie originally planned the trip with his ex, and asks Sloane to pose as his new girlfriend to make his old flame come running back. Against her better judgment, Sloane says yes; she can use the time away to develop a game design that will dazzle the Catapult team and get her a job offer.
Despite sparks flying in paradise, the trip can’t lead to more. As their connection deepens, Sloane is reminded that she can’t fall for Charlie and get knocked off her professional path. Can Sloane figure out a way to move past heartbreak, land the job of her dreams, and avoid catching feelings?
In preparation for a steamy Spring read, we had the chance to go behind the scenes with Neely to learn more about her writing process, the importance of representing her own heritage in her books, and what she loves most about the romance genre.
Where did your love of writing originally come from? Did you have a fave book growing up that sparked your career choice?
I always knew I wanted to write. English was always my favorite subject in school and the one that came most easily to me. For years, I had this someday dream of writing a book, but it wasn’t until 2020 and being home at the height of Covid that I started to dedicate real time to it. And from there, I just kept the momentum going!
I was an on and off reader growing up. I would go through years where I barely read and then others when I read several books. I’ve only gotten back into reading consistently since 2020. Reading has certainly made me a better writer.
As a writer and storyteller, how does your Indian heritage play a role in your ideas and characters?
Representation in my novels is incredibly important to me and I certainly look for it in the industry as a whole. That said, I believe we need more stories of diverse love. The more we read about different types of people, whether via race, gender, sexual identity, etc. the more we can relate to the people around us. I am happy to play a small part in bringing these stories to the world, but also to create a bridge that shows we all have the same wants and desires, challenges and heartbreak, regardless of differences.
How did the idea for ‘In a Not So Perfect World’ come about, and what was the process for writing it?
My husband and I visited Turks and Caicos a few years back and I knew it would be the perfect spot for a romantic getaway in a story! In LOVE BUZZ, the characters don’t actually spend much time together on the page, so with my next book, I wanted to create an environment where they spent A LOT of time together. And what better way to do that than have them sharing a suite on a tropical island?
Where did you draw inspiration from when creating your lead character Sloane?
I knew I wanted a heroine in STEM, and the more I learned about gaming, the more I knew this was a big arena that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. I also really loved the idea of moving on from heartbreak and what that might look like and who the “right” guy might be to make her do so after being afraid to jump again for so long. The characters built somewhat naturally from there.
You often feature stories about women balancing careers and romance. Why is this genre so exciting/attractive to you as a writer?
I think this is a combination we are seeing in contemporary romance more and more. Women are multi-faceted, and readers are responding to stories of well-rounded women who have more going on their lives than just romance. These “other” characteristics, goals and desires make characters more relatable and root-worthy. Even in a romance novel, I want to see women doing more than just being focused on a love interest. We are sometimes fed the idea that without a significant other, we are less than. That is just not true. I hope my stories convey that a relationship may enhance the main character’s life, but they don’t complete it.
How do you balance the idea of readers wanting to see themselves reflected in a character or experience, but also creating a sense of escapism/fantasy?
I think this is the test of every writer! It is indeed a delicate balance to make characters relatable but also not dull or boring, with an element of something unique or exciting. This is where I believe plot comes in. Some of the greatest characters in books or media are “real” people who get challenged in some complex or unique way. The characters themselves are relatable – with similar wants, needs, flaws and desires as others, but the circumstances they find themselves in in the story put them to the test. This is how authors often find that balance.
What is the hardest thing about being an author and reaching new readers?
It will always be a goal as an author to get your book into the right readers hands, the ones who will resonate with your writing, your story and your characters. And, the “right” readers can vary from book to book. It can be overwhelming and futile to focus too much on marketing or getting followers, etc. so I find that if I just focus on writing a really good book, readers do a phenomenal job of recommending books they love to others. Ultimately, readers have the control to make a book a “success,” not authors.
Similar to what you are inviting readers to do with your previous book ‘Love Buzz’, what would YOU want to experience if you could “open closed doors and step through to the adventure on the other side”?
I think I am doing it! Writing is an adventure. With each story I get to tell, I get to immerse myself in a new world, a new set of characters and a new plot. I am lucky to get to do this and I hope I will be able to for a long time to come!
What do you want readers to love most about ‘In a Not So Perfect World’ when it is released?
One of the things I learned through my debut, LOVE BUZZ, is that this is not for me to say. One of the best surprises of the publication process with that book was people reaching out to me with stories of how they connected with it. That they were turning thirty and felt like they were in Serena’s exact position or they had lost their mother as well and felt the camaraderie of Serena’s grief.
The best part of writing a book is the way it meets people where they are, and thus what resonates differs from person to person. So, in that same way, I hope readers find that piece of connection to their real circumstances, whatever it may be.
You can pre-order a copy of ‘In A Not So Perfect World’, and follow Neely Tubati Alexander on Instagram.
