I’ve loved Kasie West since her first book. I’ve seen her a bunch of times, but surprisingly, only had her on the blog for an interview for The Distance Between Us. I participated in the cover reveal for PS I Like You and after reading it, I just knew I had to beg ask her for an interview.
Before we get to Kasie’s answers, let’s check out the book!
What if the person you were falling for was a total mystery?
While Lily is spacing out in Chemistry one day, she picks up her pencil and scribbles a line from one of her favorite songs on the desk. The next day, someone else has written back to her on the desk! Soon enough Lily and the mystery student are exchanging notes, and lyrics, and even sharing secrets.
When Lily finds out that her anonymous pen pal is a guy, she’s flustered — and kind of feels like she’s falling for him. She and her best friend set out to unravel the identity of the letter writer — but when the truth is revealed, the guy is the LAST person Lily could have ever imagined it to be. Now that Lily knows the truth, can she untangle her feelings and gather the courage to listen to her heart?
From beloved author Kasie West (The Distance Between Us) comes an utterly charming story about mixed messages, missed connections, and the magic of good old-fashioned secret admirer notes.
Sounds good, right?
1. Please give the elevator pitch for PS I Like You.
A boy and girl start sharing anonymous notes beneath their shared Chemistry desk. Yada yada yada they fall in love.
2. Where did the idea come from?
Who doesn’t like the idea of handwritten letters? I know I do. And the thought of a boy and girl in this era of ‘instant responses’ and social media overload actually having to hand write letters and wait an entire 24 hours for a response was just too tempting of an idea to pass up.
3. Why do you love Lily and why should we root for her?
I adore Lily because she is unapologetically quirky. She has her own way of doing things and thinking and doesn’t try to change it. And you should root for her because she has a huge heart. She loves her family and cares deeply about people.
4. Without spoilers, what was your favorite scene to write?
The first kiss scene for sure. That’s all I can say without giving too much away.
5. Were there any scenes that had to be cut that you wish could have stayed?
I am an adder. My first drafts are sparse so I rarely have to cut scenes. I’m usually adding scenes. So, with that in mind, one of the scenes I added that I’m glad now exists was the scene where Lily has to deliver an ‘apology bracelet’ to someone. You’ll understand that when you read it.
Speed [ish] round:
1. You get the call/email/letter that says you’re being published for the first time. Describe the next 5 minutes.
A manic daze. I just remember walking back and forth between two rooms (neither of which held anything I needed) over and over while talking on the phone with several different people.
2. What three things would you take to a desert island?
Sunblock or I wouldn’t survive the first second (I could be cast as any vampire without needing make up), books of course (and I won’t name just one, I consider my entire collection one item. Mua ha ha ha) and last would have to be chocolate.
3. You can only read one book for the rest of your life. What is it?
Wait, what? This is because you sensed I wouldn’t answer the question above with just one book, isn’t it? You tricked me. You put in a loophole. This is a cruel cruel question. So very cruel. One book…….The Truth About Forever? (I love Wes) But seriously, I would have a different answer to this question daily.
4. Who is your favorite book boyfriend and book BFF?
See the question above for my book boyfriend. Book BFF? I love Anna From Anna and The French Kiss. Again, my answer to this question would probably change daily too.
5. What is the one thing about publishing you wish someone would have told you?
It’s a lot of work. Ha. Not that I didn’t know that before, but I didn’t realize just how much stuff there is to do after the book is written (so much more editing).
6. You wake up and discover you are Bella in Twilight. You know how it plays out. What do you do differently? {Huge thanks to Bookish Broads for letting me use this question}
Pick Jacob?? lol It’s been so long since I’ve read this book that I don’t remember all the smaller choices, but I do remember I was obsessed with these books. :)
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I write YA. I eat Junior Mints. Sometimes I go crazy and do both at the same time. My novels, published through Harper Teen are: PIVOT POINT and its sequel SPLIT SECOND. And my contemporary novels: THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, ON THE FENCE, and THE FILL-IN BOYFRIEND.
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Huge thanks to Kasie for taking the time to deal with my fangirling answer my questions. Make sure you’re checking out her website following her on Twitter and Instagram, liking her Facebook page, and adding all of her books on GoodReads.
And now, how about a giveaway? It’s international, book will be coming from TBD, and additional rules are here.
**Good Luck!!**
Kasie is so cute! GAH! I love these questions and her answers :)
I definitely prefer hand lettered notes! Back in high school my crush used to write me notes on the cover (the weird stretchy nylon ones you buy at like target?) of my anatomy book *blushes* it was the best :P
Super excited for this book! Thank you for a chance to win!
I can’t wait for this book and I hope to one day meet Kasie West! :D I adore her so. So awesome that you got to do this interview. I loved it!
I write letters! I’m an immigrant from the Philippines for about 3 years now. So I decided to do a project. From June 2015 to May 2016 i sent a Polaroid photo of myself holding a fansign greeting them happy birthday and a letter. I never told anyone what I was planning so they were all surprised! A friend from Japan even answered my letter and it was awesome! Email is convenient but writting letters is so special.
Letter writing will always hold a special place in my heart! Can’t wait for this book!!!!!
I love the Fill-In Boyfriend!! ❤️ And after reading that, I immediately added her other books on my tbr. Great blog post!
I seriously cannot wait for this book to come out. I love Kasie West books so much.
I love letter writing, but rarely do it these days. I don’t take the time to email people either. I am a terrible friend.
I’m an email convert. I love getting personal notes, but then feel really bad when I recycle them to maintain the amount of stuff i have.
I have a pen pal but I’m so bad at responding to her letters. Emails are so much easier for me to constantly see. I love the idea of letters though.
Email. I know, terrible. But it’s so much easier for me.
Ahh I really really love this book! It’s so adorable and I think it’s my favorite Kasie West books. And I agree, the first kiss scene is so adorable <33 Lovely interview and can't wait to read her next book!
The minute I read the synopsis end of last year, it’s been one of my most anticipated books.
Definitely letter writing, by the way.
Email! It’s convenient.
Letter writing! It’s just so special when you receive a handwritten letter in the mail. Can’t wait to read this book!!
I absolutely loved reading the Q&A with Kasie West! Email or letter writing? Hmm.. This is hard. Despite the fact that using email is very convenient, there’s something delightful about handwritten letters that really appeals to me. So I have to pick letter writing (as I write letters on a regular basis to express my thoughts and feelings, although I never mail them).
I’ve never actually written a letter but I have sent out postcards to my friends overseas and it was SO much fun! We all got excited when theirs arrived at my door and vice versa. So if I were to pick, it would probably be letter writing!
OMG Stacee! You are a brave fangirl.. I like Kasie West, too but I am shy and have no courage to ask her questions :D Thank you for asking her questions :D Now I get to know more about her :D
Can’t wait to read P.S. I like you :D
I like them both but I prefer letter writing :D
I used to have lot of penpal across Indonesia during elementary school..
then email & SMS came.
But I like letter writing.. It feels more romantic and personal :D
and when I become the receiver, I knew the sender made more effort..
Beside, we can get to know the each other’s handwriting style..
Letter writing all the way! It’s more personal I feel.
I don’t write letters as much, but I still hand write thank you notes. I usually send emails when I want to rant/vent about something.
Both. When trying to reach someone I know personaly from my home life – letter, when doing business – email.
I’ve never written a letter! I don’t know why, and I don’t see myself writing one now either. So, email it is for me.
Ah, this book looks so good! I’ve never read a Kasie West book but they’re definitely on my short list TBR! I usually email but recently, I’ve gotten a few pen pals so I get my share of letter writing!
Letter writing of course!
But I can’t choose! I like both for different reasons and uses!
Definitely both! I still exchange letters with a friend of mine and it’s so much fun to send and receive them. :)
Thanks for the generous giveaway! :)
Want to read this soo much!! Letter writing for sure! It’s much more fun, and for me, it’s just easier to express myself that way. I send written letters out to my friends instead of emailing them. That’s just me!
This book do seem pretty cute :D Love the interview Stacee. <3 Thank you so so much for sharing :D I'm not sure if I wish to read this book or not, but I think so :D One day, haha.
Kasie’s books are some of my favorites and I am quite picky about contemps. I hope you enjoy it if you read it!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
I’ve been seeing this book around but I never got the chance to know what it’s about until today! I feel like I need a copy of this book because I am so interested in reading it. :)