For readers meeting you for the first time, how would you describe Not the Way it Ends?

Not the Way it Ends is a romance, but it’s also a story about overcoming obstacles and finding yourself. Both my main characters, Anastasios and Caitlin, are in transitional periods. They think this is what their lives are supposed to look like forever, but when they give in to the love they find from their family, friends, and each other, they realize the best is yet to come.

What are the top 3 tropes readers will find in this story? (And which one was the most fun to write?)

Age gap, single dad, travel romance! They were all so fun to write, but I think the age gap really surprised me. They’re both adults – he’s in his mid-fifties, and she’s in her mid-thirties. There’s a big gap between them, but they’re both uncertain of their place in the world. The way they interact is really fun, and their shared love of Anastasios’s daughter, Elena, was really sweet to write. I didn’t expect to love writing this trope as much as I did!

What first sparked the story? Was there a particular character, a setting or a particular “what if”?

I had never written an age gap or travel romance before, so when my readers fell in love with Anastasios from the first book (Not a Strong Enough Word) I knew I had to write about him for the conclusion of the series. Their family wedding in Greece was a bonus!

Tell us about Anastasios. What made you fall for him as a romantic hero, and what do you think readers will find irresistible?

I am an absolute sucker for a silver fox, and single dads make me melt. His daughter is thirteen and recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He tries so hard to do right by her, but he makes a lot of mistakes, and I think that’s what makes him so special. He’s working hard to do the right thing for his daughter, but because she’s getting older and she values her independence, he’s not quite sure what that is anymore. Caitlin steps in to help, and he lets her, which sparks a special relationship between all of them.

Caitlin has decided she’s done with dating, so what is it about Anastasios that makes her question that decision?

It’s the same thing that makes Anastasios so swoony to me – his willingness to make mistakes, try new things, and learn. We all want a man who learns from his mistakes, don’t we? I also have to mention his thoughtfulness. Caitlin also has type 1 diabetes, and he does things for her that seem simple but carry so much weight like sending her information about the amount of carbs in her meals when he orders her room service so she doesn’t have to calculate it herself.

A family wedding in Greece sounds like a wonderful setting for romance. Is there a place or experience that inspired this part of the book?

Wishful thinking! Anastasios is a Greek name that I selected in book one because it means “rebirth.” He named the press after himself, and that concept of rebirth was very important for my main characters in that book. So when I set out to write this book, a trip to Greece made sense. I’ve never been, but I want to go!

Readers have described falling in love with the whole family. How important are family and friendships in your romances?

Family and friendships are almost equally as important as the main romance in my books. Love comes in all shapes and sizes, and romantic love is just one piece of the puzzle. It’s hard to fall in love with someone else if you don’t love yourself, and sometimes your friends and family are the ones who show you how lovable you really are, who give you permission to fall in love romantically. It all works together in my books, and that’s important to me.

Do you have a favorite scene or moment in the book?

One of my favorite microtropes is when he fights for her, or tells her she’s worth fighting for. I don’t want to give too much away, but Caitlin’s ex is really annoying, and Anastasios steps in to put him in his place on the phone at one point. I giggled and kicked my feet while writing that scene, and I hope my readers do, too.

This is the final book in the Strong Enough series. Can new readers start here, and what will returning readers enjoy about coming back to this world?

This book can be read as a standalone, but previous characters do show up! I think knowing a bit about the press and Anastasios from previous books can help readers feel more immersed in the story, but Caitlin and Elena are entirely new characters, so it would be easy to pick it up and start here.

What does a typical writing day look like for you?

I’m also a teacher and a parent, so no two days are alike, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Usually, I’m drafting scenes in my car while my own preteen daughter is in dance class, which made this book especially fun to write! It was kind of like doing immersive research.

Is there anything else you would like to add about Not the Way it Ends or the Strong Enough series?

I love love, and I love reading and writing romance. But if there was one thing I want my readers to take away from this series, it’s that whatever they’re going through – whether it’s something weighing on their hearts, their minds, or their bodies – they are strong enough to make it through even their darkest moments, and they are worthy of being loved exactly as they are.

Connect with Allie Samberts

• Instagram/Threads: @alliesambertswrites
• Substack: alliesamberts.substack.com
• Website: alliesamberts.com