With summer underway, many of us feel that familiar pull – the desire to break free from routine. To chase the sun, to relax by the pool, to finally start on your TBR list. Whether it’s booking spontaneous getaways or daydreaming of what could be, summer invites a certain kind of restlessness.
We dive into Annabelle Knight’s Chasing Clouds, which captures this exact feeling. Having it all together yet aching for more. With a side order of romance and a sprinkle of female friendships which empower and ground you.
Annabelle is a regular presence in the media, with appearances on TV shows like This Morning and The O’Brien Show, as well as frequent features in magazines, newspapers, and on the radio, where she offers expert sex advice and discusses topical issues.
Annabelle Knight, author of Chasing Clouds
1. Elodie’s story begins with a longing for adventure – something many people feel when summer rolls around. What inspired her desire to escape, and have you ever felt a similar pull in your own life?
Elodie’s desire to escape is rooted in a feeling many of us can relate to: being stuck in a life that looks fine on the outside but feels hollow within. Her longing is less about dramatic change and more about rediscovering the version of herself she lost along the way. Personally, I’ve definitely experienced that urge to shake things up, to breathe new air, to step away from the safe and familiar. There’s something about summer that gives us permission to dream a little bigger, and I wanted Elodie’s story to capture that spirit.
2. There’s a stranger, some serious chemistry, and plenty of twists – how do you balance writing steamy scenes with creating genuine emotional tension?
For me, chemistry is never just about physical attraction. It’s about connection, conflict, and vulnerability. The steamy scenes are the sparks, but the emotional tension is the slow burn that keeps readers turning the page. I try to write intimacy that feels earned, where the stakes are as high emotionally as they are physically. That way, the heat has meaning and isn’t just sexy... it’s significant.
3. If readers were to pack this book for their summer holiday, what do you hope they take away from it by the final page—sun-kissed escapism, a little self-reflection, or something else entirely?
Hopefully, a bit of both! I absolutely want readers to feel swept away, there’s plenty of glamour, romance, and sun-drenched settings for that. But I also hope Elodie’s journey invites a little self-reflection, especially for those who feel like they’ve been playing a role instead of living authentically. If a reader closes the book and feels even a little braver about making a change in their own life, that would mean everything.
4. Friendship plays a big role in Elodie's journey—were her two best friends inspired by anyone in your own life, and how do you think female friendships helps or hinders us during times of change?
Elodie’s best friends are definitely a blend of people I know and love; my best friends Natalie and Louise, my oldest friend, Kate and my sister, Sabrina. They’re those rare women who show up for you no matter what, even when you’re being difficult, they’re understanding but don’t let you get away with BS. I wanted their dynamic to reflect the way female friendships can be both comforting and confrontational in the best way. The right friends won’t just support you... they’ll challenge you to grow. And sometimes, they’re the only ones who can hold up a mirror and help you to see yourself clearly.
5. If Elodie could give one piece of advice to someone feeling stuck in the safety of routine, what would it be—and would you agree with her?
She’d probably say, “Nothing changes if nothing changes.” Elodie learns that playing it safe isn’t the same as being happy, and that sometimes shaking up your routine is the only way to find out what you’re really made of. I do agree with her. It’s scary to leap into the unknown, but the alternative… staying stuck… is often much scarier in the long run.
For more books perfect for a weekend getaway, or just those seeking their next adventure – you’ll find something for everyone at Austin Macauley.
Want more from Annabelle Knight? She’s written and published two other books with us, The Endless Autumn and The Matchmaker’s Match. You can find a bundle of all three titles below!
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