Picture a Canadian bureaucrat spinning tales of love and laughter by night—meet Amy Lea! This international bestselling author has taken the romance world by storm with her witty, heartwarming romantic comedies that blend modern love, body positivity, and mid-2000s nostalgia. From gym rivalries to time-traveling teens, Lea’s stories are a delightful escape for readers craving humor and heart.
Born and raised in a small Ontario town, Lea’s journey from daydreamer to BookTok sensation is as inspiring as her novels. Her Influencer series and young adult hit, Woke Up Like This, have earned acclaim for their diverse heroines and relatable themes, making her a fresh voice in contemporary romance.
The Making of Amy Lea
Growing up in Espanola, Ontario, a paper-mill town of barely 5,000, Amy Lea found solace in her imagination. As a shy child, she penned stories from the moment she could hold a crayon, crafting angsty teen romances on her family’s desktop. Her love for books like Meg Cabot’s fueled her dreams, though university and a career as a bureaucrat paused her writing. It wasn’t until her mid-20s, spotting diverse heroines like Lara Jean in Jenny Han’s novels, that Lea’s passion for romance reignited. She dove into Bookstagram as a fan, hyping other authors before realizing she could tell her own stories.
Amy Lea’s Unforgettable Stories
Lea’s debut, Set on You (2022), kicks off her Influencer series with a bang. This steamy rom-com follows curvy fitness influencer Crystal Chen, who spars with firefighter Scott Ritchie over a gym squat rack, only to discover their grandparents are engaged. Packed with witty banter and body-positive themes, it’s a love letter to self-acceptance. Exes and O’s (2023) follows romance-obsessed Tara revisiting past flames, only to find sparks with her roommate Trevor. The Catch (2024) wraps the series with a fake engagement between a fashion influencer and a grumpy lobster fisherman, blending small-town charm with emotional depth.
Lea’s young adult novel, Woke Up Like This (2023), inspired by 13 Going on 30, sees teens Charlotte and Renner wake up as 30-year-olds, navigating love and life’s surprises. Published by Mindy Kaling’s imprint, it’s been optioned for film, cementing Lea’s crossover appeal. Her style—laugh-out-loud humor, strong heroines, and pop culture nods—draws from 2000s rom-coms and country music’s storytelling, with a Taylor Swift-inspired flair in her second book.
Why Amy Lea Matters
Amy Lea’s impact lies in her celebration of diverse, confident heroines who defy stereotypes. As an Asian-Canadian author, she weaves her journey of self-acceptance into characters like Crystal, resonating with readers who rarely see themselves as romantic leads. Her Bookstagram roots foster a tight-knit community, amplifying her reach on platforms like BookTok. With her works translated into over a dozen languages and optioned for film, Lea is redefining romance for a new generation, proving love stories can be inclusive, funny, and empowering.
- Born: Espanola, Ontario, Canada
- Key Works: Set on You, Exes and O’s, The Catch, Woke Up Like This
- Notable: Long-listed for CBC Canada Reads; works optioned for film
Ready to fall in love? Snag Set on You or Woke Up Like This and dive into Amy Lea’s irresistible rom-com world!