Picture a British storyteller who spins heartfelt romances across continents—meet Jane Crittenden! A journalist turned novelist, she captured readers’ hearts with her 2023 debut, Worlds Apart, a tale of love, secrets, and second chances set against the stunning backdrop of Auckland. With a knack for weaving global experiences into emotionally rich stories, Crittenden’s unique blend of romance and real-world depth makes her a rising star in contemporary fiction.
Based in Hove, UK, Crittenden balances her dual careers as a homes and interiors journalist and a novelist, infusing her narratives with vivid settings inspired by her travels. Her stories aren’t just about love—they explore family, forgiveness, and the courage to rewrite your own ending. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the journey of this captivating author.
The Making of Jane Crittenden
Jane Crittenden’s path to novel-writing was as winding as the plots she crafts. Growing up in the UK, she was an avid reader and began penning stories at age 10. Initially drawn to journalism, she worked in advertising before landing her dream role as a homes and interiors writer for prestigious magazines like House Beautiful and Grand Designs. Her global adventures—living in Canada, Greece, Spain, Ghana, and New Zealand—sparked a love for travel that later shaped her fiction. While in New Zealand, she joined a writing group, planting the seeds for her novelist career. At 40, Crittenden reignited her passion for storytelling, enrolling in the Creative Writing Programme in Brighton, where her debut novel took shape.
Jane Crittenden’s Unforgettable Stories
Crittenden’s novels are like a warm hug with a side of wanderlust, blending romance with layered themes of family and self-discovery. Her debut, Worlds Apart (2023), follows Amy, a single mother running a beachside café in Auckland, whose life is upended when her teenage love, Chris, reappears after 18 years. Told through dual timelines and perspectives, the story unravels misunderstandings and secrets, set against New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes. Readers praised its emotional depth, though some wished Amy had been more forthcoming—a testament to Crittenden’s ability to craft relatable, flawed characters.
Her follow-up, Summer Ever After (2024), transports readers to Barcelona, where Alice rediscovers love and herself under the Spanish sun. This novel delves into controlling relationships, with Crittenden’s signature vivid settings and heartfelt prose. A third work, Lockdown Number One, showcases her versatility, though details remain sparse. Crittenden’s style is meticulous—she plans her plots with spreadsheets, a nod to her journalistic precision—yet her writing feels effortless, with lush descriptions and authentic emotional arcs. Her global settings, drawn from personal experience, make each story a mini-vacation for readers.
Why Jane Crittenden Matters
Jane Crittenden’s impact lies in her ability to make romance resonate beyond the genre’s tropes. Her stories tackle real-life complexities—parental expectations, past mistakes, and the courage to trust again—while whisking readers to far-flung locales. By blending her journalism-honed curiosity with a novelist’s empathy, she creates characters who feel like friends and settings that linger long after the final page. Her debut’s success with Lake Union Publishing and her growing fanbase signal a bright future, proving that even in a crowded genre, her voice stands out.
- Key Works: Worlds Apart (2023), Summer Ever After (2024), Lockdown Number One
- Hometown: Hove, UK
- Fun Fact: She writes in beachside cafés, often with a brownie in hand!
Snag Worlds Apart or Summer Ever After and dive into Jane Crittenden’s heartfelt romances—perfect for anyone craving love, travel, and a second chance!