Picture a storyteller weaving heartwarming tales of love and laughter from the misty mountains of North Carolina to the sunny shores of Charleston—meet Jenny Proctor! This award-winning author of low-spice romantic comedies has captured readers’ hearts with over twenty novels, blending sizzling chemistry with wholesome charm. Her journey from traditional publishing to indie success, capped by a 2016 Whitney Award for Contemporary Romance, makes her a standout in the romance genre.
Born in the breathtaking Western North Carolina mountains, Proctor’s roots in a place she calls 'one of the loveliest on earth' infuse her stories with vivid settings and heartfelt connections. Now based in Charleston, South Carolina, she crafts stories that make you laugh, swoon, and believe in happily-ever-afters, all while juggling life with her husband, Josh, six kids, and a menagerie of pets.
The Making of Jenny Proctor
Jenny Proctor’s love for storytelling blossomed during her English studies at Brigham Young University, where she honed her craft. Before becoming a full-time author, she wore many hats: editor at Midnight Owl Editors, chair of the Storymakers Conference, and public speaker with a knack for building connections. Her shift to indie publishing in 2013 was a bold leap, driven by a desire for creative freedom. Proctor calls indie publishing 'a lot of work but very adventurous,' a mindset that fueled her prolific career and Amazon bestseller status.
Jenny Proctor’s Unforgettable Stories
Proctor’s novels are a delightful blend of witty banter, crackling chemistry, and closed-door romance—think all the feels without explicit scenes. Her debut, Love at First Note (2016), a musical rom-com about a symphony violinist and her charming neighbor, won the Whitney Award for Contemporary Romance. The Some Kind of Love series, starting with Love Redesigned (2020), follows characters like Dani, a fashion designer navigating love and loss in Charleston, with secondary characters adding depth and humor.
The How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother series, including How to Kiss Your Best Friend (2022) and How to Kiss Your Grumpy Boss (2022), showcases Proctor’s knack for small-town charm. These stories feature the Hawthorne brothers, known for their chiseled jawlines and family-run farm, delivering friends-to-lovers and workplace romance tropes with heart. Her novella (Not So) Alone for Christmas (2020) is a cozy holiday treat, blending high school crushes with snowy Charleston mishaps.
Proctor’s style shines through her vivid settings—Charleston’s humidity and North Carolina’s mountains—and her focus on relationships. Her inclusion of diverse characters, like a married gay couple in Love Redesigned, reflects her commitment to organic, inclusive storytelling, even if it sparked some reader debate. Her playlists, like the one for Love at First Note, add a musical layer to her narratives, thanks to her sister Emily, a professional musician.
Why Jenny Proctor Matters
Jenny Proctor’s impact lies in her ability to craft low-spice romances that resonate with readers seeking humor, heart, and hope. Her indie journey inspires aspiring authors, proving that creative control can lead to bestseller status. By setting stories in the American South, she brings regional charm to a global audience, while her focus on family and self-discovery makes her work universally relatable. Winning the Whitney Award and building a loyal fanbase, Proctor has carved a niche in contemporary romance.
- Born: Western North Carolina
- Key Works: Love at First Note, Love Redesigned, How to Kiss Your Best Friend
- Awards: 2016 Whitney Award for Contemporary Romance
- Current Home: Charleston, South Carolina
Ready to fall in love with Jenny Proctor’s world? Snag Love at First Note or dive into the Some Kind of Love series for a dose of sweet, swoony romance!