Author Spotlight: Noelle O'Ryan

Romance From the Snark Side

When a bookish friend you’ve known for a while reaches out and says, “Will you take a look at my book and tell me what you think,” if you’re me you say, “Hell, yeah!”  And if you also happen to love snarky and strong, yet vulnerable female characters who their HEAs absolutely fall for, you may be reading a book by Noelle O’Ryan. And if you haven’t read her already, this is your incentive to go grab one of her books right now. Because, let’s face it, there’s something really special about a relatable, every day woman, doing the best with what life gave her, finding her forever in a he-falls-first world. 

Oh, and did I mention the snark? Because I need to mention the snark. I am a big fan of it. I love a character who can sling snarcasm with the precision and efficacy of a Wild West frontiersman. Or woman, in Noelle’s characters’ cases. And I love how she uses snark and sarcasm as only one weapon in her characters’ arsenals. She uses it to create such beautiful elements of humor and insecurity, but also to find and convey the humor in strength. 

I have had so many laugh out loud moments courtesy of Noelle and her characters. But also so many instances of tears and clenched fists. Because her characters are so incredibly real. I know when I sink into one of Noelle’s books I’m going to feel like I could be that character. Or I could be their best friend. Or sister. I know they’re going to have ish to work through, fears to face, and struggles to overcome. But I also know they will never face it alone. They’re always supported by a best friend, a sister, a faithful furry companion, and a strong sense of internal fortitude—even when they may not immediately recognize it for what it is.

Noelle started her author career writing single POV stories all from the female main character’s (FMC) point of view (POV). And getting on board with her as her editor starting with book one of the Accidentally Yours series has been such an amazing journey. Each book brought a new level of depth and connection to her characters and their stories. And when she wrote Inferno, her first first-person dual POV novel, she leveled up big time. Her stories always held a level of intensity beautifully woven into well-placed humor and topped off with incredible steam, but Inferno hit so much harder. On every level. The characters were deeper, their trials and tribulations rougher, the humor hit harder, the steam hotter, and the HEA is beyond epic.

Beyond watching Noelle grow as an author, it’s been so much fun to also get to know the Noelle not behind the pages. The reader friend who loves to read the same authors I do. Who regularly sends me hilarious author/editor/reader memes that I eagerly add to my meme stash to share with others and giggle over when things get too serious. Whose sense of humor and self-deprecating defense mechanisms so clearly mirror my own. To be honest, it’s one of the most amazing things to come from my journey through Romancelandia—the incredible people I’ve found and the friendships that have developed with them. 

I get to meet Noelle for the first time in real life this April at Charm City Romanticon, and I seriously cannot wait.  I got a little hint at her personality beyond her writing when we had her on a St@lkerSisters podcast not long after Inferno was released. And seriously, I already know meeting her face to face is going to be pretty freaking epic.

Just the Facts about Noelle O’Ryan

First book I read by Noelle: Accidentally on Purpose

What I love most about her books: The snarcasm is strong with this one. As are all the feels. And seriously incredible female main characters. And swoony male main characters. Ok, fine, I love it all. 

Fave book by Noelle: Inferno

Fave Noelle character: Ransom. And he doesn’t even have a book yet. But you can catch him as a supporting character in Inferno. I am also a big Dante fan (also from Inferno). And I love Baby from Third Wheel

Fave Noelle cover: Inferno

You can grab Noelle’s books on Amazon 

You can find Noelle on social media here:        Facebook     Instagram       TikTok