Reading & Conversation: Elise Wayland "Rivals to Lovers" (W/ Shannon Reed)

It is always a joy to celebrate debut authors at White Whale! We are overjoyed to host Elise Wayland to celebrate the publication of her debut bookish romance novel Rivals to Lovers! Elise will be joined in conversation with Shannon Reed.

One classic novel. Two adaptations. A competition that shakes up everything.

Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood, this steamy rivals-to-lovers romance set in Manhattan features two writers fighting to write the adaptation of their favorite classic novel.

Mo Denton has been obsessed with the classic feminist novel The Proud and the Lost for as long as she can remember. When Mo puts everything she has into writing a modern adaptation of her all-time favorite book, her agent Yuri loves it—but can’t pitch it anywhere. The original author’s estate must approve any adaptation, and so far, it has never allowed one to go forward.

The agent who represents the estate—Wes Spencer—is also working on an updated version of the beloved story. Promoting Mo’s project would go against Wes’s own interests, and he’s reluctant to bring it to Estelle Morgan, the elderly daughter of the original novelist. But when Yuri contacts Estelle herself, Estelle invites Mo and Wes to her home for a weekend where they will pitch each book to her and let her decide whose book will be approved–and whose work will be destined for deletion.

Soon, Mo and Wes realize that they have more in common than just their love of the original book. As they grow closer and wait for the estate’s decision, will the secrets Wes is keeping ruin the bond between them, or can they find their way to a happy ending?

Elise Wayland is a writer, podcaster, and humorist from the Midwest, and author of the novel, The Butterfly Effect. She studied creative writing and literature at Creighton University and Iowa State University. She currently works as a full-time writing center administrator, part-time dog-mom. Instagram Facebook Goodreads TikTok

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