Rebekah Faubian’s talent for storytelling is evident in her debut The Lovers, a captivating tale exploring love, identity, and destiny. In this interview, Rebekah discusses the inspirations and creative processes behind the book, giving readers a deeper insight into its emotional and intriguing layers. Join us as we dive into the world of Rebekah Faubian and her latest Queer romance novel.
What inspired you to write a romance novel centered around a tarot reader and a wedding planner in California?
I wanted to tell a story about two women with entirely different personalities who were perfect complements to each other. As a tarot reader, Kit is a believer in the power of the universe; she trusts the cards. It is well within her personality to believe the soulmate prediction she and Julia received as kids, and to freak out when she meets her again which seemingly fulfils that prediction. Julia is more of a spiritual skeptic, and she’s someone who likes to maintain control. A wedding planner was the perfect job to showcase that part of her nature while also hinting at the hopeful romantic hiding under the grumpy facade.
Can you give us an overview of the main characters, Kit Larson and Julia Kelley, and their journey in “The Lovers”?
Kit has this warmth about her that makes her incredibly likable. She’s the kind of person you’re drawn to, want to hang out with, and think about fondly. She’s naturally intuitive and accepting of others, but she is also hiding a part of her identity which keeps her from really listening to her intuition, which is where her prickly side comes out.
Julia, the perfectionist counterpart, is someone who truly understands what it’s like to be lonely. She’s an only child who lost her mother when she was young, and desires genuine, long-lasting relationships. Steady and reliable, with a sharp sense of humor and impeccably high standards. I love how she learns to let go of control over the course of the story, and trust more in other’s and the universe.
The setting of a boho-chic Joshua Tree wedding seems integral to the story. How did you decide on this location, and how does it contribute to the atmosphere of the book?
I LOVE stories that take place “on location” but especially when that location is an aspirational and chic resort in Joshua Tree. I wanted Kit and Julia to be in forced proximity so they HAD to confront the pain of their past, which would lead them to reconnecting and ultimately rekindling their love for each other.
To me, the desert air has this quality of magic and mysticism. The colors, the stark beauty, it tricks you into believing anything is possible. I wanted to tell this lightly magical story in a setting that would really emphasize the power of creation, and the desert in Joshua Tree provided that for me.
Both Kit and Julia have their own insecurities and past heartbreaks. How do these elements shape their interactions and relationships throughout the novel?
Both of them come to this story with romantic baggage in very different forms, that’s for sure!
Kit has been straight-passing for her whole life, too scared to think of her attraction to women as what it is. And some of why that is can be explained by her upbringing. Rom-Com movies are a big thing in her family since her dad is a rom-com writer, and her parents have always embodied the “perfect Nancy Meyers couple”—something Kit has aspired to find in her own life. She has convinced herself that she can’t have that if she doesn’t wind up with a man—despite seeing evidence of beautiful queer love in her friendships and in the world at large. But the events of the book challenge that idea!
Julia, on the other hand, is dealing with the long-term effects of being in an emotionally abusive relationship and how that has shaped her. Not only does she reconnect with Kit at the wedding in Joshua Tree, but her ex-girlfriend is also a surprise bridesmaid. These two women played very different roles in shaping Julia’s outlook on love, and her desire to stay in control of her emotions at all times. But as she heals her relationship with Kit, and confronts the ex’s toxicity, she is able to let go of her fear of being vulnerable.
The concept of Twin Flames is intriguing. Can you discuss how this idea influences Kit and Julia’s connection in “The Lovers”?
In the book, the psychic who gave the two of them a Tarot reading as teens—a mysterious woman named Madame Moira—told them they were Twin Flames. But the caveat with a Twin Flame is that until you are ready for each other, you will never be able to make it work. Twin Flames are mirrors of each other and that kind of relationship creates a lot of friction, which can mean that being together is harder than being apart. Julia and Kit had a falling out in their late teens, and their lives went in totally different directions, but their reconnection at the wedding comes at a time when they are ready for change, they are ready to work on themselves and let their soulmate in.
How did you approach incorporating elements of mysticism, such as tarot readings, into a contemporary romance novel?
I loved finding ways to bring in mystic concepts! The first element, and the most magical, came in the form of their romantic catalyst. Kit and Julia receive a soulmate prediction from a psychic as teens. Everything about that is fantastical, but not so unheard of either. Especially in Los Angeles! I had a blast showing the flashback of that moment and creating the character of the neighborhood psychic, Madame Moira.
Then, making Kit a tarot reader gave me an easy way to thread the ideas of fate, the magic of the universe, intuition and belief through the story. Having Kit give tarot readings on the page to guests at the wedding—and ME having to figure out what those readings would be—was a fun way to show the mystical without it veering into territory that didn’t make sense for a contemporary world.
Could you talk about the role of friendship and community in “The Lovers,” particularly within the context of the wedding setting?
I created a cast of—in my humble opinion—iconic Zellenial women. The book takes place at the wedding of a “mystic lifestyle influencer,” which meant I got to build out her bridal party and her close friend group. Living in LA, I have friends who do all different kinds of social media work, and also I observe these kinds of women online in their natural habitat. I wanted to show a group of women who were successful and unique, and who fully supported each other in their success. My fave is probably Coco, owner of a lingerie brand, and the voice of chaos to Julia throughout the book.
Another important character is Kit’s best friend, Nina, an actress on the brink of stardom. She’s queer and kind, and I loved writing their friendship because it’s reflective of the kinds of tight-knit relationships I hold dear.
“The Lovers” balances romance with character growth and self-discovery. How do you ensure that both aspects are equally developed throughout the narrative?
After I’ve written my initial pitch for an idea, I start creating a synopsis that will follow the major plot movements AND the emotional arcs of the main characters (as well as important side characters) throughout the story. This process is by no means a linear one, as at this point I am still getting to know who the characters are in a larger sense.
I utilize a lot of screenwriting techniques in my plot development, and one of those is always starting with the character’s “Core Wound” or “the thing that hurt them,” which serves as an internal motivation for their emotional arc. So when I am thinking about the plot, I am always thinking about that core wound and how I am healing it, how it is showing up, how it is driving choices.
Dialogue often plays a crucial role in romance novels. How did you approach crafting authentic and engaging dialogue for Kit and Julia?
Dialogue is one of my very favorite parts to write! I am also a screenwriter, so I am picky about my dialogue, and I think a lot about tone and cadence, what feels logical for the character based on their upbringing and education.
What makes dialogue read as authentic is almost intangible. It comes from understanding the core wound and the character’s communication style, as much as it comes from making sure you’re revealing what’s needed for the plot to move forward. I probably obsess over my dialogue more than any other part of the book!
Family dynamics seem to impact both Kit and Julia. Can you discuss how familial relationships influence their individual journeys and their relationship as a couple?
Kit’s parents are pretty much her favorite people, but no one’s opinion matters more to Kit than her dad’s, and that’s a huge part of why she struggles so much with coming out. It’s not that she thinks he wouldn’t love her, it’s that she is very attached to being the ideal daughter and playing her role in the family, and she is afraid that she will lose that place if she is openly queer. But when she learns that both of her parents have been keeping secrets from her, she begins to question that, and it has incredible impact on her journey.
Julia’s situation is a little different in that we never see her family on the page, but we hear about the loss of her mother as a young child, and see how that has made her more closed off and skeptical. She also has this beautiful connection to weddings thanks to her dad getting remarried to a woman who became a wonderful mom to her, which is why being a wedding planner is really her dream career.
What challenges did you face while writing “The Lovers,” and how did you overcome them?
I came out later in life, like Kit, and writing The Lovers was a deeply cathartic experience for me. But because of how emotionally connected I was to the themes in the book, I really had to face off a lot of my own fears to write it. I was still healing from being closeted, and it was wild to think that this raw, real thing I was writing my way through was going to be a published book that anyone would be able to read. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, but it definitely made me feel like my heart was on display for everyone to see.
In your opinion, what makes Kit and Julia’s love story unique compared to other romance novels?
Because of the intense history they share with each other, and the dramatic nature of their reconnection, they are extremely vulnerable and messy and real, and it’s impossible for them to hide the truth from each other. I love that messiness. I love that they are wounded and healing. It makes for some really sensual and sweet moments between them.
“The Lovers” is described as a charming debut romance. Can you share any insights into your writing process and what inspired you to delve into the romance genre for your debut?
I love love stories. Even when I am not writing something romance genre specific I am trying to find a way to incorporate love and kissing into the story, so it made a lot of sense to me to dive into the romance space with this debut. I think romance holds space for bigger themes and topics, romance allows readers to feel deeply and to believe in happiness, something that is sorely needed in this world.
Are there any particular scenes or moments in “The Lovers” that you found particularly rewarding or challenging to write?
I am not someone who usually makes themselves cry while writing, but there is a scene in the book between Kit and her best friend Nina that gets me every time I think about it, and made me cry real, sloppy tears when I wrote it. I don’t want to spoil it, but I expect you’ll know which scene I mean when you read the book!
Can you tease any future projects or ideas you’re considering exploring within the romance genre?
I have a second book coming from Berkley in 2025 and it’s in the same “world” as The Lovers! I can’t say much about it besides that, but I am so incredibly excited for readers to enjoy it.
Lastly, if you could sum up “The Lovers” in just a few words, what would they be?
Come for the vibes, stay for the satisfying happily ever after.