Full Transcript for Let's Talk About: Rules for the Summer with author Meghan Quinn

jump. Meghan: Yeah, it's interesting because I actually wrote it when I was, mom was diagnosed with cancer in May, of year. ⁓ And it's a very, very rare form of sarcoma. And so we had to go to MD Anderson in Houston. We live here in Colorado. And ⁓ went with my parents ⁓ and it like one of the worst, like, you know, the soul journey, obviously, it's never a fun journey for anybody. that like, Courtney Richter: I'm so sorry. Meghan: first week that I was there, I was like, this is one of the worst times ever. ⁓ But I had to write the book because I had a deadline. And I know that if I told my publisher, I could skirt away and not have to deal with the deadline. But I'm that person who is like, everyone's relying on me to get this done in order for a lot of things to unfold. And so I'm going to write this. And it was the escape that I needed. I blacked out, I swear, while writing because I would come back from the hospital of just Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Meghan: not fun times at all get to my hotel room and I would just be like, have to write 5,000 words today and I would just write ⁓ I like when I was going editing the book afterwards, I was like, ⁓ Oh my God, I really use this as an escape because this shit is funny. Courtney Richter: Very funny, like. Caitlin Stryker: It really is. Meghan: I was like how did I do that? Like that was, it was impressive ⁓ not to toot my own horn. anyways, so you, ⁓ this book is Renley and Theo ⁓ and I wanted to have the same feel as Till Summer Do Us Part, where like this like abnormal type situation that their meet cute like happens and so like, Till Summer Do Us Part, they go to marriage counseling and they've never met each other and they're not married at all. Courtney Richter: No you should, it's worth it. Mm-hmm. Meghan: And so I kind of wanted to have that like same sort of feel. And as I was thinking about it, I thought, okay, let's do small town-ish, but the small town is kind of the villain. And let's do a girl who's like really wants to prove herself. So Renley, you know, gets the keys to this Sweet Shop that is very popular in her town. And she wants to make something of herself and prove that like she can make this Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Meghan: this Sweet Shop, wonderful and I keep saying sweets but candy. It's called Rudder's Sweets. But she thinks she has the money because her Aunt Kitty, who she lives with, says that they have money to renovate and she doesn't. And so the town really doesn't like Aunt Kitty and so they can't ask for a loan or anything. So her one drunken night decides to Courtney Richter: Yeah, but we know it is a Sweet Shop, too. again. Meghan: her and Kitty's like, let's just look for financier. Like it's just that easy. And so they pull out her crack laptop and they type it in and they're drunk off margaritas. And she's like, oh my God, lookit. There's a website that's like financier.com and look at all these men willing to participate in your, in your endeavors. And what they really go on to is Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Meghan: fianceer.com and lo and behold, Theo was there because he's on a dare and his best friend Rupert dares him to look for a fiance. So they match, of course. And she's like, Aunt Kiitty's like look, look this guy Theo, he's DTF, Down to Finance. He's Down to Finance. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Yes, of course. I loved that. Meghan: You Caitlin Stryker: Honestly, it made me laugh so hard with that. DTF Down to finance and you because they are like drunk on margaritas and the whole thing and I could just see it like spiraling and they're both fine. And I almost did a spit take when I read that little. Courtney Richter: It did. It's so funny. Meghan: Yeah. Yes. And I think it's like he likes to suck on cherries. Like, ⁓ look, he likes sweets. Like, this is so great. Like, this is match made heaven. And so then, course, know, Theo is like guy, the socialite over in the And he gets some bad press and his dad's like, you never follow through on things. And so Theo is like, well, I'm going to follow through on this. So then he flies to Cape Meril to meet his fiance and propose. Courtney Richter: Hahaha Meghan: And Renley is preparing to meet her financier ⁓ impress him so that he invests in her store. And when they meet, he gets down on one knee and she's like, what are you doing? He's like, proposing. Caitlin Stryker: you you ⁓ Meghan: And then it's just, you know, basically they're like struggles throughout the summer, him like trying to make it work to prove his dad like wrong. And she's going along for the ride and then they end up like liking each other. So Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Mm. Yeah. Courtney Richter: They end up. It's the happy like, ⁓ spoilers, but this is a romance. It's not like we're revealing the end of Sixth Sense. Like they do end up together. But it's that but also the chemistry you put between your four main characters and you kept it really small. Like there's Mark the town like know it all in a few but this is really just the four of them. Aunt Kitty, Renley, Theo and Rupert. And the before them it's like Meghan: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: You Yeah. Courtney Richter: Schmidt and Nick level like New Girl level bromance bromance between them and their interactions with each other and their texting like you've always been so on point with your texting it's always the funniest parts like in the Vancouver agitator series and go the boys text like that's like a key thing to a signature of yours and the way with these boys like most of my laugh out loud came from their texting conversations that I'm like how did you even like your Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Meghan: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ yeah. Meghan: Yeah. Courtney Richter: You're always hilarious, but this is like, I guess, because like you said, you're blacked out escaping. This is like next level hilarious. Like writers take note, TV writers, film writers. Like this is so funny and so

smooth. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Meghan: I know. Caitlin Stryker: Yes! I was reading this one and I was like, I really want this book to be made into an unhinged rom-com. Like I really want to watch this. I was watching it as I was reading it, but I was like, I desperately want this to be made into a movie, this particular book. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Meghan: Yeah. Courtney Richter: 100%. Meghan: That's how I do, like, That's Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Meghan: I truly have no memory of writing it at all, other than the fact that, of like a darker time of when I wrote it. And so I'm just like, when I was going through that, I was like, oh my God, like maybe I should be suffering a little bit more. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Hahaha Courtney Richter: All artists need to suffer for their best work of coming totally. It really is. Meghan: I know, I was like, this is so good. I was listening to the audio the other day. Yesterday, when I say the other day, mean yesterday, I was listening to it because I wanted to hear how it sounded between Rupert and Theo because I needed two Englishmen to narrate. I ⁓ was cackling my own audiobook and like Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Yeah Yeah. Courtney Richter: I get it. Caitlin Stryker: I'm not surprised. Meghan: I was, I even told the narrator who did Rupert, this will air, so the narrator reveal is ⁓ week, but Gary did Rupert. And I was like, this guy ⁓ must read the entire story beforehand, got the feel of it, and then ⁓ acted way in a booth. He must have acted the entire thing out. ⁓ I it was so good, and the way that I would have wanted to hear Rupert, Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Meghan: and his inflections and like when he would like be like, you know, he would scoff and then like Rupert look actually scoff like he was just acting in this in the booth and it was so good and like Shane East is Theo and he does like such a wonderful job and keeps keeps up ⁓ Rupert but then also has that like seriousness to him too and it's such good banter. I was just like, ⁓ Oh my god. Courtney Richter: Ugh, I can't wait. Caitlin Stryker: you Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: You've got to, yeah. Meghan: Readers are so lucky to be alive during a time of... Caitlin Stryker: I'm really tired. Courtney Richter: Hahaha It's that gift right from the dark comes the light like it's that gift given to you of the going through this horrible time and how is your mom doing? Like Meghan: Yeah. She's doing better. We had some really rough patches. January, 2026 was really unenjoyable. She was in the hospital for 17 days. But we just got a decent pet scan back that like the chemo that she's doing is working well. So we're just kind of like hold on to that right now. But yeah, it's been like a a rough journey. So, but yeah, we're doing better. I dedicated the book to her. Courtney Richter: Ugh. How amazing. Yeah. I saw that, ⁓ Meghan: The dedication is pretty intense. I, yeah, I am really proud of this book and I hope that people find joy in it ⁓ during times, kind of like I did, because I just, you know, I really found that escape and, you know, I hope people find the same thing or just, you know, need a good laugh. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. It's the perfect, it is that though. It's the perfect summer rom-com grab. And honestly, so I jumped into it not realizing it was standalone. I had just come off the, just for the cameras and I was expecting it to be basically, Just For The Plot. Is that the one, the next one of that? That's coming in the summer. And that's what I was expecting. And then like, two pages in I'm like, whoa, what is this? And then like immediately it was pulled in and just on this ride. Like that's how Caitlin Stryker: think they will. Meghan: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Okay. Courtney Richter: quick and effective and fast-paced and hilarious this book is. Like, I was totally just looking for other character names. I'm like, wait, what? And like, then I was on it and gone, which was amazing. And then I also thought it might be connected to Till Summer Do Us Part, because something you're so good at is connecting your characters through so many stories. You get these like extended epilogues just by reading along in all the different series and they always touch in, which is so fantastic ⁓ about reading all your books. Meghan: Yeah. Courtney Richter: But this one truly is its own. It's like, it's not here. Rules For The Summer. There you go. one is its own and it's, I'm so grateful for it. I don't know how you do it. I mean, this one just came out in January. You had the Christmas one. You have another one coming out in July. Like it's insane. As you said, you stick to your deadlines, but ⁓ Meghan: Thank you. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah Well, she said how she does it. She sticks to her deadline. She goes into a black hole and writes through tragedy. Meghan: Yeah. Courtney Richter: but you're also a mom and a woman and in your port like we're in that we're both ⁓ Actors and were moms. We're also all like in our ⁓ 40s or to it Like it's not all working the same way that it used to. ⁓ And yet still somehow doing that ⁓ Meghan: Yes. you Caitlin Stryker: you Meghan: Yeah, it's definitely. Yeah, I turn I turn Courtney Richter: ⁓ it's coming up. the big one. Mm-hmm. Meghan: ⁓ Like she'll make sure the kids get to the practice or that everyone's fed or the laundry is done. Like, you know, there's a lot of things that she picks up so that I can do what I need to do, which is really great. So yeah, there's, you know, that whole aspect. It's just, it's not me doing it by myself. ⁓ Courtney Richter: Yeah, it's definitely a part of Caitlin Stryker: No, nobody's doing it alone. Yeah, it always takes a team. Absolutely. Okay, so you turn 40 soon, which is exciting. I hear it in your voice, you're like, I do. ⁓ I do remember that feeling. Yeah. Meghan: Yeah. Courtney

Richter: It's better, it's better on the other end. both were both, I always say 30 11, but 41. So we went through it last year together. And the, no, the anticipation's worse. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: I don't want to go back. I'm like, it's way more fun over here, but I wasn't sure about... Meghan: Yeah, I'm a little like, I remember when I turned 30, because I published when I think I was, I self published when I was like 28. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Amazing. Meghan: I remember it being difficult because not a lot of people took me seriously. And so when I turned 30, it was almost as if relationships changed and I that where people would be like pay attention a little bit more, you know, ⁓ or listen what I had to say. ⁓ And so hoping ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Mm. Meghan: you know, in the 40s that it gets to a point where, you know, I'm trying to like move into different spaces and then that those spaces would be offered to me because I maybe have that more maturity behind me. ⁓ So, yeah, you know, trying to get into the TV and film and it's just, yeah. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. it. I'm shocked that you haven't already because honestly, for one, that's the way everything's going now is everyone's just buying books and turning them into like a Cait and I had written a pilot and then we're like, Oh, wait, no, we have to make this a book to get it picked up as a pilot like it's gone. But aside from that being the current yours are so good. Like they are so worthy before like your Brentwood Boys series your Agitators like these are waiting to be developed into shows and then Caitlin Stryker: You will. Meghan: Yeah. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: So many. Courtney Richter: This one like this is ⁓ my gosh, your audiobook should be your calling card because this needs to be a movie. Yeah a hundred percent Caitlin Stryker: I love, I love they are a standalone, Meghan: Yeah, I- Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Meghan: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: as somebody who's popping in and reading. I also love how romance books, you can jump in at any point in any series. I've really learned, Court just throws books at me, ⁓ I'm usually popping in in the middle of a series. But this one, was like, ⁓ this is absolutely fantastic. And I wanted to dial back to ⁓ where were a little bit before, and you were like, I hope it brings people some light in dark times or whatever. Meghan: Thank Courtney Richter: you Caitlin Stryker: When there was a line that really stood out and it was just somebody, I think it was Theo or it was Kitty, and they were talking about not taking life so seriously, you know, and just like, just enjoying it all. And I was like, yes, we need so much more of that messaging. And then the book really felt that way too. And it really felt very present, you know? And as I was reading it, I just felt like I was able to just be right in the moment. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Meghan: you Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: having

a blast with these characters and I wasn't worried about everything else. And I remember I was like, I messaged Court. It was Friday night. I was like, it's Friday night, I'm home, my son's in bed, my husband's off at work, and I'm dying laughing, drinking a glass of wine reading this book. I was like, this is the best Friday ever. Meghan: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Yes. Meghan: mean, I appreciate that. That's exactly what looking for when I write these things. ⁓ I this one specifically with certain people in my mind, like, really, ⁓ like Theo I could see totally being like, you know, if you could pull off a British accent, like Theo. I wrote with Melissa McCarthy in my head as Aunt Kitty the entire time. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Yes. Oh that's hilarious! I was picturing a Melissa but little well I mean it has that Gilmore Girls feel to like a different thing but I a hundred percent was picturing someone like that when you were doing it Meghan: I'll like go about writing, in the last like year or two, writing the standalones with certain actors in my head. So that maybe one day they would like pick it up. And it's not to say that I don't have things in the works, because I have like a lot of stuff going on on the back end that like, I don't share because I don't want to get people excited. So like, Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Meghan: There's a lot of opportunity and a lot of doors open. It's just, it's such a long process. And the last thing that I really want is to get readers' hopes up, first of all. And then second of all, have to answer questions over and over again. Like, where is this? Where is this? How's it going? Anything? Any news? Any news? And it's just kind of like, you know what? Like when it's time, and something that I know for sure is going to be played through. Courtney Richter: Yes, it is. Meghan: then like you guys are gonna be the first to know, but that's not to say that things aren't happening or that I haven't seen things or... ⁓ Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Good. Courtney Richter: Well, they have to be your books are too good not to be like there has to be things coming your way. Meghan: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: I just realized, you know who I Courtney Richter: ⁓ yes. Yeah. Meghan: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yes. Meghan: Yeah. Did you look into it? Courtney Richter: ⁓ that hobby horsing. Yes, I've read it before to and something else. And I was like, where did she come across? I was like, this must have been something stuck in your head at one moment. You're like, I'm gonna make someone into hobby horsing at some point. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Meghan: It was I think it was like a thing that like ⁓ algorithm went crazy that day. And I was like, what the hell is this? ⁓ Courtney Richter: She loved the algorithm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Meghan: I was fascinated. I was like, need more. I need more. yeah, looked up. There was too much research done for that. ⁓ Courtney Richter: Yes, ⁓ I love it but as it should be. Caitlin Stryker: You're like, I fucked my algorithm for a while. Courtney Richter: What I loved about it too is how earnest she was in her love for and the building and you could see how that would all happen. Like one guy comes in is like, we need to up these videos are going and she's doing her training and on like on land on a kayak and like all this ridiculous things that worked. but it worked and it made so much sense and her despite her good intentions, letting Renley down so much is also such a true thing. I mean, all those people and that means so well, but there's just no follow through. ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Yes. Meghan: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: But it made so much sense. Meghan: ⁓ all the ideas, but no follow through. And there is always person in your life who's like that. ⁓ I think a lot of times I try to be as relatable as possible in scenarios of relationships. I ⁓ know, is fiance and financier, those words are really, really close when you spell them out. Courtney Richter: and you keep calling for it. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yes. Meghan: Is this a scenario that could really happen? I don't know, but... Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Hahaha! Meghan: Is there a scenario where you have someone in your life who you rely on because they were there during a dark time and maybe that relationship has shifted a little bit and it's a little bit different but you still cling on to it because of what they helped you through? I've had those relationships. And I think when it comes down to it, that's part of the heart of my books is that you will get the reality when it comes to those types of things. Caitlin Stryker: Bye. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Meghan: the journey to get there or some of the slapstick stuff that happens to me, you know. But that's all I'm going Courtney Richter: It's the best part. Caitlin Stryker: Do you find that so life ⁓ is a slapstick and maybe often more so when shit does get really because things will happen and you're like, are you fucking kidding me right now? And then if you like lens back on it and you don't take it seriously and you can laugh at yourself a little, it is hilarious. And it actually. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Meghan: Yeah. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: You can't... sometimes things will happen in real life and you're like, you can't write it. No one would believe it if you wrote it. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Meghan: This is a prime example. And this is like truly what happened. Like when we were in Houston with my mom, she was so but she needed to go to all of these appointments to get like basically to out what her treatment was going to be. And she but she was so ill that she was ⁓ my dad and I were pushing through the hospital in a wheelchair and she was throwing up constantly. And she had this like Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Meghan: the throw up bag and she's hunched over. my and I, she was getting like a CT scan or

something at one point. And it was like, you know, week, ⁓ four of the hell that we were going through. And my dad and I were sitting in the waiting room together eating a cinnamon bun. We kind of just look at each other, we just start laughing. Cause we're like, you can't, ⁓ can't write this stuff. We're like rolling around, Weekend At Bernie's like trying to get Courtney Richter: you Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: you Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: This is life. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah! Courtney Richter: Yeah. Meghan: her to appointments. Like she's It's just like one of those situations where we laugh about it now because it's like if you you cry about it, it's not going to do anything but you can laugh about it because that's just life in general. And so this is prime example. Exactly. Courtney Richter: had something like that with my grandpa and he was very sick in bed and we had to change his sheets and we were trying to help him. My mom was a nurse and she's like, we gotta pull here to get it out from under him. We can do it with him still in the bed. And we tried, we pulled and we literally almost him off the bed. We're like, he's like dying literally. And we're all like crying on the floor. Meghan: it's so true! ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: That's slapstick comedy right there. Courtney Richter: She's like this is, but that's what this this, ⁓ this book fills those moments like you, when you talk about the heart in your book, you really do find that heart and that's what always makes it so possible. Like just the word financier. Yeah. ⁓ It's just a funny word like ⁓ to use a serious way. Yeah. Meghan: Yeah. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Amazing. It does. Meghan: I know, it's true. It's not common. Yeah. Courtney Richter: We need a financier like that'll Caitlin Stryker: No. Yeah. Meghan: Yeah. Exactly. Caitlin Stryker: when they'd had enough margaritas. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: This just felt so uniquely its own story, which after, you know, the 123 including translations books you've written is extremely impressive. And I guess because you were going through something you've never gone through in your life and it brought up this other like energy, but it's, yeah, it's amazing. It really is. It was so much fun. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Meghan: Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, yeah, I did. I enjoyed the town as the villain because I think sometimes in these books, it's like, ⁓ and the small town is the like lovely place and everything's fine. And that's the hero. And it's like, okay, but not every small town is an idyllic, wonderful existence for everybody, you know, like, that was really fun. And then so then towards Meghan: Yeah. ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: I don't think we've given that many spoilers yet, so I am gonna say like we might get a spoiler here. But then towards the end when things started to go and I was like, wait, is she gonna wind up over in England at like the Sweet Shop there? I was like, ⁓ is this gonna come together? ⁓ I loved the setting. I mean, East Coast summer is so ideal. ⁓ Courtney Richter: Yeah. Meghan: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Meghan: That's what I, I, spent a lot of, cause I grew up in Southern California, but my entire family is from upstate New York. And so I spent a lot of times during the summer in upstate New York, just visiting family and like sleeping at my grandparents house. and so I just always, when I think of summer, I don't think of beaches. I don't think of, you know, going on vacation Europe. Like I think of like small East coast towns. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, it's so idyllic, cottage country. Like it just is, I think also because it's not always summer. You know, like summer is just that small, like three to four month period of like special, and then it's over. So it's that, that's why think why it feels more idyllic that Northeast summertime. I loved that, I loved Lamar, the driver to and from Boston. Courtney Richter: Death. Cottage country. Meghan: Yeah. Yeah. Courtney Richter: That was so funny the uber driver. Oh my gosh Caitlin Stryker: Yes. And I've had that experience in real life, being in that part of the world. It's all so close together. My husband was filming a movie in Western Massachusetts and we were flying in and out of Boston to visit him. And then we wanted to go visit Boston for the day or whatever. And I remember getting taxi drivers or Uber drivers from Western Mass to Boston and vice versa, which is a very far distance, first of all, for an Uber driver to take you, which then Meghan: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Meghan: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: also leads to all kinds of talk about like life comedic situations that happen, you know, and I was reading it I was like oh my gosh okay so this is clearly like this didn't just happen to us this is like a thing over there. Meghan: Yeah. I've been in my fair share of Uber's or car services at this point to understand how those conversations go. And so initially, it was just going to be kind of a nosy driver. And then when I was going through, was like, oh my God, let's bring this full circle. You know what I mean? Like, you got to bring him back. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Right? Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. It was the best. Caitlin Stryker: He got it. I loved it. I loved it. He came back and they were like going to get all the candy. And then I loved you. And he was like telling them he's like, he was like, when you dropped in, we didn't understand all the different like types of sweets and candies. He was helping us because of course they're British. They have different candy over there, right? He's like, I got the Tootsie Rolls. I was like, Tootsie Rolls! I love Tootsie Rolls! Meghan: Yeah. Courtney Richter: you Meghan: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: It was just so likable. Courtney Richter: It was all those little things you added even his world as a

Lord like obviously I don't know how things work there I don't know if someone's still just told to be married but it's enough that I'm like sure I'll go with this he's gonna be forced to marry Walinda like sure that's how it works great we'll go with that. 100 % and I was on board with that I'm like this works. And I love even the stuff you wrote about him Meghan: Me either. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Meghan: Yes. I mean... Caitlin Stryker: The armpit. Meghan: I convinced myself and I said, yep, sounds about right. Courtney Richter: when he was fixing things with her and how that built his confidence and he became like so engrossed in it. Like I literally watched that happen with my husband who was very much not handy until we bought a house and then my dad kind of like forced him to be handy with them. And on the side we had babies and doing things and so and the pride he would get and the little things he would figure out and plumbing and switching and like being able to put on a washer like the amount of pride from this thing that I'm like, I've done that since I was a teenager. Caitlin Stryker: You Meghan: Yeah. think it's such a contrast Courtney Richter: Thank you. Yes. You did that a lot. There's so many things you kind of like flipped on their head in this book, but it worked out so well. It was so refreshing to see and the whole mouse scene and everything. It was just so funny. ⁓ Oh my gosh. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, it was really great. Meghan: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: laughing with the mouse scene and then Rupert passes out and Theo's throwing up. was like, ⁓ oh my god you guys. ⁓ Meghan: So. ⁓ like having Rupert ⁓ and Theo a little bit more feminine, I think was just, it was so much more fun to play with, like comedy wise than having, cause it's usually like quirky, like heroine, which I have written so many times, you know, ⁓ bothering the grumpy carpenter, whatever, you know what I mean? But I think having, Caitlin Stryker: I love them so much. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Right. Meghan: that like switch was just so much fun. And him just going all in like, yeah, like, ⁓ oh my gosh, I have to go get some trainers. Because I only have my loafers ⁓ Ok. Courtney Richter: I love the tassels so much. Because it is like that one thing that you could like, just can't like, literally, I to take these off your shoes. They can't handle ⁓ And the timing of that I think you I think your instincts on that was also right on because we're in the world you didn't know this when you were writing it. But now with the like, Hudson Williams / Connor Storrie friendship blasting everywhere of people accepting that the bigger bromance being like front and center and that showing their love for each other and the hugs and how beautiful that can be. It's so Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ my gosh. Meghan: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: on point and timely with what you just wrote in this book as well. So it's really great because that is reality and how men also are with each other and having that represented is so fun to see. And also you made him sexy. Like, yes, they're more feminine and tight, but then like your descriptions and their body are also like, and I want to be in that pond swimming naked with him as well. yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Which, yes, yes, let's get to that. Let's get to this one. Okay, so, Court and I have a, we have a pumpkin spice meter, because we're basic like that, and we're celebrating it. ⁓ And so. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. all things Fall. ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: Love it. And so then we were like, now our spice meter rating for Courtney Richter: I this one at a three and a half, four on the pumpkin spice meter for me. I always say four is when like I can't read it on a bus that I'd get like embarrassed on a bus reading it in front of people. And there they are, moments of that. like I would say it, cause your spice is just always so spicy and I love it so much. I so. Caitlin Stryker: Totally. Meghan: I like the hair. Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: So good. Meghan: I think I'm a solid three, three and a half, I would agree. I think I bring out interesting things and some of the scenes are like 2 to 5,000 words, which is like a really long drawn out sex scene. But I won't ⁓ well thank you. Because you're panting and you're like wanting to get more. ⁓ I have had some people give me like ones before and I'm like, please. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: They never feel like it. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Exactly. Courtney Richter: One. Meghan: What is your five, okay? What is your five? Caitlin Stryker: five is too much for me. I'll tell you that much. You and Court are like, yeah, it's like a three to three and a half five in a three and half, four. I'm like, yeah, this is like a three and a half four. Not again, it's not like there's like wild things you've never heard of happening, but it's like so hot. Courtney Richter: What? No, you have not written a one. Caitlin Stryker: It's just so hot and the pond, the pond and then the light coming out of the pond and because they're like we're in nature and I kept being like, I had to redo a little bit of the geography in my head on where the pond was because I was like, wait a minute. Maybe I put the pond too close to the houses. Meghan: It's very, it's, yeah. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Meghan: I think you might have. Caitlin Stryker: We're gonna some trees. ⁓ But I here for ⁓ it. The rope, I love the pond and the swing was so romantic. It was so like, and then that we got the full on I love like, the leading in with the dares. ⁓ I dare you. I dare you. Truth, dare and I was like, we're going there in the pond. Amazing. Meghan: Yeah. I mean, there are trees, they have a tree swing or whatever. Courtney Richter: Yeah, no, it's slowly. Meghan: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: ⁓ I love the truth or dare aspect of it

too. Yes. Meghan: Yeah Courtney Richter: Yes. And it's such a great flirting tool because no one's gonna say no, you want to do it. And you're like, which way is this gonna go? And I 100 million percent believe that Theo and Rupert never back down from a dare. Like that, to me, it was like, never even a question. Like, yes, they if you're dared, they have to do it. Like, that's just what happened. Caitlin Stryker: It was very hot. Meghan: Okay. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yeah, yeah. And then, and then, you know, then we move it to like into the house because then she's totally on board, friendly and everything. And, and then we break the kitchen table. And I was like, and this is my favorite book ever. Courtney Richter: And Rupert being so sad the kitchen table. ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: He was so mad! But was he more mad because his headphones didn't work? You know? Meghan: Yeah. You guys are reminding me so much about this book. I'm like, ⁓ yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah. I even ever did that. ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: forgot that happened. I also love... You did. It's very... Yeah. Mm-hmm. Wow. Meghan: Yeah, every day at the kitchen table. Courtney Richter: ⁓ We had the authors, Ellis Hunter on here and there were, they have a fan- romantacy series, Blood Bound and they're now getting their second book. It's getting steamier and they haven't really written steamier. They're first time novelists. ⁓ And they were talking to us like, but what's a good word for vagina from female point of view? And that's where they're getting stuck. I'm like, ⁓ Meghan: Yeah. Courtney Richter: paying attention to him like, yeah, it's usually the guy or the other person that really describes it. The girl doesn't actually say it's more like and then he put his lips on me or he liked my like, it's not. And I've come to that I'm like, there's not really just a good word from a female point of view because we don't I'm not like it's like you do think touch me you're not like touch my vagina like it's like, I think it's just that relationship to it. And I was paying attention to that when reading this only because we had just talked to them about it. And I was like, Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Meghan: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. you Meghan: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah, it's not about that. Because I had no you don't need that word there because there was never a moment that I'm like, what is she talking about? Are he talking about it's like Meghan: It's about how you rework the sentences to make them understand where they are without actually having to say it. Courtney Richter: Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And you do that very well. Meghan: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: do really do it very well. I, Court knows this thing about me. Sometimes I'm like, okay, and I'll be looking, I'm like, I'm 50%. Finally, we're gonna get some heat. ⁓ It's like, ⁓ Court's we have build them to the slow burn. I'm like, but do we? ⁓ She's like, yes, we And I have, I have come to appreciate it. Courtney Richter: Cait's not a big slow burn girl. Meghan: We do. I'll tell you right now, it's so hard. It's so hard to write a book that they like do it right out of the gate or they do it like within the first like 20, 30 % because then to me, it's like, what's the rest of the story about? Like, it's hard for me to like, to me, the build up the big moment is when they do it for the first time. And so if I let it happen, like earlier on, I'm like, I don't even know how to write the rest of the book, you know, ⁓ just keep doing it. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Meghan: Like every second they get. Like it just doesn't make sense to me. And so, ⁓ and I've written one book recently where, The Path To Loving Him, where it's like the first chapter, it's like a one night stand and I go all in on it. And then it's just, and even my wife read it and she was like, can they stop fucking? They're like, this is not, and I'm like, I don't know what else to do with them. They did it early and now they just have to keep doing it. Caitlin Stryker: you Yeah. Courtney Richter: they just have to until they fall in love. It's the reverse. ⁓ Usually it means they're gonna end up together and like a romantic, everyone's having sex, you're like, ⁓ the one of them secretly the bad person, the bad guy. But in these, there's like, you need that balance and you just like you need foreplay Sometimes there's a pain in the butt and you just want to get to and get done and that works on some days. But in general, the longer you can warm it up. Yes. ⁓ Meghan: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: I'll see you in the next one. Yeah. Meghan: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Meghan: I need to someplace. I'm not just paying in Caitlin Stryker: we get into your sex scenes, and they are so great. You really do. Court said it before, but you write a great sex scene. They're very hot. They're very fun, Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: and very believable and like fall into that perfect, you know, three and a half scale level where although funnily enough, you guys, was reading this. I did finish this book last night on the plane with my son on one side and a perfect stranger on the other. And of course, then I'm into like where ⁓ I believe it was from the kitchen table breaking onwards. So we were having a lot of sex and I was like... Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Meghan: god. Caitlin Stryker: side to side. ⁓ on my phone so it's lit up. I'm just hoping that he's just paying attention to his Nintendo over here. ⁓ person over here is not. Because I was like, this kind of breaks the bus rule, but I gotta power through. Meghan: That's funny. Courtney Richter: I did it! Yeah. Meghan: You're fine. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: I was Meghan: I'm that person, I will look at people's stuff all the time on airplanes and I ⁓ one looking at my stuff. When I'm writing, I'm like, don't even look over here. But if a guy is texting on the plane or something, I'm like, what do

you got going on there? ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah. ⁓ Me Caitlin Stryker: god, Me too. I am ⁓ so I like to look in people's windows at night. I love an evening walk so you can see in ⁓ and adore when I catch a snippet of someone else's text or someone's laptop. ⁓ I'm even being judgmental. I'm just curious. Like it could be anything and I'll be like, ⁓ oh nice. Oh right on. There's no part of me that's like, ⁓ oh my god. I'm just like, I want to know. ⁓ Meghan: Yeah. I love that. Yes. Courtney Richter: Yes. I'm very excited. Yeah. Meghan: Yeah. Thank Yeah. I've really mastered the head straight on with the tilted eyes of being able to read. And I might have hurt something in my eyeballs in order to strain them too much in order to really see what's going on. But I am so invested in other people's business that I will do whatever it takes. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Nice. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Courtney Richter: How the Neighbor Stole Christmas came out. And she was like, Courtney, there's a candy cane scene. ⁓ She sold it her spice meter. Meghan: Absolutely. Courtney Richter: I rather than my chicken handle. She was very like, ⁓ I can't look at a candy cane the same way Meghan: That whole scene came from my team. They dared me. And they were like, use the candy cane as cleanup. And I was like, you guys are so disgusting. And I was like, let me just type that up real quick. Courtney Richter: You That's what your holiday books are. That's what I love though. It's literally like throw some of your guys to well, yep, that can happen. Let's do it. That's happening. Caitlin Stryker: I love the full circle though of that where you're like, and ⁓ yeah, this holiday book with the candy, and she goes, ⁓ right, a dare. Because dares are such a big part of Rules For The Summer. Courtney Richter: Yes! Meghan: Yep, that's- I'll do it. Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ now we know where the dares come from. Meghan Quinn is here for a game of Truth or Dare. Meghan: listen to my readers all the time. Like they will, I'll read the reviews, see what they like, see what they don't like. I stay away from three stars because those really hurt. But one stars to me are funny. And Courtney Richter: you And also just not true. I've literally read all your books and I read like 135 books a year. I read every romance author and I'm telling you, you have not written anything, I wouldn't even say close to three star. I would say all of them. So ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: I was gonna say, was like, ⁓ you read the reviews, that's brave. Meghan: Thank you. Yeah, three stars, it's like I really missed the mark and that's really hurtful. But a one star, it's like they're usually complaining about something and they're really emotional about it. And I want to write them and say, this would actually be a five star because I made you so emotional about fictional characters that you should give me a five star because like I really brought you into the story. so, ⁓ Caitlin

Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Yeah, but also not. Caitlin Stryker: Obviously. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Totally. Meghan: But yeah, I'll read what people didn't like or liked, or readers will post in my reader group different things that they've seen. And that's how Till Summer Do Us Part came about. Someone posted a meme about a scenario. it was a couple. They were like, I'd love to see a couple go to marriage counseling who don't know each other. And I was like, don't. Mine and I do. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: I- that is brilliant. I mean, now I- you said that and I was like, I wanna read that book. Courtney Richter: Yes, you need to read it, Cait. I've got here but there's I remember the Brentwood Boys you said something like, well, I talked to you about my feelings. I mean, some people said I talked to it for about 15 minutes too long. Like you comment in your books often about the books before and comments you've gotten that I think is so funny. And I love that so much. Caitlin Stryker: I want to read that book. I love that log line. Meghan: Okay. Caitlin Stryker: Ha! Meghan: Yeah. I will troll my readers in a loving way where it's like, I'll take their comments. And, and it could be funny. And I'll just insert them in or be like, oh, this author could have like ended this book like long ago. It's just because it's all fun. No, like, like, seriously. Courtney Richter: you Yes. It is! It's the sense of humor. Meghan: Let's not take ourselves that seriously. This is just fun literature. We're just having a good time. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: These are romance books, which also though, will say you can dig in and start to take them seriously and be like, hang on, there is a lot of good stuff going on here. You know what I mean? but also, yeah, but also it's romance. So we got to just have fun as well. Courtney Richter: In the books you mean? Yeah. It's fun. We get to celebrate it and get horny and read a book and give our husbands good blow jobs because of Meghan Quinn. can keep it up. ⁓ can be your next highlight, right? Well. Caitlin Stryker: Thank you. Listen, we're here to learn. Meghan: I'm here to serve. ⁓ Courtney Richter: Yeah. knew ⁓ you and your wife that that's where you were going to be? That's teaching. Yeah. Yes, it's all from first. I remember the Brentwood book was the first book of yours I read, the Brentwood Boys, and from your first line of him falling asleep with his hand on her boob and their Meghan: I mean, she's fine with it, so it is what it is. Caitlin Stryker: Ha ha ha! Meghan: Yeah. Courtney Richter: I'm like, ⁓ oh she's hilarious. Like this, was just so perfect. I think that's like my favorite ⁓ It's so funny and well done. And from then on the ride has just gotten better and better. So whatever you're ⁓ just keep going with it. Meghan: Mm-hmm. Yeah. No, thank you. I appreciate it. Caitlin Stryker: It's amazing. ⁓ This book is so good. I love now that we learned that it is a one-off, Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn and it's perfect summer read. I feel like romance readers also, and this is where I'm like, ⁓ I was one all along, I just didn't know it, but we love a theme. We love to be ⁓ on theme our readers. It's like, me the book at Christmas, give me the summer book, give me the winter book. This is such good summer read. Meghan: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Yes. Mm-hmm. Yes. Meghan: Thank you. Caitlin Stryker: Highly, Highly recommend. is unhinged slapstick but grounded in reality and you just get to have ⁓ much fun. ⁓ It was great. ⁓ was great. And thank you so much for coming on and joining us today. This was a big one for us. Court's very excited. She's read all your books. So yeah. Courtney Richter: guest. Meghan: Thank you. Thank you. Courtney Richter: Yeah, everyone read it. Meghan: Mm-hmm. Thank you for having me. Courtney Richter: Yes, you. Caitlin Stryker: Thank you so much for coming on, Meghan Quinn. And that's it for today's episode of Cait and Court's Cozy Corner. Keep cozy, keep reading. We'll be back with you soon. Bye. Courtney Richter: Bye. Meghan: Thank you guys.