“Ancient History Between Us” by Kaitlyn Hill
“I think I enjoy so so so much the guarantee of a happy ending, HEA. The resolution in the end just always going to be the most satisfying part to me as a reader. I enjoy a good struggle to get there and the yearning and the ups and downs… and the ending is way more powerful for having gone through all of that.”
Cue your favorite ABBA song because we have a “Mamma Mia!” inspired, unforgettable Italian summer ahead filled with second chances and a search for family. Author Kaitlyn Hill is inviting readers to explore a sweet blend of romance, history, and adventure in her newest YA romance, Ancient History Between Us.
In our latest author conversation on Narratives & Nightcaps, Kaitlyn shared more on the inspiration for the story, including her own experiences in Italy and the moment everything “clicked.” Plus, she reflects on the challenges experienced in bringing this story to life, how different her process looked from her first three books, and her advice for other writers and creators.
The narrative: about Ancient History Between Us
It’s been three years since Cammie and West saw each other and last spoke. Growing up, they were best friends, until one moment changed everything.
Now, they’re both spending the summer at an Italian villa, celebrating their parents’ famous archeological discovery on its 20th anniversary.
But Cammie doesn’t plan on just staying in the villa or helping with the documentary being filmed. This trip is an opportunity for a bigger quest, and she’s determined to search for the father she’s never met. With the help of her mother’s journal from 20 years ago, Cammie looks for clues as to who he could be and sets out to find the contenders. With West in tow, unexpectedly at first, the two are forced to face old and new feelings and the truth about their past.
The nightcap
A sun-soaked Italian summer, even if we’re only reading about it, calls for something citrusy and refreshing. Kaitlyn’s go-to pairing — a sparkling lemonade (or Limonata). You can buy cans or glasses already prepared or try to make it yourself with just 1 part fresh lemon juice, 1 part sugar, 1 part water, and 3-4 parts sparkling water. Of course, there’s always the cocktail version if you’d prefer! Just swap the lemon juice and simple syrup for Limoncello. It’s crisp, fizzy, and immediately says, “Salute, Italia!”
In the episode
Get to know Kaitlyn in this episode of Narratives & Nightcaps. We chat about:
Kaitlyn’s personal experiences that she used to paint a vivid picture of summer in Naples and the adventures that come with that area. “I just think it’s not one that I see depicted a whole lot in popular fiction. And so it was really fun for me to get to kind of highlight the city that I’d spent time in and cool places there,” she said.
Layered with subplots, Kaitlyn shares how different her writing process was for this story compared to her previous three and the ways that contributed to each characters’ journey and a range of emotions.
What she loves most about the romance genre as a reader and writer, and lessons she’s learned over the course of four books. “You’re always going to figure it out in the end, and come back to that baseline of this what you love to do and telling stories is what you love to do… trust yourself, give yourself grace, and give yourself time and space to figure it out.”
Ancient History Between Us is more than just a romance; it’s an invitation to experience Italy, family, self-discovery, and love. And as with every book, there’s more to the story behind the story.
Listen to the full author interview on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Purchase your copy here.
Connect with Kaitlyn!