“If We Never End” by Laura Taylor Namey
“I wanted to write something that’s this love story, it’s star-crossed. It should be impossible. The universe, the laws of nature say, ‘this is not going to pan out for you, Sylvie. You cannot have Penn. He is gone. He is beyond you. You’re never going to have him, no matter how much you love him.’ And what if that’s not true?
Not everything is a ‘no.’ Even if the universe says so, even if gravity and physics say so… That was really in the back of my mind that I wanted you to feel that all things are possible…”
When we turned to page one of If We Never End, we were ready for the paranormal romance and Sylvie’s atmospheric, magical summer. Both of those were delivered, but this story was so much more. It was tender and poignant, with deep themes around coming-of-age and loneliness that moved us and made this YA romance so meaningful.
The narrative: about If We Never End
Sylvie is prepared for this summer to look like each one before. She’ll be in Sacred, Oregon with her aunt Tia while her friends vacation and her parents work. She loves her aunt, but she’s used to being left alone.
But her summer changes drastically once she finds a vintage watch in a thrift store that summons a ghost boy each time she turns the crown. After the initial fright, Sylvie learns the boy is named Penn, and however he’s connected to the watch is magical and mysterious.
Together, Sylvie and Penn set out to discover more about Penn, who he is, how he died, and what his connection to the watch truly is. But amidst this quest, Sylvie and Penn can’t help but form a deeper connection – one that isn’t possible in the long run. And the secrets they uncover (seriously, the twist…) put more than heartbreak on the line.
The nightcap
A book as magical and atmospheric as If We Never End pairs best with a cozy companion, one that’s natural and earthy. Laura’s nightcap pairing is hot ginger tea, perfect for winding down after a busy day of writing or when you’re back in the pages of this poignant story. It’s soothing for the twist you won’t see coming and comforting as you contemplate the impossible connection between Sylvie and Penn.
In the episode
Get to know Laura in this episode of Narratives & Nightcaps. We chat about:
Laura’s typical writing days, a writing “rule” she doesn’t follow, and how music drives her creativity and voice.
After writing five contemporary novels, Laura wanted to explore a differenty style to bring a new sense of “wonder” to her stories while maintaining the core elements of her characters.
How writing If We Never End was “painfully” emotional at times and the importance of that in her writing process.
Plus, Laura shares more about writing YA fiction, her author and publishing journey, and the feelings you’ll be left with when you turn the final page of If We Never End.
It’s true, we haven’t stopped thinking about this conversation with Laura. For aspiring authors and readers alike, Laura’s passion, expertise, and insights shine through this episode and her storytelling style in a way that will make you believe… believe in yourself, believe in everyday magic, believe in the “impossible.”
Listen to the full author interview on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Purchase your copy here.
Connect with Laura and listen to her on The Darling Killers Podcast!