Enjoy a morning of light-hearted discussion and belly laughs as we explore the recent glow-up of the much loved rom-com genre in books and film. 

With the revival of the rom-com comes fresh new perspectives, diverse and relatable characters, and deliciously witty banter, proving that love stories can still be fun, relatable and deeply satisfying.

Modern authors are bringing back all the charm, humour and heart we love from classic rom-coms and giving them a fresh and fun makeover – and our panel of special guests are ready to share the secret to writing the perfect rom-com!

Joining us for this In Conversation event is the undisputed Queen of Australian women’s fiction, Rachael Johns – heading to Brisbane this February for the launch of her new contemporary romance comedy, The Bad Bridesmaid. 

Boasting some of the biggest names in Australian romance, this not-to-be-missed panel features: 

• The ringmaster of romance, Rachael Johns – The Bad Bridesmaid, The Other Bridget, Outback Reunion, and many, many more
• Amy Andrew – award-winning and USA Today best-selling author of 80+ contemporary romances with over 3 million books sold, including favourites Look What You Made Me Do, Breaking The Ice and more. 
• Louisa Duval – writer of rural romances set in the fictional country town of Ballydoon, including Whisky and Sunshine, A Very Wilde Ever After, Memories of Ash, and Ignite.
• Panel moderated by Ally Blake – prolific writer of fairy tales for grown ups, including Always The Bridesmaid, Secretly Married to a Prince, The Billion-Dollar Bachelor series, and co-founder of How To Write Academy

We’ll explore the best of the modern rom-com, from relatable and quirky heroines, witty, laugh-out loud dialogue, and all the classic tropes that make a good rom-com – enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity and second chances – to diversity in love stories, and how a dash of realism can truly connect a reader with a story. 

Strap in for an entertaining hour of discussion and laughter as the panel talks all things rom-com and why we’re seeing a resurgence in the genre.

Book signings: After the In Conversation, authors will be signing books in the Angelika foyer. You can also purchase the authors’ books (and many more) at the Shelf Lovers pop-up bookstore in the foyer.

Stay a while: Enjoy a day out at Blussh! 

Come early and join us for Love and Lattes on the Lawn from 8.30am, a free event with coffee and live poetry reading to kick off your morning.