Interview with ‘Coming Back To You’ author, Lilly Hayden, on why she chose to write about Huntington’s disease
Lily Hayden writes ‘chick lit with a kick’ novels. Books for modern day women who want modern day heroines. Lily's characters want sizzling romance, rewarding careers and equal partnerships, but like all of us, they face many challenges and it isn't always easy. In this interview, we hear from Lily as she tells us why she chose to include Huntington’s disease in her novel and why she’s donating all 2020 royalties to us!
About the author
A mother to four children, Lily graduated with a degree in Business in her hometown in South Wales and enjoyed a successful career in Financial Services before fulfilling a lifelong ambition to write books. Her debut novel Butterflies, a heart-warming alternative to the traditional boy-meets-girl story, was released in 2018, reaching readers all over the world and she is the author of six books, including a Young Adult Dystopian novel Project Terra under the alias SJ Woods.
Please can you briefly tell us about the plot of your book? Why did you choose to write this novel?
“‘Coming Back To You’ is a bittersweet romance about first loves and second chances.”
‘From the moment that Emma met Ryan, she knew he was the one for her, but he leaves her heartbroken when he betrays her and disappears from her life, only to return and shatter her heart for a second time.
It feels like fate when life throws them back together as adults. Emma is living a charmed life with a beautiful family and her art career beginning to take off, but she can’t help feeling like her heart is pulling her back to her first love.
But Ryan is still keeping secrets, and she has to decide whether to turn away from him forever or keep fighting for their love against all odds.’
“There’s something so magical about first love, and I felt compelled to write a story where things weren’t as black-and-white as my previous books. Both Emma and Ryan make mistakes in life and in love, neither of them is perfect, but then who really is? I love a happy-ever-after, but these tend to differ in fiction to real-life. Coming Back To You has a different kind of happy-ever-after where (I hope) we remember that the journey can be far more important than the destination.”
Why did you choose to write about Huntington's disease? What is your connection to the disease?
“I’m no expert on Huntington’s Disease, but I met a lady when I was writing my first book back in 2017 who was living with the illness. Learning about the uncertainties, the symptoms, and the challenges was a real eye-opener and it’s something that has really stuck with me. I since learned that one of my best friend’s family has a history of Huntington’s, and invaluable resources such as the personal accounts from people living with or caring for family with Huntington’s has been inspirational.”
Are you raising money for the Huntington's Disease Association via the sale of your book?
“All 2020 royalties are going to the Huntington’s Disease Association raising vital funds for support and research. While COVID-19 has impacted everyone, it’s important to remember that charities have been affected by the lack of fundraising opportunities during this uncertainty. I’m no JK Rowling, unfortunately, but I hope to raise awareness and money for a really great cause.”
How do you hope your book impacts the Huntington's community/Huntington's disease?
“It’s so important for us all to see a diverse range of people and relationships in books. One of my favourite things about writing contemporary fiction is the ability to bring very real issues as well as a range of representative characters into my stories.
I hope this book raises awareness of Huntington’s disease amongst my regular readers, as well as to new readers along the way, and will hopefully encourage new donations too.”
Thank you so much to Lily for providing this interview. It has been a great insight and we hope the book raises lots of funds and awareness.
You can purchase ‘Coming Back To You’ via Amazon using the link below. Remember, if you use Amazon Smile, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the net purchase price to us!
Purchase 'Coming Back To You' here
If you are affected by Huntington’s disease and need support or advice, please contact us on 0151 331 544 or email [email protected]
Lily Hayden writes ‘chick lit with a kick’ novels. Books for modern day women who want modern day heroines. Lily's characters want sizzling romance, rewarding careers and equal partnerships, but like all of us, they face many challenges and it isn't always easy. In this interview, we hear from Lily as she tells us why she chose to include Huntington’s disease in her novel and why she’s donating all 2020 royalties to us!
About the author
A mother to four children, Lily graduated with a degree in Business in her hometown in South Wales and enjoyed a successful career in Financial Services before fulfilling a lifelong ambition to write books. Her debut novel Butterflies, a heart-warming alternative to the traditional boy-meets-girl story, was released in 2018, reaching readers all over the world and she is the author of six books, including a Young Adult Dystopian novel Project Terra under the alias SJ Woods.
Please can you briefly tell us about the plot of your book? Why did you choose to write this novel?
“‘Coming Back To You’ is a bittersweet romance about first loves and second chances.”
‘From the moment that Emma met Ryan, she knew he was the one for her, but he leaves her heartbroken when he betrays her and disappears from her life, only to return and shatter her heart for a second time.
It feels like fate when life throws them back together as adults. Emma is living a charmed life with a beautiful family and her art career beginning to take off, but she can’t help feeling like her heart is pulling her back to her first love.
But Ryan is still keeping secrets, and she has to decide whether to turn away from him forever or keep fighting for their love against all odds.’
“There’s something so magical about first love, and I felt compelled to write a story where things weren’t as black-and-white as my previous books. Both Emma and Ryan make mistakes in life and in love, neither of them is perfect, but then who really is? I love a happy-ever-after, but these tend to differ in fiction to real-life. Coming Back To You has a different kind of happy-ever-after where (I hope) we remember that the journey can be far more important than the destination.”
Why did you choose to write about Huntington's disease? What is your connection to the disease?
“I’m no expert on Huntington’s Disease, but I met a lady when I was writing my first book back in 2017 who was living with the illness. Learning about the uncertainties, the symptoms, and the challenges was a real eye-opener and it’s something that has really stuck with me. I since learned that one of my best friend’s family has a history of Huntington’s, and invaluable resources such as the personal accounts from people living with or caring for family with Huntington’s has been inspirational.”
Are you raising money for the Huntington's Disease Association via the sale of your book?
“All 2020 royalties are going to the Huntington’s Disease Association raising vital funds for support and research. While COVID-19 has impacted everyone, it’s important to remember that charities have been affected by the lack of fundraising opportunities during this uncertainty. I’m no JK Rowling, unfortunately, but I hope to raise awareness and money for a really great cause.”
How do you hope your book impacts the Huntington's community/Huntington's disease?
“It’s so important for us all to see a diverse range of people and relationships in books. One of my favourite things about writing contemporary fiction is the ability to bring very real issues as well as a range of representative characters into my stories.
I hope this book raises awareness of Huntington’s disease amongst my regular readers, as well as to new readers along the way, and will hopefully encourage new donations too.”
Thank you so much to Lily for providing this interview. It has been a great insight and we hope the book raises lots of funds and awareness.
You can purchase ‘Coming Back To You’ via Amazon using the link below. Remember, if you use Amazon Smile, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the net purchase price to us!
Purchase 'Coming Back To You' here
If you are affected by Huntington’s disease and need support or advice, please contact us on 0151 331 544 or email [email protected]