I don’t have very many hidden Easter eggs in my book…aside from locations that Angelinos might recognize — Pitfire Pizza is a real restaurant on Venice Blvd, Annesley College where Paige works is located where Pepperdine University resides, although I completely rewrote the architecture and overall vibe to match my own University of the Pacific in Stockton (Pepperdine architecture is much more modern than the brick and ivy buildings I describe). Liam’s apartment on a small walk-street in Santa Monica is an actual location on fourth street, and I think of him every time I drive by. And it’s possible that maybe some of the PTA moms I describe might be recognized by my former teaching partner, Martha, but I will not go into more detail than that.
I made Jackie’s hometown Rockaway, Long Island as a shout-out to my great friend, Roberta, who was also born and raised there.
There’s an exchange between Paige and her sister, Rose, near the end, where Rose suggests using a sandwich board and a bell to help Paige reconcile with Liam. That was pulled from a hilarious (to us) text exchange with my friend Aimee, about strategies we might use to help each other promote our books.
My most special Easter egg, though, is for my youngest, Ben, and a little routine we have at bedtime. Every night after I’ve turned out the light and settled the dog on his bed, one of us will say, “I love you.” The other one must respond, “I love you more.” And then the first one will be able to say, “Not possible.” This is what Paige and Miles say to each other at various times throughout the book, and I wanted to memorialize it.
The Ones We Choose is now on sale!
