Interview with Amy Rose Novoa, Author of The Shadows Between Us
21 May 2025
What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Shadows Between Us?
It started as a joke with my daughter, imagining a real-life relationship drama playing out like a Lifetime movie. But that playful moment sparked a deeper idea: what happens when someone realizes their entire relationship is built on lies? Kirbey’s journey grew from that spark. She’s not based on one person, but she’s rooted in real emotions—fear, resilience, and the fight to reclaim control.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Shadows Between Us, what would they be?
Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift for Kirbey representing her feelings of broken trust and betrayal. Demons by Imagine Dragons for Ryan – this captures his guilt and inner struggles.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I’ve always been drawn to psychological thrillers and domestic suspense. There’s something about peeling back the layers of a seemingly normal life to reveal the darkness underneath that completely captivates me. I love stories where nothing is as it seems—where a single secret can unravel everything. That’s also what I love to write. With The Shadows Between Us, I wanted to create a story that felt intimate and personal, yet carried the weight of suspense and emotional twists.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
I recently finished The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden, and I couldn’t put it down. Her pacing and twists are just so sharp. Next up is The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine and Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris—both have been sitting on my list far too long, and I’m ready for those jaw-dropping turns and emotional mind games. But truthfully? The book I’m spending the most time with right now is the sequel to The Shadows Between Us. I’m deep in the writing process, chasing down twists and building on the emotional aftermath of book one. If all goes well, it’ll be out by mid-summer—and I can’t wait to share what’s waiting in the shadows next.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Describing the areas in San Francisco and Alameda in several scenes where my favorite. I grew up in Alameda and later lived in San Francisco, and those settings have always felt like more than just backdrops. They’re layered with memories for me—of foggy mornings, long walks near the water, and the bittersweet pull of both safety and change. We may outgrow the places we come from, but they never really leave us.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Oh, definitely. For starters, I talk through scenes out loud—sometimes while pacing, sometimes while cooking, and often while cornering my partner Rex with, “Okay, just listen to this and tell me if it sounds crazy…” He’s a good sport about being my unofficial sounding board. I always have either strong coffee or a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc nearby (depending on the mood and time of day), and my four dogs have a habit of curling up near my desk like they’re guarding the story as it comes out. I write best when I can look out and get lost in the blue sky and flowers, or go for a walk on the beach—it’s where everything seems to untangle. My process isn’t always tidy, but it’s mine. A little chaotic, a little coastal, and very much fueled by love, caffeine, and conversation.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Yes—“When you can’t see the path, take the next brave step anyway.” It’s something I’ve had to remind myself through different seasons of life—parenthood, heartbreak, reinvention, and now writing. You don’t always need to know exactly where you’re going. You just have to keep moving forward, especially when it’s hard. That’s a thread that runs through my characters, too. They don’t have all the answers, but they find the strength to keep going, to trust that the truth will come, and to fight for the life they deserve. That’s the kind of resilience I believe in—messy, imperfect, and real.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Writing The Shadows Between Us wasn’t just about crafting twists or suspense—it was about exploring what it feels like to wake up inside a life that no longer feels like yours. I’ve lived through seasons where I second-guessed everything, where survival looked like smiling on the outside and falling apart inside. What I want readers to remember is that trusting your gut, asking hard questions, and walking away from what doesn’t serve you isn’t weakness—it’s courage.
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