healing hearts and steamy tropes: cassandra moll’s recipe for romance
Cassandra Moll's books delve into the emotional depths of love, healing, and second chances. Her works, Daring Destiny and Beautifully Broken, explore complex characters navigating trauma and romance. In this interview, we explore her writing process, the themes that inspire her, and the powerful stories behind her books.
Beautifully Broken
Tropes: Healing Love, Grief, Different Worlds, Found Family
Beautifully Broken tells the story of Jamison, a mechanic who has spent years trying to escape the shadows of his painful past after aging out of the foster care system. Despite his efforts to move on, the weight of his history continues to follow him. Claire, a middle school English teacher from a loving family, finds herself at a crossroads, torn between holding onto an old dream and embracing the possibility of a new path. When fate, and a 1974 Ford Maverick, bring the two together, they discover that despite their differences, they can help each other heal. Through their connection, they learn that sometimes even the most broken people can find strength in each other, and that starting over doesn’t always mean leaving everything behind.
Daring Destiny
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Friends to Lovers, Second Chances, Fake Dating, One Bed and Tension-Filled Romance
Daring Destiny follows Chloe and Ronan, who are trapped in the uncomfortable space between the past and present of their relationship. Two years ago, they shared a connection that teetered between friendship and something more, but now, after a breakup three weeks ago, they find themselves avoiding each other at all costs. Their split came just a month before their best friends' wedding, forcing them to keep the breakup a secret until after the big day. Now, they are stuck together for a joint bachelor and bachelorette weekend, sharing a bed and pretending everything is fine. Chloe, as the bold maid of honor, and Ronan, as the calm best man, must fake their way through the trip while keeping two secrets: their recent breakup and the reason behind it. What seems like a simple task is anything but, as old emotions and unresolved tension begin to bubble to the surface.
Current Work and Upcoming Release: The Boards Between Us
Cassandra’s latest project is The Boards Between Us, a hockey romance that combines her signature emotional depth with irresistible tropes. Following the story of Levi Montgomery, a former pro player turned coach, and Alex Bennett, a single mom who’s sworn off men in suits, The Boards Between Us explores the chemistry that ignites between them at a Flames game. With tropes like forced proximity, secret relationships, and slow burn, the book promises a thrilling journey through love and healing. The Boards Between Us is expected to be released on July 8th, 2025, and fans of Cassandra’s work won’t want to miss it!
Beautifully Broken and Daring Destiny both explore deeply emotional themes. What draws you to writing about love, healing, and second chances?
Obviously, as a romance author, we love love! But as far as writing about healing and second chances, I love how real those emotions are. Of course, romance books are fiction, so as authors, we can make them as unrealistic or "Hallmark" as we want. Some authors do just that, and their books are incredible! I, however, really enjoy writing about the real, raw emotions of some heavier topics. I think seeing characters we love experience these things makes us feel less alone in our own journeys. It's nice to see them grow and change. It makes them feel more real to me.
What’s your favourite part of the writing process, and what’s the most challenging?
My personal favourite is writing the ending — maybe the last 20% of the story. I love finding ways to bring common phrases or recurring details that are woven throughout the book into the final chapters. I enjoy books that wrap everything up in a nice little bow at the end, especially because the type of stories I enjoy usually have some of those heavier topics we talked about earlier. So, as an author, I like to bring all of that together and connect the characters' happily ever after with the journey they experienced.
How do you balance romance with the heavier themes of trauma, healing, and self-discovery?
I think for me, my favourite way to tie it all together is some fun, witty banter. No matter what the underlying emotion is of a book — sad, happy, mysterious, traumatic — I think that spark of conversation between characters can really help to piece everything together. For me, there's no love story without banter. I need that funny back-and-forth between love interests. But especially when there are heavier topics woven throughout their story, that comedic relief is what reminds you that this is still a fun love story.
Do you have any favourite tropes to write? Any that you find particularly difficult?
I'm realising I tend to gravitate toward writing "different worlds." There's something about the contrast in characters that keeps things really interesting and fresh for both me and the readers. I also really like writing forbidden love, in whatever sense that is (exes, circumstance, etc). If you know me, you know I live for angst, and I think the whole "this can't happen" thing really lends itself to that. As far as tropes I find difficult, I wouldn't say I've necessarily run into one I've intended to do that I found super hard, but there are definitely a few I haven't done yet that I'd love to — marriage of convenience, brother's best friend, enemies to lovers.
How do you approach dual POV storytelling? Do you write one character’s full arc first, or do you alternate as you go?
I always write the story from beginning to end, weaving back and forth between both points of view. But! If I get stuck or feel like there's a hole in the plot or someone's arc, I do go back and reread only that one POV. I find it's easier to stay in character if you're only reading one of their thoughts at a time, but I think the story flows better writing things in order between the two perspectives.
What’s one scene in either book that was the most fun to write? What about one that was the most emotional or difficult?
I absolutely loved writing the photo booth scene in Daring Destiny. I know it's a crowd favourite for what goes down in there, but just the whole forced proximity with the countdown of the camera timer — and of course, the tension! It was really fun to see it all come together.
Writing Jay’s flashbacks were, of course, very emotional. Having to tell a story of abuse was hard, but being that several were based on true stories made it even more difficult to get through. They were integral parts of his story and ones that had to be told, but it was hard to go into detail about such tragedy and trauma.
Jay’s past in the foster care system plays a big role in his character. What kind of research went into portraying his experiences authentically?
Jay's past is very similar — at times, identical — to my dad's past. I used his experiences, stories, and emotions to help guide Jay's story. I was worried about portraying the system in any particular way based on opinion. I know there are many sides to things and that different people can live through the same experiences and feel a hundred different ways. So, instead of making my own judgement when I haven't personally lived through it, I stuck with the facts that I knew to be true through his specific experience.
If you could spend a day with any of your characters, who would it be and why?
I think I'd have to say Chloe for this. She is just so fun, and her and I are very similar. I'd love to grab lunch with her since she's such a foodie and crack jokes all day, then head back to her place and raid her closet for graphic tees.
If you had to describe your books using only three words, what would they be?
Romance, humour, angst :)
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write romance?
It seems so silly, but my advice to aspiring authors is always to read and write. Read for inspiration and write without worry. There are so many opinions out there about what is in or out or popular, and focusing on all of that will only steal the joy that writing can bring. I always say that no book is for everyone, but it's for someone — and I wholeheartedly believe that. Rather than concerning yourself with pleasing everyone, just write your book. It will find its people.
Cassandra Moll’s books stand out for their ability to weave together heart-wrenching themes with moments of levity, all set against the backdrop of a romance that readers can’t help but root for. Through Daring Destiny and Beautifully Broken, she demonstrates a knack for creating characters who feel real, their struggles authentic, and their love stories deeply satisfying. Whether you’re drawn to second chances, forbidden love, or a journey of healing, her stories are sure to leave a lasting impact. Keep an eye out for her future work, as she continues to captivate readers with her unique blend of romance and raw emotion. With her next book hitting the ice, get ready for a love story that’s about to take the game to a whole new level.
Keep up to date with Cassandra here —
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52514833.Cassandra_Moll
https://www.instagram.com/author_cassandramol
This article was written by Ash, who you can follow on Instagram for more bookish content — https://www.instagram.com/ashinbetweenpages