Laura: Hi, Rachel. Welcome to the What to Read Next Podcast.

Rachel: Hi, thank you for having me.

Laura: So happy to have you here! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Rachel: Well, I’m Rachel Leigh. I write new adult romance, mostly featuring bad boys with some dark elements. A lot of my books are enemies-to-lovers. I love to read, write, and spend time with my family.

Laura: I love this! So, what was your romance journey like? When did you get started?

Rachel: I started writing in 2019. I had just finished reading a series and felt that emptiness inside, like, "What now?"—you know, that book hangover feeling. So, I decided to write a book. I used to write a lot when I was younger, but I took a break during my teenage years and while parenting; I just didn’t have time. I didn’t plan to publish it at first, but after sharing it with friends and family, they encouraged me to do something with it. Eventually, I did, and I’ve been writing ever since. I love it.

Laura: What was your debut like? Would you recommend it to readers?

Rachel: Definitely not my debut! [Laughs] My debut was a duet, and while it holds a special place in my heart, I was still learning the ropes. My editor at the time was actually a nonfiction editor, and I didn’t know what I was doing. I’ve since unpublished it. But yes, it was an enemies-to-lovers new adult romance.

Laura: So, where should new readers start with your books? Should they go for your latest release or start with something else?

Rachel: I always suggest Savage Games as a good place to start if the reader enjoys Why Choose romance. If not, I’d recommend Heartless Monster, which is a standalone enemies-to-lovers, step-sibling romance.

Laura: That’s great! So, let’s talk about Wicked Scandal. What’s the elevator pitch?

Rachel: My elevator pitch would be: If you’re looking for a reverse age-gap, student-teacher romance with suspense, I’ve got the book for you!

Laura: I started reading it, and wow, it’s dark! It starts with a bang and keeps you guessing as the relationship unfolds. It’s perfect for readers who love intense, emotional stories.

Rachel: Yes, it’s very emotional. Catherine goes through a lot, and readers are introduced to her trauma right from the start. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. There’s on-page domestic violence, so I included trigger warnings in the front of the book because mental health matters.

Laura: What kind of self-care did you practice while writing this book? It seems like it would be emotionally taxing.

Rachel: It was definitely hard—one of the hardest books I’ve ever written. But Wilder, the male protagonist, made up for those tough parts. He was Catherine’s safety net, and knowing that they would have a happily ever after kept me going.

Laura: I really appreciate that. You mentioned you watch Days of Our Lives and have been watching soaps since you were 13. What’s your favorite storyline, and do you think watching soaps has influenced your writing?

Rachel: I started watching Days of Our Lives 27 years ago—can’t believe it’s been that long! One of my favorite characters was Stefano DiMera, an amazing villain. I think my passion for watching that show has definitely helped me create dramatic stories with high stakes in my books.

Laura: Your books definitely have higher stakes compared to others. They’re more intense and not just about the vibes, but also about real villains and suspense.

Rachel: Yes, I love writing villains. With Wicked Scandal, it was challenging because I’m used to writing bad guys as my main male characters. But in this book, Wilder is the opposite, and Troy, Catherine’s husband, is the real villain with no redemption. I had to make sure readers wouldn’t fall in love with Troy.

Laura: That makes sense. Let’s talk about your reading. You recently read The Deal by Elle Kennedy. What did you like about it?

Rachel: I loved the banter between Hannah and Garrett. Hannah is a tough character who stays true to herself, even when faced with Garrett’s reputation as the hot guy on campus. Their chemistry was off the charts, and I love the opposites-attract dynamic.

Laura: You should check out The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy—it’s about their daughter, Gigi.

Rachel: I didn’t realize that was their daughter! I’m definitely going to read it.

Laura: You’ll love it. Gigi is such a fun character. Do you have any other recent reads you’re excited about?

Rachel: Yes, I just downloaded Quicksilver by Callie Hart. I don’t usually read a lot of fantasy, but I’m trying to branch out.

Laura: That’s great! Where can listeners find you online?

Rachel: You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and my readers group, Rachel Leigh Ramblers. I also just started on Threads.

Laura: Awesome! Thank you so much for joining us, Rachel.

Rachel: Thank you for having me.