Q&A: Taleen Voskuni, Author of ‘Our Ex’s Wedding’

We chat with author Taleen Voskuni about Our Ex’s Wedding, which follows two people who can’t stand each other and must come together to plan their mutual ex’s wedding in this new romantic comedy.

Hi, Taleen! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hey there, I’m Taleen! I’ve been writing since I was a kid—many adventure romances featuring princesses battling bad guys and falling in love—and decided to try my first grown-up romance novel in 2016. That and the next one didn’t get published but then I got lucky in 2021 with my debut novel, Sorry, Bro, being snapped up by Berkley! My first two novels are sapphic romcoms that lean into women’s fiction and my third novel is a m/f romcom with strong bi rep.

I live in San Francisco, and am somehow raising two kids while working full time and writing. It’s tough sometimes but I wouldn’t change a thing!

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

When I was six. I wrote my first story about a dinosaur on a great adventure and never looked back. I didn’t realize I was writing, exactly. I assumed everyone else woke up at 7am on weekends, got a giant stack of computer paper and started scribbling comics. It was something I had to do, so I did.

It wasn’t until my junior year of high school when my beloved English teacher told me, “You’re a writer, Taleen” that I realized this was part of my identity.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: The Blood and Thunder Adventure on Hurricane Peak by Margaret Mahy, in third grade. That was the first book I remember savoring.
• The one that made you want to become an author: Matilda, way way back in the day
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo. I’ve read it twice now and it’s still magical

Your latest novel, Our Ex’s Wedding, is out January 20^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Swoony, chaotic, culture-rooted, heartfelt, yearn-heavy. (Sorry I cheated a little!)

What can readers expect?

Readers can expect a fun, slightly chaotic contemporary romance with early-2000s rom-com energy—lots of banter, unresolved feelings, and over-the-top physical-comedy type situations. It centers on Ani, a wedding planner tasked with planning her ex’s wedding, and Raffi, the winery owner who happens to be the ex of the same woman. It’s a slow-burn with a hero and heroine who both start out guarded as they are caught in their own feelings. While the book leans into humor and rom-com beats, it also has a more emotional core, touching on themes of grief, growth, and figuring out what you actually want once the past stops dictating your choices.

Where did the inspiration for Our Ex’s Wedding come from?

To be totally honest, my editors and I came up with the plot together!! They suggested a mutual ex and I suggested the vineyard owner and the wedding planner in Napa.

Being from the Bay Area, I’ve visited wine country a lot and it’s an inspirational landscape. Incredibly romantic with the sweeping vineyards and rolling hills—perfect for a romance novel. Plus, I’ve been a maid of honor three times so I know a thing or two about planning weddings!

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

Oh so much. The entire momentum for this book changed when I realized I wanted the winery owner to be none other than Raffi, NorCal’s #1 eligible Armenian bachelor from Sorry, Bro. I loved exploring why he used to be the playboy he was and what made him change. I leaned into his grief about his past and his yearning for something better in the future.

Also I just love the first kiss scene so much. I won’t say anything else—you’ll have to read to find out!

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Writing the first draft was so smooth—I banged it all out in 8 weeks. Easiest draft I ever wrote. Editing, however, was a challenge. I’m not sure why, but this time editing made me pull my hair out! For a while there I wasn’t sure if I was making it better or worse, and that uncertainty is kind of terrible! But having read back the final, recently, I can say the edits definitely improved the book!

What’s next for you?

For once, I don’t have an answer to this question. I’ve been quietly writing short stories, flash fiction, flash non-fiction, and poetry. Waiting for a new book idea to brew…

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?

So many!! Here are just a few:

Will you be picking up Our Ex’s Wedding? Tell us in the comments below!