Jo Watson

Hi! I'm Jo Watson, and I write the kind of romantic comedies that make you snort-laugh in public places (sorry not sorry). You know those embarrassing moments when you're reading on the train and suddenly burst out giggling? Yeah, those are probably my fault.

I never actually meant to become a romance author. I started out in advertising, spending my days coming up with catchy slogans and trying to convince people they needed things they definitely didn't. But all along, I was secretly scribbling away at love stories during lunch breaks and late at night when I should've been sleeping. (My dark under-eye circles were legendary in the office.)

My journey into publishing wasn't exactly conventional. I actually got my start on Wattpad, where my romantic comedy "Burning Moon" caught fire (pun absolutely intended) and ended up winning a Watty Award. That's when I realized maybe, just maybe, other people might enjoy my particular brand of chaos as much as I did.

Here's the thing about my books - they're like your best friend's most embarrassing stories, but with more kissing. I write about real, messy people who trip over their own feet, say the wrong thing at exactly the wrong moment, and somehow still manage to find their happily ever after. Because let's be honest - none of us are those perfectly polished romance heroines who never have spinach in their teeth or accidentally send inappropriate texts to their boss.

My latest book, "What Happens On Vacation," is basically what you get when you throw two people who can't stand each other into a tropical paradise and watch the fireworks happen. (And by fireworks, I mean both the romantic kind and the "I might push you into this pool" kind.) It's enemies-to-lovers with a side of sunburn and questionable cocktails, and I had way too much fun writing it.

When I'm not writing, you can find me in South Africa, probably getting into the kind of situations that'll end up in my next book. I'm that person who always has a story to tell at dinner parties - you know, the "you'll never believe what happened to me today" friend. My husband has learned to just shake his head and say, "That's going in a book, isn't it?"

I believe romance should be fun. Sure, there might be some tears along the way (I'm not completely heartless), but I want you to close my books with a smile on your face and maybe a slight abs ache from laughing. My characters aren't perfect - they're hot messes who sometimes eat cake for breakfast and consider dry shampoo a life essential. But they're real, and they're trying their best, and sometimes that's all any of us can do.

What can you expect from my books? Humor. Heart. Characters who feel like they could be your slightly disaster-prone friends. Situations that'll make you cringe in solidarity. And love stories that remind you sometimes the best things in life come from the most unexpected places (usually right after you've embarrassed yourself spectacularly).

I love connecting with readers (seriously, slide into my DMs anytime), and nothing makes me happier than hearing someone stayed up way too late reading my books or had to explain to their coworkers why they were crying-laughing in the break room. That's the magic of romance - it brings us together, makes us laugh, and reminds us that love is worth all the awkward moments along the way.

So if you're ready for some romantic adventures with a healthy dose of humor (and maybe a few face-palm moments), come join me. I promise it'll be fun. And if nothing else, my books will make your own embarrassing moments seem totally normal in comparison!

(P.S. Yes, most of those embarrassing moments in my books are based on real life. No, I won't tell you which ones. Some mysteries are better left unsolved...)