All The Men I've Loved Again
An Interview with Christine Pride
In this week’s Q&A, bestselling author and longtime publishing veteran Christine Pride shares the story behind her new novel, All The Men I’ve Loved Again. The book was inspired by her real-life experiences in the same love triangle — two decades apart!
“Brave and devouring, All The Men I’ve Loved Again is the kind of satisfying romance for anyone second-guessing a second chance at love and life. Despite her loyal friends, sweet father, and polar opposite love interests, guarded protagonist Cora must carry painful secrets—from childhood into college, into middle age… But it is her sweeping adventures of self-discovery that ultimately treat us with a tender and intimate saga that will wash you with restored hope.” —Xochitl Gonzalez, bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming and Anita de Monte Laughs Last
How do you like to introduce All the Men I've Loved Again to readers?
EXUBERANTLY! But that’s not exactly what you meant. Haha. This novel is a coming of age love story about a woman named Cora who falls for two men in her twenties and then falls for the same two men again as she approaches forty. It’s a heartfelt story about first love, following your heart and how it’s never too late for a second chance and for life to surprise you, romantically and otherwise!
I read that the novel was loosely inspired by your own experiences dating the same two men in your twenties and then in your forties. Tell us more! And can you share the process of blending fact with fiction?
It’s true—the premise is ripped from my real life. Like Cora, I dated the same two people back to back, twice. And two decades apart. Safe to say, this was a pretty unique experience—part Black Mirror, part Sliding Doors! It inspired me to reflect a lot on fate, timing and all the ways we grow and change (or don’t). I’ve become a little obsessed with this idea of how our first loves shape us — mark us — and how they cast such a long shadow on every relationship that comes after.
But aside from the initial premise, the story is very heavily fictionalized—I did not want to write a memoir about my love life by any means! So I made sure that Cora was very different from me, and in turn her love interests diverge from their real life counterparts in significant ways, but the emotional truth of the story — the struggle to learn how to follow your heart — is very much there, and very real.
All the Men I've Loved Again is also a love story about the friends that see us through hard times — if we're lucky enough — in every stage of our lives. What was it like going back in time and exploring the early years of those college friendships?
My friends, including my college besties, are my great loves! Female friendships are a cornerstone of my life and the stories I write, so any great romance would have to involve them. In this case of this novel, Cora’s best friends, Neisha and Kim, are a composite of all my favorite women friends. It was incredibly fun to revisit college memories (and music!) and to be reminded once again how influential our friends are, how much they shape us, especially as we’re figuring out who we are. Lifelong friends are a special treasure because you’ve shared and witnessed so much. I loved showing Cora’s friendships over twenty years, the way they grow, evolve, are challenged and have to be cared for with intention just like any romantic relationship.
You shared in your acknowledgements that you still strongly identify as an editor after decades in publishing. How has that lens shaped you as a writer?
It’s both a blessing and curse to have such deep knowledge of what’s going on behind the scenes in publishing a book, akin to a doctor becoming the patient! I understand how this business works—the challenges, joys and surprises — and how hard people are working behind the scenes, including my team at Atria and that’s a plus all around. But some of the knowledge is also…sobering. It’s very hard to sell books — there’s so much competition, it’s a challenge to get attention for new releases (especially debuts) and the market changes quickly. I’m grateful that I understand all that and it gives me a healthy perspective and expectations as an author.
Mainly, though, being an editor has given me a “reader-forward” mentality — at the end of the day, it’s about what experience am I offering the reader, what value I’m offering them with my story-telling in exchange for their time and dollars — both of which are precious. It’s not about my personal ego or bestseller dreams (though that — I’m human!) but more about what I can deliver to someone by way of diversion or entertainment, humor or inspiration. That’s what drives me…both as an editor and a writer.
What books are at the top of your recommendation list this fall?
Oh, I love giving recommendations! I’m excited for Elizabeth Gilbert’s new memoir, All The Way To The River (I just started reading the ARC and already mesmerized). I’m also really looking forward to The People’s Project by Maggie Smith and Saeed Jones. I’m huge fans of both of those writers and this anthology of essays, poetry and art feels like the perfect response to our troubled times — a reminder that art matters more than ever as inspiration, solace and escape.
Christine Pride is a writer, editor, and longtime publishing veteran. She is the co-author of the Good Morning America book club pick WE ARE NOT LIKE THEM (2021) and YOU WERE ALWAYS MINE (2023) with Jo Piazza. Christine has held editorial posts at many different trade imprints, including Doubleday, Broadway, Crown, Hyperion, and Simon & Schuster. As an editor, Christine has published a range of books, with a special emphasis on inspirational stories and memoirs, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. As a freelance editorial consultant, she does select editing and proposal/content development, as well as teaching and coaching, and pens a regular column—“Race Matters”—for Cup of Jo. Christine splits her time between New York City and Los Angeles. Learn more: www.christinepride.com
This sounds amazing! Great interview!
We wanted her to come to the NH Book Festival, but sadly she had a conflict. Maybe next year…