As a reader, I think there is so much the description on the back of a book doesn’t convey about a story. Can you briefly explain to readers, especially readers who might not have read any of your previous books, what the heart or focus of SIMPLICITY BY THE SEA is?
SIMPLICITY BY THE SEA is the third and final book in the Gull Island trilogy. It’s the story of Delaney and Luke, two thirty-somethings who are questioning the life they’ve built and what’s next. Delaney is a marketing executive who works in Virginia’s wine country. She returns home to Gull Island for her best friend’s wedding, where she meets Luke Sullivan, a charter captain and single dad, who is struggling to balance his professional and personal lives. When sparks fly, both must decide whether love means abandoning their carefully laid plans or finally building the life they’ve been afraid to want.
I confess that I’m a sucker for witty banter and fab dialogue between characters in a novel. What would you say was your favorite element of writing SIMPLICITY BY THE SEA? The settings, the dialogue, the character development, or something else?
This is an easy question to answer – it’s the setting. I write about the Lowcountry because it’s where I feel most at home. Our family has vacationed in the Lowcountry for over thirty years, particularly on Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island. About five years ago, we visited Fripp Island for the first time. The moment I stepped onto the island, I knew I’d found the perfect place for a romance series. The Gull Island series is my love letter to a place where life moves a little slower, the salt air soothes the soul, and second chances feel possible again.
As a woman, I occasionally find myself slightly more critical of a female protagonist because I view their actions through the filter of my experience. Do you find it more difficult writing female or male characters?
Hmm, I thought male characters would be trickier, but I find myself agonizing more over female protagonists. Maybe it’s because, like you, I view them through the filter of my own experiences. I’m hyperaware of every choice they make and whether my readers will judge them too critically. Ultimately, it’s a balancing act between authenticity and vulnerability.
In the context of “book boyfriends”, what do you think readers will find compelling about Luke Sullivan? Luke is my favorite MMC because he’s got that perfect combination of vulnerability and strength. He’s a charter captain and a devoted single dad trying to do right by his daughter while figuring out his own life. He’s witty, charming, and handsome, but what I think readers will like most is his devotion to his family. He’s a family man and his daughter always comes first. His priorities make him irresistible.
How would you describe the dynamic between Luke and Delaney?
Luke and Delaney are friends first, which takes the pressure off trying to impress each other. Without their guards up, they reveal their true selves on a deeply personal level. When the relationship turns romantic, the feelings are real, but so is the baggage. Luke is hesitant to open his heart because his daughter always comes first, and he won’t jeopardize her stability. Meanwhile, Delaney is forced to question if her life back in Virginia is truly what she wants.
Over the years, and after doing so many author interviews, it surprised me to find that some authors don’t enjoy reading the same genre or subgenre that they write. Is that the case for you? What types of stories do you enjoy reading? Favorite books or authors?
I love reading romances because I’m a romantic at heart. I also like reading cozy mysteries, thrillers, and women’s fiction. Some of my favorite authors include Kristy Woodson Harvey, Emily Henry, Mary Kay Andrews, Danielle Steel, Karen White, Jeneva Rose, and Jenny Hale. I think what draws me to these genres is the variety of stories with strong character development and emotional depth. Whether it’s a book or an audiobook, I read to escape. Don’t we all?
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently writing a new series. The first book is called A NASHVILLE NOEL. I can’t reveal much more yet, but I’m incredibly excited about embarking on this new series.
SIMPLICITY BY THE SEA by Jennifer Vido
What if the perfect pairing isn’t found in a bottle, but in each other?
High- powered marketing executive Delaney Huger thrives in Virginia’s wine scene until a quick trip home to Gull Island for a wedding forces her to slow down. Suddenly, she’s questioning the life she’s built and what comes next. Can she uncork a new beginning or keep pouring into a dream that no longer fits?
Charter captain Luke Sullivan has built a quiet, predictable life on Gull Island, perfect for raising his daughter and growing his business. But when a captivating wedding guest stirs something he thought he’d buried, he wonders if it’s time to change. Will he chart a new course toward love or stay safely ashore?
Romance Contemporary | Women’s Fiction Contemporary [ Wild Rose Press, On Sale: January 26, 2026, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781509264216 / eISBN: 9781509264223 ]
Romance in the busy summer days on Gull Island
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About Jennifer Vido
Jennifer Vido is the author of The Gull Island Series, sweet Lowcountry romances inspired by her love of coastal living and small-town charm. Serendipity by the Sea won Best First Book from the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest, and Baltimore Magazine readers named her Best Local Author in 2024 and 2025. A Vanderbilt graduate, Jennifer traded in teaching French to follow her dream of becoming an author. She loves discovering and sharing literary gems through her Jen’s Jewels column, celebrating the books that make her heart happy. Jennifer lives in Maryland with her husband and is mom to two grown sons. Her rescue dog, Fripp, is her constant companion, though he’s better at napping than editing. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her at the beach with her toes in the sand, dreaming about her next romance.
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