Get ready to learn more about the book Head Over Heels in this discussion with sapphic author Cassidy Langue.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Cassidy Langue about Head Over Heels, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Rich Girl / Poor Girl category in the 2025 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Head Over Heels?
I wanted to write Josie’s story. If you’ve read Cast Aside, you’ve seen the complicated friendship dynamics with Josie and her BFF Mel. Josie’s been in love with her for 17 years, but Mel didn’t return the feelings. Once Mel found her true love, Josie all of a sudden had more time on her hands. Her heart wasn’t quite ready for love yet, so I figured setting her up as Florence’s fake fiancée was perfect. You know what they say. Fake it til you make it!
Who is your favorite character in the book?
I love all of them? Honestly, I love Tilly the best. She’s hilarious. I think she’s only in a few scenes, but every single one of them has me in stitches. (Which is so weird, because I am not very funny. Well, I think I am, but most people don’t get my humor!) Tilly is irreverent and crass and so blindingly honest that it hurts – but that’s what we all need sometimes!
What part of Head Over Heels was the most fun to write?
The part where Josie was starting to fall in love but she doesn’t even realize it. If the reader is paying attention, they can see the subtle signs when she starts turning to Florence, even when Mel is there. Little signs. Then the handful of times we’re in her POV and we realize she hasn’t figured it out yet. When I was editing it, those were real gut punches. But they showed the complexity of her feelings.
How much research did you need to do for Head Over Heels?
I ended up doing TONS of research for this one. When Josie inherits a large collection of expensive things at the beginning, I knew I’d need to do some research for the coins and the art. A lot of the pieces were from Italy in the early 1940s. I got really sucked into the history of the area. Did you know Naples has an underground tunnel system that goes back as far as the Greeks in the 4th century BC? History is so cool. 🙂
Where do you usually write, and what do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
I’ve given up trying to keep my cat out of my office while I write, because she will just scratch at the door until I let her in. So normally I’ll invite her in, set her on the desk and tell her to get comfortable (and to keep her paws OUT of my coffee!). When she settles down, I can focus on my story. Put my earbuds in to cancel out the world, and dive in to my characters’ heads.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
Kristin Hannah. She’s one of my favorite authors because she pulls you into the story to the point where you’re experiencing things. They tell writers to “show, don’t tell” – which is all well and good, but Kristin Hannah actually makes you experience what the characters are going through. I’d love to pick her brain and see how she does that!
What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book?
Expectations hinder me. When I started writing, I wrote purely for myself. I never intended anyone else to read them. Now that I see other people actually enjoy what I write, there’s a part of me that wants to cater to what everyone wants. I typically start out now with premises that follow the tropes, but if you’ve read my books, you’ll notice that I have a tendency to put my own spin on things. A lot!
What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?
This has actually never been a problem for me. When I write, I’m in the head of the person telling that chapter. I do need time to “get into” the story, but once I’m there, it’s very easy for me to feel my way through what a character will do once I get to know them.
Usually the first thing I do even before I start writing is to understand where my main characters are coming from – what their background is and what they want (or what they don’t). I actually create pretty elaborate personality profiles for all my characters (I can tell you the Meyers-Briggs type for any of them!). It really helps me understand who they are and how they’ll act.
What type of books do you enjoy reading the most?
This changes on a regular basis. Lately, I’ve been reading a lot more non-fiction to learn about things that have nothing to do with reading or writing. In general, though, I tend to read widely, with a pretty even range of romance (more sapphic than straight), thrillers, popular fiction, historical, literature, and a little of everything in between. I think the more you read, the better writer you’ll be.
Describe your favorite reading spot.
Outside on my back deck. The sun on my face. Earbuds in. I have to listen to something (either instrumental music or – don’t tell anyone how weird I am – a metronome). If I don’t have something in my ears, I get very easily distracted (thank you ADHD) by birds and bugs and leaves and neighborhood cats and literally anything that moves or makes noise! It’s still my favorite place to read, though. Sunshine.
