A mum from Putney says her stories offer a “slice of life”, ahead of the release of her latest rom-com novel.

Jo Lovett, a romantic novelist living in Putney is set to release her fourth book, Just Friends, on March 14.

Just Friends follows the story of 33-year-old Lily, who attends her best friend’s wedding on a Greek Island and has no choice but to rekindle with her ex-lover, Matt.

Wandsworth Times: Just Friends lifestyle graphic Just Friends lifestyle graphic

The book comes after the success of the author’s successful rom-com novels, The First Time We Met, The Mistletoe Pact and her feel-good novel, The House Swap.

Jo’s passion for storytelling began when she was mid-taking a career break from her job in accountancy, as she fell pregnant with her first son and entered a writing competition with Good House Keeping magazine.

She said: “When me and my sister were younger, we always said we’d write a book together.

“Sadly, she got ill, and told me to enter the writing competition on my own, so I did.

“My youngest child was around two and I had to write a story made up of 5,000 words and a synopsis.

“A few weeks later, I got an email saying I was the runner up and I was to receive a new laptop, which was very exciting.

“I then decided to write a book based on the words I handed in.”

Wandsworth Times: Author - Jo Lovett Author - Jo Lovett

After winning the runner up prize, Jo was motivated to enter another writing competition, this time with Helen Ledger and Harper Collins.

Jo says she was shortlisted for the competition and soon found herself sending her work to agents and publishers across the UK.

It took six to nine months for Jo to finish her latest novel, as she says she had to work around her five children.

Jo explained: “I’m quite fast when I write – I tried to blitz the first draft and if I had to research anything, I’d go back to it later.

“I try not to disturb my flow of writing, kind of like vomiting words out.

“I think for me, if there are no words coming out, I try to leave it and move on to the next chapter.”

Jo described her novels to be a “slice of life” that can relate to people in their everyday life.

She added: “Last week I read about a group of women in Thailand who had bought a house together, renovated it to their perfect house and we’re going to retire.

“I thought there was so many stories that could come from that.

“You really can take inspiration from anywhere and anyone.”

She claims her choice of genres and authors change depending on what is going in her life - for example, when Jo was pregnant with her first child, she only wanted to read escapism.

Jo explained: “I would always choose comfort reading in challenging times, such as Jane Austen.

“I love to read rom-coms and historical fiction too.”

Jo says ideas “spring to mind” whilst she’s in the shower, and often has to quickly hop out of the shower and type ideas into her phone.

“I always read before I sleep” Jo says, as she “struggles” to sleep without reading a story.

She added: “I don’t get a lot of downtime because I’m writing or spending my hours with the children.

“Through lockdown, I ended up taking long walks every day to clear my head.

“I’ve lived in Putney for more than 20 years and still find new, interesting walking routes, so walking is a great way for me to unwind after writing.”

Jo’s latest book, Just Friends, will be available to purchase from March 14.