Romance Q&A: Mollie Rushmeyer (The Rules of Falling for You)
Mollie Rushmeyer writes whimsical romance with heart and humor. She has a deep and abiding love for all things British, bookish, and filled with history and mystery. A modern girl herself—she wouldn’t want to go a day without modern plumbing and central air!—she’s always felt a special connection to the past and anything with a happily ever after. Her debut novel, The Bookshop of Secrets, was a finalist for a 2023 Carol Award. A born and bred Midwestern gal, Mollie makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband and two spunky, beautiful daughters.
Mollie talks about the popular tropes in her fun novel, as well as her favorite scenes in the book.
FF: Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel The Rules of Falling for You?
Podcaster Zoe Dufour dreams of finding love—why not at a Regency-themed singles retreat? With her best friend’s brother and podcast producer Harrison Lundquist in tow, Zoe realizes her checklist for the perfect match is leading her astray. Will she be willing to rewrite the rules and take a chance on the person who has been there all along?
FF: What inspired you to combine a contemporary rom-com with Regency-era themes?
It was a slow development that ended with an “ah-ha” moment! For a while, I was planning to write a contemporary story set in England at a Pemberley-like manor with ties to the Regency era through books written by a female Regency author. That changed to trying out a split-time story—a modern-day heroine and a Regency-era heroine. When that didn’t work, I went back to the elements I loved about this idea and it always came back to the modern-day girl who was borderline obsessed with everything Regency, Jane Austen, and Pride and Prejudice. Kind of like me, haha! So, that’s when the idea struck me—why don’t I have this girl attend a Regency-themed singles retreat to find her very own modern-day Mr. Darcy? I knew in an instant that’s what I was supposed to write!
FF: Your main character Zoe runs a podcast about romance using Regency-era rules. How did you research the etiquette and dating customs of that time period?
I used the good “old-fashioned” method of searching the internet. But I’m a huge reader of anything from that era like Jane Austen, as well as modern authors who write in this era like Julie Klassen and Erica Vetsch. I also think I’ve seen every film adaptation of every Jane Austen book or anything set in that era. So I did A LOT of reading, re-reading, and re-watching, while taking notes!
FF: Have you listened to any relationship or romance podcasts that influenced Zoe’s character? Are there any podcasts you’d recommend to readers who enjoy your book?
I’m going to be completely honest, I have not listened to romance podcasts that necessarily influenced this character. This was just something that came out of my imagination because I thought it would be interesting to use Regency etiquette and courtship as a lens for modern dating. In my research, I have checked out a couple of podcasts, such as History Tea Time: Debutantes & The Regency Social Season and Stuff You Missed in History Class: It’s the Jane Austen Episode! But these are certainly more about the history of the time period than the romance.
FF: The concept of a Regency-themed singles retreat is intriguing. Did you draw inspiration from any real-life experiences or events?
I did! My cousin used to be a professional matchmaker. Yes, that’s a thing! She was sharing all kinds of funny stories and some of the ways they match people up one time. I said, “That could be the start of a really great book!” She’s a writer too, but she writes speculative fiction. So, she said, “Yeah, you should write it.” That was the idea spark for some of the semi-speed dates during the retreat as well as a few of the silly things that happen on Zoe’s dates. Harrison and Zoe have a classic “friends-to-lovers” dynamic. What makes this trope so appealing to readers, and how did you put your own spin on it?
FF: Harrison and Zoe have a classic “friends-to-lovers” dynamic. What makes this trope so appealing to readers, and how did you put your own spin on it?
I think what’s so great about this dynamic—and I’m not sure I can speak for other people, but for me—is there’s such an inherent sweetness and comfort level that’s established on page one. Because even if they start out with tension and awkwardness due to something in their backstory like Zoe and Harrison do, you know there’s already a foundation there. They’ve established trust, a friendship, and have spent years looking out for each other. When I think of real-life relationships, including mine with my husband of 22 years, the best ones are based on friendship first. My husband is my best friend, the one I can tell anything to! And that’s what I love about this trope in general, but specifically what I love about Zoe and Harrison. They genuinely care about each other and have such a sweet and fun friendship first and foremost.
FF: Zoe’s checklist for the perfect man drives much of the plot. How do you think such expectations help or hinder real relationships?
I think there needs to be a balance, which is something Zoe has to learn. It’s okay to have ideas about what you’re looking for in a partner, even some non-negotiables if they’re really important to you. These can be things that will set healthy boundaries for any potential relationships too. But where I think something like this could be a hindrance is kind of what I displayed with Zoe—rigid expectations, a laundry list of qualities that may or may not be realistic to require a partner to possess, and allowing no room for what God may have planned for you that will always be so much better than we could ever dream up or imagine for ourselves.
FF: What role does faith play in Zoe and Harrison’s journey?
It is a part of their journey as what I would call a lighter thread. But ultimately it is important as faith is what helps them to finally see that letting go and trusting God with their lives is what allows them to fully trust and embrace each other as well.
FF: What was your favorite scene to write in the book and why?
The first kiss! 😉 I can’t give too much away, but a lot is revealed in that scene that they’ve been holding back. Plus, I think it’s pretty swoony!
FF: What do you hope readers feel after they’ve read The Rules of Falling for You?
When they turn the last page, I hope readers feel they’ve been on an adventure, they’ve laughed, they’ve cried (or at least felt for the characters), they’ve fallen in love with the characters as much as I have, they’ve enjoyed cheering them on to the very end, and feel uplifted after navigating the roller coaster that led to that last page. Basically, I hope they experience the heart sigh that comes after a great read and the bittersweetness of not wanting to say goodbye to the characters just yet!
FF: What are you working on next?
I have two more contracted rom-coms with Bethany House Publishers. The next one will release in September 2026. This one is a fun and quirky second-chance romance involving ex-high school sweethearts. Here’s a bit about the story:
When ESL teacher Iris Sorenson is forced to return home to Minnesota from Japan, she doesn’t anticipate that her life could be any more topsy-turvy. Then her Aunt Delphie dies and the responsibility for the eccentric author’s children’s literature-themed estate and café falls into Iris’s lap—including the guardianship of her late aunt’s spoiled cat, Sir Reginald Meowington III, whose care comes with some very odd stipulations.
Ryker Thorne is a prickly ex-firefighter who’s just been handed a life-altering diagnosis. Now he has to decide if this chef gig at a neighboring estate is a fresh start for him and his retired service dog, Biff, or just a placeholder. But when his ex shows up as his new boss, Ryker wonders if his plans have already gone up in smoke.
In order to fulfill the requirements in Aunt Delphie’s will, Iris and Ryker will be forced to work together for the next six months to keep the estate and struggling restaurant running all while Iris oversees the pampered cat’s impossibly full calendar of activities and social engagements. With the clock ticking, navigating this unexpected new reality together could resurface the reasons that tore Iris and Ryker apart in the first place . . . or give them both the purpose—and love—they long for.
FF: How can readers connect with you?
I love to connect with readers! Please come find me on Facebook or Instagram. My handle is @AuthorMollieRushmeyer on both.
Buy The Rules of Falling for You from the FamilyFiction Amazon Affiliate HERE!
