Author Robbi Renee is back with a friends-to-lover love story sure to give you all the feels. I recently spoke with her about Summer’s Echo.
Tell me about your latest book.
Summer’s Echo is a soul-stirring second-chance romance. It follows Summer Knight and Echo Abara—once inseparable camp counselors whose summer bond blossomed into unspoken love, only to be torn apart by a shared secret. Years later, a reunion forces them to confront long-buried feelings and the truth that may either destroy or redeem their connection.
Why did you decide to write it?
I wrote Summer’s Echo first and foremost because friends-to-lovers is my favorite romance trope. I’m drawn to crafting complicated stories with bold, equally complicated characters who must navigate not only the depth of their friendship but the weight of an unspoken love. Summer and Echo are dynamic—they became fast friends and slow lovers—and I loved weaving in the nostalgia of their early bond alongside the deep, tangled emotions that come with young love. Bringing their story full circle as adults allowed me to explore those transformative moments that shape who we become.
What do you want readers to learn from the story?
I want readers to be taken on a journey that stirs up memories of their own first love—the butterflies, the confusion, and the enduring pull it leaves behind. I hope they see that true healing often means confronting painful truths and, at times, walking away from what you know isn’t meant for you. Summer’s Echo explores how secrets and silence can create distance, but also how courage and honesty can reunite what fate always intended. There’s a moment when Summer’s mother says, “You can’t run from true love, because no matter how fast or how far, it will always find you.” I want that truth to linger with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
I fell in love with the written word the first time I read Langston Hughes’ A Dream Deferred. I recited it in the eighth grade, and it’s stayed with me ever since. I was that kid who found refuge in stories—but I rarely stopped at the last page. I would imagine my own endings, building the characters and worlds the way I colored them in my head. I believe storytelling is our superpower. To be able to breathe life into a story that lives so vividly in my mind is a gift and one I’m thankful I tapped into.
If you could pick another profession, what would it be and why?
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a spiritual coach—someone in the vein of Iyanla Vanzant—helping people heal from the inside out through storytelling, mindset transformation, and heart work. I believe stories are one of the most powerful tools for personal growth, and being an author allows me to do some of this work on the page. I love diving into emotional landscapes every day, which is why I think all of my books take readers on an emotional roller coaster.
What’s the best part of being an author?
The best part is the connection—creating characters and worlds that feel attainable, like your friend, sister, or coworker. I love building stories that mirror real life but still offer the joy of a happy ending readers can see themselves living in. There’s nothing like hearing from someone who says my story inspired them, shifted their perspective, or touched them in a way they didn’t expect. That kind of transformation—across pages and hearts—lets me know I’m doing my job.
What’s the worst part of being an author?
The lonely hours behind the screen and the self-doubt that whispers, Is this good enough?… those are the hardest parts. Sharing your gift with the world is both a blessing and a curse. Even after 16 books and a solid structure and rhythm to my writing, the doubt still lives here. Wrestling with that inner critic never fully goes away, but it’s part of the journey and maybe even part of what keeps me pushing to write better, deeper stories every time.
What books have you read lately and loved, and what books are you looking forward to reading?
I’m an audiobook girly through and through, so I’ve devoured Kennedy Ryan’s Skyland series more than once. Jahquel J has me in a complete chokehold—Quasim is hands-down my favorite. I’m also looking forward to diving into The Best Man and Takerra Allen’s Parachutes series.
What’s next for you?
I’ve recently stepped into life as a full-time authorpreneur and entrepreneur—writing under my pen name Robbi Renee full time and launching my business coaching consultancy for writers. As for Robbi Renee, my next release, Fire and Ice, is coming soon, so stay tuned. I’m also releasing my first nonfiction book under my given name, Stacey Cleveland, titled Say It Like You Mean It, coming September 23. This book is a love letter to women—especially Black women—who have been silenced. It blends personal storytelling with actionable strategies to help readers embrace their authentic voice, own their story, and use it as a tool for influence and impact.
On September 19, I’m hosting the inaugural StorytellHER Immersion + Literary Soirée in Austin, Texas. The Immersion is a one-day experience where we’ll dig deep into storytelling, business strategy, and personal brand alignment. We’ll have live coaching, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops, all designed to help women amplify their voices and leverage their stories. That evening, the Literary Soirée will celebrate my book launch with a night of connection, conversation, and inspiration. It’s going to be a transformative experience for storytellers at every stage.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I’m deeply grateful to every reader who picks up Summer’s Echo—and any book from the Robbi Renee collection. Your hearts fuel every storyline I write, and I am forever grateful to you for embracing Robbi Renee. Thank you for falling in love with these characters and allowing me to share their journeys with you.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of Summer’s Echo by Robbi Renee.
To learn more about Robbi Renee, visit her website or connect with her on social media.
Website: www.robbirenee.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robbireneewrites/#
Just Write Coaching by The Storyteller’s Coach
Stacey Cleveland
coach@thestorytellerscoach.com