Shelf Indulgence Author and Book Chat with Hank Philippi Ryan (The House Guest)

We started with talking about weather. Yep, small talk started out our meeting, but in Shelf Indulgence fashion, it led to some provoking conversation. Hank let us in on a secret to television stations (don’t tell), but the weather department doesn’t have a window, so they are using radar, science, technology, but they haven’t looked outside, so keep that in mind when your weather app says no snow but there are fluffy flakes coming down. Naturally, we talked about snow storms in the south, because nothing is more suspenseful than snow and ice in Atlanta. This led to the collaborative concept ‘Not My Smartest Day’ (inspired in part on our own Brittany’s experience), a rom com about two lovers meeting in Kroger after getting stuck in the snow and having to overnight in a grocery store together. Hank’s spin on this concept is much more intriguing and complex, so now we are tasked with coming up with a Hank-specific title for her. Check back with us in 2025 to see if this idea panned out (no pressure Hank, but how cool would that be??)

Let’s start with the inspiration for The House Guest. We’ve all either been heartbroken and surprised by a relationship in some way, or know someone who has, right? Our personal lives and media offer stories of shock and betrayal, too. A friend learning their spouse has been involved in criminal activity for years, or the family on TV speaking out about how they never had any idea that the father of the family was a serial killer. During the pandemic, Hank worked in a room adjacent to the room her husband worked in, and she could hear snippets of his conversations about cases, making her wonder that even near one another, she didn’t really know what her husband was up to, nor did he know what she was up to, and how much trust is put into a relationship. This made her think, how much do we really know what our partners are doing?

Our book club members started off asking Hank why her main character, Alyssa, would bring a woman into her home a day after meeting her. Seems far-fetched, right? With a smirk, Hank reminds us what happens every day in the dating world, and with a guilty laugh, we all had to agree. Whether seeking friendship or love, when we are vulnerable, when our defenses are down, when we are lonely, when we are stuck in a snow storm with a stalled car and high heels, we engage in trust much quicker than reason. Alyssa’s actions are realistic, even if they are questionable, because we all absolutely make questionable decisions sometimes, especially if we need some adventure or distraction.

This book had many twists and turns, cleverly leading you to think you know where things are going only to come across another not-so-predictable twist. “Half the fun and half the terror is writing a story without knowing the ending,” Hank says with a chuckle. The suspense is there just as much for her as a writer as it is for us readers.

The House Guest had more than one ending initially. Hank’s method for weaving and polishing her story happens after the natural, organic writing part, where she consults her notebook of lists where she checks for things like overuse of words she may use too much or ‘fixes’ for details and loose threads to weave in, informing her on what fits best. We all agree that Hank’s ending for The House Guest is superb; she honored the story and the authenticity of her character’s well. Luckily for Hank, she also has a wise editor who listens to her, but also isn’t afraid to tell her to take a step back, have a glass of wine (or tea), and consider how changes like the gender of a character might change the whole dynamic of a story. Seems like, 15 books in, Hank has a pretty great system going for crafting a compelling story.

Coming in January 2024 will be her next book, One Wrong Word, a story about a hotshot PR consultant battling truth, lies, and scandal for self-preservation. More is to be revealed about this one, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, you can find Hank online at hankphillippiryan.com, on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and on tour (on February 8^th, she will be in Georgia at FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock). She also has some really cool online events listed on her website, like her weekly Facebook Live and Instagram Live event, First Chapter Fun.

Hank was also delighted with our playlist, a Shelf Indulgence created gift to our ARC authors. We curate this playlist as a club to pair with the book, so check out our House Guest playlist to get you in the mood while reading this book.

Posted by book lover: Jessie T.