Q&A: Ki Stephens, Author of ‘Game On’

We chat with author Ki Stephens about Game On, which is a spicy, page-turning and heartwarming romance set in the world of competitive cheerleading.

Hi, Ki! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hi! I’m Ki Stephens. I write all sorts of contemporary romance. I grew up a voracious reader, the kind of kid who always had a book tucked in my backpack, and that love eventually spun itself into writing my own. These days, I split my time between drafting new novels and chasing after my three-year-old daughter.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I’ve always loved stories, but I think I truly discovered writing when I realized I could take all the feelings I had from reading and create something that gave those feelings to someone else. I started scribbling Jonas Brothers fanfiction in middle school, then full-length stories in high school, and I’ve never really stopped.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: I was constantly reading, but the first series I distinctly remember obsessing over was The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins. I’m still a fan for life.
• The one that made you want to become an author: Looking for Alaska by John Green. I read it when I was twelve, and it was the first “grown-up” book that made me feel all these complicated, new things. It showed me how powerful a story could be.
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Secret History by Donna Tartt. It’s the kind of book that lingers in the back of your mind, equal parts beautiful and unsettling, and it always makes me think about atmosphere and obsession in fiction.

Your latest novel, Game On, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Pressure, Grit, Adrenaline, Longing, Love

What can readers expect?

Readers can expect a blend of sports passion and a slow emotional burn (quick on the spice), with plenty of banter, tension, and emotional payoff. It’s fun and flirty but also digs into ambition, vulnerability, and the pressure of chasing big dreams.

Where did the inspiration for Game On come from?

I wanted to explore the intensity of college athletics and how it parallels the intensity of young love. That level of dedication can push people to their limits, but it can also reveal who you are underneath. That mix of adrenaline, pressure, and heart felt like the perfect backdrop for a romance.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I especially loved writing Hudson, because his arc allowed me to explore OCD in a way that felt deeply personal. I live with OCD myself, and I use stories as a way to showcase different experiences of it. In Fault Line, Kaia’s journey reflected one perspective, but Hudson’s is very different—his relationship with control, routine, and pressure manifests in unique ways. Writing him gave me the chance to portray OCD with nuance, while also showing that it doesn’t define him; it’s just one part of a layered, ambitious character who also happens to fall in love.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Balancing the romance with the sports plot was tricky. I wanted both to feel authentic, not like one was just backdrop for the other. The solution was immersing myself in the rhythm of athletics—the practices, the tournaments, the intensity—and then placing the emotional beats of romance directly into those moments.

What’s next for you?

I have a small-town romance series set in Blue Willow, a cozy, magical New England town, coming up soon. Think snow-dusted inns, orchard blossoms, honey farms—each book tied to a different season and a different couple. I’m also working on a darker gothic fantasy project. Lots of variety on the horizon!

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

Some of my favorites so far this year include In the Veins of the Drowning by Kalie Cassidy, Good Spirits (ARC) by BK Borison, and Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory. I’m also dying to finish Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab. It’s been lingering on my nightstand.

Will you be picking up Game On? Tell us in the comments below!