Hello, I’m Isla Hartley—a contemporary romance author and a hopeless romantic who believes in true love, second chances, and happily-ever-afters.
I’m 38 years old and have been with my husband Tom for 12 years. Our love story isn’t the “love at first sight” fairytale—in fact, I spilled coffee all over his suit when we first met. But it’s those imperfect moments, those days filled with laughter and tears, that taught me the best love stories often begin in the most unexpected ways.
We live in a quiet European city with our two four-legged family members. Max is a 10-year-old golden retriever who’s been with us since he was a puppy—gentle, loyal, and the wisest soul in our household. Three years ago, we adopted Winston from a rescue shelter—a French Bulldog who was only two at the time and had been through some tough times. Winston looks a bit tough on the outside but is actually the biggest softie, just like the heroes in my books: hard exterior, tender heart.
Max always lies quietly at my feet when I’m writing, as if he can sense the emotional currents in my stories. Winston, on the other hand, prefers to jump on the couch demanding attention precisely when I need to focus most—perhaps that’s why I’ve learned to stay creative in the midst of chaos. Whenever I’m stuck on a plot point, taking them for a walk always brings the inspiration flowing back.
Why I Write
Before becoming a full-time author, I worked as a project manager for nearly a decade. It was a good job with stable income, but I always felt something was missing. Then one late night, I finished reading a romance novel that made my heart race and brought tears to my eyes, and I suddenly realized: this is what I want to do. I want to create stories that people can escape into after a long day, worlds that make readers believe in love, hope, and possibility.
At 30, I started posting short stories on online writing communities (Wattpad, Archive of Our Own, and similar platforms) under different pen names. Over those years, I wrote countless fragments and novellas, mostly improvised creations after getting home from work late at night. I never thought about publishing—I just enjoyed the process of creating characters and stories.
But reader feedback ignited a fire in me. Strangers left comments saying my stories made them cry, laugh, and believe in love again. I still keep those messages. At 35, I decided to take this seriously—not just writing for fun anymore, but truly crafting a complete novel worthy of publication.
Two years ago, writing under the name “Isla Hartley,” I wrote the story of my neighbors—a couple who had lived on our street for thirty years, whose love had weathered storms yet remained resilient. I received my first truly moving reader comment. A woman told me the story reminded her of her own parents and helped her understand what eternal love means after losing her mother. I cried in that moment, and I understood this isn’t just a job—this is my calling.
Those early works on writing communities? They’re still out there somewhere, under pen names I’ve long forgotten. That was my apprenticeship, my testing ground. Now, as Isla Hartley, I’m ready to write the stories I’ve always dreamed of creating—stories rooted in real life and real emotions.
My Writing Style
I write contemporary romance—love stories that happen around us, stories that could happen to anyone. My heroines are real women—they have careers, dreams, past wounds, and hopes for the future. They’re not perfect, and that’s exactly what makes them authentic and relatable.
I love writing relationships charged with chemistry—that tension when two people are clearly attracted but resist each other, those feelings conveyed through witty banter and lingering glances, and those heart-racing intimate moments. I believe good romance isn’t just about two people coming together—it’s about two complete individuals learning how to create a better “us” while remaining themselves.
Inspiration from Life
My story ideas come from all aspects of life. It might be an overheard conversation in a café, a scene encountered during travel, or just a rainy afternoon when I look out the window and suddenly wonder: “What if two people met in rain like this—what would happen?”
I love collecting stories. I have a notebook filled with various “what ifs”—those fleeting thoughts from daily life, those emotional dynamics and relationships I want to explore. Some ideas eventually become complete stories, others become scenes in a chapter.
About Social Media and Real Life
To be honest, I’m not one of those people who loves posting every little detail of their life on social media. You won’t see me updating Instagram stories every hour or sharing photos of every cup of coffee. For me, social media is more a platform to share important updates and new book news with readers, not a complete record of my life.
Offline, I prefer being the kind of friend people know they can count on—the person who truly listens, the one who shows up when you need them. I believe real connection happens through deep conversations and face-to-face time together, not through the number of likes and comments.
So if my social media updates aren’t very frequent, please don’t misunderstand—I’m putting most of my energy into writing, into creating stories that can truly touch your heart. I’d rather post less and write more chapters that move you.
When I’m Not Writing
Besides writing and reading (I’m a complete bookworm—at least three shelves in my house are stacked with unread books), I enjoy:
- Cooking with Tom—We try a new recipe every Friday night, often ending with a messy kitchen and ordering pizza, but we enjoy the process.
- Long walks—Max and Winston both need plenty of exercise, and I need to get away from my computer. Our favorite route goes through the park to the riverside path; the changing seasons always bring me fresh inspiration.
- Travel—Even just weekend getaways. New places always bring new perspectives to my stories.
- Drinking too much coffee—This might not be a healthy hobby, but for a writer, coffee is the essence of life.
- Truly spending time with friends—Not online chatting, but sitting down face-to-face, having a drink, and talking into the night.
To My Readers
If you’re reading these words now, whether you’re considering whether to read my books or have already read them and want to know more about me—thank you. Thank you for giving my stories a chance, thank you for believing in the power of love, thank you for taking time to enter the worlds I create.
Writing is a solitary endeavor, but knowing readers somewhere are opening my books, laughing with my characters, crying with them, feeling their hearts race—that makes it all worthwhile.
I may not be the most active author on social media, but I promise to pour my heart and soul into my stories. If you want to stay connected, you can subscribe to my newsletter—I’ll share new book announcements, behind-the-scenes writing stories, and occasionally anecdotes about Max and Winston (not too often, I promise).
Remember: no matter what stage of life you’re in, no matter what you’ve been through, you deserve a beautiful love story—whether in a book or in real life.
With love,
Isla ❤️