Beautiful One by Mary Cope
Mary Cope is a passionate romance writer known for her ability to craft characters that feel undeniably real. Drawing inspiration from both her personal experience and vivid imagination, Mary’s words resonate with readers. A romantic at heart, Mary believes true intimacy is what love is all about.
A little bit about Author Mary Cope…
I came to writing later in life. I began my writing journey in my late 40s, though I’ve always been an avid reader. The turning point came while I was reading a best-selling novel I just couldn’t get through. As much as I tried, I found the story ridiculous. Eventually, I put the book down and thought, “If this is a best-selling novel, I might as well give writing a try.” So I did.
I didn’t have any formal training in creative writing, but I’d spent years immersed in stories and language. At first, I kept my writing to myself—it felt personal and a bit vulnerable—but the more I wrote, the more I enjoyed the process. Eventually, I began sharing my work, and the encouraging feedback gave me the motivation to keep going. Writing quickly became something I truly loved.
This is Author Mary Cope’s writing and publication journey in her own words…
Inspiration to start writing…
The inspiration for Beautiful One came to me during a seemingly ordinary moment when I was dropping off my daughter at high school. As she was gathering her things to get out of the car, an overweight teenage girl walked by. My daughter glanced at her, then looked at me and said, “Kids are so mean, it must be really hard to be overweight in high school.” That simple observation stayed with me, and that very day, the character Elizabeth was born along with the idea for Beautiful One.
I write romance because, deep down, I feel like a kid at heart. There’s something about the emotions, the hope, and the excitement of young love that I still connect with and enjoy revisiting. Writing romance allows me to explore those feelings and moments that remind me of the innocence, joy, and sometimes the awkwardness of that time in life.
Mary’s works…
Beautiful One was published on September 6, 2023, by The Wild Rose Press and won the 2024 National Excellence in Storytelling (NEST) Award. It’s a coming-of-age romance following Elizabeth Ryan, a shy high school senior torn between her dream boyfriend and a new connection that challenges everything she thought she knew about love.
Available here:
Beautiful OneBlurb
Transformation, empowerment, love, and music collide in the captivating novel, Beautiful One.
Elizabeth Ryan is a beautiful but shy, naïve high school senior who has never dated—until she meets Aidan Mitchell, the boy of her dreams. Despite his history of womanizing, Liz is irresistibly drawn to him. Soon, their relationship becomes the talk of the school, and Liz is swept off her feet by the whirlwind of love and excitement, but the dating world is a strange new place for her. As other guys begin to take notice, Aidan’s jealousy grows.
Then Elizabeth meets Spencer Hayes, a ruggedly handsome musician who shares her passion for music. Their connection is instant, and Liz begins to struggle with the intense feelings she develops for him.
Torn between helping Aidan overcome his jealousy and following her heart, Elizabeth must confront the truth about what she truly wants—and the transformation that love, jealousy, and self-discovery will bring.
One of Mary’s favourite scenes from Beautiful One…
I would think coming into a new school as a senior would be difficult but not for a good-looking guy like Aidan…
It was a few weeks into our senior year when I first set eyes on Aidan…
That wasn’t what I was expecting. He seemed kind of nice. I gathered my courage, looked up at Aidan, and answered, “Nice to meet you too.”
He smiled at me and glanced at what I was eating. He returned his attention to one of the skinny girls and continued to flirt.
I looked down at my cinnamon roll, covered in frosting. That was the day I decided I was done being the fat girl.
Connect with Author Mary Cope
Website
Instagram: @marycope_author
Twitter: @MaryCope_Author
Facebook: Mary Cope
