Mrs. Saint and the Defectives

The characters feel so distinct and memorable—I'm curious whether they came from real people or pure imagination. Did any character surprise the author during writing?

The book balances light moments with deeper emotional beats, which made me feel so connected. How did the author decide on this tone?

The small-town vibe really adds charm and authenticity. I wonder if the author drew from personal experiences or crafted the town entirely from imagination.