The Beat of Barcelona-Joan Silverhill
Author Interview: Joan Silverhill on The Beat of Barcelona
We’re so excited to chat with Joan Silverhill, author of the newly released contemporary romance The Beat of Barcelona, which became available September 25th! With music, love, and a city that doesn’t play by the rules, this story is sure to strike a chord with romance readers everywhere.
Q1: For readers just discovering it, can you give us a spoiler-free snapshot of The Beat of Barcelona?
Joan: At its heart, The Beat of Barcelona is about chasing your dreams and discovering who you are along the way. It follows Cori, a young woman who moves to Barcelona to study music. She doesn’t expect to get swept up in the city’s romance, or caught between two very different men. It’s a story about love, ambition, and finding the courage to take risks, all set against the backdrop of one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Q2: Barcelona is such a vivid, romantic city. Why did you choose it as the setting for Cori’s story?
Joan: The truth is—I dreamed it. One night, I had this vivid dream about Cori, Félix, and Jude having adventures in Barcelona and even Morocco, and it stuck with me. When I woke up, I couldn’t shake the images. Morocco adds its own magic later in the book, but Barcelona was always the heart of the dream.
Q3: The love triangle between Felix, Jude, and Cori brings so much tension. What drew you to write a romance with two very different leading men?
Joan: As I mentioned before, it started as a dream that I had. I woke up with this image of two men pulling a woman in opposite directions, and I knew there was a story there. I loved the idea of exploring how different people can bring out completely different sides of us, and how choosing between them is really about choosing who you want to be.
Q4: Music is at the heart of this book. Do you have a personal connection to music or a playlist that inspired the writing?
Joan:Yes, absolutely. Music has always been a huge part of my life. It’s what gets me through the hard days and helps me manage my mental health. I always have a playlist going while I write. For The Beat of Barcelona, it was a mix of indie love songs, and a little bit of moody pop for the more emotional scenes.
Q5: Cori is caught between two versions of herself: the careful, guarded side and the one that wants to take risks. Which part of her journey do you relate to the most?
Joan: Both! I’m impulsive by nature, but I’m also cautious to a fault. I know what it feels like to want to jump headfirst into something and at the same time second-guess yourself a million times. That push-and-pull is very much me, and very much Cori.
Q6: You’re a citizen of three countries—that’s amazing! How has your international background shaped your storytelling and the way you write about love and place?
Joan: Growing up across cultures taught me that love, friendship, and heartbreak all look a little different depending on where you are. But at the same time, they’re universal. I think that’s why place matters so much in my writing. The setting is an active part of the story, because it shapes the way people connect.
Q7: If The Beat of Barcelona were adapted into a movie, what would the vibe of the soundtrack be?
Joan: it would be a mix of indie romance vibes and Spanish guitar woven throughout. Think soft, emotional ballads for the Cori-and-Felix moments, big bold pop for the Cori-and-Jude moments, and sweeping instrumental pieces for the city itself.
Q8: What do you hope readers will feel when they turn the last page?
Joan: Shocked, but in the best way when they get to the last chapter. The first words in the last chapter tends to get the reaction “THE WAY I SCREAMED!!!” But more than that, I hope readers feel like they’ve been on a journey with Cori; one that makes them laugh, swoon, maybe cry a little, and come away thinking about the risks they’re willing to take for love and for themselves.
About Joan
Q9: When did you first know you wanted to write romance?
Joan: I’ve known for a few years. Romance has always been my favorite genre to read, and just last year, I realized I wanted to contribute my own love stories to the world.
Q10: What authors, books, or places inspire your writing the most?
Joan: Authors like Renée Carlino and Christina Lauren have been huge inspirations. I love rom-coms in general, and I’ve always been drawn to European settings because they bring such a natural sense of history, charm, and atmosphere to a story.
Q11: Since you’re a citizen of three countries, what’s your favorite comfort food or tradition from each one?
Joan:
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Bangladesh: Celebrating Eid with my family—going from house to house, visiting friends and relatives, and eating incredible food.
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Canada: I miss poutine so much! And of course, Timmies.
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Sweden: I love fika. It’s this cultural pause in the day where people slow down, connect, and recharge with a coffee/tea and a small snack. Swedes take it very seriously, and I think there’s something really beautiful about that.
Q12: If you weren’t writing, what other dream job would you love to have?
Joan: I studied international development in graduate school, and in a perfect world I’d be working to create educational opportunities for vulnerable women and children in impoverished countries. I’m a teacher now, and I’ve seen how education can change lives. I want to continue to be a part of that change.
Rapid-Fire Round 🎶❤️
Sunrise or sunset in Barcelona? Sunset
Flamenco or classical guitar? Flamenco
Felix or Jude? (no spoilers 😉) Nooooo!! Don’t make me choose!!
Coffee, wine, or cava? Cava
Most romantic city you’ve ever visited (besides Barcelona)? Rome
Favorite love story (book or movie)? Book (recent fave because it’s impossible to pick overall): The Scattered Bones
Movie: Jurassic Park (not a love story, but my favorite movie of all time!)
One word to describe The Beat of Barcelona? Memorable
One word to describe your writing style? Heartfelt
✨ The Beat of Barcelona comes out September 25th! Prepare to get swept away in a romance full of music, passion, and the magic of finding yourself in an unforgettable city.
Follow Joan Silverhill for updates and behind-the-scenes writing fun!