Emily Adrian is the Portland-born author of Like It Never Happened, her debut novel, which is set to launch in Canada on Friday, June 12th at Type Books (883 Queen Street West) at 7pm.

Like It Never Happened chronicles the life of Rebecca Rivers after she lands the lead in her school’s production of The Crucible. Rebecca grows close with her four rowdy cast-mates, quickly shedding her old reputation. Promising to avoid romantic encounters with her new posse, Rebecca becomes conflicted by her on- and off-stage feelings with the play’s leading man. The group soon encounters a life-altering accusation that threatens to destroy everything…even if some of it is just make believe.

Like It Never Happened is available June 2, 2015 from Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin and in stores later this month.

We got a chance to speak with Emily about living in Toronto.

What are your favourite haunts in Toronto?

I do most of my work from home, but sometimes I venture to the AGO (I have a membership and like to write in their café) or to one of the public libraries. Favourite going-out spots include the Bellwoods Brewery and Archive (on Dundas). Since I have a big dog, I frequent a lot of parks in the warmer months; I like High Park and Coronation Park, from which you can watch all the Porter planes take off.

What aisle do you spend the most time in at the grocery store?

The snack aisle.

Which virtue do you try to cultivate within yourself?

I try to be kind to people. And also to answer my emails. Is that a virtue?

The receipts in your wallet would indicate what?

That I never, ever clean out my wallet.

What did you think you were going to be when you were 8 years old?

An author of children’s books!

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?

I’m from Portland, Oregon originally, and I would love to live in another city on the west coast someday. But I’m pretty pleased with Toronto for the moment.

What makes you happy?

The affection of dogs, hot weather, seafood, my husband, good writing days…

What makes you cringe?

Styrofoam, cold weather, eggplant, crowded streetcars, the suggestion of karaoke…

What quality do you loathe most in others?

The quality of being unable to imagine a perspective other than your own.

What, in your opinion, is overrated?

Roller coasters. And hummus.

What is the one thing you wish you could change about yourself? Why?

I wish I didn’t fret so much over things that don’t need fretting over. It takes up a lot of time.

What frustrates you the most?

Things that should be easy but are instead difficult – like assembling IKEA furniture, or trying to remove your snow boots without pulling off your socks.

Follow Emily on Twitter!