Lauren didn’t fall in love with reading until her young adult years, when a quiet corner of her town’s public library opened the door to whole new worlds. She left with stacks of books taller than her, returning them only to check them out again and again. Somewhere between the turning pages and sleepless nights, she realized she wasn’t just a reader—she was a writer in the making.

Now, Lauren writes fantasy and science fiction filled with wonder, heart, and just a dash of chaos. Her debut novel, Awaken, marks the beginning of a journey she once only scribbled about on post-it notes.

She grew up—and still lives—in the western suburbs of Chicago, sharing her home with her husband, two kids, and a few too many bookshelves. By day, she teaches elementary students to fall head over heels for stories, just like she does.