“Gizmo” | Owner & Coordinating Director
Ari is the owner and visionary of the Heathens & Heartbreakers fever dream. Wait, I think… No, I know I meant… Book Bash! She is the one with the masterplan. The snarky captions? The drool-worthy graphics? The neon-emo explosion of branding that slaps harder than your latest book boyfriend? Ari! She’s a married, Texas native, mini-chaos wrangler with a taste for details. When she’s not planning and executing top-tier special milestone events, she’s color-coding a crisis or redesigning the universe… with Photoshop. She is the madness within an innocent-looking, organized-obsessed package.
“Sprout” | Co-Founder & Logistics
Shelly, the co-conspirator who said “yes” before there was even a question. Sprout is the glitter bomb in Ari’s organized cabinet, popping up with chaos, commentary, and the occasional brilliant idea. She’s equal parts hoodie gremlin and caffeine-fueled menace. This Louisiana mom of three can often be found napping, or writing (when there is a deadline looming overhead.) She’s an angsty romance author and legend of doing just enough to avoid exile. A little sour, a little sparkly, and wholly unforgettable.
“Spitfire” | Senior Event Liaison
Emily flirts with the algorithm and archives your sins. As our romance-obsessed rep-queen and social media administrative seductress, she keeps our digital presence glowing. The sweet face and bubbly personality you see live is her. This siren of smut who makes emojis blush is newly married to her high school sweetheart and hales from the mountains of Alaska. Our dark romance book babe holds the skeleton key to all the event information and knows everything. Including where the bodies are hidden. Beneath your favorite bookstore, of course.
“Juice” | Talent Recruitment Director
Brittnee is the velvet hammer of Heathens & Heartbreakers: smooth, strategic, and a little savage. She pairs authors, narrators, and vendors with the precision of a trope-loving cupid. Juice is our queen of announcement alchemy, a SoCal mom of four, and devourer of all books. She’s the problem solver and chaos counter-balance. A real people person… with bite. She’s the silver-tongued sweetheart who can talk anyone into anything. Including you.
“Chaos” | Talent Experience Curator
Brandi seduces the algorithm while stirring the digital cauldron. She’s a fierce protector of bookish babes, collector of wives, and Heathens & Heartbreakers’ ride or die! This South-Texas mom builds spreadsheets stronger than most fantasy fortresses while weaving experiences like spells. She’s the cayenne to your sugar, and a connoisseur of alien smut. Expect vibes, precision, and a little bit of… “spicy grape-juice” induced mischief in every moment she touches.
“Beastie” | Daily Operations Manager
Crystal is the calm command center behind Heathens & Heartbreakers.
She's a master of scheduling, coordination, and follow-through. The person who keeps our fast-moving world running with precision, grace, and an unshakable sense of order.
Based in Alabama, Crystal balances a full, multifaceted life as a devoted mom of two and dedicated respiratory therapist. She is also the founder of her own Author VPA Services business with a dynamic lineup of romance authors. Her ability to juggle complex priorities with clarity and compassion is nothing short of exceptional.
This smutty mafia romance lover is the quiet force ensuring operations stay seamless and stress stays low. There isn't a task our Beastie can't slay.
“Shashy” | Creative Communications
Shanan speaks fluent sass and romance. This New Yorker with a psychology degree is a lover of clever comebacks and classic cinema. She’s a devoted wife and loving aunt. Lucky for us, she is also an editor and our event email-whispering tone-setter. With a heart of gold, and the wit of Monty Python, she’s shaping the voice of Heathens & Heartbreakers in every newsletter, one pun and Pinterest-worthy phrase at a time.
“Boo” | Volunteer Manager
Sharron is the heart-led anchor of Heathens & Heartbreakers bringing structure, empathy, and unwavering care to everything she does. Based in Chicago, she is the kind of leader who makes people feel seen, supported, and genuinely valued, all while keeping systems organized and running smoothly.
Exceptionally detail-oriented and thoughtfully organized, Sharron balances her role as HR Manager with her work as a personal assistant to a major Australia-based smutty romance author. Her ability to manage complex responsibilities across time zones with calm efficiency speaks to both her professionalism and her dedication.
She’s the softest voice and strongest foundation in every room.
“Hollie B” | Main Event MC
“Jinxie” | Digital Experience Curator
Christy is to blame if your TBR feels a little heavier. She’s the puppet master behind the book covers and quotes flooding your IG stories. Our little Jinxie is also the curator of those swoony Pinterest boards. This married Ohio mom is the comment-section succubus who keeps Heathens & Heartbreakers’ socials buzzing, Our self-proclaimed “cursed” ball of cuteness is why you’re addicted to your notifications. You’re welcome.
“Mystery Maven” | Charitable Contributions Coordinator
She might be Batman. She might not. We can’t confirm. But we can say we’ve never seen them in a room together. Make of that what you will.
She may not have a public name, a selfie, or a signature cocktail (actually… she might) either way, Heathens & Heartbreakers Mystery Maven is the stealthy saint behind all the contributions to our beloved causes.
This Temecula-based mistress of good-deeds is a romance-obsessed mom of three who runs her chaotic animal sanctuary like a wine-fueled Noah’s Ark. Better outfits, modern conveniences and more shoes, of course.