Feta Fried Eggs Went Viral For A Delectable Reason – Here’s How To Make Them

feta fried eggs recipe from tiktok and instagram

If you’re no stranger to scrolling, you know the internet has been cookin’ up something real tasty these days –feta fried eggs. The easy-to-make snack (or morning meal, you choose) has the perfect balance of all things crunchy, crispy, and tender, giving it that satisfying bite that’s made the dish go wildly viral.

Today, we’re taking notes from one of the recipe developers at the forefront of the latest food trend, Grace Elkus, about how feta fried eggs began, the #1 best way to make them, and delectable recipe pairings.

"The best time to make feta fried eggs is when you're really hungry and tempted to just grab the closest thing in your snack cabinet, but know you'll be more satisfied with something homemade," says Elkus. "That could be at 9 a.m. or 9 p.m. — there's never a wrong time to make them."

We're *so* on board with this snacktime philosophy. It's much easier and more convenient to whip up something with ingredients you already have on hand (eggs – check! cheese – check!) than go out and buy a bite to eat that may be less than fulfilling. Plus, feta fried eggs are nutritious no matter when you eat them, since they provide a nice, filling balance of protein, fat, and carbs.

"This recipe is inspired by Ali Slagle's Crispy Potato, Egg, and Cheese Tacos from her cookbook I Dream of Dinner," says Elkus. "Her dish taught me so many things that carried over into this one, including frying my eggs in cheese and letting the runny yolk become the sauce."

Ingredients for Feta Fried Eggs

  • 1 egg
  • 1 small handful of full-fat feta cheese, packed in brine or a block
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 1 tortilla, flour or corn

How to Make Viral Feta Fried Eggs

  1. Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Crumble in some feta cheese around the perimeter of the pan. "Wait until the feta is sizzling and melting before cracking in the egg, and then cover the pan while the egg cooks," says Elkus. "If at any point the feta looks brown and crispy before the egg white is set, turn down the heat."
  2. Crack one egg into the center of the pan. Season with black pepper and red pepper flakes.
  3. Cover the pan and cook until the egg white is set, yolk is still runny, and cheese is crispy. "My #1 tip is to use a nonstick skillet," says Elkus. "You'll want to add olive oil if using any other kind, unless you really trust your cast iron."
  4. Serve atop toast, a tortilla, or a hash brown.

11 More Ways to Eat Feta Fried Eggs

  • On a charred tortilla
  • With avocado spread
  • With other cheeses (Elkus recommends sharp cheddar, goat cheese, Parmesan, or low-moisture mozzarella)
  • On toasted bread
  • With chili oil
  • With hot sauce
  • With a splash of lime juice
  • With sliced tomato
  • With pan-seared veggies
  • On toasted English muffins
  • On a hash brown

How long do feta fried eggs take to make?

It typically takes 5 minutes to cook feta fried eggs, but that could change depending how runny you like your egg yolk.

"In my original post, I said it's ready in 5 minutes – and I stand by that," says Elkus. "If you prep your tortilla while the egg cooks, it really does happen quickly. With that said, you'll likely want to go a little slower and watch your egg more carefully your first go-around, so give it between 5 and 15 minutes."

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Recipe + photography by Grace Elkus

If there are two things we love, they're Bridgerton and brunch — and what better way to spend a weekend than combining the two?! We got a peek inside The Unofficial Bridgerton Cookbook before its release to help us create a four-course Bridgertonbrunch (try saying that five times fast). With four recipes that look just as good as they taste, you're sure to be the diamond of the season.

Rumor-Stirring Blueberry Lavender Fizz

You can't have brunch without a fun, easy drink to kick things off! This fruity mocktail features flavors of blueberry, lemon, and lime, and it comes with a foamy, pastel finish. What could be more springlike than that?

Ingredients

Serves 1

  • 1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
  • 1 tablespoon blueberry jam
  • 1⁄2 ounce lemon juice
  • 1⁄2 ounce lime juice
  • 1⁄2 ounce heavy cream
  • 1 large egg white, pasteurized
  • 8–12 ounces cooled sparkling water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Instructions

  1. Muddle lavender in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add remaining ingredients except sparkling water and lemon zest. Shake vigorously until texture changes to a foam, about 10 seconds.
  3. Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds or until cocktail is well chilled.
  4. Strain into a Collins glass. Top with sparkling water and garnish with lemon zest.

Household Hasty-Bake Oatmeal Pies with Sugared Berries

This dish might look fancy enough to serve Queen Charlotte, but it's actually very simple to make! You can use instant oats, which speeds up everything about the process. All you need for the sugared berries (other than the berries themselves) is sugar and an egg white, which is so easy that we're taking notes for all of our spring berry cravings.

Ingredients

Makes 4 (4") Pies Or 1 (9") Pie

For Sugared Berries:

  • 1⁄3 cup superfine sugar
  • 1 large egg white, pasteurized
  • 1 cup fresh berries of choice

For Oatmeal Pies:

  • 1 1⁄4 cups instant oats
  • 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
  • 1⁄2 cup water
  • 4 cups vanilla yogurt for filling
  • 4 tablespoons amber honey

Instructions

  1. Prepare a surface with wax paper. Place superfine sugar in a small shallow dish
  2. Whisk egg white lightly in a small bowl until bubbles form on the surface. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat each berry with egg white.
  3. Gently roll berries in sugar and place on wax paper. Let dry 20 minutes.
  4. To make Oatmeal Pies: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly coat four 4" pie pans (or one 9" pie pan) with butter and set aside.
  5. In a food processor, pulse oats, flour, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until butter pieces are no larger than a pea.
  6. Pour mixture into a large bowl and mix in water until dough ball forms. If dough is too dry, add more water.
  7. Separate dough into four equal parts and, using wet hands, press dough into pie pans. Make sure crust is even and without holes.
  8. Bake 20 minutes until edges begin to brown.
  9. Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes. Fill with yogurt and Sugared Berries and drizzle with honey before serving.

Portia's Green Soup

We're all about filling, warm soups when temps drop, but when it's feeling lovely outside, switch things up with a chilled (and healthy) soup recipe. Avocado and buttermilk keep things creamy and garlic, chives, and salt add a nice flavor. Top with radishes, nuts, and greens.

Ingredients

Serves 6

  • 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 4 cups buttermilk
  • 1 large seedless cucumber, sliced into 1⁄4" discs 2 tablespoons sliced red onion
  • 4 medium cloves garlic, peeled
  • 6 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, divided 2 tablespoons aji-mirin or rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients except 3 tablespoons chives to a blender and blend until smooth. Chill 1 hour.
  2. Serve in six small bowls garnished with remaining 3 tablespoons chives.

High Society Scones

These tasty scones will go great with brunch, dessert, or afternoon tea. Just don't forget the marmalade! If you don't have access to barberries, swap for currants or cranberries and you're good as gold.

Ingredients

Makes 12 scones

  • 1⁄2 cup barberries
  • 1⁄16 teaspoon ground saffron
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
  • 5 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
  • 3 large eggs, divided
  • 3⁄4 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F and set out two lined baking sheets.
  2. In a small bowl, soak barberries in warm water for 30 minutes. In a separate small bowl, crumble saffron into 1 tablespoon water and set aside.
  3. Add flour, baking powder, salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, and butter to a food processor and pulse until a very fine sand forms.
  4. In a medium bowl, beat 2 eggs, saffron water, and milk until well combined. Gently mix in contents of food processor until just combined. Drain and stir in barberries.
  5. On a clean, lightly floured surface, knead dough minimally and form into a rectangle 1" thick. Dough should be very sticky. Don’t overwork. Use a 2" round cookie cutter or glass to cut twelve circles of dough, setting them on the baking sheet 21⁄2" apart.
  6. In a small bowl, beat remaining egg and water and brush lightly onto scones, then sprinkle remaining
    1 tablespoon sugar on top of scones. Bake 8–10 minutes until lightly browned.
  7. Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes before serving. Will last up to 1 week in refrigerator.

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All recipes and images courtesy of The Unofficial Bridgerton Cookbook.

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This post has been updated.

No vacation is complete without flowy maxi dresses, cute hairstyles, and allllll the summer nail designs. When it comes to summer vacation, you're in your relaxation era, and you deserve to feel good and look cute! But if you can't figure out which summer nail designs you should be paying attention to, take a deep breath! I found 10 adorable options that are stylish, yet practical so you can make your way over to the swim-up bar in style. Here's all the inspo that I'd take to the nail salon for your next appointment!

Image via abolfazl zarghami/Pexels

Short Abstract Acrylic Summer Nails

If you decide to get an acrylic or gel overlay for a couple of weeks, opt for a shorter style so that you don't have to worry about accidentally breaking them while you're dressed in tenniscore during your friendly pickleball match.

The burnt orange lines and outlines here perfectly complement the flashes of turquoise and brown in this abstract design, making it the perfect choice if you plan to spend your days lounging on Miami Beach. These nail sheets from Amazon are a great option for someone wanting to try this on a budget!

Image via Bellacures

Pops of Magenta Nail Designs

Do you live for a good surprise that's not overwhelming? Me too! It's one of the reasons why I think this summer nail design by Bellacures is the perfect for just that.

It features a light pastel pink nail polish base with two varying magenta dots near your cuticles. While you can easily achieve this look at the salon with a fresh set of acrylic nails, you also don't have to! You can DIY this at home with Olive and June's Rosy Tips as a base for your nails, and their Biggest Bow nail polish for the magenta dots!

Image via Kristina Paukshtite/Pexels

Be One with Nature Nail Designs

Summer nail designs don't have to be in-your-face to make a statement. All you need is one nail color that's associated with warmer days to truly speak to the upcoming season — like OPI's Peppermint Bark and Bite! It has a gorgeous metallic shine that'll truly make this gorgeous nail design sparkle.

Want to get the natural, earthy vibe from home? Try this Evergreen Tree Stickers nail art from Olive and June!

Image via Olive & June

Long Royal Blue French Nail Designs

Do you want your nails to do the talking for you? Opt for long, royal blue acrylic nails that are an updated version of acrylic nails. The color and length alone will make people pay attention to whatever you're saying and wearing. If that's the goal, ask your nail tech to use China Glaze's Simply Fa-Blue-Less Nail Lacquer! Want something quick and easy to achieve at home? Olive & June has a press on for that: Blue Metallic French Glue Press-OnsGlue Press-Ons

Image via Bellacures

Orange Sorbet with Sprinkles

While orange was never my favorite color growing up, I can't get enough of this colorful shade now! It's like all I can think about when I see this nail design is a yummy smoothie or sorbet popsicle that has a hint of mandarin orange in it.

If you plan to indulge in a ton of sorbet to keep cool during scorching days, it's only right that your nails match! For a less designed — but just as cute — option, try these Creamsicle Tab Press-Ons from Olive and June!

Image via Impress

Astrologically Correct

Are you the kind of person who relies on your weekly horoscope to plan your summer vacation or pick what you're gonna grab for dinner? These astrological nail designs are waiting for you.

They have a witchy vibe that guarantees they'll go with any outfit you plan to wear and that's what make them one of the best summer nail designs you can wear! While you can ask your nail tech to get creative with this at the salon, I love that imPRESS has some at-home options you can literally press on yourself!

Image via Bellacures

Short & Sweet Vibrant Nails

Keep it short and sweet with another version of a french manicure that features different colors at the top of each nail. You can go as vibrant as you want or you can opt for pastel colors! This gives you a little pop without overpowering your amazing summer vacation look I know you're slaying right now.

For a vertical, at-home take on this look, Olive and June have these Neon Lines Glue Press-Ons!

Image via Bellacures

Abstract Pastel Colors

Keep the pastel party going with another abstract idea! Bellacures nail salon suggests taking your otherwise neutral manicure to the next level by adding varying shades of pastel blues, pinks, purples, yellows, and greens to each nail. Need a press-on option as a girl on-the-go? Grab these Glamnetic Jelly Bean Short Oval Press-On Nails!

Image via Shae Devereaux/Pexels

Simple, Dreamy Vibes

Abstract summer nail designs clearly have a special place in my heart — but it's because they can be as simple or bold as you want! I like this nail set because it's great for attending summer cocktail parties, weddings, or work events without causing too much of a scene. All you need is a nice white nail polish that's not opaque (it matters) and you're all set! Don't have a steady hand? These press-ons from imPRESS will work just as well!

Which summer nail designs will you try at home or show to your nail tech during your next salon visit?

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead image via Bellacures

If you're anything like us, you love a good bite-sized appetizer. Finger foods are just the best! Whether they're out on the table for birthday parties or potlucks, it's guaranteed that we're gonna be grabbing for them again and again.

Bite-size appetizers should be easy to eat, but more importantly, easy to make. These bite-size appetizers are a total breeze in the kitchen and will totally impress whoever you're serving them to. From pinwheels to puff pastry goodies, we've got your next sharable snack occasion covered. Let's dive in to the best (and easy!) bite-size appetizers!

Bacon Pastry Twists

Using pre-made puff pastry strips saves you so much time in the kitchen with these bacon-filled treats! If you want to go all out for your guests, make sure you don't skip the beer cheese meant to go alongside these dippable apps. (via Brit + Co)

Smoked Salmon Poke Bites

This bite-size appetizer recipe is a staple in our appetizer recipe roundups, and for good reason. They don't require any baking or cooking (other than the rice, which you could buy already made) – just pure passion for bite-size appetizers and a few minutes of your time. (via Brit + Co)

Cheesy Cauliflower Tots

For these tiny tots, simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, shape into bite-size portions, and bake for about 20 minutes. They'll be gone even quicker. (via Brit + Co)

Pineapple BBQ Chicken Meatballs

If you're short on time, you can use frozen meatballs to craft this delicious appetizer! Either way, the juicy bites still get swarmed in a sweet BBQ sauce that's downright addictive. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Vegan Jalapeño Poppers

Ready in just 30 minutes, you truly cannot go wrong with jalapeño poppers for parties, movie nights, and backyard shindigs. Though this iteration is vegan, each bite is wondrously cheesy! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Baked Taco Cups

These easy baked taco cups hit all the marks in terms of texture: they're cheesy, soft, and crunchy all at the same time. You'll get a subtle kick of spice from the jalapeños and cumin, too. (via Averie Cooks)

English Muffin Pizzas

Okay – so these might actually require a bit more than a single bite, but they're so worth the extra chew. The best thing about these appetizers is they're entirely customizable, so simply pile on the toppings that speak strongly to you! (via The Girl On Bloor)

Cheese & Tomato Pinwheels

Everyone loves bready. Everyone loves cheesy. That's exactly why you need to make these bite-size appetizers for your next function! Plus, they're ridiculously easy, being made with 5 ingredients in 30 minutes tops. (via The Fast Recipe)

Crab Rangoon

You'll find that putting in the work to make your very own crab rangoon bites pays off. After a single bite of these homemade ones, you'll never go back to takeout. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are an undeniable classic, and there's bound to be someone at your party that goes nuts for them. You can customize the filling any way you like, but we recommend keeping things simple. (via Culinary Hill)

Spinach & Brie Triangles

The phyllo dough in this recipe turns so scrumptious and flaky once baked. It's the perfect texture complement to the creamy, cheesy filling. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Buffalo Tofu Wings

Your vegan pals are definitely gonna want some substantial bite-size appetizers to fuel their fun. Opt for this vegan offering that assumes the iconic Buffalo spice! (via Earthly Provisions)

Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms

Parmesan, artichokes, and spinach are a wonderful combo on their own, but when you stuff some mushrooms with it, you've achieved bite-site snack greatness. (via Completely Delicious)

Honey Glazed Halloumi

Halloumi is a very mellow cheese that flexes well for sweet or savory situations. In this case, it gets a generous glaze of honey that tastes like pure heaven alongside some fresh lemon, spices, and herbs. (via Hello Little Home)

Easy Italian Pinwheels

These pinwheels are the epitome of a make-ahead appetizer, but they'd also be a stunning spread for a quick weekday lunch! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Asparagus & Ham Puff Pastry Pockets

Store-bought puff pastry comes to the (very tasty) rescue in this bite-size appetizer recipe. If your crowd isn't big on eating ham and/or asparagus, you could easily swap the insides for something else based on personal preference. (via Woman Scribbles)

Air Fried Olives

Olives are ​too​ good, and this air fried recipe just ​screams​ happy hour! They're super easy to coat and air fry, then pop in your mouth for a satiating salty snack. (via This Wife Cooks)

Brie, Apple, & Honey Crostini

These elevated bite-size appetizers are speaking to our soul. They're gently sweet form the apple and honey, and ultra-creamy thanks to the melty brie cheese! Pair with wine for a super good time. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Antipasto Skewers

You gotta love a skewered snack! These take on the flavors of salami, olives, and artichokes for a savory bite you'll definitely want seconds of. And thirds. And fourths. (via Salt & Lavender)

Crispy Cheesy Brussels Sprouts

It's true, you can convince everyone that Brussels sprouts are the superior vegetable, as long as there's some cheese involved. Thankfully, this quick appetizer recipe includes plenty of parmesan. (via The Endless Meal)

Chicks in a Blanket with Everything Bagel Seasoning

Meaty and bready, these chicks in a blanket make for an amazing snack alongside some ice-cold beer in the summer. (via Cozy Cravings)

Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

These crispy potato pieces might just be better than any restaurant's version. They're oven-baked, which supplies a much healthier alternative to deep-frying. Simply slice, season, and bake to absolute perfection. (via Two Spoons)

Crispy Spicy Tuna Sushi Bites

These fresh bites of sushi-grade tuna sit atop tiny pieces of crispy rice, and they are very addictive. They have a bit of everything, flavor-wise and texture-wise, so no one at the snack table is left out. (via Cilantro Parsley)

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Lead image via Kathryn's Kitchen.

After a season of adventure, heartache, and lots of father-daughter bonding, we're ready to return to the world of HBO's The Last of Us. So is the rest of the internet apparently, considering "The Last of Us season 2" has almost six billion results on Google. Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, the show immediately started making headlines after its pilot episode, and had a viewership increase of 75 percent by the finale. The series also went on to score three Emmy nominations and a SAG Award for Pedro Pascal as Joel!

Season 2 is sure to be just as compelling as the original season, but only time will tell whether we'll see new plotlines and character arcs, or the timeline arranged in a different way. I know for sure that whatever Craig Mazin and the rest of the team decide to do will make me cry. If you have as many questions about the second season as we do, keep reading for everything you need to know before the series returns to HBO.

Your First Look At The Last Of Us Season 2

Image via HBO

The first look at Bella Ramsey as Ellie shows the teen still rocks her beanie + puffer combo, but you can tell she has much more grit and determination than we saw last season (which, TBH, is hard to believe).

Image via HBO

The first look at Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller already has fans crying because the framing and Joel's outfit look very similar to an emotional scene from the game. Plus, I think we're just ready to see our favorites onscreen again!

"Cries in long hair Joel Miller," one X user tweeted.

"All the set photos and officially released photos from The Last of Us Season 2 are making me so f-ckin happy, I can’t wait to get traumatized again," another said.

When will The Last of Us season 2 premiere?

Image via Liane Hentscher/HBO

The Last of Us season 2 is set to begin filming in February 12, 2024, Craig Mazin tells Variety. HBO confirmed on Wednesday, May 15 that it would premiere in 2025.

Who's in The Last of Us season 2 cast?

Image via Hulu

The Last of Us will see Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal returning to our screens, but they'll also be joined by Kaitlyn Dever in the role of Abby. This is the one role fans have been waiting for — she plays a huge role in the second game and the fact that she's in the second season of the series shows that the action, drama, and suspense is only going to get crazier from here on out.

It was also announced that Isabela Merced will star as Dina and Young Mazino will star as Jesse. Argylle star Catherine O'Hara has reportedly been cast in a role created just for the TV show.

Will The Last of Us season 2 follow the plot of the game?

Image via Liane Hentscher/HBO

Showrunner Craig Mazin told EW that the new season "will be different just as this season was different [from the original game]."

Bella Ramsey also weighed in on the changes between The Last of Us season 2 and its first season, telling Vanity Fair that "it’s really a story about revenge and a continuation from the first season about the dangers of unconditional love." I know that The Last of Us: Part II is all about revenge, but we still don't know just how much of the game will be used in the show.

“I think that they’re always going to find ways to build on the incredible source material that they have, and surprise us with how they can use that material in a different format like a television show," Pedro Pascal tells Deadline. "But I wouldn’t want to spoil it for anybody, and the truth is, I don’t actually have all of the information as of [January 2024].”

Will the time jump between games play a role in the series? Will the end of season 2 line up with the beginning of the game? We'll have to wait and see!

Will there be season 2 of Last of Us?

Image via Liane Hentscher/HBO

Yes, there will be a season 2 of The Last of Us. The show was renewed after only its second episode ever! Right now there are only two games, so we'll have to see if we end up getting a season 3.

What is The Last of Us about?

Image via Liane Hentscher/HBO

The first season of The Last of Us follows Joel (played by Pedro Pascal), who lives in Boston 20 years after a fungal outbreak leads to the end of the world. When a plan to save his brother goes sideways, Joel finds himself smuggling teenager Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the country.

Where will The Last of Us season 2 film?

Image via Liane Hentscher/HBO

After the first season filmed in places like Calgary, Alberta, Deadline announced on March 31 that The Last of Us season 2 will shoot in Vancouver.

Where can I watch The Last of Us?

Image via Liane Hentscher/HBO

You can watch the first nine episodes of the show on Max. We're hoping we also get nine The Last of Us season 2 episodes — if not more!

Is Bella Ramsey in season 2?

Image via Liane Hentscher/HBO

Yes, Bella will return as Ellie for The Last of Us season 2. "The only way we would ever, ever consider re-casting Bella is if [they] said, 'I don't want to work with you guys anymore,'" Neil Druckmann (the game's creator) tells EW. "And even then, we're not sure we would grant [them] that. We might still force [them] to come back to season 2."

How old is Ellie in The Last of Us 2?

Image via Liane Hentscher/HBO

Ellie is 19 years old in The Last of Us: Part II, so it's safe to assume she'll be 19 in The Last of Us season 2!

Why is Ellie immune?

Image via Shane Harvey/HBO

According to Firefly leader Marlene in the season one finale, they believe Ellie is immune because her mother was infected before she could cut the umbilical cord. So, Ellie has had cordyceps with her since birth — meaning her immune system overrides any potential infection.

Your First Look At The Last Of Us Season 2 Cast

Image via Zarak/Instagram

We got our first look at The Last of Us season 2 cast when they dined at Vancouver restaurant Zarak. "Us 🤝🏼 The Last of Us," the establishment says in an Instagram post on January 24. "It was our pleasure hosting you last night." While Pedro Pascal wasn't at dinner, Bella Ramsey, creator Craig Mazin, producer Jacqueline Lesko, and newcomers Isabela Merced and Young Mazino were in attendance! Since Bella's Ellie, Isabela's Dina, and Young's Jesse are all super close in the story, some pre-production bonding sounds like the perfect way to start off season 2.

Follow us on Twitter and TikTok for more pop culture, and check back here for more news on The Last of Us season 2.

Header image via Liane Hentscher/HBO

This post has been updated.

If you're a classic romance girl who craves a little spice — I'm looking at you, Bridgerton fans — then Christina Lauren's The Paradise Problemis everything you need. I thought I was hooked on romantasy books, but I think this book has coaxed me right back over to the more traditional romance side — and I mean who can really have too much of either type of romance anyway, right?

But before I dig into all things The Paradise Problem, it's important to be clear up one thing: Christina Lauren isn't just one author like I initially thought. The two women responsible for bringing the world 30 romance novels are absolute powerhouses who also happen to be best friends: Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. I know — this news alone seems like it deserves it's own summer novel. Since they don't have plans to do that, we at least get to have their unified essence in the books they've written and in this lovely interview.

It goes without saying, but The Paradise Problem is the perfect way to celebrate Christina Lauren's successful romance empire. Of their newest title, Christina and Lauren feel great about it being in the world. "This one is really fun so it's like going out and just celebrating. We're not worried," Lauren says with a smile. Confidence; I love it!

Ahead, learn more about how they birthed Christina Lauren and created the characters you'll come to love in The Paradise Problem.

The Making of a Romance Novel Empire 

Image via Brystan Studios

Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings

I know besties when I see them, and this writing duo has all the makings of two friends whose bond has been deepened by more than time. Still, curiosity get's the best of me when I mention what certainly feels like an empire to me before asking, "How did you two meet?" Their knowing smile says it all — they've clearly been locked in for a while, and they remember the exact moment things clicked for them.

"In 2009 we were both writing fanfiction and reading each other's stories online. Then Lo (Lauren) was putting on a panel at San Diego Comic Con on fanworks and she invited me to be on it. So, I came out and we met for the first time, and we got along really well," says Christina.

From there, they wrote a one shot — quick fanfiction story — together, and eventually decided it was worth taking a chance on writing an entire book. The fact that both Christina and Lauren have experience writing fanfiction not only helped them prepare for their pivot into authorship, but it also got them accustomed to the honesty of online book reviews.

As far as people not knowing that Christina Lauren is actually two people, that's basically the point. "We want it [our books] to feel like they're written by one voice. We spend a lot of time editing to make sure it doesn't sound feel like two very distinct, combative voices in there," Lauren says while excitedly adding, "I mean everyday we get DM's that are like, 'I didn't know there were two of you!'"

Peeling Back the Layers of The Paradise Problem 

Warning: May contain some spoilers.

I have a deep appreciation for books that immediately call my imagination to the forefront and that's just one of the many things The Paradise Problem does as soon as you begin reading the first page. We're immediately introduced to Anna Green and "West" going their separate ways after choosing to amicably end their marriage. The kicker? See, they don't actually know each other.

How can two people essentially be strangers while they're married? Realistically, Anna and West's marriage was one of convenience. Each found themselves in a situation where their very survival relied on marriage, so they decided to become husband and wife solely on paper.

That seems pretty straightforward right? Wrong. Based on the first impressions of Anna and West, one has it together while the other is a hot mess. But, Christina Lauren is challenging us to rethink our approach to first impressions because they're not always everything. Once you start peeling back a person's layers, you can really start to understand their choices, reactions, family dynamics (and there are plenty of awkward encounters in this story on that front), and more.

Image via Jasmine Williams

Christina and Lauren knew what they wanted for these two characters in the end, but they had to figure out how to fully thread the needle for it to work — particularly when it came to West and his relationship to his family. They had his backstory, but they needed to figure out how to fully flesh out his world, parents and all. What they went with was jaw-dropping IMO, full of shady behavior, cocky attitudes, and beyond. But how does West's background and personality relate to Anna's?

"We always try to think about who's the perfect person for the characters — not who will complete them. Anna is very different. She does not come from a wealthy background, she's not super polished," says Lauren. But, there's more to her than meets the eye. She's a genuinely good person who has a loving heart that no amount of status can compete with once the layers are peeled back.

This is what begins winning West over, and the two soon begin to find there's some truth to the fictionalized relationship they have on display for West's family. Ultimately, The Paradise Problem begs readers to ask if opposites really do attract, confronting us — and our main characters — with this one scenario at a time.

Image via Jasmine Williams

In my humble opinion, The Paradise Problem feels like one of Christina Lauren's best books because it encompasses all the elements that fans of their work love. Christina says, "They love characters they either want to be or want to be friends with, heroes they want for their own, a lot of the settings..." She continues, saying, "The great thing about having a large catalogue of books is that there's something for everyone. Do you like funny books? We got you. Do you want super saucy books? We got you. Do you want something that's gonna rip your heart out? We got that too."

In case you have any doubts about that, check out all of the duo's books now and get your copy of The Paradise Problemtoday!

Be sure to watch our full interview with Christina and Lauren, officially known as Christina Lauren, on YouTube!

Lead image via Christina Lauren