Confessions of a Romance Novel Cover Girl

Updated on 6/18/2018 at 5:50 AM

You've seen the steamy scenes in the supermarket checkout aisle, while perusing Barnes & Noble, or perhaps on your own bookshelf, but did you ever stop to think about the real people who pose for romance novels? Actress and model Serene Aandahl always loved playing dress-up as a little girl, and as an adult she has a job that lets her do that for a living: romance novel cover girl. We caught up with Serene to get an insider look into a typical photo shoot, her bare-chested better halves, and the potentially awkward moments. Here's what we learned:

POPSUGAR: Do you read the books?
Serene Aandahl: I like to read the last couple pages of my novels. Romance authors have a way of tying up a story, letting both the heroine and her man keep their independence, while also surrendering completely to the love they have for each other — which I never get sick of reading. Add a marriage and a newly discovered pregnancy, and you've got the completion of the female fantasy.

PS: How many have you done?
SA: A lady never tells.

PS: OK, so how did you get into it? And is it fun?
SA: It all started with one audition, and the rest is history. I absolutely love shooting romance book covers; I get a little giddy every time because as a girl I used to play dress-up for hours, and now it's my career. I love and look forward to it every time.

PS: If your life were a romance novel, what would it be called?
SA: "A Lady Not Yet Tamed"

That's just a taste of what Serene told us. Click through to see 10 of her covers and to find out more details on her favorite shoots, her hot male costars, and other behind-the-scenes secrets of shooting romance book covers.

Favorite Cover Shoot

"I loved shooting the cover for Ruling Sheikh, Unruly Mistress because I got to be nine months pregnant for the hour of shooting. We achieved this effect by stuffing three pillows up my evening gown; I might have felt like a stuffed animal during the shoot, but the cover turned out beautiful and my belly looks so real!"

Kiddy Pool Logistics

"My second favorite shoot has to be His Darkest Embrace, a sci-fi romance novel where the man is a shape-shifting jaguar and the cover consists of he and I getting passionate under a water fall. To simulate this, the photographer's assistant was pouring water on top of us from a ladder while we stood in a kiddy pool."

Hot Co-Workers

"The guys are hot. Most have rock hard abs, wavy hair and dimples — but they are also always totally respectful and professional so working with them is something I genuinely enjoy. Sorry to disappoint, but I have never dated one of my hunky costars."

Awkward Moments

"Ugh, anytime I have a cold, or the man has a cold. Getting close to anyone’s face when they are all snotty is just gross and makes it almost impossible to turn up the romantic heat."

In the Details

"From wardrobe, to lighting, to where to put your hands, there are a lot of specifics that go into making the perfect romantic picture."

Chemistry Required

"The physicality between my costar and me is the last piece of the puzzle, so we do really concentrate to complete the collective vision of the author, art director, illustrator, and photographer."

An Hour's Work

"Shoots are one hour from start to finish but I have done expanded shoots for certain covers."

Bringing the Story Alive

"A cover is trying to capture the love between characters — it can be smoldering, tender, forbidden, wholesome — and it's up to me and my 'man of the hour' to bring it to life, but you would be surprised at how technical the shoot itself is."

Author's Input

"The author has the final say to what goes on their book cover. They work with the art directors of the publishing houses to come up with mood and concept of the cover and then the art director communicates with the illustrator and photographer who in turn cast models and then we play it all out in front of the camera."

Picture Perfect

"The photographer I work with is an awesome woman who is kind, flexible, and supportive of her models. She gives us simple instructions throughout the shoot — 'tilt your chin,' 'stick your butt out,' 'give us more intensity,' and my personal favorite 'perfect' — for when you’re doing exactly what they’re looking for."