Kate O’Keeffe is a multi-award winning and USA Today bestselling author known for her fun, feel-good romantic comedies brimming with humor, heart, and happily ever afters. A native of New Zealand, Kate has crafted numerous popular series, garnering a devoted international readership.
With a flair for witty banter and irresistible heroines navigating the ups and downs of modern dating, Kate’s novels showcase strong friendships, comedic entanglements, and the sometimes bumpy but always hopeful road to love.
When she’s not writing, Kate can often be found reading romcoms, binging her favourite shows, or spending time with her friends and family in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand.
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Praise for Kate O'Keeffe:
"Kate O'Keeffe is the Sophie Kinsella of New Zealand!" - Kirsty McManus, author
"From beginning to end, this is a cute, funny, and engaging tale." - Bronwen Evans, USA Today Bestselling author
"The perfect fun-filled escape from reality. Kate O'Keeffe at her delightful best!" - Whitney Dineen, USA Today bestselling author
"Warm, witty, and wildly romantic." - Melanie Summers, bestselling author
"Fun and fabulously written." - Joslyn Westbrook, author
"A hysterically funny and well-written romance story." - Readers' Favorite
“An engaging, fast-paced read that is sure to charm lovers of romcoms.” – Tracie Banister, author
“Kate O’Keeffe does it again with another sweet romantic read of friendship and first dates.” – Holly Kerr, author
"The perfect feel-good romance" - Bookish Lifestyle
"She writes fantastic, classy love stories with heroes and heroines that you can relate to easily." - JamieBJ, book blogger
"I've spent the last few days reading ALL of 'The Cozy Cottage Series' and 'High Tea Series'. I've never been so obsessed with a series. Kate O'Keeffe is a great storyteller. The romance and humor tie together with so much fun mixed in. I know that I will be reading a lot more of her work!!" - Amazon reviewer
Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kate O’Keeffe
1. How did you become a writer?
Kate became a published author by combining her love of romantic comedies with a passion for storytelling, eventually winning USA Today bestselling status after publishing multiple romcom series. She is independently published.
2. What inspires your books?
In interviews, Kate says inspiration comes from chick-lit favorites (like Bridget Jones, Sophie Kinsella, and Marianne Keys), as well as romcom favorites, Lauren Layne, Emma St. Clair, Becky Monson, and Sariah Wilson.
3. Where are your books set?
Her settings are global—London, Wellington (NZ), Houston, Texas, fictional royal kingdoms, and small towns in the USA—but predominantly in romantic comedies with personality and promise .
4. What genre do you write?
Kate focuses on laugh-out-loud, sweet-to-sassy, closed-door romantic comedies featuring swoon-worthy heroes, snappy banter, and heartfelt HEAs.
5. Are your books spicy?
Nope—Kate’s novels are closed-door romances. Expect chemistry, but no explicit scenes. The exception to this is the Wellyood Romcom weries of books that include some mildly spicy scenes.
6. Where do you live?
She resides in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.
7. Do you engage with readers?
Yes! Kate is active on Instagram (@kateokeeffewriter), Facebook (@kateokeeffeauthor), Goodreads Q&A, and connects via her website with newsletters and her Facebook reader group, Kate's Cupids.
8. What ongoing series are you working on?
Kate is working on her Royally Kissed series, and writing hockey romcoms.
9. What do you enjoy most about writing?
For Kate, it’s the creative freedom—the ability to do what she loves every day: write swoony, fun romances.
10. How do you deal with writer’s block?
Going for a long walk never fails to get her creative juices flowing!
11. What do readers love about Kate’s novels?
Readers love that Kate’s romantic comedies are the perfect mix of heart, humor, and happily-ever-afters. Her stories are sweet-but-sassy, full of laugh-out-loud banter, relatable heroines, swoony (but safe!) heroes, and tropes readers adore—like fake dating, enemies to lovers, second chances, and royalty. With closed-door romance and emotional depth, her books deliver all the feels without the steam, making them a go-to for fans of feel-good fiction.
12. Which authors are similar to Kate O’Keeffe?
Readers who enjoy Kate O’Keeffe’s sweet and funny romantic comedies often also love Jenny Colgan, Katherine Center, Jenny Proctor, Emma St. Clair, and Aven Ellis. Like Kate, these authors write charming, closed-door romances filled with humor, heart, and happily-ever-afters.
13. Is Kate O’Keeffe like Jenny Colgan or Katherine Center?
Yes! If you enjoy Jenny Colgan’s cozy, UK-set romcoms or Katherine Center’s heartfelt, emotional love stories, you’ll likely love Kate O’Keeffe’s romantic comedies, too. Her books blend laugh-out-loud moments with emotional depth and always end with a swoon-worthy HEA.
14. If I like Aven Ellis, Emma St. Clair, or Jenny Proctor, will I like Kate O’Keeffe?
Absolutely! Kate O’Keeffe’s books are a great match for fans of Aven Ellis’s royal romances or Jenny Proctor’s feel-good romantic comedies. All three write clean, uplifting love stories with lovable characters and irresistible romantic tension.
15. Who should I read after finishing Kate O’Keeffe’s books?
If you’ve devoured all of Kate O’Keeffe’s romantic comedies, try authors like Emma St. Clair, Victorine E. Lieske, Sophie Kinsella, and Alice Clayton. Like Kate, they all deliver memorable characters, swoony love interests, and hilarious plot twists.
16. Are Kate O’Keeffe’s books like The Bodyguard by Katherine Center?
Yes! If you loved The Bodyguard for its closed-door romance, grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and smart, funny writing, Kate O’Keeffe’s books—especially her Royally Kissed and It’s Complicated series—will hit all the same sweet spots.