Meet Lady Xian: The Cat Stealing the Show in My Next Rom-Com

Jenni Ward : 22nd September 2025

Every so often, a character barges into a story and refuses to leave quietly. In my upcoming standalone romantic comedy (yep a rom-com), that character isn’t a dashing hero or a witty heroine. It’s a cat. A very spoiled, very opinionated cat named Lady Xian.

She insists on being introduced first. She insists on being the star. And frankly, I’ve stopped arguing with her — because she’s right.

A distinguished white and grey cat sits upon an antique Victorian leather chair staring beyond the viewer. She has an air of elegance and commands obedience. Lady Xian from Jenni Ward's newest romcom

A Romance with Catitude

This new story is a sweet, laugh-out-loud rom-com with a heartwarming romance at its center, but make no mistake: Lady Xian is in charge. She’s the type of cat who curls up on velvet chairs like a queen, flicks her tail when she’s displeased, and decides exactly who belongs in her human’s life.

When it comes to romance tropes, expect:

💕 He falls first — our hero may be wealthy, but he’s the one getting knocked head over heels.

🔥 Slow burn — sparks that build, smolder, and finally ignite.

🐾 Catitude — yes, Lady Xian made me write that one.

If you enjoy stories where a furry companion meddles, charms, and occasionally steals scenes outright, this rom-com is for you.

Opposites Attract: A Modern Class Divide

While the cat provides comedy, the romance itself digs into something real: the divide between worlds.

Our heroine is working-class, practical, and struggling to make ends meet — but she’s also warm, determined, and endlessly resilient. She’s the kind of character who knows how to stretch a dollar, fix what’s broken, and still find kindness for others.

Our hero? He comes from a wealthier family, but he’s spent his life feeling like he doesn’t measure up. His brothers overshadow him, and success never feels like it belongs to him. Underneath the polish, he’s insecure, searching for purpose, and more vulnerable than anyone guesses.

When their worlds collide, sparks fly — and Lady Xian is only too happy to fan the flames. After all, matchmaking is much easier when you can sit on people’s papers, trip them in hallways, and glare until they do what you want.

Writing Lady Xian

I’ve written plenty of human characters, but there’s something liberating about writing from the perspective of a cat’s influence. She’s imperious, but not cruel; spoiled, but also oddly wise.

In many ways, Lady Xian embodies the theme of the story: breaking through barriers. She doesn’t care about social divides, bank balances, or family expectations. She cares about comfort, affection, and her own unshakable sense of what’s right.

Writing her has been one of the most fun parts of this project. She refuses to be a background pet — she demands her own story arc, her own moments of triumph, and plenty of opportunities to prove she’s the real star.

Cover Art Coming Soon

The artwork for this rom-com is nearly finished, and I can’t wait to share it. The artist is Kah Natal of KNS Designs. The cover is bright, charming, and every bit as pretty as Lady Xian herself insists it should be. Once it’s finalised, newsletter subscribers will get the first exclusive reveal.

What’s Next

This book still needs polishing, editing, and a little more coaxing from Lady Xian, but it’s firmly on my writing schedule. I’ve got a few projects in the editing queue (because the writing never stops!), but seeing this story come together is such a joy.

If you enjoy:

sweet, clean romances
class-divide tension with a modern twist
witty banter and heartfelt emotion
meddling cats who know they’re royalty

…then you’ll want to keep an eye out for this release.

Stay Connected

If Lady Xian has already charmed you (and she insists she has), don’t miss the updates.

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