DeAndra Davis's "The Lovers, the Liars, and Me"

DeAndra Davis is New York–born and Florida-bred. She’s a hopeless musical theater nerd (Wicked is definitely her favorite), a perpetual student and teacher, and always trailed by a kid or a dog because she has way too many of both. She has an opinion for everything, an argument ready, and a hug for everyone, and she thinks you should, too. She is the author of All the Noise at Once, winner of the William C. Morris Award for best young adult debut book, and The Lovers, the Liars, and Me. Here Davis dreamcasts an adaptation of The Lovers, the Liars, and Me:

If it’s one thing I love, it’s a good face cast, and with this book, it was no different. I feel like The Lovers, the Liars, and Me is inherently visual with the descriptions of the island and locations. I tried to be lush and descriptive, and that also applies to characters in this love triangle romance meets contemporary drama. I definitely have a primary person in mind with my main character and her supporting cast of friends that I believe would bring the story to life.

Marsai Martin is my immediate choice for Jaliya. Marsai is a brilliant and gorgeous actress, and I know she could bring both the character to life aesthetically, and tap into that growth from hesitant, unsure teen to self-assured and confident. Marsai is also so funny, and I think she could get into the quippy banter the friend group has going in The Lovers, the Liars, and Me.

Jahi Winston would be my pick for Shevaughn, Jaliya’s cousin. I think his personality fits, and he could really bring the character to life in many ways. His acting catalogue is so varied and Shevaughn is a difficult character to play because he’s going through so much that he would need an actor who could approach his role with care.

For the two love interests, it was hard to choose but for India I would pick Storm Reid who has acted in many projects I’ve loved and who, after being in so many dramatic projects, can tackle those more difficult parts of India’s character while still bringing forth the charm she exudes every time she’s in a scene.

For Andre, I have to go with Caleb McLaughlin. I think he plays such an endearing love interest in Stranger Things (despite the horror backdrop) that I believe in a more relaxed setting, that could (and would) get played up even more, enhancing the interesting love triangle moment.

Last, for Deon, Jaliya’s best friend and the absolute funniest person in the book hands down, I pictured JD McCrary who has a background in some comedy and who would really do the character justice for all his clever, sarcastic humor throughout the book.

Visit DeAndra Davis's website. She can be found on most socials @DeAndraWrites.

--Marshal Zeringue