Averill Nicole Richardson was born in New Zealand in 1946, where she still resides.She has an academic background in psychology and education, and graduated MA (Hons) from The University of Auckland in 1986. From a young age Averill displayed an offbeat curiosity about the meaning of life and a fascination for the topic of romantic love. These interests ultimately led to a career in relationship counselling and sex therapy. Her public reputation was enhanced when she formed a company, Couples That Work Ltd, facilitated workshops, and regularly presented her ideas as a love consultant on various national radio shows. Following her retirement from clinical practice, Averill moved south from the city of Auckland to Matamata, a rural town in the Waikato Region. There she pursues her interest in writing, both fiction and non-fiction, and is an avid follower of the performing arts. She is the author of Improving the Odds: The remarriage gamble, HarperCollins, Auckland, 1994, and winner of the 2019 Ashton Wylie Trust unpublished manuscript award for The Love Path.