Amanda Elyot, also known as Leslie Carroll, was born and raised in New York City. She attended the Fieldston School in Riverdale and received her Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University.

She began writing novels in 1998 while working three survival jobs and pursuing a career as an actress. Over the years, she worked in diverse fields including politics, advertising, public relations, law, and journalism. In 2003, she became a full-time author, although she continues to act professionally when the opportunities nourish her creatively.

Her first novel was published in March 2002, and she has published multiple works of contemporary women’s fiction since then.