Former Hills star Lauren Conrad knows a thing or two about selling books. Her first novel, L.A. Candy, became an international bestseller overnight, and now the 24-year-old's hoping for a repeat with her just-released follow-up, Sweet Little Lies. So what's her secret to success? Stylish prose, a killer attitude, and the good sense to write about what she knows.

"I got to have fun with it," Lauren told NBC bloggers yesterday at a book signing in Miami. "[A]nd, in a way, tell a similar story as far as things you go through ... without spilling [all my] secrets."

Of course, that doesn't mean she's keeping Candy fans completely in the dark.

Recently, LC shocked readers by telling Seventeen magazine that Jane Roberts (the series' sweet, glass-is-half-full protagonist) isn't the only character with Conrad-like tendencies.

"Jane is the main character [of Sweet Little Lies] and most like me," Lauren clarified. "But also when I was more sarcastic and against [being on] the The Hills, I was able to illustrate that through [Jane's smart and sassy roommate] Scarlett [Harp]."

+ Think Lauren's a people-pleaser like Jane? Or did you see her personality come through in the loyal (but tough-talkin') Scarlet? Sound off in the comments, plus let us know whether you'll be picking up a copy of Conrad's Candy sequel, Sweet Little Lies.