The Back of the Book

Yes, I’ve shouted versions of this synopsis from the rooftops, but once again with feeling…

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules comes another incredible summer romance about holding onto memories, making new ones, learning to let go, and unexpectedly falling in love.

Olivia Lupo feels stuck. All her friends have gone on to their first year of college while she’s still at home with her family. There’s a good reason though, her beloved grandmother, Annie, has dementia, and Olivia can’t bear the thought of being so far from home when Annie needs her the most.

So when her stepmother asks the family to spend three weeks of the summer on Martha’s Vineyard, Olivia plans to say no...until she discovers an old box Annie filled with photos and memories from her own time there. Olivia decides to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and spend some time on the island that Annie describes as magical.

When she arrives, she meets Connor, a boy from her past who really wants to be a part of her present... and future. Olivia’s never thought about forever with someone until meeting Connor...and it scares her. How can she make plans when all she wants to do is keep close to her grandmother before she’s gone forever? As she recreates the memories Annie made a lifetime ago, she has to decide if she’s finally willing to give someone her heart, just when she needs it the most.

Order here!

Family Trees

If there is one missed opportunity in TSOSC, it’s that there is no family tree at the beginning. Below you will see a massive Carmichael family tree (Olivia’s “stepfamily”). I know it looks intimidating, but please trust me when I say that not everyone is important, or even close to important. The perfectionist and big-family-member in me just couldn’t leave anyone out!

There is also smaller Lupo tree (Olivia’s family). I hope these help keep TSOSC’s cast straight. You can also consult the Fox family tree at the beginning of The Summer of Broken Rules.

THE CARMICHAEL FAMILY

THE LUPO FAMILY

TSOSC is also a companion to last year’s A First Time for Everything, so that might be fun to read before/after as well!

Playlist

Click to listen!

Events

For the first time ever, I am going on tour! A real, official, amazing book tour! The graphic below charts out all the dates, and this link here will take you to my website for more details (then click on the hyperlinked date for the finer details). Some events require you to buy tickets (admission + copy of book), others just want you to reserve a spot. Please come out to celebrate with me!

KLW EVENTS

Thank you so much for your excitement and patience for both We’re A Bad Idea, Right? and now this summer vibe-filled ride. Writing two books a year has been a huge challenge for me, so your support is the truly the wind beneath my wings.

Enjoy your East Coast Summer!

XO,

K

Curious about the KLW Universe? Check out my books!

1. Maybe Meant to Be (my debut, previously published as If We Were Us)

2. The Summer of Broken Rules

3. What Happens After Midnight

4. While We’re Young

5. A First Time for Everything

6. We’re A Bad Idea, Right?

7. The Summer of Second Chances

Finally, finally, finally—Audrey, Henry, and their lovable but misguided band of friends are on bookshelves everywhere! I can’t believe this is my sixth young adult novel. My debut was published way back in 2020, when I was 24, and six years later, here we are.

(Somehow, I’m still 24).

(Magic!)

Read on for the inspiration behind the book and the link to my companion playlist.

But without further ado, for the thousandth time, here is what the book’s about:

The business of love gets messy when two best friends decide to fake a romantic relationship in this uproarious and swoony novel by the #1 bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules.

Audrey Barbour has had enough of following the rules. Eighteen years of being the perfect daughter—exceptional grades, enviable college acceptances, tame dating history—and still, her parents don’t trust her enough to let her study her passion, glassblowing, on a prestigious fellowship.

So when her best friend Henry proposes an outrageous fake-dating scheme to win back his ex-girlfriend, it feels like the first step to shaking up her perfect life. And the second? That comes when Audrey’s parents go out of town, sparking a high-risk, high-reward solution to pay for her fellowship—renting out her family’s Connecticut mansion online. With the help of her new fake-boyfriend, it shouldn’t be hard to pull off… right?

But when her best intentions start to unravel, Audrey will have to reckon with who she is, what she wants, and what it really means to play life by her rules—all with her heart on the line.

Sound fun? Order here!

There are also cameos and/or mentions of other characters from the KLW Universe!

Backstory

I brainstormed the concept for WABIR? in 2023, while working on developmental edits for—AKA, doing intense surgery on—While We’re Young. My mom and aunt had planned a September trip to Martha’s Vineyard, and craving a change of scenery to revise, I asked if I could crash it.

To The Farm we went.

Working on WWY prompted me to start ruminating on what to pitch for my next book…or maybe my agent gently suggested that I start thinking about a KLW 6 proposal? I don’t totally remember. 2023 feels like a hundred years ago.

(But I remain 24!)

Anyway, this nonexistent-at-the-time pitch was for a potential second book with Delacorte Romance, so I knew I wanted it to be another movie retelling. Just like WWY paying homage to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Unfortunately, I didn’t know which movie I wanted to make my muse.

So, after dinner almost every night, my mom, aunt, and I would pour some wine and watch an eighties or nineties classic. If you’ve read The Summer of Broken Rules, you know The Annex is cozy but tiny. It also doesn’t have a TV.

I think we watched six movies on my propped up MacBook. Sixteen Candles to Empire Records to Some Kind of Wonderful to When Harry Met Sally. All good, but it wasn’t until Risky Business that something really sparked. Similar to Ferris Bueller, the movie spotlights a MMC and a fun if not totally ridiculous caper.

Why should guys, I thought, have all the fun?

My mom and aunt—to whom this book is dedicated—were invaluable sounding boards for the rest of our trip, and after turning in my revised draft of WWY, I switched gears to Audrey’s synopsis.

Several months later, my editor gave me the green light to start drafting the book, which was a physically painful journey you can read about in my acknowledgements.

(One word: tendinitis).

Although there were a lot of laughs dreaming up Audrey’s Airbnb guests and ensuing shenanigans, and my favorite element of this book—besides the romance—is Audrey’s passion for glassblowing. I’m not artistic AT ALL, but the art form has always fascinated me. A family friend is a professional glassblower (shoutout to Antolini Glass Co.), and her talent, grit, and grace greatly influenced this story. I loved spending time in Gemma’s hotshop, learning more about the medium and figuring out how to best present it on the page. I hope you find it as mesmerizing as I do!

Praise (to convince you to grab a copy)

Audrey’s Jams

Listen here!

Don’t you dare judge me for some of these songs! They will all make sense when you read the book ;)

Events

I had lovely “Release Day Eve” launch event at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn last night, with my close, personal friend and fellow author Jessica L. Cozzi. We had the best conversation and meeting and chatting with devoted readers never gets old. Truly, it warms my soul.

Now: Philadelphia and greater Philadelphia area readers, this one’s for you! I know it’s Friday night, but if you’re free, please consider coming out to the below festivity. My outfit will be younger-sister-approved, and Betty Corrello is a one of a kind moderator. Tickets include admission and a copy of the book. I promise you won’t want to miss my chaotic elevator pitch!

TICKETS HERE

For the rest of my events schedule, head on over to my website…

KLW EVENTS

Again, three cheers to Audrey! I’m proud of this book and hope you giggle while reading it. It’s fun, poignant, swoony, and whimsical with coastal small-town vibes and the fake-dating romance you have all so patiently waited for…

XO,
K

Curious about the KLW Universe? Check out my books!

1. Maybe Meant to Be (my debut, previously published as If We Were Us)

2. The Summer of Broken Rules

3. What Happens After Midnight

4. While We’re Young

5. A First Time for Everything

6. We’re A Bad Idea, Right?

7. PRE-ORDER: The Summer of Second Chances (5/5/26)

I pseudo-binged part 2 while snuggling and playing with a very curious and confident golden retriever puppy (you know you’re out of shape when you’re sore from playing with a dog). My husband and I have named her “Pearl” and I love her so much. Below are two photos of her assessing the romance section of my bookshelf!

Anyway, she will poop outside for C but rarely for me…

Writing Updates

It’s not going super well at the moment! You can be so excited about a concept but also be beyond stuck. I wouldn’t categorize it as writer’s block, per se. Something just isn’t working and I’m not sure how to solve it right now…so, okay, maybe it is writer’s block, but I can see scenes in my head. Needless to say, I haven’t been writing much these past couple weeks. I’m hoping Margot’s first round of revisions (they’re coming! I’ve been assured!) will give me the space I need to figure my issues out.

The weather has also been dreary lately, so I’m so excited to get back to Margot’s sunny New Orleans. I don’t care how humid it is. I need away from Philly’s gray.

Mentally, at least.

We’re A Bad Idea, Right? (3/31/26)

…is only weeks away! Its release date has always felt so distant, but now it has totally snuck up on me and I absolutely can’t wait. In case I haven’t been loud enough about it, here are the details:

The business of love gets messy when two best friends decide to fake a romantic relationship in this uproarious and swoony novel by the bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules.

Audrey Barbour has had enough of following the rules. Eighteen years of being the perfect daughter—exceptional grades, enviable college acceptances, tame dating history—and still, her parents don’t trust her enough to let her study her passion, glassblowing, on a prestigious fellowship.

So when her best friend Henry proposes an outrageous fake-dating scheme to win back his ex-girlfriend, it feels like the first step to shaking up her perfect life. And the second? That comes when Audrey’s parents go out of town, sparking a high-risk, high-reward solution to pay for her fellowship—renting out her family’s Connecticut mansion online. With the help of her new fake-boyfriend, it shouldn’t be hard to pull off… right?

But when her best intentions start to unravel, Audrey will have to reckon with who she is, what she wants, and what it really means to play life by her rules—all with her heart on the line.

Cosmopolitan recently featured an excerpt online, which you can check out here. I love how it showcases Audrey and Henry’s dynamic. It has always been a dream of mine to write a couple like People We Meet on Vacation’s Poppy and Alex, and while Audrey and Henry are not exactly opposites attract, they do share this incredible closeness with their inside jokes, mind-reading abilities, and commitment to the bit. I didn’t realize that until long after finishing revisions and rereading PWMOV on a flight (to a definitely not sponsored by R+R vacation, IYKYK).

In other words, I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!

Preorder for the pretty edges here!

Reader Q&A

1. Is The Summer of Second Chances MC related to Meredith or Wit?

   1. Neither. Olivia is related-ish to the Carmichaels, from Maybe Meant to Be. One of the twins—I think it’s Nick—lovingly calls her “step-cousin.” They are friends with Mer and Wit.

2. When will you come to California?

   1. April 25th for YALLWEST!!!

3. What’s your favorite book to screen adaptation?

   1. I saw Love, Simon (based on Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda) five times in theaters. So, that.

4. Marco and Mads update pls!!!

   1. Marco has finally finished his manuscript, and after rereading it, he realizes it’s terrible. The WORST. Mads jokingly suggests adding a “spirited field hockey player” character to make it better, but Marco also realizes he has fallen out of love with and interest in the story. He moves the Word Doc to a new folder labeled “dumpster fire” and decides to pursue his next idea. Mads encourages him: “If you have the stamina to write one novel, you can definitely write another!” (Meanwhile, does she have the stamina to finish the first Crescent City book?)

5. Do you like Girl Scout cookies? And were you a Girl Scout? I’m a Girl Scout!

   1. What kind of question is that?! Yes, I love GS cookies—Peanut Butter Patties and Caramel deLites, in particular. And yes, I was a Girl Scout back in the day. My mom led my Brownie troop for a few years.

6. How do you come up with the cool names for characters? Leda, Meredith, etc.

   1. Well, I agonize and agonize and agonize over character names, so I’m thrilled you are a fan of my picks! Some characters are much harder to name than others, but I’ve just always been really into names and I’m lucky to know a lot of people with cool ones, or to hear of cool names through people I know. I choose a protagonist’s name from a mental list of personal favorites, then I scour the internet for my supporting cast. I also poll friends (and occasionally, Instagram) for ideas.

7. Do you think you’ll ever write a series?

   1. If I were to come up with a good idea for one, sure.

8. Which of your characters is the most different from you?

   1. Off the top of my head—Sage Morgan, James Barbour (<3), Audrey Barbour, and Connor McCallister.

9. What’s an idea you love, but haven’t been able to write yet?

   1. The HEA for a KLW Universe character’s ex-girlfriend.

10. Is Margot/KLW 8 another movie retelling?

    1. Yes, and none of you have guessed it. Mwah-haha.

Bookshelf

1. Once and Again by Rebecca Serle (3.10.26) - I read an ARC while in Italy last month, and while I’m not sure it tops One Italian Summer (ironic), I was smiling through my tears. I really loved it. I will read anything Rebecca writes.

2. Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune (5.5.26) - Another ARC. I had no idea Tofino and its topography existed until this book, but now it’s on my travel bucket list. I’m sleeping on Canada in general. I love how Carley’s settings are characters, too. OPS didn’t dethrone One Golden Summer as my #1, I had some qualms with it, but all in all, such great beach read while also making me teary. The complicated mother-daughter dynamics!

3. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - I am slowly but surely reading this for my book club, and, I suppose, for Ryan Gosling. Sci-fi has never been my thing, and I fear it never will be. Sorry to all the sci-fi lovers in my life!

Playlist

1. My Regards - Maisie Peters

2. Ain’t No Sunshine - Bill Withers

3. Vodka Cranberry - Conan Gray

4. Can I Call You Tonight? - Dayglow

5. Fade Out - James Bay

Events

I’m happy to report that I have quite a bit of travel this spring! You can find my full events schedule on my website, but I want to highlight my fun plans for We’re A Bad Idea, Right? On Monday, March 30th—AKA, Release Day Eve—I’ll be at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn, chatting all things Audrey with my dear friend and fellow author, Jessica L. Cozzi. We already have our fun and flirty outfits picked out and can’t wait to gab with everyone. You can find the event details here, and if you can’t attend, you can still preorder a signed book!

At the end of the week, on Friday, April 3rd, I’ll be celebrating in Philadelphia with the incredibly witty Betty Corrello. Both Brooklyn and Philly mean a lot to Audrey and her glassblowing dream, so these two cities are the perfect pairing.

And then Houston, here we come!!!

Time to attend to Pearl now. She’s now tugging at the German translation of Maybe Meant to Be.

XOXO,

K

Curious about the KLW Universe? Check out my books!

1. Maybe Meant to Be (my debut, previously published as If We Were Us)

2. The Summer of Broken Rules

3. What Happens After Midnight

4. While We’re Young

5. A First Time for Everything

6. PRE-ORDER: We’re A Bad Idea, Right? (3/31/26)

7. PRE-ORDER: The Summer of Second Chances (5/5/26)

I also have plans to eat as much gelato as I possibly can. Longtime readers know about my ice cream moratorium—which I’ve been absolutely CRUSHING—but gelato is technically not ice cream. :)

Writing Updates

I am currently drafting KLW 9, which I’ll refer to as “Scout” from here on out. I’m about 12.5k words in, but in typical K.L. fashion, I feel like I’m still setting up the story and world-building—AKA, I’m nowhere in the plot. But it involves two (maybe three) of our old friends as secondary/cameo characters, and for the first time ever, I am attempting a rivals-to-lovers/enemies-to-lovers romance. Which is scary, so wish me luck!

Meanwhile, Margot (KLW 8) has been with my editor for a month now. Which is definitely not unusual, but I have hit the point where I’m pseudo-desperately wondering what she thinks. Do you like her?! Do they have chemistry?! Do you also want a beignet?!

Time will tell.

Reader Q&A

1. Thoughts on People We Meet on Vacation?!

   1. Okay, I’ll preface by saying that PWMOV is my first/second favorite Emily Henry book (it swaps places with Book Lovers every now and again for the top spot), and I know that’s kind of a hot take but I’m not really sure why??? Anyway, I loved the movie. The casting was chef’s kiss, and I was impressed from an adaptation standpoint. I know some people disagree, but I remember listening to an interview with Taylor Jenkins Reid not long after Daisy Jones & The Six premiered, and she described a screen adaptation as a “reinterpretation” of someone else’s art (or something to that effect). That has always resonated deeply with me, so I wasn’t expecting to see all 400 pages of PWMOV directly translate into a two-hour movie. I was delighted that, despite changing so much and leaving things out, the movie still had the exact same flavor as the book! At least to me, anyway. I can’t wait to watch it again.

2. What’s your favorite writing snack?

   1. Right now, animal crackers. Laugh at me all you want.

3. Hi, could you tell me how Mer and Wit are doing now? I need more.

   1. Wit has volunteered to cook Valentine’s Day dinner so they can stay in and watch the Olympics together (snowboarding and freestyle skiing are their favorite winter sports). Meredith plans to order pizza after that dinner goes horribly wrong.

4. What is your go-to rewatchable romcom?

   1. So many! But whenever I visit my best friend, it goes without saying that we’re watching Crazy Rich Asians.

5. How do you know when a story needs more than one perspective?

   1. Part of it is a just a gut feeling, but I’ve learned that sometimes integral pieces of the plot can’t be shared by a single protagonist, especially when I write in first-person. The very first draft of Maybe Meant to Be was only from Sage’s perspective; it was during revisions that I realized Charlie would take the book to the next level. While We’re Young was similar, in that our only narrators were Grace and James. And they were great, but I could feel Everett and Isa poking and prodding me for more page-time. They had stories of their own, and it made so much more sense for Everett to know something instead of Grace, and Isa instead of James. Hopefully that makes sense!

6. Favorite thing to do in the winter?

   1. Stay cozy under a couple blankets with a hot beverage and a summer book.

7. How does your editor decide on a date for the deadline? What’s the criteria?

   1. I know there is a “science” behind it, but I do not know the specifics beyond books being slated for certain seasons and some contingency time built in for potential deadline extensions (as I have needed a couple).

8. Do you think you’ll ever write a book set on Valentine’s Day?

   1. I don’t think so! It doesn’t especially speak to me as a holiday.

9. What is your favorite song right now?

   1. I love the snippets Maisie Peters has shared of “My Regards.”

10. What advice would you give someone who wants to become an author?

    1. My four big tips…

       1. Read A LOT, especially in your genre.

       2. Write for yourself, not for the market or anyone else.

       3. Allow the first draft to be a dumpster fire. You can extinguish the flames and make it shine in revisions.

          1. I have to tell myself this almost every time I sit down and write, so I know it’s easier said than done!

       4. Try not to think about publishing next steps while drafting. Focus on your character(s) and their story.

Bookshelf

1. Ancient History Between Us by Kaitlyn Hill (6/23/26) - I don’t normally read YA while drafting, so I read this ARC after finishing Margot. It was a “reward book.” IMHO, Kaitlyn’s romances are highly underrated. They are smart, swoony, and so freaking funny. If you love all things Italy, summer sunshine, dual POV stories, and friends-to-enemies-to-lovers with a dash of second chance romance, this one is for you. I recommend you read it with a glass of sparkling lemonade nearby.

2. Slow Horses by Mick Herron - My sister loves Apple TV’s adaptation, and my husband and I recently binged it ourselves (Jack Lowden is SO CUTE). Afterward, I was interested in learning how faithful the TV series stayed to the books, so off to B&N I went. I really loved how much of the original dialogue they kept!

3. We’re A Bad Idea, Right? by Me (3/31/26) - Release Day is going to sneak up on us, and since I finished this book a year ago, I wanted to brush up on its finer details. I also saw a finished copy a few weeks ago, and damn, is the cover a stunner in real life!

Playlist

This might be my most eclectic mix yet.

1. Of the undiscovered country - From The Original Motion Picture “Hamnet” - Max Richter

2. Wi$h Li$t - Taylor Swift

3. Hemingway - girl in red

4. Wonder - Shawn Mendes

5. Buckle - Florence + The Machine

Events

I will be plenty of places these next several months. I just can’t say where yet.

Arrivederci!

K

Curious about the KLW Universe? Check out my books!

1. Maybe Meant to Be (my debut, previously published as If We Were Us)

2. The Summer of Broken Rules

3. What Happens After Midnight

4. While We’re Young

5. A First Time for Everything

6. PRE-ORDER: We’re A Bad Idea, Right? (3/31/26)

7. PRE-ORDER: The Summer of Second Chances (5/5/26)

I’m delighted to report that I did finish draft one of Margot (or KLW 8) before my deadline today. And I owe it all to my grandfather. He invited me to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip: a two week, roundtrip, transatlantic cruise on the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner (Brooklyn —> Southhampton, England —> Brooklyn). And since I did not meet my NaNoWriMo goal (too many things came up!), I still had the last third of my manuscript to write after Thanksgiving.

This cruise—which I would describe as Downton Abbey meets the Gilded Age meets present day—was the change-of-scenery I desperately needed to cross Margot’s finish line, to finally type THE END. Every morning, I woke up and ate breakfast before starting work for the day. I wrote roughly 8:30-5:00 in the ship’s library, at its coffee bar, under the grand (and gigantic) Christmas tree, in the tea room—you name it. Words were typed in every nook and cranny. This was all while my grandfather attended various lectures and other super cool activities (he had the time of his life). He and I always rendezvoused for dinner together and then enjoyed the evening entertainment. I particularly loved the “Bachelors of Broadway.”

Thankfully, I finished my manuscript two days before we docked back in New York, so I had a couple days to decompress and enjoy the ship’s daytime offerings myself. I adored all the pomp and circumstance of afternoon tea, and every time I finish a first draft, I reward myself with a massage, so I did hit the spa.

Some photos below, and who knows? Maybe this ship will find itself in a book someday.

(More) Writing Updates (Sort of)

So in this interview, Taylor Swift claims she is not a “well-rounded” person; unfortunately, I relate to this statement so much. I don’t have a lot of hobbies. Reading is my main one, but after staring at words on my computer screen all day, I don’t always want to look at more words later. I love music, I love concerts, but FINNEAS and Ashe won’t freaking go on tour. I’m not artistic. I love needlepoint, but it is so hand on my hands and I fear my tendinitis will flare up if I start a new project. I also love to bake, but C and I are trying to lose weight. Me to look good in a bridesmaid dress, him to fit in his tux (and revolutionary war reenacting accoutrement from his teenage years. I really did marry the most interesting man).

You can probably deduce this lack-of-hobby thing has been an ongoing discussion in my house as of late. I think we’ve agreed I’m going to take up golf. I played when I was growing up, every summer Thursday at what seemed like the crack of dawn. Cooking lessons, too. That might become a thing.

ANYWAY.

This is all to say that I have found time to write and submit a pitch for KLW 9. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that I get the green light!

Reader Q&A

For my new friends, I solicit questions on my Instagram story usually mid-month. They can be about my books, characters, writing process, or just little old me.

1. Any characters have New Year’s resolutions?

   1. Sage Morgan (MMTB) - read at least five books out of the twenty Luke recommends to her throughout the year

   2. Stephen Witry (TSOBR) - start a weekly cocktail night ritual with Meredith

   3. Lily Hopper (WHAM) - train for and run the London marathon

   4. Isa Cruz (WWY) - reduce amount of screen time

   5. Austin Fisher-Michaels (AFTFE) - save for a down payment on a house

2. Do you have any “fan casts” for your characters, or just general descriptions?

   1. Mostly just descriptions! Though I always say I would love Lucien Laviscount (Alfie from Emily in Paris) to play Michael in a TSOBR adaptation. I also am inspired by the energy some people exude. While Zoey Deutch isn’t identical appearance-wise to Grace Barbour in While We’re Young, she gives off total Grace vibes to me. And the closest thing I have to a perfect match for Wit is this guy I found on Pinterest while drafting!

      

3. Do any of your books include type one diabetes?

   1. Yes, the love interest in What Happens After Midnight is a Type 1 diabetic, inspired by two important people in my life.

4. Which book do you think people know you best for?

   1. The pink one.

5. Will we be seeing old characters in the new books?

   1. Of course. It’s the KLW Universe.

6. What character(s) of yours do you relate to the most?

   1. Lily, Everett, Mads, and someone I hope I get permission to write.

7. What book were you most excited for?

   1. A First Time for Everything was both a joy to write and release! I’d been working on a manuscript that was going nowhere when I got the idea for Mads’ story, and when it came out two years later, I was more than ready for people to read it!

8. How do you keep plot lines less predictable when writing?

   1. This is such a good question! I guess I try to take real life into account. I love writing escapist fiction, but I always want to ground it in reality (if that makes sense). I remember when my former boss read TOSBR for the first time; afterward, he told me he was so impressed that Meredith chose college over a gap year with Wit. I said that I had never considered her following him there. Yes, Australia would’ve been the more romantic (and predictable!) choice, but not the right one. She had too much to tackle at home.

9. Can we have a Mer and Wit second book?/Is The Summer of Broken Rules getting a sequel?

   1. Not unless I come up with a story worth pursuing (AKA, not a second chance romance), but you will see them again as secondary characters. They are in A First Time for Everything, and will be back again in The Summer of Second Chances. There is also bonus content in the collector’s edition of The Summer of Broken Rules.

10. Did you use any celebrities to influence your characters?

    1. What do you think I was working on for the last four months? ;)

Bookshelf

1. Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross - I read the majority of this on the cruise! I didn’t love it as much as the Divine Rivals duology, but Rebecca Ross is one of the most beautiful storytellers out there. I would recommend this to any fantasy lover who appreciates gorgeous prose, thoughtful world-building, and a heartaching romance.

2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - As a longtime TJR fan, I read this when it came out in 2017 and loved it. I found myself reading it again on the ship, because I didn’t expect to finish WR. So when I did need another book with 36 hours left on the cruise, I grabbed Evelyn from the library’s book exchange. Eight years later and it’s still a stunner of a story.

3. Untitled KLW 8 by K.L. Walther, currently a Word document - I couldn’t turn it in without rereading it! Imagine the typos! LOL

Playlist

1. Say My Name In Your Sleep - Maisie Peters

2. Man I Need - Olivia Dean

3. who’s your boyfriend? - Royel Otis

4. Different Today - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

5. Deeply Still In Love - ROLE MODEL

Events

Next week, on Tuesday, 1/13/26, I will be helping my close personal friend Jessica L. Cozzi launch her debut young adult romance, We’ve Hit Turbulence! We’ll be blabbing all about it at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn before meeting readers and signing books. You can buy your ticket here (a little birdie told me there aren’t many left)!

And that’s a wrap for this month! Time to turn off my space heater, bundle up, and go buy some groceries…

Stay warm,

K

Curious about the KLW Universe? Check out my books!

1. Maybe Meant to Be (my debut, previously published as If We Were Us)

2. The Summer of Broken Rules

3. What Happens After Midnight

4. While We’re Young

5. A First Time for Everything

6. PRE-ORDER: We’re A Bad Idea, Right? (3/31/26)

7. PRE-ORDER: The Summer of Second Chances (5/5/26)

Season’s Greetings

1. Would you go snowboarding with Stephen or get into a snowball fight with Stephen?

   1. Neither! I’d break a bone (or at least dislocate something) snowboarding and I do not like to be cold, LOL. I’m definitely watching The Holiday with Nick, or playing board games with Everett and friends, or meeting Marco for a seasonal cocktail and some cozy conversation.

2. What do you bring to Christmas Dinner?

   1. I bake the Barefoot Contessa’s Beatty’s Chocolate Cake every year! It serves eight (depending how big a piece you slice yourself, of course).

3. I am BEGGING YOU to please write a Christmas book/Have you ever thought of writing a Christmas romance novel?

   1. Sometimes, and I’m so flattered so many of you want to read one from me! But do I have a plot or the time right now? Negative. However, I did get my Christmas jollies out by writing “White Elephant,” a TSOBR short story. You can find it in the Collector’s Edition of The Summer of Broken Rules.

4. What’s your favorite holiday movie?

   1. The Holiday, of course. But The Family Stone is a close second, and if we’re talking Hallmark vibes, I have a soft spot for Single All The Way.

5. What are the Carmichaels up to this holiday season?

   1. The Carmichaels are creatures of habit! They attend their friends’ black-tie Christmas party on December 23rd (sans Nick, he has a game) and then Luke and Charlie wake up early on Christmas Eve to catch a flight to Michigan. They spend Christmas in Grosse Pointe with the Morrissey family. Sage and her mom have Christmas dinner with Nick and the Carmichael clan at Granddad and Nana Carmichael’s house. The Squad reconvenes on December 30th, at whatever ski resort Sage’s dad has picked for New Year’s. They’re heading to Steamboat Springs, Colorado this year.

6. Do you work during the holiday season?

   1. It depends on where I am in my draft. Unfortunately, no break for me this year! (Which is what happens when you give yourself 3.5 months to write a full manuscript, but you’re not that fast a writer, and the protagonist insists the manuscript be extra long because she has a lot to say).

7. Characters’ holiday traditions?

   1. Erica Carmichael Lupo, from The Summer of Second Chances, bakes gingerbread cookies with her ten-year-old twins Maisie and Bryce. They roll out the dough and have fun with Christmas-themed cookie cutters—Christmas tree, reindeer, angel, holly leaf, bell, snowman—and use a toothpick to prick a hole in the top to make them ornaments. After baking, they decorate them with frosting and sprinkles and then loop ribbon through the hole and hang them around the kitchen.

8. Do you send out Christmas cards?

   1. To my family and friends, yes! We also wrote a Christmas letter highlighting milestones from throughout the year. Apparently buying a new car counts as one.

9. What’s everyone bringing to Secret Santa?

   1. It’s Secret Santa, so your guess is as good as mine. But unlike White Elephant, everyone has been assigned a specific person to buy for. The budget is $20, but since “gift giving” is one of Mads’ love languages, she might not abide by that. The perfect gift is the perfect gift. Who needs to know if it really cost $45?

10. New Year’s Resolutions or no?

    1. Resolutions? No. Goals? Yes. :)

       ---

       I hope all of you and yours have a wonderful holiday season together, filled with love, warmth, joy, and plenty of good snacks and books. I can’t wait to report back in January, ready to brag about turning in KLW 8’s first draft. Because I will absolutely 100% totally be turning it in on time.

       You just watch me!

       XO,

       K

       ---

       Curious about the KLW Universe? Check out my books!

       1. Maybe Meant to Be (my debut, previously published as If We Were Us)

       2. The Summer of Broken Rules

       3. What Happens After Midnight

       4. While We’re Young

       5. A First Time for Everything

       6. PRE-ORDER: We’re A Bad Idea, Right? (3/3/26)

       7. PRE-ORDER: The Summer of Second Chances (5/5/26)

I’m still working on Margot’s first draft, and while it is going well (*knock on wood*), my pace is not super on point for a manuscript that is due in very early January. So, to push myself, I’ve decided to participate in National Novel Writing Month this month (“NaNoWriMo” for short). The goal? To write 50,000 words in thirty days.

The very first draft of While We’re Young was a NaNoWriMo project and I did achieve 50,000 words (and then powered through the first two weeks of December to finish the book), but that was way back in 2020.

*murmurs to self* It’s been eighty-four years…

Anyway, to keep my momentum going, I’m going to continue not sharing much about Margot’s story, but please enjoy these two out of context photos and snippets.

ICYMI: The Summer of Second Chances Cover is LIVE!

The amazing Monique Aimee dazzles us again with a gorgeous cover, although I had more involvement in the design process! Usually the first stage I see is a pencil sketch, but this time, my publisher asked for my input before the art department and Monique worked their magic. I said I wanted a cover cohesive with The Summer of Broken Rules (since we’re back on the Vineyard!) and a blue and yellow color palette. I also provided these three inspiration photos…

The designed edges were such a fun surprise, and I’m so excited to see them in person next year…

PREORDER OLIVIA AND CONNOR'S LOVE STORY

Reader Q&A

1. What are your favorite fall and Christmas reads?

   1. Fall is M.L. Rio’s If We Were Villains and Christmas is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern! And I feel like most of you know that already (and are rolling your eyes at me for mentioning them again), so I’ll add two more. Maggie Stiefvater’s Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy is one of my all-time favorite young adult series. The first book is Shiver, and I think it works for either fall or winter. I’m not usually one for holiday-themed romances, but I did also enjoy One Day in December by Josie Silver!

2. Could we please see more of Sage and Nick in a future book? (Like cameos with speaking roles).

   1. I kindly suggest you preorder The Summer of Second Chances…

3. What author would you recommend for thirteen year olds?

   1. I love Becky Dean now and I would’ve been equally obsessed with her at thirteen (if not more so). She writes YA contemporary romances full of humor, heart, and passport stamps. Each book takes you on a different vacation.

4. Are we gonna get movies???

   1. Not unless the powers that be in Hollywood are interested!

5. Will you stick to summer books or maybe write some autumn books or so?

   1. I had to think about this for a second, but TSOSC will technically only be my second summer book! TSOBR is summer, but I’m realizing most of my books happen on the edge of summer—WHAM, WWY, WABIR?—and then AFTFE covers all the seasons. If you’re interested in an autumn book, I would check out my debut, Maybe Meant to Be. The book kicks off in September, and nothing screams fall like a boarding school campus!

   2. But yes, to answer the actual question, I have at least two more summer stories/settings that I’d like to explore.

6. What is your favorite season to read in? And is there any specific book ick that you have?

   1. Summertime! I love reading on the beach. Book ick…I don’t love excessive use of modern day slang.

7. Need Tag and Lily updates rn

   1. They went on a big trip to Ireland toward the end of the summer with Alex. Now they’re watching House of Guinness, and whenever they FaceTime each other, Alex and Tag speak exclusively in their not-even-passable Dublin accents.

8. Have you ever thought about writing novellas for your books?

   1. Occasionally, but I don’t have time right now. Gotta focus on our new friends!

9. What gets you in the writing mood? And how do you stay motivated?

   1. I’m very fortunate that writing is my full-time job, but that means I always have to be more or less in the writing mood because I have deadlines to meet. A nice cup of coffee usually gets me off on the right foot, and as an edit-as-I-go writer, I find re-reading the previous chapter a great way to fall back into my draft every day. Deadlines are my primary motivator, but also my mom’s feedback. She reads my chapters as soon as I finish them, both as an editor and a cheerleader. If I don’t produce content, I won’t get any of her sparkling commentary!

10. What dish are your characters bringing to Thanksgiving?

    1. Maybe Meant to Be: Sage Morgan - sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top (Nick’s favorite)

    2. The Summer of Broken Rules: Stephen Witry - a bouquet of fresh flowers for the host, because he can’t cook

    3. What Happens After Midnight: Lily Hopper - pumpkin pie

    4. While We’re Young: Everett Adler - stuffing

    5. A First Time for Everything: Lee Fisher/Da - The Turkey

    6. We’re A Bad Idea, Right?: Audrey Barbour - glassware

    7. The Summer of Second Chances: Erica Lupo (née Carmichael) - many things, one of them a specialty cocktail from this list

       ---

       Playlist: “The Life of A Showgirl” Edition

       Disclaimer: I have no actual experience in critically writing about music, and that is not about to start now, LOL. These are just my thoughts. I know this album isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I am still listening to it nonstop! I wanted a glitter pen album and am so happy that’s what Taylor gifted us. I think “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Elizabeth Taylor,” and “Opalite” trio is the best 1, 2, 3 punch on any of her albums. She had me hooked on those from the first listen. They are definitely my favorite songs, with “Elizabeth Taylor” taking the gold medal. Well-written, catchy, and so luxe.

       I admit I wasn’t the biggest fan of “Father Figure” at first, but after three (?) listens, I’m now all about it and mumbling “I protect the family” while living my life. The lyrics are so clever.

       In terms of the KLW Universe, since people have asked, “Honey” reminds of me of Audrey and Henry from WABIR? while “Eldest Daughter” gives some TSOSC vibes. And I have “Opalite” on my playlist for Margot.

       Ranking them is tough, but I would guess my least listened to are “Actually Romantic” (though it’s so cheeky), “CANCELLED!” and “The Life of a Showgirl.” It reminds me a little of “The Lucky One” on RED, which has never been a “must listen over and over” of mine.

       In no world does she read my newsletter, let alone know I exist, but thank you, Taylor! TS12 is truly a ton of fun. 🫶🏻

       ---

       Bookshelf

       I finished R.F. Kuang’s Katabasis! I will always be a fan of hers, but this one was not for me (yet I did read all 500 pages). I’m now leisurely rereading EmHen’s Funny Story, which makes me giggle. Next on my list is Heart the Lover by Lily King. My former boss recommended it, saying it reminded him of some of my characters. I was sold after reading the book jacket’s first paragraph.

       ---

       Events

       November 14th & 15th - YALLFest!!!!!

       

       January 13th - Head on over now (and subscribe!) to my dear friend and fellow author Jessica L. Cozzi’s newsletter Love Letters from Jessica L. Cozzi to find out what’s happening then!

       ---

       As always, thank you for reading and stay tuned for a holiday -themed Q&A next month!

       XO,

       K

       ---

       Curious about the KLW Universe? Check out my books!

       1. Maybe Meant to Be (my debut, previously published as If We Were Us)

       2. The Summer of Broken Rules

       3. What Happens After Midnight

       4. While We’re Young

       5. A First Time for Everything

       6. PRE-ORDER: We’re A Bad Idea, Right? (3/3/26)

       7. PRE-ORDER: The Summer of Second Chances (5/5/26)

Because, I want some time to listen to it (again and again) and to mull every single song over before I share my thoughts. Don’t rush me!

We’ll touch base on TS12 in November, I swear.

Three Things

I’m still not sold on the name for this segment (I’ll continue to brainstorm), but here are three mostly non-writing-related things that are new with me!

1. I wrote last month that I was instituting a moratorium on ice cream for a while. I feel obligated to admit that I 100% broke my word only hours after I published my newsletter. I went to my grandfather’s house for dinner, and as a fellow ice cream enthusiast, he whipped out some Ben & Jerry’s and all the toppings post-chicken pot pie. I wasn’t going to say no! And then I had to try the local place in our new neighborhood! But now, I’m on a hot streak. No more ice cream until spring 2026!

2. C & I went to a John Mulaney show a few weeks ago! Philly was on the front end of his tour, so he was workshopping material—by the end of the night, my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. We’ll see if his hilarious bit about his dryer makes it into the eventual Netflix special…

3. I want to get more into podcasts, so suggestions are welcome in the comments section. My two most listened to are Books, Beach, & Beyond and How I Built This. I tend to prefer interviews over hosts simply chatting. I’m not looking for anything too serious; this is an attempt to “decompress” after a day of work while going on a long walk. Let me know what you’re listening to!

Writing Updates

I am a little over 11,000 words into Margot/KLW 8’s first draft, which is very exciting! I’m not going to say too much because I have some good juju going, but I’m having a lot of fun getting to know these characters. And come next week, I’ll be on my writing retreat/research trip where this book takes place.

Another development: I’m going to be part of a Taylor-Swift themed anthology! ICYMI on Instagram, writer Kristie Frederick Daugherty has assembled an incredible group of contributors for this collection. Never did I ever expect to be part of the same project as Jodi Picoult or Meg Cabot—I am beyond flattered. I haven’t finalized what I’m writing yet, but it might be about a K.L. Walther character who has been downplayed to a mention and/or cut from two of my books!

Finally, the long-awaited cover reveal for The Summer of Second Chances?

The time might finally be upon us!

I’d keep your eyes peeled if I were you…

Reader Q&A

1. Will you ever have a Halloween-themed book?

   1. I’m not sure! One of my favorite scenes I’ve ever written—in a manuscript you’ll never read—is a trick-or-treating/crashing a Halloween party moment, but I don’t think I’m creative enough to draw out the holiday for an entire book. I’d love to attempt a Christmas book at some point, though. Maybe Thanksgiving, since we can turn those festivities into long weekends!

2. How do you write? Like tips for starting and keeping it up?

   1. I’m really disciplined. I started writing in college, so my “early work” (do I sound a hundred years old or what?!) was all assignments with due dates. I went to my fiction workshop once a week for three hours, then wrote a short story for homework. When I decided I wanted to write a novel in my spare time, I treated it like coursework. I told myself I had no choice but to go to the library for at least two hours to draft; I had to attend “class.” I did this for a long time, even after I graduated. I had to go to class, I had to put in the work. It may sound silly, but that mindset led me to finally typing The End. You can’t write a book if you don’t write it.

3. Do you plan on writing any series or just mainly standalones?

   1. I’m never going to say never, but I’m happy in the standalone space right now. My books also feel like less traditional standalones (at least to me), since they take place in one universe. Even if I’m writing about Olivia and Connor, Lily and Tag feel extremely alive to me, too. I don’t feel like their stories have ended. They’re just off doing their own thing.

4. Which of your characters loves a PSL?!

   1. I know the vast majority of you haven’t met him yet (soon!), but it’s totally Henry “Don’t Call Me Hank” Chen from We’re A Bad Idea, Right?

5. What gets you out of a reading/writing slump?

   1. For a reading slump, I usually re-read one of my favorite books and that pulls me out. Writing slumps spur me to take a break from writing altogether, whether that’s for a week or two months.

6. Do Wit and Charlie (and Luke) ever meet? I feel like they’d be friends.

   1. Well, we remember Wit and Sage—who is famously best friends with Charlie (and Luke)—clearly hitting it off at Morning Glory, right?

7. What song would Mer and Wit have their first dance to?

   1. “No Pressure” by The Kooks, one of Wit’s favorite bands. The song is a bit more upbeat than the traditional “first dance,” but these two have never been known for being super conventional!

8. Cozy book recommendations?

   1. Lauren Layne’s Miranda in Retrograde! It gives Nora Ephron vibes.

9. Your characters’ favorite Halloween candy?

   1. Maybe Meant to Be: Luke Morrissey - Halloween M&Ms (but specifically Halloween seasonal M&Ms because they’re fresh!)

   2. The Summer of Broken Rules: Meredith Fox - KitKat

   3. What Happens After Midnight: Tag Swell - Whoppers

   4. While We’re Young: Isa Cruz - York Peppermint Patties

   5. A First Time for Everything: Connor McCallister - Snickers/Milky Way/Twix (he is not particular)

   6. We’re A Bad Idea, Right?: Adelaide “Ellie” Hopper - Haribo Gummy Bears

   7. The Summer of Second Chances: Olivia Lupo - Reese’s Cups

10. Favorite Halloween costume you’ve ever worn?

    1. I have some childhood hits (and then some misses—my mom made me wear a turtleneck under my Princess Jasmine costume, which threw off my entire vision!), but I was especially proud of my very topical-at-the-time “Pregnant Kylie Jenner at Coachella” costume in college. People either had no idea who I was, or they really got it and couldn’t stop laughing.

       

Bookshelf

At the beginning of every new draft, my reading speed slows way down. I spend most of the day staring at words on a screen, so the last thing I want to do at night is look at more words (instead we’re bingeing The Americans). BUT, I am currently reading R.F. Kuang’s Katabasis. Another little reading quirk I have is that I rarely read contemporary young adult while drafting. Revising, yes. Drafting, no. It spurs imposter syndrome, a conversation for another time!

Playlist

I have been listening to The Dream since it was released a couple weeks ago! I know I’ve mentioned it already, but I truly feel like FINNEAS and Ashe teamed up specifically for me and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a tour announcement soon!

Events

1. October 4th, 1:00 PM (THIS SATURDAY!!!) - I will be at the Doylestown Bookshop with Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick, gushing over their new novella, Joy to the Girls. All the details are here, this event is free. I’ve drafted my conversation questions!

2. November 14th & 15th - YALLFest! Being invited to Charleston is an author achievement unlocked for me, I am counting down the days. There are so many of my favorite authors attending, so please send me the courage to speak to them.

Now, it’s back to the WIP!

Cheers,

K

Curious about the KLW Universe? Check out my books!

1. Maybe Meant to Be (my debut, previously published as If We Were Us)

2. The Summer of Broken Rules

3. What Happens After Midnight

4. While We’re Young

5. A First Time for Everything

6. PRE-ORDER: We’re A Bad Idea, Right? (3/3/26)

7. PRE-ORDER: The Summer of Second Chances (5/5/26)

I’ll catch you next year, June-July-and-August.

Three Things

Several weeks ago, I solicited new newsletter segment ideas from readers. Someone suggested I share what I’ve been up to recently, so here’s our trial run.

1. We’re back on the East Coast! C and I moved into our new home last week, a very cute row house in Philadelphia. Thanks to all the stairs, it took five people to get our mattress into our bedroom on the top floor. There was pushing, pulling, leaping, sweating, and some skinned fingers. A huge shoutout to my mom, aunt, and uncle for helping us. At the very least, we owe you each a bottle of vino.

2. The ice cream lover (addict) in me is attempting to swear off ice cream for a while. I think it’s best enjoyed when it’s warm outside, and I ate my weight in ice cream this summer, so it’s time for a break. (To be clear, Yasso frozen yogurt bars are exempt from this moratorium).

3. I was able to sneak a week on the Vineyard in late August, which was so lovely (except for my journey home, but that’s another story). A lot of Morning Glory zucchini bread and Murdick’s fudge was consumed. In true fashion, I didn’t take many photos, but the below are during sunset in Edgartown Harbor.

Writing Updates

I am about to start a new book. KLW 8, or “Margot” as I will refer to her for the next year or so. I can’t believe this is my eighth book (and eleventh manuscript!), because yet again, I am thinking to myself, “How does one write a book?”

Some hints about Margot…

1. She is already a part of the KLW Universe.

2. Her plot is another contemporary movie retelling.

3. The setting is a city I hope I can do a shred of justice. I’m really intimidated by it right now.

Wish me luck!

Reader Q&A

1. Are you ecstatic that TS12 matches We’re A Bad Idea, Right?!

   1. YES!!! But it’s also a little eerie, because this same wavelength-ness with Taylor has happened before. Back in 2022, a couple months after we announced my third book, What Happens After Midnight, Taylor announced Midnights. And then “Mastermind” became the perfect song for Lily and Tag. I’m crossing my fingers that The Life of a Showgirl has a song that fits Audrey and Henry!

2. Where do you get inspiration for the characters’ names?

   1. For protagonists, I usually choose names from a mental list of longtime favorites, and for the secondary and tertiary squads, I frequent BabyNames.com and flip through my high school yearbooks.

3. Do you have any anticipated fall reads?

   1. I read M.L. Rio’s If We Were Villains every spooky season (I own three editions), and I’m really looking forward to her sophomore book, Hot Wax.

4. How do you come up with your covers? They are so beautiful.

   1. Thank you, on behalf of both my publishers’ art departments and my cover artist, Monique Aimee. I offer feedback during the various phases (pencil sketch, potential color schemes, initial color mockup), but I am not the brains behind the operation. An article was written about Monique recently, if you want to check it out. I loved learning more about her work!

5. What’s a trope you haven’t written yet that you’d love to write?

   1. Rivals to lovers

6. Which songs were you listening to on repeat while you were writing WHAM?

   1. “Mastermind” - Taylor Swift (and a TON of other TS songs, mostly Rep)

   2. “The Night Starts Here” - Stars

   3. “Starry Eyed” - Ellie Goulding

   4. Full playlist linked here.

7. Begging for crumbs of The Summer of Second Chances…

   1. It’s not a direct sequel to any of my books, but definitely another companion novel! Your reading experience will be highly elevated if you read Maybe Meant to Be, The Summer of Broken Rules, and A First Time for Everything ahead of time.

8. How do you deal with stress about making deadlines?

   1. I make a lot of grand declarations about how I’m not going to meet my deadlines.

9. Will we ever see more of the While We’re Young gang???

   1. Two of them had a cameo/mention in A First Time for Everything, and the other couple plays a fun role in We’re A Bad Idea, Right? They were an absolute delight to write. And if all goes according to plan, you’ll see them again in KLW 8.

10. How do you create the timelines of your universe?

    1. It’s mostly in my head, but there’s some math going on in my notebook. Characters’ age differences. When Margot is X years-old, Everett will be Y years-old… My overarching goal is to move forward in time so that we learn more about previous KLW leads and their lives beyond their Happily Ever Afters.

Bookshelf

1. What Happens After Midnight by Me, Myself, & I - I know a lot of authors don’t like reading their own writing, but I am not one of them. I love my characters so much and reading their stories again (and again) motivates me to keep writing.

2. Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams - I’ve said it before and I will say it again: Beatriz Williams is one of my all-time favorite, auto-buy authors. This book is the latest addition to her “Winthrop Island” series, my favorite of which is Husbands & Lovers. Like the KLW Universe, these are all standalone novels but there is plenty of character crossover!

3. Barbarian Days by William Finnegan - Here I am stretching myself as a reader! I don’t normally gravitate toward nonfiction, but this memoir/autobiography is the September pick for my new book club. I’m learning a ton about surfing and have never felt more confident in my decision to never, ever pick up a surf board.

Playlist

1. The Hudson - The Favors (FINNEAS & Ashe)

2. I miss you, I’m sorry - Gracie Abrams

3. I’m Gonna Wait - The Temper Trap

4. You & I - Crystal Fighters

5. Babe - Amy Shark

Events

1. September 17th, 7:00 PM - Hello, Ripped Bodice Brooklyn! I am so excited to be on Underlined Lit Lounge’s “Meet Cute” panel with some incredible young adult authors. You can find all the details here. This is a ticketed event.

   

2. October 4th, 1:00 PM - I will be at the Doylestown Bookshop with THE Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick, gushing over their new novella, Joy to the Girls. All the details are here, but this event is free. It’s my first time moderating a launch event and I am very nervous but it will all be okay. I think.

Sending you all a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils,

K

Curious about the KLW Universe? Check out my books!

1. Maybe Meant to Be (my debut, previously published as If We Were Us)

2. The Summer of Broken Rules

3. What Happens After Midnight

4. While We’re Young

5. A First Time for Everything

6. PRE-ORDER: We’re A Bad Idea, Right? (3/3/26)

7. PRE-ORDER: The Summer of Second Chances (5/5/26)

Yes, I just turned the big three-oh and here is the summer newsletter installment that I claimed I was not going to write! I’ve had a lot on my to-do list — a new book release, revisions, my wedding (and all joy, love, and magic one should entail), more revisions, and now, packing for a cross-country move.

But, it turns out you can take a break after packing a couple boxes of books. Especially when your husband said he’d handle packaging all the artwork. I promise I’m evaluating kitchenware next.1

This month brings a lot of new subscribers, so I want to start with a big welcome! Whether you found me through Instagram, my website, or a recommendation from Substack itself, I’m happy to have you here. :)

Writing Updates

Most of you know that I have two books coming out in 2026! We’re A Bad Idea, Right? is my March release with Delacorte Romance, and The Summer of Second Chances from Sourcebooks Fire will kick off the summer season. I call them “Audrey” and “Olivia,” respectively, after my protagonists.2

We are in the final stages of edits for Audrey! I turned in my pass pages a couple weeks ago, where there were approximately 289 comments to address in the PDF. My personal favorite was when a secondary character named “Erica” appeared more than halfway through the book. I changed this one side character’s name four times throughout revisions (because that’s just what I do); her fifth and final name is “Mia,” but sometimes things slip through the cracks!

ARCs (advanced reader copies) are also out in the world, which is both exciting and nerve-wracking. I care so much for these characters—and man, do they make me laugh—and I hope others do too.

Preorder Audrey here!

Meanwhile, Olivia is on her way to copyedits. She took two rounds of developmental revisions to dig deeper into and then polish and I am very pleased with where we ended up (and extremely relieved). As always, other KLW Universe characters will make appearances, and my mom—one of the three people who has read this manuscript—assures me this reverse grumpy-sunshine romance is swoony!

I’ve also seen the cover.

And let me tell you, it’s worth the wait.

But here’s an out of context snippet to tide you over…

The Judy Blume Incident: Elin Edition

Okay, longtime subscribers know I met Judy Blume last year.3 C and I went to Key West for a few days, and before hitting the beach, I charged into the local bookstore for a copy of The Guncle Abroad. And lo and behold, THE Judy Blume was the bookseller who handed it to me.

If you want to read about the full encounter, you can do so here. I admit it’s pretty entertaining, but long story short: I told Judy Blume how much I admired her and loved her books… but I mentioned nothing about being an author myself. It didn’t even occur to me.

I’m a little embarrassed to tell you that this anecdote now has a companion story.

Elin Hilderbrand is one of my favorite authors. I’ve been reading her books since I was fifteen. She has been hailed the “queen of the beach read” by many, if not all, and I devour all her stories, most of which are set on Nantucket. Her writing style, her flawed but I-still-want-to-root-for-you! characters, her taste in interior design, and mouthwatering descriptions of food! It’s no wonder she has become one of my biggest inspirations.

She lives full-time on Nantucket, and during the summers, she signs books every Wednesday in town. 11 AM to 12 PM. (I know this because I listen to her fabulous podcast: Books, Beach, & Beyond).

Well.

C and I spent a week on Nantucket for our honeymoon, and obviously a Wednesday was part of that week. I bought a book for Elin to sign, and around 10:30 AM, we got in line outside the bookstore. Or technically a bank, because the signing line had already wrapped around the corner and up the block.

While waiting, C asked if I was going to tell Elin that I was an author, too. I said something to the tune of “Absolutely not,” along with, “Please don’t tell her.” My thought was that I just wanted to be a “reader” when I met her.

(And I was afraid to tell her I was an author, too. Obviously.)

Friends, when we finally made it inside the bookstore and I got my fifteen seconds with Elin, I was so STARSTRUCK that I could barely spell my own name for her when she asked if I wanted my book personalized.

So, forget about me pulling it together last minute to casually mention that I too write books. I didn’t entirely black out, thankfully; Elin is so warm and gracious, and I will forever treasure this picture C took of us.

I MET ELIN “QUEEN OF THE BEACH READ” HILDERBRAND!!!

But I will have my redemption arc! I am meeting Beatriz Williams, another one of my all-time favorite authors, in two weeks (she’s on tour for her new book) and I have promised multiple people that I will tell her I am an author. And now I’ve told all of you, so everyone please hold me accountable.

First Judy, now Elin… this pattern must be broken! My mom has also informed me that if I chicken out, she will tell Beatriz herself. <3

Reader Q&A

I solicit these every month via my Instagram story. If you don’t see your question here, it means I’ve banked it for another newsletter.

1. Nantucket vs. Martha’s Vineyard, which island is better?

   1. Not a fair question. The Vineyard is forever my girl; I have three decades’ worth of memories there, while I’ve only been to Nantucket twice. But I loved both visits and Nantucket is one of C’s happy places, so I’m excited to get to know the island better!

2. Where did you get the idea to put the two dots above the “e” for “Chloë” in While We’re Young?

   1. I once personalized a copy of The Summer of Broken Rules for a reader who spelled her name with the umlaut accent. It stuck with me.

3. Who are some of your favorite authors?

   1. Some of my auto-buy leading ladies: Emily Henry, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Elin Hilderbrand, Beatriz Williams, Rebecca Serle.4

4. Do stories pop into your head fully formed or do you go through a sort of evolution?

   1. Fully formed-ish? I always know the “big picture” since I pitch before I dive into a draft, but some manuscripts are messier than others because a lot unfolds organically as I write. Sometimes we get to the final destination a little differently than I thought we would.

5. What’s your go-to takeout cuisine?

   1. Chinese!

6. What’s your favorite summer activity?

   1. Reading on the beach, then cocktails and a cookout on The Cabin’s porch post-outdoor shower.

7. Did you get married? A First Time for Everything’s dedication says June 27, 2025.

   1. Yes, and my Bridal Era ended with a sparkler send off! Our photographer featured our wedding on his blog, with some photos and a lovely write up that captures the day perfectly. I’ll add that I paid an Etsy Witch to ensure sunshine for the ceremony (thanks for the rec, Jessica!)

8. Favorite Lynn Painter book?

   1. Betting on You

9. Will you ever make a TSOBR part two for Meredith’s and Wit’s wedding?

   1. We find out how those two crazy kids got married in A First Time for Everything!

10. Who is your favorite couple that you’ve ever written?

    1. [Redacted] & [Redacted] will always have my heart.

Bookshelf

1. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Was it my favorite TJR? No, but wow, do I applaud her. The sheer level of research this book required? Come on! The aunt-niece relationship really brought on the feels, too.

2. Happy Wife by Meredith Lavender & Kendall Shores - This was a fast and fun one to read on the beach, which I totally did. Definitely screen adaptation potential.

3. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune - I read this book in three sittings in my apartment in chilly San Francisco (summertime is cold here), but damn it, was I living the sunny lake life.

Playlist

But imagine them all Bridgerton-style with a string quartet.

1. Invisible String - Taylor Swift

2. Dancing in the Moonlight - King Harvest

3. Snow On the Beach - Taylor Swift

4. Wouldn’t It Be Nice - The Beach Boys

5. Here On Out - Dave Matthews Band

Wishing you and yours a wonderful rest of Leo season and beyond!

Cheers,

Kaethe5

Check out the KLW Universe here!

I am absolutely elated to announce that my fifth young adult novel, A First Time for Everything, is officially (because I know it has been on some shelves for weeks) out in the world.

I. FREAKING. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.

Read on for some behind the scenes secrets, my super fun playlist, and a virtual conversation you won’t want to miss!

But first, ICYMI, here are the deets:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules comes a fun new coming-of-age romance full of dating disasters, powerful firsts, and the importance of family.

Madeline has always been extremely close to her family, so she is shocked when her older brother gets engaged without including them (or even giving them a heads up!). Mads has never been the biggest fan of his fiancée, Katie, so in order to remain one happy family, she is determined to bond with Katie before the big day, which includes reluctantly agreeing to be a bridesmaid.

During a late-night bridesmaids-only game of "Truth or Dare" Mads is cornered into revealing she has never been kissed or even been on a date, which spurs the other girls to unite on a quest to find Mads the perfect plus-one for the wedding. Next thing she knows she’s navigating a series of disastrous dates that include some major misunderstandings and mishaps.

All of a sudden Mads finds her heart tugged in different directions: to Connor, the boy next door who knows her best. To Marco Álvarez, the former classmate who knows how to push all her buttons. And to some of the new suitors who surprisingly aren’t all bad.

As the wedding draws nearer, Mads has to figure out who she wants most as a forever dance partner, while also making sure her brother isn't making the biggest mistake of his life.

Buy Now!

10 Fun Facts about AFTFE:

1. I brainstormed this concept while on shift at Barnes & Noble, back in 2023. I was a bookseller for four years. I remember furiously texting my agent from the philosophy section, and we had a plan by my lunch break. If any of my former bosses read this newsletter, I’m sorry for being a less than upstanding bookseller that day!

2. The Fisher-Michaels family’s house is based on my childhood home, but their Christmas tree farm adds a twist of Taylor. Birdie, one of my family dogs, did get “lost” for five days in the real one only .25 miles away my house, though. We couldn’t catch her.

3. Katie’s last name is pronounced Ga-LAUNT, not Gal-lant.

4. Mads’ nickname is an ode to my best friend of close to two decades, whose 2022 wedding I was a bridesmaid in. Almost three years later, she is now one of my bridesmaids!

5. If I’m counting on my fingers correctly, there are a combined TEN character cameos/mentions from the KLW Universe. I suspect most readers will get eight or nine.

6. My favorite chapter to write was chapter 18.

7. I played field hockey in middle school and for half of high school, but only knew the basics before drafting. The vast majority of AFTFE’s club field hockey and college recruiting content is courtesy of my cousin, who played D1 for Boston College. (Let me brag about you, Eleanor!).

8. Mads is one of my favorite protagonists I’ve written.

9. Who doesn’t love a man in glasses?

10. You will re-meet one of the main characters next year, in The Summer of Second Chances.

Madeline’s Mix

Click here to listen!

I had so much fun pulling together this playlist and hope you enjoy it! I always say AFTFE is “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” meets folklore’s teenage love triangle, but the reality is my work is inspired by a lot of different music. My personal favorite song here is “Garden” by The National Parks; it’s part of why the book is divided into seasons.

It also may or may not be someone’s first dance song…

Events

I’m doing my first virtual conversation with the one and only Longhand Pencils (@longhandpencils on Instagram)! LP is my favorite bookish small business, and I love Kasee—its fabulous owner—so very much. I suspect we’ll talk all things AFTFE, Taylor Swift, books, and anything and everything in the pop culture realm. And also that time we cruised around Milwaukee in her minivan.

Note: this is a ticketed event and also my only one this summer.

Click here for tickets!

HAGS :)

Or, for those who haven’t flipped through their dusty middle school yearbooks in a while, “Have a great summer!” This newsletter is going on hiatus through August, but I’ll be back with more scoop (and a new government name) come September.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all your unwavering enthusiasm and support this release season! I hope you all find a slice of paradise and a good book this summer. A fruity drink, too.

And, if you’d be so kind, please keep your fingers crossed for late June sunshine!

XO,

Kaethe

First thing’s first: A very happy belated release day to The Summer of Broken Rules: Collector’s Edition! I can’t express how thrilled I am that this edition exists, because it truly has been a dream of mine for the past couple years. I hope everyone loves the book’s glow up and devours the bonus content. IMHO, Wit’s perspective makes him even more swoony…

Lucky you, Meredith.

Get your copy here!

We are also less than a month away from A First Time for Everything! Which means that the buzz is buzzing. I recently received two trade reviews that put a big smile on my face, and I’m so proud share them with you!

Kirkus says: “Walther’s strong young women characters truly shine in this quietly entertaining, character-driven tale... A lighthearted romance in which love comes to those who speak their minds and stick to their truths."

And Booklist adds: “Walther’s sweet, heartfelt, and warm novel blends a compelling family story with an undercurrent of romance; throughout the whole novel... A cozy embrace of a novel that perfectly captures the feeling of facing life-changing experiences head-on.”

Every time I read these, I feel all the warm and fuzzies. I seriously couldn’t describe AFTFE better myself.

Now, for some fun news…

1. Preorder campaign! If you order AFTFE through Inkwood Books, I will sign and personalize your copy before release day. I love doing this, so don’t be afraid to get creative with requests. Bring on the Taylor Swift lyrics!

   PREORDER HERE

2. Early launch! While AFTFE officially releases on 6/3/25, we’re celebrating early. I can’t wait to blab about this book and bond over our love for the Newtown, Pennsylvania Chick fil A and Stone Harbor, New Jersey. This is a free event.

   

Writing Updates

So…I have not been the most productive lately, because in addition to AFTFE’s upcoming release, we are also less than two months away from my wedding. My second full-time job as a wedding planner is in full swing! And I absolutely cannot wait, I wish it was tomorrow.

Warning: tangent ahead.

I recently had my first dress fitting—it is beautiful, it is breathtaking—and I had the best time with my girl squad in Palm Beach this past weekend. My best friend’s and my original flight might’ve been canceled, and we might’ve needed to haul ass to another airport to make a later flight, which might’ve been delayed after we got to said second airport, but once we touched down in Florida, the trip was absolute perfection.

But I am happy to report that my pitch for KLW 8 has been approved—she will be known as “Margot” for now—and I have a first chapter written. I also outlined the second chapter, in an effort to practice my idea of good habits for this draft!

Plus, I’m expecting Olivia—who officially has a title!—back soon, to kick off a first round of developmental revisions. Famous last words, but I actually miss her?! It’s funny how time and space change your perspective. I pretty much muttered good freaking riddance when I submitted her draft, never wanting to see her again, but now I’m eager to get back in her head and turn her story into something worthy of a Monique Aimee cover!

Reader Q&A

1. Favorite message you have written for the signed TSOBR books!!!

   1. “Audrey + Wit For Life.” I was a little confused at first because the protagonist of We’re A Bad Idea, Right? (2026) is Audrey Barbour, and she feels incredibly real to me right now. I was like, “Audrey, what? You don’t know Wit!”

   2. To the Audrey whose copy I signed: I might’ve said “forever” instead of “for life.” If that’s the case, please forgive me.

2. Updates on the Carmichael twins and their partners, please?!

   1. Best Man Charlie is heading to Sonoma this weekend for Paddy Clarke’s bachelor party. Nick had to decline due to the NHL playoffs. He’s bummed he’s missing the wine trolley. Luke is eyeing a green linen dinner jacket for Paddy’s rehearsal dinner, and Sage has no idea that she just bought a dress that perfectly matches the bridesmaid gowns.

3. I LOVE JAMES.

   1. Gosh, so do I…

4. Will you be writing any more summer/beach books?

   1. Olivia’s book is set on the Vineyard in July.

5. If you had to assign a season to all of your books, which ones would you do and why?

   1. I’m going to leave the “why” up to you guys to decode, despite it being pretty obvious. ;)

      1. Maybe Meant to Be - Fall

      2. The Summer of Broken Rules - Summer

      3. What Happens After Midnight - Spring slipping into summer

      4. While We’re Young - Spring in bloom

      5. A First Time for Everything - Winter

6. Do you ever wish you had longer breaks in between writing different books?

   1. Of course! I’ve always been a strong multitasker, but sometimes I want to solely focus on one thing. Right now I’m trying to get to know Margot, but Olivia is still firmly in the front of mind. She’s challenging Margot to have as much or more emotional baggage as she does.

7. Favorite thing to cook/bake this time of year?

   1. I baked C a lemon cake for his birthday last month, and it was delicious. Recipe here!

8. Are you planning on doing a sequel for any of your books?

   1. I think Emily Henry answers this best on her website’s FAQ page. My characters are lights of my life, I cannot quantify how much they mean to me, so I always want to treat them with plenty of care and consideration.

9. When are you coming back to Brazil?

   1. When you invite me!

10. Summers book you recommend like TSOBR?

    1. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

    2. Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

    3. These Bodies Between Us by Sarah Van Name. This is more of a love letter to friendship than one to romance, but the beach vibes cannot be beat!

       ---

Bookshelf

1. We’ve Hit Turbulence by Jessica L. Cozzi. You will hear me blab more about this book in the coming months (I was lucky enough to blurb it!), but believe me when I say this is the vacation book of your dreams. I need to move Hawaii up on my travel bucket list.

2. Long Bright River by Liz Moore. Fantastic (but heartbreaking!) novel set in Philadelphia. I plan to watch the Peacock adaptation soon.

3. Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave. Northern California setting with a twist of Nancy Meyers interiors and complicated family dynamics.

Playlist

Some tunes from the Palm Beach playlist!

1. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) - ABBA

2. Daylight - Taylor Swift

3. Murder On The Dancefloor - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

4. No Pressure - The Kooks

5. I Ain’t Worried - OneRepublic

And that’s all she wrote, friends! I now need to pivot and tackle some wedding agenda items…

Best,

Kaethe

Curious about the KLW Universe? Check out my books!

• Maybe Meant to Be (originally published as If We Were Us in 2020)

• The Summer of Broken Rules

• What Happens After Midnight

• While We’re Young

• A First Time For Everything

But I’m also a fan of hyperbole, and I have had so much work to do since early March (not exaggerating there). I finally finished my first draft of Olivia/KLW 7, and for those who missed my celebratory post on Instagram: it’s the book that would never end. I literally did not believe the finish line was near until I was only two or three paragraphs from THE END. And still, it’s not really the end. My gut says this book needs an epilogue to tie everything up, but my brain felt like how melted ice cream looks by the time I hit the epilogue, so I wrote my editor a paragraph about what I envision unfolding. It’s safely in her inbox now. I promise it will be amazing—maybe even entirely rewritten—by the time it’s up for preorder.

My writing process was just…not good for this book. It took eight months to draft, with multiple breaks (that needed to be taken, to do order things), and upon reflecting, that’s too long for me. I am not Tessa Bailey; I can’t draft a book in three months. I’ve done it before, but it’s not my natural speed. Eight months, though…and when the book only takes place over three weeks… I had no patience for my characters by the bitter end.

The fact that I pretty much “pantsed” this book didn’t help. I’m not a hardcore, 10,000-word-outline plotter, but I’ve done chapter outlines for all my books in the past. My notebook for Olivia? I stopped outlining after chapter 2. I couldn’t tell you why. I ended up writing an outline for the final eight or so chapters, to reassure myself that the book would indeed conclude at some point and time.

And it has. <3

May my editor never read it while also reading it as soon as possible! I want and need and crave her help!

In other news, We’re A Bad Idea, Right?’s revisions have progressed. I turned in copyedits a couple days ago, and I’m very happy with how the book is shaping up!

My copyeditor was, hands down, the best I’ve ever worked with. She not only pointed out how questionable my grammar is and that I have an obsession with the word “quip,” but also had some really thoughtful suggestions throughout the manuscript. I hope we work together on my next Delacorte Romance book…whose pitch currently exists as a word vomited email to my agent, but I have plans to get it in shape for my editor this weekend!

While We’re Young is an instant bestseller, baby!

Storytime: on Wednesday afternoon, I was working on my copyedits at one of my favorite coffeeshops. Just nursing my iced chai tea latte and renaming a tertiary character for the fifth time (she went from “Bree” to “Bridget” because…well, I don’t know, I just didn’t get Bree vibes from her 3-5 appearances). And then, all of a sudden, my phone lights up with WWY editor’s name!

I had no idea why she was calling me, but I may or may not think she’s absolutely amazing, so I answered…even though I’m sitting in a public place with people working around me. Rude, probably, but I had to! My editor definitely had something important tell me about the book I was currently working on, right?

We said hello, and then she proceeded to ask if I knew why she was calling.

My response? From what I remember, it was an upbeat but cautious, “No….”

Laughter, before: “You’re a New York Times bestselling author!”

While We’re Young had hit The List, which I had completely and utterly forgotten about. That is how wrapped up in my work I’ve been! Olivia and Audrey, plus my wedding and daydreams of getting a golden retriever puppy, take up so much space in my mind. There’s barely room for C’s work travel schedule! Boston, Dallas, or Denver—I know you told me already, but which city is it again? Oh, Chicago? Right, I totally knew that…

It debuted as #8 and I am so incredibly happy and proud! I put so much of myself in this book (and challenged myself like never before), and my publisher invested a lot in me. Seeing Grace and the gang soar is truly…well, I cried in the coffeeshop. WWY is just that special a book.

Thank you, readers, booksellers, and librarians, for making this happen!

Get WWY here

On the horizon…

I have two more books coming out this year! In my last couple months as a single gal!

1.) The Summer of Broken Rules: Collector’s Edition (May 6, 2025)

You can preorder anywhere, but if you like preorder campaigns, keep an eye on Sourcebooks Fire’s and my Instagram next week! This really is a lovely edition with its sailboat edges, bonus chapter, and short story. Plus, character art and a freaking map. And how cute are Mer and Wit on the cover?

2.) A First Time for Everything (June 3, 2025)

One of my early readers wrote this, which I think is a fabulous elevator pitch for AFTFE. It is a companion to TSOBR, not a sequel. Meredith & Wit are secondary characters. I really love this book.

Preorder update on that also coming soon! Emails in my inbox prove stuff is happening!

Reader Q&A

I got so many great questions, but I had to limit myself to only five this month. I have the rest banked for future newsletters!

1. What’s something we don’t know about the making of WWY?

   1. I have never been to Jean-Georges, the fancy restaurant where Grace takes Isa and Everett for lunch. And because I wrote the first draft during Covid, I couldn’t go visit. It was closed, so I poured over JG’s website and Instagram, and read multiple Yelp reviews to get a feel for the place. And I actually still haven’t gone! Not even for a drink! Not even to quickly peek at the view!

2. Does your fiancé read your writing?

   1. Read my writing? Ha-HA! He doesn’t even read!

b. C reads all my writing, including this newsletter. :D

1. Do you ever draft something you’re not happy with, but do it anyway because you know you’ll fix it later?

   1. My answer to this might be in the first part of the newsletter, LOL. It’s taken me a long way to get there, though, and I’m still bellyaching about it (ask my mom). I am such a perfectionist when it comes to my work, but not every book is going to let me get it right, right off the bat.

2. Have you ever wanted to use a name more than once within your universe?

   1. Yes! And I roll my eyes at myself all the time, because when writing Maybe Meant to Be (my debut), I decided I had to love every character’s name. No matter how major or minor a role. “Nina” is one of Sage and Charlie’s friends, and I have wanted to use that name again so many times after the book was published. (And most of you probably don’t remember her, which is proof that I should just use it again).

3. What’s it like to have two books coming out in a short time frame?

   1. Wild and wonderful, but also A LOT. Especially if you’re also planning the summer wedding that you just had to have! (Totally kidding - my wedding is the highlight of my year).

My Bookshelf

Okay, so my friend and future published author Jessica L. Cozzi (We’ve Hit Turbulence hits shelves in January 2026, and check out her amazing newsletter here), convinced me to read Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series. It came out when I was a teenager, but I never read it. Fast forward a decade (and then some), I flew through the first book, and got about halfway through the second before I put it down for a good cause: to binge Sunrise on the Reaping. You might be shocked to hear this, but Haymitch’s story gutted me!!! Who are we casting for the film?!?!

For obvious reasons, I am taking a step back from dystopia before I return to Unravel Me. Elinor Lipman writes delightfully kooky romantic comedies, so I’m reading her latest release right now: Every Tom, Dick, and Harry.

And indeed, it’s really giving “delightfully kooky.”

Exactly what the doctor ordered for my heart, crushed by one Suzanne Collins!

My Playlist

1. Stargazing - Myles Smith

2. Communicating - Bad Suns

3. Time Waited - My Morning Jacket

4. Sunny Baby - The Kooks

5. Sailor Song - Gigi Perez (finally had to look this one up after hearing it all over Instagram. Was it just my algorithm?)

I believe that’s a wrap! This weekend I am going to work on KLW 8’s synopsis, eat some incredible food (or so I’ve been told), and cheer when Spencer and Alex finally reunite in 1923…or sob if they don’t.

Best,

Kaethe

I cannot believe release day is here! While We’re Young is officially out in the world, which feels so surreal to say after over a year of waiting. I’m finally kicking Grace, James, Isa, and Everett out of the nest. Fly, kids, fly!

(Just like the Philadelphia Eagles did at the Super Bowl last month, all the way to victory).

(I’ve been taking that as a promising sign for this book!).

To review, here is our flashy synopsis:

A whirlwind romance inspired by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off about four friends whose hearts are broken and mended over the course of an epic senior skip day—from the bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules!

Grace, Isa, and Everett used to be an inseparable trio before their love lives became a tangled mess. For starters, Grace is secretly in love with Everett, who used to go out with Isa before breaking her heart in the infamous Freshman Year Fracture. And, oh yeah, no one knows that Isa has been hanging out with James, Grace’s brother—and if Grace finds out, it could ruin their friendship.

With graduation fast approaching, Grace decides an unsanctioned senior skip day in Philadelphia might be just what they need to fix things. All she has to do is convince Isa to help her kidnap Everett and outmaneuver James, who’s certain his sister is up to something.

In an epic day that includes racing up the famous Rocky steps, taste-testing Philly's finest cheesesteaks, and even crashing a wedding, their secrets are bound to collide. But can their hearts withstand the wreckage?

Give me the book, Kaethe!

I’m going to keep this brief: I am incredibly proud of this book. It makes me smile and swoon, it makes me laugh and cry, and it has come a very long way from its first draft. I’m so grateful to my agent, editors, and everyone at Delacorte Romance/PRH and Electric Monkey/HC (the UK edition drops 3/13). Without these two incredible teams, While We’re Young would still be just a Microsoft Word file on my laptop called [redacted].

To celebrate, I’m sharing a letter I wrote for WWY’s advanced reader copies, as well as my official playlist for the book. I hope you all enjoy!

Dear Reader,

Movies have always been an integral part of my life, so I was thrilled when I quite literally dreamt up a retelling for one of my all-time favorites. When I was growing up, my family watched so many movies together that we could drop references into conversations like it was the most natural thing in the world. Anytime my brother spotted a fox darting across our yard, my sister would say, “F-O-X” (You’ve Got Mail). My mom had so many “brilliant beyond brilliant” ideas for birthday gifts (The Parent Trap, and, fun fact, Father of the Bride Part Two). And whenever one of our hockey teams was embarrassing itself on the ice, my dad would kindly firmly say, “You guys are playing like this is some throwaway game up in Rochester” (Miracle).

Ferris Bueller's Day Off was no exception (though the lines we quote most often aren't appropriate for this letter). It still entertains us to no end, but when the credits roll, the film also incites the comment, “Oh, they could never pull that off today…”

I wrote While We're Young as an ode to the Walther family’s enduring love of movies, and to prove that an adventure almost as fantastical as Ferris’s is, if not totally possible, at least feasible in the 2020s.

Buckle up, because these pages move pretty fast.

Happy reading,

K.L. Walther

(or Jeanie, as my family sometimes calls me)

Turn up the volume!

Click here to listen!

I also want to shine at light on WWY’s audiobook, which I am dying to listen to! It features an ensemble cast (!!!), and I had so much fun listening to samples to find the best fit for each character. My main note for James was “someone who can hold their own with Lorelai and Rory from Gilmore Girls.”

Get the audiobook!

That’s it from me! My book birthday agenda includes my first ever TV appearance on Philly Live (wish me luck!), launch night at Inkwood Books (details below), and probably a lot of coffee.

Thank you so much for all the support. I truly have the best readers ever. <3

Cheers,

Kaethe

Well, here we are in 2025 (*she types on February 10th*). It has been very busy so far in my writing corner of the world, to say the least. I wasn’t able to dash off a newsletter last month, because I have been swamped working on both my 2026 books and preparing for a Big Life Event later this year. Book-wise, I’ve been revising Audrey, and drafting Olivia. The fun news is Audrey now has a real title—We’re A Bad Idea, Right?—which hopefully makes you hum Olivia Rodrigo, as she takes up plenty of space on my Spotify playlist for this book. I also *might* already have a cover-like JPEG saved on my computer, and it *might* be my new favorite.

All in due time…

Speaking of Audrey, in case you missed it, We’re A Bad Idea, Right? is the first book in my newest deal with Delacorte Romance, whose team has been an absolute dream to work with. I love that my editor really stretches me as a writer (even on my grouchiest days, we all have to grow!) and I love, love, love also gushes about my characters like they are real people. It’s the best!

The deal memo is below, finally going public a year after the offer. We pitched WABIR? in early January 2024, and then I put it on my mind’s back burner because I was spending most of the month in Italy—where I promptly got engaged, caught COVID, and was pickpocketed all while revising While We’re Young. But it was a fabulous three and a half weeks!

When we touched back down in the USA, C and I hadn’t even made it through customs before my agent texted to see if she could call me with some news. I had an inkling that we had sold Audrey, but was absolutely stunned when Delacorte not only wanted my badass glass blower, but also two other books.

So, in conclusion, this deal is really special to me. <3

Less than a month now!

We are officially closing in on three weeks until While We’re Young is out in the world! Grace, James, Isa, and Everett have been such a big part of my life for the last few years, and I think it is beyond about time to share them with you. I plan to write a release day post next month (MARCH 4TH!!!!!!), with some behind the scenes fun facts, but I cannot stress how much I love this cast of characters and their shenanigans. *falls to knees with hands clasped* It would mean the absolute world to me if you could preorder or request WWY at your local library. Demonstrating an advanced interest is one of the best ways to support an author’s career!

(I’ll also add that preordering is the only way to ensure you snag a copy with the adorable but first-run-only sprayed edges…)

CLICK ME TO PREORDER

I have a lot of publicity coming up (more at the end of this newsletter), but I’m so hyped for my While We’re Young launch event! It will be at Inkwood Books in Haddonfield, New Jersey, which is my favorite indie bookstore. Multiple members of my family will be in attendance, as Haddonfield has been my grandparents’ turf for decades. You can find more information here!

The Summer of Broken Rules: Collector’s Edition

So, the secret is finally out…and I am frankly shocked it remained under wraps until the official reveal last week! I feel like you guys are always able to sniff out my surprises ahead of time. A fair amount of you are Swifties, after all.

But seriously, I was a little nervous. When I took down White Elephant from Substack, someone noticed it was missing within an hour. AN HOUR! SIXTY MINUTES!

More questions about the story’s whereabouts proceeded to follow; I can’t tell you how heartwarming it is to know that my readers have read my Christmastime tale more than once.

The updated cover and designed edges took my breath away the first time I saw them (and the second time, the third time, and the hundredth time), and I can’t wait for you to read the new bonus chapter, from Wit’s perspective. I’ve always firmly believed that TSOBR is Meredith’s story, but it was so interesting to hang out in Wit’s head for a couple days. I definitely learned one or two new things about him!

This gorgeous version is a limited print-run, so I also suggest preordering. A collector’s edition really is something out of my wildest dreams (the cover! the sailboat edges! the map! the character art! the bonus content!), so I think it is worth making room for on your bookshelf.

Take me back to the Farm

(I am very aware how hard I’m pitching the preorders here, and really thank you for indulging me).

Reader Q&A

1. Will there be preorder gifts for WWY and AFTFE?

   1. I will have more news soon about AFTFE’s preorder campaign, but for now, Goodreads is running a giveaway, and there is a really cool sweepstakes happening on Barnes & Noble!

2. Would you ever write more about Charlie and Luke?

   1. Of course. I love them too much to ever say goodbye.

      

3. Did Wit and Sage become friends during Morning Glory because of Middlebury?

   1. That’s how they first connect! But they really become buddies through their love of long-distance skiing, hiking, and biking. Even Nick isn’t signing up for a ten-mile hike, and he also definitely doesn’t dream of biking the Empire State Trail, riding from New York to Montréal.

4. What was your favorite scene to write out of all your books?

   1. Well, “out of all my books” would be showing something called favoritism, wouldn’t it? And as the author, I don’t play favorites! ;)

      1. The following choices are entirely off the cuff. I’m sitting in a coffeeshop without my books on hand.

   2. Maybe Meant to Be - Nothing was dreamier than Luke and Charlie’s getaway to UVA. They deserved a picture perfect weekend, and I loved writing about my alma mater.

   3. The Summer of Broken Rules - There are so many, but I especially loved Wit’s rooftop assassination, and Sarah and Michael’s wedding. It may or may not have been me living out my dream Vineyard wedding, with an unlimited budget and zero logistical nightmares!

   4. What Happens After Midnight - Honestly, every scene where Tag and Alex breathed the same air. They were hilarious to write together.

   5. While We’re Young - two words: art museum.

   6. A First Time for Everything - two words: bachelorette weekend.

   7. We’re A Bad Idea, Right? - two words: mind-boggling brownies.

5. Will there be more character crossover?

   1. It’s the KLW Universe! There will always be character crossover.

6. What are plans for the next book?

   1. To type The End.

7. How to make an apartment feel like a home?

   1. Decorate with things that mean something to you. Not solely with what Instagram deems aesthetic. There is definitely art on my apartment walls that most people don’t vibe with, but it sparks joy for the people who live there! Also, keep your favorite snacks on hand. I have a penchant for Trader Joe’s Scandinavian Swimmers.

8. Who was your favorite character to write?

   1. Again with the favoritism! I’ll say one character who makes me laugh so hard my ribs hurt is James from WWY and WABIR?

9. Any tidbits about your wedding? Anything similar to Mer & Wit? <3 <3

   1. My wedding is this summer, and I wasn’t aware Meredith and Wit were planning a wedding? It doesn’t really sound like them, TBH!

10. Can you share anything about your wedding?

    1. There is no hashtag! The groom and I both have unique names, so I’m not even going to try brainstorming one. I’m going to quit while I’m ahead with #HurrayShesaDupré and #AllinwithAustin.

Events

In addition to a couple of podcasts and an upcoming TV spot (I can already feel the sweat beading on my forehead), I’m getting those miles!

Before my While We’re Young launch, you can find me this weekend at Love Y’All Atlanta (my mom will be there as my assistant!), and on March 1st, the North Texas Teen Book Festival, where I will be starstruck by so many of my childhood favorite authors. I have never been to Georgia or Texas, so I’m very excited!

Happy Galentine’s and Valentine’s Days to those who celebrate!

Cheers,

Kaethe

Writing Updates

I have recently started a new writing routine!

And it is promising!

When I first started seriously writing (nine years ago!), I was an incredibly structured writer; I was in college, so my days were filled with classes. It was easy to tell myself that writing was its own class—one that required me to make a Starbucks run, set up camp in my favorite library, and then write for at least two hours.

I wrote Maybe Meant to Be this way, as well as my two shelved Bexley follow-up manuscripts. It was a fool-proof mindset, one I continued even after I graduated college.

Did I go on writing benders? Of course. I usually spent four-to-six-to-sometimes-eight hours in the library, not two, and after graduation, I logged a lot of “class time” during my days off from work.

Then, in July 2023, I became a full-time writer. My schedule opened up—I no longer had to build in writing blocks around my work schedule. Writing became my work schedule!

Being a full-time writer is my dream job, but it is harder than it first seems. Setting your own hours can be a puzzle! I am at a point in my career where I need to be productive; writing two books a year is no joke. But I can’t convince myself that I’m “going to class” anymore when the only consistent task I’m writing in my agenda book is an open-ended write.

There is no structure there. Until I lace up my sneakers for an afternoon run, I have the whole day to stare at my computer. And hey, I can also check Instagram. And hey, I can go get a snack. And hey, maybe I’ll pack up and go to a coffee shop and mutter a few expletives when I get there and see there are no open seats.

Then I’ll buy myself an $8 latte and walk home.

This is not very productive. Do I end up meeting my word quota? More often than not, yes. But I don’t feel particularly proud of myself.

Okay, long-winded preface over.

As many of you know, Gilmore Girls is very close to my heart. Lauren Graham (Lorelai) has two fabulous memoirs: Talking as Fast as I Can and Have I Told You This Already? In the former, she discusses her prolific writing career—everything from her debut novel, Someday, Someday, Maybe, to her screenwriting career. In other words: she has a lot on her plate, with multiple deadlines looming.

Lauren doesn't know if she can do it all…

But then!

One of her friends connects her to a screenwriter friend, and she adopts his writing practice. It involves a kitchen timer, and is similar to the Pomodoro Technique.

Plenty of writers use timers. Some will set it for a sprint, then take a break. Sprints have never appealed to me, because I spend a lot of time thinking in front of my screen. I worry that I’d set a timer for twenty minutes, but end up with only fifty words by the end.

I also get lost in my drafts. Twenty minutes doesn’t feel like enough time for that to fully happen…or, I’ll get lost with six minutes left and perhaps be annoyed when the timer rings and takes me out of the story.

(To everyone who does like to sprint: I think that is awesome! It just isn’t the way my writing brain works).

The twist here? The timer is set for an hour, and you “schedule” those hours. You decide how many hours you want to work, and then completely dial in for them. Silence your phone and put in another room, turn off your Wi-Fi (I put my computer on Focus mode), and then write. If you get bored of writing, open a new document and “journal.” You’ll probably get bored of journaling, which will send you back to your WIP. I’m happy to report that I haven’t needed to turn to my journal yet.

When your timer goes off, you are free to do whatever you want until your next scheduled hour. You don’t need to feel guilty for taking a lunch break or going on a run or calling your mom or picking something up at CVS (@ Kaethe), because it’s not interrupting one of your blocks.

This has been incredibly helpful to me. An hour is long enough to completely fall into the story (sometimes my timer literally makes me jump), and I spend less time at my desk but am more productive. When I am grabbing a cup of coffee, I no longer hear the little voice in my head whispering, You should be writing, you should be writing…

Because it’s not inside one of my hours!

Have I suddenly become someone who churns out 4,000 words a day? Hell no! That is not—and probably will never be—me! I am not Tessa Bailey! I only produce that much when my deadline is within sight. And I’m sure these hours will go out the window when I reach that point, because I tend to write with blinders on during the homestretch.

But right now, with my cute kitchen timer, I feel so much more confident on a daily basis. It definitely took someone framing this method as a “schedule” to get me to see the light!

A First Time for Everything

In case you missed it, AFTFE (phonetical pronunciation: aft-fe?) secrets have been revealed! Cosmopolitan helped me reveal its beautiful cover, and included a fun excerpt from one of my favorite scenes (featuring a familiar face). You can check it out here!

Something special is also being announced early next year, but feel more than free to preorder AFTFE below! My website has links to multiple retailers, hopefully your retailer of choice.

A First Time for Everything

Reader Q&A

1. Will you come to Warsaw one day? I wasn’t able to be in Krakow but I love your books!

   1. If I am invited to Warsaw, I will try my absolute best to come. I had such an incredible time in Kraków, and would love to see more of Poland!

2. How do you plan a book? Do you just start writing or is there a lot of storyline prep?

   1. It depends on the book! There are authors who are full-on “plotters” (writers who thoroughly outline before they dig in to their project), and others who are “pantsers” (they fly by the seat of their pants and just write). I consider myself a “plantser” (a blend of the two) but my strategy tends to change with each manuscript. For What Happens After Midnight and While We’re Young, I routinely wrote short outlines before every chapter; their timelines were complex, so I needed a map for their pacing and to keep details straight. On the other hand, I wasn’t as glued to my notebook for A First Time for Everything. It takes place over ten months rather than a single night or day, so I allowed the story to unfold more organically (which can be a lot of fun!). I’m experiencing something similar with my draft right now.

3. Brief KLW Universe/upcoming projects map?

   1. While We’re Young - March 4th, 2025

   2. A First Time for Everything - June 3rd, 2025

   3. Audrey/KLW #6 - 2026 (about to revise)

   4. Olivia/KLW #7 - 2026 (drafting)

   5. Research trips planned for 2027 books; I’m hoping my brain will clue me in on the plots soon!

4. What would be your dream surprise song/mashup on the Eras Tour?

   1. I know “Lover” is on the setlist, but if it’s a dream…“Hey Stephen (Taylor’s Version)” x “Lover.” Those are the songs I listened to most while writing The Summer of Broken Rules, and I think they would sound so swoony together.

5. Is there a book of yours that you often reread?

   1. I have reread all my books multiple times, but there’s something about Maybe Meant to Be that is especially cozy to me! I spent the longest with those characters, so in a lot of ways they feel like the oldest and dearest of friends.

6. How involved are you in the design of your covers?

   1. It has changed with each book, and all publishers work differently. I had no involvement in TSOBR’s cover, but then my agent and I got to see the pencil sketch for WHAM and offered feedback for each subsequent stage, until it was perfect. It was the same for AFTFE. For WWY, Delacorte had a fun questionnaire for me to fill out, and they asked me to share my inspo board on Pinterest. I also shared my favorite book covers.

7. Is it ever hard to connect your books in the KLW universe?

   1. Because I love my big casts, not so far!

8. Would you ever write a story set somewhere outside the US?

   1. Of course! I always keep writing in mind while I travel. I hope to set a book in Italy someday. I’ve been to Milan twice and love it so much. My future in-laws are in the process of retiring there, so I hope to spend more time there in the next couple years.

9. Your top Gilmore Girls episodes?

   1. One per season, the episodes I’ve rewatched the most…

      1. Season 1, Episode 19 - Emily in Wonderland

      2. Season 2, Episode 16 - There’s the Rub

      3. Season 3, Episode 7 - They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They?

      4. Season 4, Episode 16 - The Reigning Lorelai

      5. Season 5, Episode 8 - The Party’s Over

      6. Season 6, Episode 13 - Friday Night’s Alright for Fighting

      7. Season 7, Episode 17 - Gilmore Girls Only

      8. Reboot? What reboot?

      9. Can you tell I’m a huge Emily fan?!

10. Where did the Fox family Christmas story go?/Where did White Elephant go?/Why can’t I find the Christmas story on your substack?/Will you be publishing the White Elephant content anywhere soon?

    1. You will see it again. I’m not sure in which medium (maybe back on Substack, maybe somewhere else), but I promise it’s not gone for good. It makes me smile how much you all love it! I churned it out while wearing pajamas and sitting at my family’s dining room table.

Bookshelf

What have I read lately? I’m currently in a slump, but I read Lauren Graham’s memoir in tandem with The Nightmare Before Kissmas for my book club. I loved the former, and the latter sparked quite the discussion over tacos.

I also reread A First Time for Everything, as I always read my books when my physical ARCs arrive! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m really proud of and enjoy the stories I tell. However, I did discover that one character has a fear of heights in AFTFE…but I have him jumping off something in KLW #7. So, I think he needs to conquer or mask that fear, because this jump is really important!

Please don’t hesitate to drop any book recs in the comments. With the exception of sci-fi and epic fantasy, I read a little of everything!

Playlist

1. Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call - Bleachers

2. Orange Juice - Noah Kahan

3. Jeanie - lovelytheband, The Kooks

4. The Band and I - Maisie Peters

5. This wonderful While We’re Young playlist one of my readers made!

Bonus: Christmas Q&A!

1. Do you prefer white Christmas or beach Christmas?

   1. I am a beach girl, but white Christmas always and forever!

2. Each of your characters’ favorite Christmas songs?

   1. MMTB: Nick becomes “Little Saint Nick” every Christmas season. Sage is all about Glee Christmas covers, notably “Last Christmas.” Charlie loves Coldplay’s “Christmas Lights.” Luke throws on The Holiday’s score while cooking.

   2. TSOBR: Meredith is a diehard fan of Joanna’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” in Love, Actually, while Wit really commits to lip syncing Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town.”

   3. WHAM: Alex loves serenading Tag with “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” Lily listens to most renditions of “My Favorite Things,” but Julie Andrews always be her favorite. Meanwhile, Leda thinks Kelly Clarkson’s cover packs a bigger punch.

   4. WWY: Grace plays “All I Want For Christmas Is You” over and over, to mostly annoy James. He prefers Joni Mitchell’s “River.” Taylor Swift’s “Christmas Tree Farm” is finally growing on Everett, if only because his sisters play it so much. Isa doesn’t do Christmas music.

   5. AFTFE: Every member of the Fisher-Michaels family prefers a different version of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”

      1. Mads - Phoebe Bridgers

      2. Austin - Sam Smith

      3. Harry (Dad) - James Taylor

      4. Lee (Da) - Judy Garland

3. Would you ever write a holiday book?

   1. If I found the right story, yes! I absolutely love the holiday season.

4. Favorite winter drink?

   1. Williams Sonoma’s hot chocolate mix, and Half Baked Harvest’s Spicy Sweet Holiday Storm cocktail.

5. How are Mer and Wit spending Christmas? Being engaged and all that.

   1. They’re back on the Farm for Christmas, just soaking up their time as fiancés. Sarah says it’s important to enjoy this phase, before all the wedding prep begins. Meredith isn’t so sure she has the interest or stamina for all that planning…

That’s it for 2024! This year was filled with more than one Big Moment, and I am so grateful for all your love and support. It truly means the world to me! I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful December and holiday season, and I can’t wait to share some secrets in 2025…1

Cheers,

Kaethe

Did you know “desserts” is “stressed” spelled backwards?

And that there is currently ice cream in my freezer?

So the book I’m drafting (on a deadline) has turned into a Thing. I am not as far along as I should be, but that’s because I keep refining the concept. I want top-tier swoon, I want vacation vibes, and I think we’re there now, so my fingers are crossed that it’s full speed ahead. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is definitely coming at the right time, for extra motivation!

But I’m also expecting an edit letter for Audrey any week now, so I’m going to pause/dial back on drafting soon to do surgery on that manuscript. I prefer revision to drafting, so I’m excited (and I’ve missed those characters!), but it’s going to be a juggling act. I’ve been telling myself I’d figure it out when the time for double-duty came, so I’m curious to see how exactly I’m going to figure it out now that the time is upon us…

(It will get done. It always does).

Postcards from Poland

I recently got back from an incredible trip to Kraków, Poland! Moondrive, my Polish publisher, invited me to the Kraków International Book Fair…and what a time, friends. Over three-hundred readers showed up for my meet-and-greet, and I am shocked that my wrist didn’t ache after signing so many books! My Polish readers are extremely passionate on Bookstagram, so it was amazing to meet them in real life (where they are no less passionate). A lot of love was shown for my trio, and it warmed my heart—they call my books cozy! I brought a Polish copy of What Happens After Midnight with me and invited everyone to sign it.

I am also forever in love with the thoughtful and whimsical packaging for my books—everything from Bookstagrammer blurbs to an illustrated Fox family tree to detailed Ames and Bexley campus maps—so meeting the creative geniuses behind the artwork was a big moment. The Moondrive ladies said their goal is for readers to become as obsessed with my stories as they are, which is the ultimate compliment.

And sightseeing! Ola, our fantastic liaison, organized an itinerary that included the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine (everything is salt) to Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, and the Old Town. She also booked a private tour guide, which was such a special treat. Alisa seriously elevated the experience.

Other highlights include: dining at a Michelin star restaurant (shoutout to my agent sibling Lauren for the recommendation), a wealth of souvenirs, and racing across the Frankfurt Airport to catch my connection back to San Francisco. I arrived at the gate breathless and dripping in sweat.

Twelve long hours later, I was welcomed home with a bouquet of roses and a huge slice of chocolate cake. My roommate knows the way to my heart.

Photos below!

Reader Q&A

1. What’s your favorite fall meal?

   1. Lately I’ve been craving chili—topped with a dollop of sour cream, some shredded cheese, and crushed tortilla chips—with a hunk of homemade cornbread.

2. Have any people from your past reconnected with you because of your books?

   1. Every now and again I’ll get a nice Instagram DM from a high school classmate! One of my old field hockey teammates read Maybe Meant to Be on her honeymoon this past summer.

3. How is the wedding planning coming along?

   1. Countdown is on! The date is set, vendors are booked, I’ve said yes to the dress, and now we’re in the process of picking invitations (who knows how many free samples I’ve ordered from The Knot and Minted). My maid of honor (aka, my sister) also disclosed details about my bachelorette weekend next spring, and I’m really excited!

4. Thoughts on making merch for your books (stickers, prints, etc)?

   1. If only I had an assistant…

5. How to read your books in order?

   1. There is no technical order since they are all standalone novels, but they exist in the same universe, so characters do cross over into other books. The foursome in Maybe Meant to Be all appear in The Summer of Broken Rules, and two TSOBR characters make fun little cameos in What Happens After Midnight. Personally, I think being able to catch those cameos makes the reading experience more fun!

   2. Although, from While We’re Young onward, I suggest reading my books in publication order. I am really leaning into the KLW Universe (I consider A First Time for Everything a companion novel to TSOBR), and am discovering future protagonists through what I’m currently writing. I already know my 2027 heroine from her page time in Audrey/KLW #6.

6. How do you feel about non-happy endings in books, especially romances?

   1. A book isn’t a romance if it doesn’t have a happily ever after!

7. Do you read reviews?

   1. Okay, so this answer has changed over time. I know I’m not supposed to read reviews, but I 100% did for years. And the logic behind it was simple and obvious: I wanted to know what people thought of my characters and their stories. Do they love them as much as I do? The publishing industry works so far in advance that for months and months and months, only a small group of people reads my work. My agent, my editor, my mom, and my trusted beta reader. By the time we hit advanced copy season, and then publication, I’m really excited to see what readers think!

   2. But these days, I am happy to report that unless someone tags me in a post on Instagram, or sends me a friendly DM, I am blissfully unaware what readers are saying, which is really for the best. And I have Emily Henry to thank for that! I listened to a recent podcast interview where she said she no longer reads reviews, but used to go looking for the positive ones on Goodreads by filtering for newest and five stars. Foolproof, right? Wrong, because these reviews would inevitably open with “Despite everyone else thinking this book is terrible…” or “I never thought I would like this book, but…” Listening to that, I was like yikes…then realized that I do the exact same thing! I am also that person! But I haven’t read a single review since listening to that interview; I think it took hearing about someone else’s experience to finally show me how not great reviews are for my author self-esteem. Thanks, Emily!

8. What’s your favorite scent?

   1. I love a balsam cedar candle in December.

9. Do you ever use a library? I recently started working at one!

   1. Yes, I have a San Francisco Public Library card, and I love it. I am there every week, especially if I need something to brighten my mood. Books almost always help!

10. Do you ever get recognized in public by readers?

    1. Twice! When I was in Brazil last fall, one of my readers recognized me as I stepped into an elevator; we were staying in the same hotel, and ended up meeting at breakfast the next morning. She was adorable and I still have the Taylor Swift pin she gave me. I was also recognized in Poland, while shopping for souvenirs. Someone tapped me on the shoulder while I was weighing which Christmas ornament to buy (I bought both), and a girl held up her phone—my Instagram story onscreen—and asked if I was K.L. Walther. We took a picture together!

My Bookshelf

As a Gilmore Girls fan, I had fun reading Lauren Graham’s second memoir, Have I Told You This Already? I read the physical book but swear I could hear her voice in my head!

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, the book I feel like everyone’s buzzing about. I’m still thinking about this one, which is a good sign, but I can’t definitively say I loved it. There’s a lot to grapple with there!

The Night We Lost Him, Laura Dave’s newest. I’m hooked on her after reading The Last Thing He Told Me. Her writing is easy-breezy, plot twists compelling, and I love the California settings!

Now I’m in the mood for some historical fiction…

Playlist

1. Lotus Eater - FINNEAS

2. T-Shirt Weather - Circa Waves

3. You Are Gold - The National Parks

4. Take Care - Beach House

5. England - The National

Cheers,

Kaethe

I’m writing another book. Just like last time, I will not be elaborating much. But I will say that I sometimes forget it’s October, because this new book is set in the summer…and it takes place on Martha’s Vineyard!

That’s it.

That is the only detail I am disclosing.

Although I will also say that I love writing Olivia, my protagonist. She’s doing it with a broken heart, guys.

On another note, I have some secrets…*

Hopefully I can share one or two relatively soon!

*None of them involve a TSOBR movie/series adaptation, but I still think you will be excited

Recent Travels

In the last month, I have attended two live and in person events! Romance Con in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Sourcebooks’ inaugural BookBash at the beautiful Joseph-Beth bookstore in Lexington, Kentucky. I hadn’t been to any sort of con before, so it was a lot to take in, but I really enjoyed myself at both!

One highlight was meeting Becky Albertalli, author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (and many other young adult novels). Without even introducing myself, I word-vomited up how I read Simon in one sitting, which involved staying up until 3 AM, and how I took three friends individually to see Love, Simon (the film adaptation) as an excuse to see the movie in theaters multiple times. I also told her how wonderful her ensemble casts are, and that she is the reason why I love my ensembles so much.

After I finished professing my love for her, Becky—understandably—asked who I was, and I managed to say, “K.L. Walther.”

Her eyes widened, and she said something to the effect of, “Holy crap, your books are everywhere!”

This, dear friends, was a once in a lifetime moment that I will treasure forever.

Becky Albertalli has seen the book with the pink cover.

Reader Q&A

1. What is your go-to fall drink?

   1. I love hot cider! I highly doubt that anyone is more passionate about Starbucks’ Caramel Apple Spice than I am.

2. Charlie, Luke, Alex, and Tag are in an escape room. How long does it take them to get out?

   1. Oh, I love the idea of this gang. I don’t know about their timeline, but Luke and Alex are definitely debating strategy while Charlie and Tag are doing the actual puzzle-solving in the background. Both Luke and Alex are used to taking the lead on group projects and neither wants to forfeit their power!

3. Is KLW 7 touching on the grief of losing a grandparent?

   1. Yes, but not in the way you might think. It’s a bit more complicated, but no less heart wrenching.

4. Curious what Mer’s wedding inspiration board looks like, or any potential dresses you see her in?

   1. Meredith uses Pinterest for food/drink recipes, hairstyle inspiration, and #HitchMeToWitry’s travel bucket list. No wedding board to be found!

5. Do you feel stressed out when you’re writing a book with a deadline? How do you handle it?

   1. 100%. I’ve been so stressed that I actually cried on a random street in Key West this past spring. I’m pretty sure I blubbered, I just want my f*cking hands to work! This was at the height of my tendonitis, and then I had another *moment* this summer, somewhere on the road in Kansas, because I was not loving the book I was writing and couldn’t figure out how to change that. It’s important to note that both these vignettes took place months before the book was due, so obviously I could’ve handled that deadline exponentially better (but in my defense, I was prepping for an emotional cross country move!). For my entire drafting phase, I was acting like the book was due tomorrow, when it definitely wasn’t. But I turned it in several days early, and I do think it has plenty of potential. I’m looking forward to my editors’ guidance!

   2. For Olivia, my approach has been different. I’m trying to not think too far into the future. I’m trying not to think about my deadline or when I’ll have to pause drafting Olivia to revise Audrey. I’m writing during the day, and then the session usually ends with me excited to write the next day. Right now, that’s as far as I let my mind wander. I owe a big thank you to my inner circle, especially the person who witnessed the Key West and Kansas meltdowns (and while driving a U-Haul, no less). He has been very supportive and patient with me, and it was his idea to just focus on the book I’m actively writing and not worry about how its deadline affects another book’s deadline and how I’ll have to juggle this next spring because I’ll be doing this, that, blah, blah, blah. The brain can only handle so much, so I’m doing my best!

   3. I know I will get stressed when the deadline starts knocking on my door, but by that point, I will be in the zone rather than in a frenzy and frantic. I will work, work, work, and get shit done. That’s usually how it is.

6. What’s your favorite small detail to write in a book?

   1. I love writing about food. I think that will become more obvious in A First Time for Everything. Dinners, cookouts, etc. have always been important to my family, so I love writing in some of our favorite meals. Friends call them “Walther dinners.”

7. How much does Luke love the NYT games?

   1. While some people are super intense about their Duolingo, Luke is also super intense about Duolingo (Russian, he’s already fluent in French and Mandarin), but also treats the NYT games like the Olympics. Did you get today’s Wordle? he always texts Charlie at lunchtime.

8. How did Meredith and Katie become friends?

   1. They met on their Hamilton freshman orientation trip! They went kayaking on Lake Champlain, camping for the night at various lakeside spots. Someone in their group took a photo of them cuddled under a blanket at the campfire and sharing a big bag of granola. Katie has it framed.

9. Do you have a PO Box/hypothetically if I made you bracelets would you want them?

   1. I would love bracelets (!!!), though I do not currently have a PO Box. Should I get one? Let me know in the comments!

10. Out of context quote from WWY please!

    1. Your wish is my command…

My Bookshelf

So, I’ve been reading a lot lately because I got a library card! Combined with Book of the Month (no, they are not paying me to plug them), I feel like the book world is my oyster now. Some recent reads…

1. Lies and Weddings - Kevin Kwan. Tons of fun! He’s truly a one of a kind writer.

2. The Last Thing He Told Me - Laura Dave. I know I’m late to the party on this one, but I read it in two sittings. Some of it takes place in the Bay Area, which I loved now that I live there! I’m excited to watch the adaptation next.

3. They’re Going to Love You - Meg Howrey. Literary novel about the ballet world and family estrangement set mostly in NYC. Once I adjusted to the lack of plot (definitely more character-driven), I really enjoyed.

I also read Becky Dean’s most recent young adult romance, Hearts Overboard. And let me blab about Becky for a hot sec. In my humble opinion, she writes the best YA romance around (and has the cutest covers). Her protagonists are one of a kind yet relatable, love interests swoony, and THE BANTER *chef’s kiss.* Her settings are also characters, which is my catnip. Each book takes you on a different vacation—the UK, Hawaii, an Alaskan cruise, and next up is Venice. I’m linking all her books below, because she is awesome and I’ve wanted to shout about her for a long time. I beg to blurb her books!

1. Love & Other Great Expectations

2. Picture-Perfect Boyfriend

3. Hearts Overboard

4. Love Unmasked (out 7/1/25)

My latest book is The Third Gilmore Girl, otherwise known as Kelly Bishop/Emily Gilmore’s memoir. In short, what a fascinating life this show business legend has led. Devoted daughter, ballerina, showgirl, chorus dancer, broadway star, beloved TV grandmother, devoted wife, and more. And what a pillar of strength. Read it! Amy Sherman-Palladino wrote the foreword, which was perfect.

Playlist

What I’ve recently been listening to…

1. For Cryin’ Out Loud! - FINNEAS (aka, my celebrity crush. He is a genius and I love him)

2. Babe - Amy Shark (there’s a book in this somewhere)

3. The Alchemy - Taylor Swift (it gets better and better with each listen)

4. The Kill - Maggie Rogers (she is the definition of “cool”)

5. Dancer - LÉON (on Olivia/KLW 7 playlist)

(Bye-bye) Bonus Content (for now)

Wave farewell and boo me if you must, but I am suspending bonus content for the foreseeable future. I am grimacing while typing this, because I know how much everyone loves bonus content (and I love that you love it), but I have a lot of work on my desk and need to prioritize that while also making sure burnout and I don’t cross paths anytime soon.

I know some of you are probably thinking, But, Kaethe, you wrote us this long-ass newsletter! Can’t you cut that in half and write bonus content instead?

You know, I could. It’s a valid question.

But writing this newsletter—writing as myself—is not like writing a flash piece or short story as one of my characters. To me, the two styles are completely different muscles, and I spend the majority of my time flexing the latter one. It takes a lot of time, care, and effort to embody a character, and it is my DREAM JOB, but being someone else is tiring at times. Right now, I am Olivia. I spend roughly eight hours a day as Olivia. Are all eight hours spent at my keyboard typing? No, but trust me when I say that when I break for lunch, I am still living in Olivia’s head. When I walk to the grocery store, I’m still dealing with Olivia’s shit. When I’m on a run, Maisie Peters might be singing but I am mentally turning over Olivia’s summer job interview.

It takes a while to kick her away for the day, and after I do, it’s not so simple hang out in Meredith’s mind—no matter how extensively I’ve written her.

Olivia deserves all my creative energy right now.

This newsletter is a really fun—and truly wonderful—outlet for me. Someone recently asked me if I journal, and I said, “No, but I have a Substack!”

In some ways, the two feel one and the same.

Okay, I digress. Long story short, writing this Substack brings me a lot of joy and interacting with my readers energizes me, but I don’t have the bandwidth for bonus content these days. Please keep those character update questions coming in the Q&A, though. They are some of my favorites, and I smile and giggle while writing those answers!!!

Cheers,

Kaethe

Postscript: Preorder Palooza

Say hello to this new segment because I have two books on the horizon, and I love them so much and think you will too!

But I’ll keep it short.

1. While We’re Young (March 4th, 2025)

   1. A classic K.L. Walther book, but also a contemporary, gender-swapped retelling of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It has four character perspectives! The first printing (and the first printing only) will have adorable sprayed edges and a glossy, 3-D looking cover.

2. A First Time for Everything (*Lorelai Gilmore voice* June 3rd, 2025)

   1. The cover has yet to be revealed, but I promise it is pretty! And some of you might notice that the release date has changed (you guys always notice)…there is a very good reason for that…I have some secrets. I loved writing this one and most of the main characters are mentioned in WWY (they live in the same town). I also consider it a companion to The Summer of Broken Rules! Plenty of cameos…

At long last, I have finished my book.

I repeat: I HAVE FINISHED MY BOOK!

AND I AM SO HAPPY, RELIEVED, AND ALSO A BIT NERVOUS, BUT IT’S OKAY BECAUSE THIS IS ONLY A FIRST DRAFT! MY EDITORS ARE GOING TO HELP ME MAKE IT AMAZING!

Context: for the last several months, I have been drafting the first of my two 2026 books, and it has been a journey. I am spinning a lot of plates this year, so this manuscript kept getting interrupted—by revisions for my 2025 books, big life events, vicious tendonitis, creative difficulties, etc.—and figuring out how to manage that has been a definite learning curve. Have I mastered it yet? Absolutely not, but now that I’ve turned in Audrey/KLW 6, I’m feeling more confident about the next rodeo.

It also helps that I have the best support squad. Jen, C, Eva, and so many others: THE END would not have been typed without all of you.

My lips are still sealed about Audrey’s premise, but now that I have a complete draft, I’ll share some thoughts I had while writing it!

1. Our setting is fictional. The book is set in coastal Connecticut, a location very dear to me, but for reasons, I created my own town. Which was difficult at first, especially after writing two books whose settings couldn’t be more real. Here, I needed to get to know the playing field at the same time I got to know my characters. But by the end of the book, I wanted to visit Essex Harbor, Connecticut. IMHO, their indie bookstore is very charming!

2. Another challenge: writing a book two years in advance, especially when you’re a fan of pop culture. I kept asking myself: Will these references be dated by the time the book is published? Our main characters are film buffs, so they quote a lot of movies, and per usual, it’s not a K.L. Walther book without song shoutouts. I think I chose pretty timeless movies, but I will probably be changing the majority of the songs during revisions, LOL. We will see how “Espresso” ages!

3. One throwback song I will keep is “This Is What You Came For.” It’s on a throwback hype playlist for Audrey, and inspires a questionable decision she makes in the book. AND GET THIS: the day after I wrote the scene, Taylor Alison Swift sang it as an Eras surprise song in Liverpool! What the hell, Taylor?! Do we share a brain?!

4. I wrote some really fun cameos, and I might’ve even stumbled upon my heroine for a 2027 book! She has existed in the KLW Universe since I started writing almost a decade ago, and finally got some real page time here.

5. I’m really excited about Audrey, Henry, and ensemble cast. It’s always a goal of mine to write a friend group that you feel part of while reading, and I think I did that here. These guys are a lovable hot mess.

Now, I get to shift gears to Olivia, my second 2026 book. Besides my deadline, another reason I knew I needed to finish Audrey was I found my thoughts starting to drift toward Olivia when I wasn’t working on Audrey. For example, while I was walking to the grocery store, or waiting in line for a way too expensive latte, or while I was locking my apartment door.

Wait, did I lock the door?

Probably should go back and check!

My thoughts weren’t drifting in a longing I’d rather be writing that book-way, because I love Audrey and the shenanigans she and her friends get up to. It was more like I felt Olivia and her dude tugging on my sleeve, wanting attention, and I had to wave them away. It’s not your turn yet!

I also really miss my late grandmother, but I’ve been bottling up those feelings, saving them for Olivia’s story. *raises a glass of Pinot Grigio* This one’s for you, Jo!

More Book Stuff

My passport is about to be stamped! I am so excited to share that I’ve been invited to the Krakow International Book Fair next month. Maybe Meant to Be will have just been released in Poland, and it’ll be amazing to meet my readers—they are so thoughtful and passionate about my books. I also can’t wait to explore a new city!

Next: if I do say so myself, I am doing an incredible job staying off NetGalley and Goodreads; I’ve only slipped up twice (later edit: thrice). But whenever early readers tag me in While We’re Young reviews on Instagram, I feel all the warm and fuzzy feelings. I can’t believe there are already WWY edits. Truly, the Bookstagram community is beyond talented!

While We’re Young has also checked off some serious author bucket list items for me, I feel like the luckiest author in the land. I can’t share everything yet, but some of my favorite authors have written lovely blurbs and I’m still awestruck over the first printing’s sprayed edges!

Major heart-eyes happening. The cover is also going to have a glossy effect that makes the book look three-dimensional. Delacorte Romance, I love you so very much!

(And yes, I know I’m not being subtle at all; if you would like to preorder WWY, please click here. I’ll love and adore you forever).

You can also preorder A First Time For Everything, my May 2025 book! The cover is still under wraps, but here is some Goodreads hype…

It means so much to me how excited everyone is for these two new books, especially after not having a release this summer. Thank you for sticking with me! <3

Martha’s Vineyard

I spent a week and some change on the Vineyard last month, and it was glorious. I don’t think it’s possible for any other place to have my heart like that island does. Half the time was spent living on the Farm, in The Annex (which I now more or less consider my casa) and then I moved into my aunt’s Edgartown house.

I did everything from a book signing at Vineyard Haven’s Bunch of Grapes bookstore to bike to Morning Glory for zucchini bread to celebrate Oak Bluffs’ Illumination Night to snooze on my uncle’s boat to show C the island in thirty-six hours to visit the Moore Family Gallery with my mom.

And naturally I indulged in a lot of Mad Martha’s ice cream!

The best part was that I could do all of this because I had nothing to do. I haven’t had “nothing to do” for a very long time.

Leading up to my vacation, I sat at my family’s dining room table and typed pretty much all day so I could finish Audrey and let go of her for a while. I’m not sure I even mentioned her beyond telling people I’d finished my newest manuscript.

But that didn’t mean I stopped thinking about the realm I affectionately call the KLW Universe! Because I will be starting work on another book next week, and it has to take place somewhere, right?

*wink, wink*

Thankfully these new characters did not take over my vacation, but I did write short diary entries every night (AKA, bullet points recapping my day) for potential book fodder in the coming months. I tried to look at the Vineyard from a different perspective than summers past, and can confidently say I left the island feeling inspired.

Below are some snapshots from my trip!

The cat’s name is Bookmark.

Reader Q&A

1. Are you going to publish any other copies like hardcover or special editions?

   1. Not at the moment! Besides the Italian translation of The Summer of Broken Rules, all my books are paperback originals. And I love that—they’re so easy to throw in a beach bag! But I absolutely consider While We’re Young’s first printing an exclusive edition with those sprayed edges and gloss, and I may or may not have a secret about A First Time For Everything.

2. Is there any relation between the Hoppers in Maybe Meant to Be and Lily Hopper from What Happens After Midnight?

   1. Indeed! Owen Hopper, father of Nick and Charlie’s Michigan cousins, is not only the twins’ uncle, but also Lily’s uncle. He and Leda are siblings. Might be a fun connection to play with someday, right?

3. What’s the strangest thing/place/event you’ve used as inspo for something in a story?

   1. Off the top of my head: when my sister was little, she had a dream where a ham was chasing her—a slice of deli meat, with Mickey Mouse hands and feet. It is a legendary piece of Walther family lore, and bizarre enough that I couldn’t resist briefly writing it into Maybe Meant to Be!

4. Which of your characters loves September and fall the most? September baby over here!

   1. Easy! Tag Swell, amateur photographer extraordinaire. He always walks around with a camera come autumn. Alex doesn’t understand how Tag finds the fall foliage so fascinating. Sure, it’s pretty, but do we really need to take fifty photos of the Circle’s maple tree? Meanwhile, Lily thinks Tag has enough material to create a lovely coffee table book: The Ames School Told By Trees.

5. How do you set aside time to write even in the middle of all the busyness of life?

   1. I’m fortunate enough that writing is my full-time gig for now, so I try my best to treat it like any other nine-to-five job. I have a routine and make a valiant attempt to follow it (rather than opening Microsoft Word whenever the mood to write strikes). I don’t give myself a gold star every day, but having a schedule definitely makes juggling everything easier!

6. What is your version of a Gilmore Girls fall?

   1. Gilmore Girls fall. I’ve restarted season one and have forgotten how much I dig Max Medina. Which makes sense, as “academic” is my type.

7. How do you come up with the last names for your characters?

   1. There’s always a connection, a tie to my life! Maybe it’s a surname from a favorite movie (i.e. “Carmichael” from Sweet Home Alabama), or maybe it’s an ode to old family friends (i.e. “Hopper”). It might be my dad’s spirit animal. I like to keep names personal but not too personal—I want the character to become their own person, if that makes sense. I’m never going to use my best friend’s last name, but a high school classmate of my sister’s had a swell surname that I couldn’t resist stealing.

8. Any future cameos for the MMTB squad or a little update? I love how it is written!

   1. Charlie recently treated himself to a new Barbour jacket. Luke is helping his sister with her college essay, but they keep bickering. Sage has applied to be a volunteer at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Nick is NHL-bound, baby.

   2. And you have neither heard nor seen the last of them…

9. HOW ARE LILY AND TAG DOING MY BABIESSSSS ALSO ILYSM

   1. Thank goodness I’m not the only one who feels this way about these two! Lily is studying abroad in Edinburgh this semester, and Tag and his roommates are fostering a puppy. Stevie the Cat is with Alex at Columbia.

10. How does it feel to read your own books once they’re done? Is it strange or cool or something else?

    1. This might be an author *hot take,* but I adore reading my books when they’re finished. When my box of ARCs arrives in the mail, I usually drop whatever evening plans I have in favor of curling up with my book. I feel all the feelings! Relieved, happy, accomplished, and proud. I don’t think I realized how proud I am of While We’re Young until I was reading it as a book (and in two sittings, no less). I somehow successfully wrote four character perspectives! And I genuinely love my characters, no matter how flawed they are or how frustrating they were to write at times. I still go back and read Maybe Meant to Be every now and again. It’ll always be one of my comfort reads!

       ---

       My Bookshelf

       So, ironically, I’ve joined Book of the Month club—it’s like a little treat each month!—but I’ve been slacking with my actual reading. I reread Anna & the French Kiss for the millionth time while on vacation (the blueprint for YA romance, I will die on that hill), and then I tried to throw myself into Casey McQuiston’s The Pairing afterward. I’ll be honest: it was not my cup of tea. And I wanted it to be my cup of tea so badly. Something just wasn’t working for me, but I’ll always be Team CMQ! Now I’m oh-so-slowly dual-reading The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, and when the book gets creepy late at night, I switch to Lynn Painter’s Betting on You.

The Playlist

Five songs (out of many) on Olivia/KLW 7’s inspiration playlist…

1. The Alchemy - Taylor Swift

2. Margaret (feat. Bleachers) - Lana Del Ray

3. Sweetest Human Being Alive - George Ezra

4. Only A Lifetime - FINNEAS

5. Close To You - Dayglow

Bonus Content

5 Things Stephen Witry Did This Summer:

1. Intern at Google (he certainly didn’t mind the California weather)

2. Early morning fishing in Edgartown Harbor with Uncle Brad (who loves to fish) and Mer’s dad (who doesn’t—he’s here for the coffee from Espresso Love)

3. Accidentally spill the beans that Michael got Sarah tickets for Eras Night 1 in NOLA (oops)

4. Let Mer give him the worst haircut ever

5. Treat Erin to a nice mother-son dinner at the Outermost Inn

Cheers,

Kaethe

So two months ago (I can’t believe it’s already been two months, where has the summer gone?!), I revealed the cover for the American edition of While We’re Young.

Well, it turns out that book has an evermore to its folklore.

Introducing…

While We’re Young (Across the Pond’s Version)!!!!

Isn’t she also gorgeous? I love how Electric Monkey, my fabulous British publisher, played with the color palette. The pinks and purples are so much fun, and I think really elevate this book’s level of swoon. I can’t wait to hold a finished copy in my hands!

It has also been so wonderful to work with the team at Electric Monkey; they were the first publisher to buy this book, which was a huge confidence boost for me. I was in a bit of rut last year, and their enthusiasm for this book and confidence in me as a writer truly made me feel…well, like a Pretty Big Deal. I felt properly wooed when they sent me flowers!

If you are interested in preordering the UK version, click the yellow button below!

PREORDER UK WWY!

Note: the UK book is exactly the same as the US edition! My editors joined forces and together I think we created the best possible version of this story!

Special Treat: WWY Q&A

We’re staying on theme here. These are all While We’re Young-focused questions, because we still have some time before these characters fly the nest but I want to talk about them!

1. How did you come up with the idea for this book?

   1. It came to me, believe it or not, in a dream. I am a huge John Hughes fan, and one night way back in 2020, I had a dream that I wrote a “gender swapped contemporary retelling of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” That was it. That was the dream, and somehow I remembered it when I woke up.

2. What Taylor Swift album does it resemble the most?

   1. With four perspectives, I think each character is listening to a different album, but a “You’re On Your Own, Kid” x “Long Live (Taylor’s Version)” mashup definitely encompasses the book as a whole. (At least to me).

3. What character(s) came to you first and what about them inspired you to start writing?

   1. Grace and James came first, since they are my take on the Bueller siblings—the two perspectives you flash between in the movie. Isa and Everett were a little later, when I realized they had bigger stories to tell. They rightfully refused to be side-characters.

4. Why Philadelphia?

   1. I grew up in a Philadelphia suburb! So Philly is a city I’ve explored a lot over the years; I’ve made both happy and not-so-happy memories there, which I enjoyed using as inspiration. It’s also a city with a ton of personality. Hopefully I’ve done it at least a shred of justice.

5. Favorite moment in the book?

   1. I have three, so without any context: art museum, lunchtime, wedding.

6. What song best describes Grace and Isabel’s friendship?

   1. Brooklyn - Maisie Peters

7. How do you approach writing from a boy’s perspective differently than a girl’s?

   1. I always try to write more conversationally when working on a male character’s perspective. And of course I put a lot of thought into which words they would use, and which they wouldn't. James would never say his heart fluttered, but his stomach does spin. In my notebook, I had a columns of “James” and “Everett” words.

8. Enemies-to-lovers? Friends-to-lovers? WHAT TROPE

   1. Mmm, we’ve got a “best friend’s brother” thing happening…

9. Did you do a senior skip day? Did it inspire anything in WWY?

   1. I went to a boarding school for high school, so our senior skip day was an authorized day trip to the beach. Which was nice! But now that I think about it, this is the first during-the-school-year book I’ve written where I don’t draw any inspiration from my high school years. I looked much more toward my family’s circle of close friends and the long history we have together.

10. Share a snippet?

Cheers,

Kaethe

Postscript

I am going to be at Romance Con in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a few weeks! It’s been a while since I’ve meet readers and fellow authors, so I am beyond excited for this! I have been chained to my computer for far too long. For more information, click here…