It's been a whirlwind of a summer! In the span of six weeks, I found myself in the Bay Area (home!), Topeka (first time!), Laguna Beach (adopted home!), Paso Robles (wine!), Oconomowoc (family!), and Las Vegas (Backstreet Boys!). And now, to quote BSB, oh my god I'm back again… with a very special newsletter.
Today I'm thrilled to introduce you to Caitlin Weaver! We both write women's fiction, we're both fresh off launching our latest novels (her latest, Who We Used to Be, just hit shelves!), we both debuted last year, and we're both shortlisted in the Debut category for the Women's Fiction Star Award. It's clear that Caitlin and I are meant to be author friends, so by extension, I'm positive you're all going to want to be friends with her, too.
But first, an announcement! We're giving away signed copies of our debut novels — Such a Good Family and Dear Dotty — to one lucky winner. Here's how to enter:
Subscribe to Caitlin’s Substack, Plot Twist and to mine, Dear Reader
Tell us about a book you've recently loved in the comments!
That's it! We'll contact the randomly selected winner next week (this giveaway ends Tuesday, September 2nd).
About Such a Good Family
Lorrie has the perfect life. Eden has the perfect life. And their perfect lives are about to implode.
Lorrie and Eden have been best friends ever since they bonded as newcomers to their affluent suburb when their children were little. They’re used to letting themselves into each other’s houses for coffee after school drop-off, and gossiping about their neighbors over wine at their book club. So, when their teenage kids, Knox and Summer, start dating just before graduation, they’re surprised but delighted; after all, they’ve been planning their wedding since the kids were toddlers splashing around in the paddling pool together.
But one night Knox comes home late after a party with scratches on his collarbone, refusing to tell Lorrie what happened, and heading straight for the shower.
The next morning Eden gets a call every mother dreads: Summer is in hospital.
As the fall-out from what really happened that night rips their tight-knit, privileged community apart and decimates Eden and Lorrie’s friendship, none of their lives will ever be the same again.
An unforgettable and emotionally charged story of two families whose lives are changed forever by a devastating accusation, this stunning debut will captivate fans of Liane Moriarty, Jodi Picoult and Lucinda Berry.
And now for my Q&A with Caitlin!
I’m so thrilled to share this conversation with you all. Caitlin and I talked about her journey to publication, the joy (and challenge!) of blending women’s fiction with suspense, and what it’s really like to write about the messy, complicated relationships— friendships, families, and marriages — that shape who we are. Caitlin’s perspective is thoughtful, funny, and so relatable, and I think you’re going to love getting to know her as much as I did.
Hi Caitlin! Can you tell us a bit about your journey to publication? Was writing always the plan, or did you come to it later?
I actually began my career as an investment banker—about as far from fiction writing as you can get! But writing was always in my DNA, whether it was writing for the school newspaper or dabbling with blogs. I got serious about it after having my first child and started writing personal essays and researched advice for parenting websites and magazines. When I decided to try a novel, I was still working full-time at my corporate career, so I did most of my writing between 5 and 7 a.m., while my family was still asleep. I had no idea if anyone would ever read it, so I’m thrilled it eventually became an actual book!
Such a Good Family is women's fiction with domestic suspense and thriller elements. What drew you to blending these genres, and how do you balance the emotional depth of women's fiction with the tension and pacing of a suspenseful story?
My favorite kind of book is a page-turner that also makes me think, like Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere or Kiley Reid’s Such a Fun Age—so that’s exactly what I set out to write! I love stories where the characters feel fully realized and authentic, but I also want to be so hooked by the plot that I can’t put the book down. In Such a Good Family, the central event is inherently high-stakes, which immediately ratchets up the tension and forces readers to consider “what would I do in this situation?” From there, I focused on balancing the characters’ internal emotional arcs with the external plot events—making sure that as the story moves quickly and suspense builds, the emotional journeys feel just as urgent.
Without giving too much away, can you give us a peek into what Such a Good Family is about and what readers can expect when they pick it up?
Such a Good Family is an emotionally charged story of two mothers whose lives are changed forever by a devastating accusation, and learn how far they’ll go to protect those they love.
It centers on Lorrie and Eden, two long-time best friends who have raised their children across the street from one another. When their teenage kids start dating just before high school graduation, it seems like a perfect ending to their shared story. But everything unravels when a sexual assault accusation between the two teend shatters not only Lorrie and Eden’s friendship, but their entire world.
I'm always curious about other writers' processes! Are you a planner or a pantser? Do you outline extensively or let the story unfold as you write?
I’m a flexible plotter. I need to know how a book ends before I start writing, so I create a big-picture outline and a more detailed chapter-by-chapter spreadsheet for at least the first half of the book. I’ve learned to keep the second half more open, as new plot lines or characters often reveal themselves along the way. Having a detailed outline allows me to draft quickly. Each morning, I sit down at my computer, open my spreadsheet, see what’s next, and then I’m off to the races.
What has the debut experience been like for you? Any surprises (good or challenging) about having your first book out in the world?
I have to say, the whole debut experience has been pretty delightful! Watching Such a Good Family become an Amazon bestseller and climb the charts was thrilling in a very “pinch me” sort of way.
One thing that genuinely surprised me was how much I would hear from readers. The book deals with a difficult topic—teenage sexual assault—and explores it from multiple angles. I didn’t expect so many people to reach out with their own stories, or with the stories of their own children. It’s been incredibly moving to see how deeply the story resonates, and I feel honored that readers would trust me with such personal experiences.
Women's fiction can mean different things to different people. How do you define the genre, and what draws you to writing stories centered on women's experiences?
I think of women’s fiction as stories that focus on the main character’s emotional journey and personal growth—books in which the protagonist changes in a meaningful way over the course of the story. I’m a huge fan of the genre, though I’ll admit I’m not the biggest fan of the label itself—but until we come up with something better, it’ll do!
I’m drawn to writing female-centered stories because I think women’s lives are endlessly fascinating and complex! We juggle multiple identities and priorities that shift with each chapter of our lives, which makes for great storytelling. I’ve been lucky to have amazing female friends throughout my life, and many of my book ideas have come from conversations with them over coffee or wine, talking about the ups and downs of our lives.
I know many writers struggle with the "what's next?" question after their debut, but you’ve published not one, not two, but THREE novels since Such a Good Family was released. Can you tell us more about your other books?
Yes! I write pretty quickly and have been lucky to work with a publisher and editor who are always eager for my next book. Like Such a Good Family, my novels explore marriage, motherhood, and the secrets we hide behind closed doors. I love putting my characters in morally gray situations that make readers stop and ask themselves, “What would I do?”
Here's a quick snapshot of my other books:
Things We Never Say – When three women uncover a scandal at their children’s elite private schools, they have to decide how far they’re willing to go to expose the truth.
The Perfect Plan - When Fabiola offers to be a surrogate for her best friend Liz, it seems like the perfect plan—but then one impulsive decision threatens to shatter their decades-long friendship and change their lives forever.
Who We Used to Be - When Dana Blair’s daughter ends up in a coma, Dana blames the ER doctor who treated her–who happens to be Dana’s best friend. As Dana’s grief turns to blame, she’s forced to make a decision that could either save her family or destroy the most important friendship of her life.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to aspiring women's fiction writers who are still working toward that first book deal?
Are two pieces of advice allowed? 😊
First, write the best book you can. That way, no matter what happens, you’ll know you gave it your all. I revised my debut twelve times before sending it to agents, incorporating feedback from multiple critique groups and beta readers along the way. When I finally submitted it, I knew I had literally done everything I could to make it the strongest it could be—and that gave me peace, no matter how the querying process played out.
Second, keep going. Often, the difference between those who land a book deal and those who don’t has less to do with talent (though that’s important!) and more to do with persistence. I queried over 80 agents with my first book before it found a home. There were plenty of days when the rejections felt discouraging, but I knew all it would take was one yes, so I kept at it.
What are you reading right now? Any recent women's fiction recommendations for our readers?
I just started an advance copy of Sally Hepworth’s upcoming book, Mad Mabel (April 2026), and I’m already hooked. She’s one of my favorite authors and always does a brilliant job of exploring family and relationships within domestic thriller/suspense plots.
I’ve also been on an Ella Berman kick and just finished her newest book, L.A. Women. She writes so incisively about the complexities female friendship and always nails the plot!
Finally, what does life look like for you when you aren’t writing?
I have kids and it turns out they are quite time consuming! So, I spend a lot of time being Mom. I play tennis, too, when I can. I love it because it forces me to be in the present moment—my mind can’t be wandering about fixing a plot hole in my manuscript or what I’m going to make for dinner or else the ball goes right past me! And reading, of course, which is my first love and what led me to become a writer in the first place!
Thank you, Caitlin! Congratulations on your incredible debut, and your fabulous follow-ups! I can’t wait to dive in to Who We Used to Be.
It was such a joy to connect with you and chat!