Having speed-read the book before attending, I was super excited to see what Laura would have to say about the book. The venue was gorgeous and every girl's dream, with plants hanging from the ceiling and golden chandeliers. We were offered free drinks on the door and as we took our seats among the greenery, Laura took to the stage to answer some of the burning questions.
Laura began by explaining her process of writing the book. The book follows a young girl called Evelyn who is reincarnated and murdered in every life before her eighteenth birthday, every time by the same person; the person she is in love with, and she doesn’t know why! Except in this lifetime, she must stay alive beyond her eighteenth to save her little sister with a life-changing stem cell transplant.
It hadn't been a quick novel to write, and it had been eight years between the initial ideas and now. What I didn't expect was the crucial role that Taylor Swift's song Exile took when forming the plot. Laura explained that the lyric "I think I've seen this film before, and I didn't like the ending" was something that really resonated, and that she associated with the characters. No wonder I found the book so gut-wrenching!
Laura also talked about her career and how even though she has had some successes, her writing career hasn’t been straightforward forward and she has always felt like she has had to "write a better book". Following a lot of hype from readers around the country, this book has gone viral, and its success has been outstanding. Copies have been sold out in many stores and it seems that Laura has finally found that "better book". Her main advice to upcoming writers was 'Keep going, I like to think that I am proof that you can still make it".
Laura also explained her love for history. As part of the book, every couple of chapters we are shown another one of the lives that Evelyn has lived. Each setting and time period is so thoroughly researched, and she explained this process and how she spent several weeks making sure she knew exactly how it would sound or smell or feel like to live in that time and place. It really does shine through in this novel.
The book itself was beautiful. I devoured it in under twenty-four hours and loved every minute. This book truly encompassed every favourite book trope. From enemies to lovers, to star-crossed lovers, and even platonic sisterly love. I really thought I knew where this book was going until I realised I did not. With inspiration from The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and How to Lose the Time War, this book contains beautiful writing, and soul-crushing plot twists that may even jerk a tear (or two... or twenty).
The event finished with a hint at future novels (A potential Invisible String by Taylor Swift inspired book? Yes please!), and a signing. I genuinely can't wait to see what Laura Steven does next and it was so nice to see her on home turf.