Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club – January’s Sequel Pick with Laura Dave

Podcast: Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Host: Danielle Robay
Guest: Laura Dave
Episode: A Reese’s Book Club First: January’s Sequel Pick with Laura Dave
Date: January 27, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Danielle Robay welcomes bestselling author Laura Dave back to the podcast to celebrate the first-ever sequel selection for Reese’s Book Club: Dave’s anticipated novel, The First Time I Saw Him. Their conversation centers on the complex, evolving relationships at the heart of Dave’s books—especially the mother-daughter dynamic between Hannah and Bailey—while also diving deep into creative process, literary inspiration, and the unique pressures and joys of writing a sequel beloved by millions. The pair discuss forgiveness, bravery, storytelling craft, and what it means for women to become heroes of their own lives—sparked by an inspiring quote from Gloria Steinem. Packed with candid insights, writing advice, and touching anecdotes, this episode is a thoughtful exploration of what makes relationships, both on and off the page, truly unforgettable.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origins of The Last Thing He Told Me and Its Sequel

• Laura Dave shares that the initial spark for the series came from her fascination with the Enron scandal and the question “How well do we know the people we love?” (07:02)
• Dave reveals that, although she assumed the central story was the romance between Hannah and Owen, it evolved into a story about chosen family—the deepening bond between Hannah and her stepdaughter Bailey. (08:33)

  “I thought I was looking at the love story between Owen and Hannah, but I was looking at this love story between a mother and a child.” —Laura Dave [08:42]

2. The Ten-Year Journey to Publication

• Dave describes a lengthy, non-linear writing process: starting her research in 2011, writing a prologue in 2003, but only figuring out how it all fit together years later. (10:26)
• She credits both taking time to marinate on ideas and pivotal writing advice—like Nora Ephron’s encouragement to hone storytelling through journalism—for helping her find her path. (07:30 & 12:44)

  “The first thing you’re gonna do is stop thinking about publishing and you're going to think about writing.” —Advice to Laura from her professor [11:32]

3. Advice for Aspiring Writers

• Dave urges patience, suggesting that stories “need to marinate” and writers shouldn’t fixate on publishing too early. She also recommends keeping On Writing by Stephen King and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott on hand for ongoing inspiration. (13:18)

  “What makes you a writer is that you’re writing... and you’re not worried about when you’re going to complete it.” —Laura Dave [12:44]

4. Writing Process & Character-Driven Plotting

• Dave reveals her unique approach: she only knows what will happen in the next ten pages as she writes, letting character and emotional context—not plot outlines—guide her work. (22:34 & 22:59)

  “It’s really character… the next emotional transaction is always what I know.” —Laura Dave [22:59]

• She likens her chapters to “eggs”—self-contained, emotionally complete segments.

5. Thematic Focus: Forgiveness, Bravery, and Chosen Family

• Forgiveness is central to The First Time I Saw Him. Dave explores what characters are willing to do to be forgiven, and how forgiveness links to faith and love. (24:45)

  “The question for me was, what are we willing to do to be forgiven?… When you start from a place of wanting forgiveness, faith and love naturally follow.” —Laura Dave [24:45]

• The mother-daughter relationship between Hannah and Bailey is shown as moving from protector/child to a partnership of mutual heroes forged by trauma and choice. (26:39–27:19)

  “They were the key to each other’s lock in so many ways.” —Laura Dave [33:10]

6. Handling the Sequel’s High Expectations

• Dave speaks to the pressure of following up a phenomenon, saying she only proceeded with the sequel once she felt the story could honor readers’ love for Hannah. (14:55)

  “I only wanted to write that sequel if I knew it was going to honor readers’ feelings about Hannah.” —Laura Dave [14:55]

7. Crafting Continuity and Character Depth

• For the sequel, Dave constantly reread her earlier novel to keep Hannah’s voice consistent and the story’s emotional throughline intact. (16:27)
• She discusses her decision to include Owen’s perspective, after initially writing and then omitting his chapters from the first book, to add depth and justify the emotional arc. (30:33)

8. Representation and Empowerment of Women

• Inspired by Gloria Steinem’s quote on women becoming heroes of their own lives, Dave highlights how the characters rescue and empower each other.

  “The central thing about [parenthood] is when you learn you don’t just love this person, but you like this person so much. And there’s a heroism in that.” —Laura Dave [33:10]

9. Literary Life: Influences, Recommendations, and Ice Cream Nights

• Dave’s writing is shaped by her empathy, her role as a parent, and her desire to see goodness even in flawed characters. (39:35)
• The “Speed Read” segment features her rapid-fire literary picks, including favorite writing books, twists, characters, and more. (42:29–43:52)
• On lighter topics, she mentions an ice cream maker as her recent “bookmarked” (favorite) obsession, and the tradition of revisiting favorite books each year. (41:09–41:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On letting stories marinate:

  “Some stories take longer to find their way to the page than others. The best piece of advice I would give to aspiring writers is, what makes you a writer is that you’re writing.” —Laura Dave [12:44]

• On the Hannah-Bailey relationship:

  “You have a woman who never got to be mothered figuring out how to be a mother to a child who never had a mother and didn’t know how to be mothered. So they really were the key to each other’s lock in so many ways.” —Laura Dave [33:10]

• On forgiveness as bravery:

  “I think forgiveness is a kind of bravery. What are we willing to do to be forgiven?” —Laura Dave [24:45]

• On stepping into one’s own power:

  “The very first chapter... you see that she has not been for even one second at the mercy of what might happen. She has planned everything... Her heroism is the central point of all of this.” —Laura Dave on Hannah [38:24]

• On empathy and writing:

  “Whatever power I have comes from my empathy toward everyone else... I look at that as a power now.” —Laura Dave [39:35]

• On rapid-fire literary favorites:

  • Favorite book on writing: “On Writing by Stephen King.” [42:38]
  • Book she wishes she’d written: “Heartburn by Nora Ephron.” [43:06]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:12 – Introduction of mother-daughter relationship theme
• 07:02 – Enron and the origin story of the book
• 08:33 – Shift from love story to chosen family
• 11:32–13:18 – Writing advice and inspiration
• 14:55 – Pressure and process of writing a sequel
• 22:34–22:59 – “Ten pages ahead” writing method
• 24:45–25:20 – Thematic focus on forgiveness
• 26:39–27:19 – Evolving Hannah/Bailey dynamic
• 30:33 – Choosing to include Owen’s perspective
• 33:10 – How Hannah and Bailey are each other’s heroes
• 38:24–39:05 – Hannah’s agency and strength in the sequel
• 39:35 – Empathy and the writer’s power
• 42:29–43:52 – Speed Read: rapid literary Q&A with Laura Dave

Episode Highlights

• Central Theme: Women becoming the heroes of their own lives, seen through complex family bonds and the question of forgiveness.
• Character Focus: The growth of Hannah and Bailey from fractured family to mutual heroes and partners; Owen’s expanded perspective adds new layers.
• Behind-the-Scenes Touches: Laura Dave’s unusual process (“write 10 pages ahead at a time”), continual rereading for voice consistency, and influence from journalism and parenting.
• Craft Wisdom: Encouraging patience, daily writing, and the importance of empathy, both in life and on the page.

For Further Exploration

• On Writing by Stephen King and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott—two highly recommended books for aspiring writers.
• Explore the central theme of chosen family and second chances in The First Time I Saw Him and its prequel, The Last Thing He Told Me.
• Look out for the TV adaptation featuring Jennifer Garner, Angourie Rice, and Judy Greer.

Tone and Style

The conversation is warm, candid, and deeply thoughtful, balancing literary wisdom with friendly banter and personal anecdotes. Both host Danielle Robay and Laura Dave exude encouragement, intelligence, and genuine affection for both storytelling and the women at the heart of their books.

This summary covers the main insights, memorable exchanges, and guidance for listeners—perfect for those who want all the thoughtful, inspiring content without the ads or filler.