This book started with a simple question: How far would you go to belong?

It started with a young woman invited to join a secret society that promised her the life of her dreams. But what if that society was hurting someone else? Would she stay?

I held these questions close as I wrote Maya and Naomi’s story over the pandemic, during a difficult time in my life and a dark time in the world. Drawing from personal experience as a sister, and as a multiracial, Black and Chinese woman, I thought about how it felt when I first got off the train at Princeton. How I had been this shy, bookish high school kid from Northern California with big dreams, someone who never felt like she fit in anywhere, and how, in that moment, I just wanted to belong.

While reading, I hope that you will keep in mind that Greystone Society and its morally questionable members are fictional. That they do not represent the kind, hardworking, and honest people I met at Princeton, some of whom remain my closest friends to this day. And that this story could take place at any university, anywhere.

At the same time, I hope that Maya and Naomi’s story encourages conversation around the more difficult subjects within this book, and that talking openly about them brings readers a little closer together. Because, during times like these, we need our friendships and family more than ever.

Thank you for choosing to dive into this world with me. I loved writing Maya and Naomi’s story, and I am excited to share it with you!

With kindness,

Lauren

P.S. You've been tapped...