Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben have taken their long-standing friendship to new heights with their collaborative thriller, “Gone Before Goodbye.” The project marks a significant milestone for both, as it is their first time co-writing a book.
Coben, a bestselling author famous for numerous titles including “Tell No One” and “The Woods,” had never envisioned creating a novel alongside another writer. However, Witherspoon reached out to him with a captivating story idea that ignited his interest. “I’ve known Reese for about a decade now. And she’s fangirl-ed, I’ve fanboy-ed,” Coben shared, expressing his admiration for the Oscar-winning actress and producer who has long been a supporter of literary works.
Witherspoon, the founder of Hello Sunshine—dedicated to promoting women-centered narratives—and the leader of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club, approached Coben with enthusiasm about the concept. Despite his initial apprehension, Coben quickly warmed to the collaboration. “We started to banter back and forth like we had been doing it for years,” he recalled of their brainstorming session, which soon led them to commit to writing a novel together.
The narrative of “Gone Before Goodbye” revolves around Maggie McCabe, a skilled Army combat surgeon embroiled in a deadly conspiracy. Throughout the writing process, both Witherspoon and Coben found themselves engrossed in the story, trading ideas and texts at all hours. Coben took the reins as the primary writer but ensured that each of their voices was woven into the fabric of the narrative. He valued Witherspoon’s insights, especially when crafting the female protagonist, noting that her perspective brought authenticity to McCabe’s character.
Coben emphasized that the partnership was strictly between the two of them, with no outside influences shaping their work. “This is us, like it or not, warts and all, this is us,” he stated, capturing the essence of their collaborative spirit.
Since its release on October 14, “Gone Before Goodbye” has already resonated with readers, with many noting the distinct yet complementary presence of both authors within the pages. Coben’s hope is that readers will become so engrossed in the story that they find themselves reading late into the night, captivated by the plot’s twists and turns.
The anticipation and excitement surrounding “Gone Before Goodbye” reflect the remarkable chemistry and creativity Fostered by Witherspoon and Coben throughout their writing journey, making it a compelling addition to the literary world that fans will not want to miss. The book is available now wherever books are sold.