Abigail Hing Wen's upcoming novel, "Kisses, Codes, and Conspiracies," promises an exciting adventure for fans of "Loveboat, Taipei." Set to release from Feiwel & Friends on August 13, the story follows best friends Tan Lee and Winter Woo, who share a magical kiss at prom but decide to take things slow. However, their plans are derailed when they are left to babysit Tan's sister Sana while their parents vacation in Hawaii. Things escalate when Tan's ex-girlfriend arrives from Shanghai with stolen money, attracting dangerous attention.

The novel unfolds into a thrilling caper across the San Francisco Bay area as Tan navigates heists, conspiracies, and a complicated love triangle. Wen introduces her captivating storytelling to this fresh narrative, assuring readers of another heartening and adventurous experience.

Sneak Peek: A Complicated Romance

An excerpt obtained by People Magazine shows Tan and Winter sharing an intense moment of passion, overwhelmed by desire and emotion. Despite their mutual attraction, Winter abruptly withdraws, expressing hesitation about their actions. Tan, conflicted but longing to express his feelings for Winter, finds himself entangled in past relationships and uncertainties about the future. Their intense kiss is interrupted by Winter's realization of their situation and Tan's lingering attachment to his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca.

As they navigate their complex feelings and familial connections, their relationship becomes increasingly complicated, with underlying tensions and unspoken truths threatening to unravel their connection. The chapter delves into themes of desire, longing, and the complexities of young love, setting the stage for a tumultuous journey ahead for Tan and Winter. Kirkus Reviews described it as an engaging romantic thriller brimming with excitement.

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Creative Journey and Writing Process

Wen is a multifaceted figure. She is recognized as a New York Times Bestselling Author, producer, and woman-in-tech leader with a focus on artificial intelligence. In addition to her roles, she is a devoted mother of two. Notable for her novel "Loveboat, Taipei," and its companion works, she also executive produced its film adaptation.

Wen shared that her writing process involves constantly capturing ideas as they come throughout the day. Carrying a phone everywhere, she writes thoughts and inspirations into different files in the notes section. When it is time to write, she reviews these ideas and assigns them to specific projects or characters.

Writing the first draft feels like creating a framework, which she then embellishes with details over time. For example, she started with a draft outline and high concept with her current project, a series they consider their magnum opus. Then, she focused on fleshing out the beginning to set up the story properly. Once that was completed, her characters' personalities assumed control and scripted the story on autopilot. 

"Loveboat, Taipei" was a huge hit; it debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List at number nine and remained there for several weeks. This accomplishment solidified Wen's status as a gifted writer and drew her a sizable and devoted fanbase. Because of the book's success, Paramount Plus was able to adapt it to the big screen, which significantly increased the book's readership and brought the plot to life.

"Kisses, Codes, and Conspiracies" is available for preorder at several bookstores before its August 13 release.

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