EXCLUSIVE: RaeAnne Thayne’s New Novel Explores Family Secrets—See the Cover Reveal!
A story of love, family and second chances—get a sneak peek at ‘The Lost Book of First Loves’ here!
RaeAnne Thayne is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 75 books including The Cafe at Beach End, The Path to Sunshine Cove and The December Market. She’s beloved by readers for her heartfelt, small-town stories about characters overcoming difficulties and striving for their own happy endings. Thayne’s books have been translated into dozens of languages and are sold in more than 50 countries—but amazingly her first published story appeared right here in Woman’s World magazine! (More on that below.) Right now, Thayne is prepping to release her 76th novel, The Lost Book of First Loves, which hits shelves June 3, 2025—and today Woman’s World can exclusively reveal its cover!
This week, Woman’s World caught up with the acclaimed author to discuss her upcoming novel and the inspiration behind the cover design. “I might have squealed when I first saw this cover!” Thayne tells WW. “The cover makes me yearn for summer afternoons in the mountains.”
Continue scrolling to see the book cover for the very first time, hear more about the design process, find out the book’s plot details—and more!
Cover Reveal: ‘The Lost Book of First Loves’ by RaeAnne Thayne
What is ‘The Lost Book of First Loves’ About?
Long-held family secrets, forgotten manuscripts, newfound sisterhood…Thayne’s newest novel features all this and more. The story follows Alison “Ali” Wells, who was raised by her literary icon father. But Allison receives the shock of a lifetime after a DNA test reveals she has a half-sister and she begins questioning everything. Determined to meet her sister, Juniper Connolly, Ali decides to take a job as Juniper’s intern. This plan is diverted when June suffers a cardiac arrest from a congenital condition she never knew about—and Ali’s quick thinking saves her life. What follows is a long summer under the warm Wyoming sun where the two women confront forgotten pasts, heal wounds and form a bond that teaches them the real meaning of family.
Q&A with RaeAnne Thayne—behind the scenes of her new novel
Woman’s World: RaeAnne, we’re thrilled about your upcoming book release! We’re honored to unveil the cover for the first time. How does this cover tie into the themes of the story? What was your reaction when you saw it?
RaeAnne Thayne: Thank you! I’m beyond excited. I love this cover. I’ve been blessed throughout my career to have some amazing covers and once again the art department at my publishing house has created an image that perfectly encapsulates the story, portraying a love of books, nature and, of course, the power of love.
WW: We also absolutely love that the first story you had published was in Woman’s World! Can you share a little bit about this?
RT: Absolutely. I was working as a newspaper reporter and editor and trying to write my first romance novel and garner publisher interest when a friend who had previously written several romantic short stories for Woman’s World encouraged me to try. As a long-time reader of the magazine, I’m not sure why this didn’t occur to me until she suggested it! I tried my hand at it and was so thrilled and excited when WW accepted and published it. My first fiction sale!
I actually sold something like 20 short stories to Woman’s World back in the 90s and early 2000s and learned so much about writing and storytelling in the process. Every single time I saw my byline on a story was such a thrill. I always bought a dozen copies … and I still have them! I wrote several short stories for Woman’s World before I ever sold my first novel and that success gave me confidence to keep trying, despite repeated rejections from book publishers. I think it’s fair to say I wouldn’t be here, more than 75 books later, without Woman’s World. Thank you!
WW: Can you share any behind-the-scenes details about the cover design process? What is this process like as an author?
RT: Authors have the easy part when it comes to cover design. I only have to provide my editor with a few significant scenes and locations that might make an appealing cover. I usually also provide photos of buildings or locations that inspired me while writing the book. In the case of The Lost Book of First Loves, I sent my editor pictures I loved from the Wind River mountain range and small towns in that area of Wyoming that served as the inspiration for my fictional town of Bridger Peak. My editor then takes everything I send her to a marketing, art and editorial team that conceives a plan and works with an artist on a concept. That concept is then sent to me for approval. I loved the idea for this cover from the beginning … and the finished project is even better.
WW: Can you share any specific details about the cover design inspiration and/or the designer or designers you worked with?
RT: Well, I spent a pivotal summer during college working at the Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and truly developed a love for that area. I still visit often and every single time I go, I am struck again by the peace I find there, which is why I wanted to set this particular book in Wyoming. All of my characters find healing in nature … and through books! I’m so happy the artist chose to portray a mountain meadow filled with wildflowers as well as the dynamic use of a river below that could signify movement and change.
Pre-order your copy of The Lost Book of First Loves here. And stay tuned for more of Woman’s World exclusive cover reveals coming soon!
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
