Picture a storyteller who weaves suspense and heart into tales that grip teen readers—meet Laura Tims! This rising star in young adult literature burst onto the scene with her thrilling debut, Please Don’t Tell, and followed it with the emotionally charged The Art of Feeling. With a knack for crafting complex characters and tackling deep issues, Tims is redefining what YA fiction can do.
Born and raised in Freeport, Maine, Tims now calls San Diego home, where she lives with her bunny, Noodle. A mental health advocate and arts enthusiast, she channels her passion for human connection into stories that resonate with teens navigating life’s messiest moments. Let’s dive into the world of Laura Tims and discover why her books are must-reads!
The Making of Laura Tims
Laura Tims knew she wanted to be a writer from a young age, with no backup plan in sight. Growing up in Maine, she devoured fantasy novels and even dabbled in Neopets fanfiction as a kid—an early sign of her storytelling spark. At Goucher College, she honed her craft, balancing classwork with writing her debut novel. A summer internship at Fine Print Literary Management in New York City gave her insider knowledge on publishing, helping her pitch Please Don’t Tell with confidence. By her senior year, she’d landed a two-book deal with HarperCollins, proving her determination and talent.
Laura Tims’s Unforgettable Stories
Tims’s debut, Please Don’t Tell (2016), is a gripping YA thriller centered on twin sisters Joy and Grace. When Joy kills the boy who hurt her sister, a blackmailer threatens to unravel her life. Tims alternates perspectives between Grace in the past and Joy in the present, creating a dark, twisty narrative about sisterhood and secrets. Readers praise its well-rounded characters and realistic romance, making it a standout in the genre.
Her sophomore novel, The Art of Feeling (2017), shifts gears to explore grief and disability. Samantha, reeling from a car accident that killed her mother and left her with chronic pain, meets Eliot, a boy unable to feel physical pain. Their friendship unravels a mix of humor, heartbreak, and mystery as they confront emotional and physical struggles. Critics compare it to Jennifer Niven’s All the Bright Places for its raw emotion and witty dialogue.
Tims’s style blends pacy plotting with deep themes like mental health, trauma, and identity. Her characters feel three-dimensional, from reckless teens to flawed adults, and her stories tackle heavy topics without losing hope. Whether it’s the suspense of a thriller or the quiet ache of loss, Tims keeps readers hooked with her sharp, relatable voice.
Why Laura Tims Matters
Laura Tims is more than a YA author—she’s a voice for teens grappling with real-world issues. Her focus on mental health and disability representation resonates deeply, offering readers validation and hope. As a mental health advocate, she brings authenticity to her characters’ struggles, making her books a lifeline for young readers. Her ability to balance suspense with emotional depth has earned her a loyal following, and her influence in YA literature continues to grow.
- Birthplace: Freeport, Maine
- Key Works: Please Don’t Tell (2016), The Art of Feeling (2017)
- Fun Fact: She’s a proud bunny mom to Noodle!
Ready to get lost in a thrilling, heartfelt story? Snag Please Don’t Tell or The Art of Feeling and dive into Laura Tims’s captivating YA world!