Hayley Krischer's new book, YOU BELONG TO ME, Hayley explores the world of wellness and beauty, and its profound hold on teenagers—up to the point of cult-ishness. As an experienced culture journalist --see just some of Hayley's pieces here—and mother of a 15-year-old daughter, Hayley is poised to speak on the psychological manipulation around the beauty and wellness industry, and how it inspired her to tell this story. YOU BELONG TO ME was born out of Hayley’s own obsession with the wellness industry, starting from the ‘90s when she worked in a health food store.
“A fast-paced thriller with strong implications in the age of influencers and gurus.” —Booklist
“Krischer spins a tense and fast-paced plot…this page-turning novel highlights the way gaslighting and peer pressure can have devastating consequences.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Intrigue abounds in this story that’s full of thrills and atmosphere”
—Kirkus Reviews
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Substance meets Girl in Pieces, in this new YA psychological thriller exploring the dark secrets of the wellness and beauty world, brimming with sapphic romance, class exploration, and friendship clashes.
Frances Bean has always been content living life on the perimeter. Until she gets paired up for a class project with rich and popular Julia, daughter of famous wellness guru Deena Patterson. The "magic" skincare products, healing sound baths, and extravagant parties of Deena’s company DEEP never really interested Frances before, who wears the badge of goth outcast and bookworm proudly. But face time with the girl she has been crushing on for years is starting to give her a new outlook.
When Frances gets an exclusive invite to a DEEP event, she is blown away by the beauty and luxury of Julia’s world and the group's focus on empowering girls to be their most true selves surprisingly strikes a chord. Before long Frances finds herself invested in DEEP, a whirlwind romance with Julia, and a future that feels hopeful.
But when an infamous DEEP party takes a dark turn, Frances wonders if the allure of being a part of Julia’s life was actually just a deadly distraction…
“A fast-paced thriller with strong implications in the age of influencers and gurus.” —Booklist
“Krischer spins a tense and fast-paced plot…this page-turning novel highlights the way gaslighting and peer pressure can have devastating consequences.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Intrigue abounds in this story that’s full of thrills and atmosphere”
—Kirkus Reviews
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Substance meets Girl in Pieces, in this new YA psychological thriller exploring the dark secrets of the wellness and beauty world, brimming with sapphic romance, class exploration, and friendship clashes.
Frances Bean has always been content living life on the perimeter. Until she gets paired up for a class project with rich and popular Julia, daughter of famous wellness guru Deena Patterson. The "magic" skincare products, healing sound baths, and extravagant parties of Deena’s company DEEP never really interested Frances before, who wears the badge of goth outcast and bookworm proudly. But face time with the girl she has been crushing on for years is starting to give her a new outlook.
When Frances gets an exclusive invite to a DEEP event, she is blown away by the beauty and luxury of Julia’s world and the group's focus on empowering girls to be their most true selves surprisingly strikes a chord. Before long Frances finds herself invested in DEEP, a whirlwind romance with Julia, and a future that feels hopeful.
But when an infamous DEEP party takes a dark turn, Frances wonders if the allure of being a part of Julia’s life was actually just a deadly distraction…
What if living your most authentic life leaves you dead?
Full to the brim with sapphic romance, class exploration, and friendship clashes, author Hayley Krischer brings readers YOU BELONG TO ME (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers; Hardcover; $19.99; ISBN: 9780593698389; On sale April 15, 2025; Ages 14+) a new YA psychological thriller exploring the dark secrets of the wellness and beauty world. YOU BELONG TO ME is a mix of Nine Perfect Strangers, the Virgin Suicides, and a touch of The Girls by Emma Cline wrapped up in a psychological wellness thriller.
With an authentic teen voice, Hayley Krischer pulls from her background as a culture journalist to immerses readers in the world of teen girls. We are thrown into the impulsive romance of our main character and the highs, lows and nuances of what it means to long for love and acceptance as a teen. Frances Bean was always content living life on the perimeter. Until she gets paired up for a class project with rich and popular Julia, daughter of famous wellness guru Deena Patterson.
The "magic" skincare products, healing sound baths, and extravagant parties of Deena’s company DEEP never really interested Frances before, who wears the badge of goth outcast and bookworm proudly. But face time with the girl she has been crushing on for years is starting to give her a new outlook.
When Frances gets an exclusive invite to a DEEP event, she is blown away by the beauty and luxury of Julia’s world and the group's focus on empowering girls to be their most true selves surprisingly strikes a chord. Before long Frances finds herself invested in DEEP, a whirlwind romance with Julia, and a future that feels hopeful. But when an infamous DEEP party takes a dark turn, Frances wonders if the allure of being a part of Julia’s life was actually just a deadly distraction…
About the author
Hayley Krischer is the author of the adult novel WHERE ARE YOU, ECHO BLUE? (Dutton) and three young adult novels SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ALI GREENLEAF (Penguin Teen), THE FALLING GIRLS (Penguin Teen), and YOU BELONG TO ME (Penguin Teen) out April 15, 2025.
She has been a journalist for 20+ years and has written for the The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Marie Claire, Lenny Letter, and more. She lives in New Jersey with her family.
About the author
Hayley Krischer is the author of the adult novel WHERE ARE YOU, ECHO BLUE? (Dutton) and three young adult novels SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ALI GREENLEAF (Penguin Teen), THE FALLING GIRLS (Penguin Teen), and YOU BELONG TO ME (Penguin Teen) out April 15, 2025.
She has been a journalist for 20+ years and has written for the The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Marie Claire, Lenny Letter, and more. She lives in New Jersey with her family.
HAYLEY LINKS:
NPR Weekend Edition Saturday: 'Falling Girls' navigates the dynamics of high-school female friendships
Read With Raegan: Raegan Revord Talks With Hayley Krischer About "The Falling Girls"
People Magazine: I Wrote a Novel About a Real Celebrity — And She 'Can't Wait to Read It' (Exclusive)
Writer’s Digest: Hayley Krischer: Certain Struggles Are Worth Having
