From $13.50
Dates
17 MAY, 2026 | 10 - 11AM

Every so often, a novel comes along that critics line up to praise, booksellers hand-sell with ease, and readers breathlessly pass on to other readers in their lives.

Lily King’s Heart the Lover is that novel.

Tracing her protagonist from her 1980s American college years to her midlife reckoning prompted by a surprise visit from her past, King crafts the perfect three act-tale of the lifelong echoes of first love, lives lived out of alignment, and the joys, sorrow and regret of paths not taken.

If you like Ann Patchett, David Nicholls, Elizabeth Strout or Sally Rooney, you might just be about to discover your new favourite writer.

In this special conversation, Jenna Todd (Kāi Tahu) speaks to Lily King in her first visit to Auckland Writers Festival.

$2.50 per hour to a max of $12.50 on weekends and a $12.50 flat rate for weekday evenings at The Civic car park. Find out more

Last updated: 01 May 2026