Reese Witherspoon's New Fiction with Harlan Coben Is 'Something I've Never Done' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Reese Witherspoon and her new co-author Harlan Coben.Photo:Eric Charbonneau/Getty; David Fisher/Shutterstock

Eric Charbonneau/Getty; David Fisher/Shutterstock

Reese Witherspoonis heading into uncharted territory.

At Hello Sunshine’s Second Annual Shine Away Conference, theBig Little Liesactress, 48, tells PEOPLE about how herupcoming novelthat she’sco-writing with Harlan Cobenis different than anything she’s done before.

“It’s scary. Trying new things I’ve never done,” she says. “I’ve written children’s books. I’ve written books about my upbringing in the South, but this is just completely fiction and it’s a thriller, so it’s a genre book as well.”

Witherspoon publishedWhiskey in a Teacupin 2018 and is also the author of theBusy Bettychildren’s book series.

Witherspoon also praises her co-author, bestselling thriller author Coben, 62. “That’s why I feel really lucky to have a partner in Harlan Coben, who’s so accomplished and he just helps guide me through that whole process,” she continues. “But it’s really fun digging into the character.”

Reese Witherspoon attends Hello Sunshine’s Second Annual Shine Away Experiential Event.Emma McIntyre/Getty

Emma McIntyre/Getty

When asked if her and Coben’s writing process involves late-night emails and phone calls, theLegally Blondeactress adds that it includes “weird sharing of articles that have to do with the topic.”

“So it’s really fun,” she adds.

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“To say I am a fan of Harlan’s body of work is a massive understatement … the fact that he found my idea for this thriller intriguing enough to want to partner with me on it as co-author is a dream becoming a reality,” Witherspoon said in a statement about the project on Oct. 2.

“Scheming withHarlanon how to thrill audiences with mysterious characters and complex narrative twists and turns has already been more fun than I can describe," she added. “I can’t wait for everyone to read what we have been imagining.”

Harlan Coben attends the Viva Technology show at Parc des Expositions Porte de Versailles on May 24, 2024 in Paris.Chesnot/Getty

Chesnot/Getty

Coben, who said he’s been a longtime of Witherspoon andReese’s Book Club, is also excited to collaborate.

“Once we began discussing her idea, there was no turning back,” he said in a statement. “Collaborating with Reese has been a pure joy and so creatively rewarding. I could not be more excited about putting this novel out into the world.”

The upcoming thriller novelwill be published on Oct. 14, 2025. It’s available for preorder, wherever books are sold.

source: people.com