Kate
asked
Tracey Garvis Graves:
So, major debate going on. Is Heart Shaped Hack a standalone? I read at the back of the book that Katie and Ian will be going to Washington so they will get a second book?
Tracey Garvis Graves
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Sorry, Ms. Phoenix. I didn't see your question until just now. I addressed this in a comment on my review of Heart-Shaped Hack yesterday, but I'll expand upon it in a bit more detail here.
Yes, Heart-Shaped Hack can be read as a stand alone. By that I mean you get a story with a resolution, HEA, and no cliffhanger. The last chapter reads as an epilogue of sorts although it is not labeled as such. White-Hot Hack is a sequel and can be read if the reader enjoyed the first book and would like to spend more time with the characters, but it's not necessary or integral to your reading enjoyment of HSH. However, White-Hot Hack will NOT be a stand alone and will be labeled accordingly.
My reason for not mentioning the sequel until the end of the book is because there is a certain plot point that might be spoiled if you go into the book knowing there's a sequel involving the same main characters. If you've read the book to the end, you'll know what I'm referring to. And while I totally believe most readers will know that what's happened really didn't happen, it's the resolution of this plot point that will drive the story forward. However, a few of my early readers did NOT pick up on it and I worried that knowing there's a sequel would lessen the impact of a particular event.
I discussed this quite a bit with my beta readers, publicist, and a few bloggers. The consensus was "better safe than sorry." While I understand some readers prefer to wait until all the books in a series are out, I didn't want anyone to feel that the "What's Next?" information was a spoiler and be upset by having it in advance, which is why I chose to put it at the end of the book instead. If you enjoyed Heart-Shaped Hack and want to spend more time with the characters, you'll be able to when the sequel is released. This will be a two-book series.
Let me know if you have any questions and thank you for understanding. I hope you enjoy the story.
Tracey (hide spoiler)]
Yes, Heart-Shaped Hack can be read as a stand alone. By that I mean you get a story with a resolution, HEA, and no cliffhanger. The last chapter reads as an epilogue of sorts although it is not labeled as such. White-Hot Hack is a sequel and can be read if the reader enjoyed the first book and would like to spend more time with the characters, but it's not necessary or integral to your reading enjoyment of HSH. However, White-Hot Hack will NOT be a stand alone and will be labeled accordingly.
My reason for not mentioning the sequel until the end of the book is because there is a certain plot point that might be spoiled if you go into the book knowing there's a sequel involving the same main characters. If you've read the book to the end, you'll know what I'm referring to. And while I totally believe most readers will know that what's happened really didn't happen, it's the resolution of this plot point that will drive the story forward. However, a few of my early readers did NOT pick up on it and I worried that knowing there's a sequel would lessen the impact of a particular event.
I discussed this quite a bit with my beta readers, publicist, and a few bloggers. The consensus was "better safe than sorry." While I understand some readers prefer to wait until all the books in a series are out, I didn't want anyone to feel that the "What's Next?" information was a spoiler and be upset by having it in advance, which is why I chose to put it at the end of the book instead. If you enjoyed Heart-Shaped Hack and want to spend more time with the characters, you'll be able to when the sequel is released. This will be a two-book series.
Let me know if you have any questions and thank you for understanding. I hope you enjoy the story.
Tracey (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions

A Goodreads user
asked
Tracey Garvis Graves:
Hi Tracey, do you have a release date yet for Every Time I Think of You? And will you ever give Daniel (from Covet) his HEA (poor guy)?
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