Most Wednesdays at 6 p.m., Book Passage in Corte Madera is preparing to close. However, on Jan. 28, nearly 200 people filed into the small bookstore, many holding crisp copies of the book “Heart the Lover” by Lily King. Then, out stepped New York Times bestselling author and Kirkus award winner, Lily King. King’s newest novel connects with audiences through its emotional storytelling and vulnerability. 

The latest stop on King’s book tour drew a variety of audiences from local book clubs to former international residents. Marin resident Laura Corey mentioned she discovered “Heart the Lover” through a local book group. 

“Our book club read ‘Heart the Lover’ over the summer, and we loved the book and her previous book, so I was very excited to see her speak in Marin,” Corey said.

Corey’s enthusiasm was echoed by Saint Ignatius alum and former Londonite Katie Dobberstein, who had heard about the book online. 

“I read this book a few days ago with my Kindle,” Dobberstein said. “I stopped by Book Passage, and I saw the sign for the event tonight, and I thought it was too big of a coincidence. I had to come.”

For many attendees, it seemed that the themes of heartbreak and strong emotions resonated deeply.

“It felt to me like the person I was reading about really experienced those events, feelings and emotions,” Dobberstein said.

King reinforced this idea in a moderated discussion with Luisa Smith, a tenured Book Passage employee and event organizer, in which King said that many of her books begin with emotions rather than fully developed plots. 

Following the discussion, the audience members asked questions before lining up for a book signing. The line continued long after the event had ended, representing the strong turnout for King’s visit.