Author Spotlight on Morgan Matson

Welcome to my Author Spotlight on Morgan Matson, a prolific YA author who has been writing YA since 2008 as Katie Finn and since 2010 as Morgan Matson. Let’s get to know Morgan and her books! Are they What to Read After YA? I’m here to reveal all!

Author Spotlight on Morgan Matson

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Morgan Matson’s Bio:

Morgan Matson was born in New York City and grew up both there and in Greenwich, Connecticut.

She started Occidental College as a theater major, but halfway through, switched her focus to writing and never looked back. She received an MFA in Writing for Children from the New School, and then a second MFA in Screenwriting from USC.

She currently lives in Los Angeles with her rescue terrier, Murphy, in a house with blue floors that’s overflowing with books.

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Author Spotlight on Morgan Matson:

Amy and Roger’s Epic Adventure (2010)

This story about facing your fears and the fragility of life was Morgan Matson’s debut under this name (see her books written as Katie Finn below!)

• Road Trip Book
• Grief Book
• Music themes

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Second Chance Summer (2012)

• Grief book
• Middle school flashbacks
• For fans of The Fault in Our Stars

This tearjerker had us all crying in the 2010s YA era.

Check out my review of Second Chance Summer.

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Since You’ve Been Gone (2014)

This bucket list friendship story was about going out of your comfort zone.

• Friendship book
• Bucket list
• Summer of growth and change

Read my review of Since You’ve Been Gone.

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The Unexpected Everything (2016) 516 pages what???

Another story about a summer gone wrong, this book is about the daughter of a disgraced politician who meets cute with a guy with a mysterious secret.

• Famous parent
• Side hustle summer
• Fandoms

Check out my Review of The Unexpected Everything!

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Save the Date (2018)

A story about a big, rowdy family about to celebrate a wedding.

• Famous parent
• Wedding disasters
• More comedy then romance

Check out my Review of Save the Date

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Take Me Home Tonight (2021)

Two girls get stranded in New York City with no phones

• 24 hour timeline
• NYC setting
• Friendship hijinks

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Promchanted (2024)

This Disney book is a bit of a departure for Morgan Matson. A girl goes to Disneyland right before her prom and is magically transported to the world of Sleeping Beauty.

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The Ballad of Darcy and Russell (2024)

Two teens meet cute at a music festival, get stranded in the middle of nowhere, and try to explore their budding romance despite a bunch of obstacles.

• More broken phones and 24 hour hijinks
• More people who aren’t who they seem
• More famous people

My Review of The Ballad of Darcy and Russell!

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Author Spotlight on Morgan Matson Writing as Katie Finn

The Top 8 Series (2008-2011)

This three book series in the early 2000s was about newfangled social networking platforms and would probably have Millennials in fits of nostalgia!

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Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend (Broken Hearts & Revenge, #1)
by Katie Finn

This first book in a three-book series focuses on (SURPRISE!) people pretending to be other people, Morgan Matson-style. These Katie Finn books take place in the Hamptons and are much more soap-opera-ish (twisty and dramatic!) than the wistful and sweet, like the Morgan Matson ones.

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Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold (Broken Hearts & Revenge, #2)
by Katie Finn

More friend drama, more secrets, more dramatic revelations!

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Hearts, Fingers, and Other Things to Cross (Broken Hearts & Revenge, #3)
by Katie Finn

A literal hurricane hits the Hamptons, trapping a toxic blend of exes and enemies together. Sparks are going to fly for sure!

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Which of Morgan Matson/Katie Finn’s books have you read and which do you want to read?