Now Then: A Novel

In this sweeping debut novel by NBC News anchor Morgan Radford, Now Then follows a Harvard student navigating her own path to self-discovery while uncovering her mother’s secret past fleeing the Cuban Revolution.

Now — 1991, Cambridge, MA. Liliana Soto Walker is an 18-year-old freshman who arrives at Harvard from the humble Appalachian home of her Cuban immigrant mother and Black American father. Lily feels out of place in this new world of privilege, but her roommate Hana and a budding romance with Vikram—a charming Indian-British postdoctoral student—spark a new sense of belonging. As Lily navigates the complexities of college life, her mother, Marisol, begins to reveal her past through heartfelt letters, setting Lily on a journey to uncover hidden histories and discover what it means to endure—and find happiness again. Meanwhile, Lily and Vikram form a deep bond that spans decades and continents, marked by both life-changing and heartbreaking missed connections.

Then — 1957, Havana, Cuba. Marisol, Lily’s mother, is a bright young woman with dreams of becoming a journalist. But as calls for a government coup reach a violent crescendo, one deadly night at the start of the Cuban Revolution forces Marisol to flee her homeland, leaving her scarred in ways she has never revealed—until now. Through their letters, the secrets Marisol has kept hidden for years begin to surface, challenging Lily’s understanding of her mother—and, in turn, herself.

Heartfelt and romantic, suspenseful and surprising, Now Then is a powerful tale that explores the weight of secrets, the hope of second chances, and the choices we live—and love—with forever.