Now Then

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 – stirs a new sense of belonging. As Lily navigates the complexities of college life, her mother, Marisol, finally begins to reveal her past through heartfelt letters, sparking Lily's 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 sweeps across decades and continents, one marked by amazing-turned-devastating missed connections. Then — 1957 Havana, Cuba. Marisol, Lily’s mother, is a bright young woman with dreams of becoming a journalist. But as the calls for a government coup reach a deadly crescendo, one deadly night ahead 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 finally begin to surface, challenging Lily’s understanding of who her mother really is — and by extension, herself. Heartfelt and romantic, suspenseful and surprising, Now Then is a powerful tale that explores the weight of secrets, the hope that comes with second chances, and the choices we live with – and love through – forever.

Morgan Radford is the co-anchor for NBC News Daily (12-2pmET), the number one daily news program in afternoon television among the key demographic (25-54) and winner of the 2025 Gracie Award for "Best National News Program." From breaking news in the nation's top stories to peeling back layers of meaning for voters in this fevered political climate, Radford connects with more than 1.2 million viewers daily with her signature warmth and piercing questions. Her political reporting appears frequently on TODAY Show, NBC Nightly News, MSNBC's "Morning Joe," and in Spanish on Noticias Telemundo. Since joining NBC News in 2015, Radford has covered the country's biggest stories including the 2024 presidential election, the overturning of Roe v Wade, and the death of Fidel Castro. Her coverage of the immigration debate over the U.S. southern border was part of the MSNBC "Border Special" nominated for a 2020 "News Discussion and Analysis" Emmy Award. Radford also won the 2020 Gracie Award for National TV News On-Air Talent. Prior to joining NBC News, Morgan was an anchor for Al Jazeera America and previously worked for ABC News at their headquarters in New York City. Originally from Greensboro, NC, Morgan received her bachelor's degree from Harvard University, a master's degree from Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism and a Fulbright Fellowship from the United States State Department, where she spent one year teaching in Durban, South Africa. Morgan was honored with the 2022 One To World "Fulbright Award for Intercultural Awareness and Understanding." A bilingual journalist, Radford reports in both English and Spanish, and was certified by the French Chamber of Commerce for business proficiency in French in 2007. She currently serves on the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism's Board of Visitors and is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. When she isn't on the road, you can find Morgan at the local library with her 1-year-old daughter Adelana, or on the salsa dance floor with her husband David. Her debut fiction novel, Now Then, will be published by HarperCollins in English in May 2026 and in Spanish in September 2026.