Before I Knew It Was You
by Maewtaotaofu
Released: Feb 23, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Why this book and why now?
This book was never part of my original plans. I already had a sequel and another new project outlined, and I even told my blog readers that both would be released in 2026.
But one ordinary workday changed everything. During a routine remote meeting—working from home while others joined from different regions—I felt something unexpected, and that feeling slowly turned into this story.
I ended up writing it very quickly because the characters wouldn’t leave me alone. They stayed in my head all the time—from the moment I woke up, through work, until I went to sleep. I had to pause every other project just to focus on them. Even her name had to change along the way because the one I gave her at first didn’t feel right 😅
Honestly, it’s a bit funny—I gave in to her completely. And when she fell in love, she somehow ended up with a Chinese name of her own… while I, the author, still don’t have one.
I didn’t intend to make this a long story since there isn’t a big, dramatic plot, and I didn’t want readers to get bored with just two characters. But I kept seeing them in so many moments that some deleted scenes eventually became bonus content at the end of the book.
So if I had to answer why this book came before everything else—it’s because of Gem Anyarin, the character who made me abandon all my other plans for her.
Would you and your main character(s) get along?
I think I would get along with Gem quite well. We’re similar in some ways—I enjoy staying at home, and like her, I tend to tell myself that I’m not ready to open my heart or that I’m a bit afraid of love, almost as if there are too many conditions in my life to let someone in.
But at the same time, we’re also alike in a different way—if we do fall in love, we fall completely. All those conditions seem to disappear, as if they were never there to begin with.
What’s one fun fact about your book that most people wouldn’t know?
One fun fact is that the main character’s name had to be changed during the writing process because the original one didn’t feel right for her. And once I changed her name, everything else seemed to follow—including her family.
It was surprisingly clear, as if the story became easier to write all at once. I didn’t have to overthink anything—it felt like she was quietly guiding me, telling me what should happen next—like I was just following her lead.
One of your main characters is planning a romantic night. Tell us about it.
If she ever comes to Bangkok again, I think I’d ask her to stay at my place. I’d probably say it’s just because of the convenient location—right in the city center, close to the train station—and that I happen to have a spare room since I live alone with my cat.
Then I’d start overthinking… what if she’s allergic to cats? But even if she is, I’d still try to reassure her that it’s an open-space setup and my cat doesn’t go into the bedroom. Worst case, she can just sleep in my room—I promise it’s safe.
After that, I’d plan to take her around the city myself. I was born and raised in Bangkok, after all—no one knows it better than I do. She can trust me.
…Gem tends to think a little too far ahead.
Were there any scenes or characters that surprised you as you wrote?
One thing that surprised me was the emotional depth that emerged in such a quiet story. I didn’t intend to include any major drama or big plotlines, but as I wrote, something more delicate began to take shape—something I found difficult to fully put into words, but something I believe readers will feel as they read.
