The inspiration for the tangled web of Griffin Jennings, Theo McIntire, and Jackson Wright came to author Adam Silvera through his personal experiences with his first serious boyfriend. As Silvera details in his letter at the end of the novel, he lived through the same experience as Griffin, just without the death. When he and his first serious boyfriend became long-distance, Silvera broke up with him because he knew they couldn’t take the strain on their relationship. He always imagined they’d get back together until his ex-boyfriend moved on and started seeing someone else. Silvera felt a deep sense of brokenness without the possibility of getting his love back. One day, Silvera’s ex-boyfriend called to tell him that he and his new partner had almost drowned at the beach. Much like when Griffin witnessed Theo almost get hit by a car, Silvera was forced to confront the idea that the love of his life almost died. Silvera thought about what would happen if his ex-boyfriend died before he could confess his true feelings.

Eventually, Silvera became good friends with his ex and his ex’s new partner. He realized that they were a better fit for one another.