What happens when the pursuit of belonging turns darkly funny, heartbreakingly real, and deeply human?

Rebecca Greene sits down with Oxford PhD student and author Heather Colley to explore her brilliant debut novel The Gilded Butterfly Effect, a darkly observant look at campus life, beauty culture, and the messy search for belonging. Together they unpack how sorority life, loneliness, and female friendship collide in unexpected ways. Heather shares the inspiration behind her unforgettable characters Penny and Stella, the Shakespearean roots of her title, and why fiction helps us feel less alone.

Through laughter and reflection, Rebecca and Heather explore why young women crave connection, how easily identity gets lost in the crowd, and why every generation faces its own version of the fitting in struggle. It’s a raw, smart, and deeply relatable conversation about growing up, finding yourself, and learning that sometimes being different is the truest form of belonging.

KEY TAKEAWAYS→ Belonging can bring both comfort and confusion→ Fiction helps readers feel less alone in their experiences→ Female friendships are often messy, layered, and deeply real→ Loneliness hides even in the most social places→ Finding your people takes time and self-awareness→ Parents can support young adults by listening, not judging

Quote from Heather“Finding the right people is everything. The book is really about what happens when you’re not with the right people and how easy it is to lose yourself trying to belong.” — Heather Colley

Call to ActionFind The Gilded Butterfly Effect wherever books are sold and follow Heather at heathercolleyauthor.com or on Instagram @heathercolleyauthor
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