Over a decade after its initial publication by Sourcebooks Fire, Ali Novak’s young adult novel My Life with the Walter Boys has made its screen debut. The Netflix live-action series, which premiered quietly on December 7, 2023, has since become a surprise hit. During its first week, it ranked second in Netflix’s global Top 10, just behind Leave the World Behind, and its popularity surged with a 70% increase in watch time the following week. The show held the top spot for two consecutive weeks and remained near the top through the end of December.
The series tells the story of 15-year-old Jackie Howard, who must rebuild her life after the tragic loss of her entire family in a car accident. Leaving behind her privileged life in Manhattan, Jackie moves to rural Colorado to live with her legal guardians, the Walters—a large, loving family with seven sons and one daughter. Her adjustment to a completely different lifestyle, and the complex dynamics within the Walter household, drive this heartwarming coming-of-age romance.
While its sudden success may have caught some by surprise, longtime fans of the book are not among them. Novak originally wrote The Walter Boys when she was just 15, publishing it on Wattpad, where it quickly gained a massive following. “It went viral almost immediately,” she recalled. “Five million reads after I first posted it—and it just kept growing.” By the time the Wattpad version was removed, the story had been read over 80 million times.
The novel was officially published by Sourcebooks in 2014, with a reissue in 2019. According to editor Wendy McClure, total sales across all formats now exceed 150,000 copies. McClure credits the show’s broad appeal for its rapid climb on Netflix. “It resonates with longtime fans who first read it in high school and are now reconnecting,” she explained. “And new viewers are forming strong emotional bonds with the characters.”
The book’s universal themes—grief, identity, first love, and finding one’s place—have clearly translated well to the screen. “The show has captured what made the book special,” said McClure. “Jackie’s emotional journey is at the heart of it. She’s dealing with unimaginable loss, and then is thrust into a chaotic new environment with all these boys—especially one who constantly challenges her.”
Novak’s literary agent, Alexander Slater of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, highlighted the story’s versatility. “What’s remarkable is how The Walter Boys has succeeded across every platform—from Wattpad, to print, and now as a top-streaming series,” he said. “It’s a story with enduring charm and unforgettable characters.”
The show’s strong reception has already secured it a second season, with 10 more episodes on the way. Novak is thrilled about the renewed interest in her work. “It’s brought fresh attention to the book and opened up exciting new opportunities,” she said. With the original novel’s ending left open, she’s even considering writing a sequel.
Additionally, Sourcebooks is planning to reissue Novak’s Heartbreakers Chronicles series, which also began on Wattpad, to build on the momentum. The first two installments—The Heartbreakers and Paper Hearts—have been released, with the final two volumes now slated for future publication.
