About this Event
From growing up as the daughter of a con artist to building an award-winning career in communications, Sarah Lopez has lived a story that sounds almost too extraordinary to be true. Now, she's sharing it.
Join us for a special hometown celebration of the release of I Chose to Be Here: Loyalty, Lies, and Leaving the Con, an unforgettable story of family secrets, deception, reinvention, and discovering that sometimes the bravest choice is asking for help.
Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas will moderate a candid conversation with Sarah, exploring the stories behind the memoir, the complicated relationship between loyalty and survival, and what it takes to reclaim your own story.
More than a book event, this afternoon is a celebration of storytelling, community, and coming home.
What to Expect
- 2:00–3:00 PM | Meet Sarah & Book Signing: Arrive early, mingle, and have your copy of I Chose to Be Here personally signed by Sarah before the main event.
- 3:00 PM | An Unfiltered Author Conversation: Go beyond the pages of the memoir as Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas sits down with Sarah for a candid, compelling conversation about growing up in a world of deception, breaking free from the past, and finding the courage to rewrite your own story.
- After the Conversation | More Time with Sarah: Stick around for additional book signings, photos, and an opportunity to connect with Sarah.
- Sip, Savor & Celebrate: Enjoy wines crafted by Napa Valley College Estate Winery's student winemakers, available for purchase at a no-host wine bar, alongside delicious charcuterie bites from From Scratch with Love Catering.
- Music by DJ Carl Jay: Enjoy the sounds of Carl Jay Entertainment as we turn an afternoon of storytelling into a hometown celebration worth remembering.
Get Your Book
Want to have your book signed? Order your copy of I Chose to Be Here: A Memoir of Loyalty, Lies, and Leaving the Con now through Amazon or Barnes & Noble at and bring it with you!
Books will also be available for purchase at the event, so you can pick up a copy and have her sign it in person.
Whether you've known Sarah for years, are discovering her story for the first time, or simply love a compelling true story, you're invited to be part of this special afternoon.
Come for the conversation. Stay for the celebration.
Event venue & nearby stays
Performing Arts Center, Napa Valley College, 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.