I Don't Want to Wait: My Life on Dawson's Creek

by Kerr Smith

A season-by-season deep dive into Dawson’s Creek, “one of the biggest teen dramas of all time,” (Variety) full of never-before-heard stories and behind-the-scenes insight into fan-favorite characters, from one of the show's stars, Kerr Smith. 

Welcome back to Dawson’s Creek, where the banter is fast-paced, soulful pop music underscores all emotional moments, and friendships could always turn into something more. This nostalgic look back at one of the hottest, most paradigm-shifting shows – written by one of its stars – will transport fans right back to Capeside, MA, revealing all the fun, romances, friendships, and drama, that happened in that small town – on and off the screen.
 
From episode deep dives to never-before-heard stories of crazy days on set and crazier nights after filming wrapped, Dawson’s star Kerr Smith takes us behind the scenes of the classic show that kickstarted the teen TV revolution of the late 90s and early 2000s. Featuring interviews with his fellow cast members, crew, and the writing team, Kerr Smith has written the ultimate yearbook for Capeside High, revealing the origin stories of Dawson, Pacey, Joey, Jen, and others, insights on how the drama-filled storylines came to be – and a few that almost didn’t – and his own personal story, from growing up in a small town of his own to what it was like to be part of the first passionate gay kiss on American primetime.
 
I DON’T WANT TO WAIT is the ultimate chronicle of a show that fans can’t help but come back to, time and time again. In Joey’s words, “Things change. People change.” But Dawson’s Creek is forever.

Genres: Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 10, 2026

Reviews

[Jodi Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is a very interesting book. Part memoir, part deep dive into Dawson’s Creek, I really love it. I’m a Dawson’s Creek fan, but I’m certainly not a super fan. I’ve only seen the series once and on reruns on cable, not the first run. Some of the scenes mentioned in this book I didn’t recognize. (The book made me want to rewatch the series). But I really enjoyed the book and the stories behind it.

[Collyn Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

read if you like:
📺 Dawson’s Creek
📀 90’s/00’s nostalgia
🎥 behind the scenes

summary:
As someone who will forever love Dawsons Creek, this book pulled at my heartstrings.

Kerr Smith (Jack) takes us back to Capeside with a mix of behind-the-scenes stories, episode memories, cast interviews and his own experience joining the show as Jack McPhee. I loved getting the little details about how certain storylines came together, what was happening off camera, and what it was actually like being part of a show that became such a huge piece of late-’90s/early-2000s pop culture.

The parts about Jack were especially interesting. Looking back now, it’s easy to forget just how significant that storyline was at the time, and I really liked hearing Kerr reflect on it from the perspective of someone who was actually living it.

Mostly, though, this just made me incredibly nostalgic. If you grew up watching Dawson, Joey, Pacey, Jen and Jack live their lives in Capeside, this feels like getting to go back and hang out with them one more time.

[Victoria Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a huge Dawson's Creek fan back in the day, but hadn't thought much about it in recent years. And then I saw this book and knew I had to read it! What a trip down memory lane (for both me and the author, actor Kerr Smith)!

I'll be honest, I'm more interested in the show than the personal backstory of the author, but I completely understand why it was included. I did love hearing all the stories about casting, filming the opening credits and pilot, and the good (and bad) plot twists and turns through the years. It reminded me of how much I loved the show and these characters and how utterly earnest and heartwarming—and, indeed, life-changing when it came to Kerr's role as a gay teen.—it was. I haven't been able to get the song "I Don't Want to Wait" out of my head since! Pacey 4-eva!

Thanks to Grand Central, via Netgalley, for the ARC!

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for early access to this book.

I’ve watched almost all of the big teen WB shows and Dawson’s Creek holds a special place in my heart. I loved hearing Kerr’s perspective, especially what it meant for Jack’s coming out storyline in the late 90s and its impact. I know he stated how uncomfortable he feels with praise but it was so important and he should be proud of the impact Jack McPhee had.

The structure of part memoir and Dawson’s Creek retrospective was .. interesting. I felt like the book should have committed to one or the other, not attempt to do both. I do think the title and cover is a bit deceiving in that aspect.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Grand Central Publishing, for providing the copy of I Don’t Want To Wait by Kerr Smith.I haven’t watched Dawson’s Creek, but this book makes me want to! As I got deeper into the book, I found myself wishing someone would write a similar book about Party Of Five, and/or that I had watched Dawson’s Creek with as much fervor. Smith did an excellent job of describing the episodes and the ‘hidden meanings’ behind some of the iconic scenes. I cried over the account of the fundraiser. If you’re a Dawson’s Creek fan, you will adore every second of this book, and if you’re new to it, this book will make you want to binge it immediately! 5 stars

[Amanda Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in the era of Dawson's Creek. However, I have never watched a single episode. That being said, I am a sucker for a good memoir.

I enjoyed that the book was both a memoir and essentially a behind the scenes look at Dawson's Creek. Not knowing enough about the show, I was completely unaware of the role Kerr Smith played. I really found his perspective on playing a gay teen in the 90s fascinating and I think that role laid a lot of ground work for the future.

Needless to say, I will be watching Dawson's Creek in the near future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!