Even Author Sherryl Woods Was Surprised By that ‘Sweet Magnolias’ Ending

*Warning: Spoilers ahead*

You know howSweet Magnoliasended with that shocking cliffhanger? Well, it was all Netflix’s idea.

In an interview withPeople, Sherryl Woods (author of theSweet Magnoliasbook series) revealed the twist wasn’t part of the original story. Although Netflix followed the major plot points, the streaming service added the car accident as a theatrical element.

“The cliffhanger accident was not in the books, but boy, what a way to [end the season],” Woods said.

While the author wasn’t expecting that ending, it immediately piqued her interest. “When I read the script for the tenth episode, I immediately emailed [series creator] Sheryl Anderson and said, ‘Netflix needs to renew this minute,’” she added.

Woods confirmed that season one ofSweet Magnoliaswas inspired by the first three books,Stealing Home,A Slice of HeavenandFeels Like Family, which means there are still eight more books to pull inspiration from. “There’s a lot more to each of their stories,” she explained.

When asked about the show’s success, Woods credited the all-star cast, including Joanna Garcia Swisher (Maddie), Heather Headley (Helen) andBrooke Elliott(Dana Sue).

“I have been so fortunate with the casting,” she said. “I think Jo Garcia captures Maddie just right, and Heather Headley is the perfect Helen—this sort of a cross between dominant and strong and sure as a professional, but the vulnerabilities as a woman are there, too. And Dana Sue has a whole balance of those kinds of things, too.”

Now all we need is for Netflix to make things official, so we can start mentally preparing forSweet Magnoliasseason two.