Dear Reader, Love Author: Alyssa Villaire
Dear Reader,
When I was growing up, the most formative stories for me were those set in our world but threaded with the supernatural. In the nineties I was obsessed with Practical Magic, Charmed, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. As I got older, I was hugely influenced by Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy, The Raven Boys, and, of course, Twilight. These stories swept me away with their magic and romance, but most of all, they brought me comfort and a sense of wonder.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised when I got an idea during the pandemic to write a young adult fantasy novel about a girl in small-town Indiana who finds herself in the middle of a deadly feud between a powerful family and a witch coven. During a time of global turmoil, I was aching for the stories of my youth – stories that were simultaneously cozy and eerie, that examined the complexities of family and grief and love without losing a sense of playfulness.
That’s exactly the kind of book I set out to write, and now, it’s the book that’s out in the world. The Glittering Edge is a love letter to the cozy, witchy stories of my youth, but it’s also an ode to the Midwestern United States. I was lucky to grow up in diverse communities in Indiana, and even though this book is set in a small, fictional town, I wanted Penny’s story to reflect my own experiences. The Midwest is a special place, as snug as it is haunted. I hope I did it justice.
Love,
Alyssa Villaire
“A brilliant combination of deadly secrets and curses, twisty romance and fast paced surprises … everything I want in a paranormal romance!” —Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Rumors are the lifeblood of Idlewood, Indiana. The locals whisper that the De Lucas are witches, and that decades prior they cursed the wealthy Barrion family as revenge for a love gone tragically wrong: now, if a Barrion falls in love with you, you’ll die. If this isn’t reason enough for wallflower Penny Emberly to stay away from both families, she doesn’t know what is. But when Penny’s mom is in an accident that leaves her on the brink of death, Penny can’t ignore the rumors anymore—because the Barrion curse is real. And her mom is its latest victim.
In order to save her mom’s life, Penny must bring together two bitter enemies on either side of the feud and work with them to break the curse. For star quarterback Corey Barrion, doing so would mean finally saving his family from the magic that killed his mom. And for misfit witch Alonso De Luca, it would mean convincing everyone in Idlewood—especially Penny—that he isn’t the villain they believe him to be.
But as the trio navigates Alonso’s unpredictable magic, the tangled web of Barrion-De Luca history, and an increasingly chaotic group chat, it soon becomes clear that the curse is not what they expected. Did a De Luca really curse the Barrions in a fit of jealousy, or is something even more sinister afoot? Penny will have to conquer her anxiety, wrestle with her budding feelings for Alonso, and delve into dangerous, forbidden magic to find the truth and save her mom—even if it means putting her own life at risk.
The sequel, THE NEON SKY, will be published in 2026 and is available for preorder now!
For Fans of:
- Slow-burn romance
- Found family
- Small town angst
- He falls first
- Misunderstood heroes
For fans of Stephanie Garber and Maggie Stiefvater comes the bewitching sequel to The Glittering Edge, where magic is real, witches make irresistible boyfriends, and keeping secrets is dangerous—but not as dangerous as the truth.
Penny Emberly didn’t expect to fall head over heels for Alonso De Luca last summer—or to discover that he’s a witch. Together with their friend Corey Barrion, they managed to save her mother from a deadly spell. Now autumn has arrived, and Penny believes they can take on anything.
But darkness is descending on the small town of Idlewood. Corey is desperate to undo the bloody legacy that made his family rich. The price, however, is steep: to unravel the magical bargain made by his grandfather, Corey must take a life.
As Corey wrestles with an impossible choice, Alonso begins to change. The more he pushes the limits of his magic, the more volatile, violent, and possessive he becomes. When tragedy strikes one of their classmates, the trio is forced to confront a terrifying question: is Alonso being consumed by something that’s bent on the destruction of everyone around him—especially Penny and Corey?
As supernatural forces drive them apart, Penny, Corey, and Alonso must decide what they’re willing to sacrifice before more blood is spilled—even if it means losing each other.