The start of a new page-turning slow-burn romance trilogy from the best-selling author of After. Twenty-year old Karina is proud of the independent life she is trying to create for herself in Ft. Benning, Georgia. A dutiful officer's daughter, supportive sister to a troubled twin brother, and caring friend to her roommate, Elodie, she always puts the needs of others ahead of her own, and prides herself on being a fixer of broken things―whether it's the house she's just bought or the fragmented family she works hard to keep intact. Like anyone who has grown up around an army base, Karina also knows the background noise that follows men and women home from war. And when she meets Kael, a handsome soldier on the cusp of discharge, she's immediately intrigued by his brooding presence and enigmatic silence. As their uncertain and unexpected friendship starts to turn into something more, Karina tries to piece together Kael's story: he is emotionally closed off, recovering from wounds and other trauma in the aftermath of two tours in Afghanistan. In her practice as a physical therapist, Karina has a strong desire to help him heal, and though it challenges her many insecurities and anxieties, she has an equally strong desire to trust him. But that trust is fragile, like the preciousness of a soldier's life. It can be gone in an instant. Ultimately facing a crossroads, their relationship will be tested by the one thing that Karina cannot accept, forgive, or understand. Anna Todd's Brightest Stars trilogy continues with THE BURNING and THE INFINITE LIGHT OF DUST, coming soon.

Once upon a time, thousands of years ago, men and fae lived side by side. These were often dark times, as men had little means to defend themselves from the powerful creatures capable of destroying villages in mere seconds. Through bloody battle and tough negotiations with the High Faerie nobility, an agreement of sorts had been reached: A Treaty. Men on the southern half of the continent, Faeries on the top half. Plain and simple... Until it isn't. Ella Blackwell has duties. Insurmountable, crushing duties. As the Duke's daughter, she's been born and raised to accomplish what all women in Rhothomir's high society are meant to do-marry well, secure an alliance, and bear the perfect heirs to continue traditions. Except, Ella's not really the perfect blue-blooded aristocrat she's expected to be. In the midst of rising political tensions between the Kingdom of Rhothomir and Fae Realm, and a blooming war, Ella finds her life completely upended from one moment to the next, ripped away from everything she's ever known. Follow along for a High Fantasy adventure full of Faerie royalty, courtly intrigue, backstabbing nobles, political schemes, steel-strong friendship and love.