Books by Melissa De La Cruz

Filled with humor and adventure, this addition to the New York Times best-selling series explores a madcap prequel to Disney's Descendants: The Rise of Red, set in Wonderland. Fall down the rabbit hole… For Red, growing up in Wonderland has been no piece of cake (literally—dessert is outlawed). Her mom, the Queen of Hearts, rules the kingdom with an iron scepter, while Red longs for a life of her own. She’s heard rumors about an island that once housed all the villains of folklore. A place with no rules? It sounds perfect. But then the Queen declares that Red will issue a royal decree at the annual Wonderland Tea Ceremony (aka she'll come up with new ridiculous laws). Of course, Red loathes idea of following in her mother’s crimson-heeled footsteps. Banding together with new friends, Ace and Chester, Red plans the ultimate rebellion: a party. Little does she know that they’ll be setting off a chain of events (or un-events) that could change things forever.

The bonds of love... The bonds of matrimony... The bonds between husband and wife... Let's face it-some bonds are made to be broken. Here, for the first time ever, are four stories from today's most provocative authors that take the classic idea of the "faerie tale wedding" and give it a swift kick in the bustle.

“If sarcasm were a sword, Aren Bellamore would rule the world. Delightfully sharp, emotionally rich, and a damn good time.” - Lauren Oliver, #1 NYT bestselling author of the Delirium trilogy She’s a barmaid who doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He’s a prince cursed to live one. Aren Bellamore has no interest in being anyone’s princess. She’s too busy running the Raven’s Beak tavern, fending off unwanted marriage proposals, and dreaming of escape. But when a brush with death and a dangerously handsome stranger upend her life, Aren finds herself bound to a bargain that could change everything. Prince Dietan has carried the cursed Rings of Fate—ancient weapons of devastating power—since childhood. The magic is killing him, and the enemies are closing in. To make the journey to reverse his curse, he needs a bride to hide his secrets. Aren wants freedom. Pretending to be his fiancée should give them both what they want. But as their perilous journey pits them against political schemes, monstrous Kilandrar, and a growing attraction neither can deny, the line between make-believe and destiny begins to blur. And the fate of two kingdoms may depend on whether a cynical barmaid and a cursed prince are willing to risk their hearts.

One of Us Is Lying meets Gossip Girl in The Headmaster''s List, an edge-of-your-seat YA thriller about a fatal car crash and the dangerous lengths one teen will go to uncover the truth about what really happened. Friday night. The party of the summer. Four teens ride home together. Only one never makes it. When high school sophomore Chris Moore is tragically killed in a car crash, Armstrong Prep is full of questions. Who was at the wheel? And more importantly, who was at fault? Eighteen-year-old Spencer Sandoval wishes she knew. As rumors swirl that her ex, Ethan, was the reckless driver, she can’t bring herself to defend him. And their messy breakup has nothing to do with it – she can’t remember anything from that night, not even what put her in that car with Ethan, Chris, and Tabby Hill, the new loner in school. The hunt for answers intensifies when a local true crime podcast takes an interest in the case, pushing Spencer further into the depths of this sinister mystery. Was it all just a night out that went very wrong? And is it a coincidence that all but Chris is on Armstrong''s esteemed honor roll, the Headmaster’s List? In a place ruled by pedigree and privilege, the truth can only come at a deadly price. Set against the glitz and glamour of an elite LA private school, Melissa de la Cruz''s explosive YA thriller is an addictive mystery perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building and A Good Girl''s Guide to Murder. "There''s nothing Melissa de la Cruz can''t write, and she continues to prove it with this razor-sharp, glitteringly mysterious thriller! Put The Headmaster''s List at the top of your TBR." —Kiersten White, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the And I Darken trilogy "Melissa de la Cruz will keep you guessing - all the way up to the last page even when you think you’ve figured it out! Everything you want in a thriller - a complicated heroine, snarky outsiders, cute boys, and a surprising and insightful story about status, race, class and tragedy in Los Angeles." —Sara Shepard, New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars

Lavish parties. Passionate meetings in the night. Bone-chilling murders. Midterms. The day-to-day life of Schuyler Van Alen and her Blue Bloods friends (and enemies) is never boring. But there''s oh-so-much more to know about these beautiful and powerful teens. Below the streets of Manhattan, within the walls of the Repository, exists a wealth of revealing information about the vampire elite that dates back before the Mayflower. In a series of short stories, journal entries, and never-before-seen letters, New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz gives her hungry fans the keys to the Repository and an even more in-depth look into the secret world of the Blue Bloods. /DIV DIVWon''t you come inside?

"When 19-year-old Josh returns from Rome without his budding influencer girlfriend Amelia, he immediately becomes a suspect in her disappearance, but as college sophomore and hacker Harper attempts to clear his name, she unearths secrets from both Josh and Amelia''s past."--Publisher marketing.

A surprising and romantic YA retelling-mashup of A Little Princess and The Secret Garden by bestselling authors Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz. Best friends Mary Lennox, Sara Crewe, and Cedric Erroll are best friends. And thank goodness, since their boarding school is basically insufferable. When one of the friends suffers a personal tragedy, a plan—and a secret—change everything for the trio . . . for good. Filled with charm and romance, and inspired by some of classic literature's most beloved characters, The Secret Princess is the perfect blend of A Little Princess and The Secret Garden—and the perfect companion to Jo & Laurie.

New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz pens a lush, swoon-worthy retelling of "Cinderella" set in lavish Versailles. Perfect for fans of Bridgerton and The Selection! Cendrillon de Louvois was poised to be the most eligible maiden in all of France. But the death of her father, the king’s favorite advisor, has left Cendrillon at the will of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. Dubbed Lady Cinder by the court, Cendrillon is forced to become a servant to her new family. But when she attends the royal ball, she catches the eye of the handsome Prince Louis and his younger brother, Auguste. Even though Cendrillon has an immediate aversion to Louis and a connection with Auguste, the only way to escape her stepmother is to compete with the other girls at court for the Prince’s hand. As her stepmother’s cruelty grows, Cendrillon captures the prince’s heart . . . though her own heart belongs to Auguste. Cendrillon’s fate rests on one question: Can she bear losing the boy she loves in order to leave a life she hates?

In the riveting sequel to The Queen’s Assassin, a young queen and the kingdom's top assassin must navigate a treacherous war where victory rests on a knife’s edge. Though Lilac’s birthright made her the Queen of Renovia, and marriage made her the Queen of Montrice, she soon learns that being a ruler does not mean making the rules. For Lilac, taking the throne means giving up the love of her life, the kingdom’s Chief Assassin, Caledon Holt. Worse, Cal is forced to leave the castle when a horrific set of magical attacks threatens Lilac’s sovereignty. Now Cal and Lilac will have to battle dark forces separately, even though being together is the only thing that’s ever saved them.

"After the publication of Little Women, Jo March is shocked to discover her book of scribbles has become a bestseller, and her publisher demands a sequel. While pressured into coming up with a story, she goes to New York with her dear friend Laurie. But despite her growing feelings, her desire to remain independent leads her to turn down his heartfelt marriage proposal and sends the boy off to college heartbroken. But when Laurie returns to Concord with a sophisticated new girlfriend, will Jo finally communicate her true heart's desire or lose the love of her life forever? ("--

"The Queen's Assassin is forced to take on a mysterious apprentice on his most dangerous mission yet, pulling them both into a vicious web of secrets and lies"-- Caledon Holt is the Kingdom of Renovia's deadliest weapon, the Queen's one and only assassin. He's also bound to the Queen by an impossible vow: to find the missing Deian Scrolls, the fount of all magical history and knowledge, stolen years ago by a sect called the Aphrasians. Shadow has been training all her life to become skilled enough to join the ranks of the Guild. Magic has been forbidden since the Aphrasian uprising, so Shadow has been learning to control her powers, hoping that one day she'll become an assassin as feared and revered as Caledon Holt. Forced to team up as assassin and apprentice to hunt down a new sinister threat to Renovia, Cal and Shadow uncover a shocking web of lies and secrets that may destroy everything they hold dear. -- adapted from jacket

The Thirteenth Fairy is the first title in Never After, an exciting contemporary fantasy adventure series for readers of 9 to 11 by Melissa de la Cruz, the bestselling author of Disney's Descendants series. Perfect for fans of Disney's Twisted Tales. Nothing exciting ever happens in Filomena Jefferson-Cho’s small town. Until the day Jack Stalker, one of the heroes from her all-time favourite books, the Never After series, turns up. She must be dreaming! But Jack insists that he’s real, the stories are real, and she must come with him at once. Filomena is thrust into a world of fairies, sorcerers, dragons and slayers, where an evil queen is determined to wipe out the fairy tribes. To save the kingdom, Filomena and her new friends must find the truth behind the tale of the Thirteenth Fairy before it’s too late.

In the thrilling, suspenseful new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz, all of Ellie de Florent-Stinson’s secrets come to light in one eventful evening full of twists, turns, and surprises. Before she became a glamorous fashion designer, Ellie de Florent-Stinson was a trailer-park teen about to turn sixteen. But a night of birthday celebration doesn’t go exactly as planned and descends into a night she’ll never be able to forget. Now, on the cusp of her fortieth birthday, it appears Ellie has everything she ever wanted: a handsome husband; an accomplished, college-age stepdaughter; a beautiful ten-year-old girl; adorable and rambunctious six-year-old twin boys; lush, well-appointed homes in Los Angeles, Park City, and Palm Springs; a thriving career; and a dazzling circle of friends. Except everything is not quite as perfect as it looks on the outside—Ellie is keeping many secrets. But hiding those skeletons has a cost, and it all comes to a head the night of her fabulous birthday party in the desert—where everyone who matters in her life shows up, invited or not. Old and new friends and frenemies, stepdaughters and business partners, ex-wives and ex-husbands congregate, and the glittering facade of Ellie’s life begins to crumble. Beautifully paced and full of surprises, The Birthday Girl is an enthralling tale of a life lived in shadow and its unavoidable consequences.

In this dazzling finale to the trilogy that began with the New York Times bestselling Alex & Eliza: A Love Story, the curtain closes on the epic romance of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler 1785. New York, New York. As a young nation begins to take shape, Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler are on top of the world. They're the toast of the town, keeping New York City buzzing with tales of their lavish parties, of Eliza's legendary wit, and of Alex's brilliant legal mind. But new additions to Alex & Eliza's little family mean change is afoot in the Hamilton household. When they agree to take in an orphaned teenage girl along with Eliza's oldest brother, John Schuyler, Eliza can't help but attempt a match. It's not long before sparks start to fly . . . if only Eliza can keep herself from interfering too much in the course of true love. After all, she and Alex have an arrival of their own to plan for, though Alex's latest case brings a perilous threat that may destroy everything. The sweeping love story of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler comes to a close in All for One, the riveting final installment of the New York Times bestselling Alex & Eliza trilogy.

A New York Times Bestseller! The thrilling romance of young Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler continues in the sizzling sequel to the New York Times bestselling Alex & Eliza: A Love Story 1781. Albany, New York. As the war for American independence rages on, Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler begin their new life as a married couple. Still, Alex is as determined as ever to prove his mettle and secure his legacy . . . even if that means leaving his beloved Eliza behind to join the front lines at the Battle of Yorktown. But when the war unexpectedly arrives on Eliza's doorstep, she must fight for a better future--for their fledgling country and for her marriage. Yet even after the Revolution comes to its historic close, Alex and Eliza's happily-ever-after is threatened. Eliza struggles to build a home in the hustle and bustle of New York City just as Alex's burgeoning law practice brings him up against his greatest rival--the ambitious young lawyer Aaron Burr. And with Alex's star on the rise, Eliza can't help but feel neglected by a husband who seems to have time for everyone but her. Torn apart by new trials and temptations, can Alex and Eliza's epic love survive life in the big city? The battles are just beginning in the sumptuous sequel to Melissa de la Cruz's New York Times bestselling Alex & Eliza: A Love Story.

After three years, Jace Montgomery is still grieving over his fiancée Stacy’s mysterious suicide. He hasn’t even been on a date since her passing, and her family still blames him for her death. While flipping through one of her old paperbacks, Jace discovers a clipping stuck between the pages bearing the cryptic message, ‘Ours again. Together forever. See you there.’ The note is dated the day before her death. Possessed by the opportunity to possibly understand Stacy’s suicide, Jace seeks out the property on the front of the clipping – Priory House, a big brick fortress in Margate – and buys it. But Jace soon discovers that the house is haunted by a headstrong ghost, Ann Stuart. Ann died under circumstances similar to his late fiancée, and he begins to believe that there is a connection between the two. Through his investigations Jace is forced to reconcile his wife’s life and her death. What follows is a satisfying and seductive discovery of both time and love by one of America’s favorite storytellers. Montgomery/Taggert (in chronological order): The Black Lyon (Montgomery/Taggert, #1) The Maiden (Montgomery/Taggert, #2) The Velvet Promise (Velvet Montgomery Annuals Tetralogy #1) (Montgomery/Taggert, #3) Highland Velvet (Velvet Montgomery Annuals Tetralogy #2) (Montgomery/Taggert, #4) Velvet Song (Velvet Montgomery Annuals Tetralogy #3) (Montgomery/Taggert, #5) Velvet Angel (Velvet Montgomery Annuals Tetralogy #4) (Montgomery/Taggert, #6) The Velvet Quartet Velvet (Montgomery Annuals Tetralogy #1-4) The Heiress (Montgomery/Taggert, #7) The Raider (Montgomery/Taggert, #8) Mountain Laurel (Montgomery/Taggert, #9) Eternity (Montgomery/Taggert, #10) The Duchess (Montgomery/Taggert, #11) Twin of Fire (Chandler Twins, #1) (Montgomery/Taggert, #13) Twin of Ice (Chandler Twins, #2) (Montgomery/Taggert, #12) The Temptress (Montgomery/Taggert, #14) Wishes (Montgomery/Taggert, #15) The Awakening (Montgomery/Taggert, #16) The Invitation from “The Invitation” (Montgomery/Taggert, #17) The Princess (Montgomery/Taggert, #18) A Knight in Shining Armor (Montgomery/Taggert Family, #19) Sweet Liar (Montgomery/Taggert, #20) Matchmakers from “The Invitation” (Montgomery/Taggert, #21) Change of Heart from “A Holiday of Love” (Montgomery/Taggert, #22) Just Curious from “A gift of Love” (Montgomery/Taggert, #23) High Tide (Montgomery/Taggert, #24) Holly (Montgomery/Taggert, #25) Someone to Love (Montgomery/Taggert, #26) Forever... (Forever, #1) (Montgomery/Taggert, #27) Forever and Always (Forever, #2) (Montgomery/Taggert, #28) Always (Forever Trilogy #3) (Montgomery/Taggert, #29) True Love (Nantucket Brides, #1)(Montgomery/Taggert, #30) For All Time (Nantucket Brides, #2)(Montgomery/Taggert, #31) Ever After (Nantucket Brides, #3)(Montgomery/Taggert, #32) Met Her Match (Montgomery/Taggert, #33) Simple Gifts: Just Curious / Miracles / Change of Heart / Double Exposure (Montgomery/Taggert)

"A heartwarming, sparkling romantic comedy about what happens when what your heart wants and what your parents want don't match...Melissa de la Cruz enchants and delights in her usual style. Completely unputdownable!" —Sandhya Menon, New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi "A refreshingly modern love story, 29 Dates serves up a funny and heartfelt rom-com about finding love and figuring out life on your own terms." —Maurene Goo, author of I Believe in a Thing Called Love and The Way You Make Me Feel How many dates will it take to find The One? Jisu's traditional South Korean parents are concerned by what they see as her lack of attention to her schoolwork and her future. Working with Seoul's premiere matchmaker to find the right boyfriend is one step toward ensuring Jisu's success, and going on the recommended dates is Jisu's compromise to please her parents while finding space to figure out her own dreams. But when she flubs a test then skips out on a date to spend time with friends, her fed-up parents shock her by shipping her off to a private school in San Francisco. Where she'll have the opportunity to shine academically—and be set up on more dates! Navigating her host family, her new city and school, and more dates, Jisu finds comfort in taking the photographs that populate her ever-growing social media account. Soon attention from two very different boys sends Jisu into a tailspin of soul-searching. As her passion for photography lights her on fire, does she even want to find The One? And what if her One isn't parent and matchmaker approved?

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe from New York Times bestselling author, Melissa de la Cruz, is a sweet, sexy and hilarious gender-swapping, genre-satisfying re-telling, set in contemporary America and featuring one snooty Miss Darcy. The basis for the Hallmark TV Movie of the same name available on streaming. Darcy Fitzwilliam is 29, beautiful, successful, and brilliant. She dates hedge funders and basketball stars and is never without her three cellphones—one for work, one for play, and one to throw at her assistant (just kidding). Darcy's never fallen in love, never has time for anyone else's drama, and never goes home for Christmas if she can help it. But when her mother falls ill, she comes home to Pemberley, Ohio, to spend the season with her family. Her parents throw their annual Christmas bash, where she meets one Luke Bennet, the smart, sardonic slacker son of their neighbor. Luke is 32-years-old and has never left home. He's a carpenter and makes beautiful furniture, and is content with his simple life. He comes from a family of five brothers, each one less ambitious than the other. When Darcy and Luke fall into bed after too many eggnogs, Darcy thinks it's just another one night stand. But why can't she stop thinking of Luke? What is it about him? And can she fall in love, or will her pride and his prejudice against big-city girls stand in their way?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of Queen's Assassin and the Descendants series comes the love story of young Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler. 1777. Albany, New York. As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival those of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball. Still, Eliza can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history. In the pages of Alex and Eliza, #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz brings to life the romance of young Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.