The holidays might have come and gone, but that doesn't mean that we're done celebrating just yet. In fact, Adalyn Grace herself has a surprise gift for all of us that will totally make you wish that we can just jump forward to the holidays yet again. At least we don't have to wait until then to sneak a peek at what she has in store for us and yes, we're 100 percent talking about the possible end to the Belladonna series.
Cosmopolitan has an exclusive look at the upcoming novella, Holly, which according to Adalyn serves as an epilogue to the previous book, Wisteria. "So for everyone who has been yelling at me for an epilogue…😏 I don’t know about you, but this is the most exciting epilogue I can think of," she revealed on her Instagram. Holly is currently set to be released on September 30, 2025, so actually it will be the ultimate way to kick off the season. But not only that, we already have an idea of what is going to happen next thanks to our friends over at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers:
A mysterious and magical holiday novella set in the romantic, Gothic-infused world of Belladonna, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace. Features a special endpaper design, a printed case cover, interior art, and will be printed in a festive red ink!
Something strange is happening at Wisteria Gardens, the manor that Blythe and Aris call home. All they want is a peaceful holiday season with their family, but a group of restless spirits is determined to threaten their festivities. With a new mystery to solve, Signa, Death, Blythe, and Fate must uncover what happened to Wisteria’s ghostly inhabitants and help the spirits move on…before it’s too late.
What better way to get into the spirit than by taking a sneak peek at what you can expect under the tree, including a copy of Holly that will feature this stunning cover that you will totally want to display on your shelf:
But that's not the only special surprise that we're revealing today! You can also check out an exclusive excerpt below! Just make sure to pre-order Holly and also check out Adalyn's other books as well.
An Excerpt From Holly
By Adalyn Grace
Chapter One
Blythe
It’s said that holly sprigs have long been used to ward off evil spirits.
As Blythe Dryden stood with her hands on her hips, assessing the foyer of Wisteria Gardens, she pondered how much of the plant she’d need to decorate with to ensure the most magnificent holiday season. Then she added another bough over the entryway, just for good measure.
It was fortunate that she’d mastered her powers since learning she was the reincarnation of Life, as Blythe would grow as much holly as it took to repel demons, spirits, or any other mischievous deities that decided to take a sudden interest in her family. She’d shove every bough down their throats if need be, because this year, they were all going to have a perfect Christmas.
Wisteria had transformed since Aris’s return. For years Blythe had missed the magic that once pulsed through the home’s very essence. Now, with its owner back within its walls, Wisteria’s heart had resumed its proud beating. Giant statues of fantastical beasts loomed near the grand oak doors, welcoming all who entered into the spacious foyer adorned with intricately carved nutcrackers taller than she was, and well-decorated snowmen that never seemed to melt. The golden-trimmed ceiling showcased a perfect wintry sky, painted with stars and snowflakes.
The hearth burned bright, its flames matching the warm pink glow of the curious sconces that lit the room. One of them was shaped like a boar’s head and matched the door handle of Blythe’s old bedroom from when she’d first arrived at the castle, betrothed to a man she despised. The memory made her smile as she draped another bough of holly over its tusks, her heels clicking a familiar echo across the marble floor. Withdrawing several paces to admire her work, Blythe startled when she backed into a firm chest. Strong arms slipped around her, embracing her from behind, and Blythe relaxed into the warmth of the familiar touch. Into a comfort that she wished she could bottle up and carry with her forever.
“You’ve outdone yourself,” Aris noted, pulling her closer. She settled against him, winding her arms around his and tipping her head to the side as he bent to kiss it. Her eyes fluttered shut as he peppered kisses down her neck, and she squealed when he ended one of them with a gentle nip.
“It’s not too much?” she asked, forced to finally take stock of her hard work. It was, admittedly, very green. But that was nothing some well-placed ornaments couldn’t fix.
“Nothing you do will ever be too much.” His lips quirked devilishly as they sank down to her bodice.
“Liar.” Blythe snorted, curling her fingers into his blond locks to keep him close. It’d been only four months since her husband had returned to her, and Blythe was still familiarizing herself with this new body of his—broader chested and a few inches taller than his previous form. His jawline was more square and more pronounced, his skin a shade darker, and while the changes were just enough to feel jarring, there was enough about Aris that had felt familiar from the moment she’d laid eyes on him. One look and she’d known that the missing piece of her soul had finally made its way home to her.
His eyes were the same, as were the deftness of his clever hands and the way that light always seemed to pull toward him. There were a few other differences as well, though certainly none that Blythe could complain about. In fact, she’d probably be continuing to familiarize herself with those differences now, if not for the fact that it was just days before Christmas and their family was in town to celebrate. Family who did not seem to understand when to make themselves scarce.
“At least there will be no mistaking which holiday we’re celebrating,” Sylas noted from behind, announcing his arrival with a gentle clearing of his throat. Aris groaned against Blythe’s skin, begrudgingly peeling himself away, though he kept one arm slung around her hips.
“A bell, brother,” Aris declared. “I shall secure a bell to that cowl of yours before Christmas is through, I swear it.”
“I would love to see you try.” The cowl in question slipped from Sylas’s figure alongside his shadows, revealing Death’s human form. He was dressed in a dapper black suit with polished boots and had his bone-white hair tied at the nape of his neck. The only bit of skin he showed was from the collar up, his hands obscured in leather gloves to prevent any unintended harm from his lethal touch.
Taunting seemed to be one of the reaper’s favorite pastimes, and he sported a grin reminiscent of Blythe’s father’s whenever he had a particularly favorable hand at cards. Sylas crossed the foyer to stand beside his brother, head tipped back to admire the boughs of holly.
He arched a brow at Blythe. “Are you feeling particularly festive this year, dear sister?”
Blythe shot the reaper a sour look, feeling foolish that she’d ever allowed herself to fear this ridiculous man. It’d taken her several months to breathe easy around Sylas after first meeting him, but now, years later, he was a comfort. A strange and curious man with an odd sense of playfulness she rather enjoyed in a brother. It was a nice change of pace, especially considering that the last one had tried to kill her. Twice.
“I’m no fool,” she told him. “Our collective luck does not tend to hold up well at Christmas. We need every bit of good fortune we can get if we’re to make it through the holidays unscathed.”
“It’s only another day,” Sylas told her. “You will find no better or worse luck because of it.”
Perhaps, but history made Blythe unwilling to take that risk. Upon Aris’s return, the two had made the decision to move Wisteria Gardens, which had drawn too much attention to remain safe where it was. They had finally decided on a new town—one right on the outskirts of Brude, a city Blythe had fallen in love with and whose very bones reminded her of falling in love with Aris. And with Elijah fully aware of the truths of his family and what they were, either Sylas or Aris could retrieve him from anywhere for a visit. Now Blythe had her father, a new brother, her dearest cousin, and the love of her life. And with them all there, Blythe was determined to make their very first Christmas together as a true family positively perfect. Or else someone would pay.
For years she’d awaited this moment, remembering the single Christmas that she and Aris had spent together as a pair. It was during the holidays that she first realized she’d loved him. It was then that they had slept together for the first time. For twenty-seven years after that, Blythe’s bed had remained cold and her heart left aching. But this year, all would be perfect. They deserved that much.
He deserved that much, and she didn’t want anyone to take this from them.
And speaking of Aris… Blythe turned to Sylas, lowering her voice. “How is that thing I requested your help with?” she asked, choosing her words carefully. She could practically feel Aris’s curiosity festering.
“I intend to take care of the present very soon,” Sylas said with a smug grin that he turned decidedly toward Aris. “It’s quite a good one.”
“A present?” Aris echoed. Blythe hadn’t expected her husband to look so affronted. “But I don’t need anything.”
“You are my husband, and this is to be our first Christmas together where neither of us is dead or dying,” Blythe said with utmost sternness. “It’s a cause for celebration, Aris. Of course I’m going to get you something. And for good measure, Sylas has been instructed not to give you so much as a hint, so don’t even try.”
“I’m very good at keeping my word,” Sylas announced proudly, hands folded behind his back. “And secrets, for the most part. Tell me what you got for Blythe and I’ll keep yours, too.”
“You’re as nosy as your wife,” Aris admonished, to which Sylas only shrugged.
“As if you aren’t?”
“Nosiness is perhaps the one thing this family has in common,” Blythe said. “Though, I’m sure to everyone’s surprise, I wish to know nothing about my gifts. If you insist on discussing them, you may take your conversation elsewhere.” She nudged Aris away, trying not to laugh when his lips continued to curl downward. “It’ll be fine, Aris. Now get out of here, both of you. I’ve more decorating to do, and you’re in my way.” From her bare palm emerged yet more holly, and Sylas laughed.
“Very well,” he said. “Join me for a drink, brother?”
“Later, perhaps.” Aris was already glancing over his shoulder, seeming lost in thought. “There’s something I must check on, first.”
“Could that ‘something’ have to do with finding a present?”
Aris’s brows pulled lower, and he grunted under his breath. “You are a blight upon humanity.”
Sylas only smiled as Aris bent to kiss Blythe quickly on the head before he brushed past his brother, disappearing in a hurry down the hall.
In his absence, Blythe sighed. “Must you always tease him so?”
The reaper smiled. “I’m afraid it’s how we show our love.”
“Well, your love seems to have put him in a panic.”
“He would have been in more of one when we gave him our gift and he hadn’t thought to have anything ready in return. Speaking of which…” Sylas peered out the window to the darkening sky. “It’s time I take my leave.”
“And you have faith this will work?”
He adjusted his gloves, triple-checking them before setting his hand atop Blythe’s head and ruffling her hair. “No. But I intend to try.”
Blythe went to swat his hand away, but Sylas was already gone, disappeared into the shadows.
“You really do need a bell,” she called after him, smiling as she made her way back across the foyer. There was, after all, much holly left to be hung.
Text copyright © 2025 by Adalyn Grace. Reprinted by permission of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company. All Rights Reserved.
Holly, by Adalyn Grace will be released on September 30, 2025. To preorder the book, click on the retailer of your choice:
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