Author: Grace ViallA debut slow-burn work-nemesis romance set in a world where cryptids and monsters are a part of life . . . and someone has to do the paperwork. Working in human resources was not what Alexys had in mind when she joined Entity, the private company that categorizes and manages the world's cryptids. But after her dad was killed on the job as a Warden in the Appalachian Mountains, she was filled with noble ideas of carrying on his legacy . . . from the safety of a desk. Alexys dreams of climbing the corporate ladder while managing the Appalachian Wardens and sparring with Nic, the frustrating (and annoyingly attractive) Director of Research and Cataloging. When one of Alexys's new Wardens goes missing after inquiring about a mysterious and highly dangerous monster, her chances of promotion disappear along with him. Determined to save her career--and to shield the Warden's family from the trauma she experienced after losing her father on the job--she marches off into the monster-infested wilderness to find him herself. Meanwhile, Nic, with ambitions of becoming the youngest Entity employee to discover a new monster, follows Alexys on her hunt. But the work nemeses are about to discover why the Appalachian Mountains are the last place you want to find yourself after dark. Among mountains older than bones, the jackalopes and ghouls are the least of their worries . . .Publisher: Penguin Random HousePublished: 08/04/2026Pages: 352Binding Type: PaperbackWeight: 0.04ozSize: 8.29h x 5.55w x 0.93dISBN: 9798892427753Review Citation(s): Publishers Weekly 06/15/2026About the AuthorHaving been raised on the edge of the Appalachian Mountains by a pair of bookworms, Grace Viall can usually be found in a randomly selected state park or forest gathering inspiration for her monster-filled fantasy projects. Grace is currently living in Maryland with her husband and two dogs and is an avid reader and book hoarder. She grew up with a family who loved to spin stories around campfires, and that love of storytelling has stayed with her as she pursues her career as an author. Grace's hope is to give a new life to old stories but with her own special twist.
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