When you love a book series, nothing could be more exciting than meeting the author in person, except for maybe getting an invitation to their 30th birthday party . As a way to connect with her most diehard fans, Alex Aster put out a call on her Substack, and many jumped at the chance to fly to New York City to join her at the HarperCollins office.

On Sept. 10, Aster — the New York Times bestselling author of the LIGHTLARK series and Summer in the City — celebrated her big 3-0 with 100 loyal readers. They talked books, sipped beverages, ate cake, and made friendship bracelets. But what they didn’t know? This wasn’t just a birthday bash, but also a top-secret book launch.

For the past year, Aster has been writing a new novel in total secrecy, and she says it’s been agonizing

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