Aimee Agresti Books in Order

Where to Start with Aimee Agresti

Aimee Agresti's bibliography offers two distinct paths depending on your reading preferences. If you love young adult urban fantasy with high-stakes supernatural drama, romance, and mythology, you should start with her debut novel, Illuminate, the first book in the Gilded Wings trilogy. If you prefer contemporary commercial fiction filled with humor, warmth, and ensemble casts, start with Campaign Widows or The Summer Set.

The Gilded Wings Trilogy

Agresti's signature YA series is the Gilded Wings trilogy, a story that blends supernatural mystery with coming-of-age themes. Inspired by classic literature like Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray and Goethe's Faust, the series follows Haven Terra, a shy teenager who wins a prestigious internship at a luxurious Chicago hotel, only to discover that the staff are actually angels and demons locked in a battle for human souls.

The series is a linear narrative and must be read in order:

1. Illuminate (2012) – Haven Terra begins her internship at the posh Dome hotel in Chicago, where she discovers a dark, soul-stealing conspiracy.
2. Infatuate (2013) – The story shifts to the atmospheric streets of New Orleans, where Haven struggles to navigate her new role, new threats, and romance.
3. Initiate (2018) – The trilogy concludes in Paris as Haven and her friends face a final, high-stakes demon uprising.

The 5-Year Publication Gap

Readers often wonder about the five-year gap between the second book, Infatuate (2013), and the finale, Initiate (2018). While the first two books were published traditionally by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the final book was released independently via Shallow Brook Press. Although the shift in publishing format delayed the release, the story reaches a complete, fully planned conclusion in Initiate, so readers can dive in knowing the story does not end on an unresolved cliffhanger.

Aimee Agresti's Standalone Novels

After finishing her fantasy trilogy, Agresti transitioned to writing contemporary, character-driven adult fiction. These books are completely standalone and can be read in any order:

Campaign Widows (2018)

Drawing on her background as a journalist and her life in the Washington, D.C. area, this novel follows a diverse group of D.C. residents who form an unlikely bond when their significant others are swept away on the presidential campaign trail. It is a witty, heartwarming look at politics, friendship, and personal reinvention.

The Summer Set (2020)

Set in the Berkshires, this romantic comedy takes place in the world of summer stock theater. It follows a former Hollywood actress who returns to the stage where her career first began, seeking a second chance at her craft and a reunion with an old flame. It is perfect for fans of theater, second-chance romance, and vibrant summer settings.

What Happens in Moonlight... (2024)

This whimsical contemporary novel takes place against the backdrop of a highly anticipated solar eclipse. It follows Seraphine Lambent, a divorced app developer who owns a legendary, reputedly haunted Airbnb. When a colorful group of guests arrives to watch the eclipse, their personal dramas entwine under the shadow of shifting skies, resulting in a transformative and slightly fantastical weekend.

Anthologies, Non-Fiction, and Essays

In addition to her novels, Agresti has written non-fiction and contributed to various collaborative books:

• Inside Hollywood (2008) – A coffee table book compiled during her tenure as a writer for Us Weekly, offering an insider look at celebrity culture.
• A Galaxy Not So Far Away: Writers and Artists on Twenty-Five Years of Star Wars (2002) – An anthology edited by Glenn Kenny to which Agresti contributed an essay and compiled a "Star Wars Miscellany" section.
• Moms Don't Have Time to Have Kids: A Timeless Anthology (2021) – Edited by Zibby Owens, this collection includes a personal essay by Agresti about the overwhelming stress of writing her very first novel.

Complete Chronological Publication Order

If you want to read all of Aimee Agresti's works in the exact order they were released, follow this chronological list:

1. A Galaxy Not So Far Away: Writers and Artists on Twenty-Five Years of Star Wars (2002) – Anthology contributor
2. Inside Hollywood: The Story of Us Weekly (2008) – Non-fiction
3. Illuminate (2012) – Gilded Wings Book 1
4. Infatuate (2013) – Gilded Wings Book 2
5. Campaign Widows (2018) – Standalone Novel
6. Initiate (2018) – Gilded Wings Book 3
7. The Summer Set (2020) – Standalone Novel
8. Moms Don't Have Time to Have Kids (2021) – Anthology contributor
9. What Happens in Moonlight... (2024) – Standalone Novel