In The Happiness Collector, a contemporary fantasy novel, a historian sent to Italy to catalogue the happiness brought by historical treasures discovers her employers aren’t exactly human…and anything she researches disappears soon after she leaves.
LitStackers! Line up for this one. In presale now, Mira | Harper Collins will release The Happiness Collector by Crystal King on Dec 2, 2025. Early word suggests an immersive and exciting novel. While details remain scarce, the publisher’s description and the cover art hint at a reading experience that will linger long after you turn the last page. Here’s the scoop and early praise on this next must-read. Dip into the book fund for this one!
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In This Spotlight On The Happiness Collector
About The Happiness Collector
After losing her book deal and her academic position, historian Aida Reale needs a new career, and fast. After all, she and her fiancé, Graham, have a wedding to pay for. So when a friend recommends her for an extremely high-paying position at a company called MODA, it’s almost too good to be true. Plus, she’ll get to live in Italy, in a gorgeous palazzo!
Aside from a snooty assistant, a daunting NDA and some very stringent rules about the use of personal technology, working for MODA is a dream come true—at least at first. But the more research Aida conducts for this elusive company, the more things feel off. Not only does her relationship with Graham suffer, but it seems like every site she visits either vanishes or is struck by tragedy soon after she’s been there.
It’s only after a mysterious woman approaches Aida and Luciano, her devastatingly handsome and equally concerned MODA colleague, that they learn the truth—they are just mortal pawns in a game between gods. Now Aida must find answers to the question she’s been avoiding: What’s really happening to all the happiness she’s been collecting…and can she stop the gods’ plans before it’s too late?
Praise for The Happiness Collector
“The Happiness Collector is pure fast-paced fun that asks insightful questions about art, history, and the true nature of happiness even as it entertains on every page.”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author
“A compelling and thought-provoking story expertly weaving history with a fresh, fantastical twist on the modern world and humanity’s relationship with happiness…. [The Happiness Collector is] An utter joy to read.”—A.S. Webb, Sunday Times bestselling author of Daughter of Chaos
“[The Happiness Collector] Wonderful characters, terrific details, compulsively readable and totally satisfying.”—Annie Hartnett, bestselling author of The Road to Tender Hearts
“The Happiness Collector marries together ancient history and modern problems in surprising and unique ways that will keep you turning pages.”—Angie Paxton, author of Seeds
“[The Happiness Collector is] Deeply original and thoroughly compelling, this fascinating novel reminds us that even in the darkest times, courage and community make a difference. King’s skillful interweaving of ancient myth and the modern world is truly inspired.”—G.R. Macallister, bestselling author of the Five Queendoms series
“The Happiness Collector brings mythology to the modern era in a fast-paced, delightful mystery. Full of pop culture references and art history allusions, King’s novel is a celebration of humanity’s creativity and resilience. Prepare to fall in love with Aida Reale, the next gen’s Robert Langdon, as she takes on the gods themselves!”—Lauren J. A. Bear, author of Mother of Rome
About Crystal King, Author of The Happiness Collector
Crystal King is the author of The Chef’s Secret and Feast of Sorrow, which was long-listed for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize and was a Must Read for the MassBook Awards. She is an author, culinary enthusiast, and marketing expert, and has taught at multiple universities including Harvard Extension and Boston University. She resides in Boston.
You can connect with Crystal King on her website, and on Facebook.
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Mira | HarperCollins
ISBN hardcover 9780778387275
Pub Date: Dec 2, 2025
Titles by Crystal King
Other LitStack Resources
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