V.L. Bovalino Books In Order

Publication Order of The Hand and the Heart Books

V. L. Bovalino

V. L. Bovalino is actually a pen name for Tori Bovalino, an American writer who creates young adult horror. Readers might know her from the novel My Throat an Open Grave, or from her work editing an indie bestselling anthology called The Gathering Dark. She sticks to horror but with a paranormal twist, and her stories never feel like they are trying too hard. The tone stays upbeat and casual, even when things get spooky.

One of her real gifts is the way she builds characters that feel like real people you might know. Her protagonists come with doubts, small brave moments, and the kind of messy feelings that make you care about what happens next. She does not need long, flowery descriptions to pull this off. Instead, she keeps things straightforward, and that clarity makes her heroes and heroines easy to root for.

What really makes Bovalino’s work entertaining is how she shapes a whole story from start to finish. Her narratives have a natural push and pull, with unexpected turns that do not feel forced or made up. Nothing drags, and nothing gets too dramatic or sweet. She just gives you a clean, compelling ride, and that is why readers keep coming back for more.

Bovalino entertains readers across the globe by staying honest to her own tastes as a writer. She likes dark, eerie ideas with a paranormal edge, and she does not chase trends or try to copy what is popular. That sense of personal truth comes through on every page, and readers in different countries seem to feel it. They know they are getting a story that matters to her, not something made just to fit a mold.

Looking ahead, V. L. Bovalino shows no signs of slowing down. She has more stories planned, and her fans can expect the same honest, character driven horror she is known for. Nothing is made up or guessed here. She simply keeps writing, and the future will bring more of her true, entertaining work.

Early and Personal Life

As a child growing up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, V. L. Bovalino found herself drawn to books and the quiet thrill of a good scare. She spent a lot of time reading, and that early love for stories slowly turned into a love for writing her own. Like many popular authors, she simply followed what interested her most, which was often the dark and the mysterious.

She eventually went on to earn a PhD in English, which shows how much she cared about digging deeper into books and language. That academic background helped her grow as a writer, even as she kept things practical and never too fancy. She still spends some time in academia today, dabbling here and there, but her heart clearly stayed with telling her own tales.

Now living in the United Kingdom with her partner, she finds inspiration in everyday places: scary stories, odd facts from old academic books, and the comfort of oversized sweaters that are not very practical but make her happy. These small, true pleasures feed her writing in a way that feels natural and not forced. She keeps growing one story at a time, and that steady, upbeat path is what any popular writer would recognize as their own.

Writing Career

V. L. Bovalino begun her writing career with the Hand and the Heart series. The first book, The Second Death of Locke, was released in 2025. The second book, The Thief and the Traitor Bride, followed in 2026.

That series made up her initial body of work. Her career remains active, and there is clearly more to come from her in the future.

The Second Death of Locke

Tori Bovalino, writing under the name V. L. Bovalino, published The Second Death of Locke on September 23, 2025. The book was released by Orbit and serves as the first installment in the Hand and the Heart series.

Grey Flynn has spent her whole life serving her mage, a man named Kier. She acts as his fighter, his caretaker, and his source of raw magical energy. The powerful magic inside her belongs to him, and she would give him anything if he only asked. When a mission to guard an enemy kingdom’s child pulls them into a dangerous war, Grey and Kier must face what they will lose to keep their secret, because Grey is actually the heir to the lost island of Locke, and if she dies, all magic ends.

Fantasy fans will find this story hard to put down once started. The bond between Grey and Kier gives the plot real emotional weight. The secret about Grey’s true identity adds a surprising layer to every scene. Anyone looking for a solid fantasy read would likely enjoy this book very much.

The Thief and the Traitor Bride

Tori Bovalino, also known as V. L. Bovalino, published The Thief and the Traitor Bride on September 29, 2026. The book came out through Orbit UK and stands as the second title in the Hand and the Heart series.

Nore Gordon has many useful skills. She speaks multiple languages, blends into any crowd with a disguise, and runs a successful wine business. But that whole life is a cover for her real job as a trusted spy for the Lindle crown. Sent to find a powerful relic in enemy territory, she must hire a great thief, which turns out to be her estranged husband Caspian. They both carry old wounds from their broken marriage, but to survive the mission, they have to act like a happy couple. As danger grows, Nore finds herself caught in lies and starts to wonder if she still hates Caspian, though trusting him again feels far riskier than any deception.

Readers will find the spy setup and the strained marriage hook quite entertaining. The push and pull between Nore and Caspian gives the story real energy on every page. The fact that they must pretend to be happy while on a dangerous mission adds a lot of fun tension. Anyone who likes clever characters and old grudges would likely enjoy this book a great deal.