Juliet Izon
 

the encore

My first novel, The Encore, was published on March 3, 2026 by Union Square & Co., an imprint of Hachette. I would love your support if you’d like to buy a copy!

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What’s it about? Read a description below:

In 2003, at the prestigious Brookfield Conservatory in Boston, a chance encounter sparks an inimitable friendship between driven pianist and singer Anna Buckley and composer wunderkind Will Pendleton. As they strive toward careers as professional musicians, their bond deepens both from shared skill and the inexplicable sense that they’re kindred souls. But soon after graduation, one night forever alters the trajectory of their lives, destroying their relationship in the process.

Twenty years later in New York, sixteen-year-old piano virtuoso Lottie Thomas is grappling with the rigors of her elite prep school and the confounding disappearance of the woman who gave her up at birth. When Lottie suddenly discovers the startling truth of her identity, the revelation catalyzes a chain of events that not only reunites Lottie with her birth parents, but forces them together on a rock tour-bus for a careening cross-country journey. It is there, trapped in these tight confines, that the three must finally reconcile with irrevocable choices from their shared past.

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 praise for the encore

The Encore is a debut whose voice soars like a rock star from the first note and never lets go. Read this book now so you can be the person in your book club who gets to say you discovered Juliet Izon ‘first.’ Her writing will stop you in your tracks.”

— Ali Rosen, bestselling author of Unlikely Story and James Beard and Emmy nominated journalist


“A gorgeously layered exploration of artistic ambition and abiding love, as cutting in its portrayal of the glories and pitfalls of career obsession as it is romantic about love’s possibilities for redemption. I devoured Izon’s debut with reckless abandon. It’s a story to lose yourself in, devote yourself to, to dream about with stars in your eyes. I loved it!”

— Ashley Winstead, USA Today–bestselling author of The Future Saints

“With witty dialogue, a quickly unfolding plot, and a simmering will they/won’t they romance, The Encore offers readers a backstage pass to the rewards of chasing a long-held dream, the perils of fame, and the intertwining influences of art and destiny.”

— Sarah Landenwich, author of The Fire Concerto

"Part Daisy Jones and part Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Izon's stunning debut is a backstage pass to the music industry, the perils of stardom, and the complexities of sacrificing love and life in service of art. Propulsive, sweeping, and populated with characters as nuanced as the songs they write, The Encore deserves a standing ovation."

— Daria Lavelle, author of Aftertaste

The Encore is a big-hearted novel that depicts how love and loss, tragedy and joy, are not only necessary dualities in life, but also intrinsically connected. Izon writes with a playful exuberance; fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid will find a lot to love in this charming, utterly readable debut.”

— Gabriella Burnham, author of Wait

"Juliet Izon's debut is a layered exploration of ambition, sacrifice, family, and love, all set to one truly iconic soundtrack. But most of all, The Encore is a celebration of art—the pleasures and perils of making it, and the enduring power it has to heal us, even when we fear we're broken beyond repair. Read this book—I promise it will leave you feeling starry-eyed with arms stretched high, dancing at your favorite concert."

— Grant Ginder, author of So Old, So Young


press for the encore

“"I can't wait for readers to discover Anna, Will, and Lottie,” Izon tells PEOPLE of the characters, “and I hope they love their journey as much as I enjoyed writing it.’”

People, The Encore Stars an Indie Rocker Running from Her Demons After a ‘Chance Encounter’

“Juliet Izon's debut is perfect for music lovers who want a deeply researched read.”

Today, 5 Books to Read After 'Wait for Me,' According to Author Amy Jo Burns

“Grant Ginder calls The Encore ‘a celebration of art—the pleasures and perils of making it, and the enduring power it has to heal us, even when we fear we're broken beyond repair.’”

— Town & Country, The 48 Must Read Books of Spring 2026

“A beautifully written story about music, missed chances, and a reunion two decades in the making that pairs perfectly with a cozy night in.”

Esquire, 32 Best Gifts For Women in Their 40s

“Imbued with music at every turn, this coming-of-age tale reminiscent of Daisy Jones & the Six rings true in its sincerity and passionate exploration of creative ambition.”

Bustle, The 10 Best New Books Of March

“Prepare to fret, quaver and, maybe, breve a sigh of relief as debut author Juliet Izon brings us a highly strung tale of talent and tribulation in ‘The Encore.’”

Page Six, Most Anticipated New Books of 2026

“Juliet effortlessly draws you into the highs and lows of each chapter’s protagonist. I loved going on the ride with these beautiful characters.”

Daily Catch, Milan Author Debuts Novel of Music and Long-Buried Secrets

“It turned out pivoting, to a new medium with new characters, was what I needed to finally push my imagination wheel out of its rut …”

The Shit No One Tells You …, How Panic-Writing a Play Made My Novel Better

“If there is one lesson I’ve learned through partnering (see that word? partnering) with editors over the years on all types of stories it is this: they are on your side.”

Jane Friedman, Editing Like a Journalist Will Make Your Publishing Journey Easier

An author on how this local independent library space was the key to getting her first novel over the finish line.”

— Words and Money, On Finding Elusive Quiet at the New York Society Library

“I’ve learned as an adult that I need a lot of daily stimulation (hence why I live in New York City), so nothing excites me more than a vast, brand-new city to explore.”

Authors Answer, Q&A

A beautiful book that stretches across decades - and continents.”

On the Shelf, Juliet Izon On Getting The Band Back Together

Listen to my appearance on Turn the Page’s podcast!

Turn the Page, Juliet Izon on The Encore

“Deftly examining how ambition, creativity, and love intersect, this moving novel will appeal to fans of Talyor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones & the Six (2019) and Holly Brickley's Deep Cuts (2025).”

— Booklist, review

“Izon’s writing truly shines as she deftly weaves together the lives of three characters in a way that will have you sacrificing sleep just to read one more chapter.”

— Glamour, The Best Books for Book Clubs in 2026

“A riveting read about … about music, sacrifice, family, and love.”

Good Housekeeping, 50 Best Gifts for Men Who Have Everything

“The author signs copies of her debut novel, The Encore, at Barnes and Noble in New York City on March 3.” [PHOTO]

Entertainment Tonight, Celebs Give Back in 2026

“But now, over a decade removed from my tenure thrusting microphones in people’s faces on red carpets … I can see that my rather unorthodox training as a reporter and editor has been extraordinarily useful when writing my debut novel, The Encore.”

Literary Hub, How Being a Former Gossip Reporter Made Me a Better Writer

The Encore was featured as one of the best literary fiction novels to read this March!

Book Riot, 11 of the Best New Books of March

“Moving between generations and genres, The Encore explores how art shapes identity—and how the past insists on an encore.”

Chronogram, Six Hudson Valley Books to Read in March 2026

“My path, I now know, was a little unusual, in that I wrote my book, found an agent, and sold it to a publisher all within the span of a year.”

The Nerd Daily, Q&A: Juliet Izon, author of The Encore

“If you loved Daisy Jones & the Six, this story set in the music world, with plenty of family secrets and long-lost loves, is for you.”

— Shelf Awareness, Reading with …

“Izon’s freshman novel was an incredible read and I definitely encourage everyone to look out for any future encore performances in the form of a sophomore novel.”

The Gloss, review

“So, in a weird way, I think the first time I knew I wanted to be an author was when I started writing my book …”

Hasty Book List, Author Interview - Juliet Izon

“I can assuredly say that the reason why my writing has improved over the years is because I read widely within my genre and, without sacrificing my enjoyment of the books, I think critically about what makes them successful.”

— Craft with Kat, Stop Reading Bad Books

Watch my appearance on Bookwild’s podcast!

Bookwild, Fame, Family & the Cost of the Spotlight: Juliet Izon's The Encore