Ashley moves from Avon to Century with four-book deal 

Phillipa Ashley, author of uplifting romantic fiction, has moved from Avon to Century with a new four-book deal. 

Editorial director Katie Loughnane acquired world English rights from Broo Doherty at DHH Literary Agency. The first novel, Second Chance Summer, will be published in June 2024.

It tells the story of Lily Harper, who is spending the summer at a remote retreat on the breath-taking Scilly Isles but is itching to get back to civilisation – and her business. Slowing down simply isn’t in Lily’s vocabulary, and so she quickly clashes with the gorgeous but dour Sam who runs the retreat.

Just as Lily is about to give up and leave, she is involved in a spectacular boating accident. Rumours abound and her obituary is released online. But there are two problems: one, Lily doesn’t like the person she’s reading about; and two, Lily is very much alive and well. Faced with her own mortality, Lily is no longer sure she wants to return to the life she thought she loved. But will she have the courage to give the retreat, and Sam, a second chance?

Ashley said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be embarking on this new stage of my career with Katie and the Century team. Their vibrant and exciting new plans for my work blew me away. I can’t wait to share Second Chance Summer with my wonderfully loyal readers and many new ones.”

Loughnane commented: “I love nothing more than curling up with a Phillipa Ashley novel and knowing that my next escape is just a page away. Phillipa writes warm, uplifting, feel-good stories that have captured the hearts of millions of readers to date, and we have ambitious plans to connect her with many, many more. We feel incredibly lucky that Phillipa has chosen Century as her publisher and I am looking forward to what this new chapter will bring as she enters the next phase of growth in her career.”

Doherty added: “I am thrilled that Century are going to be publishing Phillipa in the future. From the first moment we met the team we were both bowled over by their enthusiasm and ideas for taking Phillipa to the next level and I know with their professionalism and drive she will become a household name. The next few years are going to be incredibly exciting.”