Canelo falls for two 'joyful' queer romances from writing duo Lily Easton

Canelo has fallen for two "joyful" queer romance books from Lily Easton, the pen name for Madeline Palmieri and Katherine Murtha. 

Editorial director Emily Bedford acquired world English language rights from Kate Rizzo at Greene & Heaton in a two-book deal. Reality Check, the first book in the deal, will be published in May 2025 in paperback and e-book. The second book, an as yet untitled Sapphic romance, will follow in 2026. 

Reality Check stars boxer Declan King and ballet dancer Oliver Wright, both contestants on a reality dating show "Summer of Love". The two clash constantly in a rivals-to-friends to "something more" relationship where they must decide "what they are willing to give up to live in the public eye, even if it means each other".

Bedford said: "I am beyond delighted to be working with Lily – writing duo Katherine and Madeline – on Reality Check. For anyone who’s tired of the heteronormativity of reality dating shows, this romance is absolutely for you. Declan and Oliver are such fun leads, and Lily’s utterly brilliant, whip-smart dialogue kept me laughing and turning the pages throughout. This is such a joyful read, I can’t wait to see it out in the world." 

Easton added: "We are thrilled to be publishing with Canelo. Reality Check has been a passion project of ours, and we are excited to share Declan and Oliver’s story with the world. We’re grateful to Emily Bedford and the Canelo team for supporting a love story where the characters are free to explore and find joy in their sexualities."