Canelo swoons for two romances from Ainsworth

Canelo has landed two standalone romance novels, including Somebody I Used to Love, from Eve Ainsworth.

Editorial director Emily Bedford acquired world English language rights from Elizabeth Counsell at Northbank Talent Management. Somebody I Used to Love will be published in June 2024 as an e-book and in mass market paperback. The second novel will follow in 2025.

"Somebody I Used to Love is a book to make your heart beat faster, brimming with twists, turns and a once-in-a-lifetime love," said Counsell.

Somebody I Used to Love is a "twisty, devastating, yet hopeful" novel about second chances. It follows Will who wakes up after a car accident yearning for his childhood sweetheart, Gem, not having realised he has lost three years of memory.

The synopsis continues: "Having done everything she could to protect her heart after Will broke it so crushingly, Gem’s fragile closure is crumbling in the face of Will’s determination to win her back. But unlocking the secrets of his past will reveal shocking truths, and both will be forced to confront how much they are willing to forgive."

Bedford said: "Utterly compelling with – at times – painfully real characters, I was gripped by Eve’s writing from the first chapter of Somebody I Used to Love. She had me on tenterhooks around Gem and Will’s will-they-won’t-they-should-they relationship. I cannot wait to work with Eve on publishing this fantastic novel and to see readers as enthralled by her storytelling as I was."

Ainsworth added: "I am delighted to be joining Canelo and can’t wait to start working with Emily Bedford and the team. I am happy that they have so much enthusiasm for my writing and their ideas and passion is inspiring. I had so much fun writing Somebody I Used to Love and I’m looking forward to introducing readers to Will and Gem and their complex and twisty journey of love versus memory."