Dialogue swoops for debut novel on queer friendship from Jeffs 

Dialogue Books has secured This Love, a “brave, feel-good" novel about queerness and chosen family from author and journalist Lotte Jeffs.  

Editorial director Maisie Lawrence acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Abigail Bergstrom at Bergstrom Studio. This Love is set to be published in 2023.  

Jeffs has spent her career in the British press, having previously worked as an editor for Elle and ES Magazine. She is a contributing editor for Grazia and co-host of the podcast "Some Families" which discusses modern families and LGBTQ+ parenting. Her author credits include How to be a Gentlewoman: The Art of Soft Power in Hard Times (Octopus), as well as the picture book My Magic Family (Puffin). Jeffs has won PPA Writer of the Year and the Great British Podcast Award.  

Her upcoming novel follows Mae and Ari who meet at university and quickly become inseparable. The synopsis continues: “Mae has known she was gay since a young age, is shy but waifishly attractive and never short of a date. American newcomer Ari brings Mae out of her shell; he’s flamboyant and his bright light draws in everyone he meets. They soon realise this friendship will become the most significant of their lives, but when Ari’s past drags him back towards darkness, they must find a way to stay true to themselves and the family they want to build.”  

“The world around me disappeared as I sped through Lotte’s gorgeous and accomplished story,” Lawrence commented. “I lived for Mae and Ari’s friendship and quest for queer family and remain truly astonished that This Love is Lotte’s debut. In this novel, Lotte gives voice and space to the beautiful reality of queer lives and chosen family. Lotte is already such a force for good.”  

Bergstrom said: “This is a platonic love story that’s beautiful and heartbreaking in the way true friendships are. It asks the all-important questions: what love is this? And what if the life you always imagined you’d have turns out to be one you never could have imagined? Lotte is a talented writer who brings discernment and humour to important topics.” 

Jeffs added: “I wanted to write a story about the passion of queer friendship that I have felt and how that platonic love evolves throughout a life. Exploring the fluidity of family through characters who I hope everyone will fall in love with, there isn’t a more perfect publisher than Dialogue for this book.”