Hot Key Books falls for two ‘sparkling YA romantic comedies with depth’ by Hussain

Hot Key Books, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has signed two contemporary Young Adult novels from Anika Hussain.

Emma Matthewson, executive publisher, acquired world rights in a two-book deal from Alice Sutherland-Hawes at ASH Literary, with Hussain’s début – This Is How You Fall in Love – to be published in paperback, eBook and audio on 9th February 2023. The second title will be published in 2024.

The publisher describes This Is How You Fall in Love, as a “hilarious and heartfelt romcom” that centres on British-Bangladeshi characters Zara and Adnan, who are just friends until forced to fake date to cover up Adnan’s real relationship. But with fake dating comes fake hand-holding and fake kissing and real feelings... And when a new boy turns up in Zara’s life, things get more confusing than ever.

Hussain, who was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, and currently lives in Bath, said: “I’m beyond ecstatic to work with Hot Key Books on my forthcoming novels.

“It’s an absolute dream to publish with them, and Emma and Ella’s enthusiasm for my writing is completely unmatched. I can’t wait to share my début novel, This Is How You Fall in Love, with the world and shake things up with my take on the conventional romantic comedy along with Zara and Adnan as they try to navigate their families and friendships.”

Sutherland-Hawes added: “I’m so thrilled we’ve found such a fantastic home for Anika’s YA. Emma and Ella have been so enthusiastic from the start, and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Anika’s wonderful characters.”

Matthewson said she was smitten at the first sentence of Hussain’s début, which she describes as “a sparkling romantic comedy with depth.”

“Anika writes with authenticity and a lightness of touch, a winning combination. I am immensely proud to be publishing Anika on the Hot Key list and am thrilled we have a two-book deal. It has been a joy to see Ella [Whiddett] working with Anika on the edits and to see how the book has flourished from an already high level,” Matthewson said.