HQ scoops two novels from début author Greenlaw

HQ has scooped two novels from début author Rachel Greenlaw.  

Melanie Hayes, editor, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Maddalena Cavaciuti at David Higham Associates. Ariana Sinclair at William Morrow bought North American rights from Allison Hunter at Trellis Literary. The first book, One Christmas Morning, will publish in the UK in e-book and audio in August 2023, with the paperback to follow in October. 

One Christmas Morning is described as A Christmas Carol meets “Groundhog Day” and follows the story of Eva, who’s thrown herself into work the past couple of years, unaware of the impact it’s had on her relationship with her husband James. Then, one Christmas, they’re invited to spend the holidays with friends, and suddenly Eva’s waking up on Christmas morning in the body of a different guest. As she’s forced to keep reliving Christmas Day from the perspectives of those closest to her, she realises just how far off track her life has fallen. But can Eva break the cycle and save her future with James before it’s too late? 

Greenlaw said: “One Christmas Morning arrived like a lightning bolt and I wrote the first frenzied draft in just three weeks. Since then, it has been polished and refined, ready to invite readers to Penhallow, a granite manor house in the midst of the snowswept moorland of north Cornwall, where magic glints at the edges. Working with Maddalena Cavaciuti, Melanie Hayes, and the wider teams at DHA and HQ has been a total delight. I’m thrilled to be working with such an incredible dream team to bring my début novel to the UK.” 

Hayes said: “One Christmas Morning is a beautifully transformative and festive tale of love, self-discovery and second chances. From the moment I met Eva, it was love at first sight. Rachel takes us on a spellbindingly emotional journey with her writing and by the end I didn’t want to let go. I can’t wait to share Eva’s story with readers next year.” 

Cavaciuti also commented: “One Christmas Morning has such an exciting concept at its heart, beautifully executed by Rachel’s imaginative, poignant and skilful storytelling. I am delighted that HQ will be publishing this unforgettable Christmas story next year and look forward to having more readers discover the magic of Penhallow.”