HQ wins debut rom-com by Connor in four-way auction

HQ has acquired a “friends to lovers rom-com” by Erin Connor in a four-way auction. Titled Unromance, it is her debut novel and will publish in paperback original, e-book and audiobook in September 2024.

Katie Seaman, senior commissioning editor at HQ, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Hannah Schofield at the LBA Literary Agency. North American rights have been acquired by Junessa Viloria at Forever/Grand Central, and translation rights have also sold in Poland (Foksal) and Brazil (Rocco).

Unromance follows Sawyer Greene, described as a “jaded romance author” who has a chance encounter with the "heartbroken but handsome" Mason. The synopsis from the publisher continues: “She sees it for what it is – not a meet-cute but a charming man who she will sleep with exactly once. But after running into him again at a Christmas market, they realise they can help each other. Mason needs to stay out of the tabloids and Sawyer needs a remedy to her writer’s block so their agreement is simple: Sawyer will cure Mason of his hopeless romanticism by ruining romance for him, one rom-com trope at a time. Although, despite their best efforts, they might just be hurtling towards a happy ending…”

Connor said: “Unromance is my love letter to the romance genre and all its tropes – both big and small – that keep me coming back to this genre time and time again. I am beyond thrilled that my sunshine hero and grumpy, bisexual disaster heroine have found an enthusiastic champion in Katie, and I cannot wait to start working with her and the outstanding team at HQ.”

Seaman commented: “I’ve been looking for a friends-to-lovers rom-com and I’ve found the perfect match in Unromance, which reads like Emily Henry meets Netflix’s ’The Holidate’. With characters who have seriously sizzling chemistry and a celebration of rom-com tropes, Erin’s brilliant debut has all the ingredients that fans of Ali Hazelwood and Elena Armas will love.”

Schofield added: “I’m not sure I’ve ever fallen for a couple as quickly – and as hard – as I did for Sawyer and Mason. Erin’s delicious (and steamy!) tribute to all my favourite rom-com tropes is a true delight, and Katie’s ambition for Erin’s UK career is so exciting – it’s a match made in heaven!”