One More Chapter scoops Austen re-telling from Qureshi

One More Chapter has scooped If I Loved You Less, a "fun and fast-paced re-telling", of Jane Austen’s Emma from Aamna Qureshi.

Publisher Charlotte Ledger acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Emily Keyes at the Keys Agency. The book will be published in summer 2024.

“I have always believed Aamna is a star, ready to break out, and I am incredibly grateful that Charlotte and OMC believe it too," said Keyes.

Qureshi’s re-telling follows Humaira Mirza, a young Muslim-American woman living in Long Island. The publisher continued: "Having had some success matchmaking for her sister and aunt, she’s now ready to find love for herself. Humaira is determined that it will be the attractive Rizwan, who seems perfect for her on paper. So why can’t she ignore the scolding voice of Fawad who she’s known forever?"

Qureshi has also penned the YA fantasy novel The Lady or the Lion (CamCat) and When A Brown Girl Flees (Lee & Low), publishing in September 2023. If I Loved You Less is her adult debut novel.

Qureshi commented: "Everyone deserves to have stories written for them that they can relate to. There are two billion Muslims in the world and millions of those are avid readers, yet there are hardly any books being published to cater to their needs. Muslims deserve to see themselves in happy, fun, romantic books."

Ledger added: “I’m an Austen superfan but I’m just going to put it out there and say that Aamna has created a heroine superior to even Emma Woodhouse. Humaira is immensely loveable despite making some terrible decisions like her inspiration, and her kindness and wit shine from the pages of this gorgeous rom-com."