Pan Mac bags Berne's 'Bridgerton meets Groundhog Day' romcom

Pan Macmillan has picked up a Regency-set romantic comedy by Lisa Berne, billed as “'Bridgerton' meets 'Groundhog Day'”.

Publishing director Gillian Green acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to The Redemption of Philip Thane from Carolyn Bodkin, director of foreign rights at HarperCollins USA. Pan Macmillan will publish the novel in original paperback in January 2022 along with an early e-book.

Berne has been tipped as “one of the most exciting historical fiction writers in a long time” by Bridgerton author Julia Quinn.

The synopsis explains: “The Redemption of Philip Thane is about a gentlemen and a scoundrel who finds himself destined to re-live the same day over and over until he gets it right—including winning the affections of Miss Margaret Allen, who has every reason to despise him…”

Green said: “I’m a huge fan of Regency rom-coms and, as the original publisher of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series at Piatkus, it was a delight to discover the gloriously escapist novels of Lisa Berne. This is a riproaring romp of a romantic comedy in Regency garb and it is sure to delight fans of Austen, Heyer and Bridgerton alike.”

Berne added: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Pan Macmillan family, working with the legendary Gillian Green, and connecting with a whole new community of readers. The Redemption of Philip Thane is a book very close to my heart, it’s brimming with laughter as it explores the ever-fascinating question of how a rake can really and truly be redeemed.”