Piatkus bags Jost's 'high concept' debut

Piatkus has landed the debut by Swiss novelist Sarah Jost, One Last Chance, billed as “a sweeping high-concept love story". 

Commissioning editor Hannah Wann at the Little, Brown imprint acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Olivia Maidment at the Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency. French rights have also been bought in a “lightning fast pre-empt" by Bragelonne. The novel will be published in e-book in August 2022 and in paperback in March 2023. 

One Last Chance follows protagonist Lou who, upon learning of her ex-boyfriend’s engagement, finds herself travelling back in time to a night two years ago which could have changed everything. As Lou finds herself stuck in a loop, living out different versions of her life, she must decide which path is the right one for her. Set dually in the UK and Jost’s native Switzerland, the novel explores how fear and anxiety can keep us rewriting our own lives, told through the eyes of a quirky, bilingual narrator.

Wann said: “I am so thrilled to be publishing One Last Chance, which is not just a moving love story but an uplifting novel about belonging, regret and what it means to be happy. I know readers will be swept up in the emotional, life-affirming journey Lou goes on and fall in love with the stunning cast of characters Sarah has created.” 

Jost commented: “I’m over the moon that One Last Chance has found the perfect home at Piatkus. Hannah’s enthusiasm and ambition for my novel have blown me away. I can’t wait for readers to explore Louise's various chances and get to know the characters in her life, and I hope the story will spark discussions on the themes of mental health, connection and belonging - as well as otters and cheese. Those themes are all incredibly close to my heart and, I feel, relevant to so many of us right now as the pandemic spurred us to re-evaluate our own lives. I’m so privileged to be working with Hannah and Olivia, my wonderful agent, and I’m excited for the next steps.” 

Maidment said: “Sarah has an exceptional new voice that is smart, funny, and endlessly moving, and I am so excited that readers will get to discover it through One Last Chance. Hannah and the team at Piatkus are the perfect home for this very special book and its loveable protagonist who I’ve not been able to forget for even a moment since first opening the manuscript.”