Sphere acquires two new escapist summer romances by Mangan

Sphere has acquired The Italian Holiday and another escapist romance novel by Catherine Mangan.

World English-language rights were acquired by Ruth Jones, editor, from Elizabeth Counsell, fiction agent at Northbank Talent Management. Sphere will publish The Italian Holiday in the UK in May 2024.

The Italian Holiday follows Katie, a floundering junior travel writer, who receives the chance of her career when her boss is unable to go on her trip to the idyllic but little-known Italian island of Ponza, and she must take her place.

She now must write the article herself, in a week involving sun, sand, gorgeous seafood and a very intriguing chef called Matteo. But when her friend Farrah is involved in an accident and can’t leave Ponza for a month, Katie is forced to choose whether to return to her old life, her job, her relationship or make a risky new start on the island.

Jones said: “Catherine’s writing is so transportive and fizzes with romance, and I’m very happy to bring two new irresistible sun-soaked treats to her readers.”

Mangan said: “The joy of writing The Italian Holiday is surpassed only by the pleasure of working with my editor Ruth Jones, whose enthusiasm, support and passion for what she does, makes this job the stuff of dreams.”

Counsell added: “The Italian Holiday is the perfect way to escape for the summer – Catherine transports us to a world full of sizzling sun, delicious food and witty women. We’re delighted that she is continuing her relationship with the team at Sphere.”