Viking scoops Amy Lea's TikTok hit in three-book deal

Viking has scooped three books from Canadian author Amy Lea including a “compulsive enemies-to-lovers romance” which proved a TikTok hit.

Lydia Fried, editorial assistant, and Harriet Bourton, publisher, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to Set on You from Lea’s US publisher, Berkley US. It will publish on 12th May 2022.  

On TikTok, #SetOnYou has 1.2 million views and #AmyLea has 2.2 million views while the novel has already garnered more than 100 five-star ratings on Goodreads. 

Lea’s debut follows Crystal Chen, a plus-size "fitfluencer" whose resolution to leave relationships behind is tested by an infuriating, grumpy Chris Evans lookalike with very poor gym etiquette.  

The publisher said: “It does for plus size women in fitness what The Love Hypothesis (Sphere) did for women in STEM and its central couple has as much fiery chemistry and depth as The Hating Game (Piatkus), both bestselling TikTok sensations.” 

Lea said: “Growing up, I seldom saw myself represented in books or film, so, of course, my main character is curvy and half-Asian. And, since this is a romantic comedy set in the gym, I also hoped to transcend the stereotype of your typical fitness influencer. Lastly, I wanted readers to come away from this story knowing that they too, deserve a happily ever after, regardless of what they look like. Everyone deserves to be a main character in their own story.” 

Fried added: “This is a compulsive enemies-to-lovers romance that also deals with body neutrality and influencer culture with the lightest and most compassionate of touches. We are overjoyed to publish it and ambitious to make it the next bestselling sensation stealing modern romcom readers’ hearts.”