Williams moves to Century with high-concept rom-com 

Laura Jane Williams, author of five novels including Our Stop and The Love Square, has moved from HarperCollins imprint Avon to Penguin Random House’s Century with two new novels. 

Century acquired world all-language rights to two novels, including a “high-concept rom-com” entitled Lovestruck, from Ella Kahn at Diamond Kahn & Woods. Lovestruck will be published in paperback, e-book and audio in summer 2023. 

The synopsis reads: “Becca Calloway is a woman who is so ready for Mr Right that she goes as far as to hold a manifestation ceremony for him on the Summer Solstice. 

“When she receives a text from her ex-boyfriend five minutes later, she’s sure it’s a sign, but she doesn’t know which way it’s pointing. Should Becca reply and reignite things with her old flame? Or delete and block, moving forward with the new man in her life? Becca has one choice, with two ways this could go—and in this fun, fresh, ’Sliding Doors’-esque story, we get to see both scenarios unfold…”

Williams is the author of five novels, a novella and three non-fiction books. The rights to Our Stop have been sold for television with an adaptation in development, and her work has been translated into more than 12 languages. 

She said of her move: “The characters of Lovestruck walked into my head fully formed, based solely off a ’What if…?’ thought I had when blow-drying my hair. (I set it in a hair salon in honour of that!) Once I had the hook, I set myself the challenge of writing my most fun romance yet, and Century’s reputation as the finest purveyors of commercial fiction made perfect sense as the place to launch it from.

“Century has already blown me away with their exemplary author care and incredible vision, and I’m so excited to keep working with this talented team to get Lovestruck into as many readers’ hands as possible.”

Loughnane said: “Laura writes joyful love stories that I fall head-over-heels for every time. Her novels always promise swoonworthy modern romance, effortless wit and an authentic cast of characters, and I am so excited she has moved to Century with her new book. Lovestruck is undoubtedly Laura’s biggest and best yet—not to mention so much fun to read—and I can’t wait to publish it next summer. We feel privileged that Laura has chosen to begin the next chapter of her career with Century and Lovestruck is the perfect book to kick off the ambitious growth plans we have in place for her, both in the UK and internationally.”

Kahn added: "Century’s enthusiasm, imagination and expertise have been impressive from the start, making it clear they would be the perfect publishers to launch Laura in an exciting new direction with her writing. Lovestruck is a clever, authentic and, most importantly, joyful read, and I’ve no doubt it will be the must-read (and most fun!) book of summer 2023.”