Hot Key Books, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, is thrilled to announce the acquisition of The Book of Heartbreak, a gorgeously written romantasy by exciting debut author and popular BookTok and Bookstagram creator Ova Ceren, @excusemyreading.
Ruth Bennett, editorial director and Ella Whiddett, commissioning editor at Hot Key Books, acquired World translation rights (excluding US) from Elizabeth Counsell at Northbank Talent Management. US rights have been acquired by Jess Verdi at Alcove Press.
Inspired by Ova Ceren’s own Turkish heritage, The Book of Heartbreak will break your heart and mend it again.
The novel follows Sare Silverbirch who must find a way to overcome the curse that means heartbreak will kill her, a mission that leads her to Istanbul, where she is confronted with the dark history of her family. Suddenly finding herself exposed to the hidden realm of angels, which exists alongside her own to govern the fates of mortals, Sare will need to unravel the secrets of the past before the curse claims her forever.
Ova Ceren said: “The Book of Heartbreak was once just a dream – inspired by how we’re programmed to survive even the worst of heartbreaks. I am deeply grateful to my editors, Ruth and Ella, and my agent, Elizabeth, for believing in me and this story. I can’t wait for it to meet its readers, and to bring them hope and hugs.”
Ruth Bennett, editorial director and Ella Whiddett, commissioning editor at Hot Key Books, said: “Stepping into the world of The Book of Heartbreak – with its angels and demons, its broken hearts and life-changing love – is a salve for the soul and a perfect escape, as the very best books can be. We completely fell for the charming and original fantasy world Ova has created! Fans of her brilliant @excusemyreading channels will already know of her deep passion for reading and her love of fantasy, and she has combined those with a skillful voice and sense of place in this accomplished debut.”
Ova Ceren is the creator behind the highly popular BookTok and Instagram channels @excusemyreading, where she shares her love for books, cosy views of her garden library and adventures from her daily life. Half woman, half book, she was born and bred in Izmir, Turkey and now lives in Cambridge, UK. Ova never forgets a heartbreak. She writes to put the pieces back together and wishes her magical stories would give people hope. The Book of Heartbreak is her debut novel.
The Book of Heartbreak will publish in paperback, eBook and audio in August 2025.
