Somebody I Used to Love by Eve Ainsworth acquired by Canelo

We are thrilled that Canelo editorial director Emily Bedford has acquired World English language rights to new standalone romances by Eve Ainsworth.

Twisty, devastating, yet hopeful, Somebody I Used to Love asks how far would you go if you had a second chance?

When Will wakes up after a car accident, all he wants is his girlfriend and childhood sweetheart, Gem, beside him. Instead, he finds things are not as he remembers – he’s lost three years of memory, and Gem has a new life now. Having done everything she could to protect her heart after Will broke it so crushingly, Gem’s fragile closure is crumbling in the face of Will’s determination to win her back. But unlocking the secrets of his past will reveal shocking truths, and both will be forced to confront how much they are willing to forgive.

Eve Ainsworth is an award-winning author, public speaker, and creative workshop coordinator who draws from her extensive work with teenagers managing emotional and behavioural issues to write authentic, honest and real novels for young people and adults. Eve’s adult debut, Duckling, was published by Penguin in 2022. She has had short stories published in magazines such as Writers’ Forum and Prima and articles posted online for The Guardian, Metro and BookTrust. Eve is also a champion for working class voices, has set up the Working Class Writers Network and is an experienced mentor.

Emily Bedford says: ‘Utterly compelling with – at times – painfully real characters, I was completely gripped by Eve’s writing from the first chapter of Somebody I Used to Love. She had me on tenterhooks around Gem and Will’s will-they-won’t-they-should-they relationship, frantically turning the pages as family secrets, antagonists and fate pushed and pulled the two together and apart. I cannot wait to work with Eve on publishing this fantastic novel and to see readers as enthralled by her storytelling as I was.’

Eve Ainsworth says: ‘I am delighted to be joining Canelo and can’t wait to start working with Emily Bedford and the team. I am thrilled that they have so much enthusiasm for my writing and their ideas and passion is really inspiring. I had so much fun writing Somebody I Used to Love and I’m looking forward to introducing readers to Will and Gem and their complex and twisty journey of love versus memory.’

Elizabeth Counsell says: ‘Somebody I Used to Love is a book to make your heart beat faster, brimming with twists, turns and a once-in-a-lifetime love. We’re delighted that it’s found its perfect home with Emily at Canelo, and can’t wait for readers to meet Will and Gem.’

Somebody I Used to Love will be published in June 2024, with a second standalone to follow in 2025.