Hera set to publish a compelling, emotional diverse romance by debut US author, Rachel Runya Katz

Publishing Director, Keshini Naidoo, has acquired UK/Comm rights to a standalone contemporary romance novel by Rachel Runya Katz from Louise Lamont at LBA Books on behalf of Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management.

Thank You for Sharing tells the story of Daniel Rosenberg and Liyah Cohen-Jackson who reconnect when work throws them together in Chicago, years after their teenage romance ended in heartbreak.

Hera will publish in ebook and paperback original in September 2023, in a simultaneous publication with St. Martin’s Press.

Rachel Runya Katz is a contemporary romance writer living in in Seattle with her partner, cat, and far too many houseplants. She has a PhD in biomedical engineering, which is minimally helpful for this endeavour. Her books centre queer Jews of Colour and their layered lives of joy, sadness, and love.

Keshini Naidoo: ‘Thank You for Sharing captured me from the very first page. The move from enemies-to-friends-to-lovers that blooms between Daniel and Liyah had me shedding tears – both happy and sad! – and very early on in my reading, I was determined that Hera would be the publisher to bring this incredible book to a UK readership.

Watching these characters navigate a world of work, the difficulty of making real connections in an often-isolating city landscape, processing past trauma and opening their hearts to the possibility of love, makes for a read that is satisfying, captivating, sexy and deeply emotional. Daniel and Liyah, biracial Jews who find their way back to each other years after their teenage fling, have taken up residence in my heart and I could not be more excited to have UK readers fall for them as hard as I have.’

Katz says: ‘I am so excited to be working with Keshini and the rest of the wonderful team at Hera. Thank You for Sharing is grounded in its Chicago setting, but it explores themes that I believe to be universal, like the second coming-of-age that happens as we settle into adulthood. I can’t wait for UK readers to escape into and connect with this story. Daniel and Liyah could not have found a better home across the pond.’

Louise Lamont says: ‘Keshini’s response to Rachel’s gorgeous writing was so immediate and impassioned, I wasn’t sure if she was going to make an offer or abandon herself to writing some scorching Daniel/Liyah fanfic. I’m so glad it was the former (though I wouldn’t say no to the latter either). This heart-soothing novel of first loves and second chances is perfect for fans of Bolu Babalola and Mhairi McFarlane.’

Thank You For Sharing will be published in September 2023, in ebook and paperback original. For more information please contact kate@canelo.co