Headline’s Mountain Leopard Press scoops Cassie Powney’s 23 Ivy Lane
Headline’s Mountain Leopard Press has acquired 23 Ivy Lane, an "epic love story that spans decades and continents, connected by postcards sent back to the house where the couple met at university".
Editorial director Beth Wickington bought world all-language rights to actress and beauty journalist Cassie Powney’s debut from Florence Rees at AM Heath. Headline sold German rights in a pre-empt ahead of Frankfurt Book Fair to Bastei Lübbe and Dutch rights to HarperCollins Holland. US rights have sold to Melanie Fried at Putnam. The UK and US editions will publish in February 2027.
The synopsis says: "When Ava and Will meet at university, sparks do not fly. But as her best friend’s boyfriend, they end up living under the same roof at 23 Ivy Lane. Their landlady explains the tradition that has always existed in the house – if you’re away from home, no matter where in the world, you always send a postcard back, sharing your adventures. As the student pinboard fills up, and graduation and real life approaches, both Ava and Will dread leaving the house that has become home.
"So, when their landlady falls ill, they put aside their differences and buy it together – promising to keep the tradition alive as housemates. Over the years that follow, life takes Ava and Will to unexpected places, careers and partners. Postcards always arrive at 23 Ivy Lane – some hopeful and joyful, others tragic and regretful. With each rattle of the letter box, they begin to wonder if home really is where the heart is..."
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Powney said: "Writing this decade-spanning, will-they-won’t-they love story has proved such wonderful escapism for me, and I’m over the moon that others are now falling for 23 Ivy Lane. It’s about imperfect love and how a postcard tradition keeps two people tethered through the messy ups and downs of life, until they’re finally forced to confront what keeps pulling them back to the same doorway.
"I’m overwhelmed by the team that has gathered to champion me and my book, including Beth Wickington at Mountain Leopard Press/ Headline in the UK and Melanie Fried at Penguin Random House in the US. Truly, it’s what dreams are made of."
Wickington added: "I have fallen head-over-heels for Ava, Will and the special house that brings them together – again and again – at 23 Ivy Lane. This is a classic, timeless love story that will tug at the heartstrings of anyone who cheered and rooted for Emma and Dex in One Day (Sceptre) and Tiffy and Leon in The Flatshare (Quercus). Cassie beautifully captures the nostalgic feeling of endless possibility in your student years and the joys and trials of your 20s and 30s – all set against the backdrop of big-hearted Brighton."
