Pan Macmillan nets Hannah Bicknell’s debut tennis romance

Pan Macmillan has acquired debut author Hannah Bicknell’s tennis romance, Her Advantage, for paperback original publication in July. Assistant editor Emily Sumner acquired world all-language rights directly from the author.

Pitched as Wimbledon meets The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (William Morrow), the novel introduces Leo James, "who knows everything about George Hampden": “She knows his stats, his cold on-court precision, and the fact that she’s been secretly in love with him for years. Then she meets him. George is aloof, arrogant and currently the biggest headache for Leo’s luxury concierge firm. Now, she has to manage the man she once adored; he’s trying to win Wimbledon while she tries to keep her heart off the scoreboard.”

Sumner said: “Hannah’s debut novel hooked me from the first read, she has so wonderfully carved out the characteristics of Leo and George, and it is so exciting to be able to delve into the world of sports romances with such an inherently romantic sport. Her Advantage is the epitome of the forced-proximity trope, and I am sure fans of the genre will absolutely fall in love with it. I’m thrilled to be publishing Hannah’s wonderful first book.’’

Bicknell, who has drawn on her experience in the high-end world of concierge work in the novel, said: “Bringing the worlds of Leo and George to life, while sharing my passion for tennis, has been an absolute dream. I’m incredibly excited to share their story with readers.”