Titan Books falls for Lili Wilkinson's grumpy-sunshine cosy fantasy

Titan Books has signed Lili Wilkinson’s Lavender and Hemlock, a "cosy, atmospheric" YA fantasy novel.

Fiction editor Katie Dent acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Australia and New Zealand and audio, from Katelyn Detweiler and Sam Farkas at Jill Grinberg Literary Management. Titan Books will publish simultaneously with Delacorte Press in the US in autumn 2026.

Lavender and Hemlock tells the story of housemaid Tansy whose life tending a seaside cottage is turned upside down when a wounded knight arrives leaving her questioning how she got there and the nature of her home. It has been described by the publisher as a "darkly whimiscal magical world" featuring the grumpy-sunshine romance trope.

Editor Dent called it a "gorgeous tale of romance, strange magic and captivating plot twists".

Wilkinson added: “Lavender and Hemlock has all my favourite fantasy ingredients – magical doors, cranky old ladies, witchy botanicals, swoony romance and messing with the whole idea of good-versus-evil. I’m thrilled to be working with the wonderful Titan team again to bring it to UK readers."

Detweiler said: “Lili has worked her wonderful, witchy magic again with Lavender and Hemlock, and we couldn’t be more delighted to be partnering with the brilliant team at Titan.”