Aria takes two from Kate Galley, starting with The Second Chance Holiday Club

We’re delighted to announce Aria has acquired two books from Kate Galley, starting with her heart-warming debut The Second Chance Holiday Club. The novel follows the unexpected adventures of 76-year-old Evelyn Pringle, whose world is turned upside down when her husband dies, and among his belongings she finds a revelatory letter addressed to another woman on the Isle of Wight, which she decides to deliver – by hand.

The deal for World English Language rights was brokered between Editorial Director Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks and Robbie Guillory of the Underline Literary Agency. Head of Zeus will publish in December 2022.

Rachel said: ​​‘I fell in love with prickly Evelyn Pringle from page one of this brilliant book. She’s spent her whole life unknowingly living in the shadow of her husband. She thinks his untimely death will be the beginning of the end for her - but through her sheer tenacity and stubbornness, and with the help of some wonderful characters she meets on her journey, she comes to realise that her life is only just beginning. Kate Galley has written the ultimate coming of ‘old’ age story, and I can’t wait to introduce readers to Evelyn later this year.

Kate said: ‘It was very important to me to have the voice of the older generation in my novel. I’m continually fascinated by the stories they tell me and the diverse and interesting lives they live.

I am absolutely delighted that The Second Chance Holiday Club has found its home with Aria, and also to be working with the wonderful Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks. Her vision for the novel couldn’t be more aligned with my own.’

Kate Galley is a debut author who writes uplifting fiction full of heart and humour. She lives with her family in Buckinghamshire and works as a mobile hairdresser in the surrounding Chiltern villages. The Second Chance Holiday Club was inspired by one client’s incredible Christmas coach trip.