Laura Palmer and Jessie Sullivan, co-founders of Pellerin Books, have acquired world rights in all languages in five novels in the ‘Escape to Haven Bay’ series by bestselling author Poppy Alexander, from Kevan Lyon at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, for publication in paperback, audio and eBook from January 2027.

The series launches on 5 January 2027 with The New Year Swim at Haven Bay, a gloriously uplifting, multigenerational tale of family, love and new resolutions set in the fictional Sussex coastal town of Havenbury Magna. When seventy-five-year old Margot, her daughter-in-law Jill, and her granddaughter Lily meet for their traditional New Year’s Day swim, they make a pact: before the year is out, each of them must do four things – something that scares them, something they’ve always dreamed of, something the others decide they need, and something for the one they love. By the time the next New Year’s Day dawns over Haven Bay, three lives will be transformed – because sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is jump in with both feet. 

Four further novels in the series will be released over the course of 2027: The Little Pub at Haven Bay, The Lost Vineyard at Haven Bay, The Village Secret at Haven Bay and The Writer’s Retreat at Haven Bay. All five books share the same idyllic Sussex setting but feature different characters and storylines, and can be read in any order.

Poppy Alexander is the author of six novels, currently published by Orion and HarperCollins  in the UK, and Avon (HarperCollins) in the US, with worldwide sales of more than 200,000 copies. Her books have been translated into multiple languages, her debut, 25 Days ‘Til Christmas, was optioned for TV and her second novel The Littlest Library, was an ebook bestseller. 

Laura and Jessie said: “Like Cathy Bramley or Veronica Henry, Poppy Alexander writes the kind of uplifting and immersive fiction that brings readers back to her world again and again. The New Year Swim at Haven Bay is such a warm and hopeful story, about the promises we make to the people we love. It’s the perfect read to start the new year – and we are so thrilled to be welcoming Poppy to the Pellerin list.”

Poppy Alexander said: “As soon as Pellerin launched I was intrigued by its offer. Laura, Jessie and their team have some serious publishing chops between them, and I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”