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Review: DROP DEAD HANDSOME by Matthew Hubbard

Sep 022026
 

School Library Journal: Parker feels hemmed in by his conservative Tennessee hometown, where his bisexuality and unapologetic ­LGBTQIA+ activism garner derision from his peers. When he discovers that there is no rule against males competing in the Miss Spirit beauty pageant, he enters to get material for his college admissions essay. Realizing that Parker’s in over his head, student council president and pageant liaison Dean comes to the rescue. Nerdy, cute Dean promises to coach Parker if Parker helps him with a fundraiser for a local LGBTQIA+ charity. Danger stalks the pageant as Parker receives anonymous threats and escalating attempts at sabotage. The boys team up to uncover the culprit while their romance blossoms. The interactions between Dean and Parker are sweet and sincere, and the payoff of their first kiss is well-earned. ­Despite his reputation as an attention seeker, Parker’s bluster is a facade, and he struggles to gain the confidence to express himself authentically. He receives support from others, including his sister Marley and a handful of his fellow pageant contestants. The dialogue becomes repetitive at times, and some characters come across as two-dimensional. The mystery element is entertaining, however, the perpetrator may be obvious to seasoned readers. References to the film Miss Congeniality tie the narrative together. Principal characters read white; pageant contestants are from ethnically diverse backgrounds. VERDICT A sweet story of queer love in the South, with elements of mystery and plenty of pageant shenanigans.

August Subsidiary Deals

Aug 312026
 

a pair of black ear budsAudio rights to Ada Palmer’s AND LOKI IN HIS PRISON and AND ODIN IN HIS TREE, the Norse duology, to Brian Sweany at Recorded Books, in a two-book deal, by Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

August Translation Deals

Aug 312026
 

Bulgarian rights to Aggie Blum Thompson’s YOU DESERVE TO KNOW, to Enthusiast, by  Tamara Vukićević  at Prava i Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Catalan rights to New York Times bestselling author Martha Wells’ EXIT STRATEGY and NETWORK EFFECT, books 4 and 5 in the New York Times bestselling Murderbot Diaries series, to Rayo Verde, by Elena Rodríguez at International Editors & Yáñez Co’ S.L. in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Chinese (simplified) rights to Nebula and Locus Award winning author Thomas Ha’s UNCERTAIN SONS AND OTHER STORIES, to Sichuan Science Fiction World (SFW), by Alyssa Wu at Grayhawk Agency for Michael Curry.

Czech rights to Miranda Lyn’s HIDE THE WITCHES, to Swan, by Nada Popovic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Georgian rights to New York Times bestselling author Martha Wells’ ALLSYSTEMS RED and ARTIFICIAL CONDITION, the first two books in The Murderbot Diaries, to Medusa Books, by Nada Popovic at Prava i prevodi in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Polish rights to Aggie Blum Thompson’s YOU DESERVE TO KNOW, to KDW, by Tamara Vukićević at Prava i Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Polish rights to Gretchen Powell Fox’s Shattered Crown series, to Poznańskie, in a three-book deal, by Nada Popovic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Polish rights to Melissa K. Roehrich’s Legacy series, to Niezwykle, in a four-book deal, by Nada Popović at Prava i Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Romanian rights to Aggie Blum Thompson’s YOU DESERVE TO KNOW, to Blue Dot Books, by Nada Popović at Prava i Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Spanish rights to New York Times bestselling author Martha Wells’ NETWORK EFFECT and FUGITIVE TELEMETRY, the fifth and sixth books in the New York Times bestselling Murderbot Diaries series, to Hidra, by Elena Rodríguez at International Editors & Yáñez Co’ S.L. in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

TEMPEST OF WRATH AND VENGEANCE by Melissa K. Roehrich

Aug 252026
 

A Fated Purpose
Tessalyn Ausra has taken her revenge, and it’s never tasted so sweet. Feared by the rulers of Devram, she’s under the protection of the Achaz Kingdom where she can fulfill her purpose. But with power she can’t control and the bond still in place, she finds temptation and chaos around every corner. Correcting the balance promises the ultimate freedom, but the dark still calls, even if destiny beckons. She’s finally found her purpose in this world. Will it lead to salvation or destruction?

A Broken Destiny
Theon St. Orcas has been planning for this moment his entire life. Finally the Arius Lord, he’s more alone than ever. Axel is missing, Luka is in another kingdom, and he’s left with two broody strangers from another realm and no Source. Once again, he’s racing against time to figure out a history that’s been manipulated. Pulled in all directions, sacrifices are demanded. How can he protect his people when the biggest threat is the one he’d sacrifice anything for?

A Tempting Betrayal
Sent to a foreign kingdom, Luka Mors finds himself the outsider he’s always dreaded being. Needing to stay at Tessa’s side, he’s in the center of a dangerous game, but more than that, he’s forced to stay in the presence of a temptation he’s been denying for years. He’s always prided himself on his loyalty, but what does he do when that loyalty starts to waver?

SPLINTERED KINGDOM by Gretchen Powell Fox

Aug 112026
 

Elyria Lightbreaker may have survived the Arcane Crucible, but the scars of the deadly trials remain. Haunted by betrayal, Elyria must master the darkness within her and reclaim the Crown of Concord before the human and fae realms are plunged back into war. Yet every step forward brings her closer to Cedric Thorne, the human knight who poses an entirely new danger to her heart.

Cedric sacrificed everything to claim victory for humankind, only to be burdened with powers he cannot control—and bound to Elyria, the fae warrior he cannot forget. But as tensions rise and his kingdom splinters, the truth of his past may just be the hardest thing to face.

Secrets divide. Loyalties fracture. And desire, reckless and consuming, threatens to shatter the fragile alliance between Arcanis and Havensreach.

In a land where shadows whisper and enemies lurk in plain sight, Elyria and Cedric must decide whether their connection is salvation…or the spark that will set their world ablaze.

DEAD GIRLS TELL NO TALES by Carissa Ann Lynch 

Aug 012026
 

In a forgotten corner of small-town Indiana, Adrianna McMahon serves up nuts and fudge at the mall while hiding from her dark past. When her seventeen-year-old coworker, Rebel James, drops off a bloodstained notebook full of stories about missing girls, Adrianna recognizes a haunting pattern—one leading straight to New Day High School, where her own nightmare began decades ago.

Then Rebel disappears and the bodies of dead girls start appearing.

Each murder mirrors one of Rebel’s stories with terrifying precision. But they also hint at Adrianna’s own past and a secret she hasn’t told a soul. But how could Rebel, or anyone, have known? It’s not long before the police are asking questions . . . and Adrianna doesn’t have the right answers.

As body count rises, Adrianna must decide: Is Rebel crying out for help, or luring her into a twisted game? The truth might cost Adrianna everything—including her life.

July Translation Deals

Jul 312026
 

Arabic rights to Aggie Blum Thompson’s YOU DESERVE TO KNOW, to Falak  (Saudi Arabia), by Iklele Montaser at Bears Factor Literary Agency, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

French rights to Nebula Award winner Premee Mohamed’s THE SIEGE OF BURNING GRASS, to L’Atalante, by Sarah Dray at Anna Jarota Agency in association with Michael Curry.

German rights to Elle Madison and Robin D. Mahle’s The Frostbound Court series, to Von Morgen, in a three-book deal, by Sarah Knofius at Thomas Schlueck Agency, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Turkish renewal rights to New York Times bestselling author Tamsyn Muir’s GIDEON THE NINTH, the first book in the Locked Tomb series, to Ithaki, by Ayşenur Tural at AnatoliaLit Agency in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Film/TV Deal: YOU DESERVE TO KNOW by Aggie Blum Thompson

Jul 082026
 

YOU DESERVE TO KNOW by Aggie Blum Thompson has been picked up by Hulu! Nina Dobrev & Paul Wesley from Vampire Diaries are set to star in the adaptation. Alex Cooper, known for Call Your Daddy podcast, will produce and appear in the show as well – in the first and last episode as the interviewer. From Alex Cooper‘s Unwell and Aaron Kaplan‘s Kapital Entertainment.

Written by Grand Hotel developer Brian Tanen based on the 2025 novel by Aggie Blum Thompson, You Deserve to Know follows three suburban couples — next-door neighbors and best friends. When one of their husbands is murdered, a shocking trail of secrets is revealed, and their friendship cracks wide open.

Thompson, whose books also include I Don’t Forgive You, Such a Lovely Family and All the Dirty Secrets, is repped by WME and Katie Shea Boutillier of Donald Maass Literary Agency.

THE ASSASSIN’S WAY hits #1 on Sunday Times!

Jul 032026
 

Excited to announce that JM Kearl’s THE ASSASSIN’S WAY hit #1 on the Sunday Times!

 

Never go out at night. Lock the doors. Ignore the screams.

Those are the rules Aesira lives by to survive the monsters that stalk her village. But everything changes when it’s revealed she’s been born with the power to fight the vampires she’s spent her life fearing.

Aesira is thrust into the elite and secretive League of Assassins, where mercy is weakness and fear is forbidden. Now her survival depends on her ruthless trainer, Vander – the most dangerous assassin of them all. And the only thing more lethal than his blade is the desire he awakens in her.

Because the greatest threat in Nighthaven might not be the monsters lurking in the dark…

It might be him.

SONGBIRD OF THE GALLOWS by Alta Hensley

Jun 302026
 

Murder is their love language…

Five years ago, Saylor Mitchell’s father was brutally murdered in front of her, shattering her world. Now his killers have tracked her down to finish the job. She is unexpectedly saved by her father’s closest friend, the enigmatic Blue. Saylor’s savior—and captor— is a reformed, murder-sober assassin struggling to escape the clutches of his own violent history.

Blue’s gothic mansion, perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking a stormy sea in the town of Grimlock, is a labyrinth of secrets. And so is Grimlock, a small town whose residents all seem to have a penchant for murder that they’ve managed—mostly— to overcome.

Saylor soon realizes that Blue holds the key to avenging her father’s murder at the hands of the Crow, a gang of amoral contract killers. Only problem? Saylor has never killed before. Good thing those who can’t kill…teach.

Blue finds Saylor an apt pupil and the attraction between them morphs into a dangerous obsession. Can their love conquer Blue’s final, darkest secret?

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