Norwegian rights to SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA pre-empted by Aschehoug!

We’re thrilled to share that Norwegian rights to Michaela von Kügelgen’s Villa Hilda trilogy have been pre-empted by Aschehoug! The deal was closed by Martti Berner at Elina Ahlbäck Literary Agency.

This acquisition marks the fifth pre-publication deal. It follows a four-way auction for Dutch rights, which concluded with Singel Publishers securing publication rights for both the Netherlands and Belgium. Rights previously sold at auction in Estonia to Hea Lugu, and three book pre-empts in both Denmark and Germany by Lindhardt & Ringhof and Aufbau Verlage.

Here’s what the acquiring team had to say:

“An utterly wonderful novel, just the kind of escapistic read you want to dive into on a warm sunny day – reading in the hammock without a care in the world. I loved spending time at Villa Hilda: the atmosphere, the surroundings – the people and the secrets the house is hiding. This book has everything you want in a feelgood: Great characters, a romantic plot, great scenery and just the right amount of mysteries and complications along the way. And of course: a satisfying ending. Both Louise and Thomas are described as characters one can relate to, and I can easily see both of them and their romantic story being played out in a movie or TV-series as well. “
– Anne Margrethe Hummelsgård Aandahl, Acquiring Editor, Aschehoug

“Days after finishing the last page of this irresistible novel (which I wish had lasted me longer), I can still smell the cinnamon and flowers and feel the spray of seawater on my skin. And I feel more than a little sad that I cannot plan an actual visit to Villa Hilda this summer. Still, I would be immensely proud to take part in bringing this magical place to many, many Norwegian readers. As for myself, I am eagerly awaiting the next volume. Will Louise and Thomas work as a creative team, or is there trouble on the horizon? And is there love in store for handsome Martin? And a book within a book, I mean, what’s not to love?”
– Annette Orre, Editor-in-Chief, Aschehoug

The first book, Summer at Villa Hilda, publishes in Sweden and Finland on June 10th. This heartwarming, feel-good trilogy set on the idyllic Swedish island of Halsterö – where second chances, fresh starts, and cinnamon buns await.

Rights are still available in the UK, the US, Poland, Italy, France, Latvia, Ukraine, Greece…

Request materials for VILLA HILDA trilogy here!

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

Many people dream of a second chance in life, but how many dare to take it?

Far out in the Stockholm archipelago lies the island of Halsterö. Journalist Thomas and former celebrity chef Louise travel there to work at the Villa Hilda guesthouse. They are both broken after many setbacks and are hoping for a fresh start. But setting up a summer paradise is not as easy as one might think, not even on the idyllic Halsterö island.

One day Louise stumbles across a collection of old love letters. Who wrote them, and what stories does Villa Hilda hide in its dusty attic? And how will Thomas manage to take care of his dementia-stricken mother while setting up an archipelago guesthouse?

Summer at Villa Hilda is about how difficult it is to be human among other people, but also about how, with the help of others, one can find one’s way back to life.