Jon Rance writes novels about love, family, relationships, and all the messy bits in between. His novels have been described as hilarious, romantic, and perfect for fans of Mike Gayle and Beth O’Leary.
His first two books, This Thirtysomething Life and Happy Endings were published by Hodder and Stoughton. Since then he has written numerous novels including Sunday Dinners, Dan And Nat Got Married, and The Worst Man. Jon signed a two-book deal with Hera Books and his first novel with them, One Hundred Moments Of Us, will be published in August 2024. His second book with Hera will be out in Spring 2025.
Jon grew up in England and studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before travelling the world and meeting his American wife in Australia. He now lives in California with his wife, two kids, and a dog called Pickle, where he writes full-time and drinks far too much tea.
Today Jon is going to discuss his upcoming novel, One Hundred Moments Of Us, published by Hera Books on August 22nd.
Jon, this is your fourteenth novel, tell us about One Hundred Moments Of Us.
Set over twenty years, One Hundred Moments Of Us is the story of Charlie and Ash. It is their relationship told through a hundred moments. When they meet at sixth form college in 1999, Charlie is shy, doesn't think he stands a chance with the popular and beautiful Ashley Oliver, but gradually over the next few years, and a few chance meetings later, they start a relationship. It is set mostly in and around London and follows their relationship from the highs of the beginning, when they're both trying to settle in London, start careers, both in their twenties, through to the difficult parts of a relationship and into their late thirties, when life and love are both far more complicated.
The idea for the novel was that when we look back on a relationship over a period of time, we see it in moments. You don't remember every single day but just the bits that stuck in your mind, whether big or small, significant or trivial. This is the best and worst of those moments and it asks the question: Can love, even really great passionate love, survive the every day?
Where did the inspiration for the novel come from?
Probably like every writer of the last fifteen years, I was inspired in part by One Day by David Nicholls. When I set out to write this novel, I loved the idea of seeing a relationship set over a long period of time like One Day. I hadn't done it before, and so that was my starting point. Originally the book was called, The Library Of Us, and was more about memories than moments, but after some edits and changes, it soon became One Hundred Moments Of Us, which I think is a unique way to tell a love story.
The main thing for me when I set about writing this book was that I wanted to take the two characters on a real journey. I created two opposite people who just happened to fall in love. Charlie isn't sure what career he wants, is anxious about life, about love, and is so unsure of himself. Ash is more confident, driven, and career-minded, and knows exactly who she is. I wanted to explore that relationship dynamic and then, of course, twist it as time went on because people change and relationships alter. It's the beauty of setting a book over twenty years, you can have the characters and their relationship change so much. Then it's all about how they deal with that changing dynamic and what it does to them.
Why should readers rush out and buy One Hundred Moments Of Us?
This is my fourteenth novel and definitely my best. It's everything I want in a love story. It's funny, sad, uplifting, hopeful, and yet full of everyday observations that we can all relate to. It's a big love story on a small scale. If you enjoyed One Day, you will fall in love with Charlie and Ash. I think it would also make a brilliant TV show!
Last question. What's next?
I just handed over the latest version of my next novel with Hera. I signed a two-book deal with them and One Hundred Moments Of Us is my first. The second will be out in May 2025, and it's a romantic comedy with a twist! I obviously can't say what the twist is yet, but I think it's a really great book. I love working with the editors at Hera because they make each book so much better! All I will say is that it's a lot different from One Hundred Moments Of Us, and isn't set over twenty years. It is, however, full of comedy and pathos - the hallmark of my novels.
You can pre-order One Hundred Moments Of Us now and it will be published in the UK on August 22nd!
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