hold back the stars

'The new One Day' — Stylist magazine

scroll to find out more

katie khan

Katie Khan is a writer from London whose first novel, HOLD BACK THE STARS, is being published in twenty-four countries and translated into twenty-one languages across 2017. In the UK, the novel was published in hardback by Transworld (Penguin Random House) in January, and in May by Gallery (Simon & Schuster) in the USA and Canada. The UK paperback will be published on November 30th, and the US paperback on February 20th 2018.

More details regarding the translations, including foreign publishers, are on
the International Editions page.

A fan of love stories with epic settings both on the page and on screen, Katie spent 10 years working in online editorial and technology, including 4 years as Head of Digital at Paramount Pictures, before joining Warner Bros. in April 2017 to work on a major film production. Named in the 40 Under 40 working in European Cinema at CineEurope 2016, and The Drum's Top 50 most influential people in social media marketing in the UK, Katie was also selected as a Rising Star by The Media Eye.

Katie is represented by literary agent Juliet Mushens, and represented for film rights by
Howard Sanders at UTA.

THE BOOK

'The new One Day' — Stylist
'The most unique love story I've read in years' — Rowan Coleman
'Gravity meets The Versions of Us' — Red
'A bold new talent' — Matt Haig

HARDBACK | USA

Available now

Learn More

PAPERBACK | UK

Published on November 30th, 2017

Learn More

HARDBACK | UK

Available now

Learn More

HOLD BACK THE STARS

Ninety minutes.

A few years from now,
not too far in the future, two people meet.

It is a classic story of boy meets girl.
Except that it's not.

When we find them, Carys and Max have an hour and a half left.
After that, there's a chance they won't survive.

The clock is ticking.

Bittersweet and life-affirming, Hold Back the Stars is the love story of the year.

'An edge-of-your-seat tale' — Vogue
'An incredibly imaginative debut' — Sunday Mirror
'Prepare to shed tears' — Heat
'Original, surprising and romantic' — Woman & Home

OWN THE BOOK | US

OWN THE BOOK | UK

TRANSLATIONS

Hold Back the Stars is being translated into more than twenty languages around the world.

Head to the INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS page for details including foreign publishers,
international cover designs and publication dates.

GO TO INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS

BOOK TRAILER(S)

audioBOOK

Read by Games of Thrones actress Gemma Whelan.

Available on Audible and all good audio sites.

Listen to an extract below.

LISTEN TO AUDIOBOOK | UK

LISTEN TO AUDIOBOOK | USA

PRESS REVIEWS

“The new One Day”

— Stylist

“An edge-of-your-seat tale”

— British Vogue

“A tense survival story with an unexpected ending ★★★★”

— The Sun

“As thought provoking as it is wrenching, prepare to shed tears ★★★★”

— Heat

“Think Gravity meets The Versions of Us”

— Red

“Original, surprising and romantic”

— Woman & Home

“The ticking clock nature of the novel will have you tearing through it as quickly as you can, all the while getting caught up in the couple’s beautiful love story”

— Hello!

“An incredibly imaginative debut”

— Sunday Mirror

“Breaks your heart, then kicks it a few more times for good measure in the most beautiful way possible”

— The Pool

“Intriguing and moving, it’s a love story that’s out of this world ★★★★”

— Sunday Express

“This is a stirring, unique and beautifully crafted story on the complexities of first love that will stay with you long after reading. This is going to be huge”

— Image

“A space romance with a political edge”

— Irish Times

“A unique take on the usual dystopian fiction . . . a worthy read which will keep you up past bed time ★★★★ ”

— Sci-Fi Now

“Just the ticket if you’re looking to get lost in a breathless love story”

— Grazia

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

Nice things some brilliant authors have said about HOLD BACK THE STARS...

“Hold Back the Stars is a rare combination of thrilling action, deep emotional depth and intelligent ideas. The most unique love story I’ve read in years.”

— Rowan Coleman, bestselling author of THE MEMORY BOOK

“Dazzling . . . a truly stellar debut, full of wonder and heart. I’m sure it’s going to be a mega hit.”

— Emma Jane Unsworth, author of ANIMALS

“Terrific . . . a beautiful story.”

— Samantha Shannon, bestselling author of THE BONE SEASON

“Playfully serious, imaginatively assured, Hold Back the Stars packs real emotional punch.”

— Laline Paull, bestselling author of the Baileys Prize nominated THE BEES

“Gorgeous, brilliant, heartbreaking . . . A love story to remember.”

— Debbie Howells, bestselling author of THE BONES OF YOU

“What a shiny jewel of a read! Such heart, such brilliance, such exquisite observation. I envy those who are yet to discover this bold and captivating delight.”

— Caroline Smailes, author of THE DROWNING OF ARTHUR BRAXTON

“A high-stakes, high-concept love story from a bold new talent . . . All of the obvious ‘out of this world’ comments apply.”

— Matt Haig, bestselling author of THE HUMANS & REASONS TO STAY ALIVE

“Bittersweet and beautiful. An intricate and heart-breaking vision of the future.”

— Lauren James, YA author of THE NEXT TOGETHER

“Beautifully, frustratingly, heart-breaking.”

— Maggie Harcourt, YA author of UNCONVENTIONAL

“A beautiful, moving, truly original tale. I loved this book for taking me by surprise.”

— Renee Knight, bestselling author of DISCLAIMER

“A tense, crisp, edge-of-your-seat love story and a completely unexpected ending, I was gripped from the first line to the last. Hold Back The Stars is out of this world. I loved it.”

— Anna McPartlin, author of THE LAST DAYS OF RABBIT HAYES