THE MEMORY OF US by Dani Atkins and FELICITY’S WAR by Jean Fullerton have been shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s 2025 Romantic Novel Awards – the former made The Romantic Thriller Award shortlist, while the latter was shortlisted for The Romantic Saga Award.

The RNA’s Romantic Novel of the Year Awards are presented annually, recognising and celebrating the very best in romantic fiction. This year’s winners will be announced during the RNA’s Romantic Novel of the Year Awards ceremony at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City on 19th May.

Seána Talbot, the RNA chair, says: ‘This year’s shortlist is a tremendous testament to romantic fiction’s diversity and strength. We are proud to celebrate these outstanding books and this exciting mix of new and established writers. They make a vital contribution to this popular, much-loved genre.’

Sharon Ibbotson, the RNA Awards Coordinator, says: ‘Our reader-judges have once again chosen wonderful love stories as this year’s favourites, and their authors deserve their praise. Congratulations to all our finalists and thanks once again to our reader-judges – these awards wouldn’t happen without them.’

In THE MEMORY OF US (Head of Zeus) an accident leaves Amelia with memories of a love story that never existed. Lexi and Nick recreate them in the hopes of triggering the truth – but soon they start to fall for one another…

FELICITY’S WAR (Corvus) follows the recently heartbroken Fliss in wartime London. On a journalistic assignment she crosses paths with Detective Inspector Timothy Wallace – a man who shares her passion for truth and justice, though not her political beliefs. Despite their differences, an instant spark ignites between them. Can their blossoming romance endure the perils ahead?

Dani is already a recipient of three RNA Romantic Novel Awards, with THIS LOVE winning the Goldsboro Romantic Book of the Year Award 2018 and the Epic Novel of the Year Award 2018, A SKY FULL OF STARS winning the Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2022 and SIX DAYS winning the Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award in 2023.

Dani’s most recent novel, ALWAYS YOU AND ME, was published by Amazon Publishing earlier this month, and Jean’s next novel, THE EAST END GIRLS, is the start of an exciting new series with Bookouture and will be published in June.

About Dani Atkins

Dani Atkins was born in London, and grew up in Cockfosters, Hertfordshire. She now lives in a 350-year-old cottage with her husband, one Siamese cat and a very soppy Border Collie.

Dani has been writing for fun all her life but, following the 2013 publication of her novel FRACTURED (Head of Zeus), she has made writing her full-time career. FRACTURED has since been published in sixteen languages and has sold more than half a million copies since first publication in the UK.

Praise for THE MEMORY OF US

‘A love story to get lost in – a beautifully written, gripping and moving novel about the lengths we will go to for the people who mean the most to us. Lexi and Nick's story felt timeless and unique all at once, and I was utterly captivated, from start to finish.’ – Holly Miller

‘Gripping, devastating and romantic – this book has it all. A tale of mystery, intrigue, despair and hope – but above all, of love.’ – Gillian Harvey

‘Wow. Atkins really understands her craft. This book has everything, heartache, passion and twists galore. She’s one of my favourite writers. Always delivers.’ – Jenny O’Brien

Follow Dani on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram

About Jean Fullerton

Jean was born and bred in the overcrowded streets surrounding London Docks where her family have lived since 1825. Being born within the sound of Bow Bells, she’s a true cockney who grew up in what was then the working-class dockland community in Wapping and Stepney, East London. All her published books are set in the streets and alleyways she roamed as a child.

Jean worked for 30 years as a community nurse in East London, starting as a staff nurse and finishing as a university lecturer in Health Studies at London South Bank University.

Praise for Jean Fullerton

‘The queen of East End sagas’ – Elaine Everest

‘Warmth, humour and characters readers care about are Fullerton’s hallmarks.’ – Peterborough Evening Telegraph

‘A brilliant author who is not afraid of the truth’ – Geoffrey Harfield, Historical Novels Society

Visit Jean’s website

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Dani Atkins has won the Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award at the 2023 Romantic Novel Awards for her compelling novel SIX DAYS. Dani was announced as winner at last night’s Romantic Novel Award ceremony at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City, with actor Peter Davison presenting.

Launched in 2015, the Romantic Novel Awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction, and the Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award is for stories featuring a substantial thriller, suspense, mystery or crime story, alongside or fully entwined with a romantic story. Dani is already a recipient of three Romantic Novel Awards, with THIS LOVE winning the Goldsboro Romantic Book of the Year Award 2018 and the Epic Novel of the Year Award 2018, and A SKY FULL OF STARS winning the Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2022.

SIX DAYS was published by Head of Zeus in the UK in hardback in April 2022 and in paperback in January 2023. It follows one love story between two people across six days.

In SIX DAYS, Gemma knows that she and Finn are destined to be together. They are soulmates. But then, on their wedding day, he never arrives at the church. Gemma is convinced Finn wouldn't abandon her like this, even though he has disappeared once before. But back then he had a reason. She feels sure something terrible has happened, but no one else is convinced. Even the police aren't concerned, telling Gemma most people who disappear usually turn up in a week... assuming they want to be found, that is.

For the next six days Gemma frantically searches for Finn, even though every shocking revelation is telling her to give up on him. Before long, even she begins to doubt her own memories of their love. How long can she hold on to her faith in Finn if everyone is telling her to let him go?

Dani is currently writing her next novel for Head of Zeus.

Praise for SIX DAYS

An Apple Books Favourite Read

‘A well-paced, good-natured and emotional novel.’ – Wendy Holden, The Daily Mail

‘A page-turner that packs a real emotional punch.’ – Zoe West, Women’s Weekly

‘Emotional and compelling.’ – Claire Frost, Fabulous Magazine

‘A tender and emotional tale, SIX DAYS will have readers frantically turning the pages to see if Gemma's faith in Finn is justified.’ – Sinead Crowley

‘Guaranteed to keep late night page-turners agog, Dani Atkins gives us a heroine who takes nothing lying down, not even being abandoned at the altar. I loved Gemma’s tenacity. Trusting the power of love is tougher than it looks, as this delicious romantic mystery proves.’ – Fiona Walker

‘This engaging and expressive relationship story examines love, trust, and resolve when a groom goes missing, leaving his bride at the altar. A gorgeous and thoughtful relationship tale with bite and intrigue as well as love and friendship. This novel takes you by the hand and expands through your thoughts as you live alongside Gemma when her fiancé fails to turn up at their wedding… Dani Atkins has the most thought-provoking pen, her words don’t just reach inside and touch my heart, they also shake emotions, hit thoughts, and leave the characters and story a part of me. I always look forward to her novels, she is such a consistent writer, though she certainly knows how to keep your feelings hovering on the edge of free-fall... This is most definitely a story about a love, it also successfully balances tension, particularly as it weaves its way towards the end. SIX DAYS is a page-turning, stimulating absolute beauty of a novel, that I can recommend heart and soul.’ – Liz Robinson, LoveReading

‘I couldn’t put it down… [a] truly captivating romantic read…It’s an emotional character-driven weepie that I absolutely adored.’ – Janet Gordon, Annabel & Grace

‘A heart-tugging romance with lovely characters.’ – The People’s Friend

About Dani Atkins
Dani Atkins was born in London, and grew up in Cockfosters, Hertfordshire. She now lives in a 350-year-old cottage with her husband, one Siamese cat and a very soppy Border Collie.

Follow Dani on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.