Lena Hach
Sweet-Salty Popcorn
Everything like in a bad movie? Or worse, like in a romance novel
Becoming Phil’s fake girlfriend is really the last thing Ruby wants. Because she’s sick and tired of worn-out clichés. But before she knows it, she and Phil are in the middle of a love story fit for a film. And only Ruby can decide whether there will be a “happily ever after”.
Her new romance novel once again distinguishes Lena Hach as one of the best young adult writers. It sparkles with wit, irony, humour, lightness, depth with a lot of heart and emotion. And on top of that, it plays with over 20 popular tropes of this romance genre. A masterpiece that has you simply sit back, relax and enjoy.
HOW RUBY EXPLAINS THE WORLD OF LOVE
Tropes
Recurring patterns, motifs or themes that recur in stories, films or series.
They have a high recognition value – that is both a blessing and a curse at the same time.
Fake Dating
Two figures pretend to be a couple – and surprise! – in the meantime
actually fall in love with each other.
Naturally they would rather chop off all their limbs, than to confess exactly that.
Mixtvision
Young Adult Fiction
Original title: Popcorn süß-salzig
Age 12+
192 pp | € 16
hc | 142 x 215 mm
Publication: March 2024
Author: Lena Hach
All rights available
- Look inside
- Book trailer
- Strong protagonist, heart-warmingly (self-)ironic
- Romance that caricatures over 20 popular booktropes
- Film-ready entertainment from Lena Hach in top form
Awards
- Leselotse
- Ulla-Hahn-Jugendliteraturpreis, Longlist 2025
“Lena Hach creates a sophisticated and witty love story […]: Cliché and kitsch, fiction and reality are as predictable as they are skilfully intertwined.” – Sonja Kessen, radio 3
“The quick-witted heroine sparkles with irony, and the novel thrives on fast-paced, sometimes hilarious dialogue and slapstick moments.” –Andrea Lüthi, NZZ
“…great reading fun.” – Antje Kunstmann, BRIGITTE
“Lena Hach writes wonderfully original children’s and young adult novels, this one is a gem: an informed satire on a book trend that uses its patterns in a warm-hearted, self-reflective way – it’s a great pleasure to fall for them.” – Kathleen Hildebrand, Süddeutsche Zeitung
“This romance novel sparkles with esprit, irony, humour, lightness, depth with a lot of heart and emotion.” – Alexandra Dasch, Salzburger Nachrichten
“Lena Hach skilfully plays with the usual patterns of romantic comedy. The result is a special kind of young adult title.” – Heike Nieder, Eselsohr
“A turbulent, modern coming-of-age love story” – Heike Nickel-Berg, Der Evangelische Buchberater
“In less than 200 pages, Lena Hach has once again written a captivating novel – with that certain something that really sets some children’s books apart.” – NDR2
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