Author Eric Geron To Publish New Novel Next Year: ‘My Aim Is To Empower the Reader’ (Exclusive)

‘Leo Martino Steals Back His Heart’ will hit shelves next January

Eric Geron, author of the novel A Tale of Two Princes, is back with another book.

PEOPLE can exclusively reveal that bestselling author Eric Geron is publishing a new novel. Leo Martino Steals Back His Heart, is forthcoming early next year from HarperCollins.

The new novel follows Leo Anthony Martino, who has had some bad luck when it comes to love. Over the years, he’s been ghosted by his crushes and declares himself “unlovable” by the time his senior years comes around.

When Lincoln Chan steps into his life, however, Leo prepares a plan to change everything about himself  — in order to become the “perfect boyfriend” — before he gives up on love forever.

“As a follow-up to A Tale of Two Princes, my upcoming young adult novel follows hopeless romantic Leo Martino, who sets out to find his first-ever boyfriend while navigating the humorous and oftentimes heartbreaking struggles of finding love as a gay teen,” Geron tells PEOPLE of the new book.

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“I wrote the story that I needed to read as a teen,” the author continues. “My aim is to empower the reader to embrace and lead with their authentic self. I believe that the relationship with yourself can be one of the most fulfilling relationships. In falling in love with yourself, you open the door for others to see, love and accept you exactly as you are.”

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In addition to A Tale of Two Princes, Geron is also the author of The Hocus Pocus Spell Book, Poultrygeist and Bye Bye, Binary, as well as the novelization of Disney Channel Original Movie Descendants under the name Rico Green.

With Leo Martino Steals Back His Heart, the author aims to place the power in readers’ hands.

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“I hope Leo’s story inspires you to treasure the value in yourself and keep an open heart on the journey of writing your own great love story,” Geron says.

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Leo Martino Steals Back His Heart will be published on Jan. 14, 2025 and is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold.

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