Congratulations to Jenny Colgan, Romantic Novelist of the Year

Romantic comedy Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams is the overall winner of the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year 2013

Jenny's winning book, set in Derbyshire and inspired by her love of James Herriot books and the sweetshops of her childhood, initially won the romantic comedy category of the RNA's Romantic Novel Awards.

Pia Fenton, RNA chairman, said: 'The standard was so high this year that every finalist can be justly proud of her book. Unfortunately there can only be one winner and our warmest congratulations go to Jenny Colgan, who produced a real page-turner of a novel, combining romance, comedy and nostalgia.  She thoroughly deserves her win.'

The other contenders for the Novel of the Year award were debut novelist Mhairi McFarlane with You Had Me at Hello; epic category winner Rowan Coleman with Dearest Rose; historical category winner Charlotte Bett with The Apothecary's Daughter, and young adult category winner Victoria Lamb with Witchstruck.

Jenny was presented with her prize at the RNA's annual summer party, when the Joan Hessayon Award, given for the best new writing, was also presented. The winner is Liesel Schwartz for A Conspiracy of Alchemists.

For all the latest publishing news, subscribe to Writing Magazine or download our app

Register and sign up for our newsletter for late-breaking news, more competitions and exclusive content