PHNOM PENH: Cambodian author APSARA L.L. has marked a significant milestone for Cambodian literature as her debut novel, Almost Love: A Past-Life Destiny, receives growing international attention and recognition from readers and publishing professionals around the world.
APSARA L.L. is the pen name of Ly Leakhena, a Cambodian entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and creative design, which inspired her to create this extraordinary work.
The work is written in English in the form of a contemporary romantic novel with vivid images (Illustrated Novel), combining romance, travel, multiculturalism, and spiritual growth. The book also reflects on relationships, love, choosing a life partner, and understanding human emotions in a way that can connect deeply with readers around the world.
Almost Love: A Past-Life Destiny recently received a prestigious “4-Star Professional Editorial Review” from Reedsy Discovery, a leading UK-based international platform for authors and publishing professionals. Achieving this rating is considered a remarkable milestone, as only approximately 20% of books reviewed on the platform attain this distinction.
In addition, the novel advanced as a Quarter-Finalist in the international First Page Cage competition hosted by Pulp Literature in Canada, placing among the top 15% of standout submissions from writers worldwide.
Furthermore, the novel has been featured on Reedsy Discovery’s recommended lists for “Best Fiction Books,” “Best Romance Books,” and “Best Contemporary Romance Books.”
Currently, the book has reached readers across 15 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, and many others.
“For me, this recognition is not just for a book, but it shows that Cambodian stories can connect with international readers while still maintaining our roots, culture, and national identity. I want my foreign readers to see Cambodia beyond its past and history. Cambodia is a country with a rich culture and stories worth sharing with the world.”
“I have traveled to nearly 20 countries, and whenever people asked where I was from, I proudly answered, ‘Cambodia.’ Yet so often, the response was, ‘Where is Cambodia?’
That question became a turning point for me. It made me feel like I should do something for my homeland by writing a story that shows Cambodia to the world through literature, art, emotion, and culture.”
For APSARA L.L., Almost Love: A Past-Life Destiny represents: “A literary legacy that the author wishes to leave behind for her homeland.”
To ensure the protection of intellectual property, the novel is officially copyrighted in the United States. In Cambodia, the book is officially deposited at the National Library of Cambodia, which is part of the national literary record. In addition, the novel has been registered and recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, as part of its support for Cambodian literary and artistic works.
To uphold the quality of the work reaches international standards, APSARA L.L. Collaborated with editors from various countries, including:
- Susan Fletcher Haythorpe (UK), author of Lost Generation: The Story of Cambodian Rock and Roll
- Jodie Nott (Australia)
- Susan Lloyd (UK)
- Charya Sam (Khmer-French)
The artistic images in the novel “Almost Love: A Past-Life Destiny” are not only decorative, but also part of the narrative and creating emotions for the reader. The use of Khmer design styles, harmoniously combined with Western design forms (Western Design), is the author’s intention to reflect the art, culture, as well as the atmosphere and feelings unique to each region of the country in the story, to create a literary form that can connect closely with international readers. The author believes that literature and art can go hand in hand to create a wonderful reading experience that includes emotions, imagination, and cultural identity.
Through this novel, the author hopes to share the beauty of Cambodia through its culture, food, tourism, lifestyle, and the warmth and humanity of the Cambodian people, while also portraying the country’s modern society today. The story further reflects an open-minded spirit that embraces and learns from the diverse cultures of other countries woven throughout the narrative.
For APSARA L.L., Cambodia holds countless stories, creativity, and vibrancy that deserve to be understood by the world beyond the pages of its past history.
“Almost Love: A Past-Life Destiny” is a contemporary romantic novel that is accompanied by a series of more than 50 creative art pictures (Illustrated Novel) that help create an atmosphere and feeling of storytelling that is more vivid and deep. The story spans eight countries, including Cambodia, Japan, Taiwan, Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Bali (Indonesia), and the United States.
This work is not only a love story, but also a reflection on fate, time, emotional growth, and the choices each person makes in life.
“Two people may meet because of their destiny, but it is their choices that define true love.”
Currently, “Almost Love: A Past-Life Destiny” is available in four formats, including Hardcover Edition, Paperback Edition, Color Paperback Edition, and E-Book Edition, to provide a wide range of options for readers at home and abroad.
The book is available on Amazon and other major international book platforms, including Google Books, Books-A-Million (BAM!), Foyles London, bol.com, and Coupang, as well as direct distribution in Cambodia.
Written by APSARA L.L. (Ly Leakhena)
