Rebecca Heyman

I’d like the next…

In all adult romance genres, I am looking for compelling external conflicts that meet and balance the intensity and thoughtfulness of romantic conflicts.

 Adult historical romance: I find the balance of internal and external conflict is particularly well-executed in the Heart of Inquiry series by Grace Callaway, the Ravenels series by Lisa Kleypas, and the Penhallow Dynasty series by Lisa Berne, as well as anything and everything by Alexandra Vasti, Tessa Dare, Julie Anne Long and Elisa Braden. I love everything India Holton has every written, so if you’re sitting on the next Wisteria Society for Lady Scoundrels—i.e., speculative historical romance—send it to me. In LGBTQ historical romance, I am desperate to find the next KJ Charles Doomsday Books or Will Darling Adventures, or Cat Sebastian’s Midcentury NYC series. I’d also love to see queer historical romance with a speculative element, like Alexis Hall’s Mortal Follies series, KJ Charles’ Charm of Magpies books, or Freya Marske’s Last Binding series.

Contemporary adult and new adult: I haven’t stopped thinking about Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series since I read it, and probably never will, which means I’d like to see your best gay sports romances (see also: Everything For You by Chloe Liese). Elsewhere in sports romance, I’m looking for why-choose stories like Emily Rath’s Jacksonville Rays Hockey series or Elle Kennedy’s The Charlie Method, and any story with a compelling secondary cast of teammates that will turn into my next favorite MCs (the Dirty Air series by Lauren Asher or the Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy are perfect examples). More broadly in contemporary romance, I want to snort-laugh at witty banter while being deeply moved by character; Sarah Estep, Lynn Painter, BK Borison, Chloe Liese, Kate Clayborn, and Amy Award are doing this so, so well.

I am extremely eager to find the next Green Creek series by TJ Klune—and really, any similarly heartfelt paranormal LGBTQ romance with strong elements of found family. Elsewhere on the paranormal spectrum, send me the next Immortals After Dark or Shadow Realm series, where high heat and high stakes are totally on fire with magic and hijinks.

While I wouldn’t consider myself especially inclined to dark romance, I devoured Brynne Weaver’s Ruinous Love trilogy; for now, let’s say that I’m open to certain dark romance tropes, but would appreciate a content advisory list alongside any submissions.

Thanks but no thanks to secret babies, miscommunication tropes, bully romance, mafia romance, on-page SA, on-page child abuse, animal death or abuse, or—hear me out—anything to do with teeth. While I am a passionate advocate for authentic representations of mental illness in literature, I literally never want to see a story where self-harm or death by suicide is treated as a sentimental plot point; these are not narrative strategies for proving how noble a character is.

This list is subject to change at any time. Please check back frequently for updates!