Hope Engel

Romance novels you don’t have to turn your brain off to enjoy

I Love Romance Novels...

...But too often struggle with them because they have:

I get that romance novels are not real life, but I think the best contemporary romance writing delivers an enjoyable reading experience that also feels grounded in reality.

I’m setting out to contribute to the genre in a way that leaves people feeling all the delicious feelings of a romance novel without writing choices that were clearly made for convenience.

No eye rolling reactions here.
(Well, maybe, I don’t know your exact taste and what you find cringey)

If this sounds like what you want, check out what I’m working on!

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An Editor’s Guide to “At Your Pace”

A 89,000 word new adult contemporary romance for fans of Night Shift by Annie Crown, The Mistake by Elle Kennedy, and Wildfire by Hannah Grace

At Your Pace Book Cover *Working cover

At Your Pace by Hope Engel

Emerson’s love life will stay nonexistent unless he shakes off his mom’s attempts to protect him from the situation his brother ended up in. As he starts junior year of college, his best friend and wing-woman Iris knows he’s ready to give love another shot. She threatens to play matchmaker with Valeria, the girl in his project group, if Emerson doesn’t ask her out after their presentation is done. Emerson rises to the challenge and pursues Valeria on his own terms.

He donates blood with her, compromises his rigid diet and routine, and strikes a deal to train her in the gym, the place he knows best. Valeria seems interested in him too as they turn from classmates to gym buddies. Emerson hopes this time will be different than with his ex, but only if he works through his baggage and holds the boundaries he’s implemented with his family. If he can, he just might enjoy what comes when he makes space in his life for someone just as driven as him.

Querying now!

Alpha / Beta Reading Services

Looking to query for traditional agents and want your manuscript buttoned up beforehand? Alpha and beta reading is a valuable first (or second) step, knowing that it will go through professional editing later on in the process if you land a book deal with a publisher.

Alpha Reading

Bigger picture feedback early on

This is right for you if:

  • The draft is rougher, and there's room for changes and adjustments
  • I'm (likely) the first person to read through the manuscript
  • You’re focused more on plot, character, pacing, and stakes
  • You’re looking for someone to read a partial manuscript

Beta Reading

More specific feedback closer to completion

This is right for you if:

  • The story is finalized and you're looking to polish
  • You’re focused more on details that set the world
  • You’re focused more on word choices that may be particularly awesome or unclear, plus continuity

My reading services involve paying attention and giving detailed feedback as a skilled reader and hobbyist writer. I call upon my personal knowledge when giving feedback. I can't guarantee your book will be publication-ready after I review, but I can guarantee you'll have actionable ideas on how to make it better before exploring publication.

Rates

Reading

Open Book

$0.002 / word
*Minimum 20,000 words

Video Call

Video Call

30 minutes: $20
60 minutes: $40

What is not included

The Process

  1. I ask you what you want out of the experience, in line with your intentions. (Self pub, open to trad pub?)
  2. I leave comments in the document calling out questions I have so you can take them and run with it
  3. I call out suggestions that would help with clarity for readers
  4. I write up my thoughts in a report after with strengths and areas for possible development and recurring themes I notice

My Qualifications

Reading Services Interest Form

Let's get in touch!