I'm looking for an experienced romance beta reader for a completed later-in-life contemporary romance manuscript.
The book is approximately 50,000 words, with a 55-year-old heroine and a 49-year-old hero. It's smart, funny, steamy, and written for readers who enjoy mature characters with actual lives, careers, history, and good sex.
The manuscript was written with AI assistance and has already been through extensive editing. At this point, I don't need another writer. I need a really good reader/editor.
I want to know where you were engaged, where you weren't, what confused you, what you loved, what you didn't believe, and anywhere you found yourself wanting to skim.
I'm particularly interested in feedback on:
Whether the characters and relationship feel believable
Whether the romance and emotional progression work
Pacing—anything too slow, too fast, or unnecessary
Plot holes, continuity problems, or things that don't make sense
Dialogue that doesn't sound natural
Places where the writing feels repetitive, formulaic, or AI-ish
Whether the steam feels right for the story and genre
Whether the ending is satisfying
Whether the book delivers what readers of later-in-life contemporary romance are likely to expect
Bizarre punctuation or spelling
Abrupt changes in style, voice, or continuity
I'll provide a simple feedback template, but I'm not looking for a school report. I'd much rather have specific, candid reactions to the actual reading experience.
I'd also like comments directly in the manuscript wherever something catches your attention—good or bad. For example: I laughed here, I don't believe she'd do this, I got confused, I had to reread this, this dragged, I love him here, you already told me this, who’s speaking, wait, what happened to X?
Google Docs is how I roll.
When you apply
Please tell me about your experience reading or beta reading contemporary romance, particularly later-in-life/mature romance if you have it. I'd also love to know what romance authors or books you enjoy, because that tells me much more about whether we're a good fit.
Please include your turnaround time and, if you have one, a sample beta report or example of the kind of feedback you normally provide.
Although I think I’ve eliminated most AI issues, please tell me honestly if AI-assisted manuscripts aren't something you enjoy working with. That's completely fine; I'd rather know before we start.
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