Romance Beta Reader

I am looking for an experienced **Small Town / Contemporary Romance beta reader** to provide a fresh, honest reader perspective on a completed novel of approximately **105,600 words**. The manuscript has already gone through extensive revision and self-editing. **I am not looking for proofreading, copyediting, line editing, or rewriting.** What I need is a thoughtful cold read from someone who understands romance readers and can identify anything that may interfere with the emotional or reading experience before publication. I am especially interested in feedback on: * Overall impression of the story * Whether the main characters are likable, believable, and emotionally compelling * The chemistry and progression of the romance * Whether the relationship develops naturally * Emotional engagement and whether the important emotional moments land * Pacing, including any sections that drag or feel rushed * Any scenes or motivations that are confusing or difficult to believe * Plot holes, continuity issues, or timeline problems * Dialogue that feels unnatural * Repetition or wording that becomes noticeable * Voice and tone consistency * Whether the major conflict and emotional payoff feel earned * Whether the ending is satisfying for a romance reader * Whether the novel meets the expectations of the Small Town Romance genre * Any point where you felt tempted to skim, lost interest, or were pulled out of the story * The scenes or moments you found most memorable * Most importantly: **After finishing this book, would you want to read the next book in the series? Why or why not?** ### Deliverables I would like: 1. A **written beta-reader report** summarizing your overall reactions and observations. 2. **Inline comments in the manuscript** (Microsoft Word preferred) whenever you encounter something confusing, repetitive, emotionally weak, inconsistent, unnatural, or particularly effective. This manuscript was developed and revised with AI assistance, so I am particularly interested in a **genuine human reader's reaction** to whether the writing feels natural and emotionally authentic. **Your beta-reading feedback itself must be based on your personal reading of the complete manuscript. Please do not use AI to generate or substitute for your reader feedback.** ### When applying, please include: * Your experience beta reading **Contemporary Romance and/or Small Town Romance** * Approximately how many romance manuscripts you have beta read * A sample beta-reader report, if available * Your expected turnaround time for a 105,600-word manuscript * A brief description of what you normally include in your beta feedback I am looking for someone who will be **honest, specific, and constructive**. I do not need someone simply to tell me they enjoyed the book. I want to know what works, what doesn't, and anywhere a real romance reader could become confused, disengaged, or emotionally disconnected from the story.