[Complete][85K][Contemporary Romance] Title not yet finalized...
Hey everyone! I’m looking for beta readers for my completed contemporary romance/drama manuscript (about 85K words). This is an updated full draft, and I’d love fresh eyes before the next round of revisions.
Blurb:
Maddie Smith has built a life on routines. Color-coded lesson plans, cozy nights in, and Sunday grocery runs. She's the predictable one, the safe one. So when her fiancé confesses a fantasy she never expected, it cracks something open inside her: a hunger to shed her "good girl" skin and discover the confident, adventurous woman she's always suspected was hiding beneath.
As Maddie begins to explore this new side of herself, she stumbles into the orbit of Zira Jones, a sharp-edged photographer with a strict rule against mixing business with pleasure. Zira built her career on seeing through the performance, and when a wealthy, handsome heir to a fashion empire keeps trying to break through her defenses, she's determined to prove he's just another privileged man playing at authenticity.
But as a daring boudoir shoot brings the characters together, hidden desires surface, boundaries blur, and each of them must decide what they're willing to risk to become the person they truly want to be.
This is a character-driven novel about self-discovery, the courage to be seen, and the quiet thrill of becoming someone new. It contains explicit sexual content, strong language, and themes of voyeurism/exhibitionism within a committed relationship.
Content Warnings:
- Explicit consensual sex scenes
- Strong language
- Thematic elements of voyeurism/exhibitionism in marriage
- Mild kink exploration
- Death of a parent (off-page, grief explored)
Timeline: Looking to have feedback within 4–6 weeks, though I'm flexible.
Critique Swap: No (new to this, so would like to see some examples before diving into beta reading myself)
Feedback I'm Looking For:
- Character arcs: Are the four main characters' journeys compelling and believable?
- Pacing: Anything feel like it is dragging?
- Overall readability and emotional impact
If you’re interested, please comment below or DM me, and I’ll send over the Google Doc link.
Thanks so much for considering