Make Your 2026 Romance Genre Predictions
And get 25% off everything in my Etsy shop
Before I jump into today’s topic of romance genre predictions, let me just say this: What a whirlwind this past month has been!
To celebrate the launch of Love Me Merrily, I completed three back-to-back book signings: Bookish in Fresno, Love & Tech in Santa Clara, and A Novel Affair in Los Altos.
Thank you so much to everyone who attended these events, and welcome to all my new subscribers who signed up to receive this newsletter!
If you missed me on tour, don’t despair. From now until the end of the month, I’m running a year-end Etsy sale. Get 25% off everything in my shop, including signed copies of the Glam Fam series plus lots of special goodies.
I’d love to sell out of my leftover inventory, so if you’re looking for a great holiday gift, now’s your chance.
Take My 2026 Romance Predictions Survey
If you’re new here, my 2025 romance genre predictions was my top-performing post of the year. It was so fun to faciliate, and when people started asking me if I was going to make it an annual installment, of course I said yes.
Now it’s time, and I’m asking you all to participate: My 2026 romance genre predictions survey is now open!
Whether you’re a fellow author, a book influencer, or simply an avid romance reader, all are welcome to share their two cents.
I’ve included questions on everything from cover design trends and convention controversies to the tropes and themes you want more books to explore in the new year.
The form will remain open until December 31st, so get those responses in before the ball drops. And remember: The more unique or poignant the prediction, the more likely it will be featured!
And now, this month’s moment of sunshine.
Your Moment of Sunshine ☀️
Every month, I share the things I loved most to bring a ray of warmth wherever you are.
(Note: When available, the links I include lead to Bookshop.org. If you make a purchase, you’ll support local, independent bookstores, and I’ll earn a small commission as an affiliate. It’s a win-win!)
Watching 📺
Heated Rivalry on HBO Max
At this point, given all the hype, it seems silly to recommend Heated Rivalry when it feels like everybody is already watching it. But for those who are not chronically online in Romancelandia, you need to know about the hottest show on TV right now.
Based on the gay hockey romance novel by Rachel Reid, it stars Hudson Williams as Shane and Connor Storrie as Ilya—two stars from rival teams who secretly fall for one another off the ice.
Thank goodness the episodes are dropping weekly so I have time to finish the book before the next airs. But so far I’m delighted by how deliciously horny this adaptation is, as well as faithful to the source material.
I hope the show’s rabid fanbase is proof to the entertainment powers-that-be that there is desperate demand for more queer romance—and more erotic content of all kinds!—on screen.
Listening 🎧
Dire Straights Podcast
You know how you come across creators way too late, and you wonder where they’ve been your whole life? That’s how I feel about Tracy Clark-Flory and Amanda Montei, feminist writers and co-hosts of the Dire Straights podcast.
Tomorrow, I’ll be attending a live episode of the podcast here in Oakland, where they’ll be joined by sex and dating coach Myisha Battle. As I’ve been listening to the podcast’s archive, I’m obsessed with its focus on critiquing heteronormativity and dissecting straight culture in depth.
If your social media feeds are full of content about decentering men and the unequal power dynamics in relationships, then add Dire Straights to your queue.
Reading 📖
Want Me: A Sex Writer’s Journey Into the Heart of Desire by Tracy Clark-Flory
As part of my newfound adoration of Dire Straights, I listened to the audiobook of Tracy Clark-Flory’s memoir, Want Me. In so many ways, I related to Tracy: living in the Bay Area, writing about sex and romance, and being preoccupied with molding myself into what men desired rather than exploring my own pleasure.
I appreciated how raw and unflinchingly honest this book was. I came away impressed by the sheer expanse of Tracy’s experiences, as well as inspired to live my own life to the fullest. If more people had Tracy’s self-awareness and sex-positive mindset, the world would be a better place.
What should I be reading, watching, and listening to next? Share your recommendations in the comments!
Looking forward to 2026 romance predictions!!
This is my cue to tune into Heated Rivalry!