RomanceClass2026 is starting on February 16! The class is free and we prioritize unpublished, unagented, and self-published authors, who already read and love writing romance, and want to write romance with us. Reading RomanceClass Books is expected (this time encouraged, most times required), because ultimately a writer who understands what the community represents and is trying to do will be able to maximize the opportunities the class can offer.
This is a “do you know what you’re signing up for?” moment, and here are the responses we got from this year’s participants.
- Mikki Eugenio shared a review of My Usual and You by Mina V. Esguerra.
- Mary Balane: “I think RomanceClass is such an awesome initiative to champion romance novels written by Filipinos. I’ve read a few books already and my favorite is Choco Chip Hips by Agay Llanera! I love how it’s such positive representation for plus-size girlies.”
- Gel del Rosario: “I adored the stories I’ve downloaded particularly Lemon Drop Fridays. I’ve read other LGBQIA stories (a chapter or 2 from Princess Daisy by Judith Krantz comes to mind) but I mostly felt that it was more of a queer bait rather than being romantic. The sex scene in Lemon Drop Friday felt intimate and personal that was poignant for me as a reader.”
- Charlie Adriel: “I really love that RomanceClass books have happy endings. Real life is already hard as it is, and for me, reading has always been about escaping the hardships of the grind in real life even just for a few hours. So you know, I’m selfish about my happy endings. This is a review I did for one RomanceClass anthology book back in 2020 from my legacy book blog: https://litandliterary.blogspot.com/2020/07/book-review-promdi-heart-hometown-love.html”
- Shiandra: “I love, love, LOVE RomanceClass books! It’s refreshing to read stories that I can relate to, not just in terms of romantic love and relationships. I love how, despite the focus being the love story of the lead characters, there are other elements in play.
Comeback To Me by Carla De Guzman : https://www.instagram.com/p/DUAmxSeExQd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
My Imaginary Ex by Mina V. Esguerra : https://www.instagram.com/p/DSFdggkk0Uu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Like Nobody’s Watching by Tara Frejas
Scandalized by Tara Frejas Waiting in the Wings by Tara Frejas
You Could Be the One by Ana Tejano” - Malaya Elira: “RomanceClass feels like a safe and generous space for writers who want to tell love stories with depth and intention. It values craft, emotional honesty, and the quiet, everyday moments that make romance feel real. More than a community, it feels like an invitation—to take writing seriously, to grow alongside other writers, and to believe that our stories, no matter how soft or understated, are worth telling. The RomanceClass books I’ve read are intelligently written. They may not be about big, dramatic love stories, but they still capture the soul of romance—quietly, honestly, and deeply. The stories feel grounded and human, focusing on connection, growth, and the small moments that make love real.”
- Racquel Sarah A. Castro: “The books never disappoint.”
- EK Gonzales shared a review of Hearts and Sciences by Celestine Trinidad. And also this (part of a longer message but I want to share this part): “I love that all the books demand agency and fluff, esp in a world that denies agency.”
- Yuki Yna shared a review of Iris After the Incident by Mina V. Esguerra.
- Regina: “I love how RomanceClass makes writing, especially writing romance and also publishing, accessible to people who might not have a lot of experience with the publishing industry, and those who might feel blocked from pursuing international publishing. The fact that you partner with publishers for each class opens up opportunities for writers who may have wanted to get published but don’t know how to begin. Along with that, I love the fact that RomanceClass books showcase Filipino settings and Filipino characters, and it’s nice to read about authors playing around with integrating that along with common tropes you usually see in books published abroad. It gives me hope that the local literary scene can grow and evolve and I feel like in some way, having spaces like this creates an impact when it comes to more local voices being recognized in the global literary scene, with more books being published in major publications every year.”
- H. Bentham shared a post about Sweet On You by Carla de Guzman, recently adapted into the movie Recipe for Romance.
- Jessie Winterspring: “After reading thick and heavy books from western writers, it always feels like a breath of fresh air to pick up Filipino authored books. As a Filipina nothing touch me and resets me as much as Pinoy books. RomanceClass book made that so accessible and easy. My old blog was erased and I lost most of my RomanceClass books review but here’s one to amazon: (The Real Score by Kesh Tanglao) https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2LE0ZZG8PGY57 and here (Love Your Frenemies by Mina V. Esguerra) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNosUHXA0Pk/.”
- Brigitte Bautista: “Romanceclass has been a safe and inclusive place for me to explore new reads and also bounce writing ideas off other authors and readers. The community has been successful in its projects and events, because I feel like members truly and genuinely support each other and root for each other’s success
My last three romanceclass reads are:
No Two Ways – I’ve probably read this more than three times already. But it was my first time reading the Blush Books edition, with the Jackie POV chapters added in. I’ve always admired how this story tackled biphobia head-on, navigating the struggles surrounding it even from within the queer community. AJ and Jackie are one of my fave romanceclass ships!
My Usual And You : the No Strings Attached premise actually helped unblock a story element in my WIP. I felt like I needed to read an MC that was so straightforward and honest about what she wanted, when she wanted it, and how she wanted it. The jabs at the law profession was hilarious (as someone who’s dating a lawyer).
Kiss Away The Goodbye: I don’t read BL all that much. But I loved this one because of the high heat level and the emotional tension between the leads. The opposites-attract dynamic between Martin and Judd was evident all throughout, and the way they resolved their differing perspectives on relationships towards that HEA was satisfying.”
