[QCrit] Love Notes (Adult Contemporary Romance, 70K, Second Attempt)

Hi All, thank you so much for the feedback on my first query letter. Here is that attempt. I've done a big rewrite, and have chosen a new title. Would love your feedback on this one. Thanks!

Dear Agent Name, 

I hope this note finds you well! I’m reaching out to you for representation because….

Complete at 70,000 words, LOVE NOTES follows a woman who embarks on a summer of romance while confronting online threats over a viral op-ed in hopes that she won’t lose both her business and someone who could become the love of her life. A spicy adult romance, this will appeal to fans of emotional storytelling in overcoming a past like Passion Project by debut author London Sperry and the sometimes quirky tone of Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone.   

Ellie, a passionate statistician, is trying to rebuild her life after an op-ed she wrote last year went viral, inspiring a violent reaction. It ended her public facing career and relationship with a lackluster boyfriend. To help her find romance again, Ellie’s two best friends set her up on 12 blind dates. Just before the first date with Milo, a disaster relief worker who specializes in second chances, Ellie receives a demanding email inviting her to present her research at a conference. The prospect of being back in the spotlight again, drives Ellie to tears and ends the date. She tries to get out of it, but her boss threatens to end her contract without pay. 

A few tears don’t scare Milo, but they do make him reluctant to reschedule his date with Ellie until he finds out that she is the statistician he’s admired for years. Milo annotates copies of Ellie’s past articles, and delivers them to her during each blind date. Milo wins Ellie’s trust, allowing her to consider falling in love again despite everything that happened last year. Then, the dreaded article and life threatening response gains traction again, and this time Milo is also a target. 

Now, Ellie questions what’s worth sacrificing in order to keep herself safe, Milo protected from online harassment, and her research business afloat.     

I work in communications at a nonprofit in Washington, D.C. and have a decade of experience crafting emotional stories that open the hearts (and wallets) of hardened Washingtonian elites. While I sometimes moonlight as a standup storyteller, I’ve also published over 20 op-eds on global women’s issues linked on my website, one of which went viral in 2017.

Thank you for considering my work. 

Best,
name