I am currently querying Define Good, an upmarket contemporary romance complete at approximately 85,000 words. Set along the coast of Maine, the novel unfolds over a three-week healing retreat divided into three distinct experiences: a wilderness experience through Acadia National Park, a stay at a charming coastal inn, in the fictional town of Juniper Bay, and a final week at a luxury oceanside resort in the adjacent town of Stonemere.
After ending an emotionally abusive relationship just days before the retreat she and her ex-boyfriend were meant to attend together, twenty-six-year-old Navy arrives alone after he forfeits his place, determined to rebuild her life and rediscover her faith in people. As she forms an unexpected friendship with fellow guest Bea, Navy begins to believe in genuine human connection again. At the same time, her growing connection with Ellis—the stranger who takes her ex’s place—forces her to confront painful truths about trust, forgiveness, and whether goodness is defined by a person’s intentions or the choices they make.
Blending a slow-burn romance with emotional suspense, Define Good explores the lasting effects of emotional abuse, the complexity of human morality, and the courage required to trust again. With an immersive sense of place and a character-driven narrative, the novel combines the escapist atmosphere of a destination retreat with layered emotional stakes, inviting readers to consider what defines a good person
