What can readers expect from Baker Publishing's new Haven imprint? PW talked to the imprint's lead editor, Jessica Sharpe, about the types of wholesome romance she and her team will be publishing, and how Haven will be offering warmth, connection, and a welcoming escape.
Tell us about your background. What led you to Haven and, more specifically, to work with no-spice romance titles?
I’ve worked in publishing for over 20 years (though it feels wild to be able to say that!), always for religious publishing houses. Fiction is my first love and has been the focus of my editorial career, so I’ve edited dozens upon dozens of no-spice romance novels. As our fiction team here at Baker Publishing Group looked at the market, we saw the opportunity to create a no-spice romance line that was adjacent to the books we were already publishing but had the ability to reach a wider, mainstream audience. And so Haven was born!
A lot of readers have an appetite for "clean" romance. From your perspective, what accounts for the strong appeal?
Romance has and always will be one of the most predominant genres in fiction. From ancient tales to Jane Austen to Meg Ryan movies to the romantasy boom, romance rules in entertainment. Readers seek out no-spice romance for varied reasons: some prioritize emotional depth and character development, some are guided by personal values or comfort levels, and some choose books based on other criteria. In the current publishing landscape, however, it can be harder to tell what kind of romance you’re getting when you pick up a book. Covers featuring sultry men without a shirt used to be a key signal as to the spice level of a book, but these days most romances have charming illustrated covers. Figuring out whether a book is going to be spicy or mild takes more research and effort than it used to, and whatever a reader’s reason for seeking out a no-spice romance, they need a reliable way to find it. We see a real market opportunity in setting up Haven as a trusted brand that solves that discovery problem through transparency and consistency so that readers, librarians, and booksellers know exactly what they’re getting when they pick up one of our books.
From modern to historical romance, there's such variety in your 2026 lineup! Can you share a few highlights?
Will you allow me five highlights if I keep them brief? 😊 This is Haven’s inaugural lineup:
Even After This by Deborah Clack is a gorgeous contemporary celebrity romance that deftly balances humor with deeper emotional themes like grief and healing. (February 2026)
A Deal with a Debutante by Chelsea Bobulski is a charming confection of a historical rom-com in which a reluctant American heiress and the earl who needs her fortune strike a bargain in Edwardian London. (April 2026)
A Love Once Lost by Jennie Goutet is a classic historical romance set in the Georgian era in Europe, with an irresistible second-chance romance and duty vs desire conflict. (June 2026)
The Roman Holiday Rule by Andra Loy is a delightful magical realism rom-com romp through Rome, with rivals becoming lovers over the course of a bet. (August 2026)
Love and Other Two-Player Games by Roxanne LoMarc is a rivals-to-lovers, interracial workplace romance set in the world of video game development, with a suspense thread. (December 2026)
How are you connecting with and fostering relationships with Haven authors?
We’ve found our Haven authors through various writers conferences, by reaching out to indie authors publishing in this space, and with the help of the agents we’ve long worked with and new agents alike, who are all very enthusiastic about Haven’s mission. The excitement around Haven whenever we describe it to authors and agents has been gratifying and contagious. Once we acquire a book, our priority is quality care. We want our Haven authors to have the best experience working with us. That means strong editorial support, collaborative marketing and publicity partnerships, and fostering relationships where authors feel truly valued.
What are some marketing strategies you are using to broaden Haven's readership?
We’re tapping into no-spice romance communities online and building relationships with them. The social media influencers we work with have been excited to see more no-spice romance in the market, and we’re finding new partners every day. We’re also reaching out to indie bookstores and forging new contacts and relationships there. Beyond that, we're investing in targeted digital advertising to reach readers where they’re already discovering new romance books, and leveraging our established publisher reputation to build trust with librarians and booksellers who are looking for reliable no-spice options for their patrons and customers.
What sets Haven apart from other publishing imprints, specifically those that publish no-spice romance?
We’re one of the few publishers dedicated solely to no-spice romance. Most publishers produce a range of romances across the heat spectrum, which makes sense for their business model to reach the broadest possible audience. But we saw an opportunity to serve a specific, underserved market by becoming a trusted brand that readers can rely on for consistent, quality no-spice romance. Our singular focus allows us to develop expertise in this category and build lasting relationships with readers, authors, booksellers, and librarians who want exactly what we offer.
Haven titles are all "clean," but aren't religious. Do you have future plans to also include faith-based romance?
No, Haven will remain focused on mainstream, no-spice romance. Haven is just one imprint within Baker Publishing Group, and two of our other imprints, Bethany House and Revell, already publish high-quality fiction with faith elements for our loyal and faithful readers. This allows us to serve distinct audiences, with each imprint maintaining its own clear identity and purpose.
Can you name some key ingredients you look for in a Haven romance novel?
Our tagline is “Stories to come home to.” We want our books to offer warmth, connection, and a welcoming escape. Of course we look for strong writing and marketable storylines, but we’re also leaning into the chemistry between characters rather than spice. The most irresistible part of a romance is watching two people fall in love, and that’s what our books focus on. Beyond that, we hope to publish across all categories of romance: contemporary and historical, comedic and dramatic, fantasy and magical realism, suspense and mystery.
Do you personally have any favorite tropes you can't resist?
I am a big fan of forbidden romance and enemies-to-lovers! I love that added tension when characters are drawn to someone they shouldn’t be or don’t want to be. The idea that love overcomes all obstacles makes my heart happy.
