Romcom author Hannah Doyle on stepping into speculative fiction

After pressing send on my fifth contemporary romcom The Spa Break, which published last summer, I knew I had an itch that needed scratching.

I was really keen to write a “what if” story exploring an alternate reality, something speculative. But how?! Could I create a world where the old rules don’t exist while still delivering all the best bits of a fresh, funny romcom?

My brain went into overdrive, which is not uncommon for authors. Once an idea takes root it’s all we can think about. Tragically, I’ve been known to shout out lightbulb moments re plot points in the middle of the fruit and veg aisle at the supermarket.

This time round, that lightbulb moment came during a long haul flight to Australia. Spending the best part of twenty-four hours in the sky gave my brain plenty of time to tango with those what ifs.

What if you were stuck on a long haul flight with your hot but evil work colleague?

And what if your ex, the one that got away and love of your life, boarded the very same plane?

And, and! What if you got trapped in a time loop, making that same journey over and over again?

Because what could be worse than being stuck with two love interests on a long haul flight to Australia? Being caught in an infinite time loop with them, of course!

By the time I landed, the concept for The Long Haul was shouting at me so loud I’d started a new note on my phone which included too many capital letters and exclamation marks.

Thankfully, my publishers didn’t think I’d lost all of my marbles when I pitched it. Instead, they commissioned the book, which was lovely and also terrifying news.

Now I had to actually write a time loop romcom?!

Writers are often divided into two camps when it comes to prepping their novels. Plotters plan the living daylights out of their book before writing a word, while pantsers dive straight into writing and see where the story takes them.

Up until The Long Haul, I fell halfway between those camps. Plot a bit, write a bit. But pretty early on, I realised that approach wouldn’t work this time around. Within the time loop framework – a Monday on repeat – I’d need some precise plotting before I could even get started on the manuscript.

Without wanting to give too much away, main character Nina lands at her destination only for something to happen, causing her to wake up yesterday and start the journey all over again.

I had to keep track of everything. Conversations, locations… I also spent an incredible amount of time on flight trackers to understand where she’d be flying over and when. “Seat Maps of the Airbus” is my new specialist subject on Mastermind.

Sounds kind of tedious but I promise it wasn’t! Or maybe I’m just a flight dork now?

Weirdly, the first draft came back with minimal edits, which was an absolute first for me, so I’m wondering if plotting the heck out a story is the way to go with my next manuscript. Time will tell!

The Long Haul comes out in May and it has been a pleasure to inject a speculative spin on the romcom. Writing high concept has taught me that the worlds are our oysters. In fact, I’m currently diving into another alternate world as I write my second speculative romance. Working title: Bonkers Book Seven.

The Long Haul, published by HQ, is available to pre-order now and comes out on 21 May 2026