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In recent years, the rise of Reylo—fan fiction centered around the romantic pairing of Rey and Kylo Ren from the Star Wars sequel trilogy—has become a major force in fan-created content. While Twilight fan fiction dominated the last decade, paving the way for authors to transition into publishing original works (like Fifty Shades of Grey), Reylo appears to be the current fan fiction trend making waves in the literary world.
Many authors who wrote Reylo stories have now turned their attention to original novels, often drawing clear inspiration from the intense, complex dynamic between Rey and Kylo. This shift demonstrates the evolving nature of fandoms and how characters and narratives from popular media continue to fuel fresh, original works of fiction. Whether explicitly or implicitly inspired by the Star Wars duo, these authors are crafting stories that explore themes of love, redemption, and the gray areas of good versus evil.
Authors Known for Writing Reylo Fan Fiction or Who Were Heavily Influenced by the Reylo Dynamic
1. Ali Hazelwood
Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood is Reylo fan fiction. Originally published online as Head Over Feet, the novel was inspired by the Reylo fan fiction community, which centers on the romantic pairing of Rey and Kylo Ren from the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
The novel has been well-received and recognized for its positive portrayal of women in STEM and its exploration of themes such as imposter syndrome and academic pressure. In October 2022, it was announced that a film adaptation of the novel is in development from Bisous Pictures.
Fans feel that many of her other books are also heavily Reylo coded. Loathe to Love You (anthology) may be based on three Reylo fanfics: You should see the things we do, Stuck, and Two Thousand Miles Away. Under One Roof may be based on Reylo fanfic, You Should See the Things We Do. Below Zero may be based on Reylo fanfic, Two Thousand Miles Away. Stuck With You may be based on Stuck.
2. Thea Guanzon
The Hurricane Wars is a fantasy novel by Thea Guanzon that began as a Star Wars fan fiction titled Landscape with a Blur of Conquerors. The story follows Talasyn, a young soldier with mysterious origins, and Alaric, a formidable warrior from the Night Empire. Their complex relationship, marked by tension and attraction, mirrors the dynamics of Rey and Kylo Ren from the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
In the original fan fiction, the characters were directly inspired by Rey and Kylo Ren, with Talasyn embodying Rey’s resilience and Alaric reflecting Kylo Ren’s internal conflict.
3. Sarah Hawley
Sarah Hawley’s A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon may not have been previously published as fan fiction, but she has acknowledged her background in writing Reylo fan fiction, which has influenced her approach to character development and storytelling. Because of this, fan’s have noted parallels to the dynamic between Rey and Kylo Ren and have observed that the character’s’ interactions and the story’s themes resonate with the Reylo fan fiction community.
4. Ashley Poston
Ashley Poston has acknowledged her background in writing Reylo fan fiction, which influenced her approach to character development and storytelling in her published works. In an interview, she discussed how her experiences in the fan fiction community shaped her writing style and the creation of her original novels.
The Dead Romantic by Ashley Poston started out as an unpublished Reylo fic in the first few chapters but was completed as an original novel. So while The Dead Romantics is an original work, it has been noted for its “Reylo-coded” elements.
5. Jenna Levine
My Roommate Is a Vampire is a paranormal romantic comedy by Jenna Levine that has its origins in Reylo fan fiction. The story began as a Reylo fan fiction titled My Roommate’s a Virgin Vampire, which explored a romantic dynamic between characters inspired by Rey and Kylo Ren from the Star Wars sequel trilogy. This fan fiction foundation is evident in the character interactions and chemistry in the published novel.
6. Kate Goldbeck
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck originated as a Reylo fan fiction titled Doing the Unstuck. Readers familiar with the Reylo dynamic may recognize elements of their relationship in Ari and Josh’s interactions, such as their initial antagonism, evolving chemistry, and the exploration of personal vulnerabilities. It also draws inspiration from When Harry Met Sally.
7 . Lana Ferguson
Lana Ferguson, the author of The Nanny and The Fake Mate, is known for her engaging contemporary romance novels. Ferguson wrote fan fiction under the pseudonym kylotrashforever, contributing to the Reylo fan fiction community inspired by the relationship between Rey and Kylo Ren. Some readers have drawn parallels between the themes and character dynamics in her fan fiction and her published works, including The Nanny, a modern romance with heartfelt storytelling, and The Fake Mate, a paranormal romance featuring omegaverse tropes.
8. Katrina Kwan
Katrina Kwan is an author who transitioned from writing Reylo fan fiction to publishing original romance novels. Her debut novel, Knives, Seasoning & Dash of Love, originated as a Reylo fan fiction under the name Knives & Seasoning. It reimagined the dynamic between Rey and Kylo Ren from the Star Wars sequel trilogy into a contemporary romance set in the culinary world.
9. Merrin Taylor
10. Callie Hart/Frankie Rose
Frankie Rose, a pseudonym of USA Today bestselling author Callie Hart, is known for her Quicksilver novel, the first book in her Fae & Alchemy series. However, a less known science fiction romance novel Black Moon Rising was also written by her under the name Frankie Rose. This work is widely believed to have originated as a Reylo fan fiction, inspired by the dynamic between Rey and Kylo Ren from the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Readers have noted parallels between the characters in Black Moon Rising and the Reylo pairing.
11. Jessica Clare
Jessica Clare’s novel Go Hex Yourself is a paranormal romantic comedy that has drawn attention for its potential connections to Reylo fan fiction. The story follows Reggie Johnson, who applies for a job she believes is related to her favorite card game, only to discover she’s been hired as a familiar for a real witch. She soon encounters the witch’s nephew, Ben Magnus, leading to a dynamic that some readers find reminiscent of the relationship between Rey and Kylo Ren from the Star Wars sequel trilogy. The protagonists’ names—Reggie (short for Regina) and Ben—mirror “Rey” and “Ben Solo” (Kylo Ren’s birth name). Additionally, both characters grapple with complex family histories and personal struggles, themes central to Reylo narratives.
12. Hannah Whitten
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten is said to be heavily inspired by Reylo and also Beauty in the Beast and Little Red Riding Hood. While Whitten’s works are original creations, her familiarity with fan fiction and the thematic parallels observed by readers suggest an influence from fan-driven narratives in her storytelling. In a social media post, she mentioned rereading fan fiction and old favorites during challenging times, indicating an appreciation for the medium.
13. Ruby Dixon
Ruby Dixon is a prolific author renowned for her science fiction romance novels, particularly the Ice Planet Barbarians series. Before her success in publishing, Dixon was an active participant in the fan fiction community, where she wrote under the pseudonym Ruby Dixon.
Ruby Dixon’s novel Sworn to the Shadow God is widely recognized as being inspired by Reylo fan fiction. In the author’s note, Dixon explicitly mentions that the character of Rhagos, the Shadow Lord, was inspired by Kylo Ren from the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
14. Kirsten Bohling
Kirsten Bohling is an author known for her heartfelt and complex love stories. Before her success in publishing, she was an active participant in the fan fiction community, where she wrote under the pseudonym kaybohls.
Bohling’s debut novel, We’d Know by Then, originally published on fan fiction sites as True Colors, is set in a world where individuals see in black and white until they meet their soulmate, triggering a shift to color.
In addition to her debut novel, Bohling has published The Devil’s Backbone, a Western romance that began as a Reylo fan fiction idea. She has openly discussed her transition from fan fiction to published works, highlighting the influence of her fan fiction experiences on her storytelling.
15. Keary Taylor
Keary Taylor is a prolific author known for her science fiction and fantasy novels, including the Neron Rising Saga and Branded: Fall of Angels. Before her success in publishing, she was an active participant in the fan fiction community. The Neron Rising Saga, a science fiction romance series is said to have began as a Reylo fan fiction idea.
16.Rosalind Petrucci
Rosalind Petrucci is an author known for her paranormal romance novels, including Knight in the Petals: A Gargoyle Monster Romance. Before her success in publishing, she was an active participant in the fan fiction community, where she wrote under the pseudonym rosalindpetrucci.
Additionally, Petrucci has written My Constant Star: A Spicy Regency Romance In Space, a novel that combines the elegance of Regency romance with a futuristic, intergalactic setting and is said to be inspired by Reylo.
17. Julie Soto
Julie Soto, known in the fan fiction community as Lovesbitca8, is a celebrated author who has transitioned from writing fan fiction to publishing original works. Her fan fiction, particularly within the Harry Potter and Star Wars fandoms, has garnered a substantial following.
Her debut novel, Forget Me Not, is not based on a previous fan fiction work, although was greatly anticipated and enjoyed by the fans she gained from her fan fiction writing. So much so, that it is set to be adapted into a television series by Universal International Studios. However, her book Not Another Love Song is inspired by her Reylo fan fiction, Food of Love.
Were you surprised by any of these authors or books with ties to Reylo fan fiction? Let us know in the comments below.
Happy reading.
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