
Press Kit
Media inquiries: Contact Alex Kelleher and Lindsey Ferris
Soulmatch Descriptions
One sentence pitch: In a world where past lives determine your future, a sharp-witted girl confronts a major twist of destiny, embroiling her in a high-stakes game of danger, corruption, and heartbreak in this young adult speculative romance perfect for fans of Scythe and Matched.
Jacket copy: Two hundred years after World War III, the world is at peace, all thanks to the soul-identification system. Every eighteen-year-old must report to the government to learn about their past lives, a terrifying process known as kirling. Good souls leave the institute with their inheritance, a career path, and if they’re lucky, a soulmate. Bad souls leave in handcuffs.
It’s a nerve-wracking ordeal for Sivon, who, given her uncanny ability to win every chess match, already suspects her soul isn’t normal. Turns out, she was right to worry. Sivon’s results stun not only her, but the entire world, making her the object of public scrutiny and anonymous threats.
Saddled with an infuriating and off-limits bodyguard, Sivon is thrust into a high-stakes game where souls are pawns and rules don’t exist. As deaths mount, Sivon must decipher friend from foe while protecting her heart against impossible odds. One wrong move could destroy the future lives of everyone Sivon loves, and she can’t let that happen, even if they’ll never love her back.
Soulmatch Cover
Soulmatch Blurbs
"Prepare to be dazzled! Soulmatch, Rebecca Danzenbaker’s richly imagined dystopian tale, combines vivid world-building with heart-pounding suspense. Just as the future is unfolding for Sivon, the haunting idea that no one can ever truly escape their past sets the stage for an unforgettable thriller from a writer to watch!"
— Constance Sayers author of A Witch in Time
"This intricately-plotted YA dystopian novel is clever, witty, and full of heart. Danzenbaker effortlessly steers readers through a futuristic world dictated by fate and life-altering technology, while anchoring us with universally relatable themes of teenagehood. Compelling and thought provoking—I absolutely flew through this!"
— Keshe Chow, author of The Girl With No Reflection
“In Soulmatch, Rebecca Danzenbaker has created an immersive futuristic world that feels as dangerous as it is intriguing. With a relatable protagonist that’s easy to root for and a love story that keeps you on your toes, this book is a delicious combo of romance, mystery, and action that readers won’t want to miss.”
— Mackenzie Reed, author of The Rosewood Hunt and The Wilde Trials
"Soulmatch channeled everything I’ve been craving from a classic dystopian romance YA novel for years. It felt like I’d been transported back in time to corrupt governments and brave teens battling the odds. And yet, Danzenbaker adds her own fresh twist to the tale, bringing us a vivid world, a unique concept, and a perfectly swoony romance. I read it all in one sitting, and it kept me guessing until the end."
— Nisha J. Tuli, International Bestselling author of Trial of the Sun Queen and Not Safe For Work
"Wildly innovative, Soulmatch pulled me in on the very first page and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. With complex world building, forbidden romance, and twists at every turn, readers will find their souls thoroughly enthralled."
— Angela Montoya, author of Sinner’s Isle and A Cruel Thirst
American Booksellers Association - July/August 2025 Kids’ Indie Next List Preview
Indiebound.org - July/August 2025 Kids Indie Next List
Kirkus Reviews - Soulmatch
Bookstr - Coming In Hot: July Fiction Releases You Need to Read
Paste Magazine - The Most Anticipated YA Books of Summer 2025
Paste Magazine - The Best New YA Books of July 2025
Articles Mentioning Soulmatch
Articles I’ve Written
People.com - 10 New YA Dystopia Reads for Fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and More!
Bookstr - Rebecca Danzenbaker on Life, Love, Death, and Dystopias
Nerd Daily - Scientific Proof of Reincarnation? The spark that ignited a decade of world-building behind Soulmatch
Paste Magazine - The YA Dystopia Comeback is Served with a Healthy Dose of Romance
Medium’s The Writing Cooperative - Write Now with Rebecca Danzenbaker
Writer’s Digest - How My Photography Career Helped Me Publish a YA Dystopian Romance Novel
School Library Journal - Don’t Say the “D” Word
Young Adult Books Central - Author Chat with Rebecca Danzenbaker
Reactor Mag - Five SFF Books for Darcy & Elizabeth Stans
Virtual Panels
EveryLibrary - Summer Sizzle: Must-Read YA Panel!
TV/Radio
NBC News4Today, Washington DC - Author Rebecca Danzenbaker talks about exploring romance and self discovery as part as News4’s 4 Your Reading series.
Podcasts
More links coming soon!
Unfortunately…
Kidlit Love
Praise for SOULMATCH
Debut author Danzenbaker conjures a futuristic dystopia that uses reincarnation to summarily explore ideas of criminal rehabilitation, predestination, and the perils of constant surveillance across a relatable first-person perspective that features ample dramatic intrigue and a forbidden, smoldering enemies-to-lovers romance.
Publishers Weekly
Danzenbaker takes a fresh approach to the genre, blending classic themes with an innovative reincarnation-based premise. Sivon is a relatable protagonist who captures the uncertainty of youth while demonstrating remarkable resilience … Fast-paced and suspenseful … The twists are compelling, and the story delivers an engaging exploration of identity, resistance, and the question: Does our past define us? … A thought-provoking and original addition to the genre; clever, thrilling, and impossible to put down.
Kirkus
A quick standalone read for teen fans of the “enemies to lovers” trope with some mystery and thriller set against the backdrop of dystopian science fiction.
School Library Journal
Suspenseful storytelling, a fully imagined dystopian world, and a creative premise help this story of a futuristic society where souls are tracked and controlled across lifetimes pack a thrilling punch.
Paste Magazine
The dystopian thriller you didn't know you've been waiting for ... This fast-paced fever dream of a novel is one you won't want to put down.
The Berkshire Eagle
Completely enthralling. This is a pulse-pounding, complex, thrilling story.
SciFi Chick
The worldbuilding is intricate and thoughtfully executed ... The romantic elements ofSoulmatch transcend typical YA romance tropes ... The political intrigue recalls the best elements of Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series ... Soulmatch succeeds as both an entertaining page-turner and a thoughtful exploration of identity and power ... The novel’s combination of political intrigue, supernatural romance, and coming-of-age themes creates a reading experience that should satisfy fans of multiple genres ... This is a debut that announces Rebecca Danzenbaker as a voice worth watching in the YA literary landscape.
The Bookish Elf
Genuinely compelling ... An engaging YA thriller and a thoughtful exploration of destiny versus choice ... Danzenbaker's sophisticated world-building and compelling protagonist make this a worthwhile read for dystopian fiction fans.
Book Club
Soulmatch was stimulating, distinctively masterly, a gripping dystopian tale that’s impossible to put down ... It felt immersive and exuding emotional depth, so much so that I couldn’t believe it’s a debut book—striking and creatively rich in action and that sci-fi feeling of reading as a teen, but a totally fresh and modern spin on the genre. I can’t wait for everyone to read and love Soulmatch like I did.
Pretty Little Memoirs
A mystery that will keep you guessing until the end ... A perfect read for the end of the summer break.
Cracking the Cover
Unique ... Thought-provoking and would make a great book club discussion ... An intriguing and complex read. If you are a fan of Divergent by Veronica Roth and Matched by Ally Condie, then this is a good choice to add to your TBR.
Young Adult Books Central
Fans of dystopian YA books will be intrigued by this creatively plotted book ... A high-stakes plot full of twists and turns that will have readers guessing until the last few pages. I liked the concept behind this book and felt that it was one of the more creative titles I have read in a while ... A neat reading experience!
Youth Services Book Review
Fabulous characters and an exciting plot with intricate and impressive worldbuilding, this is a debut you won’t want to miss!
It Starts At Midnight
I seriously cannot wait until Rebecca comes out with another book so I’m able to get my hands on it!
Owl Book World
From the moment I cracked open Soulmatch, Rebecca Danzenbaker's thrilling debut, I knew I was in for something special. As a lifelong fan of dystopian tales, I often find myself hunting for the next gripping read that will transport me to a new world—and Soulmatch did just that and more. This book instantly captured my attention and has solidified itself as a must-read for anyone who enjoys the intensity found in The Hunger Games or Divergent ... Haunting and thought-provoking ... Heart-wrenching and relatable ... The pacing of the story is electric, with each chapter leaving me breathless and eager for more. Danzenbaker's writing is sharp, with an undercurrent of tension that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat ... The insights packed within the narrative will linger long after the final page is turned ... Soulmatch is going to become a classic in the YA dystopian canon. The immersive world-building, the raw, real characters, and the high-stakes drama all come together to create a reading experience that left me speechless ... I cannot recommend it enough--prepare to be blown away!
The Here The Now The Books
It carries a compelling message about the changes we all go through as people, the possibility of redemption, and the vicious cycles of incarceration and unaddressed struggles.
Kara Dennison
If you adore YA dystopian fiction loaded with romance, ethical stakes, and a world shaped by reincarnation, Soulmatch delivers ... The twists and stakes pay off in a deeply satisfying finale ... A thoughtful, character-driven reading experience. In short: a 4-star journey, emotionally resonant and grounded in both heart and clever concept
Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's!
Headshot & Bio
Headshot & Bio
Author bio
Rebecca Danzenbaker believes in trusting your gut and chasing your dreams. That probably explains her massive career jumps – from teaching elementary school music, to managing a team of 25 at Congressional Quarterly, to running an award-winning photography business, to writing young adult novels. When she’s not editing words or photos, she’s either reading, hiking, sending memes to friends, volunteering, planning incredibly detailed travel itineraries, being a goofball on social media, or cheering on her husband and two children as they chase their own dreams. Soulmatch is her debut novel, the culmination of five years of blood, sweat, and tears. She did it!
Contact Info
Media Inquiries & Events - Alex Kelleher & Lindsey Ferris
Blurbs, Film Rights, Licensing - Michelle Wolfson, Wolfson Literary Agency
Foreign Rights for Soulmatch and Predestined - Taryn Fagerness Agency
