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Interesting selection of books.

Half cover ✨shirtless man and woman in big dress✨ 💀

Great to see LGBTQ books included!

What about people who are goinf through heartbreak?

idk why we as a society want these types of books. Like what is this doing for human development other than making for scorpios and Geminis.

Omika wrote: "idk why we as a society want these types of books. Like what is this doing for human development other than making for scorpios and Geminis."

Romance is a fantastic genre. If you don't like romance, then why are you reading this article. What is wrong with Scorpios and Geminis?

Omika wrote: "idk why we as a society want these types of books. Like what is this doing for human development other than making for scorpios and Geminis."

Historical romances generally contain themes of the ridiculousness of society's judmental expectations and that people deserve security and happiness where they find it. Gee, I wonder why it matters to stop trying to live up to others' expectations?

I take more of an issue with the underrepresenting of people of color, specifically Black people, in the historical genre as a whole. I’ve pretty much stopped reading it as a result. There’s more than tragedy in our past.

Alicia wrote: "I take more of an issue with the underrepresenting of people of color, specifically Black people, in the historical genre as a whole. I’ve pretty much stopped reading it as a result. There’s more t..."

Beverly Jenkins and Alyssa Cole are proof of that, but this list totally ignored the Regency in Color anthology which was amazing! They also seem to think history only happened in England, Scotland and America. Don't call this historical if you're leaving the rest of the world out.

I've read (listened to in audio) several of the listed books recently -- I've been on a romance kick. Alexis Hall, KJ Charles, Cat Sebastian, and Courtney Milan are always good bets. :-)

I'm near the end of The Runaway Duchess right now. I don't like the MC for this one, but the narrator and writing are good, and I liked the previous book (The Duke Undone) better. Definitely an author worth trying.

But I want more Tessa Dare and Loretta Chase! Waaaaah!

It's a great genre overall, with intelligent writers. I've pretty much given up on contemporaries due to the TMI sex and excessive language in most of them.

The wife and I have read two of these...

are writers aware there’s more to history than just 17th century Europe? (this is a generalization but I would love some variety in setting)

Alicia wrote: "I take more of an issue with the underrepresenting of people of color, specifically Black people, in the historical genre as a whole. I’ve pretty much stopped reading it as a result. There’s more t..."
Your stance is fine but recently I have seen what I can only call mangled history – history changed in order to pursue an idealist representation. That is not going to help the coming generations. What happened in past IS history and shouldn't be tampered with in order to 'correct' the picture. We must deal with it wisely.

Faye wrote: "Your stance is fine but recently I have seen what I can only call mangled history – history changed in order to pursue an idealist representation...."
That is true but on the other hand it would hold much more weight if this genre wasn't half-fantasy already. What happened in the past will always be common knowledge so long as the history is told (a history that *does* include Dido Belle by the way, so the history is not *all* inaccurate or mangled, as you put it) yet some people want more escapism in their fiction and entertainment when it comes to characters who look like them, which is valid. I read to escape myself though I personally don't look to this particular genre for positive rep.

Faye wrote: " ...recently I have seen what I can only call mangled history – history changed in order to pursue an idealist representation. That is not going to help the coming generations. What happened in past IS history and shouldn't be tampered with in order to 'correct' the picture...."

What you're seeing isn't mangled history. It's previously ignored historical records that are coming to light. For example -- India had more soldiers fighting in WW1 than Commonwealth countries, like Canada and Australia, but you don't see Indian soldiers represented in books and movies. Primary sources such as newspapers and war records praised the participation and sacrifice of the British Indian army, but it is not common knowledge because history books do not reflect it. Why? To share credit undermines institutional racism and challenges the status quo. The Romans had North African soldiers in regiments that were pulled all over the conquered lands. From the beginning of colonization there has been an exchange of peoples through commerce, slavery, indentured servitude and plan old job opportunities. Look up Lascar sailors. Look up the practice of hiring foreign sailors and then stranding them in the British Isles. Communities of mixed heritage have sprung up wherever people have met and mingled. Anglo-Indians, the Creole community of New Orleans, so many places in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Australia, the Metis in Canada. The mixed babies left behind after Vietnam. The world has always been more colourful than we've been led to believe.

Alicia wrote: "I take more of an issue with the underrepresenting of people of color, specifically Black people, in the historical genre as a whole. I’ve pretty much stopped reading it as a result. There’s more t..."

Try the books by Vanessa Riley. Regency period I think, with mixed characters.

I have won several of these through Goodreads giveaways.