I am a little late in discovering this. Discussion started as long ago as May 2025 and there are lots of opinions out there if you care to read them. The books of the genre I have read recently have made me wonder exactly what is changing, which is why I did a little research. Basically the main reason things are changing is money. Is it not always so? Authors write what publishers want to publish and publishers want to make money. Readers opinions matter,. If they don't buy, the publisher wants to know why. Which is why the historical romance genre is changing.
Younger readers are more sensitive to racism and sexism. New authors try to avoid such problematic content, but the book can then feel too modern and alienates the readers who have been enjoying HR for many years and always accepted that “that’s the way it was back then.”
There is also an argument that says declining literacy must take its share of the blame. The Netflix Bridgerton show created a huge boom in period drama, but the books themselves did not enjoy the same popularity. Contemporary romance is the world we all know but historical romance is a different world and not every romance reader feels at home there.
However, while traditional historical romance has shrunk, there is hope. They say the indie and self-publishing space is thriving. Many authors are finding passionate audiences on platforms like Kindle Unlimited. Many authors are successfully blending genres—infusing magic into history (creating "Historical Fantasy") or adding grittier, mystery/sleuth plots into Regency-era settings.
Definitely food for thought for any author.
Younger readers are more sensitive to racism and sexism. New authors try to avoid such problematic content, but the book can then feel too modern and alienates the readers who have been enjoying HR for many years and always accepted that “that’s the way it was back then.”
There is also an argument that says declining literacy must take its share of the blame. The Netflix Bridgerton show created a huge boom in period drama, but the books themselves did not enjoy the same popularity. Contemporary romance is the world we all know but historical romance is a different world and not every romance reader feels at home there.
However, while traditional historical romance has shrunk, there is hope. They say the indie and self-publishing space is thriving. Many authors are finding passionate audiences on platforms like Kindle Unlimited. Many authors are successfully blending genres—infusing magic into history (creating "Historical Fantasy") or adding grittier, mystery/sleuth plots into Regency-era settings.
Definitely food for thought for any author.
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