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Dukes, Duchesses blaaahhhh
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What's with all these younger authors strictly writin..."
My theory is that authors make the choices for their main characters both being high nobility for three reasons
a) dukes and duchesses sell and agents are looking for these books
b) nobility is the closest approximation to modern leisurly life. We have washing machines now, but duchesses had servants to do the job! No annoying paragraphs about tiresome washing, penny-pushong or going to the fish market to haggle! Also no little siblings starving to death. Other similarities to our modern reality include education (who writes an illiterate hero or heroine these days??) and mobility. I think choosing to write about dukes and duchesses is convenient for authors.
c) the settings kind of demand it. Because many many many modern hisotircal romances are set in the same time period same country, mostly even same city (London) and in the constraints of the ton, there really isn't that much wiggle room. Sure, authors could theoretically write about a duke who knocks up his maid ... but then only he woulf be able to navigate the ton, while the heroine woulf absolutely be left out of the balls and tea houses. and we need balls and tea houses!
I would love more variety: other time periods. Varied social backgrounds. Different countries,LGBT+ people, people of color. But authors have an easier time navigating the known and tried paths. Sadly.
Eliza wrote: "One thing I appreciate about BR books is that you're not going to find a ton of them written about Dukes and Duchesses...some, but not a ton. "
I don't think there is significantly more nobility in romance today. In the case of regency romances I'd say there is greater variety today. Also modern BR are completely different in every aspect.
I think there is great appeal for nobility in fiction because...
- The appeal of novelty. I often hear Americans have a great interest in royalty because it's so unfamiliar to them.
In this day and age that way of life is so far removed from us, it's almost like sci-fi.
- Power imbalance is interesting in romance.
- We all dream on occasion of being more than our ordinary plain selves. And everyone who enjoys historical fiction, imagines themself living in a historical setting.
I don't think there is significantly more nobility in romance today. In the case of regency romances I'd say there is greater variety today. Also modern BR are completely different in every aspect.
I think there is great appeal for nobility in fiction because...
- The appeal of novelty. I often hear Americans have a great interest in royalty because it's so unfamiliar to them.
In this day and age that way of life is so far removed from us, it's almost like sci-fi.
- Power imbalance is interesting in romance.
- We all dream on occasion of being more than our ordinary plain selves. And everyone who enjoys historical fiction, imagines themself living in a historical setting.

I disagree with your first statement, I feel like I cannot pick up a new book without it featuring nobility! I'm not sure that I've read a "modern" BR...I mean I've maybe picked up a few authors willing to write a more non-pc book, but haven't run across any true BRs....
I agree about the power imbalance - I even like it. However, you can have that with any station in life. Valet vs Lady, maid vs doctor …you see where I'm going with it? It's definitely possible to do it, and I bet the people would love it!
But, yes I totally agree about Americans having a thing for royalty. Personally, it's not for me, but I understand the appeal.
Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro:
Agree- its selling, so who am I to judge what authors do to make that $$??? I'm just bored with it, I guess.
I'm one of the historical romance readers that DOES want to read about the reality of the times. Don't get me wrong, every now and then I love me a nice fluffy regency that gives me 100% fairytale, but again...it gets boring after awhile.
I suppose my original post leans more into the question of WHY authors avoid writing like they used to. Obviously we live in a much more PC world and 90% of what's featured in BRS from the good ol' days simply would not fly today. Times change, tastes change- right now we are living in a Bridgerton obsessed world and we must give the people what they want! I'm just bitter about it 😂
And you're right, they should have more variety! I wish authors would just branch out and give it to us!
Eliza wrote: " I feel like I cannot pick up a new book without it featuring nobility!"
Well, I didn't say they've become more common (other than regency). I just don't see a decrease in lower class love interests.
I remember you posted a while ago looking for a historicals featuring the mob/gang and they're wasn't much to recommend for lower class heroes.
I'm not sure that I've read a "modern" BR...I mean I've maybe picked up a few authors willing to write a more non-pc book, but haven't run across any true BRs....
Exactly what I meant. People in this group and readers in general call a BR different things. The two aren't really comparable.
maid vs doctor
That sounds like typical man vs woman with historical sexism. It doesn't feel significant enough for me personally.
I suppose my original post leans more into the question of WHY authors avoid writing like they used to.
Feminism.
I think Harlequin has been making an effort to get more lower class love interests. But Harlequins are generic modern historicals.
I did a quick search on the lists with terms like servant, law and gang, etc
Found plenty of modern historicals, Kleypas is always at the top of course.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
Well, I didn't say they've become more common (other than regency). I just don't see a decrease in lower class love interests.
I remember you posted a while ago looking for a historicals featuring the mob/gang and they're wasn't much to recommend for lower class heroes.
I'm not sure that I've read a "modern" BR...I mean I've maybe picked up a few authors willing to write a more non-pc book, but haven't run across any true BRs....
Exactly what I meant. People in this group and readers in general call a BR different things. The two aren't really comparable.
maid vs doctor
That sounds like typical man vs woman with historical sexism. It doesn't feel significant enough for me personally.
I suppose my original post leans more into the question of WHY authors avoid writing like they used to.
Feminism.
I think Harlequin has been making an effort to get more lower class love interests. But Harlequins are generic modern historicals.
I did a quick search on the lists with terms like servant, law and gang, etc
Found plenty of modern historicals, Kleypas is always at the top of course.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...

And you're right about feminism- I made a post about this a couple years ago. The feedback was interesting to say the least!
But you know you bring up something really interesting about the Harlequins. I used to avoid those because...well...they're harlequins and I judge a book by it's cover 😂 BUT they are seriously changing their tactics. I've read a couple lately that are not just fluffy generic books- it's really surprising and welcomed!
Eliza wrote: "Thanks for the feedback. I clicked on the links you sent over and then on the top books within those lists and almost all of them feature "lady" or "duchess" in the blurb or title, which confirms m..."
Argh! The lists are always plagued with people adding whatever they like.
Generally the authors are writing a humble noble or a noble in disguise.
Argh! The lists are always plagued with people adding whatever they like.
Generally the authors are writing a humble noble or a noble in disguise.
What's with all these younger authors strictly writing about high peerage? I don't mind it occasionally, but it seems like we are flooded with it. I wonder why we are so obsessed with it these days? BR keep it real IMO