u/LetVast1681

CW: discussion of consent in fiction

I’m looking for advice about how to find historical romance novels that have healthy/enthusiastic consent

Specifically - I really want to avoid reluctant consent that gets sprung on the reader well into the novel, in historical romances that otherwise don’t seem to be bodice rippers or dark romance

I actually enjoy bodice rippers when I’m in the right mindset and I expect it (I’m a fan of the craziness that is Prisoner of Desire by Johanna Lindsey, for example, because I knew what I was getting into and was prepared).

But I recently read Much Ado About You by Eloisa James and A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare and both involve unexpected instances of reluctant consent that felt quite icky to me and undermined the relationship and hero. And they were unexpected (both novels were written in the 2000s). On the other hand, I went into When A Scot Ties the Knot with no real expectations and was actively worrying about the characters’ wedding night, and was thrilled at how sensitive Logan McKenzie was.

So I guess I have two questions: what are some good historical romances with healthy consent that you’d recommend?

And is there a publication year or cut off date or something where I might start to expect healthy/enthusiastic consent to be the norm? Like 2015 or similar?

I had previously figured anything pre 2000 might be a bit iffy, but I was surprised at the 2 other novels I mentioned as they were published after this date.

Thanks so much! And again, no shade if you love a bodice ripper or dark romance - I just like to know what I’m getting into

So I used to love Chanel’s CC cream but they are apparently reformulating it and have been for what feels like years….

I’m looking for something that has a high SPF, good coverage, and that doesn’t get too oily over the course of the day. I have combination skin.

I loved the way the Chanel CC cream had foundation like coverage, was a bit brightening, and lasted for ages while also being high SPF

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks so much!

I know that historical romance is not really getting picked up by trad publishers anymore, but I also feel like I’m not seeing many new names come up in self-publishing. A lot of historical romance forums just seem to talk about already established writers, but even some of these successful writers are no longer writing.

Added to that, I’ve heard some historical romance readers say that they don’t want to engage with newer authors on kindle unlimited for fear the author is using Ai.

It’s made me wonder if it’s worth pursuing self-publishing historical romance. I’ve always loved historical settings and the high stakes and themes, but while it’s obviously a passion of mine, it would be nice to still find and connect to readers rather than publish into a void….

Is anyone currently active in this space? How have you found the process of writing and publishing in the current historical romance market? Do you think it’s still viable for a writer who is new to the genre?

I know that historical romance is sadly not really getting picked up by trad publishers anymore, but I feel like I’m not seeing many new names come up even in self-publishing. A lot of historical romance forums just seem to talk about already established writers, but even some of these successful writers are no longer writing.

Added to that, I’ve heard historical romance readers say that they don’t want to engage with newer authors on kindle unlimited for fear the author is using Ai.

It’s made me wonder if it’s worth pursuing self-publishing historical romance. I’ve always loved historical settings and the high stakes and themes, but while it’s obviously a passion of mine, it would be nice to still find and connect to readers rather than publish into a void….

Is anyone currently active in this space? How have you found the process of writing and publishing in the current historical romance market? Do you think it’s still viable for a writer who is new to the genre?

Thank you!