I love a good love story[1]. I would say my enjoyment in reading has two priorities:
- Great Writing
- A compelling story
I have to say, the book that met both of those criteria and still haunts me is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo[2].
I admit, I stayed away from historical romances for a long time[3]. But, like the rest of the US, I enjoyed the first season of Bridgerton, by Julia Quinn. I enjoyed it so much, in the winter and spring of 2021, I read everything she wrote that was available at the library[4]. Julia Quinn’s books led me to Lisa Kleypas’ books, and I loved them too.
Perhaps it is good that I came to Regency Romance so late. I might not have appreciated it as much earlier in life. Sometimes things come into your life at just the right time.
What do I appreciate about Regency Romance?
First – Family
I think this was the thing I least expected. I used to read a lot of Harlequin and Silhouette romances when I was in high school and college. Family was not as major a plot point in those books unless it was a child you unexpectedly inherited[5] or an evil stepparent. Regency romances, at least the ones I have read, have at least one loving and caring relative on one side and usually a whole clan on the other side of the main plot point: boy and girl fall in lurve.
The loving and caring part are important. The family leads to a sense of security for the hero or heroine of the story which gives them a strong foundation. This foundation makes them recognize love, want to have love in their life, and question if this person is someone who they could love[6].
Perhaps the best part of the larger clan is that it leads to series of romances[7] where a main character comes back into the story, and you get to see how their life progressed[8].
Second – While the ruin of a woman is a major plot point, her life is never ruined
This one is interesting. The ways a woman can be ruined are varied and fascinating. You can alone in a room with a man. You can NOT be alone in a room with a man, but think you are, and let him touch you[9]. In the Regency Romances I have read the heroine and hero are never discovered ACTUALLY doing naughty things[10]. Men are never ruined.
A man can be a rake. Or disreputable. Or any number of unpleasant things. However, the reputation of a man never makes him ruined for the Marriage Mart[11].
Third – Odd girls win in the Marriage Mart too
Lisa Kleypas more often, but also Julia Quinn, do not write about perfect girls as the heroine. I mean, the men who chase them all think they are the most beautiful creature on earth[12]. Two in particular stand out: The stories of Pandora and Beatrix.
Our heroine Pandora[13] wants to start her own business designing board games, and she resists marrying the man she was found with in a compromising position[14] because she would no longer be able to own the business. Pandora of course bows to her hearts’ desire and marries, but she also realizes she was right – he does try to control her actions. It is to keep her safe, and they do reach a compromise.
In a different series, our heroine Beatrix was obsessed with animals and adopted them all as pets who will go with her to her new home as a bride. She has a ferret, a rabbit, and a porcupine as part of her menagerie – or trousseau – depending on how you look at it. In this book, the hero and the heroine fall in love through letters, and it is very Cyrano-esque[15].
Both women wed rich men who didn’t need their dowry[16], despite the fact they are called odd throughout the book and greatly disappoint their chaperones.
Fourth – There is something compelling about the clothes
I am a blue jean and t-shirt kind of woman, and I prefer to wear comfortable sandals on my feet[17]. But reading about the ball gowns and hair styles and corsets[18] and satins and silks that makes even my heart melt. I want to waltz[19]
The servants, and there are a lot of servants, must help you get dressed because the styles are not self-service. The servants have great personalities, and they tend to convey the idea they do not want to be like the hero or heroine. They like their life just fine[20]. As a young lady on the Marriage Mart, your maid guarantees you look alright. I do not think I would like to be dressed by a maid, but I enjoy reading about it and picturing myself in a swirling teal satin dress with hair without frizz.
Fifth – CENSORED[21].
I love reading, and I am not disappointed at all that the discovering of Regency Romance has led me to stories I can read over and over again[22]. I will probably be writing more about reading and what I love to read in the coming months, but I suggest you give a Regency Romance a try if you haven’t before. If nothing else, it might spice up your love life[23].
[1] Doesn’t everyone?
[2] I will NOT be writing a LfZ expressing joy in this book. It was, however, a very good read.
[3] It might have been the very stuffy history degree holder inside that made me think historical romance must be fluff.
[4] I may have found myself purchasing some of the books too.
[5] You know, like in Baby Boom
[6] The answer is generally no until it is yes.
[7] As anyone who has encountered Bridgerton, book OR series, knows.
[8] This is Regency Romance – relationships never fade and there is no such thing as divorce.
[9] This problem comes from someone being in the room with you, but you didn’t know, so you are “found out” to be the hussy lurking in your heart.
[10] They do naughty things, they just are discovered in other circumstances that appear naughty but are NOTHING compared to what they are really getting up to in stables, in tea rooms, and sometimes in bed.
[11] I kind of love this concept – like K Mart but for your female spouse.
[12] Eventually. The plot device of the hero thinking, “she’s a strange one,” but transitioning to, “I now realize she is the only woman for me,” is quite common.
[13] I love the names Lisa chooses.
[14] They hadn’t actually met at the time. She was trapped in a trellis.
[15] In truth, the allusions and discussions of historical literature are part of the charm of this genre. Everyone loves Jane Austin of course.
[16] This is a plot point I don’t enjoy – money problems are always solved and never really problems unless they NEED to be problems to advance the plot.
[17] Note: Birkenstocks are NOT comfortable. For me.
[18] Our heroines usually conspire to keep their corsets loose, attractive, and easy to remove.
[19] Did you know waltzing was scandalous?
[20] Yes, this is ridiculous. I try not to focus on this part.
[21] I couldn’t let myself put this in line, but I have learned (and it must be true because I read it in a book) that the male nobility of London are only concerned with woman finding satisfaction in the sexual embrace. Who knew?
[22] Just ask Libby – the eBook lending app.
[23] And yet, I do not suggest considering the book as an instruction manual.