You’re an avid fan of romance. You’ve devoured every romance book you’ve ever come across, from classics such Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen to more modern romances like Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas and The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez. However, because you’re such a consumer of everything romance, you’ve also noticed two similar genres that are, in actuality, very similar and different. These two genres are historical and regency romances.

Historical romance is a sub-genre of romance that deals with precisely that, history and romance. The romance can take place in any period of historical time, from the Stone Age to the 1900s. It’s a very broad category that encompasses different time periods. While there is some degree of accuracy in historical romance, the setting should be able to suit the couple in question in some way. Writers may use real historical figures or come up with their own.

Regency romance, on the other hand, concerns itself with the early 19th century in Europe. Many readers and authors consider regency romance as an off-shoot of historical romance and it has gained popularity over time. Common activities a couple may do include carriage riding, attending operas, and going to balls. Marriages of convenience and social class were heavily emphasized within regency romances. There are two branches within this genre; traditional regency romance and regency historical romance.

Traditional regency romances are romances that place emphasis on the plot. These romances are what you may find in a traditional romance. They also tend to be historically accurate, as fans of the genre will tend to point out historically inaccurate details within these books. Some popular traditional regency writers include Elizabeth Mansfield and Clare Darcy.

Regency historical romances, on the other hand, are written for more for modern audiences. While the story may take place in Regency England, social norms are derived from more modern values. This may include women working nontraditional jobs, and placing an emphasis on equality. Regency historical romances may also incorporate explicit scenes, whereas traditional regency romances keep it clean.

Interestingly enough, historical romance and regency romance have an indirect relationship with one another. For instance, during the 1990s, as historical romances became more popular, the demand for regency romance died down. However, when regency romances began adopting sex into their books, readers started picking the books again, and regency romances became popular.

As romance writers and readers, it’s important to note the many trends within the romance market. While it does not matter what kind of romance you may enjoy, it’s essential to see how different sub-genres in romance interact with each other. Historical romances and regency romances correlate with one another, but inevitably, they will appeal to different readers. Nevertheless, these types of romances reflect the changing attitudes regarding romantic relationships. While many readers preferred the male character to take the lead, nowadays, you see many egalitarian relationships. Both historical and regency romances provide a fun insight into how modern audiences view romance.