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The first romance novel
"Samuel Richardson’s Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded from 1740 is considered one of the first true romance novels, focusing on the emotional and moral development of its characters through romantic encounters."
Estrada, J. (2024, April 21). The evolution of the romance novel: A tale of love through the ages. Culture. https://culture.org/art-and-culture/literature/romance-novel-history/ -
The Jane Austen era
"Fast forward to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility in 1811 when women began writing for women. Though they often wrote under male pseudonyms, to decrease the chance of harassment and so their books would be taken seriously, it was usually obvious when women wrote them."
Carter, I. (n.d.). A brief history of the romance novel. Brink Literacy Project. https://frictionlit.org/a-brief-history-of-the-romance-novel/ -
Romance publishers emerge
"By the 20th century, the romance novel became more familiar to modern readers, marked by the emergence of publishers like Harlequin in the 1940s. These books were typically quick, easy reads with formulaic plots but gained immense popularity, especially among women."
Estrada, J. (2024, April 21). The evolution of the romance novel: A tale of love through the ages. Culture. https://culture.org/art-and-culture/literature/romance-novel-history/ -
Trends change: Setting and career
"The 1950s and 1960s saw a shift towards narratives involving exotic locations and heroines who had careers outside of the expected roles of housewife or mother. Stewardesses and nurses were popular choices."
Pagan, A. (2019, February 15). A brief history of the romance novel. New York Public Library. https://www.nypl.org/blog/2019/02/15/brief-history-romance-novel-recommendations -
The first popular gay romance novel
"In 1970, Gordon Merrick published the first bestselling gay romance, The Lord Won't Mind... Queer romance novels have always existed, but they were overshadowed by the success and demand of heteronormative narratives."
Pagan, A. (2019, February 15). A brief history of the romance novel. New York Public Library. https://www.nypl.org/blog/2019/02/15/brief-history-romance-novel-recommendations -
The Happily Ever After (HEA) Trope
"... Avon Books published The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss... an instant bestseller that’s credited with birthing the modern romance genre... 'Kathleen Woodiwiss wrapped everything up with a nice pink bow, and that’s something romance writers still talk about today,' says Carrie Feron,"
Haupt, A. (2021, April 15). How the romance genre found its happily ever after. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/04/15/romance-novels-history/ -
The "Golden Age"
"The 1980s are often called the 'Golden Age' of romance novels, characterized by the dramatic, steamy narratives... However, the genre was not static; it began to diversify significantly by introducing various subgenres such as historical romance, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense."
Estrada, J. (2024, April 21). The evolution of the romance novel: A tale of love through the ages. Culture. https://culture.org/art-and-culture/literature/romance-novel-history/ -
Romance Writers of America
“I said to this woman who had called, 'What you people need is your own conference that only deals with romance.' ... So that was the beginning of the Romance Writers of America... [the inaugural event] was held in Texas, and 800 people showed up."
Haupt, A. (2021, April 15). How the romance genre found its happily ever after. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/04/15/romance-novels-history/ -
Harlequin's first American romance novels
"A few years later, in 1983, [Vivian] Stephens — one of the few Black editors in a mostly White industry — left Dell and went to Harlequin to create its first line of American romance novels."
Haupt, A. (2021, April 15). How the romance genre found its happily ever after. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/04/15/romance-novels-history/ -
The digital revolution
"... the digital revolution made books more accessible and allowed for the rise of e-books and self-publishing, further diversifying the voices in the genre. Modern romance... also include LGBTQ+ relationships, explore complex social issues, and feature characters from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds."
Estrada, J. (2024, April 21). The evolution of the romance novel: A tale of love through the ages. Culture. https://culture.org/art-and-culture/literature/romance-novel-history/