But not every book set “long ago” qualifies as historical romance — and not every corset-clad character creates the same immersive experience. So what actually makes a romance historical? And what separates it from stories that just happen to be set in the past?
Let’s dive into the heart of the genre — lace, longing, and all.
It’s Not Just About the Time Period
At first glance, the answer seems simple: a historical romance is a romance set in the past.
But that definition alone is too broad. When in the past? How much historical detail matters? And what if there’s magic involved?
While there’s no single set of rules, most readers and publishers agree that a historical romance typically meets three key criteria:
- The setting must be significantly in the past (usually 50+ years ago)
- The story must reflect the norms, values, and limitations of that time
- The romance must be central to the plot
Let’s break that down.
1. Setting: A Sense of Distance
To qualify as historical, a romance novel generally needs to be set far enough in the past that readers feel a sense of temporal distance. That usually means at least 50 years ago, often much more. Regency and Victorian England are perennial favorites, but so are:
- The American West
- Medieval Europe
- The Gilded Age
- Ancient Rome or Greece
- The Jazz Age
- The 1920s–1940s wartime era
A book set in the early 2000s or even the 1980s might feel dated, but it usually wouldn’t be classified as historical unless it's intentionally focused on capturing that time as a different world.
Why does this matter? Because readers of historical romance aren’t just seeking a love story — they’re seeking escapism, immersion, and a chance to experience love through the lens of another era.
2. Tone and Texture: The World Must Feel Historical
You can’t just slap a year on the title page and call it a day. What makes a romance feel historical is the way the time period influences everything — from how characters speak, to how they move through society, to the challenges they face in falling in love.
A good historical romance shows us:
- The social rules that constrain or define courtship
- The gender dynamics and expectations of the time
- The political or class structures that impact characters’ decisions
- The details of daily life — fashion, food, transportation, etiquette
These elements don’t need to take over the story, but they should be woven in naturally. A Regency duke who acts like a 21st-century boyfriend, complete with modern slang and feminist values, might be fun — but it breaks the illusion for readers seeking true historical romance.
That said, there’s a spectrum. Some authors lean into rigorous historical realism, while others allow a more modern tone or progressive twist. Both can work — as long as the story remains aware of its setting and doesn’t flatten history into background wallpaper.
3. Romance Is the Core Plot, Not a Side Dish
This one’s simple but crucial: in a historical romance, the romantic relationship must be the driving force of the story.
You might have wars, rebellions, family secrets, political intrigue, or even murder mysteries happening in the background — but at the heart of it all, the plot must center around the emotional (and often physical) journey of the romantic couple.
If the love story is secondary to a larger adventure or historical saga, the book might be better classified as historical fiction with romantic elements.
In historical romance, the story hinges on love — and readers expect that emotional payoff.
So What Doesn’t Count?
Let’s talk about some edge cases that cause confusion:
❌ A book set in the past with no real historical texture
If your novel mentions it’s 1845 but the characters dress, speak, and behave like they’re in modern-day New York — it’s not historical romance. It’s a contemporary romance in costume.
❌ A romantic subplot in a historical epic
If your sweeping World War II saga includes a love interest but spends most of its time on battlefields, family secrets, and political upheaval, it’s historical fiction — not historical romance.
❌ A fantasy or time-travel romance without grounding
If your story involves time-travel, alternate worlds, or magic, it can still be historical romance — but only if the historical setting is treated with depth and care. Otherwise, it might belong in fantasy romance or paranormal instead.
Subgenres Within Historical Romance
The world of historical romance is vast — and readers often have strong preferences. Here are just a few subcategories that fall under the broader umbrella:
- Regency Romance – Set in early 19th-century England, full of balls, dukes, and drawing-room tension
- Medieval Romance – Castles, knights, arranged marriages, and fierce heroines
- Western Historical Romance – Ranches, outlaws, sheriffs, and frontier women
- Victorian Romance – Industrial changes, class divides, and strong moral codes
- WWII or Wartime Romance – Love forged through tragedy and separation
- Highland Romance – Scottish settings, kilts, and broadswords often included
Each subgenre brings its own flavor — and its own expectations. A reader picking up a Regency romance expects elegance and restraint; a Western might promise grit and resilience.
Understanding those expectations helps writers deliver satisfying stories — and helps readers find their favorites.
The Gray Areas (And Why They’re Okay)
Genres are fluid. And sometimes, the lines blur — especially when you blend tropes or stretch boundaries.
For instance, many popular historical romances today include:
- Feminist heroines who push back against the norms of their time
- Interracial or queer relationships in eras where they were taboo or hidden
- Characters from marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds
These stories are essential. They don’t make the book less historical — as long as the setting, conflicts, and social dynamics are still grounded in the time period. In fact, exploring those dynamics can lead to some of the most powerful and thought-provoking romance fiction out there.
Final Thoughts
Historical romance is more than just love in fancy dresses. It’s a genre that invites us to explore how love survives — and thrives — under constraints very different from our own. It asks: What did it mean to fall in love when society, family, class, or circumstance tried to stand in the way?
A true historical romance doesn’t just tell a love story set in the past. It makes that past feel alive — and reminds us that no matter the century, the human heart hasn’t changed all that much.
So whether you're a reader looking for your next swoon-worthy escape or a writer building your own historical world, remember: it’s not just about the setting. It’s about how that setting shapes the love story at its heart.
