The article critiques the concept of an all-time best-of romance canon, emphasizing how individual readers' experiences shape their perspectives on the genre. It notes that romance is diverse and constantly evolving, leading to different journeys for different readers. The writers advocate for a curated selection of books that showcase essential elements of romance rather than a definitive list. They highlight the charm of older category romances, which now read as historicals, and suggest modern books that resonate with those traditions, reinforcing the genre's rich tapestry and the joy of exploration.
Every now and again some starry-eyed optimist tries to craft an all-time best-of romance canon, and the gods laugh and make popcorn for the ensuing discourse fiasco.
But the very worst thing about a best-of list is that it's fatal to the joy of discovery. Best of implies that once you've read those titles, it's all downhill from there.
One of the charms of older category romances is that they now read like they're historicals. Mary Burchell's heroine in Paris is a midcentury couture model.
An innocent American is kidnapped by British pirates during the War of 1812, and then well, then things just keep happening.
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