Rewriting the Wallflowers: Revisionist History

Have you read Lisa Kleypas's neogothic duology: Devil in Winter and It Happened One Autumn? Tehyah Carver shares her provocative claims about Kleypas’s Wallflower series, including how St. Vincent is a gothic heroine. We also discuss the revisions the author made to the texts around 2021, theories on why the changes were made, and how we feel about them.What differentiates a villain from an interesting character in romance and how have contemporary romance readers' expectations evolved and what are the broader implications of rewriting problematic elements in historical romance fiction?00:00 Tehyah’s Romance Credentials03:57 Lisa Kleypas's Novels07:07 The Magic of Stony Cross Park11:23 Romance Genre and Reader Response18:26 Neogothic Romance and Social Anxieties23:52 Revisions in Romance Novels51:18 What kind of dog is Sebastian St. Vincent?51:55 Sebastian's Villainous Nature and Reader Perspectives53:47 Gothic Elements in Devil in Winter55:48 Sebastian as a Gothic Heroine57:44 Cam's Role and Racial Elements01:06:42 Sebastian's Masculinity and Gender Roles01:15:01 Revisions and Reader Perceptions01:27:01 Don’t be Boring: Concluding Thoughts on RomanceGuest: Tehyah CarverPhD student at Teachers College Columbia University, “real” romance fan and legit scholarInstagram | PhD ProfileDiscussed:Lisa Kleypas Wallflower series: Devil in Winter & It Happened One Autumn: Neogothic Duology, plus Secrets of a Summer NightRoutledge Research Companion to Popular Romance Fiction (2021): Edited By Jayashree Kamblé, Eric Murphy Selinger, Hsu-Ming TeoChapter 4: Gothic Romance by Angela Toscano Shelf Love:NEW! Substack for original writing and stuff | Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeEmail: [email protected]

Are readers of dark romance or bodice rippers more morbidly curious than those who read sweet romcoms? Is the allure of horror and scary romance similar. Dr. Coltan Scrivner joins Shelf Love to discuss his new book, “Morbidly Curious,” and its insights on why people are drawn to scary media. The conversation delves into how understanding morbid curiosity can provide new perspectives on romance readers, the stereotypes surrounding both horror and romance fans, and the psychological underpinnings of consuming these genres. Dr. Scrivner shares his research on formidability dynamics within horror, how horror media impacts its audience, and the surprising therapeutic benefits they may offer.Guest: Dr. Coltan ScrivnerWebsite | Substack | Book Shelf Love:NEW! Substack for original writing and stuff | Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeEmail: [email protected]

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Impale yourself on your fate: marrying the Devil can be heaven. Semilore Sobande shares her all-time favorite romance, "Devil's Bride" by Stephanie Laurens. This book has it all: Honoria Prudence Anstruther-Weatherby, a heroine who balances strength and vulnerability, and a hero who might just be Batman in disguise and has a similarly ridiculous name. Discover how this historical romance stands out with its compelling characters, feudal fantasies, and unexpectedly humorous plot twists, all while reimagining the dynamics of power and partnership in the Cynster family saga.Guest: Semilore Sobandehttps://english.brown.edu/people/semilore-sobande Learn more about the Ready to Score release event with Dame Jodie Slaughter and Shelf Love host Andrea Martucci on Monday June 9, 2025 at 7pm at Lovestruck Books in Cambridge, MA: https://lovestruck-Jodie-Slaughter.eventbrite.com/?aff=Andrea Shelf Love:NEW! Substack for original writing and stuff | Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeEmail: [email protected]

Morgan and Isabeau from the Whoa!mance podcast join to discuss the 2024 film “Your Monster.” We discuss how the movie explores female rage and personal discovery, drawing parallels with romance novel conventions. We are divided in our opinions: did the film succeed in merging romance and horror? The conversation highlights how individual experiences and tastes shape reception of the film, making for an engaging discussion on the intersection of romance, rage, and narrative structure.-Guests: Whoa!mance (Morgan and Isabeau)Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Listen on any podcast app!Morgan & Isabeau joined me in episode 076 to discuss Strange Love by Ann AguirreandEpisode 089 to Problematize Romanceand108 She-Devil (1989): Who's Entitled To Be Selfish in Love & Life? (Whoa!mance spectacular) Shelf Love:NEW! Substack for original writing and stuff | Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeEmail: [email protected]

Alice Murphy, a historical romance author, joins to recommend and discuss under-appreciated non-Regency historical romance. The discussion touches on Alice's upcoming book, "A Showgirl's Rules for Falling in Love," and a rich variety of historical romance novels set in diverse time periods and locations. We travel through Ancient Egypt, medieval Wales, 19th century Japan, the Gilded Age, the Civil Rights Movement in the US in the 1960s, and more. This episode is jam-packed with book recommendations!-Guest: Alice MurphyWebsite | Instagram | A Showgirl’s Rules for Falling in LoveNot recommended: Redeeming LoveRecommended:Ancient to Medieval EraMara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGrawDefiant Love by Maura SegerA Husband for Esyllt by Virginie Marconato1500sHis Bride by Gayle Callen1700sFierce Eden by Jennifer Blake1800sFlame on the Sun by Maura SegerA Viscount for the Egyptian Princess by Heba HelmyThe Wild West and BeyondHitched to the Gunslinger by Michelle McLean and Untamed by Lisa RayneTurn of the CenturyA Striking Romance by Lindsey BrooksAs You Desire and The Other Guys’ Bride by Connie BrockwayEarly to Post-War 20th CenturyA Manhattan Heiress in Paris by Amanda McCabeThe Companion by E.E. OttomanPhoenix Pictures series by Brianne GillenMidcenturyLet It Shine by Alyssa ColeA Midnight Feast by Genevieve Turner and Emma BarryMrs. Milner Gets a Kitchen by Jane Hadley Shelf Love:NEW! Substack for original writing and stuff | Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeEmail: [email protected]

Why do we read Jane Austen but not the authors Jane Austen read and loved? The answer is a BIT more complicated than just "sexism." Guest: Rebecca Romney, rare book dealer and author of the new book, Jane Austen's Bookshelf.Guest: Rebecca RomneyJane Austen's Bookshelf | Type Punch Matrix-Do you have a romance collection, or do you just love looking at other people's collections? Learn more about Romance Novel Collection, a new section of the Shelf Love Substack where I'll be sharing YOUR romance novel collections: https://shelflovepodcast.substack.com/p/introducing-romance-novel-collection  Shelf Love:NEW! Substack for original writing and stuff | Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeEmail: [email protected]

Can horror and romance coexist? Friend and author Laura J. Mayo joins me to discuss “Land of the Beautiful Dead” by R. Lee Smith. We explore the complexities of combining horror elements (zombies, staking, the apocalypse) with romantic themes, how this book makes us feel, and unlikable and defiant characters who are forged by context. Is it all a metaphor?! (Yes, of course it is!)Discussed: Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee SmithGuest: Laura J. MayoWebsite | Bluesky | Instagram -Romancelandia Holiday Fairies is a mutual aid effort for the romance novel reader community to support anyone in the community who could use a little material help with purchasing gifts for themselves, or loved ones this holiday season. Learn more:bit.ly/holidayfairiesshelflovepodcast.com/holiday-fairies Shelf Love:NEW! Substack for original writing and stuff | Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeEmail: [email protected]

I join The Historical Romance Sampler podcast with Katherine Grant to sample a scene from Lisa Kleypas's Secrets of a Summer Night. We discuss how historical romance has changed since the 1970s and talk about bestsellers and airport books. Also, learn more about Romancelandia Holiday Fairies 2024!Romancelandia Holiday Fairies is a mutual aid effort for the romance novel reader community to support anyone in the community who could use a little material help with purchasing gifts for themselves, or loved ones this holiday season. Learn more:bit.ly/holidayfairiesshelflovepodcast.com/holiday-fairies-Learn more about Katherine Grant and The Historical Romance Sampler podcasthttps://katherinegrantromance.com/historical-romance-sampler-podcast/episode-42-andrea-martucci-reads-lisa-kleypasKatherine Grant on InstagramThe Historical Romance Sampler on Instagram Shelf Love:NEW! Substack for original writing and stuff | Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeEmail: [email protected]

Year of the Unicorn by Andre Norton is a 1965 fantasy novel with subtle romantic elements. How does this vintage novel featuring outsider characters compare with today’s romantasy? Romance reader Kassi joins Shelf Love to discuss Gillan’s journey of identity, empowerment, and agency as she embarks on an adventure: arranged marriage with a were Rider. Would you give up your power for a beautiful fantasy? It’s very demure, very mindful — this oldie is a goodie, although there are no unicorns.Discussed: Year of the Unicorn by Andre Norton (1965)Guest: Kassi Shelf Love:NEW! Substack for original writing and stuff | Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeEmail: [email protected]