About Emma
What is Restorative Romance?
Restorative Romance is a newsletter for people interested in the bigger picture of what historical romance is and can be.
To me, romance cannot be separated from questions of justice and restoration. Because romance plots are about the journey toward couplings of intimate relationships, much of the conflict stems from interpersonal harm. In order to get to a satisfying narrative ending (generally, the promised happily-ever-after), some restoration must occur. The harms can range from violence, like in a traditional bodice ripper, to lack of open miscommunication.