By Marlies Sargent, Editor & Reader
I love transformations. From home reno shows to romance novels, I can’t help but get invested in the before-and-after storylines. And maybe that’s why I love editing books so much. I get to work with authors as they revise and edit their work to make it shine. Lately, I’ve been in love with the books that Canadian romance authors are putting out into the world. Thank you, authors! Yes, we get those transformations, yet these authors take on deeper issues to help us–the readers–see what life could be like. Love can be disruptive, love can be unconditional, and yes, love can be transforming.
Love stories are taking on society, proving that love can be disruptive … in a great way! Rachel Reid takes on the world of professional hockey in her Game Changers series. She imagines a world where professional hockey slowly becomes more inclusive for players in the 2SLGBTQI+ community. It all starts with Scott and Kip (and a blueberry smoothie), and shows how representation is everything to create positive change. Because of Scott and Kip, Shane and Ilya (supposed hockey rivals) find a way to make their love official, and public.
Another author showing how love disrupts societal norms is Isla Winter. In her book With This Witch, Petra and Lachlan bring down a scheming, manipulative, and greedy council member to help their community thrive again.
And I can’t not mention Kate Cole! She is disrupting the stereotypes around women in trades. In Under Construction, Avery is a brilliant and talented heritage stone mason restoring a building. As Avery challenges the misogynistic attitudes of those around her, she proves that women are equally as capable of being successful in the trades. And, she meets Kent who respects her work, even if he doesn’t admit it right away. Together, they take on and disrupt the chauvinists around them. I can’t wait to see the next book in Kate Cole’s Women in Trades series. All three authors write about disrupting the norm and show us that there is a better way to live: a life of love!
Canadian love stories are also shaking up concepts of mental health, and showing that we can be loved for who we are … no personality changes necessary. One story I love for representing someone living with panic disorder and ADHD is Hannah Brixton’s Hey Jude. Olena has ADHD, yet the book doesn’t revolve on her imperfections. Instead, Olena finds a supportive partner in Jude, who loves her just as she is, missing keys and all. He sees her as a whole person, and chooses to build a life with her.
Megan McSpadden’s blows up the idea of perfection in An Unexpected Path. Marley is career-driven, yet not taking time to deal with possible PTSD from her photojournalism work. Instead of trying to change her character and showing all the ways she’s not enough, Megan McSpadden plops Marley into a forced proximity situation with Bennett, who falls in love with Marley just as she is. Transformations don’t need to radically change the soul of a person, but instead transformations, as both Hannah Brixton and Megan McSpadden show, allow space for people to be loved just as they are.
Another trend in Canadian romance is love stories showcasing how friendships and community are essential, almost more so than romantic love … almost. For the Everwell Society of Scandalous Spinsters in Michelle Helliwell’s books, friendship is everything. These women become family, and support each other through finding community, engaging in spywork, and also navigating love. The romance stories are fun to read, yet it’s the friendships in these books that make them magical.
Found family is also something that Kit Olmstead writes about in her book This Sweet Magic (with the next book in the Rosewood Series on the way soon). The magical community in Vancouver’s Rosewood neighbourhood provides a safe haven for all magical folks, no matter their abilities or their pasts.
Sarah Urquhart writes about intentional community, especially in her Firebrook Bear series and the connected Alder Ridge series. In these paranormal books, community becomes essential to survival. The friendships and intentional relationships that these characters build supports all within the community, and allows characters to feel comfortable in their own skin, or feathers, whatever the case may be. The radical friendships and intentional community in all of these books aren’t contingent on performance or perfection, and show that found family is just as essential to a love story as a romantic partner.
Why do I love romance novels so much? These fabulous authors allow us to see ourselves in romance novels in ways we haven’t before. Love is more than a character changing to be with someone, as if happily ever after was conditional.
These authors show us that love is radical, disruptive, supporting, and healing. Love can be about finding a community that accepts and celebrates you, and creates space for you to love your true self, and live your happily ever after!
And that is why I love my job, because I get to help authors create these spaces for us. I will continue to be a fan of Canadian romance authors. Thank you all, we love your books!
Marlies Sargent is a freelance book editor from Calgary, Alberta who loves to walk her dog, drink tea, watch Jeopardy!, and edit books.
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HEA Canada: A CanLit Romance Hub 