Gentle readers, it's time to hike up your petticoats and reach for your favourite vibrator, because season four of Bridgerton is coming. And let's finally admit it: we are deeply, unashamedly hot for Regency romance. From The Buccaneers to Wuthering Heights, period dramas are having a serious moment, with their painfully restrained small talk, simmering tension, and the many layers that must be removed.
Perhaps it's the contrast with modern dating, where men bare their souls in heart-shattering monologues declaring they 'burn' for us, rather than sending a text about being too busy with fantasy football. The rituals of traditional courtship frame romantic desire through a language of devotion, yearning and emotional intensity, which is undoubtedly appealing both in literature and in real life, explains Emma Hathorn, relationship expert at Seeking.
Regency romances centre on an aspirational version of love and partnership that many feel is missing from today's dating world. They allow us to maintain the belief that true love will win over adversity with its transformative power. We want to put the 'main character' energy back into the romantic quest, moving away from passive, disengaged dating.
Dating apps are a fixture in our relationship landscape, but nothing feels more disheartening than being reduced to a profile. The rise of online dating has encouraged people to be more explicit about their dos and don'ts in a partner, aligning with the Regency focus on finding a 'suitable' match. According to Hathorn, this emphasis on intentionality is key: with Seeking, a good match goes beyond the ordinary.
