End of an Era: Harlequin to Close Historical Romance Line

Harlequin Enterprises, one of the most influential publishers in the romance genre, has announced it will shutter its historical romance line by fall 2027, marking the end of nearly four decades of publishing new titles in that category. According to People, The decision means Harlequin will stop acquiring and producing historical romance novels for retail and digital markets in the U.S. and U.K., though the company may still sell foreign rights where demand remains strong.

Launched in 1988, Harlequin’s historical romance imprint became a staple for readers of sweeping love stories set in eras past. For years it was a bestseller line, shaping millions of readers’ tastes and launching the careers of writers who specialized in stories of regency balls, frontier passion, and classic tropes rooted in history. However, industry reports indicate declining retail distribution and shifts in reader habits played a role in Harlequin’s decision to wind down the line.

Within the romance community, the news has been met with nostalgia and concern. Harlequin’s historical titles were often a gateway for new fans entering the genre, and their absence leaves a gap many readers and authors hope others will fill. Observers note that while traditional historical romance publishing is changing, the genre itself isn’t disappearing—it continues to thrive through indie authors, cross-genre blends like romantasy, and reader-driven discovery on digital platforms.

Harlequin’s choice reflects broader shifts in the publishing landscape, where formula-driven imprints and category lines increasingly contend with evolving reader tastes and digital-first reading behaviors. Whether this signals a broader decline or a reconfiguration of how historical romance is published remains to be seen, but for many, it marks the end of a beloved era in romance publishing.