I've been thinking about the power of the word "accuracy" when applied to fiction. The word is most often applied to historical fiction, which is important in many respects, but does that mean we should not question aspects of these stories that are deemed "accurate"? I am talking about a very specific scenario here, being Regency and Victorian romance novels. Let me explain... Regency and Victorian England are two popular time periods that many contemporary historical romance novels are set in, no doubt because of the continued love for Jane Austen over the centuries. From the Bridgerton craze, to stories of capturing dukes and seducing lords, these stories often romanticize the period by reproducing beloved romance tropes - not that I am complaining. These stories can often be imaginative and empowering for many characters that would not have had a voice in reality, and I cannot deny that they are entertaining. And yet, under the guise of "accuracy,...