mizarchivist

ursa_cerulean has been an amazing influence in my life. The thing that's relevant to this post is my introduction to the romance genre. I fell for the societally popular prejudice that Romance is crap. No-- Romance is great! Who doesn't want a happily ever after from time to time. Others have spoken more eloquently on the value of romance. TL;DR- I got over it and here is a very short explanation of who I read and why I love them to bits and pieces

Alisha Rai -Wow, her kink is fabulous. She captures current issues like woah. Indian-American, so brings that to the party. Really excellent with modern/current settings
Rose Lerner- Jewish and that features prominently in much of her work. She's super into gothic romance and the early 1800s. Her period pieces are a delight.
Courtney Milan- Also has written a lot of historical, but more towards later 1800s.
Alyssa Cole- African-American and like Alisha, writes very brilliantly in a current setting and frames current issues masterfully.

They are all to a one interested in portraying

complex, grey situations and people complexly
enthusiastic consent
addresses issues we all struggle with compassionately particularly the patriarchy and toxic masculinity
representation for race, religion, sexual expression, sexual identity, gender, neuro-diversity, age, body type, relationship models, economic... I could go on.

Every single one of them write beautifully, have amazing and nuanced sex or just hot sex, and follows the formula of happily ever after.