Author reflections ·
Autism ·
Being yourself ·
Invisible struggles ·
Regency romance ·
4 Kommentare
·
Autism in Historical Romance: Why It Matters
We all want to be understood. Not just tolerated. Not just accommodated. But truly seen—for who we are, not who we’re expected to be.
That’s why I wrote Oppressed & Empowered – The Viscount’s Capable Wife. Because I believe historical romance should make space for every kind of mind. And because I wanted to tell a story that honors the quiet miracle of being truly understood.
Richard sighed, wondering what she would think of him if she knew the man he was deep inside. After all, few people truly liked him, especially not once they got to know him better. They thought him cold and calculated, opinionated and arrogant.
Still, she would be his wife soon, and he could not refuse such a simple, and yet, heartfelt request. Perhaps sharing more of himself with another person would not inevitably lead to disaster. To disappointment. Perhaps she would come to understand why he was the man he was and not see anything wrong in his thinking, in the way he felt.
Perhaps she was the one person who would finally understand him.
(Oppressed & Empowered)
Richard Davenport, Viscount Ashwood, is autistic. Like me. But not exactly like me.
Autism isn’t a single story—it’s a spectrum. One autistic person can be very different from the next. Just as neurotypical people differ from one another. And that’s the beauty of the world, isn’t it? Wouldn’t a rainbow with only one color look dull?
He could barely concentrate on anything appropriate to say as Miss Procten’s deep brown eyes seemed to tie up his tongue in the most inconvenient way. Dimly, he could hear himself stammer a thank-you as well as something else—probably unintelligible—which he could not recall the moment the words left his lips.
This was hell! Utter and devastating—
Her eyes narrowed, and Richard froze, wondering what that meant. Was she confused? Displeased? Angry? Had he offended her somehow? If only he could recall what he had just said!
(Oppressed & Empowered)
Richard doesn’t intuit social cues the way Evelyn does. He struggles with change, ambiguity, and the unspoken. He doesn’t perform charm or warmth. To many, he might seem cold. Unfeeling.
But he’s not. He cares—deeply. He just speaks a different emotional language.
And that’s the heart of this story.
Because as difficult as others are to read for Richard, it’s just as difficult for others to read him. It’s not that one way is better than the other. It’s that we need to learn each other’s language if we want to connect.
Holding his gaze, Miss Procten once more stepped toward him and to his utter surprise placed her hands on his chest, her dark brown eyes looking up into his. “I’ve misjudged you,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. It was wrong of me.” She swallowed, and her tongue darted out, wetting her lips. “Will you forgive me?”
Oddly enough, Richard felt as though she could look into his soul and see him for who he truly was with all his faults and weaknesses, and for once, he did not mind. Instead, he felt at ease in her presence, not subject to censure and judgement, but free to be who he was.
“There’s nothing to forgive,” he finally said, wishing he could see into her soul with the same ease, “for I believe I’ve made the same mistake myself.”
(Oppressed & Empowered)
At first, Evelyn is confused by Richard’s behavior—just like everyone else. But then she notices something subtle. She looks closer. She listens differently. She takes the time to understand him. And so does he.
Their love isn’t instant. It’s intentional. It’s built on effort, empathy, and mutual respect.
“You’re an enigma,” she suddenly said, an amused curl to her lips.
Richard’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
Miss Procten nodded. “You are. I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re difficult to read.” A laugh escaped her. “And I usually don’t have any trouble understanding another’s motivations. It is part of being a doctor, seeing how others feel even if they cannot put it into words or even try to hide it.”
Intrigued, Richard asked, “What do you see when…you look at me?” (Oppressed & Empowered)
Too often, people have a fixed idea of what we should be like. They expect us to adapt, to change, to fit in. But why should we?
This isn’t just about historical romance. It’s about life. It’s about the quiet pressure to mask, to perform, to be “normal.” And it’s about the courage it takes to say: This is who I am.
Writing Richard changed me. It expanded my understanding—not just of him, but of myself. Because being autistic in any time period means navigating a world that wasn’t built with you in mind. It means exhaustion. It means longing to be seen without having to explain.
And that’s why representation matters. Not for labels. But for truth. For the reminder that neurodivergent minds have always existed. They’ve just been overlooked. Misnamed. Misunderstood.
So if you’ve ever felt too sensitive, too quiet, too much or not enough—
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’d be accepted in a world that doesn’t understand—
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’d be accepted in a world that doesn’t understand—
Let this story remind you:
You are not broken.
You are not alone.
You are not too much.
You are exactly right.
You are not alone.
You are not too much.
You are exactly right.
And you deserve a love that learns your language.
Thank you. My daughter is a mingle ADHD, I think that’s what they call it, when she was young they said she was obstinate/defiant. I could have told them that when she was 6 months old. Ha! She’s very shy and doesn’t " fit in easily" with those her age. She tends to be more x m for table with people a few years older than herself. It drives me crazy she is so smart, but she constantly limits herself. But she is so special, strongly empathetic and strongly loyal. She’s always been a little different and yet when it counts, she sees others needs and tries to help them see their own worth. Your stories are filled with special women, like my daughter, thank you for showing in your books that we are all valuable in our own way!
I love this story!!! I read this out of sequence and I have to admit reading Claudia and Garrett’s story, I did not like Richard, but going back reading this one reminded me that everyone has a story, everyone deserves love and understanding. That’s what I love about Bree’s books!! Keep telling everyone’s stories Bree! You are amazing!
I am enamored with your books, and now I cannot wait to read this one! Thank you for sharing the back story, and your own personal connection. You’ve just leveled up to my favorite author : )
Just… thank you. ☺️
Hinterlassen Sie einen Kommentar