initial terminological considerations are expanded in Chapter 1, “Popular Romance Novels: Past, Present and Future”, by Inmaculada Pérez Casal (in itself an excellent teaching aid to introduce students to the genre). This chapter nicely frames the rest of the volume with its succinct but informative discussion of the history and cultural impact of romance novels and its overview of the main critical waves of romance criticism. The chapter concludes with a brief reflection on the future of popular romance, particularly in what concerns current moves to incorporate more diverse voices and inclusive perspectives, leaving behind the whiteness that has historically characterised the genre. (235)
This is the English version of a Spanish chapter with the same content. Paloma Fresno Callejo summarises the chapter like this: