Blog Archive

What are you reading?

It’s the first of August–where did this year go?!?! Goodreads tells me I’ve read 54 books this year–I don’t count re-reads which comprise about a third of my reading. I just finished Klara and the Sun…

the ask@AAR: What do we think of Susan Elizabeth Phillips?

AAR’s reviewed Susan Elizabeth Phillips sixteen times–we’ve given her ten DIKs. The lowest grade she’s gotten here is a single C. (That book, Dance Away with Me, also got a B here.) Given that she’s been…

AAR Loves… Comfort Reads

As I’ve been developing our “comfort read” tag, I’ve had time to reflect on the comfort read. Interestingly, while we at AAR label our top grades as “keepers,” I know I personally keep many books which…

Coming Soon – The Romances We’re Most Looking Forward to Reading in August 2022

Here we go again, with AAR’s regular look ahead to next month’s new releases.  It’s that time of year when we’re all thinking about heading off for a holiday – or staying at home for one…

the ask@ARR: What do we think about Lisa Kleypas?

AAR has reviewed Lisa Kleypas 41 times. We’ve given her twelve DIKs, the last of which was for Devil in Disguise in 2021. The lowest grade she’s ever received here is a sole C in not…

TBR Challenge July 2022 – Vintage

Back in law school, I used to buy boxes of old category romances at library sales, and I still have many of these hanging around. When I want to try out some 80s/90s romances, these can…

Looking back at the ask@AAR

WordPress tells me I’ve written 138 the ask@AAR posts. The first one, published on September 6th, 2019, asked what did you think about cartoon covers? Reading through the comments, it appears that AAR readers were, in…

the ask@AAR: What’s your favorite easy summer dish (to make)?

It’s mid July in the Carolinas and it is sticky and hot. On a good day, I find cooking somewhat onerous. (My excuse? Decades of making meals for four kids and a very busy husband.) After…

Tell us about your tattoos!

As cover art indicates, tattooed heroines and heroes have become widespread in romances, and tattoo artists as protagonists are also on the rise (you can check out our tattoo tag for books where tattooing is central!)…