Dr. Feelgood and I just watched the final half season of Ozark, something I’d been wildly looking forward to, and it was a serious let down. I didn’t like hardly anything about it–the way the characters’ behaved, the futures they may or may not have going forward, the completely unnecessary plotlines that detracted from the pull of the original story. I’m sure our disappointment was in part due to the fact that our expectations were so high–Ozark’s first three and half seasons had been mesmerising.

It’s widely agreed that in television the worst conclusion of a much watched show is that of Game of Thrones. (People often cite Mash, The Office, The Wire, and Six Feet Under as having the best finales.) But what about romance?  What series have the best/worst endings?

I found the last original Bridgerton book (On the Way to the Wedding) to be remarkably blah. Wrapped Up in You, the last Heartbreaker […]

I’ve been reading endless articles about whether or not and, if so, how the probable overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States could influence the 2022 midterms and the 2024 election. The answer seems to be: Not much. Most pundits think that despite the strong passions voters have about the issue, stricter limits on abortion, even criminalization, won’t inspire people to vote. According to a recent Gallup poll, abortion isn’t considered an important issue for voters–it ranks lower than many many other societal and economic issues.

What do voters care about? Inflation is the top concern. After that, women prioritise health care and prescription drugs; men, taxes and Ukraine and Russia.

Interestingly, the group most likely to decide elections may be women over 50. According to a new AARP poll, this voting bloc votes reliably AND hasn’t decided who to vote for. So I’m curious. Not about WHO you plan to vote for but WHAT. […]

One of the great things about all those Bridgertons–besides more fodder for Netflix seasons–is that Violet and her children are a fun brood to read about/watch. One of my favorite things on the show is watching Gregory and Hyacinth amuse and torment one another. It’s almost as much fun as taking in the elder four’s endless arch banter.

But families in romance are tricky. If they’re too big and have too many offshoots, one finds oneself constantly trying to remember whose cousin is Lord Winchilsea while reading about Jemima and Josiah’s big mis or having no idea which steely great aunt Dodo the adorable blue and brown eyed spaniel belongs to.

I’m not sure I could pick a favorite. I adore the family that is Marguerite, Doyle, and Severine– who is also Justine’s sister and heart. I never tire of the Redmond siblings’ competitiveness. The Hathaways‘ bond is lovely. Everyone loves the Winstons!

How about you? Who is […]

Do I have to support/promote the art of someone I dislike or whose thoughts/actions I dislike or disapprove of?

Here’s why I ask. There’s an author who’s been really nasty about AAR who has a book for sale right now. I was entering it into our Steals and Deals and suddenly thought what am I doing? Why am I taking my time and platform to support this person who has treated AAR and its readers like trash? 

I stopped, thought about it for a while, and ended up advertising the book despite how horrible its author has been to AAR. I did so because I feel as though supporting romance and being an ethical site means not letting personal feelings rule our coverage. I decided that if I thought it was a good book, then I should share it with our readers, no matter how damaging the writer has been to us.

Since I did that, however, I’m still mentally fussing with […]

I was at a wedding this past weekend and found myself in an interesting discussion. My tablemate, a woman a bit older than me, married to her high school sweetheart, said she thought it was a mistake to tell young people they could have it all in a partner. She felt that made picking and settling down with someone seem impossible–there’s no such thing as a perfect match, she said. She said she told her kids, if there are five categories–intellect, ethics, physical attraction, compatibility, and shared interests perhaps–if you find someone that checks three or four of those boxes, that’s enough for a life of happiness with another.

I said I disagreed. I think, when starting out, you should have all five of those but that, over time, some of these aspects will become more significant than others and so perhaps not all five categories should be weighted equally. I am idea obsessed AND easily bored–it’s been a gift […]

When I was 16, I wanted my own phone line–we were a family of six and my father had rules. My parents agreed that as long as I kept my grades up, I could get a job. This was in 1977 in South Florida and the mall was king. I actually got two jobs, both at Boca Mall, one as a sales clerk in the bra department at Burdines Department Store and one as a waitress at the Walgreen’s Grill.

The bra job was a lesson in being a peon. I was treated as though I might steal the store blind and was only allowed to bring a few things that would fit in a clear plastic pouch when I came to work. My supervisors looked at that bag every time I left–sure, I think, I’d try to steal some Clinique Black Honey lipstick. But at least at Burdines I could wear our my clothes and my bosses, at least […]