There’s a book you love set in 1960, but is it a modern historical? Modern historicals differ from classic contemporaries in that contemporaries were written when the setting was “now,” but to a modern historical author, the setting was “then.” If that 1960 book was written in the sixties, it’s a classic contemp. That same 1960 story written and published a decade later? That’s a modern historical! […]
Love can find you at any age! In this list, AAR Loves romance novels starring characters who are older than the norm for the genre. Here are some Seasoned Romances we hope you like as much as we did! […]
When AAR staffers started suggesting titles to include in our AAR Loves… Partners to Lovers romances, we had so many favorites that we decided to split the list in two. Our first list, partners in law enforcement, military, and espionage, can be found here. […]
There are lots of lists for friends-to-lovers stories, but what about partners-to-lovers? Unlike friends, partners have linked up to realize a particular goal. While pursuing this goal, the partners grow to like, trust, and admire each other, and love grows out of this foundation.
Our reviewers love so many of these books that we decided to split the list in half. Part 1 is for partners in law enforcement, the military, and espionage. Many of these books are mysteries and thrillers, and the stories of these characters are often spread out across multiple books. Part 2 will be for other types of partners: dancers trying to win a contest, businesspeople working on a big deal, actors staging a play, etc.
So let’s get started with Part 1! Some of AAR’s favorite law and order partners-to-lovers books are:
It’s hard enough to write a powerful, realistic relationship for the protagonists of a romance. Authors who manage to give them truthful relationships to their children or parents as well have truly accomplished something remarkable. Here are some of the books AAR Loves for their realistic depictions of parent (or parent figure) and child relationships. […]
Conductors, jazz musicians, rock stars, pianists, sopranos, church choristers – there’s no shortage of musicians in Romancelandia. This list features some of our favorites. […]
From Mary Anning to Lise Meitner, from Caroline Herschel to Katherine Johnson, history is full of brilliant women in STEM. Historical romances should be, too! If you’re seeking geologists, biologists, mathematicians, botanists, and more, AAR Loves these great romance reads. […]
With the recent engagement of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle, royal romance is on our minds. Here are some of AAR’s favorite royal stories, real and fictional, for anybody else in the mood.
Regency spy novels are chock full of French emigrés fleeing the Revolution, but more recent stories of migration, including refugees, can be a little harder to find. Here are some post-World War II stories of heroes and heroines either living in areas of crisis, fleeing them, or encountering other characters who have done both. We have border patrol agents, war orphans and adoptees, humanitarian workers, and ordinary people trying to survive.
Caroline Russomanno:
Women have a long history of standing up for their beliefs, and there are great romance novels starring heroines doing just that. American and British suffragettes (or suffragists), Civil Rights activists, lawyers, writers, organizers, and military rebels – you’ll find all of them here, and more. Let these ladies inspire you to fight for your beliefs, whatever they happen to be.
Caroline Russomanno:
Erica, a teacher, is tired of seeing funding diverted away from the neediest and most vulnerable. She protests at the hero’s (a Southern Republican senator’s) press conference and is dragged out by police. This book is set during the W. Bush administration and Erica is a strong reminder that black activists have been working continuously, even when out of the media spotlight. Our review of the book […]
