We emotionally blacked out at A Romantic Adventure – NZ’s biggest romance signing event (and would do it again)
For those who missed it, A Romantic Adventure (ARA) has just wrapped — and it quietly (not quietly) delivered New Zealand’s biggest romance signing event to date. Around 100 romance authors from across New Zealand and Australia, alongside 350 readers, all in one place for a weekend that felt equal parts chaotic and genuinely special. Romance-only, full scale, and a little bit unhinged in the way these things should be.
The Grimoire was there as the official bookseller, with a full setup — special editions, pre-orders lined up for signing, and a space that somehow came together after we towed a trailer from Wellington to Christchurch and built five bookcases from scratch. Credit where it’s due — my husband towed the trailer, built the shelves, and enthusiastically told anyone who would listen about The Grim (and a few who didn’t ask, but needed to know).
The lead-up had its moments. There’s something about knowing a few hundred people are about to walk through the doors that does things to your brain. Between 10–11am on Saturday there were approximately five nervous bathroom trips, which felt excessive but also completely correct for the situation. By the time doors opened, it was a mix of okay, this is happening and mild internal chaos. Did it warrant that level of nerves? Probably not. Did the event absolutely slap? Very much yes.
It ended up being one of those days where you look around and go — this is actually a bit special. Spending time in a room filled with authors and the people who love their work, having heaps of conversations about books and editions to die for, and finally meeting so many of the Grim fam in real life. People who have lived in emails and DMs suddenly right there, chatting like it’s always been that way. Familiar faces, new ones, and that easy kind of connection that makes everything feel a bit closer than it actually is.
Friday night’s cocktail event was a standout — a bit looser, a bit louder, and a chance to actually talk without the pace of the main day. Good chats, big laughs, and strong “why do we all live so far away from each other” energy.
By about 4pm on Saturday, things had tipped. Fully cooked. Mentally logged off, physically present, spiritually horizontal — the usual end-of-event state. Very worth it.
If you were at ARA, I hope you had the best time — it really did feel like something. And if you couldn’t make it, we’ve got signed stock from Helen Scheuerer, Stacia Stark, and Nalini Singh hitting the website very soon. Consider it your redemption arc.
