Stephany Writes

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (5.11.26)

Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Thriller • 2025

Short synopsis: After losing 11 bidding wars, Margo becomes dangerously obsessed with securing her dream home before it hits the market—crossing boundaries that threaten to unravel her job, her marriage, and her life.

Unhinged is the only way to describe this book. I devoured it in a single day during my reading retreat. I have never gone through the house-buying process (nor ever wanted to own a home in the obsessive way Margo does), but I’m going to assume some people may find Margo relatable (at least in the beginning), especially those trying to buy a house in a competitive market. However, as the book progresses, Margo becomes increasingly unhinged, unlikable, and almost impossible to root for. And yet, there’s something compelling about the extreme lengths she’ll go to get her dream home. This book was full of twists and turns I didn’t see coming, so if you’re looking for a “WTF did I just read?” experience, this is the book for you!

Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis (★★★★☆)

E-Book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2011

Short synopsis: Lilah Young never expected a passing-through pilot like Brady Miller to upend her carefully guarded instincts, but their undeniable pull challenges both her roots and his resistance to staying.

This was a reread for me (I first read it in 2016), and revisiting a 2011 romance in 2026 is… interesting. And while it may not be fair to judge this book through a modern lens, some of Brady’s behavior is a bit misogynistic, and Lilah could be a bit of a pushover at times. That said, this book is a super quick, uncomplicated read (I finished it in about 24 hours post–reading retreat), and while it lacks the emotional depth you see in a lot of contemporary romances today, it’s still an easy story that delivers a good time.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vols 1 and 2 by Beth Brower (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Hoopla • Historical Fiction • 2020

Short synopsis: In 1883 London, Emma M. Lion chronicles her life at Lapis Lazuli House alongside her eccentric cousin, formidable aunt, and a cast of delightfully odd neighbors.
Everyone on Goodreads seems to be reading this series, so I finally had to give it a try, and I was not disappointed. The first two books in the series are written as novellas (under 150 pages), and the audio for both is under 8 hours. Since I listened to them back-to-back, I thought I would review them as one unit. These novellas are incredibly fun, with a lovable heroine in Emma. I want to be her friend! I’m so glad I have six more books in this series to read and that the author is planning on writing more. I want to stay in Emma’s charming world forever and ever.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

April Reading Wrap-Up

Books Read

(4/6) Lake Effect by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (★★★★★ – audiobook, Libby, 2026) – a beautiful story about the powerful effect secrets and lies can have on a community, but also how healing forgiveness can be

(4/7) Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake (★★☆☆☆ 1/2 – print, indie bookstore, 2025) – a romance about a regular person and a celebrity falling in love that didn’t impact me in any special way

(4/8) Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson (★★★☆☆ – print, Book of the Month, 2022) – when Byron and Benny’s mom dies, she leaves behind a recording that tells the story of her life

(4/12) The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (★★★☆☆ – print, indie bookstore, 1920) – Christie’s debut! This mystery is about a wealthy matriarch who is poisoned and the silly Belgian detective who figures out the murderer. 

(4/13) The Love Haters by Katherine Center (★★★☆☆ – print, Book of the Month, 2025) – a contemporary romance featuring the grumpy/sunshine trope that just didn’t work for me

(4/14) How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Libby, 2024) – when Annie’s great-aunt dies mysteriously, it’s up to her to solve her murder in order to gain an inheritance

(4/17) The Appeal by Janice Hallett (★★★★☆ – print, indie bookstore, 2021) – an inventive mystery involving text messages, police transcripts, emails, and more; you’re not only solving the murder, but also trying to figure out who got murdered, too.

(4/18) First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison (★★★★☆ – print, Book of the Month, 2025) – a contemporary romance following a radio host and a single mom who have both given up on love

(4/18) Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (★★★★★ – print, Book of the Month, 2026) – a tradwife wakes up one day to find she’s living in the 1800s. Is it a conspiracy, a bad dream, or something else entirely?

(4/18) Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (★★★☆☆ – e-book, Libby, 2020) – a litRPG book that I would have never picked up on my own, and had a fairly good time while reading it

(4/18) Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (★★★★☆ – print, Book of the Month, 2025) – unhinged thriller alert! This book was insane in the best possible way.

(4/21) Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis (★★★★☆ – e-book, Libby, 2011) – a reread from a beloved romance author about a pilot-for-hire and an animal rescuer falling in love

(4/22) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1 by Beth Brower (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Hoopla, 2020) – a cute novella about a woman writing journal entries about her new life in a small English town in the 1800s.

(4/25) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 2 by Beth Brower (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Hoopla, 2020) – the second novella in the Emma M. Lion series, which I loved just as much as the first.

(4/27) Kin by Tayari Jones (★★★★☆ – print, Target, 2026) – a beautifully written book about two best friends whose lives diverge dramatically after high school

(4/29) In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams (★★★☆☆ 1/2 – e-book, Libby, 2025) – a little on the cheesy side at times, but a cute romance that deals with trauma, identity, and family

(4/29) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 3 by Beth Brower (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Hoopla, 2020) – the first full-length novel in the Emma M. Lion series, and omg, I just love this series so much!

Book Stats

  • # of books read: 15 (and 2 novellas)
  • # of pages read: 5,596
  • Genre breakdown: fiction (7), romance (5), mystery/thriller (4), science fiction/fantasy (1)
  • Format breakdown: print (9), audiobook (5), and ebook (3)
  • Fastest read: Best Offer Wins (1 day)
  • Slowest read: Kin (9 days)
  • Star average: 3.8

Superlatives

  • The best book I read in April: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
  • My favorite romance in April: First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
  • The book I thought I would love more than I did: Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake
  • The book I only read because book club made me: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
  • The book with the strongest sense of place: Lake Effect by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney

Reading Miscellaneous

Unread Shelf Project | April prompt: A book with a color in the name: I went with Black Cake, which I added to my Book of the Month box earlier this year due to some recommendations. It was fine, but not a standout for me. (Books it beat out: Yellowface, A Spool of Blue Thread, and Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore.)

Where I traveled this month: In the United States, I visited California, Washington DC, Idaho, New York, New Hampshire, Florida, Maryland, Louisiana, Georgia, and Kentucky. I also traveled to Jamaica and, again, to many places in the U.K., including London, Essex, and Yorkshire.

DNFs: My second month in a row with zero DNFs!

Something I learned from my reading: I learned about black cake, which is something I had never heard of before reading the book with the same name. Honestly, it sounds really delicious!

What’s Coming Up in May

Here are some of the books I’m going to try to get around to reading in May:

  • James by Percival Everett – This book was everywhere a few years ago, but I’ve yet to read it. I’m going to give it a try this month!
  • The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke – I heard about this book on Shelf Respect, and it’s a book that’s so in my wheelhouse, it isn’t funny. Then, it was a Book of the Month selection in April! I’m excited to sit down with this one soon.
  • Good People by Patmeena Sabit – This book is getting a ton of buzz and I moved it up my TBR list because of that.
  • Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood – I wasn’t sure if I was going to read this romance, but I heard enough rave reviews that I’m going to at least give it a try.
  • In the Weeds by B.K. Borison – This is the second book in Borison’s Lovelight Farms series. I loved the first one so, so much, and I hope the second one lives up to the hype.

What was the best book you read in April?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (5.4.26)

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Contemporary Romance • 2025

Short synopsis: After Lucie’s daughter calls into Aiden’s romance hotline to talk about her mom’s lack of a dating life, the call goes viral. So, Aiden brings Lucie onto his show to help her find love. Sparks fly in the recording booth, though, between Aiden and Lucie, and Lucie has to decide if she’s ready to take a chance on love again.

This romance was adorable, sexy, and so much fun to read. Aiden and Lucie’s rapport was incredibly charming, and I couldn’t get enough of them. During the call that went viral, Lucie and Aiden had a long conversation about dating, and I felt so seen by her comments! These days, it often feels like nobody wants to put in the effort, and sometimes, you just want someone willing to go out of their way to make you happy. That’s harder than it seems, and that’s why I love being single. Less disappointment! Muahaha.

Anyway, back to the book. There was so much to love about this romance! There’s an element of found family, a touch of meddlesome friends, and just enough emotional depth. I especially loved how Aiden cared for Lucie, and how she slowly worked her way into his heart when romance was the last thing he wanted. It’s a sweet, heartfelt novel, and B.K. Borison is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Contemporary Fiction • 2026

Short synopsis: A tradwife, who sells her pioneer lifestyle of raw milk and farm-fresh eggs to her millions of social media followers, suddenly awakens cold, filthy, and terrified in the brutal reality of 1805—where she must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister.

This was one of my most-anticipated books of 2026! Not only was it written by one of my favorite podcasters, but the premise was immediately enticing. A tradwife forced actually to live the life she promotes on social media?  Yes, please! I am so happy to report that this book totally lived up to the hype for me. The writing is sharp and immersive, and the ending genuinely shocked me. I’m especially impressed that this is Burke’s debut. It’s tightly plotted, with rich, complex characters who left me with all kinds of conflicting feelings. I can see this book being divisive, particularly when it comes to Natalie’s views on marriage, womanhood, and motherhood, but that’s exactly what made it so compelling to me. Her perspective is fascinating to unpack and far more interesting than a safer narrative would have been. This is the kind of book you immediately want to discuss with everyone after finishing, and I’m so excited I get to attend the author’s book signing next week. (Let’s hope I don’t fangirl too hard!)

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (★★★☆☆)

E-Book • Libby • Science Fiction • 2020

Short synopsis: After an alien invasion turns Earth into a deadly, galaxy-wide reality game show, Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s pampered show cat, Princess Donut, must navigate a trap-filled dungeon full of monsters, magic, and chaos just to survive the next level.

I never would’ve picked this up on my own, but it was chosen as our April book club selection. And then I started hearing about this book everywhere. It was mentioned on multiple podcasts, I saw that a friend was reading it, and I started hearing about a possible TV series. It was wild. Originally, I was going to sit this one out because this is not my kind of book. But other friends in book club were loving it, so I decided to stop being a big baby and give it a try. My verdict? Ehh. I definitely understand why the series is so popular, but it was just not for me. And that’s mostly due to the endless fight scenes, which I found myself skimming more and more. The only saving grace in this book is Princess Donut. She single-handedly made the book entertaining whenever she was on the page (she becomes a talking cat due to a magical potion, making her character even more delightful). I won’t continue with the series, but hey, at least I know what all the hype is about now!
What are you reading?
Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (4.27.26)

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Libby • Mystery • 2024

Short synopsis: After a fortune-teller predicts her murder in 1965, Frances Adams spends her life investigating the crime before it happens. Decades later, the prophecy comes true and Frances’s great-niece Annie arrives at her estate to unravel the mystery. 

This was a fun, easy-to-read mystery that works well as a palate cleanser. The story alternates between Frances’s diary entries from the late 1960s and the present-day plot, where Annie, a struggling mystery writer, must solve her great-aunt’s murder to inherit her estate. The characters are engaging, and I loved the heartfelt mother/daughter and friendship dynamics. Plus, there’s a gruff but attractive detective who helps Annie, lending a tiny bit of romance to the story. I did not suspect the “whodunit,” either, so it was a clever ending from my perspective!

The Love Haters by Katherine Center (★★☆☆☆ 1/2)

Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Contemporary Romance • 2025

Short synopsis: Katie, a video producer, lands a dream assignment in Key West, only to get tangled in lies, family tension, and unexpected romance with a guarded Coast Guard rescue swimmer named Hutch.

I should have trusted myself. Katherine Center’s books don’t usually work for me, but after hearing so many rave reviews, I wanted to give this romance the chance to change my mind. Alas, it was not to be. This romance started strong, and I was so captivated by Katie and Hutch. They had sizzling chemistry from their first interaction! I was fully prepared to give this book a rave review… until the story took a sharp turn a little more than halfway through and completely lost me. Suddenly, we had villainous characters with no nuance, a bizarre subplot, and an ending that was so unbelievable, I wanted to throw the book across the room.

A major part of this book is Katie dealing with body image issues, including elements that could be triggering for those with ED histories. I didn’t feel these themes were handled with the care or depth they deserved. More than anything, I didn’t believe in Katie’s emotional journey. Her shift toward self-acceptance felt rushed and surface-level, and I needed more complexity and development to make it feel earned. All in all, this wasn’t the right book for me, and I’m officially jumping off the Katherine Center train.

The Appeal by Janice Hallett (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Mystery • 2021

Short synopsis: When a small-town theatre troupe rallies to fund a child’s experimental cancer treatment, simmering doubts and hidden motives erupt into a shocking dress rehearsal death, leaving two young lawyers to unravel a killer lurking in plain sight.

I had a lot of fun reading this book! It’s one of those mixed-media mysteries told through emails, text messages, police interview transcripts, and academic papers, which makes for a really engaging reading experience. I didn’t find it too hard to keep up with the cast of characters, as the author does a great job of giving each character a distinct voice and a believable motive for the murder. There were times when I thought, “People don’t email like this. This is madness!” and times when I was delighted by how she captured both the drama and absurdity of a close-knit community. It was also fun seeing the lawyers’ notes as they essentially read alongside me and we reached similar realizations in real time. Overall, it’s a clever, interactive mystery that invites you to play along. It was my first Janice Hallett book, and it definitely won’t be my last.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (4.22.26)

Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake (★★☆☆☆ 1/2)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Contemporary Romance • 2025

Short synopsis: When a Hollywood rom-com films in her small New Hampshire hometown, Ramona Riley gets a shot at the costume-design career she gave up—until she discovers the film’s star is Dylan Monroe, a notorious wild child trying to prove she’s more than a nepo baby—and Ramona’s first kiss when she was 13.

It breaks my heart that I didn’t love this book because Ashley Herring Blake has been one of my go-to authors for great sapphic romance, but this one just didn’t work for me. There was almost no tension, and Ramona being upset that Dylan didn’t immediately recognize the grown-up version of the 13-year-old girl she kissed nearly two decades ago felt rather silly. AHB is usually excellent at building romantic stakes, but with this novel, I struggled to understand why the characters fell in love at all, as they barely seemed to know each other. Once their relationship escalates, much of the novel becomes a string of sex scenes (very hot, very well-written sex scenes, but I need more substance to stay invested). And while I normally hate when people call romance novels predictable (that is the whole point!), I could see the “dark moment” and reconciliation coming from a mile away. I kept hoping for a twist or surprise that never arrived, leaving me with a boring story and boring characters I didn’t really care that much about. I’ll still try AHB’s next book, but if that one doesn’t work for me either, it might be time to take a break from her.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson (★★★☆☆)

Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Contemporary Fiction • 2022

Short synopsis: After their mother’s death, siblings Byron and Benny receive a mysterious inheritance—a traditional black cake and a recorded message—that reveals secrets and lies of their mother’s hidden past.

The first thing I want to say about this book is that it is beautifully written. The gorgeous writing immediately pulled me in, and the short chapters made it a quick, engaging read. I was way more invested in the past storyline, where Byron and Benny’s mother is explaining her childhood and how she came to America, than the present-day storyline. It’s probably because I enjoyed the mother’s character so much more than her children. While Benny and Byron are clearly complex characters, I never fully connected with either of them. By the end, the story felt somewhat drawn out, as it felt like the author was more concerned with tying up every loose end than creating a concise conclusion. It was an enjoyable read, but not one I’m rushing out to recommend.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (★★★☆☆)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Mystery • 1920

Short synopsis: When a wealthy matriarch is mysteriously poisoned at her country estate, Hercule Poirot must untangle a web of secrets, motives, and red herrings among her closest companions to reveal the killer.

Did you know that this is Christie’s debut novel? I didn’t realize it until a few chapters in. It’s fun glimpse at the beginning of both Christie’s career and the partnership between Hercule Poirot and Arthur Hastings. It was amusing to see Hastings still figuring out how Poirot works (their relationship is surprisingly contentious in this book!) and Poirot himself already feels wonderfully well-formed, with all the flair and confidence that make him such a delight. The mystery itself isn’t Christie at her best, but you can clearly see the early signs of the clever plotting and misdirection she would later perfect. My only real struggle was keeping track of the many characters (I ended up rereading the first chapter and creating a list of names and relationships). I loved that she managed to surprise me with the ending (which she always does!). Overall, not Christie’s strongest work, but a really enjoyable start to a legendary mystery career.
What are you reading?