Stephany Writes

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (3.9.26)

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J. Charles (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (romance bookstore) • Historical Romance • 2023

Short synopsis: A prickly new baronet and the smuggler he once had a secret affair with become unwilling allies on the dangerous Romney Marsh when blackmail, family loyalty, and lingering desire force them back into each other’s lives.

I loved this queer historical romance! I picked it up as a “Blind Date with a Book” from a local romance bookstore, which is always risky, but this one was a wonderful surprise. The writing was sharp, the characters felt fully realized, and the story pulled me in right away. Gareth and Joss were so easy to root for, and I especially loved the tenderness between them. The way they cared for and protected each other was so beautiful! While this book was not a light, breezy historical romance (it could be quite tense at times), that made it feel fresh and compelling. I’m excited to read more from this author!

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (Amazon) • Contemporary Fiction • 2014

Short synopsis: When their marriage reaches a breaking point, Lauren and Ryan agree to spend a year apart with no contact—an experiment that forces Lauren to confront her beliefs about love, commitment, and what it truly means to stay married.

As a longtime fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid, After I Do is the last of her books I hadn’t read. Stories about marriages in peril aren’t usually my favorite, but I should have trusted that TJR would make me deeply care about these characters. Lauren and Ryan are wonderfully complex: likable and frustrating, flawed yet charming, and so fully realized that I genuinely didn’t know what I was hoping for by the end—reconciliation or a clean break. I especially appreciated that Lauren’s year of separation isn’t some dramatic, Eat, Pray, Love-style reinvention; instead, she continues living her ordinary life—going to work, spending time with friends and family, and slowly untangling what she believes about marriage, sex, and commitment. It’s a thoughtful, emotionally honest story about love after the spark fades, and it reminded me once again why Taylor Jenkins Reid is such an exceptional storyteller.

The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Hoopla • Contemporary Fiction • 2013

Synopsis: Two sisters secretly bury their parents in the backyard and spend the next year desperately maintaining the lie — until the questions start closing in.

What a strange little book! It’s not the sort of story I would normally pick up, but something about it pulled me in. Maybe it was the narrator’s terrific Scottish accent, which gave the audiobook such a strong voice and sense of place, or maybe it was simply Marnie and Nelly—two young girls trying to survive on their own after their parents die. The novel balances a surprising amount of dark humor (I laughed out loud several times) with some very heavy themes, including sexual abuse, teenage girls being preyed upon by much older men, hard drug use, and negligent parenting. Because of that, it’s a difficult book to recommend. You have to be willing to sit with some very dark material. But for me, it was a fascinating, unsettling, and ultimately very satisfying listening experience. (Recommendation source: Sarah’s Bookshelves Live.)

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

February Reading Wrap-Up

Books Read

(2/7) Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum (★★★★☆ – print, indie bookstore, 2024) – a sweet, heartwarming book about a bookstore owner and the people who visit her shop

(2/8) Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa (★★★★☆ – e-book, Libby, 2024) – a Pride and Prejudice retelling, except in this story Elizabeth Bennet is trans and Darcy is a closeted gay man

(2/9) The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer (★★★★★ – audiobook, Libby, 2023) – a beautiful story about grief, dying, and what it means to live a good life

(2/11) Heart the Lover by Lily King (★★★★★ – print, indie bookstore, 2025) – a companion to Writers & Lovers with beautiful writing and a story I can’t stop thinking about

(2/17) Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver (★★★★★ – print, indie bookstore, 2024) – the trope of the celebrity falling in love with a regular person will never get old to me, and this one was excellent

(2/18) A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales (★★★☆☆ 1/2 – audiobook, Libby, 2023) – a locked-room mystery involving a strange murder and a woman teaming up with her nemesis to find the killer

(2/19) Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs (★★★☆☆ 1/2 – e-book, Libby, 2025) – this historical novel about the real Magdelene laundries was harrowing, and I really wish the last 100 pages had been edited down

(2/25) You Are Not a Before Picture by Alex Light (★★★☆☆ – audiobook, Spotify, 2022) – a great primer on diet culture and body acceptance

(2/27) The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J. Charles (★★★★☆ – print, indie bookstore, 2023) – one of those unexpectedly great romances involving two men from different walks of life 

(2/28) After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★★★ – print, Amazon, 2013) – marriage-in-peril books are not typically my jam, but I should have never doubted that TJR would make this story compelling and difficult to put down

Book Stats

  • # of books read: 10
  • # of pages read: 3,327 pages
  • Genre breakdown: romance (3), fiction (5), mystery/thriller (1), nonfiction (1)
  • Format breakdown: print (5), audiobook (3), and ebook (2)
  • Fastest read: Heart the Lover (3 days)
  • Slowest read: Most Ardently, Wild Eyes, The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, and After I Do (9 days)
  • Star average: 4.1

Superlatives

  • The best book I read in February: The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
  • My favorite romance in February: Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver
  • The book I didn’t expect to love as much as I did: The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles
  • The book that lived up to the hype: Heart the Lover by Lily King
  • The book with the strongest sense of place: Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

Reading Miscellaneous

Unread Shelf Project | February prompt: A book by an author you’ve never read before: I chose Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop for this prompt, a book I bought in London. It’s not often that I pick up a book on a whim based on the synopsis alone, but this one called to me and had the most adorable cover. (Books it beat out: Homeseeking by Karissa Chen, Umissing by Minka Kent, and The Compound by Aisling Rawle.)

Where I traveled this month: In the United States, I visited California, New York, and Montana. I also traveled to the cutest bookstore in South Korea, a rugged mountain town in British Columbia, and many places throughout England.

DNFs: I had three DNFs in February, but one of those DNFs I will be returning to soon.

Something I learned from my reading: All about the U.S. Magdalene laundries (fashioned after the Irish Magdalene laundries), thanks to Wayward Girls. I had no idea these places even existed, and wowwwww.

What’s Coming Up in February

Here are some of the books on my upcoming TBR for this month:

What was the best book you read in February? What about your least favorite book?!

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (3.2.26)

I didn’t quite have the same level of success with these books as I did in last week’s What I’m Reading post (three 5-star reads!), but this one was a recommendation trifecta, as I read each one based on the recommendation of others!

A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales (★★★☆☆ 1/2)

Audiobook • Libby • Mystery • 2023

Short synopsis: When a wealthy bachelor drops dead at a ball, a young lady takes on the decidedly improper role of detective in this action-packed debut comedy of manners and murder.

This historical mystery had so much potential, and, while it didn’t fully deliver, it still worked as a fun palate cleanser. One of my favorite mystery tropes is the locked-room mystery. In this novel, that location was a ball that took place during a snowstorm, effectively trapping everyone inside while they tried to figure out the “whodunit.” The satirical tone, feisty heroine, and roguish detective give the story plenty of charm, and I loved the chemistry between Beatrice and Drake. That said, the large cast was difficult to track (especially on audio), and the mystery became a bit convoluted by the end. It definitely read like a debut in that respect. Still, I had a great time listening and was excited to find out there’s a sequel. (Recommendation source: Meredith from Currently Reading)

Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs (★★★☆☆ 1/2)

E-Book • Libby • Historical Fiction • 2025

Short synopsis: Amid the turmoil of 1968 Buffalo, six teenage girls—condemned for being gay, pregnant, rebellious, or simply inconvenient—are confined to the secretive Good Shepherd institution, where forced labor, abuse, and moral hypocrisy test their endurance, loyalty, and will to survive.

This could have been a five-star read if not for the final 100 pages. The first 75% is absolutely gripping—visceral, heartbreaking, and rooted in an important history that deserved to be told.  It was hard to read about the abuses the girls suffered, of course, but their resilience and the bonds they forged feel raw, powerful, and unforgettable. Unfortunately, the extended present-day storyline didn’t land the same way. While I appreciate the idea of these women reconnecting and reclaiming their power in their seventies, it went on far too long and began to feel overly tidy and sentimental, smoothing over the complexity that made the earlier chapters so compelling. (I was also kinda annoyed that the only girl from their cohort who did not end up married or in a serious relationship is the one who died tragically. Tell us how you really feel about single people, Susan Wiggs!) I still wholeheartedly recommend it for the historical narrative alone, but I don’t think there’s any reason to keep reading once the present-day timeline starts. (Recommendation source: Kyria)

You Are Not a Before Picture by Alex Light (★★★☆☆)

Audiobook • Spotify • Nonfiction • 2022

Short synopsis: An empowering guide to disavowing diet culture and learning to make peace with our bodies, from body confidence and anti-diet advocate, Alex Light.

This book has earned so many rave reviews, and while it didn’t hit me in a groundbreaking way, I can absolutely see why it resonates. I suspect that if I had picked it up earlier in my own diet culture unlearning, it might have been life-changing. For me, much of the content wasn’t new, as I’ve been reading and listening to many of the experts Light references for nearly a decade now, but that doesn’t diminish its value. What I appreciated most is that Light doesn’t position herself as having all the answers. She’s honest about how hard it is to unlearn diet culture and how imperfect that process can be. Her writing is engaging and accessible, and I’d recommend this to anyone at the beginning of their journey who’s looking for a thoughtful, compassionate place to start. (Recommendation source: Elisabeth)

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (2.23.26)

I hit a five-star hat trick with these books! All of them were five-star reads – what a delight!

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer (★★★★★)

Audiobook • Libby • Contemporary Fiction • 2023

Short synopsis: Still grieving her grandfather, a withdrawn death doula who spends more time with the dying than the living, is nudged back toward life by a persistent new neighbor and a spirited client whose extraordinary past sets her on an unexpected path toward connection and possibility.

I absolutely adored this book. It’s a contender for my favorite book of 2026, but of course, a lot can change in 10 months. I started it after abandoning another audiobook that wasn’t working for me, and it felt like a breath of fresh air. The writing is gorgeous, heartbreaking and heartfelt at the same time, and Mikki Brammer captures the nuances of death and grief with remarkable beauty and sensitivity. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about a story centered on a death doula because I have very complicated feelings about the death and grieving process, but Clover won me over. She has been dealt a difficult hand—losing her parents young, grieving the loss of her beloved grandfather, and struggling to trust people because of past bad experiences. I could wholly relate to Clover, and also wanted to wrap her in the biggest hug and protect her from all the evils in the world. I loved the journey this book took me on, and the ending was perfection.

Heart the Lover by Lily King (★★★★★)

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

Short synopsis: A woman who once found herself entangled in a passionate college love triangle is forced decades later to confront the long-buried choices and deceptions that shaped her life when her past unexpectedly resurfaces.

This book has been getting so much buzz, and I was worried that my expectations might be too high. Thankfully, I shouldn’t have doubted Lily King. She has such a beautiful, sparse writing style, and I was drawn into this story from the first page. I’d previously read Writers & Lovers, and I think having that background adds an extra layer of richness you might miss otherwise. Jordan occasionally drove me crazy (I just cannot deal with characters who stay with partners who don’t value them like they should, even if that’s part of growing up), but mostly, I thought she was so easy to root for. Between the subtle echoes of Writers & Lovers and King’s signature understated style, this novel cemented her as one of my favorite authors.

Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Contemporary Romance • 2024

Short synopsis: A scandal-plagued country superstar finds unexpected peace—and a complicated chance at love—with a charming small-town horse trainer whose world couldn’t be farther from her own.

Oh, my heavens. I loved this book so much! A few months ago, I read Wild Love, the first book in this series, and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was hoping the second book would capture the same magic. And I think I liked this book better than the first one! First, there’s Skylar Stone, a country music star who’s basically been treated like a prop by her parents her entire life (very Britney Spears vibes here). Then, there’s sweet, hunky West, who loves his quiet country life but can admit it gets lonely sometimes. I had a happy, sappy grin on my face the entire time I was reading, and I adored the slow, natural way Skylar and West fell in love. Skylar needed time to heal before starting something new, and West needed time to be sure this was real and worth pursuing. It is not a closed-door romance, so prepare yourselves (I’d give it three chili peppers out of five). This is the book I mentioned as one of my FIGs because once I finished it, I couldn’t stop thinking about Skylar and West for the rest of the day!

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (2.9.26)

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin (★★★★☆)

E-Book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2024

Short synopsis: When Natalie discovers the best man at her best friend’s wedding secretly wrote a one-star review of her novel, their rivalry-to-romance unfolds over a decade of weddings, milestones, and hard-earned rewrites of both their lives—and their hearts.

I read this romance on Lisa’s recommendation, and I’m glad I heeded her warning that it isn’t a typical romance. I suspect its low Goodreads rating (3.64) comes from being marketed as an enemies-to-lovers rom-com when it’s really closer to coming-of-age/women’s fiction. At its core, this book is about the messy years of your twenties and thirties when you’re trying to figure out what you want your life to look like. It’s about watching friends move ahead in life and wondering what you’re doing “wrong.” Natalie’s best friend Gabby marries Angus, whose best man is Rob, and when Natalie discovers Rob wrote a one-star review of her novel the night before the wedding, they’re thrown into enemy territory. I loved how the author traced the winding path of adulthood, from Natalie’s struggle to build a writing career to Rob’s attempts to win his father’s approval in academia. I really loved this novel, and I’m glad I gave it a chance. (Recommendation source: Lisa)

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Contemporary Fiction • 2024

Short synopsis: Burned out on her glittering but empty life in Seoul, a woman starts over by opening a neighborhood bookshop that slowly becomes both her healing—and a haven for others.

I picked this book up on a whim in London at one of the many bookstores I visited. The story felt sweet, and I was especially drawn to it because it was a translated work (I don’t read too many of those!). And, you guys, this book was just the perfect escape. The writing is sparse but gorgeous, and the characters are so vividly drawn. I loved that the author doesn’t shy away from the realities of owning an independent bookstore (it’s hard to make money, the hours can be long and draining, etc.) without making the story feel bleak. Instead, it gently immerses you in a charming Korean neighborhood filled with people who are genuinely kind and curious, connected through their love of books. At its heart, the novel asks thoughtful questions about happiness and enjoyment in life—why is that important and what can you do to ensure you live a satisfying life, even if it isn’t the one you pictured? If you’re looking for a novel you can escape into, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa (★★★★☆)

E-Book • Libby • Historical Romance • 2024

Short synopsis: A trans boy searches for a future―and a romance―in which he can live and love openly as himself in this heartrending young-adult reimagining of Pride and Prejudice

This reimagining of Pride and Prejudice casts Elizabeth Bennet as Oliver Bennet, a trans boy forced to live as a girl. At first, I was a little frustrated by how idealized everything felt. Yes, Oliver has to wear dresses that make him uncomfortable and attend balls where he has to pretend he’s in search of a husband. But as he begins to reveal his true identity to the people around him, there’s surprisingly little conflict or grief. The more I thought about it, though, the more I realized that this is precisely the point: Novoa isn’t trying to mirror historical or emotional realism so much as imagine a world in which a trans boy is allowed to be fully himself and deeply loved for it, which is exactly what every trans person deserves. The Oliver and Darcy plotline was especially sweet (I love the idea of Darcy being a closeted gay man!), and while their romance wasn’t the novel’s central focus, the way it weaves together with Oliver’s journey toward living openly as himself is really beautiful. Fans of Pride and Prejudice may quibble with some of the plot and character choices, but for me, this book was exactly what I needed. (Recommendation source: Kaytee from Currently Reading)

What are you reading?