Stephany Writes

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (3.11.24)

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Fiction (Speculative?) • 2022

Short synopsis: After experiencing a lifetime of debilitating depression, Dorothy begins an experimental treatment designed to mitigate inherited trauma. In doing so, she intimately connects with past generations of women in her family—starting with Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to come to America.

This book was compulsively readable. It had such an easy writing style, even though the topics being discussed could be harrowing. This is a story of generational trauma and the impact it has on generations of a family. It’s also about so many badass women doing what they can to survive throughout history. It’s truly amazing to see the legacy of Afong Moy’s family line throughout the years. The heart of this novel, though is Dorothy and wanting to create a better legacy for her daughter, Annabel. I really loved the ending sequence of this book, although some of it felt a bit out there for me (who likes books firmly rooted in reality) because it showcases how one simple change can have lasting impact. All in all, I loved this book and would easily recommend it.

You, with a View by Jessica Joyce (★★★★★)

E-Book • Library • Contemporary Romance • 2023

Short synopsis: Noelle is grieving the unexpected loss of her grandma when she comes across a box filled with love letters and pictures of a man who was not Noelle’s grandfather. She creates a viral Tik Tok video to find the man in the pictures. She finds the man, but what she doesn’t expect is that the man’s grandson is Theo, her former high school nemesis.

I loved, loved, loved this romance. I had the silliest grin on my face the entire time I was reading. It was the kind of book I couldn’t put down but also wanted to savor. And I was seriously sad when I finished it because I just wanted more of Noelle and Theo. The author covered a lot of subjects in this novel—grief, success, failure, love, family, etc.—and she did it all with a deft hand. I loved the natural arc of Noelle and Theo’s relationship, as well as their own character arcs as they are dealing with their own issues that they need to deal with. There is a dark moment in this book, but it wasn’t one stemming from miscommunication or anything over the top. It felt like a really honest moment that could happen in any relationship, and it was resolved perfectly. I can’t wait to reread this book at some point, and I’m super excited to learn that the author has a new romance coming out in July!

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton (★★★★★)

Audiobook • Library • Fiction • 2021

Short synopsis: An electrifying novel about the meteoric rise of an iconic interracial rock duo in the 1970s, their sensational breakup, and the dark secrets unearthed when they try to reunite decades later for one last tour.

I tried this novel in print first, but it wasn’t working for me so I set it down in favor of listening to the audiobook. And that was the right choice because I ended up loving this book. This novel is narrated by a full cast of characters (with Bahni Turpin as Opal, which was perfect casting) and I couldn’t get enough of it. There is a very specific scene that was very hard to listen to—it made my stomach turn but it was so well-written with vivid detail that I had to commend the author for making me feel so much for something that never even happened! This novel can be compared to Daisy Jones and the Six because both novels are (fake) oral histories of iconic (fake) 70s-era bands, but that’s where the similarities end. I loved both books immensely for vastly different reasons. This book had a message to it and by the end of the novel, I felt so deeply for these characters and their stories, and so grateful to Dawnie Walton for writing this story.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (3.4.24)

Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks (★★★☆☆)

Print • Library • Contemporary Romance • 2023

Short synopsis: Callum has been given an ultimatum by his now-deceased grandfather: He must marry by 35 or else he will lose his family’s funeral home. Enter: Lark. No, she’s not interested in becoming his wife. After all, she’s still grieving the loss of her husband two years ago. But she’s more than happy to help Callum in his search for a wife! But the more time she spends with Callum, the more uncertain she is about Callum ending up with anyone other than her.

Generally, these ultimatum tropes—must marry before X age or else!—are not my favorite. I just don’t think it’s a very realistic trope? Then again, are any of these romance tropes realistic? Probably not. What I loved about this book was the setting: It took place in Galway, Ireland, which is a city I’ve visited and loved. I also really loved the rapport between Callum and Lark. They were very sweet to each other, and I loved the simple, natural way they fell in love with each other. Additionally, I loved that Callum was demisexual (someone who is only sexually attracted to people they have built a close emotional bond with). What a great detail! What I didn’t love about this book was Lark’s character. Lark seemed like a very unevenly drawn character: Outside of work, she was this sunny, confident person who was always up for an adventure. At work, she was shy and insecure. She was supposed to be leading a team, but she let people on her team push her around, and I just so badly wanted her to stand up for herself. It was really hard to read the scenes at her workplace because what was happening to her was wholly unacceptable. All in all, it was a fine romance but I wish the author had given Lark a bit more gumption.

The Seven-Year Slip by Ashley Poston (★★★☆☆)

Audiobook • Spotify • Contemporary Romance • 2023

Short synopsis: Clementine is reeling from the sudden loss of her beloved aunt and, for the time being, is living in her apartment. One day, she comes home and there’s a strange man named Iwan in her apartment. He tells her that Clementine’s aunt is letting him stay there. Only this man exists seven years in Clementine’s past. What happens when she tries to find him in the present?

I listened to this book and it’s one of the few times where I think I would have enjoyed the novel a lot more if I had read it in print. The narrator’s style just didn’t work for me; she was overly dramatic and made the writing feel really cheesy. I loved the unique take on time travel in this novel: It only happened in this specific apartment and Clementine could never quite predict when it would happen. Some days, she would come home and her apartment would be firmly in the present. Other days, it would be seven years in the past. I also loved the slow, sweet way Clementine and Iwan began to fall in love in this apartment. I think this novel, at times, could be a bit too predictable. I never like to use that term when reviewing romance novels because they are supposed to be predictable. But the foreshadowing in this novel was heavy-handed and I would have appreciated a defter plot.

How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety by Ellen Hendrikson (★★★★☆)

Print • Library • Nonfiction (Self-Help) • 2018

Short synopsis: Dr. Ellen Hendrikson takes readers on a journey to better understand the roots of social anxiety and why it endures—and how we can rewire our brains through our behavior. Using her techniques to develop confidence, think through the buzz of anxiety, and feel comfortable in any situation, you can finally be your true, authentic self.

I really loved this book. I struggle with social anxiety and it can often be a very isolating experience. There are times when I’m at Starbucks with Mikaela and the thought of going up to the register to order my drink feels insurmountable. So I order the drink from my phone instead. I have such a hard time making conversation with people I don’t know. My mind just goes completely blank—what questions was I supposed to ask? I have to really push myself to be social because it’s not in my nature. My nature is to stay at home where everything feels safe. But that’s not what I truly want. What I truly want is to experience the world around me, form strong connections with people, and let my full self live out loud. This book does an excellent job of breaking down exactly what social anxiety is and why some of us struggle with aspects of social behavior that come so easily to others. And then she breaks down how we can get ourselves to a place where we don’t feel so defined by our anxiety. My social anxiety is so much better than it used to be, but I still have a ways to go. It will always be something I struggle with, of course, but the more I work on improving my social anxiety, the less grasp it will have on my psyche. (More to come on this subject; I took so many notes while reading that I may write a blog post!)

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (2.22.24)

Last week, I had three 5-star reads. This week, I have three 4-star reads. Does that mean my next three books will be 3 stars?! ACK.

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2022

Short synopsis: Sewenee Chester is a long-time audiobook narrator who has stepped away from narrating romance novels because she just doesn’t believe in the happy endings anymore. But when a beloved romance novelist specifically requests her to narrate her last romance novel, she acquiesces. And then she’s paired with Brock McNight, the Fabio of romance narrators, to read this story and starts to fall for the man behind the voice.

There was so much happening in this romance, and it’s hard to encapsulate all of it. There’s the overarching romance, of course, which I was totally here for. I loved the rapport between Brock and Sewenee. They had such a sweet romance and I love that this book didn’t fall for the usual tropes that I expect from romance novels. They were two adults having an adult relationship and doing things like communicating with each other. What a concept! There were a lot of other plotlines to keep track of, with the bigger subplot being Sewenee’s grandma who is showing signs of dementia. They’ve always been close, so this is super hard on Sewenee. There’s also Sewenee’s failed career in acting, an accident that brought about a disability to her, and her difficult relationship with her father. It feels like a lot is going on, but Julia Whelan is adept at carefully crafting all of these plotlines together in a cohesive narrative. While I think this book could have been a bit shorter, I still very much enjoyed my time with it. (A must on audio because Julia Whelan is the GOAT of audiobook narrators.)

The Art of Scandal by Regina Black (★★★★☆)

Print • Library • Contemporary Romance • 2023

Short synopsis: A dick pic is how Rachel Abbott finds out her husband of thirteen years is cheating on her. While she’s ready to divorce immediately, he makes a pact with her: If she just stays with him until his election is over (he’s a mayor with his eyes on a seat in Congress), he’ll give her a million dollars and she can keep their home. She agrees because otherwise, she’s destitute. And then, on a whim, she meets Nathan who is young and sexy and she’s instantly attracted to him.

I really liked this romance! It wasn’t your typical romance, as it involved the heroine of the novel having an affair with a younger man, but since her husband was having an affair of his own, it all felt okay?! Listen, I’m anti-cheating in most respects, but I didn’t hate the way an affair was utilized in this book. I loved Rachel Abbott as a character and thought she definitely deserved to have some fun with a younger, sexier guy after what her husband had put her through. This is a novel about revenge, but it’s also about taking back your life and living in your truth. And it’s about two very hot people falling in love and having great sex. It was more closed-door than I was expecting, so that may appeal to anyone who wants to read a messy romance without all of the vividly described sexytimes. I loved it and I can’t wait to read more from this author. (This was her debut, and I am desperate for her next novel!)

A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Libby • Fiction • 2021

Short synopsis: Weeks ago, Clara’s older sister Rose went missing and now she stands vigil by the window every evening to watch for her. And one night, she notices a strange man has moved into the house next door, the house that belongs to Mrs. Orchard, an older woman who asked Clara to look after her cat while she was in the hospital.

This was a slow, quiet novel and I really liked it. There are three points of view: Clara, Mrs. Orchard, and Liam (the man who moves in next door). Of all the storylines, I think I loved Mrs. Orchard’s the most and I don’t know if it’s because her words were so compelling or I just really loved the soothing voice of the narrator. There’s a mystery at the center of this story but that’s not what this story is about. It’s about these three people, people who are so different from each other but are loosely tied together. And it’s about grief and love and hope. There’s a strong sense of place in this novel and I just so badly wanted to visit this sleepy Canadian town. There was something so beautiful about the people and the town.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (2.12.24)

Cover Story by Susan Rigetti (★★★★★)

Audiobook • Libby • Contemporary Fiction • 2022

Short synopsis: Lora Ricci is an aspiring writer living in NYC and working a dream internship at ELLE magazine. When she meets the dynamic and charismatic Cat Wolff, she’s immediately taken by her. Then, Cat asks Lora to be a ghostwriter for her and it feels like all of Lora’s dreams are coming true.

This was my favorite book of January and it’s hard to talk about this book without giving everything away. Here’s what I’ll say: First, I want to reread this book immediately to figure out all the little clues that I totally missed my first time around. Second, I think this book was genius and so very clever! Third, a lot of people compare this to the Anna Delvey story, which I admittedly know very little about (Inventing Anna is still on my to-be-watched list!) so I can’t say if this comparison is accurate. I can understand why some people didn’t like it (Lora’s voice could be so grating at times), but it completely worked for me. Give this one a try, please, so we can discuss it! (I listened to it on audio but I would recommend picking it up in print because there are lots of emails/texts and audiobook productions still haven’t figured out an easy way for those types of things to be read aloud.)

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Contemporary Romance • 2023

Short synopsis: After Jacob makes a startling bad first impression with his new work colleague, Briana, he decides to send her a letter to explain himself and offer a new impression. This begins a series of letters that go back and forth, and the start of a strong friendship that begins to feel like something more.

THIS BOOK, YOU GUYS. This book was immediately placed on my “favorites” shelf the minute I finished it. This book touched me in so many ways. First, there’s Jacob who suffers from social anxiety (hence why he made such a bad first impression). The way this author explained social anxiety and the way it affects people was perfection. I felt like she was inside my brain, from stressing out over what to have for lunch when you’re meeting someone for the first time to needing all of the logistics explained when you’re going somewhere unfamiliar. And then there’s Briana. Now, I have my own Briana and the way this Briana was written is exactly the way my Bri cares for me and my social anxiety. She offers to drive us places, she gives me the logistics, she makes sure to choose places for dinner where I won’t be uncomfortable. She doesn’t make me feel crazy or make me feel like I’m a burden. She loves me, so she wants me to be comfortable in social situations. And that’s the way the Briana in this book cared for Jacob. Once she learned he struggles with social anxiety, she did whatever she could to help him feel comfortable. She took care of Jacob in a way that he had never been taken care of before, and man, it was so sweet. It is the ultimate gift to be treated that way.

There were other reasons why this book worked so well for me. I loved Briana’s character arc and storyline—she’s going through a divorce and trying to find her brother a kidney donor while he’s struggling with severe depression. She’s struggling and while she has to do a lot of internal work on her own to get to a place where she can accept Jacob’s love, she’s also cared for by him in a way she hasn’t been cared for before.

All in all, it was a sweet and impactful romance novel and I loved it so much. It’ll be hard to knock this one off my #1 romance for the year, which is crazy to say when we’re only two months into the year!

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Fiction • 2023

Short synopsis: Julia, Sylvie, Cecelia, and Emeline are four sisters close in age and growing up in a Chicago suburb. As they prepare to graduate high school and college in the early 1980s, their lives are upended in a way that has reverberations for decades to come.

The hype is real with this one! I cracked open this book knowing that it has become a beloved book for so many readers, and I had hoped to love it just as much as they did. And, thankfully, I did! There is so much happening in this book; there are strong themes of family, found family, and regret woven throughout the pages. I tend to love novels that follow a family over a course of a lifetime, and this one did exactly that. I also loved that a good portion of this book took place in the 1980s—these women were coming of age around the same time as my mom, so it was interesting to get a glimpse into what life was like for her. A review mentioned that nobody was likable in this book, and I couldn’t disagree more! There were so many likable characters, so many people I was rooting for. The only one I had a hard time with was Julia, the eldest daughter, but it was more that I just wanted her to make different choices, even though I could understand why she was making the choices she did. All in all, this book has beautiful writing and an engaging plot. While it is a character-driven novel, I felt like the plot moved along at a steady pace and I wanted to see what would happen next for this family.

What are you reading?                                                              

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (1.31.24)

Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Libby • Contemporary Fiction • 2023

Short synopsis: Cassandra’s life seemed like it was going fine… until she was dumped by her boyfriend and then fired from her job the next day. And then she discovers she can rewind time and fix her past mistakes. 

I love a good time travel book and when I saw a friend rated this book 5 stars—a friend whose taste generally aligns with mine—I added it to my TBR list and was pleased when it was available as an immediate audiobook download on Libby. This book starts out rough. Cassandra is unlikable and frustrating, and it felt like the plot was going nowhere for the longest time. If I was reading it in print, I probably would have abandoned it honestly. But since I could just dip in and out of it on audio while I was doing other things, I kept going and boy, I am so glad I did. The book turns a corner and I started to understand the point that the author was trying to make with this book. I started to understand Cassandra. She became as dear to me as Anne Shirley. She is someone I want to protect at all costs and keep safe. She is a beautiful soul whose brain just works a bit differently than other people. This book is a reminder to celebrate everyone’s differences and to embrace our own. It’s a reminder that we’re all just doing our best and it doesn’t hurt to give people the benefit of the doubt from time to time. I thought the time travel element was interesting, but at times, it could feel a little tired and redundant. And I wish the author had given us a different ending. But all in all, a lovely story with a great message.

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (Indie bookstore) • Queer Romance • 2023

Short synopsis: Iris Kelly has just had the worst one-night stand of her life and never expects to see her hookup again—until she auditions for a local play and comes face-to-face with her. Stevie is the lead actress in the play and asks Iris to be her fake girlfriend for the duration of the play. Iris goes along with it for her own reasons and their fake relationship starts to feel more and more real with each passing day.

Gosh, I really loved this romance. Ashley Herring Blake is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me because I just love the way she writes sapphic romance. I loved the relationship between Stevie and Iris, and the way their romance slowly developed in such a beautifully natural way. One of the big throughlines in this novel is Stevie’s anxiety disorder, and it’s something I could wholly relate to as someone with anxiety and who can really struggle with it when it comes to romantic relationships. At times, the way the author wrote about Stevie’s anxiety felt heavy-handed but mostly, I thought the depiction was true to life. The only thing that would make AHB a standout is if she threw out the dark moment—so many romance authors think it’s necessary, but I think there’s something special when an author can create tension and conflict in their romance novels without it (looking at you, Lucy Parker!). This is an open-door romance with some very spicy scenes, so be forewarned!

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (Indie bookstore) • Mystery • 1934

Short synopsis: The Orient Express is on its way to its destination until it gets stopped by a blizzard. Then, things come to a crashing halt when it’s discovered that one train passenger was stabbed to death in his compartment. Thankfully, detective Hercule Poirot is there to solve the murder before anyone else is found dead.

I loved this mystery! My goal with these mysteries is to not judge them against anything else or the mysteries of today. Christie was one of the originators and all future mysteries draw from her, not the other way around. And by doing that, I found myself really, really enjoying myself and I sped through this short book (it’s under 275 pages!) last weekend. I loved the cast of characters, the “locked room” effect of a stalled-out train car during a blizzard, and I truly had no idea who could have been the murderer. I thought it was a cleverly told story with an ending I didn’t see coming. I’m going to watch the movie adaptation next, so I’ll report back my thoughts.

What are you reading?