Stephany Writes

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (4.8.24)

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid (★★☆☆☆)

Print • Library • Contemporary Fiction • 2024

Short synopsis: It’s 2017 at the University of Arkansas. Millie Cousins, a senior resident assistant, wants to graduate, get a job, and buy a house. So when Agatha Paul, a visiting professor and writer, offers Millie an easy yet unusual opportunity, she jumps at the chance. 

I had the weirdest reading experience with this book, as I honestly couldn’t have told you its plot most of the time I was reading it, and I’m still struggling to understand the point of this book. This book is mostly about Millie, who is trying to graduate college after taking some time off, and it’s also about Agatha, a professor at the college who is trying to gather research for her next book. It’s also about three girls on Millie’s floor who are sharing an apartment and all of the difficulties that come with trying to live with people who are so vastly different than you. This book should have resonated with me because I felt deeply impacted by the storyline of one of the roommates, Kennedy. She was struggling to find her place at school and had a hard time connecting with anyone else. I also really struggled during my first year of college, and I could relate to everything Kennedy was going through. (Oh, that moment of connection with someone else in your class and hoping you were finally going to make your first friend! I remember that feeling so well.) However, this story wasn’t about three girls making it through a year of college… it was mostly about Agatha and Millie, and I just found them totally boring and their storyline a slog. This book has a 3.46 rating on Goodreads and I should have trusted all of the other people who gave this book a low rating because it just wasn’t very good.

Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen (★★☆☆☆)

Audiobook • Library • Contemporary Fiction • 2021

Short synopsis: Tabitha Walker thought she had it all—great job, great boyfriend, great friends and family. But then it all comes crashing down with a life-altering diagnosis that would affect her ability to have children in the future. Suddenly, she’s faced with an impossible decision of what to do next.

Ughhh… this book. What a disappointment. Let’s get into my issues with it. First, Tabitha was a hard character to root for. She had a martyr-like demeanor and seemed to think her life was in shambles even though she had so much good going on! I couldn’t understand her attraction to her boyfriend whom she had been dating for a full year and had never been to his apartment or met his family. Girl, he’s a walking red flag. Get out! Honestly, all of the men in this novel were pretty mediocre at best and all of the women deserved better. There was some casual fatphobia in this novel that really grinded my gears, especially once a character started to lose weight and it was mentioned how now she can be on dating apps since she’s looking “better.” Fun fact: There is not a weight limit on dating apps! And do you want to date someone who only dates women who are a certain size? Ugh. After reading this book and disliking my time with it, I wanted to seek out reviews from Black women to see if I missed something with my white perspective. What I found were tons of negative reviews from Black women, which was a bit of a relief. As one reviewer put it, this book “felt about as deep as a kiddie pool.” The final nail in the coffin for this one was the ending, which was so bad that I would have thrown my book across the room if I hadn’t listened to it on audio. Skip this book!

Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa (★★★★★)

Print • Owned • Contemporary Romance • 2023

Short synopsis: Ander is a nonbinary Mexican-American teen who is taking a gap year after high school before enrolling at School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Santi is an undocumented Mexican who starts working at Ander’s family’s restaurant, and they swiftly fall in love. But can their love sustain Ander’s upcoming move to Chicago, or worse, can it keep Santi safe from the ICE agents roaming around their town?

I’m writing this review a few hours after I finished this book, and I can feel the book hangover swiftly approaching. I miss these two people already and just want to start the book all over again. This book was sensational in so many ways. I loved the way the Spanish elements were completely infused into the book: the food, the language, the culture, the art. I loved the way Ander and Santi fell in love and how palpable their chemistry felt through the pages. I was deeply moved by the exploration of undocumented people and the way the system works for people who may not be the “ideal” immigrant that the news likes to talk about. Santi left Mexico because it was unsafe for him to be there, but he’s not a standout student or a model minority. He’s just a guy who wants to live a quiet, happy life, and not be afraid every minute of the day. I could feel the tenseness of Santi as he navigated life in the United States as an undocumented person. It’s stressful and harrowing. This is a book that shines a light on what the experience may look like for undocumented people. They just want the right to live a safe, stable life, like the rest of us. This book had a lot going on, as you can see, but it all works together beautifully. This book has earned its place on my favorites shelf, for sure.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (3.22.24)

Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (Amazon) • Mystery • 1937

Short synopsis: The tranquility of a lovely cruise along the Nile is shattered by the discovery that Linnet Ridgeway has been shot. She was young, stylish, rich, and beautiful, a girl who had everything – until she lost her life. Despite the exotic setting, nothing is ever quite what it seems…

My second Agatha Christie novel for this challenge, and it was another 4-star read for me! It’s a slower-paced novel, with the murder not happening until more than 100 pages into the novel, but once that happens, everything kicks into high gear and doesn’t stop moving until the end. I had a feeling about this murder and who might be the culprit, and while my instincts were correct, the reasoning was all wrong. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but thankfully I could flip back to the first chapter where everyone is introduced and their reasons for being on the ship are revealed. That was helpful! This was my second Christie novel where everything took place in a closed environment (this time, it was a ship) so I think I need my next Christie to have a different type of setting/plot. But so far, so good on this challenge of mine!

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Library • Historical Fiction • 2020

Short synopsis: The Exiles is the story of three women—Evangeline, Hazel, and Mathinna—who are all struggling to survive in their own ways. It’s the 1840s and Evangeline is sentenced to 14 years in prison for assault (the circumstances of which are a little suspicious). She’s also pregnant and has to endure a harrowing overseas journey to complete her sentence at Van Diemen’s Land, a penal colony in Australia. Hazel is also on that journey—she’s been sentenced to 7 years for stealing a silver spoon. And Mathinna is an Aboriginal girl who has been forcibly removed from her tribe and “adopted” by the white governor of Van Diemen’s Land. 

This was such a heavy book. It was one of my suggestions for March book club, and I think it will lend to a very good discussion, but I couldn’t listen to more than an hour a day of the novel because it was so harrowing. (I really struggle with plots about prison; it’s a big anxiety trigger for me.) But it was also so interesting. I knew little about how Australia was colonized and even less about how it was essentially colonized as a penal colony. It’s something I would get an offhand reference to in historical romances (“he was convicted and sent to Australia”), but I hadn’t realized how horrific it truly was, and how it displaced Aboriginal people. There were a lot of hard things in this novel, but this was also a beautiful portrait of female friendship and female empowerment. I loved the way the women came together in this story, and I thought the novel wrapped up in a wonderful way. It’s a novel I would have a hard time recommending to everyone, but if you’re not scared off reading a heavy historical book, pick this one up.

Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean (★★★★☆)

E-Book • Library • Historical Romance • 2022

Short synopsis: Adelaide Frampton is known as the Matchbreaker—she uses her superior skills as a thief to help brides avoid the alter. Henry, Duke of Clayborn, has spent his life building an impeccable reputation free from salacious gossip. When the two find themselves on a breakneck journey across Britain to stop a wedding, Clayborn finds it impossible to resist this woman who both frustrates and fascinates him.

I haven’t read a Sarah MacLean romance in quite a while, and I missed her books! In my opinion, she’s writing the best historical romances out there, even if they may be a bit anachronistic. But eh, it doesn’t bother me and I’d much rather read about a badass group of women taking over London than the true reality of women during this time period, you know? This book was so much fun—I loved Adelaide’s character so much and the way she easily went toe-to-toe with Henry. The way they fell in love with each other was so sweet, and I loved the way everything came together at the end. There were so many badass ladies in this novel—from the leader of the “girl gang” that Adelaide is a part of to all the women who are part of their network in different inns and bars throughout London. If you’re looking for a fun historical romance that’s full of female empowerment, give this one a try! (And, really, all of Sarah MacLean’s romances.)

What are you reading?

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?