Stephany Writes

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (8.26.25)

The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (★★★★★)

Print • Library • Contemporary Fiction • 2025

Short synopsis: A darkly comic and warm-hearted novel about an old man on a cross-country mission to reunite with his high school crush—bringing together his adult daughter, two orphaned kids, and a cat who can predict death.

This novel was so much fun! I haven’t read anything by Annie Hartnett, but I’m a sucker for a road trip book and I kept hearing really good things about this one. I immediately fell in love with all of the characters in the novel, from the old man who is just trying his best to his adult daughter who needs her dad to be a better father to the precocious kids who are dealing with tragedy. Plus, there is PANCAKES. This cat is everything and I loved him so very much, even though I would never want to cross paths with him since he’s a predictor of death! The novel had so much heart and so much dark comedy. I loved the absurdity of it and the way everything came together in the end. It was one of my favorite reads this year! (Recommendation source: Sarah’s Book Shelves Live)

Bad City: Peril and Power in the City of Angels by Paul Pringle (★★★★★)

Audiobook • Hoopla • Nonfiction • 2022

Short synopsis: In 2016, investigative reporter Paul Pringle received a tip about a USC dean’s drug overdose, which led him to expose crimes, cover-ups, and corruption that reached all the way into his own newsroom.

This story was WILD! I don’t think I’ve ever said so many things out loud while listening to an audiobook. “That’s so fucked up!” “What the hell!” It was a very immersive experience. I love a great narrative nonfiction novel, and this one read almost like a crazy fiction novel. (It’s very similar to how I felt reading Bad Blood or Catch and Kill.) What shocked me most wasn’t just the corruption at a prestigious university, but also the corruption within Pringle’s own newsroom, where editors with USC ties tried to bury the story. I am constantly amazed at the lengths these investigative reporters go to uncover the truth, risking careers, safety, and sanity while tirelessly tracking down sources and evidence. This book pulled back the curtain on what it really takes to bring these stories to light, and I absolutely loved it. Highly recommend! (Recommendation source: Sarah’s Book Shelves Live)

The Bell in the Fog by Lev AC Rosen (★★★★☆)

Print • Library • Mystery/Historical • 2023

Short synopsis: In 1952 San Francisco, disgraced ex-cop turned private detective Andy Mills takes on a blackmail case from an old flame, pulling him back into the dangerous shadows of the Navy and the city’s queer underworld. 

The Bell in the Fog, the second book in the Evander Mills series, was such a great read! What I love most about these books is a peek into what life was like for queer people in the 1950s. It was a dangerous time to be gay, and while there were clubs that functioned as sanctuaries for gay life, those were also the clubs that were regularly being raided by police. The mystery at the heart of this novel wasn’t all that exciting, but it was everything happening around the mystery that I loved. I loved the queer characters, the club where Andy works, and the deeper insight into Andy’s life before he became a cop. It’s not the kind of book that will change your life, but it’s a fun escape with a lot of heart and rich history.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (8.18.25)

Today’s book reviews are brought to you by the letter D for Disappointment. These were three books I was looking forward to reading because one is by a trusted author (Great Big Beautiful Life), one was recommended by a trusted source (The Last One), and one is a very popular romance that I was certain was going to work for me (Every Summer After). Alas, it was a string of duds in a row but thankfully, my reading has definitely picked up since then! For now, enjoy some spicy opinions.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (★★☆☆☆)

Print • Owned (Tombolo Books) • Contemporary Romance • 2025

Short synopsis: An aspiring writer and a Pulitzer-winning journalist are pitted against each other to compete for the biography of a reclusive heiress, only to find themselves tangled in secrets, half-truths, and an unexpected attraction. 

When I finished this book, I said out loud to no one, “Thank God that’s over.” This is one of my least-favorite Emily Henry romances. (Worse than People You Meet on Vacation, and you really have to be bad to compete for that spot!) The romance between Alice and Hayden was so dull. They had no chemistry and I just didn’t believe in the romance. Emily Henry was trying to play with the “grumpy/sunshine” romance trope, but since neither of these characters felt real, the trope just annoyed me. The story within the story—going through the ups and downs of a heiress’s family/life—was pretty boring. She wasn’t exactly a compelling character, and her life story wasn’t all that exciting, quite frankly. I can’t help but compare this book to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and unfortunately, Great Big Beautiful Life was a pale imitation without the glamour, intrigue, or depth. This book might have worked better as contemporary fiction rather than a romance, but as it stands, it’s a skippable Henry novel.

The Last One by Will Dean (★☆☆☆☆)

Audiobook • Libby • Thriller • 2023

Short synopsis: Caz boards the luxurious RMS Atlantica for a dream vacation with her new love, but wakes to find Pete—and everyone else on the ship—gone.

It’s been quite a while since I gave a book 1 star. Typically, I wouldn’t even finish a book like this, but I kept listening because I needed to know what happened. And while that’s usually the mark of a good book, in this case, it wasn’t. This is the kind of book that starts off super intriguing, but quickly becomes absurd and unbelievable. It was also way too long (14 hours; 450 pages) and I was so ready to be done. (And speaking of the audiobook, the narrator wasn’t great. Her American accents were laughably bad.) But what tipped this book into 1-star territory was the ending. I should have seen it coming, but the last sentence had me rolling my eyes and saying, “REALLY?!” Ugh. What a waste of my listening hours! (Recommendation source: Meredith of Currently Reading.)

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (★★★☆☆ 1/2)

E-Book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2022

Short synopsis: After spending six summers visiting a lakeside cottage as a teenager and falling in love with the boy next door, Persephone Fraser has returned after more than a decade away. 

I have such complicated feelings about this book! The more I sit with it and think about the story as a whole, the less I like it. While I was reading it, I couldn’t get enough of it, but things really fell apart in the last few chapters. It was a bit of a disappointment. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was in the mood for a dual-timeline book, especially if that timeline took place while Percy was a teenager. But those ended up being the most compelling chapters! Percy and Sam as adults were a snoozefest. They were so boring, and the insta-love that happened with them after a whole decade apart (and many secrets to be revealed) didn’t feel earned. We spent so much time in the past that the present-day chapters felt thin, and I wasn’t invested in them at all. Did I want them to fall back in love? I mean, my spicy opinion is that I think Percy should be with Sam’s brother, but that’s just me. It’s hard to rate this book because some of it was so freaking cute and everything I want in a romance, but it just didn’t come together in a satisfying way.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (8.11.25)

Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Thriller • 2024

Short synopsis: When Julia sees a viral video of a masked figure emerging from an attic, she’s horrified to recognize her own home—inside a gated community meant to keep her safe. 

I worried this book might be too creepy for me (I mean, the title alone!), but it was more psychological thriller-creepy than horror-creepy. I thought this book was well-written, and all the twists felt believable. I was so invested in uncovering the intruder’s identity and their unsettling obsession with filming inside Julia’s home. I liked all of the secondary characters in this novel and the way they added depth to the story. Overall, it was a satisfying domestic thriller—probably not a favorite of the year, and I’ll likely forget the details in a month, but it gave me the escapism I needed, and sometimes that’s enough. (Recommendation source: Meredith of Currently Reading.)

Back After This by Linda Holmes (★★★★★)

E-Book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2025

Short synopsis: Cecily, a podcast producer, agrees to host a new series about modern dating—but will the show jeopardize her chance at finding real love?

Gosh, I just adored this romance! It was so much fun and hit me right in the feels. I loved the behind-the-scenes look at a podcast company and how shows are produced. The budding romance between Cecily and someone completely outside her dating experiment was so unexpectedly charming. Like many romances about modern dating that sensationalize dating and make it feel almost like a caricature, the setup wasn’t entirely believable. But you know what? I didn’t really care! From the start, you know Cecily won’t end up with one of the bozos her dating coach lines up for her; she’s destined to fall for the man who doesn’t seem like Mr. Right at first but turns out to be exactly that. It was a delightful romance, and I had a grin on my face the entire time I was reading it. (Recommendation source: Engie/Lisa)

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr (★★★★☆)

Print • Library • Thriller • 2025

Short synopsis: When the CEO of Silicon Valley’s hottest startup is murdered, unofficial “problem solver” Mackenzie Clyde must untangle a high-stakes web of suspects to protect her boss’s billions.

This book hit me at exactly the right time. It was fresh, different, and impossible to put down. I loved the insider’s view of Silicon Valley, start-up culture, and venture capitalism, and the writing kept me hooked from start to finish. It had just the right amount of twists and turns without feeling too absurd, and while I started to suspect where things were heading the halfway point, it didn’t temper my enjoyment of the novel. Rather, I felt like a genius for figuring it out! And it was fun to see how everything unfolded. This is the kind of book that would make for a perfect TV miniseries, and it’s one I would highly recommend! (Recommendation source: Sarah of Sarah’s Book Shelves Live.)

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (7.28.25)

People Person by Candice Carty-Williams (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (Barnes & Noble) • Contemporary Fiction • 2022

Short synopsis: At thirty, Dimple Pennington’s life feels stagnant—her influencer dreams fading, her relationship failing—until a dramatic event reunites her with her estranged half-siblings and forces them all to confront their shared history and absent father. 

This novel has a low rating on Goodreads, and I understand why. But it felt almost tailor-made for me. This is about Dimple, who has been estranged from her father, though not really by her choice, and barely knows her four half-siblings. I was completely captivated by this messy, emotionally tangled family! Some of the siblings are desperate for their father’s love and approval, while others want nothing to do with him. I think the author captured the complexity of estrangement and deadbeat dads so well. Even when you know what’s good for you (setting a boundary), it’s hard to do that when it’s your own father and you want so badly to make him love you. It’s the oddest thing because you shouldn’t have to work so hard for a parent to love you, and yet, that’s what it’s like for so many of us. At times, Dimple’s people-pleasing tendencies could be frustrating because I just wanted her to see her dad for who he really was. But she had to come to terms with it herself, like so many of us with estranged parents do. All in all, I felt very seen with this book. I understand it won’t be for everyone, and I personally could have done without the final chapter, but overall, it was a solid and emotionally resonant read. (3.5 stars, rounded up.)

The Wedding Pact by Katee Robert (★★★★☆)

E-book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2016

Short synopsis: Carrigan O’Malley is bound to an arranged marriage for power, but one forbidden encounter with rival heir James Halloran leaves her wanting only him. 

I’m rereading Katee Robert’s The O’Malley’s series, a dark romance centered around a crime family. I’m not usually one for dark romance, but for some reason, I really enjoyed this series and felt like rereading it. Carrigan and James have electric chemistry, and this book oozes sex appeal. I really loved Carrigan’s character: torn between loyalty to her family and her desire for a life of her own. James, of course, is the last man she should want—especially since he’s from a rival family. This was a fun, sexy romance, and I enjoyed every second of the ride.

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Hoopla • Contemporary Fiction • 2024

Short synopsis: After serving time for a tragic drunk-driving accident, Violet Powell crosses paths with retired teacher Harriet and grieving widower Frank in a Portland bookstore—an unexpected meeting that sparks healing and connection for all three.

It wasn’t until I downloaded this book to listen to that I realized it was about prison and incarceration. I struggle mightily with books on these topics—it is a huge trigger for me. But after hearing so much praise, I decided to give it a try. Am I glad I read this book? Yes. But did it affect my mental health? Also yes.

This book includes many scenes inside a women’s prison and follows Violet’s experience of reentering the world after incarceration. I think stories like these are so important. The American prison system and the way we treat formerly incarcerated people are deeply flawed—and that’s a big part of why this subject matter is so tough for me. My dad, after serving time when I was in middle school, once told me that he submitted 12 job applications. As a test, he didn’t mention his record on one application, and that was the only place that called him back for an interview. It doesn’t have to be this way. And it’s part of why recidivism remains such a problem: we don’t allow people to reintegrate into society in a useful way.

While I did struggle emotionally with parts of this book, it ultimately tells a story of survival, second chances, and hope. Some characters frustrated me and could’ve been written with more nuance, but the three main characters were easy to root for. I particularly appreciated the ending of this book, a powerful reminder that a person’s worst moment doesn’t define their whole life. This book gave me a lot to think about, and I’m glad I stuck with it despite the difficult themes. (3.5 stars, rounded up)

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (7.23.25)

Wild Love by Elsie Silver (★★★★☆)

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

Short synopsis: Billionaire Ford Grant seeks refuge in Rose Hill to open a recording studio but finds his plans upended when a young girl claims to be his daughter, forcing him to balance new fatherhood with an undeniable attraction to Rosie Belmont, his best friend’s sister. 

This was such a sweet romance! I absolutely loved it, even though I wished it were about 100-150 pages shorter. (Romance novels should not be 400+ pages, I will die on this hill!) The rapport between Ford and Rosie was electric right from the start, and I was so happy the author didn’t learn too hard into the “best friend’s sister” trope. (You know, the big brother who gets all toxic masculinity about someone dating his baby sister? Blech.) I was also pleasantly surprised by how the secret daughter plotline was handled. It was different from what I expected, and I adored the way Ford’s family rallied around this young girl. Overall, I thought this was a well-written romance, and while there was one odd plot point near the end I could’ve done without, I’ll give Elsie Silver a pass on that one. I’m excited to read more books in this series!

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★★★)

E-book • Owned (Amazon) • Fiction • 2025

Short synopsis: When astrophysics professor Joan Goodwin discovers NASA is recruiting its first female astronauts in 1980, she embarks on an unexpected journey, finding friendship, love, and a new perspective on her place in the universe, only for her world to be irrevocably altered during a mission in 1984.

Taylor Jenkins Reid did it again—at least for me! I adored this book and not just because I am a sucker for any book about astronomy. There was so much to love here. There was Joan, a character who was so easy to root for. There was her love story with fellow astronaut, Vanessa, and Joan figuring out her sexuality during a time when queerness had to be kept quiet. I was fully invested in their relationship! There were all of the supporting characters—the other astronauts in Joan and Vanessa’s class at NASA as well as Joan’s niece. The bond between Joan and her niece was such a sweet part of the story. And there was so much I learned about NASA and how competitive it is to become an astronaut. I’d never really considered just how few people are selected for missions each year, or how hard it must be on those who don’t make the cut. Most especially, these women were at NASA during a time when they were going to be some of the first women astronauts in space, which adds another layer of complexity.

Throughout the book, chapters from Joan’s early days at NASA are interspersed with scenes from a high-stakes mission in 1984. Those scenes had me on the edge of my seat! While some people have complained that the book is a little predictable, it wasn’t something that bothered me. (Hell, I’m a romance reader; I live for predictability!) The ending had me in tears, which is something that hasn’t happened while reading a book in a long time.

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston (★★★★☆)

E-book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2022

Short synopsis: Florence Day, a cynical romance ghostwriter who no longer believes in love, returns to her hometown to bury her father—only to discover the ghost of her recently deceased (and very handsome) editor haunting her family’s funeral home. 

Ashley Poston is the queen of writing romance novels with a magical twist. In this case, the twist is that Florence can see and communicate with ghosts. She’s still reeling from a breakup when her father dies unexpectedly. What she doesn’t expect is to come face-to-face with her dead editor while she’s back home helping with funeral preparations.

It’s such a unique story and while I knew from the beginning how all of this was going to end (this was a romance novel, after all), the journey to get there was absolutely delightful. Florence’s family owns a funeral home, so the book talks frankly about death and grief and what happens after you die. I usually find it uncomfortable to think about death, but I really appreciated thow the author handled the subject. It wasn’t heavy-handed or too dark. It felt like a natural part of life, which it is, and something that can be intensely sad but also intensely beautiful. I really, really loved this romance novel!

What are you reading?