Stephany Writes

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.
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Comments

  1. What a bummer on the first book! It has the cutest cover and sounded like such a fun set up! ugh

    I just started Lost Lambs (a Knox rec) on audio and am struggling. My brain is so fried lately and I can’t focus! Almost done with that Ryder book too.

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  2. Oh, I have to reread that Agatha Christie now! I agree, it’s fun to see how authors started out. I recently read Murder at the Vicarage, which was the introduction to Miss Marple.
    I was just at the library picking up a stack of books!!! I’m about to start Lake Effect, which everyone has been talking about. I’ve been waiting impatiently for my library hold to come in, and today was the day.

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  3. I listened to that Agatha Christie fairly recently and thought it was really fun – and yes, so many characters! I’m listening to The Spectacular by Fiona Davis, and I’m loving it!

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  4. WE JUST PICKED BLACK CAKE FOR OUR IRL BOOK CLUB!!! I had never even heard of it and here it is, showing up again! I wasn’t super excited about it and now I’m even less excited about it, but maybe it will surprise me and I’ll love it.

    I’m finishing up Kin by Tayari Jones, which is a buddy read I’m doing with Sarah. It’s pretty good. I’m listening to a Nora Roberts book (lolololol), and my physical book is a book about magical horses. You know what? I’m basically living my teenage life right now.

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  5. Audible did an radio drama type adaptation of The Mysterious Affair at Styles that I enjoyed. Their adaptation really leaned into the wounded soldiers of WWI backstory that I think sometimes gets glossed over in Christie’s novels.
    Right now I’m reading Beautyland, though I’m not finding I have as much time to read it as I would like, so it’s been taking me a while.

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  6. I liked Black Cake, but haven’t read the other ones.
    I am reading a collection of stories by Joyce Carol Oates, who I have never read before. It’s a tricky writing style, but I’m getting into it!

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  7. I just finished Good Dirt and I liked it, but I felt similarly about the story being drawn out. I was like OK, OK, LET’S WRAP THIS UP. I do appreciate her short chapter style. I think I’ll probably skip the Black Cake book.

    I am not crazy about books that include so many characters that I have trouble tracking all of them.

    I’m reading The Road to Tender Hearts right now. I’m enjoying it- but wow . . . dark humor indeed.

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    • Oof, I was hoping the author would have improved her endings with Good Dirt. I’m going to try that book because I didn’t hate Black Cake at all, but if it’s another 3-star read, this author might just not be for me!

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  8. I haven’t read Black Cake but I did read and like Good Dirt! I haven’t heard of the other 2!

    I just finished ‘Spectacular Things’ which I loved! It is about 2 sisters, one of which is pursuing a career as a professional soccer player. It was such a great read. Now I am reading ‘Before I Forget’ which is about caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s. I like it so far but am only 20% in.

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    • I may have to add Spectacular Things to my TBR! I despised the author’s memoir about working in the White House, so I’ve been put off by her fiction writing, lol. I’ll give her another chance!

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  9. I really liked Black Cake, though I liked Good Dirt more.

    I’m listening to The Testaments, because we’re watching it and I remember nothing from when I read it a couple of years ago. My physical book is called The Phoenix Pencil Company, and I’m loving it.

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