One year after her divorce from a rising political star, art curator Katherine Ray Stone is still reeling. She lost not only her dreams of a family but also her thriving gallery in Chicago. With no clear sense of what's next, Kat packs up and heads to Lido Isle in Newport Beach, the coastal enclave where she spent her childhood summers, to care for her ailing grandmother and begin figuring out her next act as a single woman. What she doesn't expect is that one visit to Grandma Betty's book club—the Lido Lit Ladies—will make her the center of their newest project: setting Kat up on blind dates with real-life versions of iconic fictional boyfriends.
Before long, Kat finds herself on a series of first dates orchestrated by her new book club friends. There's a charming cowboy. A charismatic bestselling author. A billionaire. An NFL star. A fantasy-hero lookalike. And finally, a firefighter who also happens to be a friend from long-ago summers. But what begins as a playful matchmaking experiment soon becomes something deeper. As Kat dares to open her heart again and uncovers an unexpected chapter in Grandma Betty's own story, she begins to face her past, rewrite her own narrative, and maybe, just maybe, believe in herself again.
At its heart, My Book Club Summer explores the messy, magical terrain of self-discovery, dating, second chances, and the stories we tell ourselves about life and love.
Stephanie Mack is an author, speaker, and podcast host with a passion for the art of great storytelling. Her novels blend women's fiction and romantic elements with meaningful insights for readers navigating the complexities of modern life.
Throughout her career, Stephanie has been trusted to craft language for individuals, publications, and Fortune 500 companies. As a podcast host, she has interviewed numerous New York Times bestselling authors and literary stars. Stephanie's work has also appeared on Scary Mommy, Faithit, Coffee + Crumbs, and more.
Stephanie lives in Orange County, California, with her husband and three daughters, balancing motherhood, creativity, and community. She invites readers to connect with her on social media and through her newsletter, where she shares book recommendations, behind-the-scenes insights, and conversations about life and womanhood.
Learn more at stephaniemack.com.