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Vera Stein Is Fine: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 21 Jul 26From #1
New York Times
bestseller Julie Murphy comes a heartfelt and hilarious tale of a woman who thinks life and love have passed her by until she’s thrown into her grandmother’s quirky world of octogenarian free love and gets a second chance with the one man she never expected to see again. Perhaps it’s never too late to play the opening credits…
Welcome to Starlight Palms, a favorite retirement facility among Hollywood actors and industry professionals tucked away just outside of sunny Palm Springs. Filled with forgotten scream queens, eccentric screenwriters, and heartthrobs of the past, it has a brand-new Vera Stein, age forty.
Vera knows she’s missed her chance at a life worthy of the silver screen, just like she missed her chance at ever finding true love. But Vera isn’t one to take chances. She’s spent most of her adult years caretaking for her dying mother and her movie star boss’s ego. Now abruptly houseless and jobless, Vera has nowhere to land, so to grandmother’s house we go!
The Starlight Palms Senior Living Center is midcentury Hollywood down to its pastel-painted bones. This desert gem isn’t lacking in saucy plot twists (swinging seniors, anyone?) or a leading Elias Buckley, the on-site doctor and Vera’s former ill-fated college fling and—for reasons that will stay in Vegas—legally her ex-husband according to the state of Nevada.
It’s not long before Vera falls into a job as the activities coordinator and under the spell of a certain smart-mouthed doctor… Suddenly all those empty years in LA look less like mistakes and a lot more like backstory. With a fresh start at her fingertips, Vera begins to see that even with all the detours she’s taken, there’s still a Hollywood ending (and maybe even a happily ever after) in sight…
TROPES
Second Chance Romance Workplace Romance Multigenerational Family Drama Forced Proximity New Lease on Life and Spice
Welcome to Starlight Palms, a favorite retirement facility among Hollywood actors and industry professionals tucked away just outside of sunny Palm Springs. Filled with forgotten scream queens, eccentric screenwriters, and heartthrobs of the past, it has a brand-new Vera Stein, age forty.
Vera knows she’s missed her chance at a life worthy of the silver screen, just like she missed her chance at ever finding true love. But Vera isn’t one to take chances. She’s spent most of her adult years caretaking for her dying mother and her movie star boss’s ego. Now abruptly houseless and jobless, Vera has nowhere to land, so to grandmother’s house we go!
The Starlight Palms Senior Living Center is midcentury Hollywood down to its pastel-painted bones. This desert gem isn’t lacking in saucy plot twists (swinging seniors, anyone?) or a leading Elias Buckley, the on-site doctor and Vera’s former ill-fated college fling and—for reasons that will stay in Vegas—legally her ex-husband according to the state of Nevada.
It’s not long before Vera falls into a job as the activities coordinator and under the spell of a certain smart-mouthed doctor… Suddenly all those empty years in LA look less like mistakes and a lot more like backstory. With a fresh start at her fingertips, Vera begins to see that even with all the detours she’s taken, there’s still a Hollywood ending (and maybe even a happily ever after) in sight…
TROPES
Second Chance Romance Workplace Romance Multigenerational Family Drama Forced Proximity New Lease on Life and Spice
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 21, 2026
462 people want to read
About the author
Julie Murphy
41 books6,841 followersJulie Murphy lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her and her cats who tolerate her. After several wonderful years in the library world, Julie now writes full-time.
When she’s not writing or reliving her reference desk glory days, she can be found watching made-for-TV movies, hunting for the perfect slice of cheese pizza, and planning her next great travel adventure.
She is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the young adult novels Dumplin’ (now a film on Netflix), Puddin’, Pumpkin, Ramona Blue, and Side Effects May Vary. Her middle grade novels include Dear Sweat Pea and a forthcoming 2023 title. She is also Disney's If The Shoe Fits, a modern day romcom retelling of Cinderella. Her writing partner is Sierra Simone and their romance debut is A Merry Little Meet Cute.
Julie has been featured in places liek Good Morning America, The New York Times, and Teen Vogue. Dumplin' was also named one of the best young adult books of all time by Time Magazine.
When she’s not writing or reliving her reference desk glory days, she can be found watching made-for-TV movies, hunting for the perfect slice of cheese pizza, and planning her next great travel adventure.
She is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the young adult novels Dumplin’ (now a film on Netflix), Puddin’, Pumpkin, Ramona Blue, and Side Effects May Vary. Her middle grade novels include Dear Sweat Pea and a forthcoming 2023 title. She is also Disney's If The Shoe Fits, a modern day romcom retelling of Cinderella. Her writing partner is Sierra Simone and their romance debut is A Merry Little Meet Cute.
Julie has been featured in places liek Good Morning America, The New York Times, and Teen Vogue. Dumplin' was also named one of the best young adult books of all time by Time Magazine.
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January 7, 2026
Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:
Julie Murphy is an auto-buy author for me, simple as that. In this adult romance, the titular Vera winds up at her grandmother's Palm Springs retirement village full of aging Hollywood eccentrics. There, she reunites with Elias: her college fling, the facility's on-site doctor, and technically her ex-husband! I love second-chance romances, romances between fortysomethings, and stories peopled with quirky retirees, so this promises to be an unabashed delight. —Isabelle Popp
Julie Murphy is an auto-buy author for me, simple as that. In this adult romance, the titular Vera winds up at her grandmother's Palm Springs retirement village full of aging Hollywood eccentrics. There, she reunites with Elias: her college fling, the facility's on-site doctor, and technically her ex-husband! I love second-chance romances, romances between fortysomethings, and stories peopled with quirky retirees, so this promises to be an unabashed delight. —Isabelle Popp
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think this was specifically written to check all the boxes of things I enjoy. Main characters older than 25 - check! Takes place in my hometown that I love and miss - check! Delightful found family of retirees - check! For a romance to really win me over I do expect to see the characters grow instead of just diving into bed with each other and it was nice to see Vera stand up for herself.
Thank you Netgalley, Avon, and Julie Murphy for the chance to read Vera's story a little early!
Thank you Netgalley, Avon, and Julie Murphy for the chance to read Vera's story a little early!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh, I could not have loved this more.
There is just something about the way Julie Murphy writes that hits me and touches me every single time. Her prose is sharp, tender, funny, and painfully honest all at once. She has this ability to make her characters feel so raw and real, like you could run into them at the grocery store and immediately know their entire backstory just by the way they hold themselves.
Vera Stein is forty years old, grieving her mother, freshly houseless and jobless, stuck in the aftermath of a failed situationship, and carrying around the quiet ache of never quite becoming who she thought she would be. And that? That felt so real. Vera isn’t some perfectly polished FMC who just needs a pep talk. She’s messy. She’s bitter in places. She’s tired. She’s deeply loving but doesn’t always know how to receive love back. She has spent years caretaking, between her dying mother, her egotistical movie star boss, men who didn’t deserve her, even her own grandmother... and she doesn’t even fully realize how much of herself she’s given away.
Watching her land at Starlight Palms, a retirement community full of aging Hollywood actors, eccentric creatives, and delightfully chaotic seniors, was such a unique and brilliant premise. A forty year old woman starting over in a pastel midcentury desert oasis populated by former scream queens and washed up heartthrobs was incredible and something I have never read before, which is refreshing. And Julie executes it flawlessly! The setting feels alive, vibrant, and slightly unhinged in the best way.
The multigenerational dynamics absolutely shine here. Vera’s rocky relationship with her grandma Ruby is layered and complicated and full of history. Their interactions are funny, sharp, and deeply emotional. You can feel the generational differences, the unspoken resentments, but also the undeniable love. And the residents were characters I adored. Leonard in particular was such a standout. He was hilarious, and surprisingly insightful. Every side character felt distinct and intentional, not just filler. That’s one of Julie’s strengths: no one exists just to prop up the main couple.
And speaking of unforgettable scenes... the sex toy class? I was crying laughing. It had major chaotic sitcom energy, like something straight out of Parks and Recreation. The humor in this book is bold and fearless without ever feeling forced.
I just absolutely loved Elias Buckley. Sweet, steady, fiercely loving Elias. Julie ALWAYS writes amazing MMCs and Eli was no exception. The history between Elias and Vera, which is the classic “right person, wrong time”, was one that absolutely gutted me in the best way. The fact that they were once young and in each other’s orbit, that Las Vegas mistake lingering in the background, that years of missed timing and unfinished business… it added so much depth. This isn’t instalove. This is years of yearning, regret, and so many what ifs finally getting a second chance.
Eli loves Vera so openly, so consistently. Even when she can’t fully accept it. Even when she doesn’t see her own worth. And that dynamic was beautiful. Because yes, Vera is independent. But she also tolerated the bare minimum for far too long. She over functioned for men who underappreciated her. Watching Eli step in, not to save her, but to stand beside her and show her that she doesn’t have to beg for scraps and that she can let someone take care of her too and is worthy of being chosen without hesitation was perfect.
“You think I'm rawdogging this flight on two watered-down mimosas so that you and I can just be friends?”
“I think not, Vera Stein.”
Well, shit.
That is such a perfect encapsulation of how Elias loves her. Persistent. Patient. All consuming in the gentlest way.
I also deeply appreciated the queer representation woven naturally into the fabric of Starlight Palms. It’s joyful, normalized, and celebratory without feeling performative. The plus size representation deserves applause too because Vera’s body exists, is desired, is loved, but it is not the sole focus of her identity. It’s just one part of who she is, and that balance felt so refreshing.
But beyond the romance, what really moved me was Vera’s growth. She changes so much over the course of this book. She starts out feeling like her life is over before it’s even properly begun. By the end, she sees that her past wasn’t wasted time, but was backstory. It was character development. It was everything that led her here. That theme of “it’s never too late” hit hard.
And the candle. THE CANDLE. Elias Buckley, you absolute menace. I will not elaborate further but just know: THAT IS A MAN.
This book is sweet, emotional, hilarious, spicy, deeply human, and ultimately hopeful. It’s about grief. It’s about caretaking burnout. It’s about second chances. It’s about realizing that forty is not the end of your story but that it might just be the opening credits.
I loved this so, so much! And I truly think so many readers will too.
Thank you to NetGalley, Julie Murphy, and Avon for the eARC of this book.
There is just something about the way Julie Murphy writes that hits me and touches me every single time. Her prose is sharp, tender, funny, and painfully honest all at once. She has this ability to make her characters feel so raw and real, like you could run into them at the grocery store and immediately know their entire backstory just by the way they hold themselves.
Vera Stein is forty years old, grieving her mother, freshly houseless and jobless, stuck in the aftermath of a failed situationship, and carrying around the quiet ache of never quite becoming who she thought she would be. And that? That felt so real. Vera isn’t some perfectly polished FMC who just needs a pep talk. She’s messy. She’s bitter in places. She’s tired. She’s deeply loving but doesn’t always know how to receive love back. She has spent years caretaking, between her dying mother, her egotistical movie star boss, men who didn’t deserve her, even her own grandmother... and she doesn’t even fully realize how much of herself she’s given away.
Watching her land at Starlight Palms, a retirement community full of aging Hollywood actors, eccentric creatives, and delightfully chaotic seniors, was such a unique and brilliant premise. A forty year old woman starting over in a pastel midcentury desert oasis populated by former scream queens and washed up heartthrobs was incredible and something I have never read before, which is refreshing. And Julie executes it flawlessly! The setting feels alive, vibrant, and slightly unhinged in the best way.
The multigenerational dynamics absolutely shine here. Vera’s rocky relationship with her grandma Ruby is layered and complicated and full of history. Their interactions are funny, sharp, and deeply emotional. You can feel the generational differences, the unspoken resentments, but also the undeniable love. And the residents were characters I adored. Leonard in particular was such a standout. He was hilarious, and surprisingly insightful. Every side character felt distinct and intentional, not just filler. That’s one of Julie’s strengths: no one exists just to prop up the main couple.
And speaking of unforgettable scenes... the sex toy class? I was crying laughing. It had major chaotic sitcom energy, like something straight out of Parks and Recreation. The humor in this book is bold and fearless without ever feeling forced.
I just absolutely loved Elias Buckley. Sweet, steady, fiercely loving Elias. Julie ALWAYS writes amazing MMCs and Eli was no exception. The history between Elias and Vera, which is the classic “right person, wrong time”, was one that absolutely gutted me in the best way. The fact that they were once young and in each other’s orbit, that Las Vegas mistake lingering in the background, that years of missed timing and unfinished business… it added so much depth. This isn’t instalove. This is years of yearning, regret, and so many what ifs finally getting a second chance.
Eli loves Vera so openly, so consistently. Even when she can’t fully accept it. Even when she doesn’t see her own worth. And that dynamic was beautiful. Because yes, Vera is independent. But she also tolerated the bare minimum for far too long. She over functioned for men who underappreciated her. Watching Eli step in, not to save her, but to stand beside her and show her that she doesn’t have to beg for scraps and that she can let someone take care of her too and is worthy of being chosen without hesitation was perfect.
“You think I'm rawdogging this flight on two watered-down mimosas so that you and I can just be friends?”
“I think not, Vera Stein.”
Well, shit.
That is such a perfect encapsulation of how Elias loves her. Persistent. Patient. All consuming in the gentlest way.
I also deeply appreciated the queer representation woven naturally into the fabric of Starlight Palms. It’s joyful, normalized, and celebratory without feeling performative. The plus size representation deserves applause too because Vera’s body exists, is desired, is loved, but it is not the sole focus of her identity. It’s just one part of who she is, and that balance felt so refreshing.
But beyond the romance, what really moved me was Vera’s growth. She changes so much over the course of this book. She starts out feeling like her life is over before it’s even properly begun. By the end, she sees that her past wasn’t wasted time, but was backstory. It was character development. It was everything that led her here. That theme of “it’s never too late” hit hard.
And the candle. THE CANDLE. Elias Buckley, you absolute menace. I will not elaborate further but just know: THAT IS A MAN.
This book is sweet, emotional, hilarious, spicy, deeply human, and ultimately hopeful. It’s about grief. It’s about caretaking burnout. It’s about second chances. It’s about realizing that forty is not the end of your story but that it might just be the opening credits.
I loved this so, so much! And I truly think so many readers will too.
Thank you to NetGalley, Julie Murphy, and Avon for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advanced copy of Vera Stein is Fine by Julie Murphy via NetGalley and the publisher, and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Julie Murphy has an incredible knack for creating characters that get under your skin—for better or for worse—and this second-chance, enemies-to-lovers journey set in LA and Palm Springs is no exception. The heart of this story lies in the "found family" that surrounds Vera; I absolutely love a novel with a sassy octogenarian, and Ruby was the perfect supporting character to anchor the plot and give the story some wonderful levity.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I found myself genuinely hating Brody, which is a testament to how strongly Murphy makes you feel for her leads. I felt deeply for Vera throughout her struggle to realize her worth outside of her infatuation with him. But the real standout for me was Leonard. Every scenario involving him helped move the story along and ultimately moved me to tears. That letter he leaves for his loved ones at the end? Absolute chef's kiss.
In terms of the romance, be prepared for a real slow burn. Julie really makes us work for the steam, but that tension makes the eventual connection feel much more earned. However, while the character work is top-tier, the book does juggle several different storylines, and a few of them felt like they could have used more room to breathe. Eli's emotional transition in New Orleans caught me off guard; while I was 100% rooting for him to be the "end game," the pivot from us discovering his college crush to a full-on declaration of intentions felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to see a few more beats of development to bridge the gap between their past and their future.
Ultimately, I’m giving this four stars because I simply adore the world and the people Julie Murphy creates. Even with the fast-paced shifts in the second half, the emotional payoff and the depth of the relationships made it a truly enjoyable read.
Julie Murphy has an incredible knack for creating characters that get under your skin—for better or for worse—and this second-chance, enemies-to-lovers journey set in LA and Palm Springs is no exception. The heart of this story lies in the "found family" that surrounds Vera; I absolutely love a novel with a sassy octogenarian, and Ruby was the perfect supporting character to anchor the plot and give the story some wonderful levity.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I found myself genuinely hating Brody, which is a testament to how strongly Murphy makes you feel for her leads. I felt deeply for Vera throughout her struggle to realize her worth outside of her infatuation with him. But the real standout for me was Leonard. Every scenario involving him helped move the story along and ultimately moved me to tears. That letter he leaves for his loved ones at the end? Absolute chef's kiss.
In terms of the romance, be prepared for a real slow burn. Julie really makes us work for the steam, but that tension makes the eventual connection feel much more earned. However, while the character work is top-tier, the book does juggle several different storylines, and a few of them felt like they could have used more room to breathe. Eli's emotional transition in New Orleans caught me off guard; while I was 100% rooting for him to be the "end game," the pivot from us discovering his college crush to a full-on declaration of intentions felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to see a few more beats of development to bridge the gap between their past and their future.
Ultimately, I’m giving this four stars because I simply adore the world and the people Julie Murphy creates. Even with the fast-paced shifts in the second half, the emotional payoff and the depth of the relationships made it a truly enjoyable read.
February 23, 2026
Thanks NetGalley for the arc!!
Omg this was amazing. This was my first book by Julie Murphy and I will definitely be reading more. This book had everything you could possibly want.
Vera is a very likable but messy mmc. You definitely get frustrated with her at times, especially in her relationship with Brody. But the best part of her character is getting to see her grow through her experiences and her relationship relationships and how she becomes a person who knows her in self worth.
Eli is absolutely swoon worthy. I love a man who lines after a woman of years. THE candle….like yes I will eat that up with a spoon every time. Vera is someone who was always taking care of other people so I really adored the way. Eli wanted to take care of her. I also deeply appreciate the way he gave her the space to figure out her life on her own without the pressure and was there and ready once she fully decided what she wanted.
Sometimes the things that makes a book 5 stars from me are the side characters and the side characters in this book were impeccable. I adored the nuance in Vera and Ruby’s relationship. I just loved Leonards so freaking much. I think not only where the side character is full of life, but they also really played apart in Vera story that made this novel feel so compelling
Omg this was amazing. This was my first book by Julie Murphy and I will definitely be reading more. This book had everything you could possibly want.
Vera is a very likable but messy mmc. You definitely get frustrated with her at times, especially in her relationship with Brody. But the best part of her character is getting to see her grow through her experiences and her relationship relationships and how she becomes a person who knows her in self worth.
Eli is absolutely swoon worthy. I love a man who lines after a woman of years. THE candle….like yes I will eat that up with a spoon every time. Vera is someone who was always taking care of other people so I really adored the way. Eli wanted to take care of her. I also deeply appreciate the way he gave her the space to figure out her life on her own without the pressure and was there and ready once she fully decided what she wanted.
Sometimes the things that makes a book 5 stars from me are the side characters and the side characters in this book were impeccable. I adored the nuance in Vera and Ruby’s relationship. I just loved Leonards so freaking much. I think not only where the side character is full of life, but they also really played apart in Vera story that made this novel feel so compelling
February 23, 2026
Thank you, Julie Murphy and Avon for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Julie, thank you. Thank you so much for writing this book. Vera Stein is Fine is the book I needed to read at this point in my life. You have not only healed my 20 year old self, but you have healed my 40-year old self.
Vera Stein is so many of us, SO many of us, and damn does it feel good to be seen.
This smart, funny, and emotionally grounded book takes you on a woman's journey as she deals with death of a parent, total upheaval of life, and the outcome that she needed and not necessarily thought for herself. This book shines a light on all people pleasing people who constantly put others before themselves in a way that says, "you are worth time for yourself." Vera allows the reader and herself that it is ok to be imperfect and that it honestly makes the journey all the more compelling.
This emotionally rich story about grief, reinvention, and the quiet bravery it takes to admit you want more out of life mixed in with the sharp humor and genuine heart that Julie Murphy excels.
Julie, thank you. Thank you so much for writing this book. Vera Stein is Fine is the book I needed to read at this point in my life. You have not only healed my 20 year old self, but you have healed my 40-year old self.
Vera Stein is so many of us, SO many of us, and damn does it feel good to be seen.
This smart, funny, and emotionally grounded book takes you on a woman's journey as she deals with death of a parent, total upheaval of life, and the outcome that she needed and not necessarily thought for herself. This book shines a light on all people pleasing people who constantly put others before themselves in a way that says, "you are worth time for yourself." Vera allows the reader and herself that it is ok to be imperfect and that it honestly makes the journey all the more compelling.
This emotionally rich story about grief, reinvention, and the quiet bravery it takes to admit you want more out of life mixed in with the sharp humor and genuine heart that Julie Murphy excels.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This one was SOOOOO good! I loved the chemistry between the main characters, and I loved the quirky secondary characters too. Some laugh out loud moments and some family drama thrown in as well.
I don’t usually like flashbacks, but I didn’t mind in this story. Really well written, all around.
This one is pretty steamy, FYI for those who like that and for those who don’t.
Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Vera Stein is Fine to come out July 21, 2026.
I don’t usually like flashbacks, but I didn’t mind in this story. Really well written, all around.
This one is pretty steamy, FYI for those who like that and for those who don’t.
Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Vera Stein is Fine to come out July 21, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fine? Babe, She’s Flourishing
Julie Murphy delivers a rom‑com that’s equal parts heart, humor, and midlife magic. Vera is the kind of messy, lovable, late‑bloomer heroine I want to hug and cheer for. The retirement‑community shenanigans? Perfection. The second‑chance romance? Warm and swoony. The emotional growth? Beautifully done.
This book made me laugh, tear up, and seriously consider moving into a senior living center just for the drama. An absolute delight.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Julie Murphy delivers a rom‑com that’s equal parts heart, humor, and midlife magic. Vera is the kind of messy, lovable, late‑bloomer heroine I want to hug and cheer for. The retirement‑community shenanigans? Perfection. The second‑chance romance? Warm and swoony. The emotional growth? Beautifully done.
This book made me laugh, tear up, and seriously consider moving into a senior living center just for the drama. An absolute delight.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Such a great book! A funny story about loss and reconnection. It was beautiful and I want more of both Vera and Ruby's stories. And DEFINITELY more Eli! More about Vera's screenwriting journey/if she continues it. Periodicall goimg back and forth between college and current day adds a really interesting element to the story.
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