Vera Stein Is Fine

by Julie Murphy

From #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 resident: 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 man: 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

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Adult, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Rom Com

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 21, 2026

About the author

Julie 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.

Reviews

[Book Riot Community]

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

[Lindsay Brogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vera Stein is Fine is Julie Murphy's best book, or rather, it's my new favorite of hers. From the moment I read the first half of the dedication, “To everyone who ever woke up to a birthday, looked back on their life, and thought, who the hell am I and how did I get here?” I felt like the book was written for me. Vera will do for 40-something women what Dumplin’ did for plus-size girls who didn’t believe that they would ever be the main character or that they deserved a happily ever after. I actually thought a lot about Dumplin’ while I was reading Vera’s story. Although I read Dumplin' as an adult, I felt like Dumplin’ had been written for my long-ago teenage self. Willowdean and her group of misfit friends healed something in the leftover parts of my teenage heart, and I'm convinced that Vera Stein is Fine is for all the grown-up Dumplin’s out there that need to know it's okay if you don't have it all figured out, and that the journey is what makes life so exciting. Really, Vera’s story is for all women at any age who feel like life has passed them by, have regrets about missed opportunities, or aren’t really sure what to do with their lives.

We meet Vera right after her mother has passed away from a long illness, and her former scream queen grandmother, Ruby, has sold the only home she's known. On top of this huge loss, she's stuck in a dead-end job as an assistant for her sometimes-best friend from college, sometimes friends-with-benefits-turned movie star, Brody. When Vera realizes that Brody is never going to appreciate her the way he should or make their relationship anything resembling official, she packs up and follows her grandmother to the retirement haven of old school Hollywooders, the Starlight Palms in Palm Springs.

Vera’s arrival in Palm Springs is not exactly how she imagined her fresh start beginning. Ruby’s reaction to Vera’s appearance is less than receptive. A typical grandmother, Ruby, is not (also, I would love a novella or even a whole novel with her in Hollis' story). Vera is also unpleasantly surprised to find her college nemesis,/one night stand, Elias, is now the head physician at Starlight Palms. Can you say unfinished business?

Elias or Eli comes off as a grump, but really, he's a total softy, especially when it comes to Vera. My heart palpitated the first time he called her “love,” and my jaw dropped when he said, “The categorical truth? Ruby invited me. I have an ungodly amount of vacation time stored up and I like this city. The actual truth? I want to be everywhere you are, and I'm not apologizing for that.”
Eli has been pining for Vera since they met in college, but Vera isn't sure about the timing of everything. Who wants to fall in love when their life is a complete mess? But maybe just maybe it's actually perfect timing.

While trying not to fall too hard for Eli, Vera kinda falls into a job at Starlight Palms as the new activities director and befriends a resident named Leonard, who helps her to start writing again for herself, and she discovers that she has a whole new story to tell and life isn't mapped out like a well-written screenplay, but it happens at its own perfectly imperfect rhythm.

I deeply identified with Vera in many ways, and because of that, this book felt like meeting a new friend at exactly the right moment. Of course, the priceless banter and humor that Julie brings to all her books made this book a joy to read. I was sad to say goodbye to the wild and wacky characters of aStarlight Palms, and I hope there might be some more stories from this fantastical community in the future.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. It was an absolute pleasure.

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.25 Stars ⭐️

Vera Stein Is Fine packed so much into its pages, and I had such a fun time with it. There were so many genuinely funny moments that had me laughing out loud.

The second chance romance was absolute perfection. The fact that he had always carried a torch for her had me completely swooning. Their chemistry felt so natural, and I couldn’t help but root for them.

I also loved watching Vera figure out what she wanted next in life. Seeing her step into herself and finally shed the people who had been taking advantage of her was incredibly satisfying and made her journey feel so rewarding.

And the plus-size representation? Everything. The way the MMC adored Vera, appreciated her exactly as she was, and made her feel seen and wanted had me kicking my feet. Seriously… where can I find that in real life?

[Linda Ayala · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars (ARC via NetGalley)

I really wanted to enjoy Vera Stein Is Fine more than I did, but unfortunately, it didn’t fully resonate with me.
At the center of the story is Vera, a 40-year-old woman who feels stuck, professionally, emotionally, and personally. However, I struggled to connect with her character. Much of her behavior came across as immature and frustrating. She spends decades pining after a college crush who is clearly not worth her time, shaping her life around him in ways that felt more self-sabotaging than compelling. Watching her continuously people-please, second-guess herself, and avoid growth made it difficult for me to stay emotionally invested.

The turning point of the story, discovering she’s about to be replaced and abruptly running off to her grandmother’s retirement community, had potential, but the execution felt rushed and somewhat forced. From there, the narrative leans into familiar territory, including reconnecting with a former acquaintance whose role in her life becomes increasingly predictable.

The pacing was another challenge for me. The story felt overly long, and I found myself skimming through large portions, especially where certain relationships and plotlines felt underdeveloped or unconvincing. The emotional payoff didn’t quite land, and the ending felt expected rather than earned.

That said, there were elements I did appreciate. Vera’s grandmother, Ruby, and her decades-long romance with Hollis were far more compelling to me. Their story carried a depth, history, and emotional richness that I found myself wanting more of, it added a layer to the book that felt genuine and lived-in.

Overall, this was a mixed read for me. The themes of self-worth, reinvention, and breaking out of long-standing patterns are there, but the execution didn’t fully connect.

Tropes & Themes:

• Midlife reinvention
• Unrequited / unhealthy love
• People-pleasing protagonist
• Self-discovery journey
• Starting over
• Second chance at life
• Found purpose later in life
• Past vs present relationships

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley

These are my notes and in reading order.

Gasp! Awh.. OHHH?! Eeee!! LOL!! Wait, WHAT?! Ugh. Nooooo. *evil smile* Well, damn… Shit! *happy sigh* Well it’s about time!

To say I loved reading this was an understatement. I’ve been waiting for Julie’s first solo adult novel for just a little bit now. It was beautify written. Julie Murphy is a masterclass in sad boy literature.

Eli, the reformed grump, is getting his second chance with the love of his life and his transformation into the black cat and golden retriever. I can understand Vera’s hesitation but, Girl… Girl!

Vera has a lot on her plate, family issues, toxic situation-ship that went on for far too long and the reboot of her life in her 40’s brought her right to where she needed to be. Let Vera be the example that having nothing left can bring you everything.

[Sarah Medeiros · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s such a refreshing change to read about a couple of 40 year olds. With decades of life experience, these characters felt so fully fleshed out. They have lived so many different lives at this point and that brings so much perspective and fullness to the way they carry themselves in the world.

As an (almost) 40 year old myself, it’s so nice to see Vera coming into her own at this age. She’s starting fresh and finding joy in new experiences and a new career and it just shows how much life there is to live at this stage in the game.

Pair that with the setting of a retirement community and the quirky, sassy and often horny residents and I was laughing out loud. I freaking love old people and their stories and wisdom and seeing them also get to start new phases of their life and find joy in growing old was so endearing.

I loved how we saw snippets from Eli’s POV and that’s how we got the backstory between Vera and Eli. It only made me love him more, honestly. Is there anything more attractive than a man who has grown and learned to be open and honest about his feelings and unafraid to just say what he wants? I’m obsessed.

Thank you to Avon for the early copy!

[Kamryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Murphy is seriously one of my favorite authors of all time! From the moment I picked up this book I could not put it down! This is now my favorite book of Julie’s.

It was hilarious, witty, addictive, and so sweet. Julie just has a way of pulling you into the story and getting so deeply connected with all characters. The atmosphere of this book is seriously perfect for summer. I feel like it leans a bit on the fiction side mixed very well with romance. You met so many wonderful side characters along the way as well

I loved Vera’s relationship with her grandma Ruby. It wasn’t easy by any means but they both learn and grew together. As they both processed grief differently, in very different stages of life. It was such a beautiful story.

I loved the romance so so much as well. Eli has to easily be one of my favorite book boyfriends I’ve ever met. He is so tender, and kind. Soft spoken yet firm. Yearns and yearns and yearns for YEARS!!!!

This book was perfect.

Thank you so much Harper Collins and Avon for the ARC!

[Marissa Pekurny · Rating 5 out of 5]

i truly enjoyed this entire story so much. vera was amazing and i loved how much her character grew throughout this story. i loved eli and how his character fit in with vera so well. ruby pissed me off the entire story and made me want to scream on more than one occasion. i truly loved vera but good lord if she didn’t quit her nonsense with brody and how she felt for him, i was gonna toss my kindle. i loved the ending and how everything fell into place for vera, and im sad it’s over. i seriously couldn’t put this book down. definitely recommend reading!! thank you so much to the author and publisher for the early copy!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vera Stein is a character after my own heart. A woman who has pined for her friend/boss since college, while he treats her like a convenience at most. After quitting her job, she takes on the role of activities coordinator at her grandmother’s retirement community, where she reconnects with Eli, the guy she married in Vegas on a date in college.

This romance was sweet, heartfelt, and funny. The flashbacks were appropriately spread throughout and gave just enough information to provide context for the characters. The romance was sweet and hot. A few minor issues, including underdevelopment of some side characters, like Tess, Vera’s best friend, were present, but forgivable.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Vera’s life gets upended all at once, as she loses her mother, her job, and her situationship (with her boss…) all at once. What else can she do but leave LA and show up at her grandmother’s door in Palm Springs. Soon she’s planning activities for the retirement community full of old Hollywood personalities. And avoiding Eli, the resident doctor and a complicated man from Vera’s past.

This is clearly a deeply personal book for Murphy, and it shows in the time and attention she gives it. Was it a little too long? Yes. But was the ending satisfyingly emotional? Also yes.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a Julie Murphy book in awhile, but I'm glad I decided to read this one! I loved the premise of the book. It was refreshing to read about a woman in her 40s dealing with feeling lost in life and trying to find her footing again. I hope people give this book a chance because Vera felt like such a real and relatable character who shared all her flaws with the readers and I think that is so important for women to read.

[Zaira Sehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit home for me in so many ways. I just couldn’t put it down.

[Kristina Nichole]

WOHOO GOT THE ARC


YESSS....
anyone want to buddy read??

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jazelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vera Stein is Fine Book Review 🦇

Predictive text: Here lies [your name], who was best known for ___❗

Vera Stein doesn't take chances; not with her career as a potential scriptwriter, and certainly not with love. After spending most of her adult years caretaking for her dying mother and movie star boss’s ego, she's suddenly houseless and jobless, only to follow her scream-queen-star grandmother to Starlight Palms Senior Living Center. There, she crashes into her college fling/ex-husband Elias Buckley. 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. Too bad she doesn't know the whole story. 🦇

Listen up. Put down your Kindle or that paperback your trudging through. You NEED to pick up Julie Murphy's Vera Stein is Fine instead. Julie Murphy is stepping into her adult fiction era and she is KILLIN IT! This story, like any woman, is no one thing. Vera Stein is Fine is a romance, a late bloomer story, a second chance at love and life, a reminder. It's about owning who you are, forging your own path (even if it's a bit messy, even if it takes longer than expected), and recognizing those stumbles along the way weren't failures; they were preparing you for the future. Here's what I loved: ⤵

The dual POV / dual timeline format works WONDERS. We see Vera through the eyes of someone who loves her, but also recognize that everything is about PERSPECTIVE. And the tension? Ugh, the TENSION.

Vera Stein is messy and realistic in a world of glamour and eccentricity. Throwing her into a retirement community for old Hollywood stars was the perfect catalyst for her to put the pieces of her life together.

Cucumber melon. Iykyk. A perfect show, don't tell that really helps the pieces click for Vera.

Ruby is a freaking HOOT. I loved seeing the messy chaos of her relationships with Hollis and Leonard. Her realizations are proof that you're never too old to make a change, to fix what was broken, to give yourself the chance for a happily ever after.

I couldn't stop annotating, which is always a good sign. Stunning. Absolutely stunning.

Recommended for fans of Daddy Issues and Cherry Baby. 🦇

The Vibes ✨
second chance romance
workplace romance
forced proximity
new lease on life / self-discovery
spice
multigenerational family drama
dual POV / dual timeline
he falls first (and harder)
grief

Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #VeraSteinisFine 🦇

Quotes 💬
“You’re incredibly gifted at creating things for other people, Vera. But not everything you do has to be in service of other people.��

Brody’s been keeping you like a fucking houseplant. Giving you just enough light to stay alive, but not enough to grow...Vera Stein, you deserve all the light.”

Is it still a love story if he doesn’t love her back?

Do. Fail. And then do again. Words to live by are just that: words. They mean nothing if you’re not waking up every morning and living.

God, I wanted to drown in her. Put it on my death certificate. Cause of death: willfully drowned in his desire for Vera Stein.

Waiting for him to decide if he loved me hurt more than leaving ever could.

His attention was a flowering weed. So beautiful. So invasive.

Some people don’t ghost you. They haunt you.

"'Marry me for a day or a thousand,’ she told me. ‘I just want the paper trail to say that you and I loved each other.’”

"Maybe the only way for us to have a second chance was for us to fail so miserably the first time.”

[LostinthesTori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this book is written for an older adult. As a reader in her 30s, I couldn't help but feel connected to our FMC who is in her 40s. This book truly reminds me of my best friend whose does everything for everyone. She takes care of her elderly parents and never really seemed to find a set career path or even a real relationship. At 43, she's only just recently bought her own house and is in a relationship that I can't help but be happy about. She reminds me so much of Vera. That in itself made this such an enjoyable book. I may only be in by 30s, married and a homeowner but someone how I've dealt with so much and can't help but ask the same questions Vera is. Ultimately, it comes down to asking if I'm enough, did I do enough, and if I died tomorrow who would even care? In a blink of an eye, years of your life can just fly by. Enough of my reflective thought from the book and let me tell you a little about it.

Vera Stein (40) is a smart and super funny caregiver. She takes care of everyone, Ruby aka her Grandma, her mom, and her employer/best guy friend. She does so much for everyone around, it hard to see what she even does just for her. The first chapter of the book, Vera is already looking at where her life is and where 20yr Vera saw it. Dealing with grief and up and losing her house, Vera ends up at her "Grandma's" retirement home, Starlight Palms. Starlight Palms being a Hollywood royalty retirement home.

Queue in our super-hot MMC, Dr. Elias Buckley (42). Elias aka Eli works as doctor at Starlight Palms. He was a broody asshole from her college days and ex-best friends with her former employer. These two together were amazing. I really enjoyed the dynamic between them. Both working at Starlight Palms, giving us that forced proximity tension. I love that even though Eli tries to, he somehow is always helping Vera. Less broody and more golden retriever like. Two things to note: Cucumber Melon (So middle school) and NOLA. Swooning over them.
I really like all the characters Vera encounters along the way. I thought they were witty, interesting and overall added the drama to the story. For this emotional journey, there was also a lot of spice. More spice then one would expect from a retirement home.

Overall, it was nice to see how this whole story came together. Each character she interacts with brings a layer to the story. I was so happy to see her grow and finally choose herself. Only Julie Murphy can add humor to trauma in such a beautiful way. I love that she chose to tell the story with present day chapters and flashbacks. It was neat to see the younger Vera and Eli interact. Crazy to know where it all leads to.

The last thing, I want to mention is the beautiful dedication (Praying it doesn't change before publishing). It reads: "To everyone whose ever woke up to a birthday, looked back on their life, and thought, "who the hell am I and how did I get here?" And to the caretakers. It's okay to let someone take care of you too." This dedication speaks volumes about the story and damn if it's not the most relatable thing.

Thank you Netgalley, Avon, and Julie Murphy for the chance to read Vera's story!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point I would read a retelling of the phone book. If it was written by julie murphy, - i love her writing. I love her storytelling. And this book was no exception. It had kind of everything that you want in a book a little bit of mystery, not like mystery mystery, but trying to figure out what's going on witg the characters past, unrequited, love, past relationship, best friends, family trauma, its got everything- we start out with our girl vera., as in the title vera sten- she has put her life on hold. So quite some time, taking care of her terminally, ill mother and living with her (putting off her goal and dream of writing her movie - she has a script but its not quite ready) And her grandmother and working for her best friend since college/friend with benefits (Brody) as his assistant, he happens to be a famous actor.- after her mothers passing (not a spoiler) her grandma (who is a D list movie star from the 70s and does not want to be called grandma...its Ruby) drops the bomb that she has sold the west hollywood home.They live in- she has plans to move to Palm Springs in the Starlight Palms retirement home- home to retired industry folks- ok Vera needs a plan B she moves into her boss/FWB pool house, she finds out some troubling news about him (no spoiler) and hightails it out of there, where is she to go her best friend Tess is living her own nightmare redoing her house with her husband and four kids - so off to Palm Springs it is - where she surprises Ruby and gets a surprise herself- after crashing on ruby's velvet chaise and breaking the rules because Ruby's not supposed to have company without permission - somebody literally enters her life again after almost twenty years by walking into Ruby's apartment to change the light bulb - it is her one day ex husband from twenty years ago- hes the facilities doctor- she somehow ends up getting a job interview. To be the activist director and then it gets an invite to move in with said exhusband at his home employee housing apartment- i'll probably a good time to mention that Eli. The ex husband slash doctor and vera and her best friend tess and the ex boss/FWB all went to college together, as Vera settles in to her role as activities director she gets the feel of what her residents want.Because this is not your average retirement home, mix in the feelings that she's having for Eli, Brody showing up and Ruby's secret past coing out - one thing that Vera needs is to understand herself worth. And eli is trying to get that into her head.But she reverts to that same trauma.ridden girl- oh, girl who doesn't think that she's good enough.Because maybe she's not a size six. I don't want to give out. Because I hate that, but this book is about realizing that sometimes our loved ones aren't up perfect. And there we are all work in progress
And then when I'm old, I want to live in a place like the Starlight Palms, It's so good I loved it i read it in one night.Could not put it down, could not put a sleep

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

[Emily Marmarou · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something fascinating about Julie Murphy’s writing. This is the second book I’ve read by her and I had the same feeling in both: I found the characters a little unhealthy, toxic light, poor communication, acting a little immature for their age, you kind of just want to scream through the pages at them, but I cannot stop reading! She knows how to pull me in despite my discomfort with these characters she creates these flawed stories and relationships. There are unhealthy aspects to several of the relationships in the book and most of them do not get resolved by the end but they find minor improvements. I wish the relationship between Vera and Eli had deeper communication and time to really strengthen the foundation because you could tell they’d both cared for each other over time but they both have been hurt and they have not dealt with their past in a way that will allow them to move forward. It seemed like they avoided each other for large portions of the story and their communication felt stunted until the very end of the story. I will say my man Eli is the definition of actions speak louder than words and he does show up time and again for Vera, but when it comes to talking he (and she) could use a crash course. I devoured this book in 24 hours, I could not put it down, I had to know - will they figure out how to talk to each other like normal people? Will they communicate like the 40 year old beings they are?? The relationship goes from 0 to 60 to 0 back to 60 and whew boy was it a ride. But I loved it.
I found the representation of grief and its many forms to be well done. I absolutely adored the retirement community, the characters present there, the whole vibe of these awesome human beings living their best lives and I need this place to exist in real life.
I will definitely continue to read her work and recommend this book to any romance lover who likes a real, flawed characters with a little emotional tug to their stories.

“ But my grandmother needed her fancy Sunday brunch like I needed to sit in a dark room with peppermint tea and a heating pad after a wild night of eating too much soft cheese.”

“ “Let’s order some takeout,” I said. “And we can watch whatever you want.” “Cats,” she said with a sniff. “I’d like to watch the 2019 feature film Cats.” “I thought you said that movie was an atrocity and an insult to artists everywhere.” She nodded, blowing a sigh through her nose. “Yes, but I’d like to watch someone else’s train wreck right now.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for access to the eARC of this story in exchange for my honest review.

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello friends, happy Wednesday! I hope you are making the most of this first unofficial start of summer. I have yet another book for you from our friends at NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager. I actually recently finished another book from the same author, so I was very excited to get another book from Julie Murphy. This one is Vera Stein Is Fine, and it comes out on July 21, 2026, making this a perfect summer beach read.

So friends, we first meet the lead of this book, Vera, when she is at The Ivy with Ruby. Ruby is Vera’s grandmother, but god forbid she calls her grandma. They are mourning the death of Vera’s mother, and Ruby is celebrating selling her house and her plan to move into the retirement community of Starlight Palms, the same house that she has been pouring her money into to keep running. But now, without her mom and with Ruby moving on, Vera needs to rethink things. The next thing we know, she is back at work for her boss, her friend with benefits, Brody. Only, while managing his email, she comes across an email where he is going to get rid of her. She immediately writes a resignation letter and temporarily moves in with Ruby. That is, until she is caught and needs to find other accommodations along with a new job.

Then we meet a few of the members of Starlight Palms. I will not go into much detail about them, but this cast of side characters is going to make you fall in love with them through the course of the novel.

And then there is Elias, a doctor who works at Starlight Palms and just so happens to be Vera’s ex-husband. They got married in a quicky Vegas wedding on a dare and got it annulled shortly after. Only Elias had been pining for Vera without her knowledge, even though she was on again, off again with Brody. They went their own ways afterwards, but now that they are in the same place, Elias cannot help but help out Vera in any way he can, including moving her in with him and helping her along the way.

I just loved the dynamics between Vera and the cast of characters. Not only Elias, but Ruby and the residents of Starlight Palms, where she is the activities coordinator. I also loved that Vera is not your standard heroine. She is a plus-sized woman in her 40s, with baggage, who is trying to get through a rough time in her life. She is extremely relatable.

I highly recommend picking up this book. I received the e-book version, but you better believe I will be picking up the audio version when it releases because Elias is being voiced by none other than Teddy Hamilton.

So my friends, pick this one up for your summer reading. You will not be disappointed.

[The Sewist's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ 4.75
🌶️ 2.5
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 22, 27, 32, interstitial between chapter 36 and 37, 41, 45, 51
❤️‍🔥 Swoon Factor: 3
👫 Vera + Eli
📚Tropes/Themes: second Chance, it's always been you, forced proximity, workplace, romance, grief, healing, finding yourself, starting over, cinnamon roll MMC, flashbacks
👀  Dual POV 1st person 
💔 Content warnings: Death
🎀 Special editions: none

Dammit. This story BLEW ME AWAY. Those is very much women's fiction as it is romance and I'm a SUCKER for those kinds of books.

It is achingly tender, funny, and heartwarming, subtle and understated but the emotional gut punch was very real. Actually, The emotional payoff of their first kiss was fucking amazing- I was getting that swoopy belly feelings throughout most of the book lol

Like, I want to know Vera IRL.

I also ADORED the side characters so much. (Except Brody and Tess, you're not needed thanks) I genuinely can't think of which one was my fave. Maybe Ruby but then also Hollis (Ruby and Hollis made me cry 🥹😭) and Leonard 😭 that bastard made me cry too. I just, I felt like I was also on this journey with Vera, it was my journey too even though I'm in a much different place than she is.

And then we need to talk about Eli. I just...has there ever been a more perfect MMC? Actually yes, because he's very flawed but the "it's always been you" trope is immaculately done and I ate it up.

I also specifically want to touch on the fact that both MCs are plus size. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I'll save my soapbox for my blog (HomemadeAndHEAs.wordpress.com) but I have very strong opinions and this checked all my boxes. In this story being plus sized is not a trope, and even more importantly it's not part of Vera's personality. It's just a part of her, like her eye or hair color. And paired with Eli being plus sized too made me so happy.

This quote right here was what did it for me, so standing ovation for Julie Murphy. I think I could go on for days about this quote lol
"My brain didn’t even have a moment to metabolize what my body would feel like to him and the rolls at my hips that so many others politely referred to as curves and the way some of my stretch marks were purple and angry instead of faint and translucent."

Oh, and I also need to mention my love for Eli's flashback chapters. That was such a unique way of writing it.

The only thing keeping this from being a 5⭐ is the interstitial chapters, and I wish there'd been a bit more closure with Brady and Ruby/Hollis. I know the chapters were supposed to add something, but I couldn't figure out what it was. I also don't get the posters though, but possibly this is a formatting thing?

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was MORE THAN FINE for me!

It totally worked from the very beginning. Short chapters, my favorite. They had me in a full “okay one more” spiral constantly. I stayed up way too late reading multiple times.

The setting was great. A Palm Springs retirement community full of former Hollywood people? Retired actors, eccentric screenwriters, old scandals, giant personalities, pastel midcentury vibes? I've been to Palm Springs many times, and I genuinely felt like I was back there. I loved spending time at Starlight Palms.

But what really made this book special for me was the characters. Not just Vera and Eli, who I really loved, but all the side characters too. Everyone felt very real and fleshed out, and the banter throughout the book was genuinely funny without ever feeling overdone or corny.

And Eli! The yearning. The history. The flashbacks. I’m always a sucker for a second chance romance where the characters actually feel like they have years of complicated feelings behind them, and this definitely delivered on that for me.

I also really appreciated that this centered older characters. Vera and Eli are in their 40s and surrounded by this incredible cast of chaotic 80-year-olds. It gave the whole story so much heart.

And while this book is very funny, it also handles some heavier themes really well too. Caretaking, grief, aging, feeling stuck, wondering if life has passed you by…all of it felt thoughtful and emotionally grounded without ever losing the warmth and humor that made the book so enjoyable to read.

I was fully writing this review in my head while reading and planning to say Vera’s screenplay was my least favorite part because I was kind of like…girl, this script is mid lol. But then the book itself basically turns on it by the end through Vera’s own realization about it, and it suddenly made the whole thing feel much smarter and more intentional in retrospect. I loved that.

The author’s note at the end really got me too. You can absolutely feel how personal and lovingly crafted this story was while reading it.

Overall, I just really loved spending time with these characters and in this world. Even when Vera was frustrating me a little near the end, I was still completely invested in her journey.

This was warm, funny, heartfelt, romantic, a little messy in the best way, and just a really enjoyable read overall.

Also, the spice was good!!

Finally: love the cover.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Julie Murphy for the eArc!

[DiAngelea Millar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC I got it at Apollycon!

There’s a lot I like about this book. The plot and setting (retirement home in like Palm Springs) is insane and funny. The other old people including her grandmother were also a hoot. Great cast of side characters.

Basically Vera has not really been living. She’s in a dead end job afraid to take risks with a boss she’s known forever who sleeps with her and then pretends it doesn’t mean anything. She spent years taking care of her sick mom and then she died and she’s been trying to take care of her ungrateful grandmother too.

When she moves to the retirement home and gets a job mostly by sheer dumb luck she meets her ex husband-the former friend of her boss-who she married on a date in Vegas.

Of course the romantic tension is still there.

Some spoilers follow
There are a few things I struggled with in this book. Her grandmother is just awful. Like she didn’t really help take care of her sick daughter forcing Vera to basically give up her life and now do I think it should only be a burden one Carrie’s no but they could have and should have shared the responsibility. She decides to sell her house and kicks Vera out with very little notice and she belittles her all the time talking about how she’s wasted her life and she doesn’t have ambition and blah blah blah but some of that is kind of HER FAULT. she doesn’t really redeem herself in my eyes even at the end she’s just bitter and resentful she had a daughter and then got saddled with a granddaughter.

Vera also has her flaws and flaws that I struggled to really empathize with. She lets her boss sleep with her and use her totally lacking confidence and awareness. She’s uncomfortable in her skin but doesn’t really have an honest conversation with herself about why that is and if she wants to do something about it. She lets people walk all over her but she also isn’t really that great of a friend or partner. Idk how she forgot about Lenard for two weeks when she worked in the same building he lived in. That part was rough.

Then she basically gives up on a script she was working on for twenty years claiming she outgrew it but did she? Also she could have workshopped it or sold it still she needed the money and it wasn’t bad or embarrassing so that was a little hard to believe and read.

Her love interest is really interested in her but honestly I don’t fully understand why. What do they have in common? What does he like about her other than she’s funny?

[hannah ⊹ ࣪ ˖ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was messy, chaotic, little frustrating at times… and somehow completely addictive.

Julie Murphy has a talent for writing deeply flawed, emotionally complicated people, and Vera fits right into that space. She’s stuck, grieving, and honestly a bit avoidant when it comes to her own happiness—but that’s exactly what makes her feel real.

The setting? Genuinely one of my favorite parts. Starlight Palms is such a vivid, chaotic little world—full of eccentric, aging Hollywood personalities who refuse to fade quietly into the background. The “swinging seniors” energy mixed with old Hollywood glam gave the book so much personality, and Vera’s grandmother Ruby absolutely steals every scene she’s in. The humor really shines through these side characters, and the sense of found family adds a lot of heart to the story.

The romance, though… is where this lands at a solid four stars instead of higher. Vera and Elias have history—complicated, messy, slightly unbelievable history—and you can feel that tension from the start. There’s definitely chemistry, and the second-chance aspect gives their relationship emotional weight. But wow, do these two struggle to communicate. Like… aggressively. Their dynamic swings between intense connection and complete shutdown, and at times it feels like they’re stuck in the same emotional loop. That said, there’s something very intentional about it. These aren’t characters who have done the work yet. Their relationship feels imperfect and a little unstable, but also grounded in years of unresolved feelings. And while I wish we had gotten more depth and development—especially in the second half—the payoff still works emotionally.

Where this book really stands out is in its exploration of grief, missed chances, and redefining your life at any stage. Vera’s journey isn’t about suddenly becoming someone new—it’s about realizing her life isn’t over just because it didn’t go as planned. There’s something really comforting about that. It’s also worth noting that the story juggles a lot—multiple side plots, character arcs, emotional threads—and while some feel richer than others, they all contribute to the sense that this world is bigger than just the central romance.

Overall, this was a bingeable, character-driven romcom with heart, humor, and just enough emotional messiness to keep things interesting. It’s engaging, heartfelt, and full of personality.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for this eARC!

[Netasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vera Stein is Fine by Julie Murphy

I wish I could tell you how much this book means to me. Truly, I’m crying as I type this and I’m worried my silly little review won’t do this book the justice that it deserves, but I hope you’ll read it anyway (the book, but also yes, please read this review as well).

Vera Stein, our witty and devastatingly funny 40 year old FMC is a giver. She gives and gives and gives to the point where you almost want to throw the book (or kindle in this case) because you’re just like DAMMIT VERA, JUST BE SELFISH.
But worry not, She has Ruby and Leonard and Tess and Eli in her corner begging her to choose herself.

The relationships explored throughout this story had me fawning and tearing up throughout. Sure, Eli and Vera are who we focus on, and I absolutely ADORED each and every flashback and parallel to the present day, but Ruby and Hollis had me digging up my high school cheerleading uniform and dusting off my pompoms because I've never rooted for a couple more.

If there’s a message to take away from this story, it’s that its OKAY to be behind in life, to start over and try again at ANY point. It’s OKAY to be scared. It’s OKAY to want more from the people in your life determined to feed you table scraps then have the audacity to tell you that you’re full.

This read was such a humbling, beautiful experience that simultaneously explored grief, self doubt, deep rooted insecurities, and so much more. Julie Murphy does an excellent job at putting words to seemingly inexplicable emotions, bringing so much depth and making the characters that much more relatable.

But beyond the snarky, obnoxiously horny 80 something year olds, this is a story about second chances. About trusting yourself even when you’re unsure. I wish more than anything I could force you to read this book. IT WAS PERFECTION.

"In the end, we're all sluts and then we die."

This has got to be one of my favorite books of all time and it's not even released yet. Rating it anything other than 5 stars feels like a punishable offense and I will accept ZERO criticism whatsoever.

THANK YOU JULIE MURPHY, HARPER COLLINS, AND NETGALLEY FOR CHANGING MY LIFE WITH THIS ARC. ❤️

[Kathleen Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. As an almost 40 year old woman, I’ve never felt so seen. This book was great!

Vera is a character most can identify with, even if your life is “perfect”. We all have those dumpster fire moments where we sit and evaluate what could have been, what has been and is, and what could be, as we round the bend of middle age. As I read through, I kept thinking, “Wow, have I met Julie Murphy and shared my life story before?” That’s how much I really related to her character. Not in the traditional sense, (I’m happily married and there was no second chance romance in my life), but in the sense of how it feels to take care of a parent, to have been in love at some point so thoroughly and have them take advantage of that love, and to question so many decisions that I made in my younger life.

Not only did I love the main characters, I loved the supporting characters. This book is set in a retirement community in Palm Springs, where the residents are a bunch of Hollywood heydayers. Between themed parties, “upside down pineapples”, and a living funeral, it’s definitely a good time.

My only complaint, comes down to how hard she fought for the MMC… which I didn’t feel was enough. I get she needed to find herself first, but this man loved her for all his life. Did he always make the right decisions? No. But come on, how much time do you need with that choice? It seemed like he was always fighting for her, (in the present day). I would have liked to see the same vigor on her side.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I’m a fan of second chance romance, but even if you’re not, I still think you’ll like this one. While it does go back in time, it wasn’t a huge romance that was shattered by some big thing, so it’s not the traditional framework of a second chance romance. I definitely recommend it, especially if you’re pushing 40, over 40, or simply want a laugh out loud, hopeful love story.

4 stars

[Patti McLetchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Topo Chicas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vera Stein is not fine, at least not yet. She just turned 40, recently lost her mother to cancer, and had her childhood home sold out from under her by her grandmother. Now, she’s living in the pool house of her boss, and sometimes lover, Brody, trying to figure out her next steps in life. Fed up with everything, she quits her job and temporarily moves to Starlight Palms, the retirement community in Palm Springs her grandmother moved to. She expected to spend as little time there as possible, but what she didn’t expect was Elias Buckley, her ex-husband and the lead physician on staff at Starlight Springs. In an effort to help out (and to save up some money), Vera takes over as the activities director for the Springs. But the more time Vera spends at the Starlight Springs (and with Elias), the more life begins to look a little bit different from what she ever could have imagined for herself.

Julie Murphy books just make my heart so happy! This book was the perfect mix of romance and women’s fiction, with a strong cast of characters. In particular, the residents of Starlight Springs were a hoot. They had me laughing out loud with their shenanigans. I appreciated that Vera’s character was “older” than most romance novel heroines, which is a testament to the fact that not everyone has their life (and love) figured out by 40.

I also loved the interstitials sprinkled throughout the book, especially because they were from Elias’ point of view. The little puzzle pieces of Vera and Eli’s past relationship made me love the even more!

Additionally, I appreciated that Julie Murphy mentioned the cinematic masterpiece of Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken in the book. This movie deserves all the hype, in my opinion!

Vera Stein is Fine is the perfect book for those looking for a story about a woman who was a little lost in life find herself in a place and with people she least expected. Grab this one when it’s out this summer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vera has turned 40 and is taking an about face to her life. She has made herself small to fit the ego oh her long term boss and situationship. When she discovers his plan to let her go in exchange for several 20 something assistants, she sends a resignation letter and heads to her grandmother's retirement community. Vera recently lost her mother to cancer and so her grandmother is her only escape hatch. Soon Vera is crashing on the chaise lounge and discovering what life is like in the community.

Naturally, her ex also works there! and she gets a job as the events coordinator. Vera has an old screenplay from 10 years ago that she sometimes edits. The interstitial chapters are the screenplay (which is kind of awful, on purpose) and through these she is realizing that she is not the same person she was when she originally found this to be a love story.

I found the way Vera left behind Brody to be inspiring! Like many Julie Murphy heroine's, Vera is in a larger body. She is confident and secure in her body, there is no fatphobia or weight loss talk in this book- which is great. I do love some books that handle fatphobia and body acceptance, but in this book her size is mentioned but is not a major plot point. I really hated Brody and was angry at how much he did not appreciate Vera and he was such a dumb, mediocre white man. It was hard to understand why she would allow herself to be in that situation for as long as she did, but you were really rooting for her to find herself.

I would find this a midlife second chance coming of age book. I loved the octogenarians, the descriptions in the banter and the time jumps allowed us to know Vera and Elias and how their characters developed. I loved this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC- I have already pre-ordered a trophy copy!
Book to be published June 21, 2026

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice change from your typical romance. Vera ends up living with her Grandma in a retirement community filled with Hollywood's former movers and shakers. She's a 40 year old 'spinster' whose dream is to become a Hollywood screenwriter, though she's not quite ready to share her one big project, that she's been working on for 20 years. After abruptly quitting her job, she's thrown into the role of Activities Coordinator for that retirement community she's living in. A job which may not be as easy as one might think... we are dealing with Ex-Starlets and Divas after all. There, she happens to run into an old friend, (if Friend can be what you call them with their past.) Meanwhile, she's got her ex boss/longtime friend trying to get her to come back to him.

It's got a love triangle of sorts going on. No cheating happening, especially since none are in official exclusive relationships. There are some laughs, and some tears. Plenty of saucy and sassy characters. In addition to the romance aspect, there is some family issues that the characters are dealing with. Also Vera's whole 'Get Your Life Together' battle. The story has flashbacks to Vera's college days, that explain the dynamics and history between her and the two men of her life. There is some sexual content, and while the act of is there, there are more hints to or talking about than the act itself. There is LBGTQ representation. There is also talk of losing a loved one, and the heartache of watching someone die. (Proceed with caution if this is a sensitive subject for you.) The book reads easily and pretty quickly. It's taken from Vera's POV (with the exception of the flashback chapters, which come from one of the men in her life's POV.) Due to the sexual content and subject matters, I'd say this is best suited for mature readers.

*I received an ARC from Netgalley.