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Dear Stephanie
Winner of National Indie Excellence Award for Contemporary Novel. Paige Preston lives a life of luxury and opulence, but she wants to end it. After an unsuccessful suicide attempt, she lands herself in mandatory therapy with a sexy psychiatrist. When he and an even more alluring friend begin to help her break down the walls she’s spent a lifetime building, Paige begins to see something bigger than herself. Is it enough to pull her out of her dark world and help her finally feel like a human? Or will letting someone in be the final step toward her demise? Dear Stephanie is a sinfully addictive walk through a world of beauty, affluence, and incidental love that effortlessly moves the reader between laughter, tears, heartache, and hope with the turn of every “Paige.”
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2015
12 people are currently reading
900 people want to read
About the author
Mandi Castle
1 book58 followersMandi Castle is a daydreaming mom of two who spends most her time reading and writing. She loves watching football, is obsessed with music, and has a serious addiction to smart funny people. She can often be caught having dance parties in her kitchen in Dallas, Texas. To connect more visit her at mandicastle.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 25, 2015
The best books transcend genre. Is this a romance novel? I don't think so -- I think it is a love story focusing on a very broken person -- a person who believes themselves unloveable. To me, a romance novel is full of fantasy and unrealistic expectations and usually a good deal of smut.
Dear Stephanie does have quite a lot of sex, but shies away from being vulgar or obscene. The sex scenes are hot, like good sex should be, and certainly left me in need of a cold shower. But they didn't feel gratuitous, they were more related to the character and what type of person she is and how cavalier she is with herself. She really is self-destructive, having a history of suicide attempts - both for reasons of self-loathing as well as sometimes cries for attention.
While the book certainly follows well-established conventions, I nonetheless found myself emotionally involved with the characters, even if I knew what was going to happen. After all -- it's not a mystery novel, so it's not like the plot twists were supposed to take you by surprise.
I was moved to both laughter and tears by this book, which I read all at one sitting, never tiring of the wonderful prose -- Castle's character, Paige Preston, was a delightful narrator, speaking to her audience in a voice that was real and believable.
I'd recommend it to anyone who likes character driven stories and appreciates good writing.
Dear Stephanie does have quite a lot of sex, but shies away from being vulgar or obscene. The sex scenes are hot, like good sex should be, and certainly left me in need of a cold shower. But they didn't feel gratuitous, they were more related to the character and what type of person she is and how cavalier she is with herself. She really is self-destructive, having a history of suicide attempts - both for reasons of self-loathing as well as sometimes cries for attention.
While the book certainly follows well-established conventions, I nonetheless found myself emotionally involved with the characters, even if I knew what was going to happen. After all -- it's not a mystery novel, so it's not like the plot twists were supposed to take you by surprise.
I was moved to both laughter and tears by this book, which I read all at one sitting, never tiring of the wonderful prose -- Castle's character, Paige Preston, was a delightful narrator, speaking to her audience in a voice that was real and believable.
I'd recommend it to anyone who likes character driven stories and appreciates good writing.
January 19, 2016
When I sit down to a book, I want my assumptions to be challenged and I want to escape. Dear Stephanie accomplished both. It's a smart read, where the author wasn’t afraid to do the unconventional and unexpected, which was jarring and pleasantly surprising simultaneously. I like to be surprised in the literary world. I thirst for brave writers who aren’t stuck in formulaic or genre constraints. I want stories that break molds.
Dear Stephanie breaks molds.
The realities of the main character - Paige Preston- and her struggles with mental illness and drug abuse are not prettied up, and no bush is beat around. You start out not really liking her, until you do, mostly because she starts to resemble you, with vulnerabilities and fragility. She is human. She is broken.
Castle handles this subject matter with realism and care, never glorifying or exaggerating, which I find admirable. I was genuinely swept away in the story. I laughed out loud, I teared up, I worried, and I felt. You really can't ask for more than that.
Dear Stephanie breaks molds.
The realities of the main character - Paige Preston- and her struggles with mental illness and drug abuse are not prettied up, and no bush is beat around. You start out not really liking her, until you do, mostly because she starts to resemble you, with vulnerabilities and fragility. She is human. She is broken.
Castle handles this subject matter with realism and care, never glorifying or exaggerating, which I find admirable. I was genuinely swept away in the story. I laughed out loud, I teared up, I worried, and I felt. You really can't ask for more than that.
November 19, 2015
I really didn't expect that I'd like this book, as I assumed it was a classic "chick book" if there's such a thing, but I was really drawn into it and quite enjoyed it.
The main character is much deeper than the image she portrays publicly, and getting to be inside her mind is really what takes the book to the next level. I highly recommend this book to men and women alike. It was fantastic!
The main character is much deeper than the image she portrays publicly, and getting to be inside her mind is really what takes the book to the next level. I highly recommend this book to men and women alike. It was fantastic!
April 23, 2015
Paige Preston came into my life and completely took it over. I won’t spoil the story for you, because I want you to meet her for yourself, but WOW, is she something else!
At first blush, she’s an absolute whorebag – utterly confident in going precisely as far as she needs to, to get what she wants. Her audacity left me speechless and her arrogance…wow! Okay, I couldn’t deny that she was allowed to be arrogant – the woman is stunning (totally augmented, totally up-front about it, and totally who cares anyway when she gets to look *that* good?)
I read, my eyebrows disappearing into my hairline at her antics and her audacity, whilst feeling almost envious of her devil-may-care attitude and her determination. It was only gradually, once I’d sunk into her story and seen the cracks which began to show beneath the perfectly-coiffed surface, that I started to care about her.
Then I realised that beneath the slick, glamourous, smart-enough-to-shoot-put-downs-you-need-a-dictionary-for exterior, was a fragile, vulnerable, precocious, intensely lonely woman. As she played with her privileged position, frittering away money because she could, and indulging in a party lifestyle which only partially erased the agony of being held over the blistering destruction of her own mind, I discovered that her story was immensely relatable, in spite of the vastly different circumstances in which it played out.
Because in the end, Dear Stephanie is a tale of a woman’s battle against mental illness and her own efforts to self-sabotage her entire existence. In spite of her privileges and mind-games, Paige’s story is one of connection and relationship and self. It’s a tale of maybe true love and definitely true love, and loss, and hope, and wonder, and deep, indescribable pain.
It made me laugh.
It made me cry.
It made me angry.
Just as easily (and as beautifully executed) as one of Paige’s conquests, Mandi’s story seduced me, pulled me beneath its sheets and went to work, skilfully delivering delicious plot-lines, delectable characters and shivering, delightful twists, which left me biting my lip and craving the next chapter.
I tore myself away to run, and frankly have never had a quicker run (pondering the story so far) or a speedier shower afterwards (desperate to get back to it).
Then a huge turn in the storyline made me late for dinner, and I could feel its presence in the corner of my brain as I tried to concentrate on Real Life for a few hours. It grinned at me, crookedly, devastatingly (reminding me that Paige’s love interest, Blake, was also waiting for me when I returned to those words which spun IMAX scenes in my imagination), and completely distracted me from the game of Scrabble I was trying to play.
As soon as I got back home I jumped back under the covers with the book, stripping away the evening and gleefully taking hold where I’d left off, ready for another romp…but this time, there was an urgency which hadn’t been present before, and as everything geared up towards the ending, I could feel my all focussing in on the big finish…
…which happened in such a way that I nearly screamed out loud.
Feverishly, my still-trembling fingers skittering across the keyboard, I typed off two noisy, demanding messages to Mandi, begging her to continue – imploring her not to leave me this way but to please, please, please come back and finish what she’d started…but like all good authors (and lovers, if Paige is anything to go by), she knows how to keep a person wanting more.
At first blush, she’s an absolute whorebag – utterly confident in going precisely as far as she needs to, to get what she wants. Her audacity left me speechless and her arrogance…wow! Okay, I couldn’t deny that she was allowed to be arrogant – the woman is stunning (totally augmented, totally up-front about it, and totally who cares anyway when she gets to look *that* good?)
I read, my eyebrows disappearing into my hairline at her antics and her audacity, whilst feeling almost envious of her devil-may-care attitude and her determination. It was only gradually, once I’d sunk into her story and seen the cracks which began to show beneath the perfectly-coiffed surface, that I started to care about her.
Then I realised that beneath the slick, glamourous, smart-enough-to-shoot-put-downs-you-need-a-dictionary-for exterior, was a fragile, vulnerable, precocious, intensely lonely woman. As she played with her privileged position, frittering away money because she could, and indulging in a party lifestyle which only partially erased the agony of being held over the blistering destruction of her own mind, I discovered that her story was immensely relatable, in spite of the vastly different circumstances in which it played out.
Because in the end, Dear Stephanie is a tale of a woman’s battle against mental illness and her own efforts to self-sabotage her entire existence. In spite of her privileges and mind-games, Paige’s story is one of connection and relationship and self. It’s a tale of maybe true love and definitely true love, and loss, and hope, and wonder, and deep, indescribable pain.
It made me laugh.
It made me cry.
It made me angry.
Just as easily (and as beautifully executed) as one of Paige’s conquests, Mandi’s story seduced me, pulled me beneath its sheets and went to work, skilfully delivering delicious plot-lines, delectable characters and shivering, delightful twists, which left me biting my lip and craving the next chapter.
I tore myself away to run, and frankly have never had a quicker run (pondering the story so far) or a speedier shower afterwards (desperate to get back to it).
Then a huge turn in the storyline made me late for dinner, and I could feel its presence in the corner of my brain as I tried to concentrate on Real Life for a few hours. It grinned at me, crookedly, devastatingly (reminding me that Paige’s love interest, Blake, was also waiting for me when I returned to those words which spun IMAX scenes in my imagination), and completely distracted me from the game of Scrabble I was trying to play.
As soon as I got back home I jumped back under the covers with the book, stripping away the evening and gleefully taking hold where I’d left off, ready for another romp…but this time, there was an urgency which hadn’t been present before, and as everything geared up towards the ending, I could feel my all focussing in on the big finish…
…which happened in such a way that I nearly screamed out loud.
Feverishly, my still-trembling fingers skittering across the keyboard, I typed off two noisy, demanding messages to Mandi, begging her to continue – imploring her not to leave me this way but to please, please, please come back and finish what she’d started…but like all good authors (and lovers, if Paige is anything to go by), she knows how to keep a person wanting more.
May 11, 2015
Paige Preston is ALL THAT – just ask her. She’s smart and beautiful, well-dressed, well-read and well-spoken. Perfectly groomed, socially successful and independently wealthy. She has trouble containing her almost predatory sexuality.
She is every man’s wet dream.
She is also completely hollow and bitterly cold inside, or so it seems.
But sometimes you have to give people a chance to show you who they are.
When Paige finds herself in a relationship that has a chance of becoming something great – and then in another, different kind of relationship that takes the reins of her life out of hands – I found myself beginning to hope for her.
Sometimes life doesn’t give you a chance to get your breath. And it is there, when Paige has taken the risk of letting others get past the walls she has so carefully constructed, when she starts to become so much more than the person who started this story with a martini and a sleeping pill – life turns on her again, and she finds herself in free fall.
Not everyone is who they seem to be on the surface. Sometimes you have to give them a chance to show you who they are.
She is every man’s wet dream.
She is also completely hollow and bitterly cold inside, or so it seems.
But sometimes you have to give people a chance to show you who they are.
When Paige finds herself in a relationship that has a chance of becoming something great – and then in another, different kind of relationship that takes the reins of her life out of hands – I found myself beginning to hope for her.
Sometimes life doesn’t give you a chance to get your breath. And it is there, when Paige has taken the risk of letting others get past the walls she has so carefully constructed, when she starts to become so much more than the person who started this story with a martini and a sleeping pill – life turns on her again, and she finds herself in free fall.
Not everyone is who they seem to be on the surface. Sometimes you have to give them a chance to show you who they are.
February 2, 2017
Full disclosure: I was a Goodreads giveaway winner and received a signed copy of Dear Stephanie from the author. That in no way affects this review.
Paige Preston is the sort of rich, spoiled, self-indulgent protagonist that a reader thinks (s)he could easily hate -- but only as the story begins. Her journey, described in diary entries to the fictitious Stephanie, is a fascinating self-exploration, and I grew to love her as I anxiously read about her life and the other people in it. At times heartbreaking, this is a novel I am so glad to have read, as Paige's perspective on coping with depression and suicidal thoughts was most enlightening, and was told in a way that created a lot of empathy for her. This is a story of love and loss, of growth and escape, of fighting and giving in. Highly recommended!
Paige Preston is the sort of rich, spoiled, self-indulgent protagonist that a reader thinks (s)he could easily hate -- but only as the story begins. Her journey, described in diary entries to the fictitious Stephanie, is a fascinating self-exploration, and I grew to love her as I anxiously read about her life and the other people in it. At times heartbreaking, this is a novel I am so glad to have read, as Paige's perspective on coping with depression and suicidal thoughts was most enlightening, and was told in a way that created a lot of empathy for her. This is a story of love and loss, of growth and escape, of fighting and giving in. Highly recommended!
April 30, 2015
This book took me by surprise. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t a novel this deep and affecting.
From the first chapter, I was hit by the hot mess that is Paige. I often decide immediately whether I like a character, but Paige reveals herself over the course of the novel, and my investment in her grew as I read. She is real, flawed, and heartbreakingly human, and her story stayed with me for days after finishing the book. Even now, over a week after I read it, I am still thinking about it. For me, that is the sign of a good book. It seeps into your pores and settles in.
From the first chapter, I was hit by the hot mess that is Paige. I often decide immediately whether I like a character, but Paige reveals herself over the course of the novel, and my investment in her grew as I read. She is real, flawed, and heartbreakingly human, and her story stayed with me for days after finishing the book. Even now, over a week after I read it, I am still thinking about it. For me, that is the sign of a good book. It seeps into your pores and settles in.
September 1, 2015
I just finished the book an hour ago, and I'm still not sure what to say. I cried through at least half the book. It was raw and brutal and amazing.
I can't say too much without giving things away. It's been two days and I can't decide if I love the ending and think it was perfect, or if I am a little mad about it. (Sorry Mandi!) I knew going in that there was going to be an ending that would leave me reeling. I just wasn't prepared for most of the book to have me reeling and the ending to leave me gutted.
This is a brilliant book, and I can't recommend it enough.
I can't say too much without giving things away. It's been two days and I can't decide if I love the ending and think it was perfect, or if I am a little mad about it. (Sorry Mandi!) I knew going in that there was going to be an ending that would leave me reeling. I just wasn't prepared for most of the book to have me reeling and the ending to leave me gutted.
This is a brilliant book, and I can't recommend it enough.
May 15, 2015
When the call went out offering an advance copy of Mandi Castle’s debut novel, Dear Stephanie, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. Already being a fan of her writing, I thought I had an idea what to expect.
I was wrong.
It was better.
Paige Preston is beautiful, aesthetically enhanced in any and every way possible in the quest for perfection. She’s filthy rich and lives an incredibly priveleged life.
If you don’t hate her already then let me add that gorgeous men fall at her feet, not caring they are only being used to quell her addiction to sex. She uses her sexuality to get what she wants from whomever she wants it, then leaves them bleeding in her wake. Top that off with her bitterness toward her family, her drug habit, and her disregard for human emotion and you have a full on despicable bitch.
But….Mandi Castle has proven that she is a master of the twist. As the tale unfolds you learn what has molded Paige into the woman she is. Looks and privelege aside…..she is a vessel filled with pain and torment. A shattered vessel, broken beyond repair.
Or is she?
It’s very difficult to write a review on a book that you just want to read out loud to the world to make certain that they get the chance to experience the story. It reaches in and doesn’t just touch the many different levels of human emotion; it grabs on and doesn’t let go.
In the end, you may still find that you hate Paige, but you will also find that you love her, some may even be able to empathize to an extent.
The emotional ride this book took me on left me sitting still, mouth hanging open, wondering out loud how Ms. Castle could do this to me.
I sit here in hopes that soon I will have the privilege of reading what happens after….
A masterfully written debut novel. Congratulations, Mandi! And very well done.
I was wrong.
It was better.
Paige Preston is beautiful, aesthetically enhanced in any and every way possible in the quest for perfection. She’s filthy rich and lives an incredibly priveleged life.
If you don’t hate her already then let me add that gorgeous men fall at her feet, not caring they are only being used to quell her addiction to sex. She uses her sexuality to get what she wants from whomever she wants it, then leaves them bleeding in her wake. Top that off with her bitterness toward her family, her drug habit, and her disregard for human emotion and you have a full on despicable bitch.
But….Mandi Castle has proven that she is a master of the twist. As the tale unfolds you learn what has molded Paige into the woman she is. Looks and privelege aside…..she is a vessel filled with pain and torment. A shattered vessel, broken beyond repair.
Or is she?
It’s very difficult to write a review on a book that you just want to read out loud to the world to make certain that they get the chance to experience the story. It reaches in and doesn’t just touch the many different levels of human emotion; it grabs on and doesn’t let go.
In the end, you may still find that you hate Paige, but you will also find that you love her, some may even be able to empathize to an extent.
The emotional ride this book took me on left me sitting still, mouth hanging open, wondering out loud how Ms. Castle could do this to me.
I sit here in hopes that soon I will have the privilege of reading what happens after….
A masterfully written debut novel. Congratulations, Mandi! And very well done.
December 2, 2024
Holy shit. Sex. Drugs. Rock and Roll. That's Paige in a nutshell...but don't ever put her in a nutshell. She'll destroy you before you even try.
While Paige Preston is probably the kind of girl that grows on you, I took to her immediately. I wanted to be her best friend. Her inner dialogue is impeccable. I wanted to help her through her depression. I wanted to save her. From the prologue through the epilogue. In my head, I was Stephanie. Paige was writing to me.
She's confident. Demanding. Beautiful. Flawless. But NOT without flaw. Because no one is. Depression is real, and this character exudes everything and nothing all at once.
So much happens in so few pages, that I can't even begin to spoil this for you. I didn't devour this novel, so much as I was consumed by this novel. I couldn't put it down (even at work, I kept sneaking a page here and there - sorry boss!).
The story is a ride through Paige's development when she finds a therapy technique that, well, kind of works. She journals to Stephanie, a name for her personal diary, where she dishes EVERYTHING, from her sordid past to her sordid present.
While Paige Preston is probably the kind of girl that grows on you, I took to her immediately. I wanted to be her best friend. Her inner dialogue is impeccable. I wanted to help her through her depression. I wanted to save her. From the prologue through the epilogue. In my head, I was Stephanie. Paige was writing to me.
She's confident. Demanding. Beautiful. Flawless. But NOT without flaw. Because no one is. Depression is real, and this character exudes everything and nothing all at once.
So much happens in so few pages, that I can't even begin to spoil this for you. I didn't devour this novel, so much as I was consumed by this novel. I couldn't put it down (even at work, I kept sneaking a page here and there - sorry boss!).
The story is a ride through Paige's development when she finds a therapy technique that, well, kind of works. She journals to Stephanie, a name for her personal diary, where she dishes EVERYTHING, from her sordid past to her sordid present.
March 7, 2016
Dear Stephanie by Mandi Castle
5 stars
Reviewed by Christine
This book was truly amazing. Its raw, deep, beautiful, and broken all at the same time. What I love most about it is the way in which the author addresses and deals with suicide and depression, something most authors do not discuss. At first, I did not like this book because of the main character Paige, but as the story went on I grew to love her more and more. I love the boundaries this book pushes with its difficult topics, and yet still give the reader the romance/love element to the story as well. This is a book everyone needs to read and experience in there lifetime, male or female. Its just that powerful and beautiful. I hope the author will continue to write these types of stories, the world needs them. And her writing style is just perfect. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. 5 out of 5 stars hands down.
Late Night Books Reviewer Christina
5 stars
Reviewed by Christine
This book was truly amazing. Its raw, deep, beautiful, and broken all at the same time. What I love most about it is the way in which the author addresses and deals with suicide and depression, something most authors do not discuss. At first, I did not like this book because of the main character Paige, but as the story went on I grew to love her more and more. I love the boundaries this book pushes with its difficult topics, and yet still give the reader the romance/love element to the story as well. This is a book everyone needs to read and experience in there lifetime, male or female. Its just that powerful and beautiful. I hope the author will continue to write these types of stories, the world needs them. And her writing style is just perfect. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. 5 out of 5 stars hands down.
Late Night Books Reviewer Christina
May 17, 2015
Engaging, but a Possible Trigger to Those Struggling with Suicidal Ideation
When I first started reading Dear Stephanie, I disliked the main character Paige. In fact, I found myself somewhat on the defensive, wanting to say, wait that is a shallow caricature of someone depressed and highly defended. As I read, though, I wondered what others thought of me when I was strongly defended in my twenties, hiding my suicidal ideation behind a facade of perfectionism and high achievement. As I read, though, I came to feel compassion for Paige, more than that, I felt her pain. To that extent, I warn those struggling with suicidality that this book may trigger memories and uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. This book serves as a case study in the thought process of someone struggling with severe depression. Be prepared to feel some of her pain.
When I first started reading Dear Stephanie, I disliked the main character Paige. In fact, I found myself somewhat on the defensive, wanting to say, wait that is a shallow caricature of someone depressed and highly defended. As I read, though, I wondered what others thought of me when I was strongly defended in my twenties, hiding my suicidal ideation behind a facade of perfectionism and high achievement. As I read, though, I came to feel compassion for Paige, more than that, I felt her pain. To that extent, I warn those struggling with suicidality that this book may trigger memories and uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. This book serves as a case study in the thought process of someone struggling with severe depression. Be prepared to feel some of her pain.
July 17, 2016
Y'all. This book is sad.
When I first picked it up, I'll be honest, I didn't connect with the main character, Paige, straight away, mostly because her life is so extraordinarily screwed up. Dear Stephanie is so different than the books I usually read, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Paige's story, honestly, is heartbreaking. At first, I didn't think I liked her, but the longer I stayed with her, the more I found out about her, the more I wanted things to work out for her and for her to find true happiness. I'm so glad I read her story and I look forward to reading more of Mandi Castle's work.
When I first picked it up, I'll be honest, I didn't connect with the main character, Paige, straight away, mostly because her life is so extraordinarily screwed up. Dear Stephanie is so different than the books I usually read, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Paige's story, honestly, is heartbreaking. At first, I didn't think I liked her, but the longer I stayed with her, the more I found out about her, the more I wanted things to work out for her and for her to find true happiness. I'm so glad I read her story and I look forward to reading more of Mandi Castle's work.
December 17, 2015
A view of depression from the inside out
The author puts you inside Paige's head....you see the world as she sees it. Stick with it through the beginning, which is. It that interesting. Once Paige allows love to enter her life, and the battle with her demons becomes more real, well then the book becomes great. You get the chance to live a good life through the eyes and mind of someone battling depression. If you've ever wondered how someone with everything could want to die, read this.
The author puts you inside Paige's head....you see the world as she sees it. Stick with it through the beginning, which is. It that interesting. Once Paige allows love to enter her life, and the battle with her demons becomes more real, well then the book becomes great. You get the chance to live a good life through the eyes and mind of someone battling depression. If you've ever wondered how someone with everything could want to die, read this.
April 28, 2016
Holy Crap
When I started reading this book my thoughts were 'she's just another rich, spoilt, everyone owes me the world, druggie brat', but as the story continued and in front of my eyes she matured and became someone I wanted to comfort through all that was happening. So well written and heart wrenching too
When I started reading this book my thoughts were 'she's just another rich, spoilt, everyone owes me the world, druggie brat', but as the story continued and in front of my eyes she matured and became someone I wanted to comfort through all that was happening. So well written and heart wrenching too
December 29, 2016
This is one hell of an uncomfortable book.... you see it makes you think, it challenges you to criticise, then sympathise and then.....
An excellent read dealing with problems we'd all like pushed under the carpet. All I can say is I hope I never encounter what Mandi Castle has written down here, but if I do I'm certainly in a better place to deal with them and for that I thank you!
An excellent read dealing with problems we'd all like pushed under the carpet. All I can say is I hope I never encounter what Mandi Castle has written down here, but if I do I'm certainly in a better place to deal with them and for that I thank you!
May 15, 2015
I loved this book, and hated this book !!! This book absolutely wrecked me, but man can this author write her ass off !!!
June 13, 2015
Excellent book that keeps you on the edge of your seat all threw the book
December 27, 2016
Wow, wow, wow.
I don't know what I expected...something more shallow? Something not so...awesome? My heart raced through the entire book, and a few times I even felt actual stabbing PAIN in my chest. I cried, again and again (still crying). Mandi Castle knows depression. She wrote it so perfectly than anyone who's ever been to those dark depths will feel her words all the way into their bones. I will read everything this author writes. (Hurry up, lady.)
I don't know what I expected...something more shallow? Something not so...awesome? My heart raced through the entire book, and a few times I even felt actual stabbing PAIN in my chest. I cried, again and again (still crying). Mandi Castle knows depression. She wrote it so perfectly than anyone who's ever been to those dark depths will feel her words all the way into their bones. I will read everything this author writes. (Hurry up, lady.)
April 1, 2018
I enjoyed this much more than I expected too, I was assuming more of a light chick vacation type read but about 75% of it, I really found very entertaining and I really loved the main character, despite all her obvious flaws. It hit a little bit of an "over the top" sappy part that felt a little like trying to hard, but while it is devastatingly sad at times, it was well worth the read.
June 27, 2018
Amazing
I couldn’t put it down. I finished this book on my phone before it ever made it to my house.
I couldn’t put it down. I finished this book on my phone before it ever made it to my house.
May 22, 2015
This book was a real journey. And not the type of "journey" you're used to taking when you find yourself engrossed in a new book. No, this journey was subversive. Sneaky. You don't even realize that you are being lead on until you are half way through the book. The character is at first vain, shallow and seemingly perfect. You want to hate her but you are mesmerized by her. Her bluntness and her no apologies forwardness. I didn't want to like her. I wanted to end the book secure in my initial assumptions about her. I wanted to be able to say, "Yep. I knew it." But that didn't happen. Instead I was lured in because I was intrigued and entertained. She was blase' and glib even when talking about her suicide attempts. This just made it easier to swallow the difficult topic. Her carefree attitude about ending her life made you allow yourself to read further without the usual trappings of emotional connection. Until she slowly starts revealing more. Little by little you learn more behind the character and the life that seems so full of glamour. Before you know it, you are completely invested in a character and the deep dark secrets that lie within. You are gripped by the story and the "what happens next" of it all.
I finished this book completely struck by how I had been taken in by this character from the first chapter. Would this have been possible if she hadn't been portrayed as a callous and un-feeling narcissist? I don't think so. I think if she had been written with vulnerability right off the bat I would have remained at a reader's arm's length. I would have seen the pain just around the corner and I would have steeled myself against it. Instead, I was like a movie-goer at a summer action film, throwing popcorn in my mouth as I enjoyed gratuitous entertainment. And before I realized what had happened, I was emotionally caught up in the character, in the story. I found myself tearing up, I found myself begging this fictional character to do something different. I was in that strange place of trying to change the narrative of something already set in print.
What I found myself going back to after I finished reading Dear Stephanie, was how this whole narrative mimics real life. How we are seduced by people in our lives and allow ourselves to get closer to people before we even have an inkling of the broken and damaged parts of them. To put it simply, I was seduced by Dear Stephanie.
I finished this book completely struck by how I had been taken in by this character from the first chapter. Would this have been possible if she hadn't been portrayed as a callous and un-feeling narcissist? I don't think so. I think if she had been written with vulnerability right off the bat I would have remained at a reader's arm's length. I would have seen the pain just around the corner and I would have steeled myself against it. Instead, I was like a movie-goer at a summer action film, throwing popcorn in my mouth as I enjoyed gratuitous entertainment. And before I realized what had happened, I was emotionally caught up in the character, in the story. I found myself tearing up, I found myself begging this fictional character to do something different. I was in that strange place of trying to change the narrative of something already set in print.
What I found myself going back to after I finished reading Dear Stephanie, was how this whole narrative mimics real life. How we are seduced by people in our lives and allow ourselves to get closer to people before we even have an inkling of the broken and damaged parts of them. To put it simply, I was seduced by Dear Stephanie.
December 14, 2015
Ms. Castle provided me with a copy of Dear Stephanie for an honest review. I purposely avoided reading anything about the book in advance, and for the first half I wasn’t really sure what sort of a book I was reading. At one point I even messaged Ms. Castle to ask her what genre this is, and she told me my guess was as good as hers. It’s definitely not a book that fits any easy mold, which I liked as a reader. I don’t want to always know what is going to happen next.
Dear Stephanie is a character-driven story, by which I mean the characters are the plot, at least for the first half of the book. For a while, I decided that what I was reading was a love story, but with a twist. The twist being that the heroine is self-involved and completely unlikable. But unlikeable in the same way Tony Soprano is unlikeable—you root for her, despite her lack of redeeming values. When she finds love, you simultaneously feel very happy for her, and feel very sorry for the poor schlub who fell for her.
But then about halfway through, things took a very dark turn. And then they got even darker. At that moment this novel changed from something I thought was “pretty good for a first novel” into a seriously hardcore good read. The story takes over from the characters, and it gets that “can’t put it down” pull because you really want to know what happens.
I highly recommend this book. If you feel it dragging a little toward the end of the first half, wait for it… when Ms. Castle gets dark, she gets very, very good.
Dear Stephanie is a character-driven story, by which I mean the characters are the plot, at least for the first half of the book. For a while, I decided that what I was reading was a love story, but with a twist. The twist being that the heroine is self-involved and completely unlikable. But unlikeable in the same way Tony Soprano is unlikeable—you root for her, despite her lack of redeeming values. When she finds love, you simultaneously feel very happy for her, and feel very sorry for the poor schlub who fell for her.
But then about halfway through, things took a very dark turn. And then they got even darker. At that moment this novel changed from something I thought was “pretty good for a first novel” into a seriously hardcore good read. The story takes over from the characters, and it gets that “can’t put it down” pull because you really want to know what happens.
I highly recommend this book. If you feel it dragging a little toward the end of the first half, wait for it… when Ms. Castle gets dark, she gets very, very good.
June 1, 2015
Paige is a complex and intriguing character. At first, you don’t want to like her. She’s beautiful and rich and knows it. And she’s a total manipulator. But as you look deeper into her psyche, you see the lost and lonely little girl she was in the troubled, addicted woman. By the time the book ended, all I wanted was to take her in my arms and try to take her pain away. Paige won me over, not by her own manipulative ways, but by her vulnerability. Ms. Castle did an outstanding job of creating Paige Preston. She’s believable, relatable, and she drew me in thoroughly.
Ms. Castle has written an incredible story of addiction, rape, sex, suicide, drugs, and total loss. As someone who doesn’t take people at face value, I connected immediately with Paige. Her emotional distancing with humor and sarcasm struck me right in the middle of my own personality. Her direct demeanor with people, and the way she thought she was being direct and honest with herself, felt like an ice cold drink thrown in my face. I completely related. And then, as the story went on, it struck right at the very heart of my soul. Let’s just say, there is more than one moment I felt the story was talking about my life, though mine has definitely had a much happier ending than Paige’s did.
Ms. Castle has written an incredible story of addiction, rape, sex, suicide, drugs, and total loss. As someone who doesn’t take people at face value, I connected immediately with Paige. Her emotional distancing with humor and sarcasm struck me right in the middle of my own personality. Her direct demeanor with people, and the way she thought she was being direct and honest with herself, felt like an ice cold drink thrown in my face. I completely related. And then, as the story went on, it struck right at the very heart of my soul. Let’s just say, there is more than one moment I felt the story was talking about my life, though mine has definitely had a much happier ending than Paige’s did.
October 22, 2016
For a work of fiction, the author managed to make me believe that perhaps Dear Stephanie was someone's journal, maybe even hers. I've never read a book written in the form of a journal and found it held my interest with each subsequent 'entry.' Upfront I want to reiterate what the author says in her author note at the end of the book. Mental illness is not to be ignored, especially suicide. Don't try to help the person yourself. Get the person professional help.
Upon completing the book, I am speechless. The further I got into the book the more I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Would Paige realize how much Blake really cares for her? Would she finally be truly forthcoming with her therapist about her life? Would she finally realize pills, alcohol, and gratuitous sex are not the answer to her problems? What would Blake say once she told him about her whole life and not just the things she chose to tell him?
The more I read after getting halfway the more intense the story became. On a couple of occasions I found myself sobbing and sometimes I was laughing. I haven't given a book a 5 star rating in quite some time but felt this book deserved nothing less after I finished.
Upon completing the book, I am speechless. The further I got into the book the more I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Would Paige realize how much Blake really cares for her? Would she finally be truly forthcoming with her therapist about her life? Would she finally realize pills, alcohol, and gratuitous sex are not the answer to her problems? What would Blake say once she told him about her whole life and not just the things she chose to tell him?
The more I read after getting halfway the more intense the story became. On a couple of occasions I found myself sobbing and sometimes I was laughing. I haven't given a book a 5 star rating in quite some time but felt this book deserved nothing less after I finished.
May 7, 2016
Author Mandi Castle, must have had some real courage, to pen and publish: “Dear Stephanie”.
The book follows the life of Paige Preston who is both rich and beautiful. However, Paige also suffers from Mental Illness. This book is raw drama. It is the real deal. Paige could be a real person. Life tends to have its difficulties, and its rotten lows. While the story is a work of fiction, it’s about real life. We see the drama of this young ladies life unfold.
Sometimes it’s good to put yourself in another’s shoe. The book takes a good deep look at Mental Illness. The affliction the mind, could even effect someone who seems to have everything materialistic a girl could ever want.
I could emphasize with Paige right from the start of this novel. I cried in her most darkest moments. It is a very well written account of her life. And whom may you ask is Stephanie? Well that one is explained right at the front. It’s quite genius way to see life through the eyes of Paige herself. Stephanie is whom she calls her diary.
The book follows the life of Paige Preston who is both rich and beautiful. However, Paige also suffers from Mental Illness. This book is raw drama. It is the real deal. Paige could be a real person. Life tends to have its difficulties, and its rotten lows. While the story is a work of fiction, it’s about real life. We see the drama of this young ladies life unfold.
Sometimes it’s good to put yourself in another’s shoe. The book takes a good deep look at Mental Illness. The affliction the mind, could even effect someone who seems to have everything materialistic a girl could ever want.
I could emphasize with Paige right from the start of this novel. I cried in her most darkest moments. It is a very well written account of her life. And whom may you ask is Stephanie? Well that one is explained right at the front. It’s quite genius way to see life through the eyes of Paige herself. Stephanie is whom she calls her diary.
June 14, 2015
I didn't like Paige Preston—not at first. I've met too many narcissists in real life to find many redeeming qualities in them. The protagonist of Mandi Castle's Dear Stephanie is quite damaged. As her story unfolds, you learn the extent of that damage; and just when all your assumptions about her seem to validate your reasons for disliking her, you begin seeing yourself in her. Castle has created a hard-to-love, multi-dimensional character that inexplicably gets under your skin and stays there until the end. In a well-drawn and textured plotline, I not only sympathized with Paige's experience but empathized with how overwhelming it would be to walk around in her shoes, lugging that heavy chip on her shoulder and those hard-to-crack secrets that ultimately make her so vulnerable. Make no mistake, this book was a page-turner for me and only became more so as I came to care about this very flawed protagonist and how she was going to save herself from the path she was on. I won't give away the story, so I'll close by saying I highly recommend this book.
August 16, 2015
Paige Preston is a suicidal women who has a wild lifestyle that could lead her down a dangerous path. Despite her untamed life, her biggest threat is her own mind. I saw myself in Paige Preston. The thoughts and the feelings were so beautifully described by Mandi Castle. Living with depression can be a whirlwind of happy and sad, self-doubt and suicidal thoughts. Wondering if you're wanted or needed can be a daily struggle. The author captures all of those feelings with ease. She drew you completely into the story.
In the beginning, Paige is a hard to like character with her over the top confidence combined with her intelligence and self-assuredness. As the story continues, she softens and lets those around her in, which made her a much more likable person.
There were a few chapters where a major event occurred (I don't want to ruin it) and I had to put the book down because I was crying so hard. I'm sure this is part because of my personal experience, but nonetheless, she caught each emotion with clarity.
I highly recommend Dear Stephanie for a quick and good read.
In the beginning, Paige is a hard to like character with her over the top confidence combined with her intelligence and self-assuredness. As the story continues, she softens and lets those around her in, which made her a much more likable person.
There were a few chapters where a major event occurred (I don't want to ruin it) and I had to put the book down because I was crying so hard. I'm sure this is part because of my personal experience, but nonetheless, she caught each emotion with clarity.
I highly recommend Dear Stephanie for a quick and good read.
July 25, 2015
Paige is a addicted to attention, drugs, and sex. She has attempted suicide multiple times. From the outside, you would think she has it all going on, as she's wealthy and beautiful, but looking at the inside, you see there is much more there. She is deeper than you think, extremely intelligent, and suffering from major depression.
The story is amazingly written with so much emotion you can feel everything going on with Paige. Sometimes you like her, and sometimes you hate her. The journey Mandi takes this woman on is amazing. You see her go from a manipulative woman getting what she can from people, to trying to find what true happiness and love is. You see how her past effects her now, as well as how she tries to grow.
Mandi, you did an amazing job and I love this book. I cannot wait for more of your works! Sorry for such a short review, but words are failing me today.
The story is amazingly written with so much emotion you can feel everything going on with Paige. Sometimes you like her, and sometimes you hate her. The journey Mandi takes this woman on is amazing. You see her go from a manipulative woman getting what she can from people, to trying to find what true happiness and love is. You see how her past effects her now, as well as how she tries to grow.
Mandi, you did an amazing job and I love this book. I cannot wait for more of your works! Sorry for such a short review, but words are failing me today.
September 27, 2015
Having just finished this book, I'm emotionally wrung out.
Starting this book, I didn't care that much for Paige Preston. Rich, spoiled, gorgeous, shallow - we know this, because she tells us so, and she is unapologetic about it. But as the story unwinds, and I began to see - and feel - the emptiness, the depression, the loneliness and abandonment that make her who she is, my feelings for her began to change.
Can she take a chance on love -and will it change her?
This book delves deeply into depression and suicidal tendencies. It also has a lot of HOT sex, which is integral to Paige's character. It left me rooting for her to find happiness and a way out of the pit she was in. I just wanted to wrap her up in big soft blanket and bear-hug the shit out of her.
Beyond that, I won't share any spoilers, but be prepared for an emotional ride.
Starting this book, I didn't care that much for Paige Preston. Rich, spoiled, gorgeous, shallow - we know this, because she tells us so, and she is unapologetic about it. But as the story unwinds, and I began to see - and feel - the emptiness, the depression, the loneliness and abandonment that make her who she is, my feelings for her began to change.
Can she take a chance on love -and will it change her?
This book delves deeply into depression and suicidal tendencies. It also has a lot of HOT sex, which is integral to Paige's character. It left me rooting for her to find happiness and a way out of the pit she was in. I just wanted to wrap her up in big soft blanket and bear-hug the shit out of her.
Beyond that, I won't share any spoilers, but be prepared for an emotional ride.
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