With just days until Twenty Something Else releases, Steph is pulling back the curtain on the real-life inspirations behind her debut novel with Tyndale House, available on June 9!

In this special solo episode, she shares ten fun facts about the novel—including the pieces drawn from her own life, the experiences that shaped Sutton's journey, and the elements that are indeed completely fictional (spoiler: most of them).

That said, from turning forty and raising three daughters in Orange County to taking a theater improv class at USC, spending time in Nicaragua to marrying a surfer, Steph reveals how her own experiences indeed found their way onto the page—and why writing this book became such a meaningful milestone in her life.

She also discusses the origins of some of the novel's most memorable moments, answers a reader question about deleted scenes, and reflects on the themes of gratitude, identity, womanhood, marriage, and the unexpected detours that shape who we become.

Whether you've already read or pre-orderedTwenty Something Else or you're simply curious about the stories behind the story, this episode offers a fun, personal look inside the author's desk.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow book lover!

FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD:

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Join Steph in welcoming beloved New York Times bestselling author Courtney Walsh to Underline That! What a total joy to discuss her brand-new novel, Brighter Than Before, available June 9. This swoony summer read is a joyful, tender, laugh-out-loud story about starting over, finding friendship as an adult, and asking what you really want in the wake of it all crashing down.

Steph and Courtney talk about writing 40-something heroines, Chicago as the perfect rom-com backdrop, the vulnerability of making new friends as a grown woman, and why reinvention is never just for the young.

Courtney also shares her best author advice on Instagram, indie vs. traditional publishing, trusting your gut when a manuscript isn’t working, and why creating with your own voice matters more than ever.

Trust me—you don’t want to miss this one!

Thank you so much for listening, and thank you for joining me, Courtney!

FIND COURTNEY WALSH:

Instagram: @courtneywalsh

Website: www.courtneywalshwrites.com

FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD:

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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TODAY’S UNDERLINES:

Brighter than Before by Courtney Walsh

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

Star-Crossed Summer by Devon Daniels

Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

Today on Underline That, Jessica Guerrieri rejoins Steph for a conversation about motherhood, sobriety, sisterhood, publishing, reviews, recovery, generational trauma—and the way women can hold two completely contradictory emotions at the same time.

We dive into Jessica’s brand-new novel, Both Can Be True, the emotional reality of debut year, audiobook obsession, unlikable female characters, and the complicated beauty of womanhood in your 30s and 40s.

The conversation is funny, vulnerable, honest, millennial, and packed with the kinds of truths that make you pause and think: Wow, me, too.

We discuss:
– Why “both can be true” resonates so deeply with women
– Motherhood, resentment, gratitude, and identity shifts
– Recovery, connection, and found sisterhood
– The reality of publishing after the debut dream comes true
– Goodreads, reviews, and protecting your mental health as a creative

…and so much more!

Jessica’s new novel, Both Can Be True, is available now wherever books are sold.

Thank you so much for listening! 

FIND JESSICA:

IG: @jessicaguerrieriauthor

Website: www.jessicaguerrieri.net

FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD:

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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TODAY’S UNDERLINES:

Both Can Be True by Jessica Guerrieri

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica Guerrieri

This week on Underline That, Steph chats with bestselling Christian romance author Sarah Monzon about her adorable upcoming release, Bookmarked for Love—a cozy, bookish romance featuring librarians, literary references, publishing drama, and forced-proximity goodness. Don’t miss this lovable rom-com, available July 21, 2026!

Sarah opens up about her journey from indie to traditional publishing, writing novels while raising young kids, navigating comparison in the publishing world, and why representation and vulnerability matter so deeply in her stories.

We also discuss:
• Why bookish books never go out of style
• The magic of Christmas romances
• Balancing motherhood and creativity
• Covers, tropes, launch teams, and marketing realities
• Favorite authors, reading habits, and rapid-fire book talk

Plus, we bond over libraries, Kindle obsessions, Katherine Center fandom, and the emotional vulnerability of writing fiction straight from the heart.

Thank you so much for listening!

FIND SARAH MONZON:

Instagram: @sarahmonzonwrites
Website: www.sarahmonzonwrites.com

FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD:

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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TODAY’S UNDERLINES:

Bookmarked for Love by Sarah Monzon

Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon

An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon by Sarah Monzon

All’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

This week on Underline That, Steph is joined by Eliza Knight—USA Today bestselling author of the upcoming novel Lost in the Summer of ’69, releasing June 9. Set against the backdrop of music, memory, and massive cultural change, the novel follows a grandmother, mother, and daughter on an unforgettable road trip after a shocking disappearance. It’s heartfelt, nostalgic, layered, and simply perfect for summer reading!

Today we dive into Eliza’s inspiration behind the book, writing women across generations, and why stories about mothers and daughters hit differently when you’re living in that “sandwich generation” season of life. We also chat about music playlists for writing, historical research rabbit holes, the emotional reality of watching daughters grow up, and the surprising truths about building a decades-long writing career.

And yes—we absolutely get into her other writing life, too! From historical fiction to revenge thrillers and her buzzy upcoming Tradwife novel—written under pen name Michelle Brandon—Eliza shares what it’s been like writing nearly 100 books across genres, publishing under an alias, and creatively reinventing herself again and again.

Thank you so much for listening! If you loved the episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with a fellow reader, writer, or fellow woman figuring it out as she goes!

FIND ELIZA KNIGHT:

Instagram: @elizaknightfiction
Website: www.elizaknight.com

FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD:

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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TODAY’S UNDERLINES:

Lost in the Summer of ‘69 by Eliza Knight

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight

In today’s episode, Steph is joined by rom-com author Andra Loy to talk about her delightful, magical rom-com debut, The Roman Holiday Rule from Haven Fiction—and the winding, unexpected journey that brought her here.

From living overseas for over two decades to writing stories that blend romance with magical realism, Andra shares how her real-life experiences shaped a novel full of heart, humor, and sparkle. We dive into her creative process, the dream of debut season, and the deeper themes that emerged as Andra wrote and revised this story.

We also talk about the rise of clean romance in publishing, finding your lane as a writer, and why some of the most meaningful stories come from simply paying attention to what’s right in front of you.

Thank you so much for listening!

FIND ANDRA LOY:

IG: @andraloy

Website: www.andraloy.com

FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD:

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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TODAY’S UNDERLINES:

The Roman Holiday Rule by Andra Loy

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Today on Underline That, Steph sits down with historical fiction author Nicola Harrison to talk about her dazzling new novel, The Island Club—a layered, addictive story set on 1950s Balboa Island, where paradise looks perfect on the surface… but secrets are simmering underneath.

They discuss the real-life inspiration behind Balboa Island as a setting, the fascinating history of spring break culture in Newport Beach, and why tennis became such an important thread in the novel. Nicola also shares how women’s friendship, play, and community shaped the story in unexpected ways.

Plus, they dive into Nicola’s publishing journey—from fashion journalism in New York City to becoming a bestselling novelist—her writing process, the magic of early-morning drafting, and what’s next for her (including a brand-new novel set in the English countryside).

In this episode, you’ll hear all about:

• The premise behind The Island Club
• Why Balboa Island was the perfect setting
• The surprising real history behind “Bal Week”
• Tennis, friendship, and reclaiming joy as women
• Nicola’s path from journalism to fiction
• Her daily writing goals and 5 a.m. routine
• How the gorgeous cover came to life
• What she’s writing next

If you love smart escapist fiction, glamorous settings, female friendship, and books with secrets at their center, this episode is for you!

FIND NICOLA HARRISON:

Instagram: @nicolaharrisonauthor

Website: www.nicolaharrison.com

FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD:

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠

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TODAY’S UNDERLINES:

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
The Island Club by Nicola Harrison
Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

Welcome back, listeners! This week’s episode is a quick little bookish life update and personal reflection. After years of publicly reviewing books online, I’m sharing why my relationship with Goodreads has shifted as I’ve gone deeper into author life—and why I’ve recently fallen hard for StoryGraph as my new favorite place to track my reading!

We’re talking about the complicated reality of being both a reader and a published author, why public reviewing feels different from this side of the industry, how I’m protecting my peace in this pre-launch season, and all the reasons StoryGraph has become my latest bookish obsession.

If you’ve been curious about StoryGraph, wondering whether Goodreads still works for you, or just want a candid peek behind the curtain of author life, this one’s for you!

In this episode, we cover:

• Why becoming an author has changed how I think about public book reviews
• The emotional reality of seeing negative reviews of your own work
• Why Goodreads no longer feels like the healthiest place for me to hang out
• My favorite StoryGraph features (and why I’m obsessed)
• Other reading life thoughts in this season

I'd love to know where you track your reads these days—Goodreads, StoryGraph, a reading journal, nowhere, or absolute chaos!

Thank you so much for listening! 

TODAY'S UNDERLINES:

The StoryGraph

Join two authors as we dive headfirst into AI, book trends, and the piping-hot publishing tea! This week, Steph puts award-winning romance author Heidi McCahan in the hot seat for a fun, candid conversation about some of the biggest topics in the book world right now.

From the constant discourse around AI to the rise of “books on boats” (yes, really), we talk about what’s trending, what’s actually selling, and how authors can navigate an ever-changing industry without losing their voice—or their sanity.

We also get real about indie vs. traditional publishing, the myths behind “making it,” and why writing more books—no, not just one—is often the key to success.

Don’t miss this thoughtful, honest, and perfectly spicy conversation!

Thank you so much for listening!

FIND HEIDI MCCAHAN:

IG: @heidimccahan.author

Website: www.heidimccahan.com

FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD:

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com

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TODAY’S UNDERLINES:

Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers Conference

Sunrise Publishing

The Other Side of Good-Bye by Heidi McCahan

The Long Way Back to You by Heidi McCahan

The Shippers by Katherine Center

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair

American Fantasy by Emma Straub

The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith

Packing your spring break bags? Don’t forget the most important item: BOOKS! In this sunshine-filled episode, Steph is joined by fellow voracious reader + bookstagrammer Hannah of @hannahk_reads to build the ultimate stack—filled with swoony romances, bingeable thrillers, meaningful fiction, and a few irresistible backlist gems you’ll want to toss straight into your beach bag.

From emotional page-turners to light, flirty reads (plus a peek at what’s topping our current TBRs), this episode is your go-to guide for what to read by the pool, on the plane, or simply during golden hour in your own backyard.

Whether you’re craving a fresh escape, a tearjerker, or your next five-star favorite, we’ve got you covered!

Today, we chat:
• Books we loved and can’t stop recommending
• The perfect mix of romance, thrillers, and feel-something fiction
• What’s currently on our spring TBRs—and why
• Clean reads, closed-door recs, and a few surprises

Grab your sunnies, your tote, and your stack—this one is made for reading season!

Thank you so much for listening! 

FIND HANNAH:

IG: @hannahk_reads

FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD:

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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TODAY’S UNDERLINES:

The Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle

The Briars by Sarah Crouch

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

Pickle Perfect by Ilana Long

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Even After This by Deborah Clack

If All Else Fails by Emma St. Clair

Swept Away by Beth O’Leary

Middletide by Sarah Crouch

Just Don’t Fall by Emma St. Clair

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Twice by Mitch Albom

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

The Island Club by Nicola Harrison

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page