Underline That

Welcome back to Underline That with Stephanie Mack! We’re kicking off the second half of Season 1 with a short and sweet reset episode straight from the soul. If you’re craving a fresh start, a little structure, and a friend in your ears, this one’s for you!

In this solo reboot, I’m breaking things down into three buckets:

📌 Margin Notes: Setting Goals & Chasing Dreams
I’m sharing two of my Five F’s (Fitness + Firm): strength training, protein goals, creative vocation, and what celebrating actually means after seasons of hard work + waiting.

📌 Draft Notes: What’s Happening in My Writing World
Winter is a season of deadlines for me, and I'm dishing! We talk copyediting an indie book for repub, writing with honesty, and finding the lane of my dreams: women’s fiction with heart, romance, humor, faith, friendship, and belonging.

📌 Field Notes: Podcast Plans + TBR
Peep the guest lineup preview (Kristine Delano, Toni Shiloh + more!) plus five of my most-anticipated 2026 reads.

Plus: What happens when we swing and miss a big goal? What race am I running next? How do YOU approach goal setting?

If you loved this reboot, hit subscribe, leave a review, and DM me your January goals or current read—I want to hear!

FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD:

Instagram: @stephanienmack, @underlinethatpod

Website: www.stephaniemack.com

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TODAY'S UNDERLINES:

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

You With the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate

Star-Crossed Summer  by Devon Daniels

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

The Midnight Train by Matt Haig

Today’s episode is the final drop before a cozy winter break—and we’re wrapping up the year with one of my favorite conversations yet. Not to mention, more book recommendations than Santa himself could carry!

I’m thrilled to be joined by Lexi of @LexintheStacks, a longtime friend and one of my absolute favorite book accounts to follow. Her taste is impeccable, her vibes are immaculate, and together we’re talking all things Best Books of 2025.

We’re diving into the stories that stayed with us long after the final page—the ones we’re still thinking about, still recommending, and still underlining in real life. Narrowing it down was nearly impossible, so rather than an exhaustive love list, think of this episode as a thoughtfully curated collection of standout reads that truly left their mark on our year!

✨ Bonus: If you’re still hunting for last-minute Christmas gifts or planning your early-2026 TBR, this episode is full of inspiration for readers of all kinds.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Lexi’s journey into Bookstagram and her vibrant reading life
• What 2025 looked like as a reading year — the highs, the tears, and the gems
• Books that almost made the cut
• Our top reads of the year across genres, moods, and formats
• A rapid-fire wrap-up of surprising reads, easy recommendations, and buzzy books we’re saving for 2026

Whether you discover a new favorite, add something fresh to your TBR, or simply enjoy the conversation, I’m so grateful you’re here.

Thank you so much for spending your listening time with Underline That. From my heart to yours — happy reading, happy gifting, and we’ll see you in the new year! 🤍✨

Follow Lexi:

IG: @lexinthestacks

Follow Steph + The Pod:

IG: @stephanienmack
IG: @underlinethatpod

Today’s Underlines:

The House of My Mother by Sheri Franke
Heart the Lover by Lily King
Every Beautiful Mile by Ashley Manley
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
Tell Me Everything by Minka Kelly
Be Ready When Luck Happens by Ina Garten
The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb
What Happened to the McCrays by Tracey Lange
The Names by Florence Knapp
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
The Names by Florence Knapp
It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark
Drinker of Ink by Shannon Castleton
Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Writing Creativity and Soul by Sue Monk Kidd
Red Rising Series by Pierce Brown
Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman
The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

Today’s episode is a true travel-lover’s treat! I’m giving you the full scoop on our family’s Paris + London adventure—the magic, the mishaps, the bucket-list moments, and everything we learned along the way. It was our first major international trip with our three girls, planned around my husband’s and my 40th birthdays, and wow… it was everything and MORE!

I’m joined by the incredible Kelly Greer, a travel designer with Holiday Road Adventures and the brilliant woman who made this trip possible. With our vision as her guide, Kelly handled every detail—options, logistics, transportation, hotels, special touches—the true fairy godmother behind the scenes, sprinkling in extra treats and steering the ship (plane/train/automobile) like the award-winning PRO that she is!

We cover:

✨ How a great travel agent can transform your trip
✨ What surprised me most about traveling Europe with kids
✨ How our itinerary came together (St. Ermin’s Hotel! Paris Airbnb!)
✨ My Top 10 Tips for Europe with Kids
✨ Paris highlights: Eiffel Tower tour, Musée d’Orsay, Disneyland Paris, shopping + more
✨ London highlights: Peter Pan Tea at Aqua Shard, Christmas markets, Hamilton + more
✨ Kelly’s rapid-fire expert insights

Whether you’re dreaming of Paris, planning London, or just love a good family travel story, this episode will bring you right along with us.

If you loved this conversation, share it with a friend who’s planning a trip—or send in your follow-up questions!

Find Kelly Greer:

Travel Page
IG: @customvacationsbykelly

Follow Steph + The Pod:

IG: @stephanienmack

IG: @underlinethatpod

Today on Underline That, I’m joined by the one and only Sheila Roberts—USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty novels, with millions of copies sold and multiple beloved movie adaptations. Welcome, Sheila!

Her newest book, The Man Next Door, is a witty, cozy, Rear Window–flavored mystery about starting over, multiple generations under one roof, and the dangerously handsome neighbor who might not be what he seems.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Blending humor, heart, and midlife chaos
• Keeping suspense fun, cozy, and comforting
• Becoming a true Christmas-fiction icon
• Seeing her books adapted for TV and film
• Honest encouragement for writers juggling real life + big dreams

Sheila is warm, wise, and wildly funny—this one feels like the biggest hug! We go silly, deep, and everything in between.

Grab The Man Next Door wherever books are sold, and connect with Sheila at the links below! 

Thank you so much for listening!

Leave a rating or share with a friend—it helps the show more than you know! 

Follow Sheila:

www.sheilasplace.com

IG: @sheilarobertswriter

Follow Steph & The Pod:

IG: @stephanienmack

IG: @underlinethatpod

Today's Underlines:

The Man Next Door by Sheila Roberts

Christmas on Candy Cane Lane by Sheila Roberts

The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger

Let Steph + Stef stack your stockings! In this festive episode of Underline That, host Stephanie Mack and special guest bookstagrammer Stefanie Zerbe (@readwithsteph) dive headfirst into the world of holiday reading. From banter-filled romances to charming novellas, they unpack what makes a holiday book truly sparkle — and why this season brings out the best in our book stacks!

We chat about our favorite five-star holiday novels, our own jolly TBRs, and the magic of book clubs (including insider tips + gratitude for the friendships!). We also share our reading goals, audiobook habits, and the holiday movies we can’t do December without.

In this conversation, we unwrap:

• Favorite holiday reads & hidden gems
• What makes a Christmas book feel like Christmas
• Behind-the-scenes of Bookstagram
• Holiday movies that pair perfectly with books
• Which festive reads deserve an adaptation

Whether you're looking for your next festive read, seeking new authors, or simply craving some bright bookish banter, this episode is for you.

Thank you so much for listening!

Follow Stefanie Zerbe:

IG: @readwithstef

Follow Steph + The Pod:

IG: @stephanienmack

IG: @underlinethatpod

Today’s Books:

Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman

A Cross‑Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh

Holiday Romance by Katherine Walsh

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

A World Without You by Caitlin Moss

One Day in December by Josie Silver

This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens

All About Us by Tom Ellen

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

A Very Merry Matchup by Becca Kinzer

The Holiday Club by Ashley Manley

Good Spirits by BK Borison

Wishing for Christmas by Caroline Stowe

My Merry Mistake by Courtney Walsh

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand

I’ll Be Alone for Christmas by Kristin Mulligan

A Christmas to Die For by Kristin Mulligan

Today’s Movies:

The Twelve Dates of Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Home Alone

Home Alone 2

The Santa Clause

The Holiday

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Falling for Christmas

Our Little Secret

A Merry Little Ex-Mas

Grab your paddle and your pup—this episode has it all! Romance, pickleball, dog training, and the heart behind writing stories that make us smile. Stephanie chats with author and dog trainer Victoria Schade about her latest rom-com Pick Me—a story that serves up laughter, love, and a reminder that sometimes the game of life involves letting yourself be chosen.

Victoria shares how a local pickleball court sparked her inspiration, how ghostwriting helped shape her voice, and the surprising ways dogs enhance her stories. She also offers a sneak peek at her upcoming release Faded Skates—a binge-worthy, ice-spinning journey to the Olympics—and reflects on the power of community among women authors.

This one’s full of humor, heart, and puppy-level charm!

Thank you so much for listening!

Find Victoria Schade:

www.victoriaschade.com

IG: @victoria_schade

Follow Steph + The Pod:

IG: ⁠@stephanienmack⁠

IG: ⁠@underlinethatpod

Today's Underlines:

Pick Me by Victoria Schade

Faded Skates by Victoria Schade

Who Rescued Who by Victoria Schade

Unleashed Holiday by Victoria Schade

Lost, Found & Forever by Victoria Schade

Dog Friendly by Victoria Schade

It's Steph's birthday episode! I turn forty this weekend, and I’m celebrating with a very special episode: me, interviewing… myself! LOL. That’s right—you can pry my LOL from my dead-cold millennial fingers! From favorite trips, songs, and outfits to lessons learned, joys discovered, things I’m releasing, and things I’m not—we’re talking about it all. Most importantly, the freedom I feel at this milestone.

Cozy up with your coffee and join me for some laughs, heartfelt shares, and a little bit of birthday magic. ✨

In this episode, I share:

• My favorite age to date, my most unforgettable trips, and my best birthday memories
• My go-to, scream-sing-in-the-car song + other rapid-fire picks
• Lessons learned in my 30s—things I’ve released + joys I’m holding
• Reflections on motherhood, creativity, and the small rituals that bring daily joy
• Words I’d tell my younger self + the rainbows life had in store

Thank you so much for listening! I’m so grateful for every one of you + this momentous turn of the calendar!

Follow Steph + The Pod:

IG: @stephanienmack

IG: @underlinethatpod

Lace up with Steph for her reflections and real talk on running—one constant that’s carried her through many seasons of womanhood, writing, and rediscovery. With her 40th birthday later this week and Boston Marathon dreams on the brain, Steph delves into what it means to call herself a runner (and why it’s taken her this long to say it out loud).

Join as she dives into the mental and spiritual side of running—how time on the pavement can quiet anxiety, fuel creativity, and serve as legitimate therapy. Expect thoughts on identity, imposter syndrome, the power of community, and the magic of showing up for yourself one mile at a time.

Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner, a once-in-a-blue-moon jogger, or neither—this episode is your permission slip to chase joy, embrace discipline, and find meaning in forward motion.

Follow Steph + The Pod:

IG: @stephanienmack

IG: @underlinethatpod

Today’s Underlines:

Honey Stinger Waffles

Jelly Belly Sport Beans

GU Energy Gel

Brooks Ghost 3 Max

California International Marathon

Boston Qualifying Times 

The holidays can be the most wonderful—and also crazy, stressful, and overwhelming. In this special Underline That episode, Steph is joined by Kelly Borjas of The Lit Ladies Podcast for a heartfelt interview with Cynthia Ruchti, bestselling author and literary agent.

We dive into Cynthia’s new Advent devotional, The Spirit of Christmas: Discovering His Presence Throughout the Advent, a gentle guide to finding peace, presence, and spiritual grounding in the middle of the holiday hustle. Cynthia shares how she uses storytelling techniques to make the Advent season come alive, why slowing down matters for meaningful faith, and what she’s learned from guiding writers as both an author and an agent.

Plus, writers—don’t miss her lagent insights! We chat about:

• Whether or not you should send that query before Christmas

• What Cynthia’s hoping to see hit her inbox lately
• How to handle the times of waiting an in-between
• Those hot-button letters: AI
• …and more!

If you’re a reader longing for peace this Christmas or a writer needing encouragement and clarity, this episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and joy.

Thank you so much for listening! 

Follow Cynthia + Find Her Devotional:

IG: @cynthiaruchtiauthor

The Spirit of Christmas: Discovering His Presence Throughout the Advent by Cynthia Ruchti

Follow Kelly Borjas + The Lit Ladies:

IG: @kellyborjaswrites

IG: @litladiespod

Follow Steph + The Pod:

IG: @stephanienmack

IG: @underlinethatpod

Publishing tea, anyone?! In this super-fun + juicy conversation, Stephanie Mack sits down with friend + fellow author Devon Daniels (Meet You in the Middle, The Rom Con) to share some of the realest stories from inside the glossy biz of traditional publishing. Devon’s new novel Star-Crossed Summer is on the way—and so is the unfiltered talk about the ever-changing industry!

Steph and Devon go full insider mode, tackling your burning questions about the trad world that nobody wants to ask—or answer. They discuss the state of the industry, the blurry line between author friendships and competition, the juggle of motherhood and creativity, the marketing grind, and how to handle criticism. Plus: their favorite romance movies, underrated tropes, and the publishing myths you need to stop believing!

Thank you so much for listening! 

Follow Devon:

www.devondanielsauthor.com

IG: @devondanielsauthor

Follow Steph + The Pod:

IG: @stephanienmack

IG: @underlinethatpod

Today’s Books:

Meet You in the Middle by Devon Daniels

The Rom Con by Devon Daniels

Sunk in Love by Heather McBreen

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Today’s Movies:

Fools Rush In (1997)

French Kiss (1995)

Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

Only You (1994)

Can't Buy Me Love (1987)

Baby Boom (1987)

The Family Stone (2005)

Father of the Bride (1991)