Author Spotlight: Stephanie Rose

Romance That’s Real

How many stories do we read that start with two people meeting in a bar?  It’s such a cliche, but it exists for a reason, right? To be honest, I think it’s amusing and weirdly apropos that it’s how I met three of my favorite romance authors, including Stephanie Rose. Even more amusing considering the first book I ever read by Stephanie was Safeguard—a book about two people meeting at a bar. 

It was barely three years ago (insert mental image of Sophia from The Golden Girls: picture it, Indies Invade Philly, 2021), but I clearly remember shoving my nerves aside to approach a small group of women I recognized from social media and their author photos on their websites. I was a chaotic mess, so I don’t remember much after that, but I know they made me feel comfortable. Seen. Appreciated. Part of the community.

If you’ve been reading along with the spotlight series, you may notice a trend here: Romance authors are real people. We fangirl them hard for their talent, but what I fangirl even more is their realness. Their humanity. Their willingness and desire to be part of the conversation, to engage with other readers and writers, to dwell within the community.  

Stephanie and I communicated through FB messenger for a while after that meeting, progressing from author and fangirl to friends. Through those conversations, I got to know Stephanie as the passionate author, reader, and human she is. Beyond talking about books, Stephanie and I exchange messages about everything from kids and families to events and excursions, and even some business stuff when we need an opinion or an ear.  

Falling into the rabbit hole of her backlist and being along for the ride of her most recent books has been a pretty wonderful journey. I love that her books are very low angst, with a healthy dose of steam, real life situations and conflicts, and always manage to work in a beautiful element I like to call The Wisdom of the Elders. I have highlighted so many quotes from aunts, uncles, parents, and grandparents of her characters because they speak some deep universal truths about life, love, relationships, and loss. They feel like my family, but with slightly less noodging about putting my laundry away.

I adore the family-centric feel of Stephanie’s books. They have a beautiful level of small town vibes (even the ones that take place in NYC) built around a deep sense of community. They’re fun and flirty with rich dialogue and heartfelt connections. And she certainly knows how to bring her couples together with passion and fire. But I also love how Stephanie’s personality comes through in her heroines. They’re strong, but still vulnerable; outspoken and funny, compassionate and empathetic. Her heroes are equally strong characters, with flaws of course, but so swoony they’re easy to melt for and fall in love with. And do not get me started on Mason from The Boy I Shouldn’t Want and Jason Clarke’s narration of him. That audiobook lives rent free in my heart and mind forever.

Stephanie is an author who puts a lot of herself and her life into her stories. It might be a favorite place in the Bronx she wants readers to appreciate and love as much as she does. Or it might be a character’s aunt who recalls memories of her own childhood and upbringing with her own family. Or, as is the case with The Marriage Solution, a life altering medical condition she lives with on a daily basis. All of these things bring her characters to life, instilling a connection between the author, the reader, and the characters. It makes her HEAs so relatable and honest. 

I’ve had the chance to hang out with Stephanie so many more times since that first meeting in 2021, and each time it feels like a homecoming of sorts. There are hugs and happy squeals of reunion, but also strong embraces that remind me that I’m seen and heard and loved.  

I am so excited Stephanie will be joining us as a returning attending author at Charm City Romanticon in April 2024.  

Just the facts:

First book I read by Stephanie: Safeguard

What I love most about her books: Low angst with high steam, relatable and likable characters, family connections

 Fave book by Stephanie: Just One Favor

Fave audiobook by Stephanie:  The Boy I Shouldn't Want

 Fave character: Mason from The Boy I Shouldn’t Want. But I have a feeling Jude from Raising the Bar may steal that top spot, or at least tie for it.

 Fave cover: It’s a toss-up between An Unexpected Turn and Raising the Bar. I love the energy on both.

Connect with Stephanie

On her website: authorstephanierose.com

You can get her books on: Amazon 

You can find Stephanie on social media:        Facebook        Instagram                 TikTok

Join her Facebook reader group: Stephanie’s Rose Garden