Vera Stein Is Fine: A Novel

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 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 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 RomanceWorkplace RomanceMultigenerational Family DramaForced ProximityNew Lease on Life and Spice

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Second Chance, Audiobook, Adult

Audible Audio

First published 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

[Readaholic Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

What you can expect to find in Vera Stein is Fine:
-second chance romance
-angst
-lively cast of secondary characters (octogenarians in a retirement community)
-forced proximity

Vera Stein a 40 year old woman is currently residing in the guest house of her situationship, on-again off-again movie star boss Brody who she's known since college. At one time Vera had plans to be a screenwriter, but life had other plans for her. After taking care of her dying mother, Vera's not sure what direction her life is taking. When circumstances have Vera without a job or a house she decides to visit her grandmother who resides at The Starlight Palms Senior Living Center. Maybe she can crash on her couch for a few days while she gets her footing underneath her. What she doesn't plan on is coming face to face with is her ex-husband Elias Buckley.

Once I started reading Vera Stein is Fine I couldn't put it down. I am a sucker for second chance romance and I loved the way this story centered on the present (Vera's POV) and flashbacks in the past (Eli's POV). And all of the secondary characters in Vera Stein is Fine were such a hoot! The way Julie Murphy weaves grief throughout this story was so lovely. I wasn't expecting that and honestly made me love this story that much more for it.

I also had a chance to listen to the audiobook for Vera Stein is Fine and loved the narration by Teddy Hamilton and Joy Nash. They did a great job narrating the voices for Vera and Eli. I especially loved the flashback episodes that Teddy Hamilton narrated from Eli's POV.

Overall a great summer romance - 4.5 stars!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and audiobook from LibroFM.

[Afton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, quirky, flirty read that's full of self-discovery, healing, and plenty of heart. Sweet, uplifting, and the perfect pick when you're in the mood for a feel-good romance.

[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!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vera Stein Is, in fact, Excellent.

I really loved this book.

I also really, really need people to stop sleeping on Julie Murphy. She writes some of the most beautiful, witty, hilarious, spicy, heartfelt romances out there.

Vera had me snort laughing one moment and blushing and kicking my feet the next. The harder moments and discussions of loss were achy in the best, most beautiful way. Her references are also insanely, perfectly millennial coded (a DEGRASSI TNG CENSORSHIP DISCUSSION my goodness was I thriving).

I don’t even normally like second chance. It’s hard for me, to get why people fall apart and root for them to come back together. But per usual, Julie has a way of making you like every single trope you may think you don’t. It made perfect sense, how Vera and Elias never really got off the ground, and how they find each other at the perfect time, now.

Also:
🏝️ Hide out in Palm Springs vibes (perfect summer read)
☀️ Hilarious senior residents that positively shine, even in limited screen time
🫦 Spice that hitssss
🩺 TFW he listens to you, and hears you, and values what you say
🎥 An older, 40 yo FMC who is still figuring things out
🩵 Loss that is felt and handled with care

🎧 Joy Nash is INSANE here. The way she nails everyyyy single voice was exceptional. Teddy Hamilton, of course, is great in the dual POV, but tbh, even if it’d just been Joy, I would have feasted here.

Yes, Julie’s leads are plus size, and find love with people who love and cherish them. But fat love is also just love. Even if you aren’t here for the rep, be here for literally everything else about it instead.

Thank you Avon for the ARC & ALC!

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book.

Vera Stein might be my soul sister. She’s in her forties, her life has completely fallen apart, and she ends up living with her grandmother in a retirement community full of the most chaotic, hilarious group of elderly residents. I was hooked from the very first chapter.

This is such a refreshing second chance romance because the characters actually feel like adults with real history, real regrets, and real baggage. Watching Vera figure out what she wanted from life while reconnecting with someone from her past made the romance feel genuine.

The cast of characters completely stole my heart. The residents of Starlight Palms are funny, outrageous, lovable, and constantly had me laughing. They brought so much warmth to the story, and honestly I’d read an entire series about them hint hint to the author!

This book managed to be funny, sweet, emotional, and surprisingly sexy all at once. It made me laugh, made me smile, and left me with that cozy, happy feeling when I finished.

If you love second chance romance with older characters, found family vibes, unforgettable side characters, and a story that reminds you it’s never too late to start over, I can’t recommend this one enough. It was everything I wanted in a romance and an easy five-star read!!!

Audiobook update: I’ve already done a reread with the audiobook and if you are an audiobook listener it’s fantastic. The narrators are some of my favorites!!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️

Tropes:

* Second Chance Romance
* Workplace Romance
* Multigenerational Family Drama
* Forced Proximity
* New Lease on Life

I’ve really enjoyed Julie Murphy’s collaborations with Sierra Simone, so I was excited to finally read one of Julie’s solo novels. After finishing Vera Stein Is Fine, it’s easy to see what Julie brought to those collaborations. She has such a distinct, heartfelt voice that makes her characters feel incredibly real.

Vera’s journey resonated with me in a way I wasn’t expecting. As someone who’s knocking on 40’s door myself, this story hit differently. Vera has spent so much of her life taking care of everyone else that she wakes up one day realizing she’s not quite sure who she is anymore. Watching her grieve the loss of her mother, process the end of her twenty-year job (and friendship) with Brody, and slowly discover what she wants the next chapter of her life to look like was both emotional and deeply satisfying.

The setting at Starlight Palms was an absolute delight. The quirky cast of retired Hollywood residents stole so many scenes, adding humor, warmth, and a reminder that life doesn’t stop just because you’ve reached a certain age.

And then there’s Eli. I loved watching Vera and Eli find their way back to each other. Their history gave their romance so much depth, and seeing them get a genuine second chance felt earned every step of the way.

This is a story about grief, reinvention, family, love, and realizing it’s never too late to become the main character in your own life. It made me laugh, tugged at my heart, and left me feeling hopeful. Needless to say, I’ll definitely be picking up more of Julie Murphy’s books.

I listened to the audiobook, which features Joy Nash and Teddy Hamilton. The narration was a little unusual. Teddy narrates Eli’s POV chapters, but he also pops in for a few random sections within Vera’s chapters, while Joy narrates the vast majority of the book—including many of Eli’s lines in Vera’s POV. It made for a slightly odd listening experience at first.

That said, Joy Nash absolutely shines. Her range of voices brought every character to life with so much personality. Teddy Hamilton is great as always, and the inconsistency isn’t on him—it feels more like an editing or production choice than a performance issue. Honestly, Joy carries the story so well that I’m not even sure full duet narration would have added much here.

Thanks to Julie and Harper Audio for the ALC of this novel.

[booksvanereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a beautiful story to follow grief and adulting and relationships and new chapters.

julie’s books always hit home with lots of feelings and the banter and spice always tickle something in my brain.

joy nash and teddy hamilton did a phenomenal job bringing these characters to life.

an immersive read arc/alc thanks to avon and libro.fm.

[Ahren McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one day. It is absolutely perfect. Ten million stars. I am feral for a second chance later in life romance and this book quenched my thirst for something I didn’t even knew I needed, a book that would make me laugh, cry and reach for my vibrator all in one sitting. Julie Murphy delivers laughs, gasps and moans in buckets in what is sure to be my favorite summer re-read for years to come.

[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.

[Blair Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vera Stein is forty years old. She has been employed and with her friend/sometimes lover since they were in college and she is also his PA. But when she sees a email between him and basically his friend/frat bro she quits and ends up going to her grandmothers assistant living facility and crashing there only to get caught by their resident doctor, and her ex-husband. You could call this a second chance romance...it is but in my mind it also isn't. Yes they were married but you really find out it was only for basically just a day or so. I do like how Elias and her relationship grows and you find out more about their past by the occasional flashback and also scenes where more comes to light. Julia Murphy is great at blending comedy and romance and I love how stubborn we find Vera to be especially when offered help to carry certain boxes from a store and she refuses before her car breaks down...that scene had me laughing so hard. I also really like the shenanigans both Elias and Vera get into when they are invited to a wedding. I do think that while these characters are more middle aged I think there is still good character growth that happens for both, but especially Vera as she ends up finding a new path and realizing that her passion for screen writing is something she finally needs to not be afraid to pursue.
The audio also was fantastic It was Teddy Hamilton and Joy Nash. At times especially when we are in script excerpt scenes we get sound effects! Which was totally fun. It is mainly dual narration but I found sometimes when we are closer to the end of a chapter and closer to a script excerpt sometimes we would get a Teddy duet type narration. At those times I wasn't really paying attention to my ecopy So It came as a surprise hearing his voice because I heard her and there was no chapter change so I did like that. We do get more Vera chapters in this than we do Elias chapters but they equally do a fantastic job and it is wroth picking up!

Thank you to Avon and Libro.fm for the complimentary copies. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[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?

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was honestly exceptional.

Vera Stein has just quit her job, broke it off with her boss who was also a casual fling, and moved in with her octagenarian grandmother at her Senior living facility on the down low though because that's not actually allowed. The last person that she expected to find was her ex-husband who is the doctor at the senior living center.

This book crept up on me. It starts and you're like man what in the heck but as you get into it all of these characters just come to life and are just experiencing all of this stuff with them.

I loved Vera and even though her grandma made me mad sometimes I also loved that tough love relationship and the continuous conversations about loving people how they need to be loved not the way that you want to love them. I think that's a really big theme in this book and it just is done so well.

Truthfully the whole thing is great. I would also classify this as a queer book despite neither the main character nor the love interest being queer. There's just a lot of queerness around which is not surprising from Julie Murphy but was just so comforting and pleasant to read.

Definite favorite of the year for sure

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.

📖 Book Review 📖 Being a caretaker for a parent…or a child…is so challenging. There is no sugar coating the realities of it but somehow Julie Murphy has taken her talent and transformed it into a beautifully heartfelt story that goes beyond the grief and the heaviness of this labor of love and delivers top notch comedy that heals the soul.

Vera Stein is Fine…her life just happens to be a little bit messy after the death of her mother. But her raw vulnerability and honesty when faced with a new chapter of her life without her mom lends itself to a dynamic character that endears itself to readers. Throw in a spicy retirement community and a blast from Vera’s past and Julie Murphy delivers a sizzling summer read that hits on so many layers.

[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

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I tell you how thrilled I am to read a hot, sexy romance with main characters who are 40???

I thought this was excellent. Vera is such an interesting main character because we watch her self-confidence grow with every page. So many of the people in her life either take her for granted or have strong opinions about what she SHOULD be doing without taking into account what she wants. It’s really only Eli who empowers her. Brody was terrible to her but I actually hated Ruby the most.

Speaking of Eli… yum. YUMMMMMMMMM.

Thank you to NetGalley, Julie Murphy, and Avon for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristina Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julie Murphy’s “Vera Stein Is Fine” is a second-chance romance that follows a woman rebuilding her life after years of putting everyone else first.

Forty-year-old Vera Stein has spent the last two decades working on “The Wunderkind,” a screenplay she began writing in college. After graduation, she devoted her life to her charismatic best friend, Brody Turner, better known as "Hollywood's favorite himbo,” serving as his personal assistant while occasionally slipping into a friends-with-benefits relationship. At the same time, Vera became the primary caregiver for her mother during her battle with cancer, remaining by her side until her death.

Vera's eighty-two-year-old grandmother, Ruby Stein, had always dreamed of retiring to Starlight Palms, a retirement community filled with former Hollywood stars. A former scream queen herself, Ruby follows through on that plan by selling the family home to finance her move, after her daughter’s death. Suddenly homeless, Vera moves into Brody's pool house, only to discover an email revealing his plans to replace her with a younger, "cheaper" assistant. She quits on the spot, packs up her belongings and her dog, Marlon, and reluctantly moves into Starlight Palms, sleeping on Ruby's couch while she figures out her next steps.

Life takes another unexpected turn when Vera comes face-to-face with Elias "Eli" Buckley, the man she impulsively married in college before divorcing him almost immediately afterward. Now forty-two, Eli is the retirement community's geriatric physician and a single father to his fifteen-year-old daughter, Brigid. Vera has spent years believing Eli despised her and was embarrassed by her plus-size body, but as they reconnect, and Vera accepts a job as the community's activities coordinator, she begins to realize that many of her memories were shaped more by her own insecurities than by reality. As old feelings resurface, Vera must confront her past and decide what she truly wants from her future.

Murphy fills the novel with an entertaining supporting cast, particularly the raunchy retirees of Starlight Palms, whose humor gives the story much of its charm. Although marketed as a romance, the novel is equally a story of self-discovery. Vera's emotional journey, learning who she is without Brody and finally putting herself first, receives just as much attention as her rekindled relationship with Eli.

The novel's format also keeps the story engaging. Photographs of locations featured throughout the book are paired with excerpts from Vera's screenplay, “The Wunderkind,” while chapters from Eli's perspective gradually reveal the truth behind the collapse of their marriage. These alternating viewpoints add emotional depth and reframe many of Vera's long-held assumptions.

Despite its strengths, the novel is not without flaws. The third-act breakup, which occupies the final portion of the book, feels unnecessarily drawn out, particularly as Vera counts the passing days of their separation. Murphy also occasionally relies on awkward sentence construction and juvenile humor. Phrases such as "Satan's asshole farting" feel jarringly immature and undercut otherwise emotional scenes.

One of the novel's strongest aspects is its portrayal of Vera's body image. Although she is plus-size, Murphy avoids making her weight the defining feature of her character. Instead, Vera's insecurities emerge naturally through quieter moments, such as her preference for undressing in the dark or avoiding vulnerability during intimacy. This understated approach effectively captures the lingering effects of low self-esteem while allowing Vera's personality, ambitions, and emotional growth to remain at the center of the story.

I received an ARC through NetGalley and Edelweiss via Avon and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 3.5/5

[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.

[yueting ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will always be a big fan of how Julie uses humor to get right to the heart of what we all feel and think and hope for. I have related deeply to every single one of her characters and, now, Vera Stein maybe most of all. Vera is brilliant and lost and true. She's forty and looking back and realizing she's somehow let a holding pattern take over her life for the past twenty years—she hasn't achieved the things young-Vera had dreamed of, to the point where now-Vera doesn't know quite what to dream of. And yet dreaming, hoping, achieving are all integral parts of Vera's story.

Vera was so relatable in so many different ways: in how she thought about her body (especially for a plus-size girl like me, but also for anyone who has felt self-conscious in your own skin or looked in the mirror one day to realize you suddenly look different than how you thought); her fear of leaping without looking; her doubt over what has become of her life and what to make of it; and even her slow disillusionment with her past self. Reading Vera Stein Is Fine is realizing that time is what you make of it. Not just for Vera, but for her grandmother, for the residents of Starlight Palms, and for her friend, Tess, who seems to have ticked off all the boxes of what she wanted to achieve in life.

This is such a refreshing romance: straightforward with no sugar-coating, but still with so much hope. Eli is perfect and pining. I thoroughly enjoyed the devoted-bordering-on-unhinged way that he loved Vera. And I absolutely enjoyed just how completely he loved her. His faith in her was so sweet, and if I were Vera I would have leaped into his arms immediately. While I was such a fan of him and their romance, this was also the portion of the book where I wanted a bit more. I wanted them to talk more about their past; I wanted Brody to get the comeuppance he deserved for being my personal, walking pet-peeve: an incompetent and childish man. I wanted a few more sweet moments and more stepping stones to them committing to each other.

But I also don't begrudge this book for lingering on other relationships, between Vera and her grandmother, Ruby, who is a true character. Between Ruby and her own second chance, missed connection. And between Vera and the various other residents—there is one here that I really loved and was such a strong moment for me during this read. Vera Stein is a fun romp of a summer read, with elderly who will inspire you to start living and roommates of (in)convenience hilarity. And it is also a heartfelt look at death and aging, written with insouciance but also poignancy; Julie once again showing that she’s so good at balancing the two.

﹙ three-point-five stars ﹚

— thank you avon for the e-arc via netgalley to review!

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was EXCELLENT. while Julie’s last book (Student Union) didn’t really do much for me, this one absolutely knocked it out of the park. this is exactly the kind of real, messy, relatable, and charming romance i want to read.

i loved the setting so much - a lively retirement community with small town-esque gossip and lore? immediately yes. couple that with with an entire cast of characters that i absolutely fell in love with? perfection.

then, add in 2 main characters over 40 who are trying to get things right the second time around. Vera & Elias were so lovely and charming in their own ways. Vera has the inner monologue of pretty much any woman who has ever lived in a bigger body, including myself. her constant inner turmoil about not only her appearance and others opinion of her, but about how much space she feels she’s allowed to take up on this earth (professionally and personally) is deeply relatable. her struggles with her job and trying to grapple with the fact that she feels like she’s floundering was so real and so raw. the fact that she was able to find herself and what she wants out of her life in the last place she expected was *chefs kiss*. the relationships that she formed with some of the residents, Leonard especially, had me alllll up in my feels. Julie managed to weave some really important conversations about aging, dying with dignity, and actively embracing the last few years of your life as well as what comes after in the most empowering, non-morbid way possible which was so impressive to me.

now the real question is - where tf is my real life Elias??? this man was perfection, all around. a grade A yearner from the very start - simping after her and her cucumber melon body spray even 20 years later??? i can’t 😭 protect this man at all costs!!!! the way that he worships Vera - mind, body, and soul - had me so unwell in the best way. i also loved finding out that he’s a dad (and an incredible one, at that), but also appreciated that this didn’t have to be the sole thing that defined him. and then, when Vera fucks up, he actually holds her accountable but in the most level headed way possible.

naturally, i wanted to punch Brody in the face. i do wish that he had been put through some kind of retribution for shamelessly using Vera for years - but whatever, i guess 🥲

plus size representation in books is so important. having a book like this would’ve been so monumentally helpful for me in my early 20s when i was trying to figure it all out and embrace the way my body had changed, instead of hating it. i absolutely love that this kind of rep is becoming more normalized, and i can only hope that these stories find their way into the hands of people who would benefit most from them - but also into the hands of people who CAN’T relate, but who want to understand better.

🎧the audio was done so well. dual narration is my least favorite style of narration, but i really enjoyed this one, despite that! both narrators did an incredible job. especially Joy, who narrated a whole host of supporting characters flawlessly.

Thank you Avon for the eARC and LibroFM for the ALC!

[Monika K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful second-chance romance set in Palm Springs outside of Los Angeles, CA, in a retirement community for old film industry stars. Having been to Palm Springs about 10x now I could really see and feel the heat of the desert out there with its kitschy, nostalgic glam. I think she really nailed those vibes.

Eli, Vera & Brody were college friends and had a big falling out of sorts, which are slowly revealed with past interstitial chapters. Vera is now a 40 year-old writer stuck in a rut until she reconnects with Eli now a doctor at Starlight Palms community. There is a wonderful cast of Octogenarians including Vera’s former scream queen grandmother Ruby who has retired there. Vera takes up as the activities director at the Starlight Palms and her ideas are adorable. Meanwhile Eli has it bad for Vera and is a complete cinnamon role as she rediscovers herself and her goals, and gains the hutzpah to bust out of a dead-end job and embrace a new, wonderful future.

This was my first solo Julie book, as I’ve only read her books co-written by Sierra Simone and it was so cute! It felt like being inside a cozy warm hug. Although it started off a tad slow for me, once I hit about 15% it really took off and I could not put it down. This is a slow damn burn and I was rooting for Eli & Vera the entire time. Eli is definitely going on my list of Best Boyfriends of 2026. They are so cute together and have the best banter.

4.5 STARS
2/5 SPICE

🖤 Thank you to NetGalley & Avon Books for the ARC!

[Bri'ann Piguet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vera Stein is Fine is an uplifting second-chance romance starring Vera Stein about starting over at 40 and reconnecting with yourself after unexpected life changes.

****

Julie Murphy's exceptional storytelling gives us a behind-the-scenes tour of Vera Stein's life at Starlight Palms — the retirement community where Vera and her grandmother Ruby live after selling their house — and that of the on-site doctor, Elias Buckley, Vera's ex-husband (according to the state of Nevada).

But what happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay in Vegas...

It was SO much fun touring Starlight Palms with Vera and Elias and getting to meet all the quirky residents! I loved listening in on their witty and honest dialogue. And Julie made it feel like I was more than just an observer; I was starring alongside Vera Stein with the role of Supportive Best Friend. (You've got this, Vera!)

If you like:

✓ second-chance romance
✓ starting over
✓ uplifting reads
✓ swoonworthy characters
✓ self-discovery

then what are you waiting for?

Rating: 5/5

Pick up Vera Stein is Fine today and get ready to meet the fantastic cast of Starlight Palms!

****

I'm excited to be part of this author's street team—and many thanks to Julie Murphy for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, and thank you to the publisher for the complimentary copy.

All opinions expressed here are my own.

[Sherry Moyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦
Somehow Vera Stein is forty years old and has very little to show for it.

This is largely due to the fact that she acted as caregiver for her dying mother for years, not to mention a trying relationship with her grandmother (but don’t call her that), too.

Her dream was to write a script and make it big in Hollywood, but everything stalled for nearly two decades as she worked as a personal assistant - with benefits - for her college buddy and movie star, Brody.

He’s…ick.

Upon seeing something not meant for her, she reacts by quitting her job, packing up her things, and heading to Palm Springs to stay with Ruby, her grandmother who just moved into a retirement home.

Once there, she begins to question her choices while coming face to face with Eli, a doctor and her once husband.

𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
This was a fun beach read.

I love body positivity in books and I love a man who has always secretly been in love(hate) with someone.

Murphy has a delightful sense of humor and I found myself chuckling throughout. I always love a good set of supporting characters and when they are the olds from the home? Even better.

I struggled with the amount of things going on (you read the haps, yes?) and felt there was maybe one too many subplots. Ping pinging between so many people (Vera/Brody, Vera/Ruby, Vera/Eli, Ruby/Hollis, Eli/Brody, Vera/Tessa, Vera/Leonard…) was a lot.

Listen, the cover art is stunning and there’s a happy ending so, it worked out.

𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
Messy, overpopulated romcom with a splash of humor and the olds.

𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
If you want an easy read with a mix of characters and situations, go for it!

3.5⭐️ rounded up

[Love_booksforlife Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vera Stein takes off running when everything she held as steady starts to go away. First her mom passes away. Then her Hollywood scream queen grandmother sells her childhood home to move to a retirement village for former employees in Hollywood. Add to that she finds out her boss and situationship is gearing up to fire her, and Vera needs a change. That comes in the form of social director at Starlight Palms, the village her grandmother moved to. The only problem? Her ex-husband and college nemesis Elias Buckley is the resident doctor at Starlight Palms.

I fell in love with Julie Murphy after reading Dumplin' years ago and I'm so happy she's in the adult realm now. This was such a great debut. There are just so many things that I loved.

The setting: Starlight Palms is amazing. Not only do you have Vera in a forced proximity with Eli but you get the most amazing set of side characters. They all have Murphy's trademark humor and quirkiness. I want to live there. Everyone will want to live there.

Vera and Eli: I adored these two. Vera has so many of the same insecurities that I have so I related to her so much. Eli is the perfect match for her. I loved that he's so sure of what he feels for her. He didn't in the past chapters but has. really come to. terms with them and presents himself to her that way. He is a SIMP for her. I loved every second. Their banter is also top notch.

This book is just fantastic! A top read of the year.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

[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!

[Jenni Boomba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you LibroFM and Avon for the ALC of Vera Stein is Fine
Is Julie Murphy going to be a new auto read author for me?! The internal monologue of Vera had me CACKLING within the first 10% of this book as she seemed to think and speak very much like myself and I loved that I felt connected to the FMC that way. The addition of absolutely iconic side characters, looking at you Ruby, in Palm Springs in Caftans?!?!? SOLD. I thoroughly enjoyed an FMC in my generation and age range. The deep cut references to things I LOVED in my early 20s (the series finale of Six Feet Under? Canon....Donnie Darko references?!). What I didn't love? I felt like there was a disconnect in some of the verbiage used in the spicier scenes. That could just be personal experience but they didn't feel as organic as they could have with different word choice and what ultimately kept this book from a higher rating. As with every book I have experienced narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Joy Nash respectively, they did an amazing job of performing and portraying the MC's snark and dialogue. They really have the craft nailed down!

[Vera Elwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of things Julie Murphy is known for in the world of romance - body positivity, incredible smut scenes, and always finding a way to slip in Kansas City references to name a few. But one thing she doesn't get nearly enough credit for that I have long admired is her ability to write intergenerational friendships with ease. This book is a prime example of how those friendships shine off the page and make you fall in love with the characters.
Vera Stein is Fine is absolutely making my all-time favorite romance books list, and not just because the main character shares my name (although listening to one of my favorite audiobook narrators growl my name was a uniquely odd experience). The plot was adorable, the characters were well-matched, and the smut was smutting. I love a yearning man and Eli buying a candle in the same scent as his college crush's body spray might just be inventing a new level of yearning.
Tropes: he fell first and harder, second chance, only one bed, forced proximity.

[KaleidoscopeLaiReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley eARC review!

For starters, I loved the setting of this book. We start in LA and end up at a retirement home in Palm Springs, and ugh… everything was described so vividly that I could picture it like a movie. (I feel like that was the point, so kudos to my brain for picking that up)

Vera is such a relatable FMC, but there were definitely moments where I wanted to shake her a little and make her see the light. Thankfully, she figured it out by the end, and I loved her for it. Elias is fckn zaddy. His chemistry with Vera and his overall personality had me completely dialed in and desperately waiting for them to finally get together.

And Ruby! To be fair, if I ever become a grandmother, I’m pretty sure I’ll be just as unhinged and feral as Ruby, and I will not be apologizing to anyone about it.

Also… yayy, I am also part of the Dead Mom Club.

Side note: I would’ve enjoyed it even more if it didn’t have the third-act breakup. I know, I know… it’s basically required at this point. I just wanted a little more communication and commitment from both of them.

Overall, I loved the plus-size representation, the grief representation, and the journey these characters went on. This book really pulls you in, keeps you invested, and is such a fun ride from beginning to end.

[thebeespot72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

#AvonPartner
Right off the bat, Vera Stein is Fine grabbed my attention because the characters are over 40! We need more of this!

I enjoy Author Julie Murphy’s writing style. It has a light, fun, quick-paced vibe, while still weaving deep topics. I loved Vera because she is a relatable character going through realistic experiences, from putting her own life on hold to care for a parent to grief, and then finding herself lost. She needs a job and a place to live.

The Senior Living Center Vera ended up working and living with the best group of people. I enjoyed their personalities. And Vera’s second chance with Eli was so sweet. What a guy Eli is.

Vera Stein is Fine was a fun read; the spice was very good, and I also appreciated how the author wrote a body-positive, plus-size FMC. I enjoyed it!

Thank you to Avon Books and Author Julie Murphy for the gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.