"Wuthering Heights" is a daring reimagining of Emily Brontë's classic novel, brought to life by the multifaceted Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman, Saltburn) The film stars Jacob Elordi, who takes on the brooding role of Heathcliff, and Margot Robbie, portraying the passionate and tempestuous Cathy. Produced by Robbie's own LuckyChap Entertainment alongside MRC and Lie Still, this adaptation ventures beyond mere retelling, presenting a fresh and dark interpretation of the iconic tale.

Released in cinemas by Warner Bros. Pictures on February 13th, the movie debuted successfully, grossing an impressive $37.5 million over the Valentine's Day weekend and ultimately surpassing $242 million worldwide against a budget of $80 million. Critics were less enthusiastic, offering it a 57% on the Tomatometer, while moviegoers seemed to resonate more with its allure, granting it a sturdy 76% on the Popcornmeter. 

"Wuthering Heights" (rated R; 135 minutes) is now available for purchase in stunning 4K UHD™ ^[*], Blu-ray™ ^[*], and DVD ^[*], accessible through both online and physical retailers. It is already available for digital purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video ^[*] and Apple TV, among others. The release comes packed with special features, including a commentary by director Emerald Fennell and three featurettes titled Threads of Desire, The Legacy of Love and Madness, and Building a Fever Dream.

As of May 1st, "Wuthering Heights" is streaming exclusively on HBO Max.

Emily Brontë's haunting Gothic tale is often misconstrued as a romantic novel, and while some readers might passionately argue otherwise, it's far more complex and darker than mere romance. As I settled in to watch the new adaptation, it struck me that the majority of the audience was likely female, yet I found myself among a handful of men who, intrigued by the novel's legacy, sought to immerse ourselves in this reinterpretation. What surprised me most was the realization that I had read the book in my childhood. The details were a blur, but the story had left an indelible mark on my memory. 

The holiday season always unleashes a tidal wave of Christmas-themed books upon us. As soon as the leaves start turning, retailers drench their shelves with new festive reads, many of which I suspect fall into the "cringy, silly, and campy" category—think Hallmark Christmas movies in book form. Not exactly my cup of eggnog! In my mind, many of them are little more than candy-coated fluff, devoid of substance. That said, I completely get why readers gobble them up like holiday cookies. Everyone has their taste, and I'm not here to rain on anyone's holiday parade. Read what brings you joy!

However, I haven't completely cast aside holiday romances. That’s the reason I've picked up The Christmas Stranger ^[*], the latest offering from Richard Paul Evans. He’s been a literary guilty pleasure of mine since I first cracked open the enchanting pages of The Christmas Box trilogy ages ago.

Now, let’s talk about The Christmas Stranger, shall we? Picture this: It’s been three long years since Paul Wanless shattered his life in a Christmas Eve accident that claimed his family. If you think he’s just taken a break from the holiday cheer, think again—he's done with life itself. He sold off his computer repair business, the Christmas ornaments are collecting dust, and the idea of connecting with another human being isn't on his radar. Enter a mysterious stranger—Gabriel—who knocks on Paul’s door, claiming to retrieve a laptop. But hold on! This isn’t just about tech support; Gabriel has a mission that’s far more profound. When Paul opens up about his dark thoughts, Gabriel cryptically warns, "I wouldn't do it if I were you. It's not what you think," leaving Paul dumbfounded and questioning reality. This encounter sends him spiraling, but not without a turn of fate when he meets a young widow and her bullied son, shaking up his bleak existence and nudging him back toward the land of the living.

It may come as a surprise to some of you that I once dove headfirst into a whirlwind of Amish romances. Yes, you read that right. At one point in my life, I devoured these charming tales like candy, seeking something I still yearn for today—or perhaps it was merely a fleeting obsession. In any case, I lost myself in a world of bonnets and buggies until the genre became overcrowded with authors churning out the same stories on repeat, leaving me weary and longing for something fresh. There’s one exception, though: Beverly Lewis, the undisputed queen of Amish fiction and the first author to lure me into this quaint world. Her latest novella, The Christmas House, dropped last week via Bethany House—maybe a tad too early for holiday cheer, but hey, who am I to judge? Maybe early November would have been the sweet spot.

The storyline unfolds like a cozy blanket as the holidays draw near. Liz Lantz, our earnest protagonist, is determined to splash her Hickory Hollow buggy tour business with a sprinkle of God's love for the Englisher tourists flocking to her beloved Lancaster County. It's all very Hallmark until her father and brother get called away on some mission, leaving her in need of help. Enter Matthew Yoder, a young Amish man drafted to assist her—an arrangement not exactly met with wild enthusiasm. But as the popularity of her Christmas House Buggy Tour picks up steam, Liz begrudgingly finds herself working alongside Matt. And wouldn’t you know it? He takes a sincere interest in both the tour customers and, naturally, Liz herself.

Available on Paperback and Kindle.

About the Book 

Available on Kindle and Paperback.

About the Series 

About the Book 

Can this undercover agent save the woman he loves—or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he’s been sent to track down? 

If my memory serves me correctly, I was 17 years old when I stumbled upon The Christmas Box Collection, an omnibus paperback featuring The Christmas Box, Timepiece, and The Letter by Richard Paul Evans. It was my first venture in the sentimental holiday romance genre, and I've been a fan of Evans's stories ever since.

About the Book

Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series.

It's another day, and here's another book from my TBR stack that's been collecting dust on my desk. The title is Far Side of the Sea, written by Kate Breslin and published by Bethany House in 2019. It's set in my least favorite historical setting - World War I. Typically, I don't care to read about the era. I prefer my historical romances set in the 19th century. Nevertheless, like any reading champ, I turned to Chapter One on page 9 and gave the novel everything I have, which means it received my full attention in between rounds of coffee.

New York Times Bestselling Author Jude Deveraux released her newest romantic novel, Meant To Be, way back in early March. I, for one, was excited about this standalone title. For those who don't know me, let me give a quick history lesson. My mother was a big fan of Jude Deveraux's historical romances in the 1980s and early 1990s. At an early age, I read a few of my mother's Deveraux books. As an adult, I became a follower of Jude Deveraux's writings, which explains why I'm writing a review for Meant To Be.

Available on Paperback & Kindle.

About The Book

How can a meek wallflower help a returning war hero whose dreams are plunged into darkness? 

Mary Bloomfield has no illusions. Her chances for matrimony have long since passed her by. Still, her circumstances are pleasant enough, especially now that she has found purpose in assisting her father with his medical practice in England's beautiful Lake District. Even without love, it's a peaceful life. 

That is until Adam Edgerton returns to the sleepy district. This decorated war hero did not arrive home to acclaim and rest, but to a new battle against the repercussions of an insidious disease. Mary's caring nature cannot stand to see someone suffer--but how can she help this man see any brightness in his future when he's plunged into melancholic darkness, his dreams laid waste by his condition? 

I am assuming most readers have already read the classic gothic tale REBECCA by Daphne du Maurier. I, for one, am late in the game with this novel. I saw the Albert Hitchcock Oscar-winning adaptation way back during my childhood, and while the plot details are scarce in my memory, I did like the film. In early January, I watched Netflix's 2020 remake starring Lily James, Armie Hammer (the less I talk about him, the better), and Kristin Scott Thomas. Even though the gothic-aspects were watered down compared to Hitchcock's vision, for the most part, I liked it enough to rewatch it twice. Later, I remembered seeing the book with a tie-in cover at a Walmart the previous month. I had almost picked up the book but decided against it at the last minute. Of course, I had regretted it after viewing the Netflix film, and luckily for me, the store still had the book in stock.

About the Book

With her stepfather's sudden death, Lady Anastasia Covington goes from living a privileged lifestyle to selling vegetables in the village marketplace in the blink of an eye. Alone and at the mercy of her nefarious stepsister, she yearns for love and acceptance.

Disguised as a simple soldier, Prince Percival catches a dark-haired emerald-eyed beauty in his arms. He is bewitched. The more he sees her, the more intrigued he is by her contradictions. Forced to keep his identity a secret, he must somehow convince Lady Anastasia he is the right man for her. But time is running out. Lady Anastasia's mother is determined to find a proper suitor and see her wed. And someone wants her dead.

Why is it the lonely hearts are the ones who read the most romance novels? Is it because we believe there is a soulmate out there for us? Are we just more romantic than others? Or is it a distraction from our loneliness? 

Final Thoughts