"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