What We're Writing: Hank gets a PEOPLE MAGAZINE exclusive!

Hank Phillippi Ryan: Well, how often do your dreams come true? So many of mine have, come to think of it. (For better and worse, just saying.)

But a few days ago, the cover of my new book, and the official synopsis, were revealed in People Magazine.

I will pause for a moment, to let that sink in.

AHHHHHH!!!

I could not believe it.  I clicked on the link and there it was.  I was floating the entire day.  And still am floating. If you want to see it in situ, in all its People Magazine glory,  here it is.   It's really fun to see.

If you don't want to click, here's a version of it. 

Hank Phillippi Ryan's New Thriller Was Inspired by Her Own Book Tour: See the Cover! (Exclusive)

'All This Could Be Yours' is both a "twisty cat and mouse thriller" but also a "love letter to readers," Ryan tells PEOPLE

By Bailey Richards

Hank Phillippi Ryan’s latest novel was inspired by her own fans — and how even innocent interactions could easily be “twisted into something sinister.”

The bestselling author, known for The House Guest, The Murder List and more, is gearing up to release her latest book, which the publisher calls a “twisty cat and mouse thriller” this fall — and PEOPLE can exclusively debut its cover.

All This Could Be Yours, slated for a Sept. 9 release, follows a writer whose debut novel becomes a sensation, but whose success is accompanied by career sabotage, threats and a secret from her past that comes back to haunt her.

"Tessa Calloway's dreams have come true — she's now a debut author with a surprise bestselling novel, with standing room only events and adoring readers on her triumphant nationwide book tour. But soon, things begin to go terrifyingly wrong, and Tessa knows it cannot be a coincidence,” an official synopsis teases.

“Someone is obsessed with not only sabotaging her career, but destroying her beloved husband and kids back home,” the synopsis continues. “Problem is, Tessa has a devastating secret. The escalating threats and increasing danger might be her own fault—the result of a high-stakes Faustian bargain she made long ago. And now, that one split-second decision may be back to ruin her life.”

All This Could Be Yours is first and foremost a nail-biting thriller, but it also has a deeper meaning, one that’s close to Ryan’s heart — and career. Ryan got the idea for the novel while interacting with a fan of her work at a book signing, she tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement.

“It happened on my very own book tour — I was signing my novel to a reader, and wrote: 'So wonderful to see you in Scottsdale.' And I added the date. As I handed the book back to her, I thought well, I’ve just given someone a perfect alibi,” she tells PEOPLE. “That inscription proved she was at this particular Scottsdale event, and so was I. And that we had met.”

Naturally, the exchange got her thinking. “Then I thought about all the other inscriptions I’ve written: 'thank you for everything,' or 'so good to see you again,' or 'I enjoyed our time together,'” Ryan says. “I realized how many double meanings someone could concoct from those, and how my perfectly innocent inscriptions might be twisted into something sinister. Even menacing. Yikes!”

“I also thought about authors on book tour; how vulnerable we are, how everybody knows where we are every day,” the author continues. “We make it so easy — just look at our websites! Suddenly, my fabulous and exciting book tour became full of threats and danger. And life-changing bargains.”

That concept became her next novel, which is also a tribute to the people who make books come to life and into the hands of readers.

“Yes, it's a twisty cat and mouse thriller — but as I wrote it, it also became a love letter to readers, writers, librarians, booksellers,” she says, “and anyone who loves the world of storytelling.”

All This Could Be Yours comes out Sept. 9, 2025 and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.

HANK: Can you believe it? What do you think? Isn't it different than all my other covers?

You know I have a new publisher, so this is all part of that. And wow, so far so fabulous. And blurb from NITA PROSE! Ah ah ah.

And I cannot forget to add that the cover was designed by Minotaur's fabulous David Rotstein. Standing ovation!

And let me just point out to you..LOOK at the spine of the book! I mean--whoa. That should be in the spine Hall of Fame, don't you think? See the periwinkle earring? It's a clue...

And here's the link to People again. Just because.

Sexiest Man Alive? The Reds Weigh In

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Last week, PEOPLE Magazine announced their Sexiest Man Alive for 2024:  John Krasinski. I approve this choice, because even in his action-man roles like Jack Ryan, Krasinski exudes a kind of endearing normalness. He has an attainable level of sexiness. Apparently, the magazine has been crowning The Sexiest Man since 1985, which, wow. Some of their choices have aged like fine wine (Mark Harmon ‘86, George Cloony ‘97, and some have… not (Mel Gibson ‘85, Johnny Depp ‘03 and ‘09.) Depp twice, PEOPLE??

 

I also approve of some of this year’s more vintage choices, like Joshua Jackson, Matt Bomer and (deep sigh) Pedro Pascal. Show me a man with some smile lines, please. On the other hand, I can recognise Manny Jacinto and Timothee Chalamet are beautiful, but they’re, you know, boys relatively speaking. If you’re young enough to be my son (or, God forbid, grandson!) I’m sorry, I cannot apply the word sexy to you.

 

I want PEOPLE to start putting out a second edition for ladies of a certain age. We know sexy is more than smooth skin and a piercing gaze. Does he carry out the trash without being reminded? Does he turn himself over when snoring? Will he pull over into the next rest stop if you ask, even if he doesn’t have to go?

 

How about you, Reds? What traits do you think should be considered for Sexiest Actual Real Grown Up Man Alive, and do you have any nominees?

 

RHYS BOWEN:  For much of my adult life it was always Robert Redford and Paul Newman. No one sexier. I even had a pin up of RR with his shirt open on my bulletin board. Now Paul is gone and RR is very, very old.

So for me George Clooney is an obvious choice. Denzel Washington. Ryan Gosling maybe? I tell you who: Paul Hollywood from the Great British Baking Show. Those eyes!!!

 

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Well, Gregory Peck. Cary Grant. Idris Elba. The guy on Tracker, whoever that is.  Inspector Morse. Hugh Grant in Love, Actually.  Attributes: they think I’m really funny. They do not question the number of shoes or black jackets. They know what to have for dinner every night and often make it. They have a passion for something, they’re involved with it. They like to learn new things.  They are NICE and conversational, and don’t mind chitchatting with people while I hide. They are genuinely interested in the world. And they think people are basically good. Plus, confident without being self-centered.  Good grammar. Loves children. Loves the ducks in our backyard. :-) And a great sense of humor.

Pretty sure this is the man Hank is talking about...

JENN McKINLAY: I like John Krasinski. He’s a cinnamon roll hero (as we say in the romance industry) meaning he’s not an alpha but rather a sweet dependable beta. I prefer betas, mostly because I’m not very good with people (men or women) telling me what to do, how to think, etc. But if PEOPLE was going for a hot beta…um…Pedro Pascal is right there!!! He is so funny and versatile and, yes, I am 100% going to see GLADIATOR II. 

 

Unsurprisingly, humor is what always wins me over. ALWAYS. I still joke with the Hooligans that it’s a good thing their dad is funny or he’d be single. As for men (besides Pedro) who are easy on the eyes and can deliver the humor (sometimes surprisingly), I have to go with Ryan Reynolds, Keegan Michael Key, Channing Tatum, Colin Firth, and Jon Hamm.

 

 

 

LUCY BURDETTE: Me too on Robert Redford Rhys! You can have Paul. What about Bradley Cooper singing Shallow with Lady Gaga? Nothing sexier than a man who can sing. And is funny, like Hugh Grant dancing in Love, Actually. (I know that’s a controversial pick, but I adore that scene.) Kyle Chandler in Friday Night Lights–kind, warm, funny! David Gyasi in The Diplomat? I’m actually rooting for him:)

 

Hank, basically I think you have described our husbands, which is a good thing!

 

HALLIE EPHRON: For me, forever and always, Patrick Swayze. He always comes across as quintessentially NICE. Even moreso because he was (reputedly) happily married. And weirdly I do like Alan Rickman. He’d be so interesting. I know, they’re both dead. Details, details. 

 

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I know everyone says that Hugh Grant hasn’t aged well. So, maybe he has a few more wrinkles than he did in his rom-com days, but I think he might be more appealing now, smart and funny with that sly, dry British wit. And he’s apparently besotted with his wife and kids, which makes me like him even better.

 

But speaking of aging well, oh my, how about Patrick Dempsey? He was, I just saw, People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2023, so I have good backing on this pick! (I think a young Patrick would have made a fabulous choice for Rhys’s Darcy O’Mara.)

 

But my top vintage pick goes to Stanley Tucci, having just spent fourteen hours or so with him on Searching for Italy. Funny, intelligent, besotted with wife and kids–those attributes keep coming up! I like the NICE guys!

JULIA: Men, take heart - what really makes a man attractive isn't his hair or his muscles. It's personality. Now it's your turn, dear readers? Who's your vote for Sexiest Man Alive - or in Hallie's case, Sexiest Man Dead - and what are the qualities you'd vote for?