Steve the Penguin

"If you want to see how Bianca Reagan deals with maintaining a fast-paced life of an Angeleno, catching up with old friends, and exploring feelings for an old crush all within a week, then pick up this book and read it!"

- Veruca Salt, As humorous as your humerus



"...what woman doesn’t want to find her Steve the Penguin? The Steve to their Miranda?...That guy who will keep that egg warm while us girls are out looking for food...

If you want to read a fun book with that is filled with wit and humor then you must check out Steve the Penguin."

- Stephanie, Stephanie's Soap Box


"First-time author Mahlena-Rae Johnson weaves the story of a 20-something-year-old television junkie turned Hollywood executive assistant preparing for her trip back to her childhood home of St. Thomas for a high-school reunion."

- Ayesha Morris, The Virgin Islands Daily News




"If you like fun, funny romantic comedies, then trip attractively over to your local quirky independent bookstore in your funky scarf - and while not noticing the diamond-in-the-rough, nerdy cashier who really likes you - flirt with the unavailable, self-absorbed zine-writer shoplifting organic chocolates by the cash register- and BUY THIS BOOK!"

- Maria Bamford, Comedian of Comedy



"'Steve the Penguin' is the literary companion to ABC’s Ugly Betty."

N.S.B., author of Figuring It Out



"This is a really enjoyable story."

- Catherine Avril Morris, Of Course I Write Romance Novels.


"In her debut novel Steve the Penguin, Mahlena-Rae Johnson doesn't reinvent the formula but rather creates an original heroine within the Single Gal genre...

Mahlena-Rae Johnson is an original, new voice in the genre..."

- Manda, Whoa, Camel!


"I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a quick read and wants to stroll down memory lane."

- Shavon Williams, APOOO Bookclub



"Mahlena captures the stress and self-doubt I think most of us feel at the prospect of facing people we haven't seen in years, and thereby facing a version of ourselves we haven't seen in years . . .

. . . I highly recommend checking out Mahlena's book -- and Bianca's blog, which is full of musings about all things political and cultural -- some serious, some irreverent, and some completely hilarious."

- The Law Fairy, Your Mom goes to Law School



"Steve the Penguin is definitely a witty, charming, must-read. I recommend this book to anyone out there searching for Mr. or Mrs. Right, or anyone who has enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada, Sex in the City reruns, Girlfriends, pop culture or 'pop politics' in general, and anyone out there who has ever 'dreaded their high school reunion.' "

- debra johnson, She Likes to Read!



"Steve the Penguin opens the door to the mysterious lives of Young Single Adults--those of us who didn't get married and have children back when all of our friends and siblings did--and now have to face their pitying/condescending stares as we return to our ten-year high school reunions without a date . . .

Steve the Penguin is fun at the same time that it brings the reader's attention to social and societal issues and attitudes. While you think you're getting some light reading in, you actually get a bit of heavy thinking done as well."

- angryyoungwoman at her blog


"Johnson is in her element when she tackles the issues facing young women-- friendships, body image, men and the nerve-wracking hell that is high school reunion time. This book's greatest strength is its well-written characters and relationships, in particular female friendships . . .

If you’re a fan of fast-paced, witty dialogue ala Buffy the Vampire Slayer, then Mahlena-Rae Johnson’s style is up your alley. Pop culture references pepper the pages and inject an even more ‘real’ edge to Bianca’s world . . ."

- Tobes, Hear me Roar