Who We Are

We’re Stephanie and Tugrul — a reader couple creating cozy experiences for book lovers.

Two readers who fell in love through stories and built a little corner of the internet to share that love.

How It All Started

Steph’s Happy Nook began with our shared passion for storytelling — through books, movies, and the series that inspire us. Reading has always been a central part of my life as a librarian, and Tugrul’s love for stories shows up in the way he dives deep into movies, series, plot twists, and character evolutions. And honestly… we both love reading and watching stories together, then talking about them for hours afterward — comparing ideas, sharing theories, and getting lost in our favorite worlds.

Together, we wanted to build something that celebrated the stories we love in all their forms.

From our small condo, we launched our first Christmas “Blind Date with a Book” boxes — and they took off overnight. Orders poured in, and for two months, we wrapped, packed, and created nonstop. It was a whirlwind of books, stickers, bookmarks, and joy.

From Holiday Rush to Everyday Passion

After the holidays, things slowed down — and that pause helped us see what mattered most. We didn’t just want to sell; we wanted to connect. We started designing cozy bookish t-shirts, building our website, and creating year-round boxes filled with handmade touches.

Every product we make comes from our shared passion for stories and the spaces that bring readers together.

Our Collections

Beyond Our Shop

As much as we love what we create, our purpose goes beyond it. We realized many readers struggle to find local bookstores or discover indie authors. Whenever we go out, the first place that comes to mind is always a bookstore — but the closest one to us is an hour away. And at book festivals, so many authors told us how hard it is to reach readers.

That’s when our mission began: to support local bookstores and independent authors by giving them visibility, for free, on our social media and website. Every month, we feature a bookstore and an author so their stories can reach more readers.

Our Beliefs

  • 📚 Stories connect people and keep communities alive.
  • ❤️ Handmade details matter — they carry care and personality.
  • 🕯️ Cozy spaces inspire creativity and reflection.
  • ✨Every bookstore, author, and reader deserves a place in the spotlight.

We are wearing t-shirts with our bookish graphic designs, one with books and a person, the other with colorful sci-fi design.

Meet Us

We are Steph and Tugrul — a wife-and-husband team blending our diverse backgrounds to create something special. We actually met in the library where Stephanie works, and from that moment, stories became a big part of our life together.

Stephanie

Originally from Puerto Rico, a lifelong book enthusiast and librarian, has always believed in the power of stories to connect people.

Tugrul

Originally from Türkiye, is a reader, creator, and storyteller at heart who left his career as a Medical Doctor to begin a new chapter in the U.S. He’s passionate about design, marketing, and finding ways to make reading feel personal and inspiring for everyone.

And yes… we actually wear our own t-shirts. All. The. Time. 😄