In Hollywood, stories are often built around clean endings. Heroes. Villains. Redemption arcs that arrive right on cue.

But real life rarely works that way.

That realization became impossible to ignore for filmmaker, screenwriter, and author Nic Fairbrother and Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker and best-selling author Shane Stanley while writing Breaking Jenny, a survivor-led memoir releasing May 12 that blends personal testimony with investigative reconstruction.

At the center of the book is “Jenny” (name changed for safety reasons), a woman whose relationship with her fiancé, Max, slowly unraveled into something far darker than she initially understood. After Max’s sudden death, Jenny discovered hidden phones, laptops, sinister journals, and digital archives concealed beneath the floorboards of their home, evidence that pointed to a life she never knew existed.

As the materials came together, what initially appeared to be deception revealed a far more complex and disturbing pattern of control and instability. Some of what Jenny uncovered pointed to escalating behavior that suggested Max’s plan to potentially murder Jenny, raising questions not just about who Max was, but how long the reality had gone unnoticed.

For Stanley, the material was not distant subject matter.

He knew Max personally.

In fact, Max had once been one of his closest friends.

“I had known Max since we were kids, and when you have that kind of history, you don’t see clearly,” Stanley explained. “You see what you want to preserve. What changed was realizing that the version of him I held onto and the reality of what Jenny experienced couldn’t coexist.”

That emotional proximity became one of the defining tensions of the book itself.

Rather than approaching the material as outside observers, Fairbrother and Stanley found themselves confronting uncomfortable questions about perception, accountability, and the ways harmful behavior can remain hidden in plain sight for years.

“Proximity actually made it harder to tell, not easier,” Stanley said. “You’re constantly questioning your role, what you saw, what you missed, what you chose not to see. But ultimately, what made it necessary was understanding stories like this don’t exist in isolation. They repeat.”

While Breaking Jenny contains many of the elements associated with psychological thrillers and true crime narratives, its focus ultimately centers on something more intimate: understanding how coercive control develops gradually over time, often without immediate recognition from the people inside it (or around it).

For Fairbrother, telling the story responsibly became just as important as telling it honestly.

“We chose to focus on Jenny’s healing journey and make it inspirational rather than exploitative,” Fairbrother said. “There were so many stories she shared with us that we ultimately decided to leave out, simply because we didn’t want to cross the same boundaries that so many people in her life already had.”

That balance shaped the tone of the entire project.

Built from extensive documentation, including private journals, recovered digital materials, financial records, and hundreds of thousands of text messages, the book reconstructs not just the collapse of a relationship, but the psychological environment that allowed it to continue for so long. 

Both authors describe the experience of writing the book as deeply personal and, at times, emotionally destabilizing.

“I’ve been hearing different versions of this story my entire life — from women, from men, and sometimes, from my own mouth,” Fairbrother said. “Society is sick of the abuse. It’s time to drag the monsters out from under the bed and into the light.”

That desire to illuminate patterns rather than sensationalize them became central to the project’s purpose.

Instead of asking why someone stays, Breaking Jenny examines how manipulation often builds slowly through emotional conditioning, dependency, confusion, loyalty, and the gradual shifting of boundaries.

“It challenged a lot of assumptions I think people carry,” Stanley said. “That they would recognize abuse immediately, that they would act decisively, that it’s always clear-cut. What you start to see instead is how gradual it is. How it builds.”

For Jenny, according to both authors, the goal was never simply to recount what happened to her. She wanted the story to help others recognize warning signs before they became trapped inside similar dynamics themselves.

“Once she came out the other side, what mattered most to her was that her experience could serve as a kind of roadmap,” Stanley explained. “Something that might help someone recognize the signs earlier and choose a different path.”

That focus on recognition gives Breaking Jenny much of its emotional weight.

Because the story’s most unsettling revelations are not just about secrecy or deception. They are about how easily dangerous dynamics can camouflage themselves as familiarity, intimacy, or even love.

“Sometimes abuse is buried so deeply in our subconscious that we don’t recognize it until decades later,” Fairbrother said. “What gives me hope is that there are now far more tools and a much greater awareness to help survivors process those experiences — and to help prevent this kind of insidious behavior from continuing unchecked.”

For two storytellers whose careers were built in entertainment, Breaking Jenny became something very different from traditional narrative work.

Not an escape. A confrontation. And one they felt could no longer remain private.

Breaking Jenny is available now in paperback, e-book, and Kindle on Amazon and BreakingJenny.com.   

Written in partnership with Tom White

If you’ve ever finished a show and thought, “I wish I had something new to watch that actually feels different,” AAPI Heritage Month is a great time to branch out.

Asian film and TV have quietly become some of the most exciting storytelling in entertainment right now, from emotionally layered dramas to high-energy anime and beautifully shot, slow-paced lifestyle series. The only real question is: where do you start?

Start with the names you already know (even if you don’t realize it)

You’ve probably already seen actors like Steven Yeun (Beef, The Walking Dead) or Song Kang-ho (Parasite), but their earlier work opens up an entirely different world of storytelling.

Films like Burning or A Taxi Driver hit differently. They’re slower, more character-driven, and often linger with you in a way that big Hollywood releases don’t always try to.

Then fall into the rabbit hole (you’ll probably stay there)

If you’ve never really gotten into anime or serialized Asian dramas, this is where things can get addictive fast.

Shows like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Demon Slayer – The Movie: Mugen Train aren’t just popular; they’re the kind of series people build routines around. One episode turns into three, and suddenly it’s a full weekend watch.

For something quieter, try watching how culture shows up in everyday life

Not everything has to be high stakes. Some of the most memorable content comes from shows that focus on food, travel, and routine.

The Solitary Gourmet and A Taste of Life in Kyoto are the kind of series you put on thinking you’ll casually watch, and end up getting completely absorbed in. They’re less about plot and more about atmosphere, tradition, and small moments that feel deeply personal.

Where to find all of this (without another subscription)

Let’s be honest, most people aren’t looking to add another streaming service right now.

That’s where free platforms like Amasian TV come in. It brings together a mix of films, dramas, anime, and live programming, including internationally acclaimed and award-winning titles, all in one place, with curated collections that make it easier to jump between genres depending on your mood.

Whether you’re in the mood for something emotional, something bingeable, or just something new, it’s an easy way to explore without overthinking it.

This isn’t just for AAPI Month

What’s changed in the last few years is how accessible these stories have become. You no longer need to go out of your way to find them; they’re part of the broader entertainment landscape now.

So if AAPI Heritage Month gives you a reason to start, there’s a good chance you won’t stop there.

Written in partnership with Tom White

Every year, Mother’s Day sneaks up on someone. Don’t let it be you. This list is all about gifts that show you actually put in the effort. From a Baywatch-approved swimsuit to artisan ice cream that ships to your door, here’s how to make Mom feel like the icon she is.

For the Mom Who Runs Things in a Swimsuit

If your mom’s taste runs anywhere near the shore or pool, this one’s a no-brainer. JOLYN — the brand behind the red swimsuit in the upcoming Baywatch reboot — has quietly become the go-to for women who want to move freely in their swimwear. Their proprietary Splashtec fabric is the real differentiator: it stretches for comfort and flexibility, stands up to chlorine without breaking down, and retains its shape and color long after most suits have faded and stretched out beyond recognition. Think bold cuts, serious construction, and the kind of confidence that turns heads at Malibu without trying. For the mom who’s been wearing the same tankini since 2015, this is the upgrade she deserves.

For the Mom Who Never Stopped Loving Old Hollywood

For the mom who grew up watching Technicolor films and never really let that era go, Unique Vintage is her brand. The Monroe Swing Dress (~$70) comes in prints that feel straight out of a 1950s movie still — floaty, feminine, and incredibly flattering across sizes. It’s the rare gift that photographs well, fits beautifully, and doesn’t look like it came from a department store. Perfect for brunch at Nobu Malibu or a Sunday afternoon doing absolutely nothing.

For the Mom Who Glows on Her Own Schedule

In LA, a sun-kissed glow is basically a year-round requirement — but not all moms want to spend that time actually in the sun. NUDA Sunless tanning mousse options (~$42) deliver a streak-free, natural-looking bronze that develops in a few hours and doesn’t smell like the tanning beds of 2003. It’s the kind of gift that feels genuinely luxurious without the price tag to match. Great for the mom who wants to look like she just got back from a long weekend in Cabo even when she hasn’t left the house.

For the Mom Who Takes Her Health Seriously

For the mom who’s serious about what goes in her body — or the one who’s been meaning to get serious — Levels Nutrition takes the guesswork out of clean eating. Their protein and wellness products are made without the artificial junk sneaked into most mainstream supplements, and they actually taste like something you’d choose to drink. If she’s been reaching for whatever’s on sale at the pharmacy, this is a meaningful upgrade. A great starting point for the health-conscious mom who deserves better than gas station protein bars.

For the Mom Who Touches Up and Moves On

Root regrowth has terrible timing — it always shows up right before a dinner, a family photoshoot, or a neighborhood barbecue that calls for a supermarket run, not a salon appointment. Style Edit is the stylist-born fix: a salon-quality root concealer with color-adaptive technology that blends in seconds and actually holds up. No heavy texture, no harsh chemicals, just a seamless finish that looks fresh and effortless. For the active mom who’s always on the go, it bridges the gap between appointments without compromising hair health.

For the Mom Who Deserves a Great Night’s Sleep

Yes, it’s a cube. No, it doesn’t make as little sense as you’d think. Pillow Cube‘s signature square design is built for side sleepers — it fills the gap between shoulder and head perfectly, which means no more stacking two pillows and still waking up with a crick in the neck. It sounds like a novelty gift, but moms who get one tend to become borderline evangelical about it. If she’s been complaining about her pillow, this is the fix she didn’t know existed.

For the Mom Who Deserves Clean Air and Good Vibes

If your mom lights a candle every time she needs to decompress, Sea Witch Botanicals is worth checking out. The 12-year-old brand has been making incense and candles without synthetic fragrances since before clean beauty was a buzzword, which means no mystery chemicals, no artificial fillers, just botanicals to scent your space the way nature intended. “Breathe plants, not plastic” is their philosophy, so it’s a match for the mom who’s particular about what she brings into her home.

For the Mom Who Brightens Up Every Morning

If your mom’s morning ritual involves an overpriced coffee shop order, it might be time to introduce her to something better. Matcha.com‘s Ceremonial Organic Starter Set (~$124 one-time, or less on subscription) is a proper gift: ceremonial-grade matcha plus either a traditional bowl and bamboo whisk or a cup and frother, depending on how she likes to roll. No barista required. The quality is noticeably different from the dusty green powder at the back of the grocery store — smooth, grassy, and energizing without the jitters. For the wellness-minded mom, this is a ritual she’ll lean on.

For the Mom Who Says She Doesn’t Need Anything

We’re closing with dessert because that’s how it should be. Skip the single pint — Cold Case Ice Cream lets you build your own case (~$99): six handcrafted specialty pints with flavor names that sound like they were invented in a detective novel. We’re talking Cereal Killer (a chocolate base loaded with a homemade cereal mix and ribbons of peanut butter), Illegal Fireworks (cake batter ice cream packed with popping candy that actually pops), and more fun flavors. They drop brand new creations regularly, so it’s worth checking what’s just landed. For the mom who insists she doesn’t need anything: let her pick her own case. She’ll love every pint.

Written in partnership with Tom White