February was another great reading month where I read more than I expected to.

I read a total of 15 books and have seven reviews to share in my February Wrap Up. This is a long one so we’re skipping the “reading life insight” section and I’ll try to keep the reviews as short and sweet as possible.

Last month I wrapped up my winter TBR and read two books by Glucose Goddess Jessie Inchauspé specifically for my in-depth nonfiction review. Look for those posts over the next two weeks.

Some February stats from my reading notebook:

• My average star rating for the month was 4.4 stars (even higher than the 4.2 from last month which honestly seemed high to me then). I had six 5-star reads so that could explain it.
• I read fewer new authors last month at 58%. 42% of the authors I had read before. The raised percentage of revisited authors is thanks to continuing a few series. I also read 42% diverse authors!
• I surpassed my new diverse reading goal again! 47% of my reads were from a diverse author. Yay!
• 27% of my reading was nonfiction, which is a lot for me. January was similar with 25%. This is a fun trend while it lasts. My winter TBR tends to be my only seasonal one with nonfiction reads.
• I felt like I read a lot with my eyes in February. I’m happy to see my ebook reading and audiobook intake are still about tied.
• The vast majority of my books were still borrowed. 61% came from the library where Libby got the win for most check outs this time and 33% came from Kindle Unlimited.
• I read my first ARC ever from NetGalley!

Now onto the books!

February Reading Wrap Up:

By the Season and Reading Format

*ebook available on Kindle Unlimited

Winter Reads

• Daughter of No World by Carissa Broadbent* 🎧📖
• Ever Mine by Laura Pavlov* 📖
• Dangerous Books for Girls by Maya Rodale 📖
• Don’t Hex and Drive by Juliette Cross* 📖

A Dose of Romance Book Club

• I Think I Might Love You by Christina C. Jones* 📖🎧 (also a diverse author)

Monthly NF Read

• The Glucose Goddess Method by Jessie Inchauspé 🎧
• Glucose Revolution by Jessie Inchauspé 📖🎧

Buddy Reads

• The Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing 🎧
• This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan 📖 (NetGalley ARC and also a diverse author)

Next in Series

• I Think I Might Need You by Christina C. Jones* 📖🎧
• I Think I Might Want You by Christina C. Jones* 🎧
• Princess by Claire Kent* 📖

Diverse Authors

• Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young* 🎧
• Intercepted by Alexa Martin 🎧
• Period Power by Nadya Okamoto 🎧

Recaps and Reviews

You can find my reviews for I Think I Might Love You (5 stars), Princess (4.5 stars), My Lovely Wife (3.5 stars), and Daughter of No Worlds (3.5 stars) plus ratings for further books in some of these series in my Mid February Reading Recap.

Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

Rating: 5 stars

Steam Level: 3

I have yet to see a negative review for this book from my recommendation sources since it blew up last year.

This was a title from the January Edition of What’s in my Kindle Unlimited Library. I listened to it on audio though thanks to Hoopla.

Book Blurb:

“Winnifred “Win” McNulty has always been wildly independent. Not one to be coddled for her limb difference, Win has spent most of her life trying to prove that she can do it all on her own. And, with some minor adjustments, she’s done just fine.

That is until she has a one-night stand with the incredibly charming Bo, a perfect stranger. And that one night changes everything.

While Bo is surprisingly elated to step up to the plate, Win finds herself unsure of whether she can handle this new challenge on her own or if she’ll need a helping hand.

Together, Win and Bo decide to get to know one another as friends and nothing more. But, as they both should know by now, life rarely goes according to plan.”

My Thoughts

I could not stop listening to this book and I absolutely loved it. I’m pretty sure I fell for it right from Bonam-Young’s author note at the beginning!

While the friends throwing the initial meet cute party were over the top, Win and Bo hooked me with their immediate connection over their limb differences.

This book was pretty steamy but the spicy scenes were so touching as both characters shared moments of vulnerability and built trust with one another. The spice was wonderfully intertwined with moving their romantic relationship along.

This was such a unique story. While the conflict between the couple was low angst, brace yourself for an emotional ride regarding both their family histories and their path forward as they prepare to become co-parents.

I really adored the way Bonam-Young wrote about the transformation you go through when becoming a mom (or a parent). Bo’s POV is something I do wish we had.

I loved how Win and Bo became friends first and the humor between them was amazing. When it came to the epilogue, I debated if it was a little too perfect but these two definitely felt like soulmates to me so I loved to see it.

I will absolutely be reading this author again!

Questions to Consider for Your Own Reading Life: What’s the last book you read that lived up to the hype?

This Could be Us by Kennedy Ryan

Rating: 4 stars

Steam Level: 2

I’m a big fan of Kennedy Ryan’s work! Previously I loved The Kingmaker and The Rebel King duet (5 stars) as well as the first book in this Skyland series, Before I Let Go (4.5 stars).

A few months ago for a 24 hour period, NetGalley offered the ARC (advanced reader copy) of This Could Be Us to anyone who requested it! I jumped on that immediately.

This is my first NetGalley ARC. It releases on March 5th.

Book Blurb:

“Soledad Barnes has her life all planned out. Because, of course, she does. She plans everything, she designs everything, and she fixes everything. She’s a domestic goddess who’s never met a party she couldn’t host or a charge she couldn’t lead. The one with all the answers and the perfect vinaigrette for that summer salad. But none of her varied talents can save her when catastrophe strikes, and the life she built with the man who was supposed to be her forever, goes poof in a cloud of betrayal and disillusion.

But there is no time to pout or sulk, or even grieve the life she lost. She’s too busy keeping a roof over her daughters’ heads and food on the table. And in the process of saving them all, Soledad rediscovers herself. From the ashes of a life burned to the ground, something bold and new can rise.

But then an unlikely man enters the picture—the forbidden one, the one she shouldn’t want but can’t seem to resist. She’s lost it all before and refuses to repeat her mistakes. Can she trust him? Can she trust herself?

After all she’s lost . . .and found . . .can she be brave enough to make room for what could be?”

My Thoughts

It’s no surprise I loved my reading experience of this book, buddy reading with Ashley at A Seed for the Soul and Nicole. We previously read Before I Let Go together so continuing to read this one just added another level of richness.

Overall I loved this story so much but I did have a few reservations about it as a romance.

This would be an amazing general fiction or women’s fiction novel but I found the romantic plot to be a bit lacking. There was too much time spent with Soledad still married to Edward, who we already know is a terrible human from the previous book.

You know based on where the story begins that a time jump is coming. Unfortunately it wasn’t a long enough one for me to believe Soledad was ready to be in a relationship again. We also didn’t get enough scenes or time with Soledad and Judah together.

But as a story about starting over, finding your strength, and building community with other women plus the parenting element of raising girls and raising children with autism, IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! Kennedy Ryan is such a powerful writer!

It did lead me to adding All About Love by bell hooks to my nonfiction TBR. Referenced many times, Soledad used her mother’s copy of this title as a guide for healing and starting over.

It also sent me diving back into Kennedy Ryan’s backlist to see what I hadn’t yet read from her and I picked her Hoops series for my spring TBR.

Questions to Consider for Your Own Reading Life: Are you an ARC reader? Why or why not? If yes, do you feel that this ever puts pressure on your reading life? How do you balance that? 

Intercepted by Alexa Martin

Rating: 3 stars

Steam Level: 1

Alexa Martin is a new-to-me Black author. Intercepted was one of the books in our February poll for A Dose of Romance Book Club. This football romance didn’t win, but I still wanted to check it out.

I listened to the audiobook on Libby.

Book Blurb:

“Marlee thought she scored the man of her dreams only to be scorched by a bad breakup. But there’s a new player on the horizon, and he’s in a league of his own…

Marlee Harper is the perfect girlfriend. She’s definitely had enough practice by dating her NFL-star boyfriend for the last ten years. But when she discovers he has been tackling other women on the sly, she vows to never date an athlete again. There’s just one problem: Gavin Pope, the new hotshot quarterback and a fling from the past, has Marlee in his sights.

Gavin fights to show Marlee he’s nothing like her ex. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to let her escape her past. The team’s wives, who never led the welcome wagon, are not happy with Marlee’s return. They have only one thing on their minds: taking her down. But when the gossip makes Marlee public enemy number one, she worries about more than just her reputation.

Between their own fumbles and the wicked wives, it will take a Hail Mary for Marlee and Gavin’s relationship to survive the season.”

My Thoughts

I didn’t love it. This book was just ok and I honestly wouldn’t have finished it if I hadn’t had the audiobook and a couple of long drives.

This story was all over the place. At one point Marlee was attacked and I wondered what I got myself into here – I thought this was a rom com sports romance and that was really dark and heavy.

Throughout the book, many of the situations Marlee finds herself in felt improbable.

We only got Marlee’s POV and most of the time I found her grating. She put up with Chris’s bullshit for way too long. The hashtag this and that happened WAY TOO OFTEN – it was annoying.

I was also frustrated by the huge amount of shit she gave Gavin (who was a decent guy) after all that she let Chris get away with. For a good chunk of the story there was nothing of substance keeping them apart.

Most other female characters were catty and pitted against one another for a male’s affection – a plot device I do not love.

Also a note on the steam rating: I’m sorry if this book did have some spice. There may have been one scene toward the beginning but it wasn’t memorable to me. Once they’re intimate, I’m pretty sure the rest is spoken about – mostly Gavin telling Marlee she won’t be getting much sleep before fading to black.

Questions to Consider for Your Own Reading Life: What traits do you love in a heroine or main character? And what traits drive you crazy?

Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement by Nadya Okamoto

Rating: 4 stars

If you’re looking for nonfiction recommendations, Bre at Loc’D Booktician is an amazing source!

I was looking through my nonfiction title ideas (many recent ones from Bre) to plan out a little more of my nonfiction reading for this year and place those library holds now.

This one was immediately available and the short length had me checking it out. I listened to the audiobook thanks to Libby.

Book Blurb:

“PERIOD founder and Harvard College student Nadya Okamoto offers a manifesto on menstruation and why we can no longer silence those who bleed—and how to engage in youth activism.

Throughout history, periods have been hidden from the public. They’re taboo, they’re embarrassing, and they’re gross. And due to a crumbling or nonexistent national sex ed program, they are misunderstood. Because of these stigmas, a status quo has been established to exclude people who menstruate from the seat at the decision-making table, creating discriminations like the tampon tax, medicines that favor male biology, and more.

Power to the Period aims to explain what menstruation is, shed light on the stigmas and resulting biases, and create a strategy to end the silence and prompt conversation about periods.”

My Thoughts

This was a quick and interesting read.

It made me thankful to grow up in a family and education system where I was able to learn most of the biology surrounding menstrual cycles and while it wasn’t exactly celebrated dinner table conversation, it wasn’t shamed.

A lot of the book was focused on homeless women and how they lack access to safe and clean period products, which wasn’t something I’d ever considered. It made me want to donate menstrual products whenever participating in food or toiletry drives.

I found the history of period products fascinating! If you’re a menstruator reading this and haven’t considered a menstrual cup, look into it. It’s revolutionary in terms of cost and comfort!

I thought the chapter on athletes being more vocal about their periods was interesting and progressive.

I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I was happy to still notice the trend Okamoto mentioned of the media portraying menstruating characters more often and even discussing the first time you get your period in a positive celebratory light. Something I saw in Netflix’s Babysitters Club adaption a few years back.

Though this book was published in 2018, I don’t think much has changed in terms of the legislation and taxes around periods. Those parts were infuriating but important information to realize. I was also dismayed by the backslide of fewer women being elected for political positions.

That’s frightening but it pushes the importance of voting – something I was navigating in our new home state at the same time I read this. Too often I hear claims that voting doesn’t matter so I really appreciated her inspiring stance on you matter and so does your vote!

Questions to Consider for Your Own Reading Life: Do you read nonfiction? If so, what are your best recommendation sources?

Ever Mine by Laura Pavlov

Rating: 5 stars

Steam Level: 2

At the end of February I finally got back into reading from my winter TBR.

Laura Pavlov’s Honey Mountain series is one I couldn’t wait to continue after loving the first book. We read Always Mine for A Dose of Romance Book Club last November and I gave it 5 stars!

The entire series is currently available on Kindle Unlimited.

Book Blurb:

“He’s hockey’s golden boy, my new client, and the man I’ve avoided for the last nine years. I was hired to fix him—but he’s not the only one who’s broken.

Hawk Madden was my first love.
I thought he would be my forever.
But life wasn’t always fair.
And grief could be a cruel beast.
Fight or flight?
I’d always run.
But now he’s back in my life after all these years.
With one look.
One touch.
One kiss.
Old feelings resurface.
Feelings that I thought I’d buried a long time ago.
Hawk Madden was my first love…
I just didn’t know that he’d be my last.”

My Thoughts

My feelings on this book are so similar to the first one. Was it kinda silly? Yes! But also incredibly entertaining!

Was their relationship unprofessional, cheesy, and over the top? Also yes! But for some reason all that added up to delightful for me. I couldn’t put this book down!

Second chance is one of my favorite tropes especially when they grew up together and Hawk and Everly delivered on that.

Their chemistry hooked me from the start. I honestly adored any moment where they had to fight their jealousy or possessiveness when an ex showed up. Those moments were catnip for me.

These sisters are the best! There were so many funny scenes and exchanges. I love the whole family and friend group. Any gathering of theirs is sure to entertain.

We also got plenty of glimpses of Niko and Vivi, the couple from the first book, which was so fun. I think I still loved the first book more, but this was a great continuation to the series. I can’t wait to get into Ashlan’s story next!

Questions to Consider for Your Own Reading Life: Do you keep track of all the series you’ve started and still want to finish? How many are there?

Don’t Hex and Drive by Juliette Cross

Rating: 4.5 stars

Steam Level: 3

Another selection from my winter TBR, the cozy paranormal vibes seemed perfect for winter.

Cross’s Stay A Spell series is another series I fell in love with last year and couldn’t wait to continue. We read the first book, Wolf Gone Wild (5 stars), in October for A Dose of Romance Book Club.

Book Blurb:

“Notoriously bad at peopling, Isadora Savoie spends most of her time in the greenhouse or at the local animal shelter, using her Conduit powers of growth and healing. Content to remain in the background of the Savoie sister shenanigans, she’s reluctantly roped into the mystery of missing neighborhood girls. Now, she’s partnered with a flashy, flirty vampire to find them before it’s too late.

Devraj Kumar has seen and done it all. Three hundred years roaming the earth as a Stygorn — a legendary vampire warrior who operates in the shadows — has its perks. But ennui has set in. That is, until he has a run-in — literally — with an intriguing witch while on a new assignment in New Orleans. Fascinated by her resistance to his charms, Devraj can’t help but push her buttons in an effort to get to know the shy witch. Fortunately for him, she’s been recruited by the Lord of Vampires to assist Devraj on the case.

Between a Bollywood marathon, supernatural dating app, secret package, and sexy driving instruction, Isadora is in over her head. And Devraj? After just one taste, he’s playing for keeps.”

My Thoughts

This book started out so strong with a great inciting incident! Between that and the mystery/suspense element of the kidnapped women, I always wanted to keep reading.

I loved that Isadora didn’t instantly fawn over Devraj like everyone else, but as the story continued I didn’t enjoy her as much. She was very introverted and fearful but also confident and sometimes plain rude. She wasn’t my favorite of the Savoie sisters

I also felt like the conflict could have been solved with one conversation if Isadora had been willing to communicate.

Similar to the first book, the restaurant scenes will make you hungry. I loved any scene that included the sisters interacting. We get to see many more interactions between Ruben and Jules in this one and meet Livvy who was away traveling with Isadora in the first book.

After the amazing buildup and mix of steam and emotional development in the first one, I was a little let down by the spicy times in this one. They didn’t deliver the same punch for Devraj and Isadora’s relationship.

It was still a fun book. I enjoyed being back in New Orleans with this magical family and cast of friends. It was also cool to learn more about the vampires and how they operate in this paranormal world.

While I can’t wait for Jules and Ruben’s story, Violet’s story is next and I’m so excited for it! I’m now regretting not including the series on my spring TBR.

Questions to Consider for Your Own Reading Life: How do you feel about series that follow large families or groups of siblings? Is that an element you enjoy? Or do you prefer reading about found family, friend groups, or instead no ties? Why?

Dangerous Books For Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels Explained by Maya Rodale

Rating: 5 stars

The final read from my winter TBR. I was excited to check out a couple of nonfiction books all about romance novels. This one did not disappoint!

Book Blurb:

“Long before clinch covers and bodice rippers, romance novels have had a bad reputation as the lowbrow lit of desperate housewives and hopeless spinsters. But in fact, romance novels—the escape and entertainment of choice for millions of women—might prove to be the most revolutionary writing ever produced.

Dangerous Books for Girls examines the origins of the genre’s bad reputation—from the “damned mob of scribbling women” in the nineteenth century to the sexy mass-market paperbacks of the twentieth century—and shows how these books have inspired and empowered generations of women to dream big, refuse to settle, and believe they’re worth it.

For every woman who has ever hidden the cover of a romance—and for every woman who has been curious about those “Fabio books”—Dangerous Books For Girls shows why there’s no room for guilt when reading for pleasure. “

My Thoughts

Now I have yet another book I want to order a physical copy of for my nonfiction reference shelf.

I loved my reading experience of this book. Even though I had to read on my phone since I had it checked out on Hoopla so that’s really saying something! The first couple essays started out a little dry but for my interests in the romance genre, they got better as they went.

There’s an updated foreword where Rodale addressed romance books being for everyone – not just “for women by women” as many of these essays shout out. She also shared that this was written before the Me Too movement and the implosion of the RWA (Romance Writers of America).

“The Truth About Historical Accuracy” was a new addition to the 2023 updated version and actually my favorite essay of the book.

I loved her idea that we look to historical romance (or historical fiction) for the “hidden histories” of the people who were forgotten by the history they teach in school, like women, people of color, and gay people. And that reading or writing these stories now shows their value and reinforces that everyone is deserving of love and an HEA.

That perspective made me really excited to get back into historical romance. I haven’t read Maya Rodale’s romance novels before, but I am very curious about her Gilded Age Girls Club series after reading this book.

“Bra Burner and Bodice Rippers” was another fascinating essay, refuting six common arguments for why romance novels can’t be feminist.

Dangerous Books for Girls was the deep dive into romance that I was looking for, exploring how people’s views of romance tie into women’s issues, modern relationships, and what our society really values. It gave me so much to think about. Way too much to unpack in this short review.

It is also a great source of countless books, blogs, articles, and documentaries for continuing this deep dive into the romance genre.

Questions to Consider for Your Own Reading Life: Does the pace at which you read affect your experience of the book? Do you have different pacing preferences for absorbing nonfiction versus enjoying fiction? Or does it not matter to you as a reader?

---

Share your favorite read from February in the comments.