What I Read in February 2024
5-star romances, novellas on audio, a viral BookTok romance, and a gothic fantasy
February Book Reviews
This was such a great month for reading! I almost hate to see February go. It’s a Leap Year so obviously I have to send this newsletter out on the 29th.
I read several romances that earned 5⭐ in my mind.
My top recommendations from this month (in order by date read):
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley
Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Keep scrolling for my full reviews! I’m trying something different and breaking them up into loose categories. Just a heads up, if you’re reading this in your email inbox, you can click on "view entire message" to read any of the text that may be truncated due to the length of this newsletter.
Psst… if you find your next great read in this newsletter, consider supporting my work and keeping me caffeinated while I write.
A Much Anticipated Library Hold
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
Genre: YA/Gothic Fantasy/Dark Academia
Pages: 378
Format Read: Physical Copy
A Study in Drowning is a gothic fantasy that follows a first year architecture student as she uncovers the mystery of a beloved book with a rival literature student. A book within a book, Effy is faced with untangling her own life from tales of The Fairy King. This book made me feel so deeply. The romance between the two main characters is tender and innocent, as first love can be, especially when you contrast their young love with off page mentions of S. A. Ava Reid’s writing is incredibly atmospheric. You could feel yourself getting drenched by the storms on the cliffs of Hiraeth. Effy’s struggles will be relatable to many women who have faced sexism in an academic setting. We must protect her and fight for her at all costs! There were some really great themes at play here. I enjoyed the way Reid explores religion/folklore in a way that is centered around doubt. The book has a fairly slow pacing and the romance definitely feels Y. A. Nevertheless, I was wrapped up in the incredible story and want to read more from this author!
February Romances
The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley
Genre: Romance
Pages: 320
Format Read: Audiobook
Claire and her friend/roommate Graham have a pact that they’ll get married if they’re still single at age 40. When Graham has an accident and Claire ends up being his nurse, things heat up more quickly than the timeline they originally agreed upon.
This friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, fade-to-black romance had me hooked from the first chapter. I enjoyed the dual POVs and mutual secret pining. Graham falls hard and it’s just so sweet watching him come around and open his heart to Claire. Gah.. the emails!!! We stan a man that is constantly working on himself. Claire is a great caretaker not only to Graham but to Gertrude, his sweet pup. There are some fun side characters as well that give a bit of depth to the story. This is from the same universe as Would You Rather so I’m planning to go back and read that book in the future!
Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa
Genre: Romance
Pages: 336
Format Read: Audiobook
An author struggling with writer's block has a meet-cute moment with an ex-child star on his journey towards sobriety. You know I’m a fan of multiple POVs and in Plot Twist, the technique gives the reader a deeper insight into the minds of Dash and Sophie. I always feel like I’m able to connect with characters on a personal level when I get their POV so it really worked for me. The forbidden romance with Sophie’s best friend's brother adds an interesting twist to the story but ultimately, I felt like the author tried to incorporate too many romance tropes in one book. When things begin to heat up around the 40% mark, the chemistry between Dash and Sophie is undeniable. Using TikTok as part of the storyline was far from realistic, but it provided a modern backdrop that I appreciated. The complicated family dynamics of both main characters give depth to their struggles and triumphs as a couple and I wish the book had more of that element instead of some of Sophie's exes as side characters. Kudos to the author for the LGBT+ rep even though it is not part of the romance between the MCs.
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings
Genre: Romance
Pages: 442
Format Read: Kindle
If you haven’t heard about this divisive series, you might be living under a rock. Or you don’t have a TikTok account.
Synopsis: Magnolia Parks and BJ Ballentine are meant to be, and everyone knows it. She dates other people to keep him at bay; he sleeps with other girls to get back at her for it. But at the end of every sad endeavor to get over one another, it’s still each other they crawl back to. But now their dysfunction is catching up with them, pulling at their seams and fraying the world they’ve built; a world where neither has ever let the other go completely. As the cracks start to show and secrets begin to surface, Magnolia and BJ are finally forced to face the formidable question they’ve been avoiding all their How many loves do you really get in a lifetime?
Gut Reaction: This was toxic, the writing was terrible, but I still ate it up. I placed a hold for Daisy Haites through my library. It has a several months-long wait time so wish me luck that it comes in sooner.
Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee
Genre: Romance
Pages: 336
Format Read: Physical Copy
Maybe it’s just the Georgia Peach inside of me but this book was absolute perfection! It was the perfect combination of spicy and sweet, emotionally captivating, and laugh out loud funny. My only regret is not making time for this rom-com sooner! Hannah Tate is a new single mom who is down on her luck. After moving back in with her parents to launch their AirBnB project, she finds her skills as an interior decorator are the perfect match for their sexy, yoga-loving, contractor by trade neighbor. Hannah’s struggles as a new mom are incredibly relatable. I found myself rooting for her to carve her own path forward. The characters and storyline were well developed. I loved the growth not only from Hannah but from her Mama and stepdaddy, ex boyfriend/baby daddy, her friends, and new love interest. You have to check out this heartwarming book! I flew through the physical copy in just a few days. I couldn’t put it down and I didn’t want Hannah and River’s love story to end.
Read if you love these tropes:
- Second chance romance
- Single mom/co-parenting
- Honest motherhood
- Queer rep
- Family drama/found family
- Strong character growth
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Genre: New Adult Romance
Pages: 352
Format Read: Audiobook
I am absolutely gushing over Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood. Who knew chess could be so sexy?! It’s the perfect rivals to lovers romance. Mallory is navigating being launched into adulthood when she’s faced with taking care of her mom and sisters. After she loses her job, she plays in a charity chess tournament to make a quick buck. Even though she’s sworn off chess, she beats the number one player in the world. And that's where things get complicated.
Ali Hazelwood seems to write female characters who don’t see themselves as loveable. Nolan really took the time to get to know Mallory and by the end of the book, you could tell he truly saw her. The guy studied her for goodness sake. I think she perfectly captured the first true love/young love dynamic. Mal and Nolan's interactions had me swooning and giggly!
If you’re the eldest daughter, I think you’ll see a lot of yourself in Mal. She’s struggling to support her family while trying to figure out her place in the world, all while refusing to ask for help. As a person who is very much on the Internet, I enjoyed all the pop culture references. One thing to note-- although marketed as a closed door YA story, some of the language is a bit more adult. Read this if you liked The Queen's Gambit!
Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
Genre: Romance
Pages: 368
Format Read: Audiobook
Synopsis: Opposites attract when a free-spirited American singer-songwriter with ADHD teams up with a charming Irishman with OCD to revitalize his family's pub. Over a pint with handsome, tattooed Jack, Raine accidentally insults him and the pub. Instead of taking offense, Jack is impressed by her vision of what the pub could be and offers her a job bringing it to life. But when Raine and Jack develop feelings for one another their opposite lifestyles won’t accommodate, it becomes clear the pub isn’t the only thing that needs reinventing. As the end of their business collaboration draws near, they’ll have to find a way past the limits they’ve placed on themselves or let go of a love that could last a lifetime.
My Thoughts: This is a rare kind of romance that can make you feel so deeply. I loved Raine and Jack's banter but what really stood out for me is how accepting they were of each others struggles. The author does such a good job of giving an authentic voice to ADHD and OCD. I think so many readers will relate to the thoughts swirling inside the MCs heads and that representation is extremely important. I loved the Irish pub setting, Raine's wanderlust, Jack's cat, and the loveable side characters. Raine and Jack brought out the best in each other and had me rooting for them until the last page! I'm eager to read more of this author's backlist titles.
The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez
Genre: Romance
Pages: 384
Format Read: Kindle
Synopsis: Marcela, a librarian, has been secretly in love with her engaged best friend. She stops his brother, Theo, from confessing his love for the bride-to-be, and they spend the night together. Everyone wrongly assumes they hooked up. Marcela and Theo explore their chemistry in a rebound relationship, but complicated feelings, familial dynamics, and secrets threaten to tear them apart.
My Thoughts: This was an enjoyable read but I had a hard time suspending belief at the love square trope (which was a major part of the plot). There were so many tropes in this book that it’s sure to offer something for everyone: fake dating/rebound relationship, unrequited love, academic girl/athletic guy, in love with bride/groom. The sexual tension and eventual love between Theo and Marcela was palpable and kept me reading. I loved the Mexican-American, plus-size, and asexual representation in the book. All of the main characters showed considerable growth by the end of the novel and I’m glad that Marcela especially was able to work through some family trauma and see her own worth. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about books. Who can say no to a romance about a librarian? Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC (expected to publish July 9, 2024).
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Genre: Romance
Pages: 416
Format Read: Physical Copy
Synopsis: Misery Lark, daughter of a powerful Vampyre councilman, is forced into an arranged marriage with an Alpha Were to maintain peace between the two species. She faces challenges with the ruthless Were Alpha, Lowe Moreland. Misery has personal motives for the alliance, willing to do anything to reclaim what matters to her, even if it means a solitary life among the Weres.
My Thoughts: Is 2024 the year of the resurgence of mainstream paranormal romance? I devoured this book. Ali Hazelwood ate and left no crumbs in her first paranormal romance. This was a slow burn but boy did it bring the heat! It was so much more than a romance, though. It’s very plot-driven but light on world-building—there was plenty of werewolf/vampire politics, family drama, found family elements, and a bit of mystery. I’m finding myself drawn to fated mates, enemies to lovers stories. I was immediately drawn into this story and every twist and turn kept me wanting to read more of Misery and Lowe’s story. I read the physical copy in just a couple of days which never happens! I don’t know what Ali put in this book but it was intoxicating and all-consuming. I hope there’s a 2nd book in the universe.
February Novellas
With Any Luck by Ashley Poston
Genre: Romance
Pages: 43
Format Read: Audiobook
Synopsis: Audrey Love is cursed to be the person before you find your soulmate, the girl you dump for your true love. So when her best friend disappears hours before his Valentine’s Day wedding, Audrey fears that she did the unthinkable and kissed him at last night’s bachelor party. With help from the best man, she retraces her steps to find the missing groom and, with any luck, a true love of her own.
Gut Reactions: Cute! Loved the back and forth. It was quick-paced and had just enough detail.
Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 107
Format Read: Audiobook
Synopsis: Nothing in Vero's world has ever been simple, so of course shortly after she begins work, she overhears a conversation between her new boss at the bank and a security guard: someone who works there has been stealing. Vero sets out to find the identity of the thief, present the evidence, and then push for the perfect job. All of which would be easier if her irresistibly infuriating childhood crush Javi wasn’t living in the same town.
Gut Reactions: I went into this novella expecting it to be just okay and that’s exactly what I got. It was interesting to see some of Vero’s backstory and how her interest in amateur sleuthing got started. I enjoyed the banter between Vero and Javi but wanted a little more from their romance. I listened on audio and the first thing that struck me is that the narrator is not the same as the other Finlay Donovan books. I feel like Vero is a stronger character than Finlay but this book didn’t do her justice. I’m still not sure if I’ll continue with another full-length Finlay book after Jumps the Gun.
Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez
Genre: Romance
Pages: 61
Format Read: Audiobook
Synopsis: Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?
Gut Reactions: This could have been cute if it weren’t so depressing. I didn’t expect to read about an on-page death of a grandparent or animal abuse. The meet-cute surrounding the romance aspect of the book was promising but there wasn’t enough development of the characters to feel invested.
The Rereading Project Update
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
Genre: Fantasy/Middle Grade/Science Fiction
Pages: 211
Format Read: Kindle
Synopsis: It was a dark and stormy night. Out of this wild night, a strange visitor comes to the Murry house and beckons Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe on a most dangerous and extraordinary adventure—one that will threaten their lives and our universe.
My Thoughts: I obviously went into this book with the expectation that I was going to love it as much as I did as a child, otherwise, it wouldn’t be part of my rereading project. Like a lot of classic children’s books, it was very simplistic and light on both character and world-building. Thinking back on why this book resonated with me as a kid, I’m guessing that I probably found some of the technical aspects of the writing novel - the excessive use of quotes, drawn-out speech of Mrs Which, helpful footnotes, and an introduction to some concepts of time and space I surely had never been exposed to before. As an adult, I found A Wrinkle in Time to have a really weird mixture of Christian overtones with scientific concepts and quotes from famous philosophers and literary masters. I think it was a brave attempt to marry all of those concepts but L’Engle presents them as though they should be easy to grasp together. Perhaps I’m overthinking it because of my life experience but I think she fails to flesh out some concepts that are worth a bit more time and it lacked that magic. When I first saw the previews for the movie, I knew I wouldn’t want to watch it because it’s not as dark as I remembered. I will say that the allusions to AI are more timely now and I wouldn’t have had that point of reference as a kid. In terms of themes, the book is heavy on religious symbology especially the contrast of good and evil, light and darkness. One of our main characters, Meg, has to learn to appreciate her individuality and it takes her time on Camazotz to understand that being the same is boring. There are so many allusions to Charles Wallace being special and almost a “chosen one” and the book fails to reveal his purpose. I’m not sure if this is discussed further in the other novels in the series. It honestly took a lot for me to get through this book without putting it down and I don’t plan on reading the next one.
What’s up next in March:
still making my way through The French Riviera by John Baxter (this has been put on the back burner at work)
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card is my March reread selection
one of The Babysitters Club graphic novels as a read-aloud with my daughter
The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake
You can keep up with my reading journey in real time on Goodreads or The Storygraph!
Happy reading,
I’ve linked to Bookshop.org where titles are available. If you purchase using the links above, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Bookshop.org supports Independent Bookstores! It’s a win-win.
I loved Hannah Tate!! So good.