What I Read in February 2025

pick your favorite new book boyfriend

Feb 27, 2025

Hello, hello! Are you surprised to see a February reading wrap up hitting your inbox before the end of the month? I’m headed out of town tomorrow and know I won’t finish up another book before then… so here I am, a whole day early. February was packed full of swoon-worthy romances. Honestly, I had too many favorites to list! I’m looking forward to seeing your list of favorites and comparing it to mine.

I just started First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison and I can already tell it’s going to be a favorite in next month’s reading recap. Shoutout to my local library for honoring my hold request for the audiobook! They rock.

February Book Reviews

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Historical Fiction
Listening Time: 15 h 5 m
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)

I don’t read a ton of Historical Fiction but when I do, I typically enjoy it. Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon is one of my all-time favorite historical fiction novels so when Lawhon’s newest book The Frozen River made an appearance on a ton of best-of lists, I thought I should finally give it a shot. While I loved the murder mystery at the crux of this historical fiction, I struggled a bit in the middle, especially with some of the secondary characters' names. By the end, I was fully engaged in the story again. Martha is such a badass and this book introduced me to a history of midwifery in America I wasn’t familiar with.

Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Romance
Pages: 336
Format Read: Kindle (courtesy of NetGalley, this book is expected to be published on 3/4)

This second chance romance between Brooke and Jack was hotter than I expected, having read Alexandra Kiley’s debut Kilt Trip. Their mutual yearning was palpable and that one scene in the cabin was pure bliss. I loved the dual timelines. The back and forth between the now and then had the perfect pacing to propel the story. I just feel sad that they missed out on so much time together due to their inability to communicate. I couldn’t stop reading this book! Brooke and Jack’s mutual love of Mhairi was so heartfelt. Mhairi’s involvement in the Highland trails at the heart of this story led to some beautiful descriptions of the Scottish scenery and I loved that she was the one who pushed the couple to pursue their dreams. I felt everything so deeply reading this romance and I’ll continue to read anything Alexandra Kiley writes!

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Romance
Listening Time: 12 h 30 m
Format Read: Audiobook (courtesy of Libro.fm)

I loved this! I was honestly expecting it to be a lot kinkier but Lukas was dominating in a… nice way? This was still Ali Hazelwood’s sexiest book yet. Fans will be familiar with her formula and pleased to hear there is still plenty of STEM representation, including a cameo from The Love Hypothesis. It was really cool to read a sports romance where the female main character also plays sports. I’m so used to reading sports romances where the guy is a jock and the girl gushes over him. I wish there hadn’t been the element of “the other woman” but the ends tied up nicely. Proof that Ali Hazelwood can write any subgenre of romance with ease and I’ll continue to drink it up.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo
⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Sports Romance/Drama
Listening Time: 13 h 36 m
Format Read: Audiobook (courtesy of Libro.fm)

I liked, but didn't love The Favorites. I've seen this compared to Daisy Jones and the Six but my reading experience was more similar to Carrie Soto is Back. I liked the documentary format but wanted more perspective from Heath. The "obsession" fell flat for me and seemed one-sided if it existed at all. The characters were broken and unloveable. I found the ending to be heartbreaking. So much drama for little payoff. IMO, the audiobook production was enjoyable but the overall story was overhyped. In hindsight, I would have given it more space between Deep End because I found myself trying to compare my reading experience of two back-to-back sports romances.

In the Weeds by B. K. Borison
⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Romance
Listening Time: 10 h 46 m
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)

The second book in the Lovelight Farms series was cute, but not memorable. The MMC’s name is my maiden name so it drove me batty reading it. My favorite characters were the farm cats named after Santa’s reindeer. I liked that the FMC in this book struggled with career burnout. Her storyline felt relatable. Pick this one up if you need a mindless read with a little bit of spice!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Mystery
Pages: 320
Format Read: Kindle (courtesy of NetGalley)

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was an unexpected delight! It tied up some loose ends from book 4 while still providing a fresh and cleverly connected mystery. Kudos to Elle Cosimano for giving us a full recap on all the past plot twists and reminding us who’s who from the last four escapades. You could almost read this as a stand-alone novel. The sizzling romance between Finlay and Nick is never the main focus of the story but it fits perfectly in this series, and I never feel like I’m missing out. The highlight of the story, as always, is Finlay and Vero’s friendship! This new story introduces a fierce squad of ladies in this book, whose unwavering loyalty sometimes tiptoes into questionable territory. Mrs. Haggerty was pure comedic gold! She steals the spotlight, hands down! Just remember, with every Finlay Donovan novel, it’s only going to work if you’re able to suspend your disbelief for her wild antics! I’m glad I didn’t give up on this series and came along for the ride.

Quicksilver by Callie Hart
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Pages: 624
Format Read: Kindle (owned)

This romantasy is worth all the hype! I’m so glad we only have to wait a few months for the sequel. I loved the worldbuilding, the characters, the plot twists, the mythical creatures, the humor, the banter, and the grand reveal at the end. There was tension, romance, and plenty of action. The balance between romance and fantasy was perfect. I listened to the audiobook while I read along on my Kindle and Kingfisher’s voice actor is also in the ACOTAR series! I had so much fun buddy reading this book with @encyclopedia_britanika.

Hardly Strangers by A. C. Robinson
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Romance
Pages: 160
Format Read: Kindle (owned)

The 2nd novella from 831 Stories Publishers follows a chance interaction between Shera, who is trying to relaunch her dating life after a bad breakup, and Max, the smoldering frontman of an Irish punk band. They’re adults whose lives are a little messy but their mutual hunger for love allows them to open up to each other and see if a one-night stand can lead to more. I loved that this book felt as much like a character study as it did a romance. The character growth in such a short book is an incredible feat. I especially enjoyed Quinn’s review of this book.

Priest by Sierra Simone
⭐⭐⭐.5

Genre: Romance
Listening Time: 8h 7m
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)

Storygraph’s AI sums up this book perfectly: “For readers who crave a deeply emotional and intense romance that explores the complexities of forbidden love, submission, and the intersection of faith and desire that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.” This book is very light on plot but what it does have to offer frustrated me at the very end. Thankfully the epilogue redeemed the book.

Midnight Mass by Sierra Simone
⭐⭐.5

Genre: Romance
Listening Time: 3h 4m
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)

This was a quick novella to read immediately after Priest if you need more from Tyler and Poppy. Midnight Mass explores the challenges of newlyweds, miscarriage, jealousy, guilt, and doubt. After reading this, you’ll also be confessing your carnal sins.

Some Like it Scot by Pepper Basham
⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Christian Romance
Pages: 384
Format Read: Kindle (advance review copy courtesy of NetGalley)

Some Like it Scot by Pepper Basham is an upcoming title from the author of the Skymar Series (Authentically, Izzy, Positively, Penelope, and Loyally, Luke). She nails the Highlands setting and I had a lot of fun reading about Katie’s travel misadventures. It is a Christian romance so the romance it is not as hot as the punny title implies. There’s a light sprinkling of faith throughout the first half (ex: Graeme takes notice of Katie’s mention of prayer in one scene) but it plays a much more significant role in the second half of the book. Some Like it Scot a slow-burn romance and the attraction doesn’t really spark until the halfway mark. I enjoyed the fact that both MCs are tall and equally matched in wit! Their banter was playful and enjoyable to read. I struggled with the Edwardian experience storyline. Other than Katie’s nemesis, Mark, and Graeme’s mum, I found the other characters to be forgettable. While this book was a little slow for me, it was really charming story that I might recommend to someone looking to read a faith-based romance in a Scottish setting!

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Romance
Pages: 335
Format Read: Kindle (owned)/Audiobook (borrowed from the library)

Loved this second-chance romance and the ending had me grinning from ear to ear! It took me a minute to get past the stress of the wedding planning storyline. I always enjoy a dual POV and this one is unique in that in the present day, we have a wedding planner, Ama managing celebrity clients that can launch her career to the next level, and in the past, her ex, Elliot, who is an incredible floral designer. The MCs are forced to work together after something in their past pushed them apart for years. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic was perfection. Elliot has a soft and protective side when it comes to Ama and that boy is gone for her!!! I listened to the audio while reading along on my Kindle and Teddy Hamilton's voice was so dreamy! Swooning through the whole story.

What’s up next in March

Spring is almost here and it’s gearing up to be a big year for publishing. Here are just a few books publishing in March that I’m looking forward to:

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone 3/4
Fable For the End of the World by Ava Reid 3/4
The Usual Family Mayhem by HelenKay Dimon 3/11
Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn 3/11
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins 3/18
Early Thirties by Josh Duboff 3/18

I’m hoping to read One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez so I can watch the Netflix show and start the Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas.

You can keep up with my reading journey in real time on Goodreads or The Storygraph!

Happy reading,

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