Everything I Read in January 2026

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Hello everyone! I'm sorry I was gone for so long; I promise that was unintentional. I apologize for neglecting you for so long, that was an accident too. I'm gonna try and be more proactive though, I promise! With that being said, let's go through all 32 (yes, 32!!) books I read in January.

She's Gone by David Bell: I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and finished it on January 2nd. I started the year off with a bang with this one! I got it through a blind date with a book thing on TikTok and I was surprised when I'd never heard of the book before. The last 10% was what bumped it up from a 4 to a 4.5 for me. I always try to go into thrillers blind, and to not guess the twists, because that takes away the fun of it for me. This one...I was thinking about the ending of it for DAYS afterward. Actually, as I'm writing this, I still think about it. I would absolutely recommend this one.

"When 17-year-old Hunter Gifford wakes in the hospital on the night of homecoming, he's shocked to learn he and his girlfriend, Chloe Summers, have been in a terrible car accident. Hunter has no memory of the crash, and his shock turns to horror when he is told Chloe's blood has been found in the car―but she has disappeared. Back at school, his fellow students taunt him, and his former best friend starts making a true-crime documentary about the case―one that points the finger directly at Hunter. And just when things can't get any worse, Chloe's mother stands in front of the entire town at a candlelight vigil and accuses Hunter of murder. Under mounting pressure from the police, Hunter takes matters into his own hands by questioning anyone who might know the truth and posting videos to prove his innocence. When Hunter learns he and Chloe were seen arguing loudly outside the dance, he faces a sickening possibility. Was he angry enough to kill the person he loved?"

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah: I rated this book 6/5 stars and finished it on January 4th. This was one of my two standouts for the month. Honestly, it was absolutely incredible. The found family in this was fantastic. I had never read any of her books before this, but now I want to read all of them. The ending had me sobbing, and I feel like I think about it at least once a day. If you're new to historical fiction, I'd say yes. Also, if you're randomly fascinated with Alaska like I am, I think you'd enjoy this.

"Alaska, 1974. Unpredictable. Unforgiving. Untamed. For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival. Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier. Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if it means following him into the unknown. At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources. But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own. In the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves."

My December Darling by Lauren Asher: I rated this book 3.5/5 stars and finished it on January 5th. I needed something short and easy after the emotionally taxing ending of The Great Alone, so I picked this up. I thought this was fine, nothing remarkable in my opinion. I don't think I'm going to read any more of her books, though; they're just not for me anymore. If you're looking for a short Christmas novella, I think this will be good for that.

"Catalina: Playing the part of my sister’s maid of honor is easy even if she’s marrying my ex. But playing nice with the best man? An impossible task given our history. Sure, Luke Darling may be suspiciously kind, incredibly handsome, and stubborn to a fault, but regardless of how hard he tries to make me see otherwise, I’m not interested. It’s on me to remind him that he’s my ex-boyfriend’s best friend. And the one I’m secretly starting to wish I met first.

"Luke: My job as the best man is a simple one, except for one minor issue. I’ve spent so much time avoiding my best friend’s ex that I didn’t consider what could happen if I started craving Catalina Martinez’s company instead. She is only in Lake Wisteria for the winter wedding, but her January departure date won’t stop me from pursuing her. Getting her to date me would be nothing short of a Christmas miracle, but I’m determined to make her mine. ‘Tis the season to fall in love…even if I’m the only one taking the risk."

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid: I rated this 6/5 stars and finished it on January 6th. This was my other standout for the month! This book...guys. I put this book off for so long because I was scared I wasn't going to like it, and then I read the entire thing in a day. I'm not super into space/NASA either, that's not really my thing, and yet, I loved this. I loved Joan. I loved Vanessa. I loved the constant past/present dual timelines going back and forth. I loved seeing their relationship grow throughout the book as well. I was fully prepared to cry when I read this, but I didn't think I would cry that much. Absolute perfection. The only thing that could've made it even more perfect was an epilogue, but even then, this was wonderful.

"Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space. Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easygoing even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warmhearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is navigating her own secrets; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer, who can fix any engine and fly any plane. As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe. Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, it all changes in an instant."

Shady Hollow by Juneau Black: I rated this book 3.5/5 stars and finished it on January 6th. This is the first book in the Shady Hollow series! I thought this was cute! A good start to the series for sure, and pretty easy to get into. I love that the entire town is full of animals. I think it's very whimsical and adorable. I'd recommend these as a palette cleanser for sure, and you could definitely binge the entire series in one sitting.

"Reporter Vera Vixen is a relative newcomer to Shady Hollow. The fox has a nose for news, so when she catches wind that the death might be a murder, she resolves to get to the bottom of the case, no matter where it leads. As she stirs up still waters, the fox exposes more than one mystery, and discovers that additional lives are in jeopardy. Vera finds more to this town than she ever suspected. It seems someone in the Hollow will do anything to keep her from solving the murder, and soon it will take all of Vera's cunning and quickness to crack the case."

Play Nice by Rachel Harrison: I rated this book 2/5 stars and finished it on January 7th. This being rated so low is fully on me, because I knew I wouldn't like it, and I still chose to buy it and read it. I read Black Sheep by this author in 2024 and also gave it two stars, because I felt like I was in a fever dream reading it. I think if you like haunted house-type horror, you'll like this. I did not, but I'd still recommend it for the cover alone.

"Clio Louise Barnes leads a picture-perfect life as a stylist and influencer, but beneath the glossy veneer she harbors a not-so glamorous secret: she grew up in a haunted house. Well, not haunted. Possessed. After Clio’s parent’s messy divorce, her mother, Alex, moved Clio and her sisters into a house occupied by a demon. Or so Alex claimed. That’s not what Clio’s sisters remember or what the courts determined when they stripped Alex of custody after she went off the deep end. But Alex was insistent; she even wrote a book about her experience in the house. After Alex’s sudden death, the supposedly possessed house passes to Clio and her sisters. Where her sisters see childhood trauma, Clio sees an opportunity for house flipping content. Only, as the home makeover process begins, Clio discovers there might be some truth to her mother’s claims. As memories resurface and Clio finally reads her mother’s book, the presence in the house becomes more real, and more sinister, revealing ugly truths that threaten to shake Clio’s beautiful life to its very foundation."

The Good Girl Effect by Sara Cate: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on January 8th. This is the first book in the Legacy series and follows Jack and Camille. Jack is Eden's son from the Salacious series. I thought this was fantastic. I'd been craving a second-gen series when I picked this up, and Salacious was one of my favorite series I read in 2024. I loved seeing him as a dad and getting the Salacious parents cameos in it also. Single dad/nanny is my favorite trope of all time, and she nailed this. I loved seeing Camille's relationship with his daughter as well. I thought that was wonderful. This is pretty spicy, though, so if you're not looking for that, I wouldn't recommend this.

"Jack St. Claire is desperate. A grieving single father, he buries himself in his work—running a brand-new kink club in Paris. Instead of handling his grief, he’s built a fortress around his heart, and it’s time he hired someone to help him take care of his daughter before things get worse. Camille Aubert wasn’t looking for a new job. She just wanted to return a lost love letter she’d found within the pages of a book. But when she’s mistaken for a job candidate and hired as Jack’s live-in nanny, something tells her this is exactly where she needs to be. Shortly after arriving, Camille discovers a strange room in the apartment that sparks her curiosity—and hints at a dark, mysterious side to Jack that she’s desperate to uncover. The lines between professional and personal blur dangerously as the heat between them becomes impossible to ignore. She’s drawn to the broken man who hides his grief in ropes and bondage, and she challenges him in ways he never thought possible. Caught between her growing feelings for Jack and the ghosts of his past, Camille must can love heal a heart still grieving, or will their passion destroy them both?"

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney: I rated this book 3.5/5 stars and finished it on January 8th. I've had a love/hate relationship with her most recent releases over the past few years. However, this one pleasantly surprised me in a way I wasn't expecting. I'd recommend it, but it wasn't anything special to me.

"Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into, Spyglass, an enchanting old house in Hope Falls, nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that the stranger is his wife. One house. One husband. Two women. Someone is lying. Six months earlier, a reclusive Londoner called Birdy, reeling from a life-changing diagnosis, inherits Spyglass. This unexpected gift from a long-lost grandmother brings her to the pretty seaside village of Hope Falls. But then Birdy stumbles upon a shadowy London clinic that claims to be able to predict a person's date of death, including her own. Secrets start to unravel, and as the line between truth and lies blurs, Birdy feels compelled to right some old wrongs."

Book Lovers by Emily Henry: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on January 13th. This was a reread for me, actually! I read this for the first time at the end of July 2023, and rereading it reaffirmed how much I love it. I picked this up when I was going through something, and lemme tell you, Charlie and Nora made me believe in love again. I love their story, I love the plot, and I love their character development both individually and together. This is my favorite Emily Henry book, and honestly, I don't think anything will top it. Please go read this if you haven't already. It's absolutely spectacular.

"Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby. Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute. If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves."

Pines by Blake Crouch: I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and finished it on January 13th. This is the first book in the Pines trilogy! This was insane. Incredibly twisty, and I felt like I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. This is my favorite trilogy I've ever read, and I'm never gonna forget it.

"Wayward Pines, Idaho, is quintessential small-town America--or so it seems. Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrives in search of two missing federal agents, yet soon is facing much more than he bargained for. After a violent accident lands him in the hospital, Ethan comes to with no ID and no cell phone. The medical staff seems friendly enough, but sometimes feels...off. As days pass, Ethan's investigation into his colleagues' disappearance turns up more questions than answers. Why can't he make contact with his family in the outside world? Why doesn't anyone believe who he says he is? And what's the purpose of the electrified fences encircling the town? Are they keeping the residents in? Or something else out? Each step toward the truth takes Ethan further from the world he knows, until he must face a horrifying fact—he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive....."

Wayward by Blake Crouch: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on January 14th. This is the second book in the Pines trilogy! This was the longest book in the trilogy, but for good reason. The cliffhanger at the end of this one had my jaw on the floor.

"Welcome to Wayward Pines, population 461. Nestled amidst picture-perfect mountains, the idyllic town is a modern-day Eden...except for the electrified fence and razor wire, snipers scoping everything 24/7, and the relentless surveillance tracking each word and gesture. None of the residents know how they got here. They are told where to work, how to live, and who to marry. Some believe they are dead. Others think they’re trapped in an unfathomable experiment. Everyone secretly dreams of leaving, but those who dare face a terrifying surprise. Ethan Burke has seen the world beyond. He’s sheriff, and one of the few who knows the truth—Wayward Pines isn’t just a town. And what lies on the other side of the fence is a nightmare beyond anyone’s imagining."

The Last Town by Blake Crouch: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on January 15th. This is the third book in the Pines trilogy! This trilogy was a wild ride, you guys. I didn't have any idea what was going on, but I was so excited to find out. I already wanna reread this, honestly.

"Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrived in Wayward Pines, Idaho, three weeks ago. In this town, people are told who to marry, where to live, where to work. Their children are taught that David Pilcher, the town’s creator, is god. No one is allowed to leave; even asking questions can get you killed. But Ethan has discovered the astonishing secret of what lies beyond the electrified fence that surrounds Wayward Pines and protects it from the terrifying world beyond. It is a secret that has the entire population completely under the control of a madman and his army of followers, a secret that is about to come storming through the fence to wipe out this last, fragile remnant of humanity."

Red Rising by Pierce Brown: I rated this book 1/5 stars and finished it on January 15th. This is the first book in the Red Rising saga, and you guys...I don't wanna continue the rest of the series. I did the majority of this on audio because I thought it would be more tolerable that way...unfortunately, it was not. I didn't like the narrator at all, which I guess is my fault. Regardless, I didn't like a single thing about this. I didn't like any of the characters. I fully skipped seven chapters just to read the final chapter, and it was still bad. This has easily been my most disappointing read of the year so far. Golden Son is on my February TBR, and I've heard better things about that, so hopefully I enjoy it more. This was such a miss for me.

"Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children. But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class. Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so."

Lovelight Farms by BK Borison: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on January 16th. This is the first book in the Lovelight series and follows Stella and Luca. This was cute! Definitely what I needed after the disappointment that was Red Rising. I read this when it was cold outside; it was giving the best winter vibes. I loved everything about it. This easily could've been a 4.5 for me; however, the miscommunication toward the end was insane. It didn't make any sense, and I didn't like that at all. However, other than that, it was pretty good. I would definitely recommend this one, and I plan to continue the rest of the series.

"A pasture of dead trees. A hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons. And shipments that have mysteriously gone missing. Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams. In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid, Stella enters a contest with Instagram-famous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the $100,000 cash prize, Stella might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on her application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only…there is no boyfriend. Enter best friend Luka Peters. He just stopped by for some hot chocolate and somehow got a farm and a serious girlfriend in the process. But fake dating his best friend might be the best Christmas present he’s ever received."

The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore: I rated this book 3.5/5 stars and finished it on January 17th. This is the second book in the Dream Harbor series and follows Hazel and Noah. I thought this was cute! The only reason why it's a 3.5 and not a 4 is that I felt like it dragged for the majority of the book, so it took me longer to get into it. I'm not sure if I'd recommend it, though.

"When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can't understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues… she just needs someone to help her out. Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he's been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help! Hazel didn’t go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells…"

The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on January 18th. This is the third book in the Dream Harbor series and follows Kira and Bennett. I liked this more than the second one for sure, despite not being a fan of Kira in the beginning. I'm not sure why, but I think it was because she felt too grumpy to me; I know it was supposed to be grumpy/sunshine, which I love, but she was too grumpy in the beginning for me. I loved their relationship, though, and I'd absolutely recommend this one for the Christmastime.

"Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that’s too cute for its own good. Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor trying to take a break from both his life and his constant desire to fix things. But somehow fate finds Ben trapped by a blanket of snow at Kira’s farm, and, despite her Grinchiest first impressions, with the glow of the fairy lights twinkling in the trees, and the promise of a warming hot chocolate, maybe, just maybe, these two lost souls will have a Christmas they’ll remember forever…"

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on January 19th. This is the fourth book in the Dream Harbor series and follows Iris and Archer. I loved this one! Single dad/nanny is my favorite trope of all time, and it was done so well here! I loved Archer and Iris both together and separately, and I loved seeing Iris' relationship with his daughter, Olive, throughout the story (as well as his relationship with her). Absolutely recommend this one.

"As a world-renowned chef, single dad Archer never planned on moving to a small town, let alone running a pancake restaurant. But Dream Harbor needs a new chef, and Archer needs a community to help raise his daughter, Olive. Iris has never managed to hold down a job for more than a few months. So when it’s suggested that Archer is looking for a live-in nanny, she almost runs in the opposite direction. Now, Iris finds herself in a whole new world. One where her gorgeous new boss lives right across the hall and likes to cook topless…Keeping everything strictly professional should be easy, right?"

The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore: I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and finished it on January 20th. This is the fifth book in the Dream Harbor series and follows Annie and Mac. This is my favorite book so far! Annie and Mac are enemies to their core! I loved their story so much; I especially loved seeing the past/present timeline from them. Of all the ones I've read so far, I would recommend this one and the previous one the most!

"As owner of her beloved Gingerbread Bakery, Annie Andrews should have a love life to match her business; sugary and sweet. But instead, she’s locked in a game of words with the irritatingly upbeat bar owner down the street. Mac Sullivan has everything he wants, except the girl he dreams of. It’s easier to argue with Annie than get her to talk to him but with Jeanie and Logan’s wedding coming up, they're about to spend a lot more time together. As the snowflakes fall and with romance in the air, will Annie see that the one she loves to hate might just be her perfect match after all?"

The Ex by Freida McFadden: I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and finished it on January 21st. I feel like I haven't had good luck with some of Freida's thrillers recently; in fact, out of all of her newer releases within the past year (excluding Dear Debbie, which wasn't out when I read this), I've only liked one of them. With that being said, I decided to go back and read a couple of her older thrillers. This one? Superb. Excellent. Fast-paced, shocking, the twists at the end caught me completely by surprise, and I still think about the ending of this one. I'd absolutely recommend it.

"Cassie thinks she has met the perfect man. Joel is sweet, handsome, romantic, and best of all, he’s crazy about Cassie. She thinks she’s found the guy she’ll spend the rest of her life with. Have children with. Grow old with. Yes, she knows about his perfect ex-girlfriend, Francesca. The beautiful, brilliant chef, beloved by all his friends. But she thinks Francesca is out of the picture. She thinks Francesca is gone for good. Think again, Cassie."

Valentine's Slay by Navessa Allen: I rated this ebook 3.5/5 stars and finished it on January 21st. This is the sixth book in a collection by Amazon called "The Improbable Meet-Cute, Second Chances". I thought this was fine; nothing spectacular, definitely spicy if you're into that, though. I'd recommend this one.

"Louisiana gravedigger Noah Evans’s Valentine’s night shift takes an unexpected turn when his high school crush starts screaming from her freshly dug grave. Whoever tried to bury Emma six feet under is in for a nasty surprise—they should have checked for a pulse because she’s got unfinished business, starting with the hot gravedigger who just saved her life. As they unearth a deadly family conspiracy, Noah and Emma discover that old flames burn even hotter the second time around—especially when someone’s trying to kill them."

Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on January 22nd. This is the second book in a collection by Amazon called "The Improbable Meet-Cute, Second Chances". This one was kinda cute! Short and sweet, I'd recommend it.

"When a history teacher receives a letter from her deceased grandmother revealing a secret love affair in the 1950s, it leads her to a time capsule hidden decades ago. But it’s the charming grandson of her grandmother’s lost love who changes everything, proving that sometimes the heart knows exactly where—and when—it belongs."

A Play for Love by Trilina Pucci: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on January 22nd. This is the fourth book in a collection by Amazon called "The Improbable Meet-Cute, Second Chances". This was one of my two favorites from the collection. I loved this one!

"Years ago, during a college production of Romeo and Juliet, Rory and Oliver shared one unforgettable stage kiss before fate pulled them apart. Now, while drowning her Valentine’s Day sorrows at brunch, she spots her former Romeo, wearing nothing but gold shorts and wings, playing Cupid for the lovelorn masses. Their chemistry still sizzles, but even with the stars finally aligning, these former leads will need more than Shakespeare’s guidance to turn their second chance into a true romance."

Death to Valentine's Day by Catherine Cowles: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on January 22nd. This is the fifth book in a collection by Amazon called "The Improbable Meet-Cute, Second Chances". This was my other favorite from the collection. I loved this one so much!

"After her boyfriend’s betrayal, the last thing Maia St. James wants is to celebrate Valentine’s Day. And when her friends force her out for a Death to Valentine’s Day masquerade ball at a mountain lodge, the last thing she expects is to kiss a masked stranger, especially when he ends up being her ex’s older brother. But that’s the least of her problems. When a guest is found murdered, the party becomes a mystery. And Maia must unmask a killer before her second chance at romance is cut short."

Second Act Romance by Julie Soto: I rated this ebook 2.5/5 stars and finished it on January 22nd. This is the third book in a collection by Amazon called "The Improbable Meet-Cute, Second Chances". This one was a miss for me; I don't think I'd recommend it.

"When food poisoning takes out the lead in their Valentine’s Day production of Oklahoma!, TV sensation Colby J. Turner swoops in to save the show. But for leading lady Bex Hardgrave, this last-minute casting is more drama than she bargained for. Eight years ago, their onstage chemistry sparked real-life fireworks—until a misunderstanding brought down the curtain on their budding romance. Now they’re sharing the spotlight again, and their old connection is threatening to steal the show. As showtime approaches, Bex and Colby will have to decide if their second-chance romance deserves its own standing ovation."

Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren: I rated this ebook 2.5/5 stars and finished it on January 22nd. This is the first book in a collection by Amazon called "The Improbable Meet-Cute, Second Chances". This was another miss; I wouldn't recommend this one. I would absolutely recommend this collection as a whole, though; despite not loving a couple of them, I thought they were all adorable and loved that they were Valentine's Day themed.

"When marketing consultant Veronica accidentally crashes the wrong Zoom meeting and brutally critiques their presentation, she’s shocked to receive a job offer from the company’s intriguing CEO. Their professional email exchanges quickly turn flirty, but Veronica’s mind keeps drifting to her reserved but gorgeous new neighbor. As Valentine’s Day approaches, she’ll discover that sometimes the most improbable meet-cute can lead to the perfect match."

Want to Know a Secret by Freida McFadden: I rated this book 1/5 stars and finished it on January 23rd. This is, BY FAR, the worst thriller I have ever read. Do you remember when I read One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware back in 2024 and hated it, gave it 1 star, absolutely trash-talked it? This was worse than that by a long shot. I make a point to not guess plot twists in thrillers because it ruins the fun for me, but I guessed EVERY SINGLE TWIST in this! Everything that happened was so repetitive and predictable. The epilogue? Absolutely not. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Hard pass.

"YouTube baking sensation April Masterson knows the secret to the perfect gooey brownies. Or how to make key lime squares that will melt in your mouth. But if you keep watching her offline, you may find out some other secrets about April. Secrets she’d rather you didn’t know. Like where did her son go when he snuck out of the house? What was she doing with the local soccer coach behind fogged windows? And what’s buried in her backyard? Everyone has secrets. Some are worse than others. April’s secrets are enough to destroy her. I’ll make sure of that."

The Devil Wears Scrubs by Freida McFadden: I rated this book 2.5/5 stars and finished it on January 23rd. This is the first book in the Dr. Jane McGill duet! I knew after the dumpster fire that was my previous read that I needed something new. Not necessarily from Freida, but I was definitely in my Freida grind toward the end of the month. This was ok, not anything spectacular, and it kinda felt like Grey's Anatomy fanfiction in a way. I'm not sure I'd recommend this one, honestly.

"Newly minted doctor Jane McGill is in hell. Not literally, of course. But between her drug addict patients, sleepless nights on call, and battling wits with the sadistic yet charming Sexy Surgeon, Jane can’t imagine an afterlife much worse than her first month of medical internship at County Hospital. And then there’s the devil herself: Jane’s senior resident Dr. Alyssa Morgan. When Alyssa becomes absolutely hell-bent on making her new interns pay tenfold for the deadly sin of incompetence, Jane starts to worry that she may not make it through the year with her soul or her sanity still intact."

Fake Skating by Lynn Painter: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on January 25th. I loved this so much! I listened to the playlist for this book while I was reading it and it completely immersed me in the story. I loved Alec and Dani so much, and I loved their story. The only two reasons why this book wasn't a 5 for me were the miscommunication that happened throughout the story, and I also thought it was weird that they kept mentioning how tall/short each other was. Other than that, I loved this, and I would absolutely recommend it. No spice too, if you're looking for that!

"From play dates on the playground to sneaking into movie theatres, Dani and Alec were inseparable as kids. Until Dani moved away. Years later, Dani is back in Minnesota, and exited to reconnect with the nerdy and comforting Alec. But teenage Alec is NOTHING like the boy she remembers. He's the hockey STAR in a town where hockey players are worshipped as gods—and he loves it. When one thing leads to another and Dani and Alec find themselves thrown together and playing the role of boyfriend and girlfriend, "complicated" becomes an understatement. In this Minnesota town, hockey may rule, but romance is about to take its place."

Dead Med by Freida McFadden: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on January 26th. I was apprehensive to read this one initially because of how long it was, but also because it's one of her oldest, so I didn't know how much I would enjoy it. I actually loved this! Everything that happened got me by surprise, which I always love in a thriller. I'd recommend it for sure.

"When Heather McKinley dreamed of becoming a doctor, she imagined curing sick kids and sporting pink stethoscopes. She never anticipated the sleepless nights, grueling exams, and endless labs. And she certainly never knew that her medical school earned the nickname Dead Med thanks to the tragic history of students overdosing on illegal drugs. But Heather would never consider doing anything like that. That is, until her longtime boyfriend dumps her, she finds herself failing anatomy, and her world starts to crumble. Everyone has a breaking point. Then, on the night before the final exam in anatomy, a shot rings out through the hallways of Dead Med. The school has claimed yet another casualty. One of Heather's classmates has done the unthinkable, and before her desperate 911 call even connects, it will happen again. And the night is just beginning."

The Other Brother by Tierney Page: I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and finished it on January 26th. This is the first book in the London Hearts trilogy and follows April and James! I absolutely adored this! I love how the author writes her characters, and the spice was top tier; some of the best I've read in a long time, honestly. I would only recommend this if you like spice, because there is a good amount.

"All I ever wanted was a love like my parents had—something deep, irrevocable, and all-consuming. The kind of love that’s written about in stories. And I thought I found it with Lucas, my fiancé. We had it the house, the cat, and the promise of a future full of possibilities. Until everything fell apart. I discovered his secret. Heartbroken and betrayed, I convinced myself that I’d never find anything like what Lucas and I shared. He was my everything. Then one night, I ran into his younger brother, James. He’s a musician—complicated, intense, and nothing like Lucas. And yet, I can’t deny the pull I feel toward him. I’m drawn to him in ways I cannot explain. Opening my heart to someone so close to the man who shattered it feels ridiculous. But it’s undeniable, and I can’t resist. Trying to stay away only makes it worse. I want him. I’m falling for the one person I shouldn’t. I’m falling for the other brother."

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on January 27th. This is a new favorite of hers for me! I loved how crazy and unhinged Debbie was. I kinda wanna be her friend, but I'm also terrified of her because she is psychotic. I loved her, though, and loved this. This is in my top 5 favorite thrillers by her now, and I would absolutely recommend it!

"Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction. Or at least, she did. These days, Debbie’s life seems to be spiraling out of control. She just lost her job. Something strange is happening with her teenage daughters. And her husband is keeping secrets, according to the tracking app she installed on his phone. Now, Debbie’s done being the bigger person. She’s done being reasonable and practical. It’s time to take her own advice. And now it’s time for payback against all the people in her life who deserve it the most."

Blossom by Helen Hardt: I rated this ebook 4.5/5 stars and finished it on January 28th. This is the third book in the Black Rose Underground trilogy and follows Mary and Ronan! I read the first two books back in 2024, so this has been a long time coming. It ended up being my favorite out of the three of them; I just loved Mary's story so much. I wouldn't recommend this to everyone because it is pretty spice-heavy, but it was pretty good, and I had a great time.

"The ultra-luxe Black Rose Underground Club used to be Mary Sandusky’s favorite place to play. She was happy to slip into her role as seasoned submissive Blossom and relinquish control to an expert Dom. But when a scene gets out of hand, she can no longer trust her own dark appetites. She’s ready to walk away from Black Rose for good...until she meets a hot Highlander who pushes all the right buttons. Nothing makes Ronan O’Connor’s blood heat more than commanding a submissive in a scene, but forming a relationship outside the club was an urge lost long ago. The closer people get, the more damage they can do. But when he meets the alluring Mary, her beauty—and her obedience—captivate him, and he's determined to make her his. Every Dom has firm rules, and Ronan is no exception. So he’ll make her an offer—one that will push her boundaries of pleasure and submission even as it challenges the line that separates Mary and Blossom. But neither of them is prepared for where his plans take them..."

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That's it! Wow! Long post for sure, but I hope you all enjoy it! I'll see you at the end of February!