What I Read in February 2024

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Hello everyone! I read 30 books this month. This is the first month I read ebooks and listened to audiobooks, so I'll be sure to mention those specifically as they come up. With that being said, let's talk about all the books I read this month!

Cherished by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on February 1st. This is the 17th book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 2nd book in Dale's trilogy. I thought it was good! I feel like I've learned a lot about wine in his trilogy because he's the master winemaker. I also really liked Ashley as his love interest. I'd recommend this series as a whole, but specifically to people who like a mystery element within their romances.

"Dale Steel has fallen in love with his intern, Ashley White. She’s vibrant, intelligent, and full of life, despite a past that was far from perfect. She’s everything he’s not…which is why he’s determined to keep her at arm’s length. The emotions she’s awakened in him have stirred something dark that he’s kept buried for years, and a relationship with him would only destroy her. Ashley has other ideas. She adores Dale, and more than anything, she wants him to understand he deserves her love. As they work together side by side, their passion grows, and Dale finally agrees to a trial run at a relationship. But a secret from his newfound birth father and an act of God throw a wrench into his world once again, threatening not only his relationship with Ashley, but everything else he holds dear as well."

Freed by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on February 2nd. This is the 18th book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 3rd book in Dale's trilogy. I thought the end of Ashley and Dale's story was great. I liked Ashley a lot too, one of my favorite FMCs from this series. She was really good for Dale and I could tell he grew/changed a lot because of her.

"Dale Steel has spent his life running from the horror of his past, so he’s completely unprepared for horror to follow him into the present. But that’s exactly what it’s done. His only hope is his love for Ashley White, so he grabs hold with both hands, determined to escape his bleak existence. Ashley is so in love she can’t see straight. Dale—and the thrall he holds over her—has given her a new outlook on sex and relationships, and she’s all in. Things are finally falling into place. But Ashley and Dale’s troubles are far from over. An untimely death disrupts their hopes at happiness, followed by a phone call that leaves Dale even more grief-stricken. He must make an important decision. Two roads lie in front of him, but only one will free him."

Spark by Helen Hardt: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on February 2nd. This is the 19th book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 1st book in Donny's trilogy. Donny and Callie are great together. I could tell even in their first interactions together, they had great chemistry. I also liked that the mystery/suspense wasn't just about the Steels, it was about the Pikes too.

"Donovan “Donny” Steel is on a partnership track with a major Denver law firm. He loves his city career and his luxurious downtown loft, and life is going just how he planned it…until his mother, the city attorney for his hometown of Snow Creek, Colorado, asks him to move back and work for her when her assistant retires. Mom asks? Donny goes. Because he’ll do anything for the family who took him in twenty-five years ago. The fact that he can pick up where he left off with gorgeous Callie Pike is simply a fringe benefit. Caroline “Callie” Pike was looking forward to finally beginning law school at age twenty-six, but the western slope fire that destroyed most of her family’s vineyards put that plan on hold. At least she has Donny Steel’s return to look forward to. After she spent an evening with him at a recent party, he hasn’t strayed far from her mind. When Donny and Callie meet again, sparks do more than fly. They shoot like rockets to the stars. But their chemistry can’t protect them from the emerging mysteries regarding the Steel family’s past…or the secret Callie is keeping as well."

Flame by Helen Hardt: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on February 2nd. This is the 20th book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 2nd in Donny's trilogy. I thoughts the twists, both in the Steels and Pikes stories were well done.

"Her past is coming back to haunt her. His present is haunting him. Callie Pike always considered herself the plain sister―stuck in the middle between beautiful Rory and vivacious Maddie―so she still can’t believe gorgeous perennial bachelor Donny Steel has fallen in love with her. She should be the happiest woman on the planet, and she is…but her nemesis from ten years ago seems intent on destroying her newfound bliss. Donny Steel will do anything to protect his family, even sacrifice his ethics and his own happiness. As much as he loves Callie, he knows he can’t be the man she deserves―not until he solves the mysteries of his family’s past and finds out who shot his father. Though the two erupt in flames whenever they’re together, the secrets they both harbor could destroy any chance for a future together."

Blaze by Helen Hardt: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on February 3rd. This is the 21st book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 3rd in Donny's trilogy. I thought it was great! The twists were surprising, and the end felt unfinished in a way that leads perfectly into the next trilogy. I read the entire trilogy on Libby, an ebook/audiobook app, and it was super easy to fly through.

"Donny Steel lives a charmed life. He’s a successful attorney, in love with the woman of his dreams, and a member of the Steel family. But while Snow Creek’s golden family seems perfect on the outside, how many skeletons lurk in the Steel closet? Each day, Donny finds more and more evidence of foul play while dredging up his own past—something better left forgotten. Callie Pike never imagined Donny Steel could fall in love with her, and she desperately wants to revel in their blazing passion. If only her own past hadn’t returned to torment her. Why now? What does it all mean? Is it somehow related to the attempt on Talon Steel’s life? Or the fire that destroyed her family’s livelihood? As scattered pieces of evidence crop up in unlikely places, Donny and Callie work to find the common thread to pull everything together. But someone clearly wants to destroy them, and laws, ethics, and locked doors don’t seem to be standing in the way."

Tempting Dusty by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on February 3rd. This is the 1st book in the Temptation saga. I'd only read her Steel Brothers saga and her Wolfes of Manhattan series, so I thought I'd try this one. It was cute, and easy to get through, but not anything to write home about. I'd recommend the first one, but not anything further unless you truly enjoy it.

"Dusty O’Donovan doesn’t fear a feisty stud bull deemed untamable. The accomplished rider knows life presents much more fearsome challenges. The animal’s owner, Zach McCray, is offering half a million dollars to anyone who can stay on him for a full eight seconds. That purse would go a long way to help Dusty and her brother rebuild their nearly bankrupt ranch. Will Zach let a woman ride his bull? Not likely. Still, the headstrong Dusty intrigues him. Her father worked on the McCray ranch years ago, and Zach remembers her as a little girl when he was a cocky teen. Times change, and now she’s a beautiful and desirable young woman. A few passionate kisses leave Zach wanting more, but will Dusty’s secrets tear them apart?"

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on February 5th. I thought it was fantastic! I thought it was super interesting to learn about her life and how she grew up. I was surprised at how normal her life was up until her conservatorship started. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys memoirs.

"In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history. Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last."

Smolder by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on February 7th. This is the 22nd book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 1st in Brock's trilogy. I really like Brock and Rory together. I thought their story was cool, even though I thought they talked about Rory's sexuality too much. I don't know why they decided it was so important to her storyline. Other than that, I liked it a lot.

"Aurora “Rory” Pike gave up her dream of becoming an opera superstar long ago. Now she’s content to teach music to the children of Snow Creek while helping her family recover from the wildfire that devastated them. After a messy breakup and a ghost from the past resurfacing, she’s examining her priorities…and they don’t include a passionate kiss from womanizer Brock Steel. Brock Steel just watched his skirt-chasing mentor—his cousin Donny—give up his playboy ways and fall hard for Callie Pike, sister of Rory Pike, the most beautiful woman in Snow Creek. Rory just ended a relationship, and Brock makes sure he’s there to pick up the pieces. Physically, that is. Emotionally? Brock doesn’t do emotion. Chemistry between Brock and Rory proves to be hotter than either of them imagined, and it provides a welcome respite, especially for Brock, who’s dealing with a conundrum. As bits and pieces of seemingly unrelated evidence emerge, he must come to terms with the fact that his renowned family may not be the paragon he thought they were."

Flare by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on February 7th. This is the 23rd book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 2nd in Brock's trilogy. Again, I thought this was great. I liked Rory a lot, and I liked Brock more than I expected to.

"Rory Pike never imagined she’d fall for a Steel, but she has—Brock Steel, a renowned womanizer, no less. While passion flares between them, Rory knows they’re on different pages in life. She’s older and ready to settle down. Brock? Not so much. Brock is enamored with Rory, but he’s content to simply live in the moment, especially with everything that’s currently going down in his personal life. Brock’s discovery that his father has kept important information from him—information that could lead to the downfall of his famous family—leads him to question everything he’s known since he was a child. Rory has her own problems as well, and when they converge with Brock’s in the form of one person, the mysteries surrounding the Steel family deepen. Rory and Brock are determined to find the truth…no matter what the cost."

Scorch by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on February 8th. This is the 24th book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 3rd in Brock's trilogy. I think this one set up Ava and Brendan's story the best, which is the next trilogy. I loved Rory and Brock though, they're great.

"After nearly losing her father to a heart attack, Rory Pike realizes life is fragile. So once her dad is on the mend, she jumps at the chance to live out her dreams. She joins her brother’s rock band on a mini tour, and while fronting them may not be her passion, at least she’ll be singing, and it’ll help keep her from worrying about her boyfriend’s mysterious investigations in Wyoming. Brock Steel hates being away from Rory, but he has no choice. Felonies— heinous felonies—have been committed on Steel land, and he vows that his family won’t go down for someone else’s crimes. Brock solves bits and pieces of the cryptic series of events, but many of his questions remain unanswered. The Steel family is under attack by an invisible enemy, and Brock will do anything to protect his family and fight for a future with Rory."

Chance by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on February 8th. This is the 25th book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 1st book in Ava's trilogy. I liked this a lot! I think Ava is my favorite of the second-generation Steels (she's one of Ryan's daughters) because she makes a point to not rely on her family. She knows they're loaded, but instead, she uses her own money from her business to pay her employees. She never dipped into her trust fund until she absolutely had to, and I liked that a lot. Her and Brendan also had great chemistry together.

"Ava Steel isn’t the typical member of her famous family. She colors her hair pink, practices the tarot, and runs her bakery in town without any help from her family’s financial fortune. She’s content in her life, and she knows who she is…until she receives a cryptic text from a mysterious stranger. Bar-owner Brendan Murphy inadvertently became entwined with the Steel family when he dug up timeworn documents under his floorboards. When he and Ava—who, despite their age difference, he’s been crushing on for a while—receive identical enigmatic messages, they’re thrown together for more than just fun between the sheets. Ava revels in her new and unexpected relationship with Brendan, but deep down, she fears her family is keeping secrets—secrets that could make her question everything she thought she knew about them…and herself."

Fortune by Helen Hardt: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on February 8th. This is the 26th book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 2nd in Ava's trilogy. I was really excited to read this, especially with how the first one left off. The cliffhanger in this one was even better, and I wasn't expecting it at all. Again, Ava and Brendan are great together.

"As Ava Steel prepares to help her parents, Ryan and Ruby Steel, celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, the tarot cards she draws and cryptic messages from an unknown source mar her concentration. Her life is changing…and she’s convinced her parents have kept her in the dark about something important. Brendan Murphy sees the woman he’s fallen in love with struggling, and though he wants to help, he doesn’t know how. After all, he’s received the same messages, which may mean he and his family have some connection to the Steels. Brendan’s father thinks it somehow relates to his uncle’s untimely death at a Steel wedding half a century earlier, but Brendan isn’t so sure. When Ava finally unburies some of her family’s secrets, she questions who she is and where she belongs, while Brendan discovers how he and the Steels may be linked. The two confess their love, but they’re still troubled, as these ghosts from the past may spell danger for everyone around them."

The Teacher by Freida McFadden: I rated this audiobook 4/5 stars and finished it on February 10th. This is her newest release, and I was very excited about it. I never would've thought I'd enjoy an audiobook before, but after listening to this one, I found myself enjoying it. Same with ebooks too, because I've found I can fly through those faster than normal paperbacks. I thought she did a great job with it, and I also think the people narrating it helped as well. I found myself surprised and didn't predict most of the twists. I'd definitely recommend this one.

"Lesson #1: Trust no one. Eve has a good life. She wakes up each day, kisses her husband Nate, and heads off to teach math at the local high school. All is as it should be. Except…Last year, Caseham High was rocked by a scandal involving a student-teacher affair, with one student, Addie, at its center. But Eve knows there is far more to these ugly rumors than meets the eye. Addie can’t be trusted. She lies. She hurts people. She destroys lives. At least, that’s what everyone says. But nobody knows the real Addie. Nobody knows the secrets that could destroy her. And Addie will do anything to keep it quiet…"

Destiny by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on February 11th. This is the 27th book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 3rd in Ava's trilogy. I think this is my favorite one from the series so far, and definitely my favorite trilogy. I felt like most of the big mysteries were resolved, and yet it set up perfectly for the final three books in the series. I recommend this entire series, but especially this trilogy.

"Is love enough? Ava Steel is haunted by a ghost that has come back from the grave. She questions who she is and whether she's capable of being in a relationship with Brendan Murphy, the man she loves. As she shuts down her bakery—something she never does—to deal with these newly discovered secrets, she shuts down her relationship with Brendan as well. Brendan doesn't want to let Ava go, but he's dealing with his own issues. As his connection to the Steel family is finally revealed, he and the townspeople of Snow Creek face a financial crisis—one the Steels can't help them solve. As more and more secrets are unburied from both Ava's and Brendan's past, they fight to find their way back together. But the obstacles are large and seem insurmountable."

Craving by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on February 11th. This is the 1st book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 1st in Talon's trilogy. As you've seen above, I finished almost the entire series. However, I started on book 7 instead of book 1, so I decided to go back and read the first 6. It's difficult to do, especially since I already know most of this from the books after it. However, I'm also noticing that there are things I didn't know in the later books that I learned about in these earlier ones. I liked them a lot, but I probably won't have much to say about them.

"After being left at the altar, Jade Roberts seeks solace at her best friend’s ranch on the Colorado western slope. Her humiliation still ripe, she doesn't expect to be attracted to her friend’s reticent brother, but when the gorgeous cowboy kisses her, all bets are off. Talon Steel is broken. Having never fully healed from a horrific childhood trauma, he simply exists, taking from women what is offered and giving nothing in return...until Jade Roberts catapults into his life. She is beautiful, sweet, and giving, and his desire for her becomes a craving he fears he'll never be able to satisfy. Passion sizzles between the two lovers...but long-buried secrets haunt them both and may eventually tear them apart."

Obsession by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on February 12th. This is the second book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 2nd in Talon's trilogy. I liked this one because not only am I able to learn things I knew from the later books, but also new things that the newer ones didn't touch on. I liked the cliffhanger too.

"Jade Roberts is in love with Talon Steel but no longer welcome in his home. While she resolves to move on, she still longs for the passion she and Talon shared…and when her boss asks her to dig up information on the Steels, she’s only too happy to comply. Talon and his brothers are hiding something, and Jade is determined to find out what it is. The moment Talon saw Jade he wanted her, ached for her, craved her…and now his desire has become his obsession. He knows she deserves better than his broken soul, but he can’t stay away from her, and he finally confesses his love. If he and Jade are to have a future, he knows he must make peace with the dark shadows and horrors of his past. But as Talon begins his journey of healing, Jade uncovers some startling secrets…"

Possession by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on February 12th. This is the 3rd book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 3rd in Talon's trilogy. I liked the end of this one because it set up perfectly for Jonah's trilogy, but I also liked the ending in general; you could tell that the general mystery was going to be a recurring pattern throughout the series which I saw as I was reading them.

"Jade Roberts’s love for Talon Steel is the real deal, and she’s more determined than ever to help him come to grips with whatever is haunting him. To that end, she continues her investigation of the Steels…and unknowingly attracts some dangerous foes from their shrouded history. Talon loves Jade deeply and longs to possess her forever, so he faces his worst fears and exposes his rawest wounds in an attempt to heal. The road is icy and treacherous, but if he perseveres and comes out whole on the other side, he’ll finally be worthy of Jade’s love. The untamed passion between the two still blazes, but as the horrors of Talon’s past resurface, Jade and Talon aren’t safe…"

Melt by Helen Hardt: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on February 12th. This is the 4th book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 1st in Jonah's trilogy. I learned about most of Jonah's background from Ryan's books (which is what I started with), but I never knew about Melanie's. That became my favorite part of this trilogy honestly, since I never knew that much about her.

"Jonah Steel is intelligent, rich, and hard-working. As the oldest of his siblings, he was charged by his father to protect them. He failed in the worst way. Dr. Melanie Carmichael has her own baggage. Although the renowned therapist was able to help Jonah’s brother, she is struggling with feelings of inadequacy. When the oldest Steel walks into her office seeking solace, she can’t turn her back. As Melanie and Jonah attempt to work through their issues together, desperately trying to ignore the desire brewing between them, ghosts from both their pasts surface…and danger draws near."

Burn by Helen Hardt: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on February 12th. This is the 5th book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 2nd in Jonah's trilogy. I felt like I got more of Melanie's side in this book (even though they're all dual POV) because of what she goes through. I also liked the big twist leading up to it, and how it ends up impacting the rest of the series.

"Jonah Steel is knee deep into trying to solve the mystery surrounding his family and his brother’s abduction, and the arrival of his best friend has complicated the situation…although not as much as his infatuation with his brother’s therapist, Dr. Melanie Carmichael. The quiet humility of the blond beauty has him enthralled, and he burns for her as he never has for any woman. Melanie Carmichael is intelligent and driven, yet filled with regret. She has fallen in love with gorgeous Jonah Steel, but fears she may never be able to tell him. The demons from her past have come for her…and she may not get out alive."

Surrender by Helen Hardt: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on February 13th. This is the 6th book in the Steel Brothers saga and the 3rd in Jonah's trilogy. Seeing the villain fully introduced and how they impact the rest of the series was really cool. I also enjoyed how perfectly it set up for the start of Ryan's book, despite already reading it. I recommend this series to anyone, but I advise reading them in order. I meant to, and it was a little weird not to. I think the later books would've had a different impact on me if I'd read them all in order.

"Jonah Steel has fallen in love with Melanie Carmichael but refuses to make a commitment until he has solved the mystery of his family’s past. A new threat has surfaced, and he needs to eliminate it. Melanie loves Jonah but has yet to surrender completely to his needs. Still, she wants a promise that he can't yet make. While the ghosts of her past still hover around her, she joins him on his quest for answers. Together, they vow to find the truth. But the deeper they dig, the more danger they uncover…"

Survive The Night by Riley Sager: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on February 14th. I thought this was great! It was only about 320 pages so it was easy to get through, and it was fast-paced so the story was constantly moving. I didn't expect the twists to happen at all, I had a completely different idea in my head. I also think part of what makes this story so cool is Charlie's ability to see movies in her mind. It definitely plays a part in the mental trickery of this story and I enjoyed it a lot. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes fast-paced thrillers, or long car rides. This is both.

"Charlie Jordan is being driven across the country by a serial killer. Maybe. Behind the wheel is Josh Baxter, a stranger Charlie met by the college ride share board, who also has a good reason for leaving university in the middle of term. On the road they share their stories, carefully avoiding the subject dominating the news - the Campus Killer, who's tied up and stabbed three students in the span of a year, has just struck again. Travelling the lengthy journey between university and their final destination, Charlie begins to notice discrepancies in Josh's story. As she begins to plan her escape from the man she is becoming certain is the killer, she starts to suspect that Josh knows exactly what she's thinking. Meaning that she could very well end up as his next victim."

Riven Knight by Devney Perry: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on February 16th. This is the 2nd book in the Clifton Forge series. It took about a month for me to finally get around to reading the second one, but I'm glad I did. I liked Genevieve and Isaiah a lot because I felt like they helped each other grow. Genevieve helped Isaiah come out of his shell more and also get closure from killing his fiancee years ago. He changed so much over the course of the story because of her, and I liked that a lot. I love Devney's writing so I'd recommend this series, but you have to read the first one in order to understand some of what's happening in this one.

"Genevieve Daylee didn’t expect to be standing in front of a judge on her twenty-seventh birthday. But ever since her life became entangled with a former motorcycle gang, she’s learned not to expect anything but trouble. Her mother, a woman she once admired and adored, is gone, leaving behind a trail of secrets and lies. She’s living in a tiny apartment above a garage owned by her brother, a man who loathes her very existence. And the father she met beside her mother’s grave is as much of a stranger as Isaiah Reynolds, the broken man with soulless eyes standing beside her in front of the judge. Isaiah is her protector from the murderer at large in Clifton Forge. Though he’s more like a riven knight in dented armor than a prince on a white stallion. She knows next to nothing about him, other than he works as a mechanic. As of tonight, he’ll be sharing her bathroom. And, according to the judge, Isaiah is now her husband."

Stone Princess by Devney Perry: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on February 17th. This is the 3rd book in the Clifton Forge series. Presley and Shaw were great together! I like them a lot, especially with how stubborn Presley was at first. The end had me surprised and also set up nicely for the next book in the series. I like this series a lot so far and I definitely recommend it.

"Presley Marks has just become a cliché: the jilted bride. Wearing a white dress, standing in front of her friends and family, she announces that her fiancé—according to his text—has forgotten about the wedding. Humiliated and angry, she hides from the world in the mundane routine of her life. Working at the Clifton Forge Garage isn’t glamorous, but it’s safe from the spotlight. At least it was, until Shaw Valance comes to town. The notorious Hollywood actor is starring in a movie based on the town’s infamous murder. When he’s not on set, Shaw hovers at the garage, watching as they build his custom motorcycle and irritating her with his handsome smile. He was supposed to leave once filming wrapped and go back to his fancy life, not buy the house next door. But Shaw might regret that purchase once Presley’s ex-fiancé returns, bringing with him a war between old rivals that could burn both their houses down."

The Only One Left by Riley Sager: I rated this audiobook 5/5 stars and finished it on February 19th. I have no words. My jaw was on the floor finishing the last 20% or so of this book. The twist caught me completely by surprise, especially since I thought I knew it. I was completely convinced of it until the end, and it caught me completely by surprise. I recommend this to everyone. Please, please, please read this. You won't regret it.

"At seventeen, Lenora Hope hung her sister with a rope. Now reduced to a schoolyard chant, the Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume seventeen-year-old Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. Other than her denial after the killings, she has never spoken publicly about that night, nor has she set foot outside Hope’s End, the cliffside mansion where the massacre occurred. Stabbed her father with a knife, took her mother’s happy life. It’s now 1983, and home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate with Kit by tapping out sentences on an old typewriter. One night, Lenora uses it to make a tantalizing offer—I want to tell you everything. “It wasn’t me,” Lenora said, but she’s the only one not dead. As Kit helps Lenora write about the events leading to the Hope family massacre, it becomes clear there’s more to the tale than people know. But when new details about her predecessor’s departure come to light, Kit starts to suspect Lenora might not be telling the complete truth—and that the seemingly harmless woman in her care could be far more dangerous than she first thought."

Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden: I rated this audiobook 5/5 stars and finished it on February 20th. I've decided to listen to thrillers rather than reading them because I feel the suspense much more, and this is a prime example of that. Do Not Disturb kept me on my toes from the jump, like a constant roller coaster. I thought I knew the twists until the end, and I was completely shocked. The multiple POVs throughout kept the stories moving along, while also kind of confusing me a little bit. Once everything clicked, it was jaw-dropping. I recommend this easily, and it's definitely my favorite Freida book now.

"Quinn Alexander has committed an unthinkable crime. To avoid spending her life in prison, Quinn makes a run for it. She leaves behind her home, her job, and her family. She grabs her passport and heads for the northern border before the police can discover what she’s done. But when an unexpected snowstorm forces her off the road, Quinn must take refuge at the broken-down, isolated Baxter Motel. The handsome and kindly owner, Nick Baxter, is only too happy to offer her a cheap room for the night. Unfortunately, the Baxter Motel isn’t the quiet, safe haven it seemed to be. The motel has a dark and disturbing past. And in the dilapidated house across the way, the silhouette of Nick's ailing wife is always at the window. Always watching. In the morning, Quinn must leave the motel. She'll pack up her belongings and get back on the road to freedom. But first, she must survive the night."

King of Greed by Ana Huang: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on February 21st. This is the 3rd book in the Kings of Sin series. I've tried to read this before, back in October when it first came out, and I couldn't really get into it. I decided to try it again though, and I'm glad I did. Dominic and Alessandra were so great together and easily became my favorite couple in this series. I recommend this for people who like the second-chance trope, or billionaire married couples.

"Powerful, brilliant, and ambitious, Dominic Davenport clawed his way up from nothing to become the King of Wall Street. He has everything—a beautiful home, a beautiful wife, and more money than he could spend in a lifetime. But no matter how much he accumulates, he’s never satisfied. In his endless quest for more, he drives away the only person who saw him as enough. It isn’t until she’s gone that he realizes there may be more to life than riches and glory…but by then, it may be too late. Kind, intelligent, and thoughtful, Alessandra Davenport has played the role of trophy wife for years. She stood by her husband while he built an empire, but now that they’ve reached the top, she realizes he’s no longer the man she fell for. When it becomes clear that she’ll always come second to his work, she finally takes charge of her life and puts herself first—even if it means leaving the only man she’s ever loved. But what she didn’t count on was his refusal to let her go…or for him to fight for their marriage, no matter what it takes."

Noble Prince by Devney Perry: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on February 21st. This is the 4th book in the Clifton Forge series. I feel like Stone Princess set up perfectly for the start of this one, which I really appreciated. I liked Scarlett and Luke together, and I liked how their romance was kind of a slow burn. I think being in forced proximity helped with that too a little bit which was cool. I wouldn't say to read it as a standalone, but I do recommend this series.

"The night Luke Rosen met Scarlett Marks was the only time he’s regretted becoming chief of police. One horrific night of blood and death, and now she’s living under his roof—all because he swore an oath to serve and protect. Scarlett is stubborn and infuriating. She has no respect for the order in his structured life, and she never does anything she’s told. Worse, she doesn’t seem to care that the information she has on a motorcycle gang means she might end up dead. But her unwavering strength, her courage and tenacity and beauty, makes it impossible for him to abandon her. If Luke is going to keep her safe, he’ll have to make the hardest decision of his life. He can either honor his values as a cop, knowing Scarlett is unlikely to survive . . . or he can break all the rules and protect the woman who’s invaded his home and his heart."

Fallen Jester by Devney Perry: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on February 22nd. This is the 5th book in the Clifton Forge series, and definitely became my favorite with Riven Knight. The end of Noble Prince set up perfectly for Fallen Jester, and the first half of the book followed that. I really liked Cass as a character, as well as her growing friendship with Scarlett. I think the biggest reason why I gave this book 5 stars was because of the complete evolution of Leo throughout this book. In the beginning, he was kind of a jerk to Cass, especially with the pregnancy. But then as the book went on, he grew more and more into a great partner and father, even though he was afraid to be one. I liked it a lot, but I wouldn't recommend this one if you don't like the accidental pregnancy trope in romance books. It surprisingly worked in this one, but it hasn't in others, so I thought I'd mention it anyway.

"Leo Winter loves his life. He works when he needs money. He rides when he craves freedom. He frequents the local bar when he wants a good time. The Tin Gypsies might be a memory, but the bachelor life he lived with his motorcycle club still suits him fine. So when a one-night stand surprises him at a family barbecue and claims she’s pregnant with his child, he’s certain he’s died and gone to hell. Cassandra Cline took one night off from her structured life. One. And now her wild fling with the local bad boy has turned her life sideways. Her dreams and academic career are circling the drain, and none of it would have happened if she’d stayed far, far away from Leo. Except avoiding him is impossible, especially when she’s forced to move home to Clifton Forge, Montana. And he refuses to leave her side when a series of strange accidents put her and their baby at risk. But are they accidents? Or is she standing in the middle of a battlefield she doesn’t understand? Her only allies are people she barely knows. And a man who has the potential to steal her heart. If only he’d stop playing the fool."

Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on February 23rd. This is the 6th book in the Dark Olympus series and follows the love story of Orpheus, Eurydice, and Charon. I wasn't sure what to expect with this story, but I'm very happy with what I got. It was definitely kinkier than I thought it would be, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd recommend this to anyone who loved the story of Orpheus/Eurydice or the musical Hadestown, and anyone who loves a little romance in their Greek mythology.

"Eurydice Dimitriou has always been the innocent sister, but she's finally ready to step out of the long shadow cast by her powerful family…and the ex who shattered her heart. Perhaps rough hands on soft skin are exactly what she needs to forget her heartbreak once and for all? Charon Ariti has been Hades's right-hand man for years. He's given everything to the lower city, but now he's ready to take something for himself. He's only too happy to give Eurydice a special kind of education…but is her heart really free enough to be claimed? Orpheus Makos will do whatever it takes to make things right. Once the golden boy of the upper city, he's now a shadow of his former self. He'll do anything to get Eurydice back…even if it means she's not coming into his arms alone. Three hearts. Three futures. Countless ways to get it wrong. But with enemies slipping through Olympus's faltering barrier to lay siege on the lower city, a trio of broken hearts will be the least of these would-be lovers' worries…"

Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on February 26th. This is the first book in the Ruinous Love trilogy. Honestly, I loved this. I had heard great things about it, and I knew the audiobook was amazing, so I wanted to see how the paperback was. Lemme tell you, I ate that up. I loved Rowan, I loved Sloane, I loved their chemistry together. If you read this, check the trigger warnings because they're a little bit nuts, but they can be graphic at times. I have a strong stomach but there were a couple of times where I was in shock and I had to stop completely. I'd absolutely recommend this for anyone who likes true crime, or who's heard about this one on booktok. It's definitely worth the hype.

"Every serial killer needs a friend. Every game must have a winner. When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of a like-minded, pitch-black soul. From small town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country. But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves? Or have they finally met their match?"

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So, that's it! 30 books is a lot, that's about one book per day. Crazy! I'll see y'all next month!