What I Read in February 2026

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Hello! I read 18 books in February and DNF'd three of them. Let's talk about it!

It's Not Her by Mary Kubica: I rated this book 3.5/5 stars and finished it on February 4th. I thought this was good! I fully thought I'd guessed the twist on page 20, so I was very surprised when I had it wrong. The only reason why this wasn't a 4 for me was that the first 60% felt like it dragged on so much, and felt so slow. Other than that, though, I loved it and would absolutely recommend.

"Courtney Gray’s peaceful vacation turns into a nightmare when she discovers her brother and sister-in-law dead in their lakeside cottage. Her niece Reese is missing. Her nephew Wyatt is asleep upstairs—unharmed. As police swarm the quiet resort, dark truths about Courtney’s family—and the town itself—begin to surface. Is Reese a victim… or the killer? With everyone hiding something, Courtney races to uncover the terrible mystery. But the closer she gets, the harder it is to know who—or what—to trust."

The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O'Clover: I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and finished it on February 7th. I thought this was adorable! I loved Henry and Louisa. I thought they had great banter and chemistry together, and I found myself laughing throughout as well, which is important to me. As someone who was deep in the depths of a breakup, Louisa turning her house into an Airbnb for the heartbroken really hit home for me. I loved everything about this, and I would 100% recommend!

"Louisa Walsh emerged from a tumultuous childhood with a degree in counseling, a wealthy boyfriend, and her sunny outlook on life mostly intact. But that optimism is tested when she’s dumped and left unable to afford rent on their gorgeous house in the mountains of Colorado. Even with her life in disarray, Lou knows losing the one stable place she’s ever called home is not an option. She asks her reclusive landlord, Henry Rhodes, to let her stay for free in exchange for renting out the house’s many rooms as a bed-and-breakfast. She’s shocked when he agrees to her terms, and even more surprised to discover Henry is a handsome thirtysomething veterinarian with silver at his temples and sadness in his eyes. One who does not take it well when Lou starts marketing her B and B as a retreat for the recently heartbroken. But as the Comeback Inn opens its doors to its weary, hopeful guests, Lou and Henry find themselves dancing around both their undeniable connection and the closely held secrets that threaten to topple this fragile new start. A chance at love, here, could be too close to home…or it could be exactly where their hearts finally heal."

Taming 7 by Chloe Walsh: I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and finished it on February 8th. This is the fifth book in the Boys of Tommen series and follows Claire and Gibsie! I loved this so much! I read Releasing 10 last year before reading this, so there were certain things I didn't know that happened in here that caught me off guard. I understand why so many people were disappointed by this, though, based on the ending of it. I will always recommend Boys of Tommen to people, but just know, it is very traumatic. These characters have a lot of baggage and trauma that can be triggering for people to read about. I need their next book like I need air to breathe!!!

"She's the quintessential sunshine girl. He's the lovable class clown. But storm clouds are rolling in, and this Tommen boy is about to get serious. Tommen's cheekiest lad, Gerard 'Gibsie' Gibson, has always been a comedian, but most people don't see what lurks beneath the surface. He is haunted by events of the past and he uses humor to cope, hiding his true self from the world. Claire Biggs, the epitome of sunshine, has always loved Gibsie, her brother's friend and her favorite neighbor. She has always seen a side to him that no one else seems to notice. She becomes determined to tame her wild-at-heart childhood best friend. When lines are crossed, it becomes unclear whether Gibsie and Claire's friendship will survive. Will it blossom into something more, or will they lose themselves in the wild?"

For The Fans by Nyla K: I DNF'd this ebook at 53% on February 8th. Guys, I was so sad about this. It felt like a chore trying to read this. Avi was fine, but Kyran was so insufferable. It was also just so long, it felt like it dragged on, and the spice felt repetitive. I couldn't do it anymore, unfortunately, and I don't think I'd recommend it personally.

"Kyran Harbor is everything I’m not. Rich. Popular. A superstar football player who’s awfully broody for someone who has it all. Basically, he’s a preppy jock who hates me. Oh, and he’s also my stepbrother. That’s right. We’re stuck together, sharing a school, a house… A bathroom. Honestly, I wouldn’t care… If he wasn’t such an uptight control-freak who messes with me just because we’re different. I had every intention of avoiding him when we got to college… Until abrupt misfortune forces us both into a compromising position. Now the grouchy jerk I was hoping to evade might be the only person who can help me out of it. Avi Vega is everything I despise. A dreamer. A flake. An artist who smokes too much weed and thinks aliens exist. And by some sick cosmic joke, he’s now my stepbrother, following me on what should’ve been my escape plan. It was already a disaster. Add a sudden financial disruption to the mix, and let’s just say my options are heavily limited. If I want to stay an all-star quarterback on the way to the NFL, I’ll need to do something drastic. Unfortunately for me, and my desperate desire for control, the perpetually smiling stoner has a plan. Maybe we can stop hating each other just enough to pull this off. As long as we remember we’re only doing it…for the fans."

My Ex-Boyfriend's Brothers by Rebel Bloom: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on February 10th. This is the first book in the Ex Marks The Spot series and follows Maggie, Jackson, Luke, and Ryan. I thought this was cute! Definitely what I needed after DNFing For The Fans. I'd only recommend this if you like taboo/reverse harem though, because I know that's not something for everyone.

"I'm Maggie. According to my ex, I'll never be "perfect"—too curvy, too messy, too me. When he asks me to plan his wedding, I should've said no. But my bank account screamed yes, and now I'm stuck alongside his three sinfully hot older brothers. Jackson, the tattooed bad boy. Luke, the broody billionaire. Ryan, the charmer with a grin that makes me forget my own name. I swore I'd keep things professional. But between hiding hickeys from my ex, becoming besties with his bride, and trying to remember which brother left which mark…I'm in over my head. If my groom-zilla ex finds out? I could lose more than my career—I could lose the three men who finally make me feel like I'm everything."

Beautiful Venom by Rina Kent: I DNF'd this book at 53% on February 10th. This is the first book in the Vipers trilogy and follows Dahlia and Kade. Guys. This one felt like a chore to read too! I don't understand! Dahlia was so boring to me, and I didn't like Kade all that much either. Halfway through, I just decided I wasn't going to pick it up again, and I'm not mad about it. I will probably read Tempting Venom in March/April because I like MM, but this one didn't do it for me. Wouldn't recommend.

"In a den of vipers, revenge is the deadliest venom. They shattered my world; now, I’ll bring down theirs. The problem? I have virtually no way to trace the puppet master. My only lead: The Vipers. An elite college hockey team that rules the ice—and the shadows beyond it. To infiltrate their secret society, I set my sights on their weakest link. Kane Davenport. The charismatic captain and the lone green flag in a nest of serpents. But too late, I realize I’ve enticed the most venomous snake. Kane’s friendly façade hides a predator more dangerous than I imagined. He quickly unveils the monster lurking beneath the surface. A monster who lured me in only to trap me in a lethal game with no escape."

Once You're Mine by Morgan Bridges: I rated this book 3.5/5 stars and finished it on February 13th. This is the first book in the Possessing Her duet and follows Calista and Hayden. I needed something to give me the vibes that Beautiful Venom wasn't giving, and I was definitely satisfied. I would say it wasn't anything spectacular or life-changing, but it was good.

"The Tormentor: Calista belongs to me... she just doesn’t know it. The first time we met, I wanted her. The next time, I was obsessed. I watched her. I followed her. It only deepened my need to possess her. Once she's mine, I'm never letting her go."

"The Target: Hayden Bennett is a monster, in and out of the courtroom. Unfortunately, I need his help. What was supposed to be a simple transaction turns into something else. Something intense. He’s always there when I need him, but I don't know if trusting him is a good idea..."

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry: I DNF'd this book at 60% on February 14th. Guys, this was easily my most disappointing read of the entire month. I bought this book when I was in Ireland with my grandma last April because I wanted the UK cover, and when I started reading it, I liked it a lot! Every time I've gone to pick it up in the past few months, I've had no desire to read it. I didn't care for Alice or Hayden, not really. I definitely didn't care for Margaret's subplot at all, either. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this one, and that makes me pretty sad to say, honestly.

"Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years--or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century. When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game. One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over. Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication. Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition. But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room. And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad… depending on who’s telling it."

Now You're Mine by Morgan Bridges: I rated this book 3.5/5 stars and finished it on February 14th. This is the second book in the Possessing Her duet and follows Calista and Hayden. I'm not gonna say much about this, because it's the second half of a duet, but the ending was good. Nothing remarkable in my opinion, though.

"The Protector: She’s in danger. Just the thought of this threatens my sanity. I’ll do anything to keep her safe… Even things that she doesn’t agree with. If she thinks stalking her was bad, Calista’s in for a surprise."

"The Prisoner: Hayden is certifiable. And I love him. What I don’t like are his methods of protection. Except the more perilous things become, the closer I get to him. And the secrets he’s keeping from me."

Everything is Tuberclosis by John Green: I rated this audiobook 4.5/5 stars and finished it on February 17th. I thought this was fantastic! I had zero expectations going in, but I know a lot of people loved this, so I'm thankful I get to say the same. I thought John Green was a wonderful narrator, and I could tell through his voice how passionate he was about Tuberculosis. I definitely want to read his other nonfiction work soon (The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet), and I'd absolutely recommend this one.

"Tuberculosis has been entwined with humanity for millennia. Once romanticized as a malady of poets, today tuberculosis is seen as a disease of poverty that walks the trails of injustice and inequity we blazed for it. In 2019, author John Green met Henry Reider, a young tuberculosis patient at Lakka Government Hospital in Sierra Leone. John became fast friends with Henry, a boy with spindly legs and a big, goofy smile. In the years since that first visit to Lakka, Green has become a vocal advocate for increased access to treatment and wider awareness of the healthcare inequities that allow this curable, preventable infectious disease to also be the deadliest, killing over a million people every year. In Everything Is Tuberculosis, John tells Henry’s story, woven through with the scientific and social histories of how tuberculosis has shaped our world—and how our choices will shape the future of tuberculosis."

Game Changer by Rachel Reid: I rated this ebook 4.5/5 stars and finished it on February 18th. This is the first book in the Game Changers series and follows Scott and Kip. I loved this so much! I watched the first three episodes of Heated Rivalry this month, and seeing part of Scott and Kip's story through that made me wanna read their book. Lemme tell you, I was not disappointed at all. I loved everything about this, and I think if you like MM hockey romance, you'd love this.

"Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, when a smoothie made by juice bar barista Kip Grady precedes Scott breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic...and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter. Kip knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, nevermind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors. Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?"

Common Goal by Rachel Reid: I rated this ebook 3.5/5 stars and finished it on February 19th. This is the fourth book in the Game Changers series and follows Eric and Kyle. I thought this was good also! Not nearly as good as Game Changer for me, but I still liked it a lot. It's not advertised as an age-gap romance, which is surprising to me, since Eric is 41 and Kyle is 25. I thought it was good though, just kinda slow at parts to me. I'd still recommend it.

"Veteran goaltender Eric Bennett has faced down some of the toughest shooters on the ice, but nothing prepared him for his latest challenge—life after hockey. It’s time to make some big changes, starting with finally dating men for the first time. Graduate student Kyle Swift moved to New York nursing a broken heart. He’d sworn to find someone his own age to crush on (for once). Until he meets a gorgeous, distinguished silver fox hockey player. Despite their intense physical attraction, Kyle has no intention of getting emotionally involved. He’ll teach Eric a few tricks, have some mutually consensual fun, then walk away. Eric is more than happy to learn anything Kyle brings to the table. And Kyle never expected their friends-with-benefits arrangement to leave him wanting more. Happily-ever-after might be staring them in the face, but it won’t happen if they’re too stubborn to come clean about their feelings. Everything they both want is within reach…They just have to be brave enough to grab it."

Credence by Penelope Douglas: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on February 19th. This was a reread for me! I read this for the first time in March 2023, and it got me back into reading. Whenever I feel myself starting to slump or become bored with everything else I'm reading, I pick up something I've already loved once because I know I'm gonna love it again. Credence was that for me. I'd only recommend this if you like extreme spice and forbidden romance, though, because this is incredibly taboo and I know that's not for everyone.

"Tiernan de Haas doesn’t care about anything anymore. The only child of a film producer and his starlet wife, she’s grown up with wealth and privilege but not love or guidance. Shipped off to boarding schools from an early age, it was still impossible to escape the loneliness and carve out a life of her own. The shadow of her parents’ fame followed her everywhere. And when they suddenly pass away, she knows she should be devastated. But has anything really changed? She’s always been alone, hasn’t she? Jake Van der Berg, her father’s stepbrother and her only living relative, assumes guardianship of Tiernan who is still two months shy of eighteen. Sent to live with him and his two sons, Noah and Kaleb, in the mountains of Colorado, Tiernan soon learns that these men now have a say in what she chooses to care and not care about anymore. As the three of them take her under their wing, teach her to work and survive in the remote woods far away from the rest of the world, she slowly finds her place among them. And as a part of them. She also realizes that lines blur and rules become easy to break when no one else is watching. One of them has her. The other one wants her. But he…He’s going to keep her."

Golden Son by Pierce Brown: I rated this book 3.5/5 stars and finished it on February 21st. This is the second book in the Red Rising saga! I have a lot of opinions on this. I didn't enjoy Red Rising AT ALL. This was better, but not by much. I think the only reason it got 3.5 stars instead of 3 was due to the last 12-15% being insane. I will read Morning Star eventually, but I'm in no rush because I'm not obsessed with the story or the characters at all.

"As a Red, Darrow grew up working the mines deep beneath the surface of Mars, enduring backbreaking labor while dreaming of the better future he was building for his descendants. But the Society he faithfully served was built on lies. Darrow’s kind have been betrayed and denied by their elitist masters, the Golds—and their only path to liberation is revolution. And so Darrow sacrifices himself in the name of the greater good for which Eo, his true love and inspiration, laid down her own life. He becomes a Gold, infiltrating their privileged realm so that he can destroy it from within. A lamb among wolves in a cruel world, Darrow finds friendship, respect, and even love—but also the wrath of powerful rivals. To wage and win the war that will change humankind’s destiny, Darrow must confront the treachery arrayed against him, overcome his all-too-human desire for retribution—and strive not for violent revolt but a hopeful rebirth. Though the road ahead is fraught with danger and deceit, Darrow must choose to follow Eo’s principles of love and justice to free his people. He must live for more."

Caught Up by Liz Tomforde: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on February 24th. This is the third book in the Windy City series and follows Malakai and Miller. This was a reread for me! I read this for the first time at the end of April 2025. This was just as fantastic as the first time I read it, if not better. Kai and Miller are just everything to me, honestly. Single dad/nanny is my favorite trope of all time, and it's nailed so well. I will always recommend the Windy City series to people. Go read them if you haven't, they're all amazing!

"Kai: I’m a single dad and starting pitcher for Chicago’s MLB team. I’m stretched too thin, but I don’t want help raising my son. Each of his previous nannies only lasted a few weeks before I let them go. Now, my coach is putting his foot down by hiring the one person I can’t fire—his daughter. Miller Montgomery is the last woman I should fall for. Too wild, too young, and too unattached. Chicago is just a quick stop for her. I thought I’d be counting down the days until she left, but summer feels too short when I start thinking about forever.

"Miller: As a high-end pastry chef who recently won the most prestigious award in my industry, I’m desperate to prove I deserve it. But with a new title comes new pressure, and I can’t create a fresh and inspiring dessert to save my life. With only two months to get back on track, I should be focusing in the kitchen, but instead, I let my dad talk me into using my time off to nanny for his star player’s kid. Kai Rhodes forgot how to have fun, and I’m eager to jog his memory. But when he and his son start to feel like home, I have to remind us both that my time in Chicago ends with the summer. Besides, I’ve always been a runner, and the last thing I want is to get caught."

The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion, volume 1: I rated this library book 3/5 stars and finished it on February 25th. I started this series because Brady Lockerby talks highly of it, so I thought I'd give the first two books a shot this month. This one was fine, nothing crazy in my opinion. I do wanna continue, though, because I think they're gonna get better.

"The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House."

Play Along by Liz Tomforde: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on February 26th. This is the fourth book in the Windy City series and follows Isaiah and Kennedy. This was a reread for me! I read this for the first time at the beginning of May 2025. This was probably my favorite book of the month, and it was a reread! After this reread, I've come to the conclusion that Isaiah and Kennedy are easily my favorite couple in the series, and Isaiah is easily in my top 5 favorite book men of all time; he's my favorite sports romance man for sure. The way he is obsessed with her from the very beginning, and just watching that grow throughout the book, is incredible. She thinks he's just a playboy and would never settle down, only to realize the only one he'd settle down with is HER????? Absolutely incredible. I highlighted so many more quotes this time around too. It was..incredible. That's the only word I have to describe this. PLEASE go read it.

"Kennedy: I’m the only woman on staff for the Windy City Warriors, and after years of putting up with a sexist lead doctor, I’m desperate to land my dream job with a new team next year. All I have to do is maintain my professional reputation for my final season in Chicago. But a Las Vegas run-in with the team’s shortstop threatens it all, leaving me with a fuzzy memory and a ring on my left hand. Now, not only am I legally bound to the most persistent man I’ve ever met, but thanks to Isaiah’s scheme to save my job, I have to pretend the whole thing was a planned elopement and not a drunken mistake. Isaiah Rhodes is reckless, impulsive, and frustratingly charming. He’s also my brand-new husband. They got the saying wrong. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas… sometimes it follows you right back home.

"Isaiah: As the shortstop for Chicago’s professional baseball team, I’ve had my fair share of fun. But that all ended the day Kennedy Kay became a single woman. I’ve crushed on the team’s athletic trainer for years. I’ve flirted to no avail, so imagine my surprise when I woke up in Sin City with a ring on my finger and my favorite redhead in my bed. We agree to stay married for one baseball season, just long enough to keep her job safe, but in my mind, I’m using our time together to prove to her I’m husband material. Kennedy might be reluctant to join in on our game, but it’s one I refuse to lose. So come on, wife… play along."

The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion, volume 2: I rated this library book 3/5 stars and finished it on February 26th. I thought this one was fine too. I'm not sure if I'd recommend it, though, just because I'm not super into it yet. As I read more of them in March, I'll be sure to let you know.

"The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House."

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That's it! Unfortunately, I didn't have a single five-star read that wasn't a reread, so hopefully March is better for that. See you next month!