What I Read In February & My March TBR
I read a total of six books in February! What a great month to read good books. February is the month of love, so I was definitely prioritizing romance books — but honestly, I read romance books all year round so this month was no different. One five star romance (that I will be thinking about for months), a great book written by a longtime favorite author of mine, a cowboy romance, a hockey romance, a book about a situationship (so interesting), and a booktok favorite.
I hate writing long intros, so let’s dive into the books that I read this past month! As always, stay tuned to see all the books I’m excited to read in March.
Call It What You Want by Alissa DeRogatis
Okay. So initially, I was going to give this 2.5 or 2.75 stars. I rounded it up to 3 stars on Goodreads. I think the ending swayed me towards that third star. That, and reading the real, raw, and relatable feelings the author poured into this story and these characters. But after further consideration, it’s back down to 2.75.
First and foremost, this is for anyone who’s ever been in a situationship. Or anyone who is struggling with a heartbreak over someone who they never dated.
The author does a good job of proving relatable scenes and dialogue for situationships. That being said, the writing was a tad choppy at times. The writing didn’t really flow well. The setting kept jumping around, i.e., multiple time jumps — not the big time jump that went from them being in college to post-grad in New York, but smaller time jumps to when they were in college. Sometimes, different chapters would be months apart from each other — like one chapter would be in August, and then the next chapter wouldn’t be until October. That’s normal in a romance book, but I guess I would’ve liked to see smaller scenes between Sloane and Ethan (the two main characters) packed together. I liked the big time jump from college in North Carolina to post-grad in New York. It wasn’t really a big time jump, only a few months, but it still served as a bridge between two major parts of the book. I liked seeing different versions of the same characters (although they didn’t really change all that much). Sloane, low key, annoyed me. But again! That’s what made her relatable. Her character development was important for the plot. She reminded me of Carrie Bradshaw — annoying, but lovable.
Also. This book (in the first half) takes place on a college campus on the east coast in 2016. Me? I went to college on the east coast in 2016 so it definitely was relatable — and gave me flashbacks. LOL. Like the first chapter quotes a song from The Chainsmokers. From the first page until halfway through the book, I was cringing at typical 2016 college experiences.
Other than all the drinking and going out, it was a good book. Yes, there was a lot of drinking. I’m not one to note that in books, but it was very present in this one. They’re in college, and later in post-grad era (all in their early 20s, so of age), so it makes sense to include those scenes, but some of the scenes could’ve been taken out. I would’ve liked to see parts of New York that didn’t only include bars. New York is one of the best cities in the world! Maybe a walk in Central Park, grabbing coffee on the steps of the Met, taking a stroll through the Met, etc. (I’m not a New Yorker so idk if these are typical New Yorker things, but I could tell the author wasn’t a New Yorker, either.)
Overall, I liked it. Again, it almost reads like a self-help guide of what not to do in situationships. I would definitely recommend if you’ve ever been in one; you’ll probably love the real, raw, relatable emotions that the author pours into this book. I have followed the author for a while on TikTok and seeing her writing journey from draft one to getting traditionally published (while self-publishing in the middle) made me want to buy this book. I’ll read her next book, but I wasn’t a big fan of the writing in this one.
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
Rating: 2.75/5
Dream Girl Drama (Big Shots, 3) by Tessa Bailey
Tessa!!!! Only Tessa Bailey could write a book about two (potential) step-siblings falling for each other—and make it enjoyable. I loved the first two books in the Big Shots series, and was very excited to find out that this series was getting a third book. It did not disappoint! I enjoyed this.
I loved Sig, the male main character — love him with my whole heart, actually. He had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air. This book was promoted as “insta love,” a trope I haven’t read much of. With its negative connotation on booktok and bookstagram, I went into it not thinking about it as much. However, this book reminded me more of “love at first sight” rather than insta love. As romantics, don’t we believe in love at first sight? I’m not so sure, but the way Tessa described Sig meeting Chloe for the first time (before they knew they were going to be stepsiblings) was romantic. It was breathtaking, or that’s how Sig felt when he first saw Chloe. That’s love at first sight. And they went through hurdles throughout the book. Obviously, given the other trope of the book. But did I want Sig or Chloe to be with anyone else? No. Not at all. Their chemistry was insane and made for great banter — and great friendship, too. Loved their connection and the support they had for one another. I was clinging to the pages wishing desperately that they would find a way to be together. Also! So happy to see the lovable side characters from the last books. Excited to see them in the next book! Overall, Tessa Bailey did it again: She writes fun contemporary (and steamy) romance books that bring a smile to my face.
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
Rating: 3.5/5
You Between The Lines by Katie Naymon
Where do I begin with this book? Buckle up, this will be a long one.
I initially picked this book up thinking it was going to be a cute, adorable romance book (with cartoon characters on the front cover) but it turned into a gripping, heartwarming romance between two poets that blew me away. I love these modern idiots!!
This was so good. Like, really good. Like, I’m going to be obsessed with this book and unable to stop thinking about it for months. This was so beautifully written, and not just saying that because it was a book about two poets in a MFA program. Not to point out the obvious, but this was giving The Tortured Poets Department! (This book has a lot of Taylor Swift references, and as a big Swiftie, the references didn’t overdo it. The main character, Leigh, is a Swiftie and often references Taylor Swift in her poems.)
This book served as so much more than a romance book; to me (and maybe this wasn’t the author’s intention, I apologize), it’s a late coming of age in your 20s story. After feeling burnt out from her corporate career, Leigh enrolls in a master’s program in poetry. She’s always loved poetry and writing poems, and even won awards for it, so she decided to follow her passion.
So, Leigh. Let’s talk about her. She, at times, annoyed me for most of this book — but I think that’s what I liked about her! She has flaws. She’s a big people pleaser (relatable), which made her inherently judgmental because she’s afraid others are judging her, so she judges others first. Honestly, that’s what made her relatable? Her character and flaws felt realistic. She wasn’t this perfect, angelic character. I really enjoyed reading her character arc; her growth is what largely kept me engaged in the story. It’s like I was rooting for this complex character to finally stop being a roadblock in her own life. (She would make great friends with Rory Gilmore.)
Then, the romance. Yearning beyond belief! The level of yearning that Mr. William Langford (Will, for short) did throughout this book is giving Anthony Bridgerton a run for his money. But the romance wasn’t forced at all! It took its time and was incredibly sweet (and spicy at times, but it was the right amount of spice without overdoing it). Their banter was charming. I love Will and Leigh, and the slow evolution of their relationship. He’s always liked her, but we don’t know that because Leigh is, again, getting in her own way! (Honestly so relatable.) Will. Ugh. He’s so incredible. <3
Overall, I would recommend a thousand times. I loved the setting of a master’s program. I loved this book more than I thought I would. If you’re like me and hesitant to pick this one up, then just go ahead and move this to the top of your list.
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
Rating: 5/5 (obviously)
A Photo Finish (Gold Rush Ranch, 2) by Elsie Silver
Elsie Silver, you’ve done it again! ⭐️ Elsie puts magic in these cowboy romance books. I will read every book she writes. I loved the first book in this series and the other two series: Chestnut Springs and Rose Hill. (By the way, every series is connected somehow! If that doesn’t convince you to read her books, the hunky cowboys will.)
This second book in the Gold Rush Ranch series did not disappoint. Violet and Cole, I love you! Cole is a wounded man who carries a lot of hurt, brokenness, darkness, and grief for his late father. He deserves everything, or at least love, but he doesn’t think he deserves it. He reminded me slightly of Anthony Bridgerton, who also carried a lot of hurt, despair, and grief for his late father. Much like Cole. I was rooting for Cole to get his happy ending … and he got it!
With Violet Eaton! What a bright ray of sunshine who Cole stumbled upon at his family’s ranch, where she works at. It was so fun seeing another Eaton! (Violet Eaton is the youngest Eaton sibling and the Eatons are from the Chestnut Springs series). I loved Violet and Cole’s grumpy/sunshine dynamic — and this was truly a grumpy/sunshine romance. They had a unique meeting; they met in a chat room (and that’s all I’ll say about that LOL). The book went from “then/now,” alternating between Violet and Cade chatting in this chat room and then the present day, meeting over a year later (for the first time in person). The “then/now” chapters helped give the characters more context to who they were, especially Cole. It gave more context to see who Cole was and his character growth.
Overall, I loved their relationship! They had unbelievable chemistry. I was rooting for them individually and as a couple throughout the whole book. Honestly, I’ll probably have to go re-read Powerless (Chestnut Springs, 3) because we get a glimpse of Violet and Cole in that one!
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
Rating: 4/5
Picking Daisies on Sundays (Picking Daisies on Sundays, 1) by Liana Cincotti
After thinking more about my rating for this book, I give it 3.75 stars! After seeing this book with its many fan edits on Booktok for months, I finally picked it up. I’m so glad I did! It’s a cute rom-com that I genuinely enjoyed reading. Was the writing the best writing I’ve ever read? No. Do I wish the characters were fleshed out more, like how the female main character, Daisy, dealt with grief over her late father (even years after)? Yes.
But those things aside, this had everything I love about romance novels: yearning, happiness, happily ever afters, pining, romance, and LOVE. It also had fake dating — which I’m still meh on, like they didn’t even need to fake date, but I get it, it was for the plot.
These two were best friends in high school. Daisy had the BIGGEST crush on her best friend from high school, Levi. She was in love with him, and she thought he only saw her as a friend. When they graduated from high school, they didn’t talk for four years. That’s not what she wanted, but that’s what she thought she needed: to be away from him and her feelings for him. But! They reunite and have to fake date to get Levi a job (and make his ex-girlfriend jealous).
Levi, what a love interest. He’s everything a man should be in a romance novel. He’s dreamy. Truly a rom-com dream man. Picture Matthew McConaghey and Mark Ruffalo — their personalities, in addition to their looks. This man could give lessons on yearning and pining. I loved him, and the way he cared for Daisy. Especially after all those years, and even during their friendship in high school. I think I would’ve liked his POV, but I totally understand not including it. I wish the author put more care into fleshing out Daisy’s character, specifically with her family (like her mom and Mandy). But even so, I really liked her character and overall, how the story played out.
Overall, this was a great romance book. I only give this 3.75 stars because the writing could have been improved, but four stars for the incredible characters that were created! Read this if you want a cheesy rom-com to lose yourself in — like those early 2000s rom-coms. It’s so fun, so cheesy, so charming, and so romantic!
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
Rating: 3.75/5
Spiral (Off The Ice, 2) by Bal Khabra
Oh, I loved this one!! This was a great hockey romance. Sage and Elias …. unfiltered?! I loved their relationship; they had unmistakable chemistry and a great connection. While this was a classic fake dating trope (for publicity!), I found myself really believing their relationship was real … a clear cut sign they are meant to be together <3
I also liked seeing their individual character growths! Sage grew up with a rough childhood, and now carries the sole responsibility of her little brother. Elias also is very guarded … but Sage might be the only person to help break those walls down. Loved seeing their characters effortlessly weave into each other’s lives. Sage and Elias fit so well!
Overall, the book kept me engaged. I did not want to set it down! I’m looking forward to reading the first book in this series, Collide, soon as I really like this author’s writing style — if you like Sarah Adams and Hannah Grace, then you should read this book!!
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
Rating: 4/5
My March TBR:
Oathbound by Tracy Deonn
Liquid by Mariam Rahmani
My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein (Out 3/11)
Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan (Out 5/??)
The Front Runner by Elsie Silver
Caught Up by Liz Tomforde
Wild Side by Elsie Silver
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins