What I Read In February + My March TBR
February came, and look at this—I read quite a few books this month, again! I always love reading a handful of books. Reading has always been self-care for me, but lately, it’s almost become like … therapy. (Another form of therapy, obvi.)
I loved the books that I read this month. Also an exciting update! I finally got the Kindle page turner remote after one scam purchase of another remote on Amazon (that I found on TikTok). I’ve been loving my remote so far—it is a GAME CHANGER. (I’m currently reading Twisted Love by Ana Huang and LOVING it.)
Anyway—let’s dive into the books that I read this month.
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
I listened to the sequel to the beloved prequel, It Happened One Summer, and oh my gosh you guys, I think I’m in love with Fox Thornton. He was giving off major “You’re On Your Own, Kid” vibes by Taylor Swift, if you know what I mean. I loved his character development way more than Hannah’s, but don’t get me wrong, Hannah was definitely a character I wanted to read more about and learn more about—and she did not disappoint. This book was steamy, as should be expected by the queen of steamy romance novels (in my opinion), Tessa Bailey. I thought this was just as steamy as its predecessor, but Fox is just on another level than grumpy Brendan Taggert. I loved the movie set backdrop of this book and I also really loved how we returned to the small fisherman town of Westport, Washington. Also—can we talk about that epilogue?? I’m obsessed. Check out my full review here.
Rating: ⅘
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Exes & O’s by Amy Lea
So, I read this book because it just came out but I didn’t realize that there was a book before this. Now, you don’t need to read the first book to understand this plot, but they do have the main characters from the first book woven throughout the plot as side characters in this book. Still, if you’re like me, and eager to pick up this book about a romance novel reader/bookstagrammer and a hot firefighter in a forced proximity, second chance romance, then you can absolutely read this before the first book. That being said, I adore Amy Lea’s writing and will be absolutely picking up the first book, “Set On You.” I loved that this was a faster read for me and genuinely was heartwarming and funny to read. I definitely needed this sort of charming romance to get me in the feels. The main character, who is a bookstagrammer and avid romance novel reader, sets out to reunite with her exes and have a second chance romance with one of them. She enlists the help with her new roommate, Trevor, aka the hot firefighter. If you’re a big fan of contemporary romance, like Jasmine Guillory, Hannah Orenstein, and Falon Ballard, then I think you’ll love this influencer series.
Rating: ⅘
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Begin Again by Emma Lord
Listen—I loved “Tweet Cute” by Emma Lord. I loved the YA book. I was even a fan of her second and third books. But this one? I had high hopes, considering the title is the same title of one of my favorite songs off Red (Taylor’s Version). But it didn’t do anything for me. I found that the plot was confusing at times, like the radio backdrop and how the underground radio show was connected to finding ribbons? And then the ribbon hunt supposedly turned into secret societies and those secret societies were volunteer societies? I just felt like that could’ve been fleshed out more, and it wasn’t for me. I liked the friend group that the MC, Andie Rose, formed with her roommate (who is a bookstagrammer!) and her RA, and her tutor (who wrote a book!). I liked the pop culture references; I think this author does it well compared to other authors. Of course, I love all the baking references—this book featured a lot of bagel recipes. I did like this book, however, I wouldn’t call it the best young adult book I’ve ever read.
Rating: ⅗
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Just My Type by Falon Ballard
I love books that have a magazine setting backdrop. The two main characters, Lana and Seth, are writers at a magazine. Seth is new, while Lana has been writing a dating and relationships column for eight years, hoping to write more about pop culture and books. (Loved this angle, by the way.) Lana has just been broken up with (much like Elle Woods in the opening scene of “Legally Blonde”) after four years with her boyfriend. And then, she discovers her ex-boyfriend from high school, Seth, who broke her heart, has started at the magazine she now works at. But they must compete to win a coveted columnist role at the newspaper. The competition? Lana must stay single and Seth must be in a long-term relationship (after a string of hookups for most of his 20s), and complete a list of tasks and write about them each week. I liked this book—although the competition and list of tasks can get a bit tiring, I genuinely liked Lana’s character and felt like her burnout and discovering who she really is and wants to be, was comforting to read. It’s nice hearing that other people (even fictional) struggles with that. It was nice reading about Lana, who has always been in a relationship since she was 14 years old, practically forced to be single and know who she is and what she wants. (Even though the competition forced onto by her boss was toxic.) In a weird way, I wasn’t rooting for Seth and Lana to “get back together” or get together at the end. I wanted Lana to stay single and get the happily ever after of loving herself and feeling comfortable with herself and being single. With that notion aside, and without spilling any spoilers, the ending was a good wrap-up to Lana’s story.
Rating: ⅘
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Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
If you need a book to fuel your “Gilmore Girls” nostalgia, then look no further than this small town, friends-to-lovers romance set on a Christmas tree farm. Even though it was set on a Christmas tree farm, and around the holidays, you can absolutely pick this up anytime of the year. This book was just a delightful, heartwarming book. This friends-to-lovers, fake dating romance set in a small town featured Stella and Luka, two characters that you could probably replace with Lorelai and Luke from “Gilmore Girls” and no one would notice.
I go more in-depth about my thoughts on this book in my review here, but if you need another sign to pick up this cozy romance, then let this be it.
Rating: 5/5
Shop on Amazon or Bookshop.org.
Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita
I am absolutely counting this in my reading wrap-up, even though this is a reread. This was a comfort reread this month. I read this series in middle school and I became absolutely obsessed with all things Hollywood. It’s very much a teen romance, considering I read this in middle school, but I loved all things Hollywood, learning the ins and outs about working on a TV set, Hollywood publicity, managers, and more about that life. It follows Kaitlin Burke who’s one of the stars on a soap opera that she loves, but it’s about her burnt out and in need of a vacation—and a vacation where she goes to public school. Yeah well, she has to go in disguise and thus, Rachel Rogers is born. There, she meets new friends (and hangs with her bestie, Liz) and even meets a new love interest, Austin. But what happens when she can’t have it both ways? Even Hannah Montana had to pull off the blonde wig.
My March TBR:
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon
Set On You by Amy Lea
Love & Other Flight Delays by Denise Williams