February Monthly Recap
February 🎵 came in like a wrecking ball 🎵 and I feel like I blinked and it was over. Thank goodness for my reads to help me pass the time, keep me sane and bring me a lot of comfort and joy when a lot of things seemed bleak, overwhelming and deeply, profoundly sad.
Sometimes it feels like so many terrible unfixable things are happening at once (after 3 years of pandemic trauma), that I can easily enter into a state of paralysis. I’m happy to report I’ve kept up my reading velocity and read a few real gems this month! My historical romance era is still going strong, there’s just something so freaking delicious about them, and I regret nothing.
Okay without further ado, the monthly recap for February.
Apple Books:13
Kindle Unlimited:13
For a total for 26 books smashed through in the month dedicated to the love holiday.
We’re they all winners? No. But were there more than a few stand-outs? Yes, absolutely.
Best of the month on Kindle Unlimited
Deceived by the Gargoyles by Lillian Lark
I fell into the Lillian Lark vortex, thanks to Katee Robert tweeting about Stalked by the Kraken (LL’s monster lovers book 1), so this was an easy choice to snag on KU. Plus that cover, oh my god, so gorgeous. This is for all the 90’s kids that loved the Gargoyles show, because damn did it scratch an itch I did not know I had. This is a polyamorous coupling between already mated clan members and Librarian / Witch Grace.
Like any poly romance, seeing each couple fall in love is really special, but the love and support they all have for each other, is really where this one shines. High, HIGH steam.
The Belle and the Beard by Kate Cantebary
I read The Boss in the Bedsheets (book 1 in the Santillian triplets series) last year and lost my mind over Ash and Zelda, so I have no idea what took me so long to get on board with picking up the rest of these books. I am a KC convert, and am now strategizing as to when I’m going to dig into the Walshes series, because I know they are going to also wreck me: body and soul. I digress.
Here we have political fixer Jasper and Arborist Linden in all their pansexual glory. God I love KC’s hero’s. They are just steady, physical touch loving, I see into your soul, big hands having babes and I can’t get enough of them (see: The Worst Guy and The Before Girl). As usual this one does not disappoint and seeing Linden taking Jasper into his home, space, life and heart was really special, and OOF. Hearing about his past really punched me in the gut, and a good lesson for anyone: life is short tell folks you love them when you have the chance.
Hot Blooded by Heather Guerre
This was pretty popular over on r/romancebooks in the past couple weeks, and thought why not. I will say I didn’t LOVE book 1 in this series and headed into it expecting more of the same, but y’all this book was SO good. Amos is a friggen babe and so smitten with Tessa. I loved how much he loved and protected her. And Tessa, how open she was with Amos right from the beginning, including her “desires”, made for a quick, fun, steamy read with a legit plot.
Twisted Hate by Ana Huang
The long awaited Josh and Jules story landed on KU this week and, I dove in immediately. I gotta say I was sceptical, coming off Twisted Games (which I liked but found the Eldorra royals stuff a little campy) that Twisted Hate might be a regression in the overall series. But my lord, am I so happy to tell you it was so, so, so well done.
This is a true enemies to friends to lovers and wow Josh Chen can get it. Seeing him take care of Jules really did something to my heart, and the “best ever date” he planned for her was the stuff dreams are made of. Now I’m over here dying for Christian and Stella’s story and conclusion of the series.
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher
This is book two in the Dreamland Billionaire series and is all about Iris and Declan. This book was a quick, delightfully well paced book that features some of my FAVE tropes of all time. Boss / Assistant. Forced proximity. Marriage of convenience. Faking a relationship. The grovel. Iris was such a straight up queen, knowing her worth. Respecting herself enough to ask for what she wants. And being the sunshine-y babe worked really well with Declan’s more gruff demeanour. Also the whole 1 word to say many things, moments were just PERFECTION.
Lord all of it was really a delight. I was not ready to give these two up, at all. Really looking forward to Cal’s book next!
Best of the month on Apple Books
Bold Fortune by M.M. Crane
Great for fans of Adriana Anders Whiteout and Uncharted books. This is a soft, small town opposites attract story with low heat and ALL the heart. I loved Quinn and Violet, which based on my track record it’s not at all surprising. Gruff honor bound to the land Quinn and perpetually optimistic Violet make for a TRULY delightful pairing as he tries to convince her she’s not cut out for remote Alaska and she just smiles at him harder and becomes a “women of action”. This was low-stakes and gave me all the feelings.
The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe
Following up Heiress Hunt, which I didn’t love I was sceptical to jump back into this series, and friends let me tell you I am SO GLAD I DID. This book was everything. Kit and Alice were SO delightful together, and what’s not to love about a carefree playboy being a sex tutor to a innocent sweet heiress? Nothing, that’s what.
Seeing Kit help Alice break out of the awful shell her mother had constructed around her was really so wonderful. Especially how much he truly became her best friend and biggest supporter. And our man Kit being just WRECKED by sweet Alice was equal parts hilarious and endearing. These two are such great partners and make for legit soul mates. Now I really need Preston and Katherine’s book!
The Varsity Dad Dilemma By Lex Martin
Set in the extended Texas Nights universe, Lex Martin is back with a deceptively delightful single dad collegiate sports romance. Gabby and Rider are a great pairing, with her being the classic academic, “no fun” beauty who is standoffish, and ready to protect herself from feeling too much for Rider, again. And our guy Rider who has (of course) the tragic backstory just trying to make more of himself, and leverage his natural ability on the football field.
Without spoiling it, how they come to find the baby and the resulting dilemma, I will say Martin really has a gift for writing hot AF men with babies. It does something to me.
A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean
Ah more Scottish love interests! Ok I let an Apple Books Review get the best of me here, and put this off for much longer than I should have. I really loved this one. Alec who thoroughly believes himself to be this huge monstrous beast and unworthy of love and Lillian, who only wants to be thoroughly loved made for a great pairing. I did feel like there was some unneeded swirl, but we did get to the very satisfying HEA in the end. That coupled with some delightful cameo’s made for a great read! Oh, plus some great banter and dogs!
The Sins of Lord Lockwood by Meredith Duran
Ah this being the next in the series after ALCoM sees recently found man Liam Lockwood as he works to take revenge on the men responsible for his abduction and treatment over three years in captivity. Anna only knowing he left her on their wedding night, as no idea why he’s returned now (after three years) and is about to land on his door step to demand some answers.
Oh my word this book is so delicious. The banter, wit and chemistry these two have right from the get-go is so wonderful. You’re heart will absolutely hurt with what was taken from them, and what they both went through during their separation. Perfect for fans of Kerrigan Byrne’s Victorian Rebels series.