Goodreads

Release date: February 17, 2026

Publisher: St. Martins

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

The multimillion-copy and New York Times bestseller B. A. Paris returns with a triumphant, unsettling new suspense novel.

Who is watching Nell Masters?

Nell Masters is certain someone is following her. The hairs on the back of her neck rise when she travels to and from work, there are silent calls to her office, and a huge bouquet of flowers arrives without a card. And Nell has a reason to be looking over her shoulder, because she has a secret that she’s hiding from everyone in her life, including her new partner, Alex. But Alex also has secrets of his own.

Fourteen years earlier, when Nell went by the name Elle Nugent, she witnessed a student, Bryony Sanders, getting into a stranger’s car. When Bryony was found murdered, Elle became obsessed with finding the person responsible. She was convinced she knew who it was and her fixation with Brett Parker, the man she accused, led her down a dangerous path . . . 

Now, Nell tries to convince herself that this unnerving feeling of being watched is all in her mind. Has someone from her past discovered her new identity? Has the stalker become the stalked? Or is there something even more deadly at play?

Review:

 This book is an over the top, obsession fueled thriller that leans all the way into paranoia, stalking, and the uneasy feeling that someone is always watching. The first half absolutely hooked me. The creeping dread, the secret identity, the lingering questions about who’s telling the truth and who’s spiraling—it was tense, unsettling, and genuinely fun in that twisty domestic suspense way. I flew through it because the paranoia felt sharp and controlled.

The second half didn’t hit quite as hard for me. It started to veer a little off the rails, and while the twists kept coming, some answers felt a bit too easy and left a few lingering questions behind. That said, I still had a great time with it. The first half was such a blast that I’m rounding my 3.5 up to a solid 4 stars. It’s dramatic, messy, and perfect if you’re in the mood for something unsettling but wildly entertaining.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 17, 2026

Publisher: Harper Perennial

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

You know your neighbours are plotting a crime but no one believes you . . .

When Lena helps her teenage son gather sounds for his media studies project, she doesn’t expect her boom-microphone to pick up a conversation between her neighbours, the Morgans.

And she’s certain they are planning a crime.

Her family and friends tell her that she must have misheard. After all, the Morgans are a well-respected, upstanding couple in their early sixties. They’ve never been in trouble with the law.

Yet Lena can’t stop thinking about it. Because what if she hasn’t misheard? What if she can prevent something awful happening?

After all, stopping it could help ease her conscience about her own dark past . . .

Review:

The New Neighbors by Claire Douglas is a tense, slow burn domestic thriller that leans heavily into paranoia, perspective, and the unsettling idea that you might not know the people living just feet away from you. When Lena accidentally records what she believes is her elderly neighbors plotting a crime, the story kicks off with an intriguing premise, but rather than sprinting into action, it deliberately unravels through multiple POVs, each one adding another layer of doubt and suspicion. You’re not quite sure how everyone is connected at first, which creates a steady sense of unease that builds as the chapters rotate.

Douglas excels at crafting atmosphere. There’s a constant undercurrent of tension as Lena questions what she heard and whether her own past is clouding her judgment. The structure keeps you guessing, and while some twists are genuinely surprising, others are easier to spot coming. That said, the way the different threads ultimately converge is satisfying, even if the road there occasionally veers into over the top or slightly implausible territory.

This isn’t a gritty, ultra realistic thriller, it’s more of a dramatic, twist heavy suburban suspense that asks you to suspend disbelief just enough to enjoy the ride. Complex, layered, and undeniably engaging, it’s the kind of book that keeps you turning pages because you need to see how it all connects in the end.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 17, 2026

Publisher: Sourcebooks Audio

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

From acclaimed author Terah Shelton Harris comes a poignant story of survival and redemption, asking readers to question what it means to stop surviving and start living.

Leigh is the last of the Wildes. She knows this because she watched them all die.

Grief never truly fades and even as the tragedy haunts her, Leigh carries on, because survival is in her blood. So, when the transport bus taking her to prison careens off the road, killing everyone onboard except her, she does what’s in her nature. She survives. 

While searching for a place to hide, Leigh stumbles upon an unexpected sanctuary: a flower farm in rural Alabama tucked away from the world. What Leigh doesn’t expect is the found family there who have built something from the wreckage of their own lives. Especially Jackson, the farm’s owner, who sees through Leigh’s defenses, offers her small moments of tenderness, encourages her to face her own tragedies. Slowly, Leigh finds peace with the hard pace and soft nature of the farm, taking comfort in the life blooming around her. Maybe she’s not beyond redemption, not too broken for something good. And maybe, just maybe, Leigh starts to heal.

But the past isn’t so easily buried.

No matter how far she runs, the truth of who she is and the ghosts of the Wildes follow. And when those secrets catch up to her, threatening everything she’s come to love, Leigh will have to truly face what she can survive.

Review:

Terah Shelton Harris delivers something truly special with Where the Wildflowers Grow, a story that is as devastating as it is beautiful, as brutal as it is tender. This is a novel about grief in all its forms: the loud, shattering kind and the quiet, lingering ache that never fully leaves. Leigh’s journey begins in trauma and survival—she has outlived everyone she’s ever loved, and when yet another catastrophe leaves her the sole survivor, it feels almost mythic. But what unfolds on that hidden Alabama flower farm is not just a story about surviving. It’s about what it means to begin living again. Harris writes with such poignancy and care, allowing the emotional weight to settle slowly, thoughtfully. This is deeply character driven fiction, it’s layered, human, and unforgettable.

The audiobook experience is nothing short of extraordinary. Narrated by the legendary Tracie Thoms, Dionte Black, and the author herself, the performances elevate an already powerful story into something immersive and intimate. Tracie Thoms, an incredible actor, delivers a breathtaking performance—raw, nuanced, and emotionally precise. You can hear every crack in Leigh’s armor, every flicker of hope she’s afraid to trust. Dionte Black brings warmth and grounded strength, and the author’s presence adds an additional layer of authenticity. Together, they create an atmosphere that feels lived in and deeply personal.

At its heart, this is a story of loss, redemption, found family, and the fragile courage it takes to heal. It asks big questions about identity, guilt, and whether we are defined by our worst moments, or by what we choose to do next. It’s thoughtful, poignant, and incredibly moving. A perfect pick for book club discussions, this one lingers long after the final chapter. I absolutely adored it.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 17, 2026

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

A whip-smart and darkly funny crime novel—perfect for fans of My Sister, the Serial Killer and The Maid—that follows a wife and mother with a deadly secret that she must suppress if she wants to maintain her picture-perfect façade.

Meet Lalla Rook. Lalla has a lot on her plate: She needs to guarantee her husband makes partner, secure her dream house in Hampstead, and get her daughter into a prestigious prep school. And on the afternoon she stabs a stranger seven times after he breaks into her living room, she has a four-year-old’s birthday party to host.

With an unambitious partner, two demanding children, and a barely adequate large house in a nice (if not quite fashionable) part of town, Lalla’s life isn’t quite perfect yet. And she can’t pretend she hasn’t missed the adrenaline rush that comes with transgressing. Besides, as a wife and mother, she’s already an expert multi-tasker. So, disposing of a body, framing a friend, and being the world’s best mother can easily be managed alongside the usual domestic minutiae.

It’s just that her husband Stephen seems distracted, her daughter’s drowning of the class hamster is affecting her academic future, and then there is the unexpected intruder. Who is this man and what does he want from her? Because Lalla has a past she’d rather keep hidden—and the sudden appearance of the police means that avoiding them will be yet another task to cross off her to-do list.

Funny, calculating, hypercompetent, and ambitious, Lalla is your next favorite antiheroine. Just don’t mention it to her mother-in-law.

Review:

In A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage by M. K. Oliver, domestic ambition meets deliciously dark chaos. Lalla Rook is determined to curate the perfect life, the Hampstead house, partner track husband, prestigious prep school acceptance, and she approaches those goals with the same ruthless efficiency she uses to dispose of a body. From the opening shock, the novel makes it clear this is not your typical suburban thriller. It’s satirical, sharp, and wickedly funny, leaning fully into its antiheroine’s skewed logic.

Lalla is manipulative, cunning, and endlessly surprising. I truly never knew what she would do next, and that unpredictability is half the fun. Her behavior is often shocking, sometimes outrageous, but always entertaining. The humor is dark and cheeky, and the tone balances crime with biting social commentary about status, motherhood, and the performance of perfection. It feels both over the top and completely self aware in the best way.

This is a wickedly fun read for anyone who loves morally gray women who refuse to apologize. Lalla isn’t asking for your approval—she’s asking if you’ve RSVP’d to the birthday party she’s hosting… right after handling a minor homicide inconvenience.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 24, 2026

Publisher: Minotaur

Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Horror

Synopsis:

Barbie meets Scream with a 90s nostalgia twist in this horror romp from Bless Your Heart author Lindy Ryan.

Horror author Jill has just moved to suburban New Jersey, hoping to fit in with the new PTA moms and maybe not weird everyone out with her Final Girl coffee mug. You know. Make some real friends.

But then a plastic face-masked serial killer begins slashing their way through town, one overly made-up mom at a time. The police are incredulous. The moms are indignant. And Jill is slowly wrapped into a killer’s murderous spree, until she might just be the last woman standing.

A delightfully murderous novel that is equal parts scathing and salacious, Dollface will win you over with its gossip and gore, one body at a time.

Review:

Dollface by Lindy Ryan is a wildly entertaining horror romp that leans fully into camp, nostalgia, and gleeful gore. I ended up doing a mix of print and audio, but I found myself gravitating toward the audiobook thanks to Stephanie Nemeth-Parker’s narration. She’s a consistent standout for me, and once again she delivers a performance that’s engaging, captivating, and perfectly attuned to the story’s tone. Pair that with a premise that blends suburban mom culture, slasher vibes, and a Barbie meets Scream aesthetic, and I was hooked almost immediately.

This is very much “light horror” in the best way: strange, fun, and just gory enough to satisfy without tipping into overwhelming territory. The story revels in its 90s horror movie energy, complete with a plastic faced serial killer, PTA politics, and a sharp sense of satire aimed at suburban expectations of motherhood and femininity. While some of the twists didn’t fully surprise me, the ride itself was such a blast that it honestly didn’t matter, I was having too much fun.

If you love horror that doesn’t take itself too seriously, especially older slasher films with a wink and a nod, Dollface is an easy recommendation. It’s campy, chaotic, and unapologetically entertaining, balancing gossip and gore in a way that feels both playful and pointed. This one is perfect for readers who want their horror fun, fast paced, and just a little bit unhinged.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: February 3, 2026

Publisher: St. Martins

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

A deft and immersive psychological suspense debut about a luxury party planner who becomes obsessed with a woman she encounters in a hospital waiting room.

Cady has worked hard to have a good life. She has a thriving luxury event-planning business, the man she’s loved since she was seventeen, and a social calendar she can barely keep up with. She also has Dana, her identical twin, her beyond best friend, her most trusted confidante. When Cady gets a call that Dana has been in a serious accident and arrives moments too late to say goodbye, her world falls apart.

But to Cady’s family’s growing concern and confusion, it’s not Dana’s death that consumes her. It’s Morgan, a grieving mother Cady encountered in the hospital waiting room, the day her sister died. It can’t be a coincidence, that they both experienced tragedy at the same moment, in the same place—Cady doesn’t believe in coincidences. Instead, she is convinced that she must help this stranger overcome her tragedy, in order to come to terms with her own.

Or…is there more to it? Is it possible that Cady wants something else from Morgan? Something she can’t even admit to herself?

Slyly twisted and deeply provocative, Good Intentionscaptures the moral ambiguity that can arise in the face of impossible choices. Like the aftermath of a car accident—and against your better judgment—you won’t be able to look away.

Review:

Good Intentions is an impressive psychological suspense debut that reads like the work of a seasoned author, its confident, emotionally sharp, and quietly devastating. Walz explores grief, obsession, and moral ambiguity through Cady, a woman whose seemingly perfect life implodes after the sudden death of her identical twin sister. What follows isn’t a straightforward grief spiral, but something far more unsettling: Cady fixates on Morgan, a grieving mother she briefly encounters in a hospital waiting room, and convinces herself that helping this stranger is the key to surviving her own loss.

Cady is a fascinating and deeply flawed protagonist. Watching her unravel is like witnessing a slow motion train wreck—you know the decisions she’s making are irrational, even dangerous, yet you can’t look away. Walz captures the desperation and heartache driving Cady’s actions with empathy, even as the story grows increasingly uncomfortable. The tension lies not just in what Cady does, but in why she does it, forcing the reader to sit with questions about control, projection, and the thin line between compassion and obsession.

The ending is sharp, surprising, and deeply thought provoking, pushing the novel beyond standard psychological suspense into something more morally complex. Good Intentions asks an unsettling question: how far can someone go in the name of grief? Does having “good intentions” actually matter? It’s emotional, unsettling, and quietly devastating in the best way, marking Walz as an author to watch.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean over the top grand gestures or sugary sweet love stories. Sometimes the most romantic books are the ones that feel intimate, thoughtful, and deeply human, the kind of stories that linger long after the last page.

These romance novels feel like receiving a Valentine in book form: tender, emotional, romantic in quiet ways, and rooted in real connection. Whether you’re craving devotion, second chances, or love that unfolds gently, these picks are perfect for February reading.

💌 Wrote You a Love Letter

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

This tender, time bending romance is a quiet exploration of grief, fate, and the kind of love that finds you even when the timing feels impossibly wrong. Through gentle magical realism and deeply emotional storytelling, Ashley Poston creates a love story that feels intimate and thoughtful, unfolding with patience and care. It’s the kind of romance that lingers long after the final page, reminding you that love isn’t about when it happens, but about how deeply it’s felt.

Check it out here

💘 Obsessed, But Gentle

Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle

A soft, cozy slow burn that proves devotion doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful, Twice Shy is all about showing up in the smallest, most meaningful ways. This romance unfolds gently, built on kindness, quiet support, and emotional safety rather than big declarations. Watching these two characters grow closer feels tender and deeply satisfying, making this a perfect pick if you love romances where love feels steady, sincere, and earned.

Check it out here

⏳ Right Person, Right Timing

The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

Second chance romances don’t get more emotionally grounded than this. The Ex Vows explores what happens when love is real, but life gets in the way. Set against the backdrop of a destination wedding gone wrong, this story balances heartfelt reflection with romantic tension as two people confront whether their past love still has a future. It’s mature, emotional, and deeply rewarding for readers who love romances about growth, forgiveness, and choosing each other again.

Check it out here

💞 Feels Like Being Chosen

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

At its heart, Book Lovers is a romance about being truly seen and loved for exactly who you are. Emily Henry delivers sharp banter and emotional depth in equal measure, crafting a relationship built on honesty, mutual respect, and shared ambition. Rather than forcing either character into a role they don’t fit, this story celebrates choosing each other without compromise, making it one of the most satisfying and quietly romantic love stories out there.

Check it out here

💋 Super slow burn, but Still Romantic

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

This emotionally rich romance blends real life complexity with undeniable chemistry, creating a story that feels both intimate and deeply heartfelt. Ready or Not explores unexpected love, found family, and personal growth with warmth and sensitivity, allowing the romance to develop naturally over time. The emotional connection is just as compelling as the attraction, making this a perfect pick if you want heat that’s grounded in genuine care and emotional depth.

Check it out here

🫶 Found Family Love

The Bright Spot by Jill Shalvis

Wrapped in warmth, community, and second chances, The Bright Spot is as much about found family as it is about romance. Jill Shalvis creates a world where love extends beyond the couple, offering comfort, healing, and belonging in unexpected ways. With its cozy setting and heartfelt connections, this story feels like a reminder that love doesn’t exist in isolation—it grows stronger when surrounded by people who show up and stay.

Check it out here

If you’re looking for romance that feels meaningful rather than manufactured, these books deliver love in its most heartfelt forms. Whether you’re reading solo, gifting to a friend, or planning a cozy Valentine’s night in, each of these stories offers something special. You can find the entire list here.

Goodreads

Release date: February 10, 2026

Publisher: Park Row/Harlequin Audio

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Connie can’t wait to have all her daughters back home for the holidays. It’s not just the excitement of the girls being together under one roof; uni student Fran is bringing a new boyfriend to stay. The empty nest will once again be full of friends, family and young love.

Yet from the moment she sees Zac, Connie feels a deep unease. Zac reminds her of the worst mistake she has ever a man whose charm and good looks nearly destroyed her marriage. Then, Fran announces she’s pregnant.

Reeling from Fran’s news and terrified that her past might threaten her family’s future, Connie desperately tries to navigate a path forward. But there’s a much greater menace looming, because she’s not the only one who has something to hide. Someone in the house has another devastating secret. A deception which will put everyone Connie loves in shocking danger, and one of them will pay the ultimate price.

Review:

Our Beautiful Mess by Adele Parks was a solid, absorbing read for me, albeit one that leans much more into slow burn domestic drama than pulse pounding thriller. I read some in print and listened on audio, and while both formats worked well, the audiobook really elevated the experience. This is a deeply character driven story focused on family dynamics, long buried secrets, and the quiet, creeping tension that comes from what’s left unsaid. If you’re expecting nonstop twists, this might feel measured, but if you enjoy layered suspense built on relationships and emotional stakes, this one delivers.

The structure is one of the book’s biggest strengths. Told through multiple POVs over a “11 days before the end” countdown, it creates a looming sense of inevitability that keeps the tension simmering throughout. The ensemble cast gives the story a true bird’s eye view, allowing readers to see how secrets, betrayals, and hidden agendas overlap and collide. At times the pacing does feel a bit drawn out, but it’s clear this is intentional, Parks stretches the moments to let the dread settle in, making the payoff feel earned rather than rushed.

On audio, Kristin Atherton and Gary Turner are excellent narrators, bringing nuance and emotional depth to an already compelling story. I’m always a fan of audiobooks with accents, and their performances were engaging, immersive, and perfectly suited to the tone of the novel. Overall, Our Beautiful Mess is less about shock value and more about psychological tension, moral complexity, and the messy realities of family life, a thoughtful, suspenseful listen that proves quieter drama can be just as gripping.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 10, 2026

Publisher: Crooked Lane

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Still recovering from a devastating breakup, 34-year-old Savannah Mitchell has finally managed to put her life back together when she gets the shock of her life—after a brief fling with a man named Max, she is pregnant.

When she gets in touch to tell him, he reveals that he’s just gotten back together with his ex, Madison, and he will need time to break it to her. Surprisingly, Madison isn’t upset—in fact, she’s excited, and wants to help.

Max insists Madison has the best of intentions, but Savannah finds her efforts—popping by uninvited, demanding lifestyle changes, and pretty much trying to take over the pregnancy—anything but helpful. When Savannah finally stands up for herself, Madison’s treatment of her goes from casually cruel to downright dangerous.

All Savannah wanted to do was form a friendly co-parenting relationship with the father of her child—but his new girlfriend obviously has much more sinister plans in mind.

She has no plans to co-parent at all.

Review:

The Better Mother by Jennifer Van Der Kleut was exactly the kind of wildly entertaining, can’t look away domestic thriller I love most, the kind where you keep muttering “what the actual hell am I reading” while immediately turning the page. From the jump, the premise hooks you, but it’s the execution that really shines: fast paced, sharply written, and dripping with unease. I tore through this in just a couple sittings because the tension never lets up and the story constantly escalates in ways that feel both inevitable and completely bananas.

Savannah’s situation—unexpected pregnancy, messy emotional fallout, and an overly involved girlfriend who insists she “just wants to help”quickly slides from uncomfortable to deeply sinister. Madison is the kind of character you know is bad news but can’t stop watching, and the mounting sense of suspicion and dread is deliciously effective. The author does an excellent job of turning everyday interactions into something chilling, making even seemingly small moments feel loaded with threat.

This is a pure popcorn thriller in the best way: dark, sharp, and wildly fun, filled with awful characters you’ll absolutely despise, and that’s half the joy. If you love plot driven suspense, morally questionable people, and stories that feel like a modern mashup of Fatal Attraction and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, this one delivers. Easily one of the more entertaining and compulsively readable thrillers I’ve picked up lately.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.