Romance Books That Feel Like a Valentine

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.

Audiobook Review: Our Beautiful Mess by Adele Parks

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.

Review: The Better Mother by Jennifer van der Kleut

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.

Review: Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams

Goodreads

Release date: February 17, 2026

Publisher: William Morrow

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

From the critically acclaimed author of No Exit and The Last Word comes a story of two friends who embark on an ill-fated caving expedition—and the dark truth of what happens deep underground.

After years of excuses, Tess has finally agreed to go caving with her best friend Allie. Their lives have diverged sharply since high school—Allie is a self-made travel influencer, while Tess is a shy (and claustrophobic) legal assistant struggling to pay for law school. Maybe she’s a little jealous of Allie’s globe-trotting life. Who wouldn’t be?

As Tess and Allie descend into the depths, they realize they’re not alone. A stranger who claims to be a fellow caver harasses them. Confident, take-no-shit Allie insults the guy—and he retaliates. Soon, Tess is trapped inside a narrow crawl space hundreds of feet underground, fighting to stay alive.

Twenty-four hours later, as a hospitalized Tess recounts her harrowing story of survival, the detective interviewing her shares new and shocking secrets about Allie’s true past. Together, they begin to suspect the brutal attack wasn’t so random after all.

Who was Allie, really? Why did this man target them? And did Tess really leave the danger behind when she escaped the cave?

Review:

Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams scared the absolute shit out of me—and I loved every second of it. This is claustrophobic, skin crawling, heart pounding suspense that crawls straight under your skin and refuses to leave. From the moment Tess and Allie descend into the cave, the tension is relentless. Narrow tunnels, total darkness, limited air, and the constant awareness of being trapped underground made this almost physically uncomfortable to read. I will simply never go near a cave again (not that I was planning to, but now it’s a hard no 😂).

What makes this even more effective is how tightly Adams weaves character and plot together. Tess’s claustrophobia and insecurity clash perfectly with Allie’s bold, confident influencer persona, creating emotional friction that feels real and layered. The alternating timeline (between the cave ordeal and Tess recounting events afterward) adds another layer of unease, especially as unsettling truths about Allie’s past begin to surface. The twists are genuinely surprising, at times downright shocking, and they completely reframe what you think you know about what happened underground.

Short, fast paced chapters keep the momentum brutal and unrelenting, making this nearly impossible to put down. This is a smart, complex, and incredibly well plotted thriller that delivers on both psychological tension and survival horror. If you like books that make your pulse race and leave you staring at the wall afterward, Her Last Breath absolutely delivers.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: The Jills by Karen Parkman

Goodreads

February 10, 2026

Publisher: Ballantine

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

In this propulsive debut, a Buffalo Bills cheerleader will stop at nothing to solve the disappearance of her best friend and teammate, navigating the dark underbelly of a hardscrabble city, the grime and glamour of professional cheerleading, and her own tangled family history.

Virginia is a Jill—a professional Buffalo Bills cheerleader—living the life she’s always dreamed of. She spends her weekdays practicing, her weekends cheering, and her nights hopping between events and bars and clubs with her close-knit band of teammates, especially her best friend, Jeanine, whose dynamic friendship has given Virginia confidence in spades and allowed her to put aside her troubled past with her sister, Laura. But one Sunday, Jeanine fails to show up for a game, and all her calls and texts go unanswered. Aided by a worried network of Jills, ex-boyfriends, and seedy fixtures of Buffalo’s criminal underground, Virginia embarks on an investigation into Jeanine’s disappearance. But as her search grows increasingly dangerous and spirals into obsession, disturbing questions about who Jeanine really is begin to emerge. Soon, Virginia finds herself wondering how well she knows her friend, if she can trust the people and institutions she thought were protecting her, and whether—when trying to save the people she cares about most—she’s capable of saving herself, too.
Part bingeable mystery, part character-driven tale of a woman claiming her own power in systems built by and for men, The Jills is a sharply observed, witty, and poignant novel about the stories that constrain us and the healing power of sisterhood.

Review:

The Jills by Karen Parkman had all the right ingredients to be a hit for me, which honestly made the letdown sting a little more. A professional NFL cheerleader at the center of a mystery? A behind the scenes look at the culture, pressure, and sisterhood of a team like the Buffalo Bills Jills? Sign me up immediately. And to be fair, those elements were the strongest part of the book. The cheerleading world felt researched, textured, and genuinely interesting — especially if you, like me, have spent years watching Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team and love that mix of glamour, grit, and emotional investment.

Unfortunately, the mystery itself never fully came together. The plot felt overly long and scattered, somehow anticlimactic and wildly over the top at the same time. What started as a compelling disappearance spiraled into something increasingly chaotic, with twists that felt less shocking and more exhausting. There were moments that really worked and flashes of what this story could have been, but the overall execution felt unfocused and unsatisfying. I wanted sharper tension, cleaner answers, and a stronger payoff, especially given such a promising premise. In the end, The Jills lands at a generous three stars for me: parts I genuinely enjoyed, but not a mystery that ever fully stuck the landing.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: Ours is a Tale of Murder by Nora Murphy

Goodreads

Release date: February 10, 2026

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

One quiet neighborhood

Three different families

Bound by murder

 Klara never wanted the house with the white picket fence. Troy never wanted anything else.

 Nothing is quite right with this happy couple, but they fit right in. The mother in the blue house, Mary, is cleaning out her son’s old room before she sells, haunted by the mistakes of her past and afraid of what her home has become. Next door, Henry, freshly laid off and back living with his parents, has plenty of time to watch everyone – especially wives. He knows something is wrong. But then then nothing is quite as it seems, and sometimes you miss what is right in front of you. 

 Murder will soon thread its way through this world in ways no one will see coming —unless you’ve been plotting all along.

Review:

Ours Is a Tale of Murder is one of those thrillers that quietly tightens its grip until you suddenly realize you’re holding your breath. Nora Murphy builds tension patiently, letting unease seep in through small details, odd behaviors, and the sense that something is deeply off beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary neighborhood. The pacing is deliberate but never dull, every chapter adds another layer of discomfort, making it impossible not to keep going.

What really worked for me was how the story follows multiple characters who initially feel separate, even unrelated. Watching their lives slowly intersect—and then collide—in unexpected ways was incredibly satisfying. I love when a book makes you constantly reassess what you think you know, and this one had me guessing and second guessing everyone. No one feels entirely safe from suspicion, and that uncertainty fuels the mounting dread.

This is absolutely a book best experienced with as little prior knowledge as possible. Letting the story unfold naturally makes the twists hit harder and the revelations feel earned. It’s unsettling, uncomfortable, and steeped in a low level sense of doom that lingers long after you turn the final page, a clever, immersive thriller that rewards patient readers who love psychological tension over shock and awe twists.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: We Were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda

Goodreads

Release date: February 3, 2026

Publisher: Poisoned Pen

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Sisters? Forever. Friends? NEVER. Who knew a reunion weekend could be so deadly?

Meet the sorority sisters of Theta Gamma 

Roxy Callahan Gentry, the ruthless former sorority president and current hostess who has painstakingly choreographed every detail of this weekend—even matching the cocktails to her couture—to prove that she remains their undisputed queenAmelia Dell, the widow drenched in old money and alcohol, with her big pot-stirring spoon and uninvited boy-toy in towJamie Vale, the double-legacy pledge, straight-A student with no sparkle, now a top cardiologist with a picture-perfect family—and a well-guarded bad habitBeth Harrison, the scholarship student who never quite fit in and was only admitted because her best friend Sunny insisted that the two were a package dealSunny Spencer, the carefree and beloved friend to all, or so it seemed—until she wasn’tThey’ve been summoned to Roxy’s luxurious Palm Springs vacation home to celebrate the engagement of her son to Beth’s daughter. But the refurbished 1920s estate is eerily reminiscent of the hotel where tragedy struck during Spring Break twenty-five years ago. Long-simmering tensions and shocking secrets begin bubbling to the surface like bodies—because while the weekend was supposed to be about celebrating the future, it’s not so easy to bury the past…

For fans of Shari Lapena, Mary Kubica, and B. A. Paris, We Were Never Friends is an unputdownable, riveting train wreck full of dark humor and bad behavior.

Review:

I usually have a great time with Kaira Rouda’s brand of glossy, over the top domestic thrillers, so I went into We Were Never Friends expecting campy chaos and deliciously unlikable women. While the setup has all the right ingredients — a luxe Palm Springs estate, a sorority reunion, long buried secrets, and a locked room style mystery — the execution didn’t quite land for me. The story is undeniably fast paced and dramatic, and it keeps the pages turning, but much of the tension felt manufactured rather than earned.

The biggest issue was the lack of depth across the multiple POVs. With so many catty, antagonistic women sharing the spotlight, it became difficult to distinguish their voices or motivations in a meaningful way. I don’t need characters to be likable , I love a “love to hate them” cast, but these characters weren’t particularly fun to dislike, just frustrating. Add in some noticeable plot holes and increasingly silly twists, and the story veered into ridiculous territory instead of leaning into sharp satire or dark humor. This may still work for readers who want pure, soap opera level drama with zero downtime, but for me, it fell short of what I usually enjoy from this author.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Audiobook Review: The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie

Goodreads

Release date: October 14, 2025

Publisher: Avon/Harper Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

From a stunning new voice in romance, Lauren Okie’s The Best Worst Thing is an intimate story about starting over, second chances, and two people who cannot help falling into each other’s orbit once again.

All things considered, Nicole Speyer has a pretty amazing life. At least that’s what she tells herself. She’s got a beautiful house, a relatively successful fertility podcast, and a perfect husband, Gabe. The only thing that’s less than ideal is her years-long struggle with infertility—and how, with every passing day, she and Gabe seem to drift a little further apart.

But then, mere hours after a Hail Mary embryo transfer to her gestational carrier, Nicole discovers Gabe’s been sleeping with their dog walker, and her world turns upside down. Suddenly, a jobless, childless, and now-husbandless Nicole finds herself at the doorstep of somebody she tried to say goodbye to a long time ago.

Logan Milgram: a former colleague with serious golden retriever energy who happens to be laugh-out-loud funny, a colossal nerd, and legitimately kind of hot. When Logan opens his door that night, it’s like no time has passed. And as they fall back into each other’s lives, Nicole starts recognizing herself in the mirror again. She even begins to like what she sees. And then, like a cruel joke, she gets the news she’s spent a lifetime waiting for: her surrogate is finally pregnant. 

As her relationship with Logan develops from a blast-from-the-past fling into something much deeper, Nicole struggles to balance her past, present, and future. Racing against the clock, she must learn to forgive her body for falling short and recognize that sometimes, it’s the biggest betrayals in life that set us free. With everything on the line, can Nicole accept love from the greatest man she’s ever known . . . even if it’s nothing like the story she’d written for herself?

Review:

The Best Worst Thing is a romance that doesn’t take the easy road—and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Listening to the audiobook only deepened the experience. Narrated by Kristen Sieh, who I’ve enjoyed before but somehow not nearly enough, this performance is truly standout. This is an emotional, interior heavy story, and Sieh absolutely rises to the challenge. She digs deep into Nicole’s grief, longing, anger, and quiet hope, giving each beat the weight it deserves. Her narration feels intimate and grounded, perfectly matched to a romance that asks you to sit with discomfort before earning its joy.

At its core, this is a messy, complicated love story with real stakes and a long, rocky path to an HEA. Nicole and Logan’s connection is years in the making—layered with missed timing, unresolved feelings, and the kind of emotional baggage that can’t be waved away with a grand gesture. Their romance unfolds slowly and honestly, built on friendship, history, and genuine care, and it feels hard fought in the best way. Logan’s warmth and steadiness balance Nicole’s raw vulnerability beautifully, making their relationship feel earned rather than idealized.

What truly sets this book apart, though, is its depth. Nicole’s fertility struggles are handled with remarkable authenticity and nuance, capturing the grief, resentment, and self blame that so often go unspoken. It’s rare to see this experience portrayed with such care in romance, and even rarer for it to feel this emotionally true. As a debut, The Best Worst Thing is incredibly impressive, it’s heartfelt, brave, and unafraid to explore the harder edges of love, loss, and forgiveness. This is a romance that lingers long after the final chapter, especially in audio form.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

January Recap

January always feels like the biggest reading month of the year for me — fresh releases, anticipated lists, and fully leaning into a new season before things settle back into a normal rhythm.

If you missed anything this month, here’s a quick catch up, plus a peek at what I’m excited about heading into February.

ICYMI: January Highlights

📚 January Book Recommendations

A mixed genre list of romances, thrillers, and a few curveballs that totally surprised me this month.

→ Read the full list here

📚🎧 A few of my fave reads in January

Just for the Cameras was hilarious, sexy and amazing on audio!

Free Falling was a great escape that made me laugh and swoon.

It’s Not Her was such a fun thriller that kept me on my toes.

If you like to read seasonally as much as I do I shared books with winter vibes ❄️

🔮 Anticipated Reads 

My most anticipated books of the year — the posts that always kick off my best reading momentum and a great resource for later.

Thriller List

Romance List

Fiction List

Cozy Mystery List

Currently Reading / Watching

• Reading: Dear Debbie which I keep hearing great things about and Good Intentions which has me hooked I’m almost done so stay tuned for my full thoughts. 

• Listening: Death of a Coupon Clipper which is a silly, funny and wholly entertaining cozy series I’m bingeing. 

• Watching: The Traitors (fully obsessed, no notes) So into it I shared book recs if you love the show.

What’s Coming Next

I’m hoping my reading vibes are similar to January because I have zero complaints! A sneak peek of planned content coming soon

• romance recs for Valentine’s Day 

• February recommendations 

• a few themed lists inspired by what watching and loving

  • my ten year anniversary as a reviewer is this year so fun content surrounding that to celebrate 🎉 

Thanks for being here — whether you catch everything or just pop in when something grabs you I appreciate you 🤍

13 February Releases I Loved

As we head into February, I wanted to share a curated list of books I’d confidently recommend right now. These are reads I recently finished and loved—spanning thrillers, romance, and emotionally driven fiction, and each one left a strong impression for different reasons. Whether you’re in the mood for something tense and unsettling, heartfelt and character focused, or simply immersive and fun, this list offers a little of everything, without the guesswork.

Every book on this list is one I’ve already finished and genuinely enjoyed. No DNFs, no hype reads I’m unsure about later. Just a solid mix of page turners, slow burn character studies, and romances that delivered both chemistry and heart. I’ve linked each book individually below, with a full roundup list at the end for easy browsing.

Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart — Emma Simmeman

This wildly entertaining debut blends dark humor, campus drama, and escalating suspense into a story that’s both campy and surprisingly sharp. When a college senior’s former flames begin turning up dead—and she’s already written eulogies for them—the line between satire and danger starts to blur fast. It’s juicy, messy, and fully aware of how toxic relationships can spiral into something much darker.

Check it out here

It’s Not Her — Mary Kubica

Mary Kubica delivers a chilling, slow unraveling thriller set against the eerie calm of a secluded lake resort. Told across dual timelines, this story thrives on atmosphere and suspicion, gradually revealing how little anyone truly knows about the people around them. The tension builds quietly but relentlessly, making it impossible to trust a single character—or assumption—along the way.

Check it out here

Laws of Love and Logic — Debra Curtis

This thoughtful, emotionally layered novel explores sisterhood, grief, and the complicated ways love shapes our lives over time. With a strong focus on character and introspection, it asks whether it’s possible to hold space for more than one great love without diminishing either. A quietly devastating read that lingers long after the final page.

Check it out here

Free Falling — Jill Shalvis

An enemies to lovers romance with real emotional depth, Free Falling brings together sharp banter and unresolved history. As former college rivals are forced to work together, old wounds resurface alongside undeniable chemistry. Jill Shalvis balances humor and healing beautifully here, making this a satisfying second chance romance that doesn’t rush the hard stuff.

Check it out here

Love and Other Brain Experiments — Hannah Brohm

Academic rivalry, fake dating, and career stakes collide in this smart, charming romance that will instantly appeal to fans of Ali Hazelwood. The intellectual sparring is just as compelling as the emotional growth, and the romance unfolds in a way that feels earned rather than rushed. Nerdy, heartfelt, and deeply satisfying.

Check it out here

Just for the Cameras — Meghan Quinn

This rom com leans hard into chaos—in the best way. A grumpy professional football player and a sunshine zookeeper enter a fake dating arrangement that quickly spirals into something much more real. Packed with laugh out loud moments, slow burn tension, and unexpected sweetness, it’s a reminder of how fun Meghan Quinn’s romances can be.

Check it out here

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates — Shailee Thompson

A slasher rom com that fully commits to its premise, this book turns a speed dating night into a bloody, clever whodunit. It plays with classic horror tropes while maintaining sharp humor and strong final girl energy. Bonus points for the audiobook production, which adds an extra layer of fun to the chaos.

Check it out here

So Old, So Young — Grant Ginder

Following six friends over the course of twenty years, this character driven novel captures the quiet ache of growing older and growing apart. It’s reflective, relatable, and deeply human, focusing less on dramatic plot twists and more on how time reshapes relationships. A subtle but emotionally resonant read.

Check it out here

Ours Is a Tale of Murder — Nora Murphy

This slow burn psychological thriller excels at mounting unease. What begins as a set of seemingly unconnected neighbors gradually tightens into an inevitable, chilling convergence. The pacing is deliberate, the character work sharp, and the payoff deeply unsettling in a way that feels earned rather than sensational.

Check it out here

Still Into You — Erin Connor

A second chance rockstar romance that balances angst with emotional maturity, this story centers on two exes forced back into each other’s orbit by a high stakes interview. With insider glimpses into the music industry and lingering chemistry that crackles on the page, it’s a compelling exploration of love, fame, and timing.

Check it out here

Her Last Breath — Taylor Adams

This survival thriller is relentless. Trapped deep underground, the story creates an intense sense of claustrophobia that never lets up, making every chapter feel urgent. Short chapters and constant escalation keep the momentum high, resulting in a gripping, nerve shredding read that’s impossible to put down.

Check it out here

Good Intentions — Marisa Walz

A provocative psychological suspense debut that examines grief, fixation, and moral ambiguity. When two women cross paths in a hospital waiting room during moments of personal tragedy, their connection becomes increasingly unsettling. This is the kind of quiet, creeping story that tightens slowly and asks uncomfortable questions about empathy and desire.

Check it out here

This Book Made Me Think of You — Libby Page

Tender and comforting, this book explores grief, healing, and the way stories connect us during our hardest moments. With a gentle, bookish tone and emotional warmth, it’s the perfect choice for readers who want something reflective and soothing without being overly sentimental.

Check it out here

For easy browsing, here’s the full list of February reads in one place.

If there’s a theme running through this month’s reading, it’s emotional payoff—whether through high tension thrillers, smart romances, or character driven stories that linger quietly after the final page. If you’ve read any of these or have a recommendation you think I should try next, I’d love to hear it.

More monthly reading recaps and book recommendations are always on the way!