February was a great reading month for me. I got so many books read and even reread a favorite series of mine. I did have a few duds, but that’s okay. I have big plans in March and hope my reading keeps getting better and better.
When A Dragon Comes Courting by Claire Trella Hill
After her husband is drafted and dies in the Dragon Wars, Roe means to have nothing to do with the bitter conflict. She focuses on providing for herself and her baby daughter, keeping to her own land. But when soldiers drag a bloody prisoner into her farmyard, Roe’s intentions turn to ash. The prisoner has a frightening magnetism about him, a strange heat and power that Roe doesn’t understand—until she realizes he is a dragon, captured in human form. Both fascinated and fearful, Roe offers what succor she can and earns his regard. Roe is determined to free the prisoner before he is delivered for magical torture—and the dragon is determined to protect her. Dragons have long memories, and neither soldiers nor sand will keep him from returning for what is his….
This was so cute! I really enjoyed it and wish it was longer.
Loathe To Love You by Ali Hazelwood
Under One Roof: An environmental engineer discovers that scientists should never cohabitate when she finds herself stuck with the roommate from hell—a detestable big-oil lawyer who won’t leave the thermostat alone. Stuck with You: A civil engineer and her nemesis take their rivalry—and love—to the next level when they get stuck in a New York elevator. Below Zero: A NASA aerospace engineer’s frozen heart melts as she lies injured and stranded at a remote Arctic research station and the only person willing to undertake the dangerous rescue mission is her longtime rival.
I really enjoyed this. I loved the romances and the friendships in here so much. Ali’s books are always so much fun and funny at times and this was no different.
Of Oath’s and Secrets by R.G. Angel
He’s the ruthless reaper of the Mafia. She’s the light he never expected. Together, they’re bound by vows that could either save them—or destroy them. Nora: In a world where love is a luxury and duty is a prison, my father’s demands seal my fate—an arranged marriage to one of the infamous Lucchese brothers. But I never expected to choose Rafaele, Il Mietitore, the ruthless reaper feared by all. Behind his cold, controlled exterior lies a darkness even my bright spirit may not be able to survive. Yet, despite the danger, something in him calls to me. Maybe it’s because, like me, he hides scars beneath the surface. I’ve made my choice. Now, I just have to live with it—or die trying. Rafaele: They call me Il Mietitore—the Reaper. I am the hand of death in a world bound by blood and betrayal. I don’t need love, and I certainly don’t need a wife. But when Nora Falcone chooses me, everything changes. She’s everything I’m not—light, warmth, and life in a world where I deal only in death. I didn’t want this marriage, but now that she’s mine, I’ll protect her from the shadows that follow me. Loyalty binds us both, but in this world, that might not be enough to save her from the darkness that lives inside me.
I really enjoyed this! Rafaele is so sweet and I loved his romance with Nora. Nora was an amazing and strong characters despite her disability and I loved to see it.
Family Affair by Debbie Macomber
Lacey Lancaster has always longed to be a wife and mother. However, after a painful divorce, she decides it’s time to lay low for a while in her charming San Francisco apartment with her beautiful Abyssinian cat, Cleo. Everything would be wonderful, except for her utterly impossible neighbor Jack Walker. When he’s not arguing day and night with his girlfriend, begging her to move in with him, he’s chasing down his cat named Dog, who seems determined to get Cleo to succumb to his feline advances. Then Lacey discovers the awful truth – Cleo is in the family way and Dog’s to blame. She’s furious that neither Jack nor his amorous animal seem too upset about the situation. But Lacey learns that things are not quite as they seem. Jack’s “girlfriend” is really his sister and his intentions toward Lacey are very honorable. And though she’s not quite sure about Dog, Lacey begins to discover the tender joy of falling in love all over again.
This was cute and easy to read but the ending wasn’t my favorite…
Coming Home For Us by Carrie Ann Ryan
I made plans. I followed the path. I fell in love. Then the world took her away from me. I swore to never love again, and I’ve done all I could to keep that vow. But life finds a way and I can’t stop this burning attraction with my best friend. Maddie stood by me when my world shattered. She deserves more than a broken man who promised to never love again. Only I swear she feels the same way about me. And I have no idea what to do about it. Now she might leave the Wilders and I can’t tell her to stay—even if it means shattering the one piece of me I have left.
I really enjoyed this. I’ve been wanting to get to Maddie and Elijah’s story for so long and it didn’t disappoint. The grief element in here was done well.
Petty Cupid by Sarah Blue
What’s a cupid to do when she lies about having a date for the Valentine’s Day Ball?
Think outside of the heart-shaped box. With revenge on her mind, she’s hunting for another being in the veil who might escort her to the biggest event in Cupidale. What starts as a ploy to make her ex-boyfriend jealous quickly turns into something far more complicated. The grim reaper she chose turns out to be far more than the surface of his dark shadowy robes and being a collector of souls. They’re from two different worlds, but maybe opposites attract in this Valentine’s Day novella.
This was a lot of fun and I loved the romance.
A Vexing Valentine by T.B. Wiese
Max: I used to hunt the monsters that hunt us … that is until I lost everything. I hate the monsters. I hate the loneliness and heartache I live with every single day. But now there’s a monster made of starlight that is stalking me, watching me every night, protecting me. Why? I don’t need or want its help.
And why do I feel so drawn to it? Vex: I’ve never been fond of the dull human realm. I prefer the realm of monsters where there is magic everywhere for the taking … if you’re strong enough. But ever since the night I scented him, I can’t stay away. I’m drawn to the human every night. I watch. I yearn for the impossible. I protect. Because the large male with the piercing blue eyes is mine.
I really enjoyed this! So cute and I loved the characters.
The Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts
Set in the fun, fabulous and sometimes hectic world of wedding planning, follow the story of four friends and their struggles with life, love and family as they build their wedding planning company, VOWS.
I’ve reread this series so many times and it has never let me down. One of my all time favorites and what I needed right now.
Tail of Two Hearts by Charlotte Carter
Chase Rollins has much to be grateful for. A new home, a new career running the Fluff & Stuff pet store and new friends. But he could have so much more. Lovely bookstore clerk Vivian Duncan just might be the perfect wife. But when Viv becomes a foster mother to four-month-old Theo, Chase knows he has a problem. A life with Vivian will mean a life with children—and that’s one challenge he’s not sure he’d ready to tackle. Can Viv and Theo convince him that a family is the biggest blessing of all?
This was a cute, fast read. I really enjoyed all the animals and the small town vibes.
Dumped for Valentine’s by J. Sterling
Heading off to Vail single and alone wasn’t how I planned on spending the week before Valentine’s Day, but here I am, in one of the most scenic places in the country, with nothing to do and no one to do it with. Until I meet Jase Malone. He’s adventurous, charming, and sexy as hell. It was supposed to just be one night. One night of letting go of the past and giving in to the moment. But things never quite pan out the way you think… do they?
This was a cute and easy read. I loved the male main character.
Lore Olympus Volume 7 by Rachel Smythe
Scandalous gossip, wild parties, and forbidden love—the Greek tale of Hades and Persephone gets a romantic modern update in the gorgeously illustrated, Eisner Award-winning Lore Olympus, including a brand new bonus short story! An ingenious take on the Greek Pantheon, Lore Olympus is a modern update on the story of Hades and Persephone. Follow the propulsive love story of two Greek gods, told with lavish artwork and contemporary sensibilities. This full-color edition of Smythe’s original Eisner Award-winning webcomic Lore Olympus features exclusive behind-the-scenes content and brings Greek mythology into the modern age in a sharply perceptive and romantic graphic novel.
I loved this and can’t wait for the next one! These graphic novels are so beautiful and the story is amazing.
Going Down by Cat Wynn
Colin Rush is an overworked hotshot at a Big Four consulting firm. His neighbor Emma Smith is a cutesy but reserved first grade teacher who’s never so much as glanced in his direction. Needless to say, Colin’s positive that Emma’s not his type, and, in turn, Emma thinks Colin is an intimidating player, and probably a jerk. Frankly, they avoid each other at all costs.But they do have one thing in they both hate Valentine’s Day.So, when a rainy-day power outage traps Emma and Colin inside their building’s elevator, they inadvertently become each others’ defacto (and begrudging) Valentines. Now they have no choice but to sit in each other’s presence…and maybe even find out what else they have in common, too. Will close quarters allow Cupid to work some holiday magic between them? Or will the elevator be the only thing going down on February 14th?
This was a lot of fun! Very spicy with great banter.
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
Effy has always believed in fairy tales. She’s had no choice. Since childhood, she’s been haunted by visions of the Fairy King. She’s found solace only in the pages of Angharad – a beloved epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, and then destroys him. Effy’s tattered copy is all that’s keeping her afloat through her stifling first term her prestigious architecture college. So when the late author’s family announces a contest to design his house, Effy fells certain this is her destiny. But Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task: a musty, decrepit estate on the brink of crumbling into a hungry sea. And when Effy arrives, she finds she isn’t the only one who’s made a temporary home there. Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar, is studying Myrddin’s papers and is determined to prove her favourite author is a fraud. As the two rival students investigate the reclusive author’s legacy, piecing together clues through his letters, books, and diaries, they discover that the house’s foundation isn’t the only thing that can’t be trusted. There are dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspiring against them – and the truth may bring them both to ruin.
This book was hard for me to get into for a while. It finally got good and I loved the way it ended. I won’t be continuing the series.
Perfect World Volume 1, 2, and 3 by Rie Aruga
A company get-together reunites 26-year-old Tsugumi with her high school crush, Itsuki. In the years they’ve been apart, Itsuki has realized his dream of becoming an architect–but along the way, he’s also suffered a spinal cord injury that’s left him in a wheelchair. Seeing Itsuki again rekindles Tsugumi’s feelings for him. It also forces her to confront her own hidden prejudices. Itsuki’s disability seems like an intimidating obstacle at first, but soon, Tsugumi discovers that her world feels imperfect without him.
These were so good and I cried quite a few times. The third volume leaves off on a sad cliffhanger…
Courtesy of Cupid by Nashae Jones
Erin Johnson’s thirteenth birthday starts out in a typical way: with her mom’s quirky (and embarrassing) choice of outfit and competing with Erin’s nemesis, Trevor Jin, for the best seat in class (first row, smack in the center, of course). Until her magical powers kick in. Turns out, Erin’s mysterious father is the love god Cupid, and she’s inherited his knack for romance. Erin has no time for love, though. She only cares about being at the top of her class and getting elected president of the Multicultural Leadership Club. But when her win starts looking unlikely and she decides to make her number one opponent (Trevor, of course) fall in love with her to make him drop out of the race, love suddenly becomes a lot more interesting— and complicated, when she realizes Trevor might not be as obnoxious as she’d thought. . . .
I did not like this one at all… There was so much I ended up not liking and I had high hopes for this one. Oh well.
The Day I Shot Cupid by Jennifer Love Hewitt
Jennifer Love Hewitt is a self-proclaimed “love-aholic” and hopeless romantic (her middle name is Love, after all!). She has been lucky and unlucky in love, and lived to tell — and she’s done it all in the spotlight. Much has been written about her love life–some true, most made up to sell magazines. Now Hewitt shares the real story of what she’s learned navigating the dangerous dating waters. In The Day I Shot Cupid, Hewitt offers her hard-won wisdom and tells us how to embrace love with both feet on the ground. First, we have to shoot Cupid. We have to believe that happily-ever-after is hard work — it’s not all flowers and symphonies and floating hearts. Wise and wry and refreshingly honest, Hewitt talks about how to pick the right guy and how to know when to let the wrong ones go free, and she offers some surprising truths about the opposite sex. From twenty things to do after a breakup, to ten things to do before a date, to the perils of text flirting ( You are waiting. By the phone. For his response.), Hewitt uses stories and dating secrets to illustrate the idiotic, romantic, crazy, depressing, hilarious, awkward, glorious moments we all experience in relationships.
I had a great time with this. It’s not the best book I’ve ever read but I found it very entertaining. Plus Jennifer narrates it which I loved.
Good Game, Gamer Girl by Reina Zoric
He’s the gaming legend I didn’t recognize. I’m the mystery girl who stole his heart. Emma’s night at the gaming cafe should’ve been epic. She finally beat her ex’s rank in Nexus Legends Arena—the game he dumped her for being bad at. But instead of celebrating, she’s furious over a toxic teammate’s insults. She’s ready to rage-quit and go home—until he shows up. Tall, dark-haired, and handsome with a nerdy edge, the stranger congratulates her on ranking up and strikes up a conversation. There’s something familiar about him, something that makes her hesitate before brushing him off. When she gets home, her best friend sends her a video that flips her world upside down. The guy from the café? He’s Alex Thorne—better known as MnstrX, one of the most famous pro gamers in North America. Now, he’s calling her his “mystery girl” on his very popular stream and offers to coach her to get even better at the game. Emma accepts—she’d be a fool not to. But as she spends more time with him, her initial attraction only grows, and so do her fears. After all, her last relationship with a gamer ended in heartbreak. Can she really trust another gamer with her heart?
This was fun. I loved the gaming element, even if the romance wasn’t my favorite. I had a good time reading it.
My Funny Demon Valentine by Aurora Ascher
Asmodeus, Prince of Hell, just wants to play music. Jazz, specifically. Unfortunately, he’s a demon. And he’s supposed to be evil. Clearly, for Ash, a career as a musician isn’t exactly an option. Plus, he’s cursed. Sick of playing by the rules, Ash and his three brothers escape Hell in search of freedom on Earth. But it’s harder than they thought to keep their enemies off their tail . . . The four rogues quickly become the Underworld’s Most Wanted, and if they’re caught, the consequences will be dire. Yet everything changes for Ash when he meets a beautiful violinist who can see through his curse. It must be too good to be true, but, no matter the risk, he has to have her. Evangeline Gregory is just your average human. She works at a jazz bar, plays gigs on weekends . . . and, apparently, hallucinates demons. At least that’s what Eva tells herself when, moments after she meets the man of her dreams, she sees him shift into a 7-foot-tall monster. Not believing her own eyes, Eva decides to investigate and soon finds herself caught in the middle of a supernatural clusterf**k of epic proportions. But Ash isn’t the only one keeping secrets, and the search for answers reveals a shocking truth that will change the course of her life forever. Or maybe just doom it. Eva and Ash will learn the path to love can be complete Hell.
I really enjoyed this! This was a fun time with lots of laughs. I loved the characters and can’t wait to continue the series!
Those are all the books I read this month! Hope you enjoyed! Until next time.