February Reads

February was a great reading month for me. I got fifteen books read. I managed to read a few on my Kindle, which is something I definitely need to do more often. There are a lot of romances on here, mostly just because of Valentine’s Day being in February, but I do have a few other genres as well. Hope this gives you some book ideas!

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Andie had it all planned out. When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future. Important internship? Check. Amazing friends? Check. Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks).

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life. Because here’s the thing—if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected. And where’s the fun in that? 

I loved this book! It was so cute and the main characters were so funny and relatable. I will definitely be reading this book again in the future!

Amazing Gracie by Sherryl Woods

Laid off from her job and utterly disenchanted with men, Gracie MacDougal pours all her attention into turning an old Victorian house into a bed and breakfast, with the help of its owner, an indolent but charming Southern lawyer. 

I really liked this book. It was a quick read for me. I loved how strong Gracie is and her love story is so cute.

Ten Rules For Faking It by Sophie Sullivan

As birthdays go, this year’s for radio producer Everly Dean hit rock-bottom. Worse than the “tonsillectomy birthday.” Worse than the birthday her parents decided to split (the first time). But catching your boyfriend cheating on you with his assistant? Even clichés sting. But this is Everly’s year! She won’t let her anxiety hold her back. She’ll pitch her podcast idea to her boss. There’s just one problem. Her boss, Chris, is very cute. (Of course). Also, he’s extremely distant (which means he hates her, right? Or is that the anxiety talking)? And, Stacey the DJ didn’t mute the mic during Everly’s rant about Simon the Snake (syn: Cheating Ex). That’s three problems. Suddenly, people are lining up to date her, Bachelorette-style, fans are voting (Reminder: never leave house again), and her interest in Chris might be a two-way street. It’s a lot for a woman who could gold medal in people-avoidance. She’s going to have to fake it ‘till she makes it to get through all of this. Perhaps she’ll make a list: The Ten Rules for Faking It. Because sometimes making the rules can find you happiness when you least expect it.

I won an ARC of this off of Goodreads, and I was so happy I did. I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like this, but once I read the first page I knew it was going to be a great read. This is a very relatable love story with a cast of amazing characters. I laughed and cried throughout this whole book.

How Not To Summon A Demon Lord Vol. 1 story by Yukiya Murasaki and art by Naoto Fukuda

In the MMORPG Cross Reverie, Takuma Sakamoto is so powerful that he is lauded as the “Demon Lord” by other players. One day, he is summoned to a world outside his own– but with the same appearance he had in the game! There, he meets two girls who both proclaim themselves to be his Summoner. They perform an Enslavement Ritual to turn him into their Summon… but that’s when Takuma’s passive ability Magic Reflection activates! Instead, it is the girls who become enslaved! Though Takuma may be the strongest Sorcerer there is, he has no idea how to talk with other people. It is here he makes his choice: to act based on his persona from the game!
“Amazing? But of course… I am Diablo, the being known and feared as the Demon Lord!”
So begins a tale of adventure with an earth-shakingly powerful Demon Lord (or at least someone who acts like one) taking on another world!

I loved this manga. It was funny, had fantastical elements, plus it involves gaming. Definitely will be picking up the rest of the series in the future.

Heart Of The Dragon by Gena Showalter

Grace Carlyle’s world was about to change . . . Deep in the jungle on the trail of her missing brother, Grace never expected to find a secret world populated by mythological monsters — nor guarded by a sword-wielding being whose beauty put mortal men to shame. Darius en Kragin belongs to a race of shape-shifting warriors sworn to guard Atlantis and kill all travelers who stray within its boundaries. Yet when Grace stumbles into his realm, he finds himself tempted to betray his centuries-old vow. Now their forbidden love will either bring their worlds together — or tear them both apart.

Gena Showalter is one of my favorite writers. This is just another amazing book by her. She always does a great job creating fantasy lands and her characters are incredible. This is the first in a series, and while I have a few books later on in the series, I need to fill in the blanks.

Picture Perfect Wedding by Lynnette Austin

A brokenhearted hero, struggling to trust
A single mom, full of regret
A meddling small town determined to bring about a second-chance romance
Beck and Tansy were inseparable–until Tansy left Misty Bottoms, Georgia, promising to come back after she finished school. Beck stayed behind to save the family business, dreaming of the day when Tansy would return. Instead, his trust and his heart were broken when she inexplicably married another man and bore his child. Five years later, Tansy comes home, a sadder and wiser woman. Despite his anger, Beck finds it hard to avoid her and her adorable little daughter–especially with all the busybodies of Misty Bottoms going out of their way to throw him and Tansy together, hoping a lingering spark will reignite their enduring flame.

This was a new author for me and one I’ll continue to read. This was a sweet book, and I really enjoyed the story. This is the third in the series, but could be read alone.

My Zombie Valentine by Katie MacAlister, Angie Fox, Lisa Cach, and Marianne Mancusi

Tired of boyfriends who drain you dry? Sick of guys who stay out all night howling at the moon? You can do better. Some men want you not only for your body, but your brains. Especially your brains. It’s true! There are men out there who care—early-rising, down-to-earth, indefatigable men who’ll follow you for miles. They’ll take the time to surprise you, over and over. One sniff of that perfume, and you’ll have to use a shotgun to fight them off. And then, once you get together, all they want is to share a nice meal. And another. And another. Romeo and Juliet, eat your hearts out.

“Bring Out Your Dead” by Katie MacAlister
“Gentlemen Prefer Voodoo” by Angie Fox
“Zombiewood Confidential” by Marianne Mancusi
“Every Part of You” by Lisa Cach

While I didn’t love every story, I did enjoy this book. I don’t have many zombie books so I was happy to read some more about them.

Sweet Spot by Susan Mallery

“Responsibility” should be Nicole Keyes’s middle name. After all, not many people would sacrifice their lives to run the family bakery and raise a younger sibling. But with Nicole’s twin sister now blissfully married and her younger sis turning out more femme fatale than girl-next-door, super reliable Nicole is getting sick of putting everyone else’s needs first. Enter Hawk. The deliciously sexy former NFL player offers Nicole a taste of the freedom she craves. Hawk may know the way, blindfolded, to her sweet spot, but Nicole’s not about to let him get close enough to break her heart. Of course, she might not have a choice in the matter if Hawk’s past keeps getting in the way of their present..

I really liked this book. This is the second in the Bakery Sisters trilogy. There were a few points I didn’t love, but overall this was a cute story. I can’t wait to finish this series once I get the third book.

My Ghostly Valentine by Ani Gonzalez

Baker Patricia O’Dare wants to buy the famous, but extremely haunted, Rosemoor Bed & Breakfast, and turn it into a luxurious teashop. Only one thing stands in her way, bad boy restaurateur Zach Franco who wants the building so he can expand his pizza empire. Add a pesky ghost that seems to dislike the idea of having its home turned into a restaurant, and Banshee Creek’s first Valentine Day’s Ball and things get dicey pretty fast.
All’s fair in love and war, specially where the incorrigible Zach Franco is concerned, but as the fight over the Rosemoor heats up, Patricia fears that she may be winning the battle, but losing her chance at love. 

This was a new writer for me, but I’m so glad I read this! I really loved this book and really want to read more of the Banshee Creek Romance books.

Unforgettable You by Brenda Novak

Jada Brooks couldn’t have known how her life would change when she fell for bad boy Maddox Richardson back in high school. She couldn’t have known his troubled brother would leave hers forever crippled. Or that she’d be forced to shun Maddox completely—only to discover she was carrying his child.
Although Maddox was devastated by the events that transpired that fateful night, losing Jada was the worst of it. He’s back in Silver Springs, ready to make amends and provide the kind of youth outreach that once saved him. If he’d known Jada was in town, too, he would never have come.
Jada has returned to Silver Springs to be with family after her father’s death. But when she sees Maddox, every tough decision she’s made concerning their now twelve-year-old daughter begins to haunt her. Falling for him again is so tempting, but not only does she stand to alienate her family—if he finds out about Maya, she could lose what matters most. 

I love Brenda Novak. I can usually lose myself in her books, but it took me forever to get into this one. I got about halfway, before I really got into it. It turned out to be a good read, but not my favorite of hers.

What Are Friends For? by Sarah Sutton

FALLING IN LOVE ISN’T COMPLICATED…UNLESS IT’S WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND. A close, easygoing friendship can all change with just one kiss. Seventeen-year-old Remi Beaufort learns this the hard way when she plays a blindfolded kissing game at a party. She thinks she’s kissing Jeremy, the totally hot basketball player she’s been crushing on. And the kiss…it’s amazing. Heart-stopping, world-changing, toe-curling. The kiss makes her forget about her overbearing mother, the next-door neighbor’s drama, and the probability that she’ll fail her senior year. The best kiss of her life makes all that fall away. Until her blindfold falls off, and she realizes that instead of kissing her crush, she’s kissing Elijah, her best friend since third grade. Though she manages to convince Elijah that he was kissing his girlfriend, Remi can’t get the thought of his lips on hers out of her head. As things between them grow more and more complicated–because it turns out her fantasizing about his mouth is more of a problem than it sounds–Remi has to make a choice: does she live the rest of her life loving her best friend in secret? Or does she tell the truth and risk ruining their friendship forever?

Oh My Gosh! This book was so good! I would have read this in one night if it wasn’t for the power going out. This book made me laugh so much and squeal in happiness. Such a great read. Plus, I’ve talked to the author some before and she is so sweet.

What Is Valentine’s Day For? by Sarah Sutton

This is a short story inspired by What Are Friends For? It takes place on Valentine’s Day. It was free when you sign up for Sarah Sutton’s newsletter and become a member. Go here to join: Author Sarah Sutton | Members (sarah-sutton.com) (its free to sign up) This was a cute short story. I was glad to get to stay in Remi and Elijah’s world for a little longer.

Missing by Kelley Armstrong

Reeve’s End is the kind of town every kid can’t wait to escape. Each summer, a dozen kids leave, and at least a quarter never come back. I don’t blame them – I’ll do the same in another year. We thought it was just something that happened in town like ours. We were wrong.

While I thought this book was going to be a fantasy, I quickly realized it was more of a young adult thriller. It was a very fast paced read that kept you on your toes. I really liked it, but I know a lot of people has trouble reading the animal violence that was in there just so you’re warned.

Top Secret Identity by Sharon Dunn

Morgan Smith had to give up her name, her calling and her past when she entered the witness protection program. Now a caretaker of horses on an Iowa farm, she spends her days in the stables and helping kids learn to ride. But danger has followed her. She longs to tell her handsome boss, Alex Reardon, everything–about the troubled adoption agency she worked for, a missing infant and the attempt on her life. But sharing her past with Alex could put him in grave danger and lead a killer to their door….

I took me a bit to want to pick this book up, but once I did I could not put it down. It was very intense. It’s not one of the more Christian themed books that I’ve read by Love Inspired, but it did have some in it. I didn’t care for the ending, but it is part of a series by different authors so it may be different in some of the later books.

Single White Vampire by Lynsay Sands

SWM – “Lucern.” Successful biographer of family, books recently categorized as “paranormal romance.” Something of a recluse. Hates crowds, aggressive women. Doesn’t like sunbathing, garlicky dinners or religious symbols. Likes old-fashioned values; spicy Mexican dishes; warm, nice-smelling neck; and plump red lips. Stronger than ten men and can vanish in the blink of an eye. Currently unaware he’s seeking a woman to share eternity. SWF – “Kate C. Leever.” Newest editor of Romance at Roundhouse Publishing. Perky, fun. Has recently discovered a legacy author just dying to be broken out. In fact, her career could take off from it. (The tall, dark, handsome writer just needs to be taken to several romance conventions and introduced to his fans…and stopped from acting so strange in public.) Dislikes “difficult, rude, obnoxious, pig-headed writers.” Currently unaware she’s met the man of her wildest dreams.

This is one of the books in the Argeneau series. I haven’t read the first two in the series, but I didn’t feel like you needed to with this book. It gives a bit of backstory that you need for the book, but there’s no continuing conflict that you’ll be confused about. I really liked the characters in this book. It was a cute story that was filled with humor.

There’s all the books I read this month! Have you read any of these? Let me know! If you’re not subscribed to get email updates and want to be, sign up down below. Until next time!