Ah, February. The month of love. Or as I like to call it, the month before birthday month. 

For such a short month, February really has taken its time standing in the way of my approach to 30, flirty, and thriving. Even if I did cave and buy myself an early birthday present in the form of Brooks “Run Lucky” edition of my favorite running shoe, the Ghost. 

Impatience for the big 3–0 aside, this month has gone by rather quickly, leaving me wondering how I only have two months left to plan an entire wedding. And learn how to art well enough to make 5 custom D&D dice boutonnieres because I’m being very extra when it comes to nerdy touches at said wedding.

In between panicked wedding planning, shaking my fist at the never-ending snow, and taking brief sunshine breaks when Pittsburgh permits them, I’ve gotten a good amount of reading done in these 28 days we call February. 

So let’s take a look at the best of what I read this month, shall we? 

(Full disclosure(s): This post uses Bookshop.org affiliate links, which earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Book of the Month mentions are referral codes. Titles noted with an asterisk are advanced reader copies, which I received in exchange for my honest review). 

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In a New York Minute* by Kate Spencer 

Format: Paperback (ARC)

Why I Read It: I’m a fan of rom coms and Kate’s podcast, Forever35. So, when she asked if anyone wanted to participate in a traveling ARC adventure for her upcoming rom com release, I said yes! 

In a New York Minute is a delightful rom com that really leans in to the tropes, particularly the meet cute and the NYC love (yes, I do think that’s a rom com trope). 

Even if I’ll never be in love with NYC myself, I could see why the characters love the city… and enjoyed watching them fall in love with one another, as well. My full review of this delight (out March 15th) is available here: “In a New York Minute” Is a Love Letter to Rom Coms & NYC

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By Any Other Name* by Lauren Kate

Format: Digital ARC (NetGalley)

Why I Read It: Can I resist a bookish romantic comedy? No, I cannot. 

Hands down my favorite romance read of the year so far, By Any Other Name is about an editor who finally meets her favorite author in person, only to realize they very much are not who they thought they were. Adventures and hijinks ensue along the way to that rom com HEA. 

This book comes out March 1st. You can read my full review is here, if you need more incentive to add this one to your list: “By Any Other Name” Broke My Romance Slump

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Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

Format: Hardcover (Book of the Month edition) 

Why I Read It: This, being a thriller, isn’t my typical genre. But I kept seeing it everywhere and something about it called to me, so I finally decided to pick it up between lighter reads.

Sometimes, when I read genres I don’t often gravitate towards, I struggle to write reviews because I’m not as certain of what I’m lookin for in these titles in the first place. Once There Were Wolves is one of those books that I am struggling to put to words. 

Thrillers are never enjoyable reads for me, per say. I find them stressful at best, disturbing at worst. This one had the added helping of wolves being a bit too similar to dogs, which led me to have to pause and check on Azula a few too many times.

Nevertheless, this is beautifully written and the plot definitely kept me guessing. I’ll be thinking about it for a while, at any rate, which I think lands it a spot among my best books of the month.

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Sadie on a Plate* by Amanda Elliot

Format: Digital ARC (NetGalley) 

Why I Read It: I love food. I love cooking shows. I love Berkeley romances. Easy choice! 

I was so excited to see this ARC approval come through — my first from Berkley! Sadie on A Plate tells the story of a young woman who gets a timely invite to be on a cooking competition show after a huge setback in her career. 

The food descriptions are on point and I loved getting to meet the chefs Sadie competed against. The love story itself was a little lacking for me personally, but overall I greatly enjoyed this one! 

My full review is available here: “Sadie on a Plate” Serves Up Tension, Romantic and Otherwise

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Honorable Mentions

Here are the other books I read this month, which didn’t quite make the cut for the best of the best. 

• Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood (audio) — I know, I’m shocked too! I liked this a lot but it felt kind of rushed out and unpolished, with a couple of things that bothered me just enough for it not to be the best of the best. 
• The Switch by Beth O’Leary (paperback), review in Your Book Friend
• With Love, From London* by Sarah Jio (digital, NetGalley ARC), review in Your Book Friend

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