Everything I Read this Month: My February 2023 Reads, Ratings, and Book Reviews
It’s one of my fav articles to share every month (especially because y’all love it, too)! Today, I am sharing what I read this last month – my February 2023 reads, ratings, and book reviews.
As I mentioned in my January reading recap post, my goal for 2023 is to read 52 books. This was inspired by a group I found on Reddit called the 52 Book Challenge. I love seeing what others around the world are reading. This group also lets me track where I am pace-wise compared to others.
This Month: A Quick Recap
This month, I really hit it hard with the romcoms during the first half of the month (because Valentine’s Day, duh). After that, I tried to diversify things a little bit to keep interesting. I read a total of seven books this month, bringing my total for 2023 to 12.
I read three of these books using a physical copy and four on my Kindle! I have found that – for one reason or another – I read substantially faster when using my Kindle.
Of these books, three were romcoms and four were thrillers.
One of these books was available in hardback as an early release with Book of the Month, so I wanted to go ahead and drop a link here in case getting books published early and at a discounted price is something you’re interested in! Using my link (here) gets you your first book at a discount, and you can cancel any time.
My February 2023 Reads and Reviews
1 - Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
I reviewed the first book in this two book mini series last month (It Happened One Summer). Unpopular opinion coming: I think this book was even better than the first. While the steam level was not quite as high, I really loved the dynamic between Hannah and Fox. Both of them overcame some significant personal developments throughout the course of the novel, and I enjoyed how they helped each other grow. Both books in this mini series are so cute, I can’t get over it.
Order it from Amazon.
2 - November 9 by Colleen Hoover
After Ugly Love, I was not sure I was going to give Colleen Hoover another shot (I know, I know, I’m the worst). That said, I read that this particular book was great for those who want to love CHoov and “just can’t”, so I decided to give it a try.
I guessed the twist within the first few chapters, and a lot of the storyline made me utterly depressed. That SAID … I didn’t hate the book. There were some parts (especially towards the middle) I actually really enjoyed! The concept of the book was intriguing (a couple meets up once a year on November 9), and it was a super quick read. This would be a great book to bring to the beach or on a weekend getaway.
As for my relationship with CH … I feel like I’d be down to give her another shot (and I did … see below).
Order November 9 on Amazon.
3 - The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
This book is about a beautiful felon who begins working as a housekeeper for a wealthy family where nothing makes sense. The wife of the household is mentally insane, and the husband is too hot for his own good. The lawnman keeps telling her she’s in danger, and everyone wears … a lot of white?
In one word, this book is JUICY! Though I found the plot to be fairly predictable, I loved every minute of the storyline. It’s a quick read that I couldn’t put down! A MUST for any thriller lover’s bookshelf.
Order it on Amazon.
*Free on Kindle Unlimited.
4 - Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
A recovering addict takes on the summer job as a babysitter to a young boy in a small town … and that is when things get weird. Between the boy’s invisible friend who happens to be a spirit from a past life, the medium who lives next door, and the parents’ denial over the son’s behavior, you have no idea who to trust or believe.
This book was RAVED about all over booktok and by some book bloggers I follow, so I had to give it a shot. It was a quick, enthralling read for sure, and one you should check out! The reason it is 3.5 stars rather than something higher is because of the paranormal activity themes that took place throughout. I have a hard time clutching onto those.
That said … I LOVED the character development throughout. Jason is an author I will be reading again in the future.
Order it on Amazon.
5 - The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
The most successful lawyer in the area finds out her husband is having an affair … when he is arrested for his mistress’s murder.
Another unpopular opinion: I LOVED this one. Was the writing shitty? Yes. Was the plotline unbelievable as all get out? Absolutely. … but did I have a good time reading it? YES.
Had the writing been better and the characters more defined, I would have had no issue giving this book a higher rating. The storyline itself was addicting, and I’d highly recommend this to anyone looking for a beach read or something for a long airplane ride.
Order it on Amazon.
*Free on Kindle Unlimited
6 - The Reunion by Kayla Olsen
This book was just … not good. It reminded me of a book I would have written in an 8th grade prose class. There was no spice, and the way the characters talked to one another was juvenile at best. You could not convince me these two were supposed to be in their mid-30s. They acted like 10 year olds who are experiencing their first crushes. Lame.
Order it on Amazon.
7 - Verity by Colleen Hoover
If it hadn’t been for the last chapter, this would have been a 5 star read!!! THIS is the Colleen Hoover we all love to see! What a freaking whirlwind! I was obsessed with the characters, the storyline, everything. I brought this book with me to Austin this past weekend, and would sneak in a couple pages whenever I had a chance. Probably the first time in my life I was excited about a plane being delayed! If you love thrillers, this is a must read. 10/10 my favorite read of the month!
*Side note: due to all of the trigger warnings, I highly recommend no reader under 18 read this book.
Order it on Amazon.
My February 2023 Reads, Ratings, and Book Reviews
