February was a pretty great reading month. For such a short month, I was happy to have finished 11 books. One audio, four in print, and seven digital books on my Kindle. I bought myself a new Kindle Paperwhite after Christmas and am really enjoying the larger screen and super long battery life. So let's jump in and see how I much I enjoyed these titles.

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier. This book is a thriller about a couple whose small son goes missing at a holiday market in Seattle just before Christmas. A year later, mom Marin is a shadow of herself and her relationship with husband Derek is deteriorating. She's hired a private investigator to keep the case open after the police stop searching for her child, but what she discovers is that her husband is having an affair. Marin decides she will NOT be losing her husband as well as her son, and takes matters into her own hands with disastrous results. This was a page turner and you will like it if thrillers are for you. Good "palette cleanser", and free on Kindle Unlimited right now. 3.5 stars

This is the year I discovered Claire Keegan, an amazing Irish author. Her books tend to be quite short and packed full of deep feelings. The first novel of hers that I read was Foster, the story of a small girl who is sent to live with distant relatives in rural Ireland when her parents are not able to take care of her. It is not clear if this is a permanent or temporary arrangement. It happens that in her foster home, she discovers the love and care and affection that were completely missing from her life with her real parents. This book has astonishing emotional depth and left me reeling. Highly, highly recommend. 5 stars

I was now on a mission to read everything Claire Keegan has ever written and next picked up Small Things Like These, another short novel. The subject of this book is Bill Furlong, a humble coal merchant and father of five daughters living in a small Irish town in 1985. One evening as he makes a delivery to the local convent, he makes a discovery that causes him to question everything he believes in. You see, the laundry is also a home for unwed mothers who are forced to work in the laundry while they wait for their babies to be born. The book is a raw look at the harsh treatment the Catholic Church doled out to those whose lives they did not approve of. This is a book about empathy, quiet heroism, and hope, by an absolutely brilliant author who in a few words conveys so much. 5 stars

The Favorites by Layne Fargo was just the best book to read in chilly January. It is the story of two talented ice dancers who have Olympic aspirations. Katerina Shaw and Heath Rocha meet as children and their connection makes them unbeatable on ice. "Clinging to skating—and each other—to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and rollercoaster relationship. Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end." This book was very "soap-opera-y", but loads of fun to read. Lots of drama and I won't lie, it was a lot to take in. I still enjoyed it enough to give it 5 stars!

The Coast Road by Alan Murrin was another book by an Irish author. Would you believe that divorce was not legal in Ireland until 1996? Yes, read that again. It's true. This book was set in 1994 and follows three women and how they navigate their complicated marriages. At that time, a couple could separate but not remarry, and the husband held all the cards. Financially, he could withhold support if he chose, and he could also prevent his wife from seeing their children. Women seemed to be completely at the mercy of this system and therefore tended to stay in marriages that were unhappy. This book had strong character development, great writing, wonderful descriptions of the setting, and a very relatable plot. Another 5 star book. 

The Love Haters by Katherine Center is an abrupt departure from the past few books. Time for a fun change of pace. I received this book as an advance reader's copy in exchange for my review. The book is scheduled to be published May 20, 2025. Katherine Center is one of my favorite rom com writers and although this wasn't my favorite read from her, I did enjoy the book. The story is set in Key West, with our main character Katie Vaughan tackling a new job she may not be strictly qualified for. Her assignment is to profile a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson, in a video documentary. Great scenery, funny dog, handsome male main character, and a colorful cast of secondary characters. Our main female character suffers from body dysmorphia, which I found a bit disturbing. Overall, a fun book. 3.75 stars.

The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand. I am very late to the Elin Hilderbrand party, but have to say I may be a convert. I thoroughly enjoyed this book about Adrienne Dealey, a woman who has been left flat broke by her ex-boyfriend and wants to make a change. She has worked all her life at high-end resorts and has moved to Nantucket to start over. She gets hired at The Blue Bistro, one of the hottest restaurant destinations on the island, and life suddenly gets very interesting. Why is the most popular restaurant in town saying this will be their last season? And what is the relationship between the mysterious celebrity chef Fiona and Thatcher Smith, the restaurant's owner? Drama, romance, and not a lot happens, but I found myself lost in the Nantucket vibe throughout the book. Free on Kindle Unlimited right now. 4 stars

We Are Watching by Alison Gaylin.  This book of psychological suspense will be your cup of tea if you enjoy a chilling thriller every now and again. Is Grandpa a nut-case paranoid conspiracy theorist? Or is there something very sinister around the misfortunes and tragedies his family is experiencing? Is there a doomsday group behind the vandalism, police harassment, and bizarre and terrifying events that are happening to Meg Russo's family? They have ignored Meg's father's warnings and predictions that the family is being targeted by extremists. Maybe now it's time to pay attention…Plenty of page turning tension and a bit of gore. 4 stars

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden. This one is hard to describe for me. It is set in the Dutch countryside in 1961. Isabel lives alone (and likes it) in her family home, which is owned by one of her brothers. Her brother Louis announces that his new girlfriend Eva will be coming to stay with Isabel while he is away "on business". This totally upends Isabel's preferred quiet life and is exacerbated by the fact that at first she finds Eva intensely irritating. As time goes on, Eva's direct personality and persistence leads to unexpected consequences and intimacy between the two women. A story of obsession and desire and a glimpse into darker Dutch history and collective guilt. It is a well-plotted book that is overall thought provoking. I didn't love it, but it still has merit. 3 stars.

Three Days In June by Anne Tyler. I loved this short book by a master author. Gail Baines is not having the best day. She loses her job, her daughter is getting married tomorrow, she hasn't been invited to the spa day hosted by the mother of the groom, and her ex-husband Max turns up on her doorstep with a cat, no place to stay, and without a suit. A crisis ensues when bride-to-be daughter Debbie announces that she has pre-wedding doubts, which causes Gail and Max to examine their own relationship. Anne Tyler's books are a real slice of life. Always relatable and full of good humor and hope. 4.5 stars

When In Rome by Sarah Adams. This is the first book in the When In Rome series, some enjoyable rom com books. Our main character "Rae Rose" is a celebrity pop star who pulls an Audrey Hepburn run-away, not to Rome, Italy, but to Rome, Kentucky to get away from the stress of her life. Her car breaks down in Noah Walker's front yard and he has no patience for a pop diva's sad story because he has a pie shop to run. This is the "famous girl meets ordinary grump" trope and was a fun one for you rom com fans. It was a nice escape read, but I am not sure if I will continue with the series. 3 stars.

Hope you enjoyed my reviews of the books I read in February. Let me know if you read any of these titles and what you think!

Sara and I have a new book review podcast out. To listen, click on the Reeding Between the Lines link to the right, or here to go YouTube to see us in person. This month's topic is Books We Are Looking Forward To, and Problematic Authors. Please subscribe!