We’ve left the shortest month of the year behind us already and it’s nearly time to do this with winter as well. The meteorological spring is starting today. I can’t wait for the hours spent reading in sunshine and I can’t wait to get more energy again either. February felt like it lasted for just a week, while January felt so long. However, I managed to read a lot of books. In fact, I’m nearly halfway through my reading goal. If I keep going like this, I might have to increase it. It feels like I finally found my reading mojo back. So, let’s dive into the books I’ve read this past month!

The books I’ve read

1. House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah j. Maas – I already started this eagerly awaited release the moment it got delivered on January 30. Because it’s a chonker, I was not able to finish it in January. Not at all. However, I managed to finish it rather soon, because I was so invested that I spent every single moment possible listening to the audiobook. I really enjoyed it and am curious for what this author will publish next! The ending leaves room for more possibilities within this world. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah – This book has been comfortably sitting on my TBR for a long, long while. Now I finally picked up the audiobook and I don’t regret it one bit. It’s performed by Julia Whelan and tells about a quite unfamiliar period of time and events in history. It’s a solid book with great character development. ⭐⭐⭐,5
3. Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score – Ouch, this was one hell of a disappointment. I enjoyed the other two books in the “Knockemout” series, but this was a major letdown. ⭐⭐
4. ASAP by Axie Oh – And yet another audiobook! I was pleasantly surprised by XOXO a few years ago, and now it was time for the companion novel. I expecte to enjoy it just as much and that it would be another easy listen. This was all true. The heavier themes provide deeper layers to the story, which I really like. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna – My first book by this author, but not my first book within the cozy fantasy subgenre. These books are a hit or miss for me, so I kept my expectations quite low. Fortunately, I wasn’t left disappointed, but I found out that this subgenre is not really my cup of tea. ⭐⭐⭐,5
6. Belofte maakt schuld by Gillian King – A Dutch book that has been on my TBR for ages as well and I really enjoyed it in the end. ⭐⭐⭐,5
7. The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna – It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me. It has been literal years since I’ve read the first book in this series and even though I pre-ordered this sequel, it has been sitting on my Kindle app since its release in 2022. My reading preferences have changed a lot overtime and I barely read YA fantasy anymore. Besides, I couldn’t remember a single thing from the previous book. Unfortunately, this one didn’t grab my attention and I didn’t feel the urge to keep reading. Therefore, I had to decide to just leave it altogether. DNF
8. Book Lovers by Emily Henry – I have been quite unlucky with my reading, because this was another disaster. This has nothing to do with the audiobook performance by Julia Whelan, but I just couldn’t get into this book. I switched back and forth between audiobook and ebook, but I have been bored the entire time. ⭐,5
9. Vergeet ons. Niet. by Laura Kneidl – This book is not translated into English, but I enjoyed it. ⭐⭐⭐,5
10. Welcome to the School by the Sea by Jenny Colgan – I’ve listened to the Dutch audiobook and it was a nice in-betweener. I will continue this series though. ⭐⭐⭐
11. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas – I wasn’t sure whenever I would continue my Throne of Glass reread, but it was sooner than intended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧
12. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas – You know what? Let’s just continue with my reread. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
13. Een schot in de roos by Iris Visser – Another Dutch feelgood novel, including a roadrip through Scotland. it was just fine, nothing more or less. ⭐⭐⭐
14. Bride by Ali Hazelwood – After surprisingly enjoying Check & Mate by this author, I expected to enjoy this book as well. It’s a paranormal romance after all, which feels very nostalgic after loving Twilight as a teen. Unfortunately for me, this was not what I was hoping for. The characters were poorly written, you never got to know them really. They lack personality. The story was quite confusing at times, but boring all the way through. I finished it, but am not a fan ⭐⭐

Bookhaul

1. Bride by Ali Hazelwood
2. Midzomerspel by Sarah Sprinz
3. Hof van wonderen by Victor Dixen
4. Nieuwe liefde in de kleine theetuin by Anne West
5. A Game of Fate by Scarlett St. Clair
6. Heartless by Elsie Silver
7. All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
8. Kulti by Mariana Zapata
9. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by mariana Zapata
10. A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

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How was February for you?