Wondering what new releases you need to add to your TBR this February? Look no further.

I’ve selected ten of the most exciting new releases for the month of February 2026 and included a little bit about each one!

*links are Amazon affiliate links and I may get a small commission*

And Now, Back To You
B.K. Borison
February 24, 2026

Amazon | Goodreads

Two competing meteorologists are forced to find common ground in this opposites attract, When Harry Met Sally inspired romance, from New York Times bestselling author B.K. Borison.

Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart have had their fair share of run-ins over the years, often ending in disaster. While Jackson thrives on routine and organization from the comfort of his radio booth, Delilah loves the spontaneity and adventure out in the field. When they’re partnered against their will to cover the snowstorm of the century, they find themselves scrambling to figure out how to work together.

Eager to be taken seriously as a journalist, Delilah offers Jackson a deal. If he can help her ace this assignment, she’ll help him rediscover his long-lost fun side. With an undiscovered chemistry burning beneath their clashes, the unlikely partnership quickly tumbles into an easy and surprising friendship.

But when other feelings start to enter the equation, can Jackson and Delilah withstand the storm? Or does what happens in the mountains, stay in the mountains?

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter
Heather Fawcett
February 17, 2026

Amazon | Goodreads

A woman who runs a cat rescue in 1920s Montreal turns to a grouchy but charming wizard to help save the shelter in this heartwarming cozy fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series.

Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life—and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a much-needed cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for lost cats.

But after she is forced to move the cat shelter, Agnes learns that her new landlord is using her charity as a front—for an internationally renowned and thoroughly disreputable magic shop. Owned by the disorganized—not to mention self-absorbed, irritating, but also decidedly handsome—Havelock Renard, magician and failed Dark Lord, the shop draws magical clientele from around the world, partly due to the quality of Havelock’s illicit goods as well as their curiosity about his shadowy past and rumors of his incredible powers. Agnes’s charity offers the perfect cover for illegal magics.

Agnes couldn’t care less about the shop—magical intrigue or not, there are cats to be rescued. But when an enemy from Havelock’s past surfaces, the magic shop—and more importantly, the cat shelter—are suddenly in jeopardy. To save the shelter, will Agnes have to set aside her social conscience and protect the man who once tried to bring about the apocalypse—and is now trying to steal her heart?

Operation Bounce House
Matt Dinniman
February 10, 2026

Amazon | Goodreads

A man must fight for his planet against impossible odds when gamers from Earth attempt to remotely annihilate it in this epic, fast-paced novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the smash-hit Dungeon Crawler Carl.

All colonist Oliver Lewis ever wanted to do is run the family ranch with his sister, maybe play a gig or two with his band, and keep his family’s aging fleet of intelligent agriculture bots ticking as long as possible. As a fan of Earth television and culture, he figures it will be a good thing when the transfer gate finally opens all the way and restores instant travel and full communication between Earth and his planet, New Sonora. But there’s a complication.

Even though the settlers were promised they’d be left in peace, Earth’s government now has other plans. The colossal Apex Corporation is hired to commence an “eviction action.” But maximizing profits will always be Apex’s number one priority. Why spend money printing and deploying their own AI soldiers when they can turn it into a game? Why not charge bored Earthers for the opportunity to design their own war machines and remotely pilot them from the comfort of their own homes?

The game is called Operation Bounce House.

Oliver and his friends soon find themselves fighting for their lives against machines piloted by gamers who’ve paid a premium for the privilege. With the help of an old book from his grandfather and a bucket of rusty parts, Oliver is determined to defend the only home he’s ever known.

Crown of War and Shadow
J.R. Ward
February 17, 2026

Amazon | Goodreads

An outcast burdened with a curse and a mercenary who’s out for himself collide in this star-crossed, slow-burn, high-stakes romantic fantasy from #1 New York Times bestseller J. R. Ward.

In the dead of night, passions rise and empires fall.

Welcome to Kingdoms of the Compass.

The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world, stalking the night.

No one is safe.

Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast, she’s spent her whole life within the walls of her small village, ostracized for her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and maybe find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.

Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.

She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen’s crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.

Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.

The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.

But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though passion runs hot between them, enemies are around every corner, and danger and betrayal threaten at every turn.

Crown of War and Shadow is the first book in the Kingdoms of the Compass series.

Weavingshaw
Heba Al-Wasity
February 24, 2026

Amazon | Goodreads

In this debut gothic fantasy, the first book of an enthralling fantasy romance trilogy, a young woman who can see the dead strikes a deal with a magnetic and dangerous purveyor of dark secrets to save her brother’s life.

Three years ago, Leena Al-Sayer awoke with a terrible power.

She can see the dead.

Since then, she has hidden herself from the world, knowing that if she ever reveals her curse she will be locked away in an asylum.

When her beloved brother, Rami, falls fatally ill, Leena is faced with a terrible CHOICE: Let him die or buy the expensive medicine that will save his life by bartering the only valuable thing she has—her secret.

The Saint of Silence, a ruthless merchant who trades in confessions and is shrouded in unearthly rumors of cruelty and power, accepts her bargain, for a deadly price. Leena must find the ghost of Percival Avon, the last lord of Weavingshaw—or lose her freedom to the Saint forever.

As Leena’s search takes her and the Saint to Weavingshaw, she finds the estate and the surrounding moors to be living things—hungry for blood and sacrifice. Fighting against Weavingshaw’s might, Leena must also fight her growing pull toward the enigmatic Saint himself, whose connection to Percival Avon remains a mystery.

As the house begins to entomb them, time is running out on their desperate hunt for answers.

For Leena has come to see that here in Weavingshaw, the dead are not hushed—and some secrets are better left buried with them.

Half City
Kate Golden
February 17, 2026

Amazon | Goodreads

Welcome to Harker Academy for Deviant Defense. Keep your daggers sharp, and your wits even sharper.

Viv Abbot is an average twenty-one-year-old girl. She lives in an expensive city where the rent is too high, works long hours at a thankless job, and is dating a guy she doesn’t even like in the hopes of winning her prickly mother’s approval.

She just also happens to be a demon hunter.

Ever since her father’s murder, she’s been forced to hunt deviants alone, meaning everyone, including her family, sees her as an outsider. . . . Until the day she crosses paths with a dangerously alluring demon, Reid Graveheart. The reformed deviant tells her of a school for people just like her: Harker Academy for Deviant Defense. If she enrolls, she’ll learn to hone her craft, work with other hunters, and never be alone again.

But Viv has a deadly secret. One that not even her new friends at Harker can know about. Not when the school might hold the answers to untangling the mystery surrounding Viv’s father’s death. When strange occurrences begin to plague the students, Viv will have to figure out who she can trust, and fast. All while trying to ace her classes, not fall for a demon, and make it through her first year at Harker in one piece. How hard could that be?

Heir of Illusion
Madeline Taylor
February 10, 2026

Amazon | Goodreads

An alliance between enemies. A weapon of untold power. And a bond that could rewrite fate.

Fall into the viral, propulsive dark romantasy everyone is reading. A fae assassin with the power of illusion, sworn to a king she despises. An enigmatic grim reaper, searching for freedom. Enemies collide in an unlikely alliance, brimming with desire and destruction.

She is not the pet they tamed.

Blessed with the power of illusion, Iverson Pomeroy has many tricks up her sleeve. However, none of them are a match for the enchanted collar at her throat that keeps her bound as assassin and mistress to a ruthless king. Forced to play the role of his obedient pet, she plots in secret to destroy him and claim the freedom she has always been denied.

She is the beast they let inside.

When a mysterious reaper, Thorne, arrives in the city with his sights set on the same weapon Ivy needs—the only artifact that can remove her collar—she must decide how far she’s willing to go.

And she will show no mercy. 

With a tenuous alliance tying them together, Ivy learns there is more to her reluctant companion than meets the eye… He sparks her curiosity and ignites dangerous desires within her. But will the secrets they harbor destroy each other? And does it even matter, when anyone who so much as touches Thorne dies?

The Lies That Summon the Night
Tessonja Odette
February 17, 2026

Amazon | Goodreads

Still Into You
Erin Connor
February 10, 2026

Amazon | Goodreads

When elusive metal frontman Dax Nakamura agrees to give his first interview in years, he has one his ex, Sloane Donavan, has to write it.

Bad-boy-turned-straight-edge frontman, Dax Nakamura, would prefer the skeletons in his closet to stay there, thank you very much. But not giving interviews didn’t stop the press from writing about one of metal’s biggest bands—or its lead vocalist. With their new album about to drop, Dax is finally ready to address the rumors that have plagued Final Revelations for the past eight years. And the only person he trusts to write it is the same person who broke his heart three summers ago.

Sloane Donavan knew she wanted to write about music since the first time she posted a MySpace blog for her neighbor’s garage band. A journalism degree, a failed internship, and countless backstage passes later, Sloane still hasn’t secured the dream job she left her dream man behind for. So when Dax shows back up with a career-making opportunity—exclusive insight into him, his band, and the chance to craft the narrative of one of the scene’s most revered bands—Sloane agrees, with one No one can know they’re exes. As they dive into Dax’s past, Sloane quickly realizes their history isn’t the only thing he’s hiding, and Sloane has a choice to make. The article Dax wants and the salacious tell-all Sloane’s editor expects are two completely different stories. This is the big break she’s been waiting for, but it comes with a the chance to rewrite the ending with her first and only love.

The Silversmith
L.J. Claren
February 24, 2026

Amazon | Goodreads

She was born to save this world. But falling in love will destroy it.

Still reeling from the mysterious deaths of her father and brother, Ary Gold survives only by sheer will in the icy wilds of the North. But when strangers arrive with stories of long-lost magic, Ary is thrust into a fate far larger than her sorrow.

The realm of Nyrida is under threat. An ancient shadow wielder has risen, determined to plunge the world into corrupted darkness. And Ary is the only one who can stop him.

They say she has royal blood. That magic runs in her veins. That she is already promised in marriage—to a powerful commander whose army is her only hope of winning the coming war.

But her fiercest challenge will not be on the battlefield…

Assigned to shape her into a warrior is a man cloaked in violence and secrets. Cold, arrogant, and maddeningly unreadable, he isn’t her betrothed—but he may be her undoing…

Ary is powerless to resist the impossible attraction building between them. Will she follow her destiny? Or risk everything for a love as wild and dangerous as the power that’s awakening inside her?

Shadows are closing in. Love is the greatest threat of all. And the fate of the world rests in the hands of a grieving girl who never asked to be chosen.

What books are you most excited for this month?

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The post Ten New Books To Read in February 2026 | Book List appeared first on Kait Rose.

#1 New York Times bestselling series and Instant USA TODAY Bestseller

The viral TikTok stalker dark romance, burning with high heat, hilarious banter, and a love story like you’ve never seen before. Can you handle the ride?

I want someone with a soul as black as night. Someone who would burn the world down for me and not lose a single minute of sleep over it.

Trauma nurse Aly Cappellucci doesn’t need any more kinks. She likes the one she’s landed on just fine. To her, nothing could top the masked men she follows online. Unless one of those men was shirtless, heavily tattooed, and waiting for her in her bedroom. She dreams about being hunted by one in particular, of him chasing her down and doing deliciously dark things to her willing body. She never could have guessed that by sending one drunken text, those dreams would become her new reality.

I want things most people don’t, craving darkness and depravity instead of light and love.

Josh Hammond has spent his life avoiding the limelight, but his online persona is another story. At night, he posts masked thirst traps for his millions of fans to drool over, but one follower has caught his eye: Aly. After reading a comment begging him to break into her house wearing a mask, he decides to take her up on her offer.

Together, Aly and Josh live out their darkest fantasies, unaware that Aly has captured the attention of someone else. Someone with far more sinister intentions than a little light stalking. As Josh turns from predator to protector and the stakes heighten, he must ask himself how far he’s willing to go for the woman he’s obsessed with.

Lights Out is a fast-paced dark romance with a morally gray male lead. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the TWs at the beginning of the book.

Tropes: Stalker romance / Morally grey MMC / Masked stalker / He falls first / Black cat x golden retriever / Kink friendly

Read if you like:

• Dark romance
• Stalker romance
• Thrillers
• Romantic comedy
• Golden retriever MMCs
• Independent FMCs

My thoughts:

Lights Out is the dark romantic comedy of my dreams. Re-reading on audio was the best decision I could have made. Navessa Allen crafted two remarkably unique characters and Elena Wolfe and Jacob Morgan brought them to life.

It’s hard to put into words what exactly made Lights Out work. Every element of this book came together to form a damn near perfect story. The plot, the pacing, the writing, the characters; all of it just worked together. Add in two amazing narrators and it took everything to the next level.

Ally and Josh were wonderfully complex, quirky characters. Ally was overwhelmed and extremely stressed but incapable of letting herself take a break. Josh was a total golden retriever under the mask, though one with a dark and twisted past. Together, they just worked.

Elena Wolfe and Jacob Morgan did a phenomenal job narrating this story. They took these characters and made them their own. The emotions came through in their voices so clearly. Jacob in particular really brought something special to Josh’s character, especially when it came to humor. This may have been dark but these two had me laughing out loud and smiling giddily.

Forget slow burn, this is straight up insta-lust and I am not complaining about it. The chemistry between these two was off the charts. The spice was some of the hottest I’ve ever read and listening to this on audio had me feeling a bit depraved (in the best way!) It will not be for everyone (there is a 2 minute content warning at the beginning, if that tells you anything) but I adored every minute of it.

My only very minor complaint was the plot and pacing. While the story captured me from the start and my interest never waned, it felt like the actual plot didn’t show up until halfway through the book. The beginning of the book felt like almost straight erotica and then a thriller twist was thrown in later. I didn’t mind it personally but I know some readers won’t love it.

Overall, Lights Out is a must-read for dark romance fans and the audiobook is the best way to consume it. If you somehow haven’t already read this one, you’re missing out.

TL;DR

Lights Out is the perfect read for those looking for an introduction to dark romance, especially if you’re looking for something with more comedy. The audiobook is absolutely phenomenal and the narrators really bring Josh and Ally to life. Thoroughly addictive and absolutely hilarious, you won’t be able to stop reading this one!

If you liked Lights Out, you might also like:

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The post Lights Out (Into Darkness #1) by Navessa Allen | Audiobook Review appeared first on Kait Rose.

A dark revenge romance filled with tattooed bikers, hilarious banter, heat, and high speeds.

Regan Fletcher
I used to have big dreams: finish college, make beautiful art, all while taking over my dad’s business. He wanted a legacy, and I wanted to give it to him. But his illness wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was his sudden need to keep me locked up in our mansion, safe and isolated. I want more from life, but could only spend my days waiting. Until one night, I came face-to-face with a street biker from a world far different from mine. What starts as him stalking me, quickly spirals into something deeper, and more deadly. I’m falling for a man who’s everything I should fear, yet he’s the only one who’s ever made me feel truly alive. But loving him means risking everything—my heart, my future, and my father.

Rook Emberson
Revenge has been my driving force for as long as I can remember. Cameron Fletcher stole everything from me, and I’ve spent years plotting the perfect way to take it all back. When fate puts his daughter in my sights, I know I’ve found the key to his destruction. But from the moment I meet her, my plans begin to unravel. Regan is everything I didn’t expect and I can’t help but be drawn to her. What starts as a twisted game of vengeance turns into an obsession. I need her, but I also need to destroy her father.

The lines between love and vengeance blur, and I’m not sure where one ends and the other begins.

Read if you like:

• Dark romance
• Romantic comedy
• Morally grey heroes
• Found family
• Top tier banter

My thoughts:

Rook & Rebel is an entertainingly quick dark romantic comedy in the vein of Lights Out and Butcher & Blackbird. It’s a quick, fun read, though not without its flaws.

I won’t lie, plot wise, Rook & Rebel is a bit ridiculous, not to mention being riddled with holes. However, the ridiculousness of the story made this one extremely entertaining for me. Rook is a guy from the wrong side of the tracks, hell-bent on getting revenge on the man who ruined his life. That man just happens to be the father of the girl he can’t stop obsessing over. When Regan is thrust into his life, Rook has to decide if he should use her for revenge or leave his plans in the past in order to start fresh with her.

A  bit of a predictable storyline, yes, but it still grabbed my attention. The story had a very strong start between Rook and Regan’s hilarious meet-cute and his subsequent stalking. Unfortunately, things went a bit downhill past the halfway mark. Plot holes popped up and characters started making decisions solely to move the story along. By the end, things made no sense and I was happy just to be done.

The characters and the romance were the redeeming factors here. The found family vibe of Rook’s crew was utterly perfect. They had quite the mix of personalities and I loved them all (though Hero might be my favorite!) If nothing else, I’ll continue the series to see more of them. The banter between them all felt like a true family (except for Aiden and Evie, for obvious reasons.)

As for banter, Rook and Regan had the best. They cracked me up from the moment they met. They were the perfect example of opposites attracting. Rook was drawn to the comfort and stability Regan offered and Regan was drawn to the adventure and danger that Rook added to her life. They had fantastic chemistry, in and out of the bedroom. The chemistry definitely worked in their favor when it came to spice. It was hot, though relatively tame for a dark romance.

My only issue with Regan was her naivete. She was so sheltered and she refused to see things that were right in front of her face. Her dad treated her like garbage and yet she kept making excuses for him. I loved Rook because, even though he wanted to protect her, he wanted to do it by showing her the truth and letting her decide things on her own. I just wanted to slap some sense into her. I liked her well enough but she needed the street skills that Rook and his friends were trying to teach her.

Overall, Rook & Rebel may not be perfect but it’s a quick and entertaining read that will have you laughing as you turn the pages. It’s a promising start to the Mavericks series and I look forward to reading more from Kate Crew.

TL;DR

Rook & Rebel is a hilarious dark romantic comedy, in the same style as Butcher & Blackbird and Lights Out. It’s a quick, entertaining read that will have you laughing constantly. It has some plot holes and some of the characters aren’t the most likable but it’s a solid start to the Mavericks series. If you’re a fan of quick, funny reads with some darker elements, this might just be the book for you!

If you liked Rook & Rebel, you may also like:

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The post Rook & Rebel (The Mavericks #1) by Kate Crew | Book Review appeared first on Kait Rose.

From global phenomenon Callie Hart comes a highly addictive enemies-to-lovers Romantasy with razor-sharp banter, heart-stopping action, and blistering hot romance that you won't be able to put down!

Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate.

In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn't much a girl wouldn't do for a glass of water.

Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen's reservoirs for as long as she can remember.

But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone.

When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently re-opens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares... but it turns out they're real, and Saeris has landed herself in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed.

The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist's magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him . . . or her.

Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he's the only way Saeris is going to make it home.

Be careful of the deals you make, dear child. The devil is in the details . . .

Read if you like:

• Romantasy
• Fae
• Vampires
• Enemies to Lovers
• Forced Proximity
• Secrets, secrets, and more secrets

My thoughts:

Quicksilver seems to be one of those books you either love or hate. I’m happy to report that I am solidly on the love side when it comes to this book. I’ve read it twice now and I only loved it more the second time around.

I’ll admit, the first third of this one is a little rough, to put it nicely. It’s slow, the worldbuilding feels a little lackluster, and the characters don’t exactly have personalities that make you fall in love with them instantly. I promise it’s worth it though. It’s one of those books that you just have to trust that it will all make sense in the end and that there are reasons for the secrecy.

While the characters are a little prickly at first, it’s hard not to adore them all (well, except Danya) by the end. Saeris is sassy, badass, and a fierce protector of those she loves. She’s skilled with a blade, both wielding one and forging one. She is a little hotheaded which can lead to some challenging situations. She doesn’t always make the smartest choices but she’s constantly learning and growing.

Kingfisher is an utter ass, I won’t sugarcoat it. He torments and goads Saeris almost constantly. However, he’s got a very mysterious past that, when things start to come to light, makes it kind of hard not to love him. I won’t condone some of the stuff he pulled on Saeris but he did have his reasons. I think it may have been a little easier to understand his motives if we’d gotten to see anything from his point-of-view but I also get why Callie Hart chose not to include that. He had way too many secrets that would’ve been hard to hide. (There are some bonus chapters from his point-of-view though!)

I won’t go into great detail about the side characters but Carrion, Ren, and Archer are a few of my favorites. Carrion has the sense of humor of a preteen boy and it tends to make itself known at the most inopportune of times. He had me laughing out loud pretty much any time he appeared on the page. Ren, Lorreth, and the rest of Fisher’s Lupo Proelia intrigue me and I hope for more of them in the future. As for Archer, he was adorable with his love for Fisher and his constant bursting into flames when flustered. Also, Onyx is cutest little pet fox.

The story starts off slow and does drag at times but I never found myself losing interest. This book comes in at over 600 pages and I still wanted more. Even the slow moments felt crucial when it came to worldbuilding and character development.

The worldbuilding was where I struggled the most. The magic system was very interesting but I felt like it took awhile to even get to the point where I understood it. I felt the same way about the history aspects. Everything came to the reader piecemeal, just like Saeris was learning it. It was a struggle to put things together since there were never really straightforward answers or explanations. It was so much easier to understand things during my re-read. It all does come together in the end but just know that there may be some confusion as you read.

I obviously can’t ignore one of the best things about this one and that’s the romance. The chemistry between Saeris and Kingfisher was electric. Even when they “hated” each other, they had this undeniable tension. They antagonized the hell out of each other but it was honestly so hot. (Don’t judge me!) When they finally came together, it was incendiary. I won’t lie though, I think I loved them even more during some of their more tender moments when they were just getting to know each other. They had a lot more between them than just sexual chemistry.

Overall, Quicksilver earns a top spot on my list of favorites in the romantasy genre. It’s the perfect blend of story, spice, and suspense. I can’t wait to see where Callie Hart takes this story and characters in Brimstone.

TL; DR

I’m completely obsessed with everything about Quicksilver. It’s not a perfect book but it’s thoroughly addicting and will leave you dying for more. Push through the first third because I promise that it’s worth it in the end. The story, the characters, and the romance will stick with you long after you’ve finished it.

If you liked Quicksilver, you may also like:

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The post Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy #1) by Callie Hart | Book Review appeared first on Kait Rose.

He swore never to fall for a city girl again. She's on a mission to charm his small town.

MATT BECKER is stretched thin. Running his flower shop solo is a full-time job, but now he’s also tasked with caring for his teenage sister while their parents are away. With her expensive new school draining his savings, Matt’s barely keeping his head above water. He needs money—and fast.

Groomed to inherit her father’s hotel empire, ZOEY DELACROIX is finally poised to take the reins. But first, she must convince shareholders she’s got what it takes and silence her own doubts. Her plan? Secure a piece of land in the town where her father once failed. Falling for a local? Definitely not part of it.

When a crucial town vote spirals into disaster and her reputation takes a hit, Zoey finds an unexpected lifeline: Matt. He suggests a fake relationship to win back the town’s favor in exchange for a spot in her small business investment program. It’s strictly business… until it isn’t. Matt never expected the spoiled city girl to fit so easily into his world. And Zoey never questioned the future set for her until she began picturing a life that looked a lot more like his.

As lines blur and real feelings get tangled in their fake romance, Matt and Zoey must find the nerve to rewrite their future or risk losing the one thing they never saw coming: a shot at love.

In this cozy small-town romance where The Holiday meets Gilmore Girls, HOAX AND KISSES explores the path to self-discovery and the unexpected connections that bloom along the way. Steamy and soul-stirring, this story is a tribute to the kind of love that sneaks up on you and never lets go.

Read if you like:

• Small-town romance
• Found family
• Fake dating
• Enemies-to-lovers
• Hallmark movies

My thoughts:

Hoax and Kisses is a heartwarming small-town romance, blending just the right amount of Hallmark sweetness and sexy spice. Elodie Colliard has been an author I’ve wanted to read for some time now and this definitely lived up to the hype.

Big town hotel exec heads to small town Pine Falls to convince them to sell their land for her company to build a new hotel. What could go wrong? Well, it’s possible the handsome but grumpy town flower shop owner (who she may have had a one-night stand with) turns the whole town against her. He may also then decide to make amends by fake dating her in order to convince everyone in town how wrong he was about her. Let’s just say, shenanigans (and romance) ensue.

Hoax and Kisses is the perfect small-town romance. Pine Falls is charming, full of loyal (and a bit chaotic) townspeople, and the perfect blend of outdoorsy and cute. When they pitched it as Gilmore Girls meets The Holiday, they got the vibes 100% right. This is one setting that will make you feel right at home.

The characters only add to the coziness of the book. Matt and Zoey separately were lovely in their own right but put them together and they were absolutely perfect. Enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, with insane chemistry.

Zoey is fiercely independent but sometimes a little too much so. The town of Pine Falls shows her, for the first time in her life, that it’s okay to ask for help. Matt may have been the first person to offer but he’s far from the last. Seeing her open up and let others take some of the weight off her shoulders felt so relatable and rewarding. Matt was the catalyst for a lot of Zoey’s changes. He was outwardly a bit of a grump but more of a teddy bear inside. He was insanely protective of his family, friends, and town. The connection between him and Zoey was immediate but the trust and love between the two of them took longer to build. I definitely wouldn’t call this a slow burn when it comes to spice but I think that title would fit when it came to their actual relationship.

While Zoey and Matt were the main characters, I loved the whole group. The town was full of such eclectic people. I know there is a previous Pine Falls book that I’ll have to check out but I’m also hoping there will be more in the future. Lola, James, Daphne, and the rest deserve way more page time.

The romance was the ideal mix of sweetness and spice. Matt and Zoey had instant chemistry that made every spicy scene between them so utterly hot. Matt was such a gentleman everywhere except the bedroom. That man had a mouth on him. I’ll let you interpret that how you will.

I also have to briefly mention the autistic representation. I thought it was written very well and very honestly. As someone who is neurodivergent, I appreciated the approach that Elodie Colliard took when writing Daphne’s character. She showed that autism is a spectrum and that it’s not something to be changed, but something to be embraced. Matt’s love and care for his sister was probably the sweetest thing about him.

Overall, Hoax and Kisses will have you ready to risk it all and move to a small town for your own happy ever after. Elodie Colliard has a new fan and I can’t wait to revisit Pine Falls and anywhere else they write into existence.

TL;DR

Hoax and Kisses is an adorably sweet small-town romance with just the right balance of story and spice. This book will have you swooning while trying to locate Pine Falls on a map to book your own trip. This cozy romance will leave you with a smile on your face and a sudden urge to embrace nature and possibly a grumpy small-town florist.

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The post Hoax & Kisses (When in Pine Falls #1) by Elodie Colliard | Book Review appeared first on Kait Rose.

Ten years ago, they joined the CIA.

Six years ago, he left the game.

Five years ago, they fell in love.

One year ago, she ran out into the cold with absolutely no intention of ever coming back.

And two minutes ago, they woke up, bloody and bruised and handcuffed together in the dark.

They don’t know where they are. They don’t know how they got there. And they have absolutely no idea who is after them or what this nameless, faceless villain wants.
The only thing that’s clear is that, after ten years of covers and chemistry, secrets and lies, these two rival spies have been sucked into their greatest mission yet, and now they’re going to have to team up to stay alive. (If they don’t kill each other first.)

Read if you like:

• Rivals to lovers
• Witty banter
• Dual POV
• Intrigue
• Forced proximity

My thoughts:

The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold, the second book in the Blonde Identity series, is pure fun from Ally Carter. Readers who read and loved her YA series, the Gallagher Girls, will eat this up. It’s a more mature version of that series but with the same sense of romance, intrigue, and mischief.

While this is book two in the series, it can be read as a standalone. I would recommend picking up book one, The Blonde Identity, as it’s also a very enjoyable, quick read. These are little mentions throughout that sum up book one quite well especially if, like me, you don’t remember the minutiae of books you read over a year ago.

The main characters, Alex Sterling and Michael Kingsley, were wonderfully well-matched in wit, tenacity, smarts, and stubbornness. The rivals to lovers dynamic between the two of them was utter perfection. Alex was a force to be reckoned with in everything she did. When she set her mind to something, there was no stopping her. (Something King learned the hard way.) She was fiercely independent but watching her learn to trust and rely on King was so very rewarding. King was the kind of man who wanted more than anything to just be needed by Alex. He had goals and dreams of his own but he never let those get in the way when it came to Alex. Even when he ‘hated’ her, he’d drop everything to be what she needed.

The secondary characters were not quite as fleshed out as Alex and King but I have to mention Merritt. Anytime she was mentioned, I just pictured Julie Andrews (Princess Diaries style) as she had this poise and calm about her at all times. I adored her and her machinations regarding King and Alex’s relationship.

The story is dual point-of-view and told in a mix of past and present chapters. My only real complaint with this one is that it got confusing at times when switching between POVs as well as timelines. There were a few points where I had to doublecheck when and where Alex and King were supposed to be in a certain chapter. It didn’t help that a lot of the time they were in the same place, just at a different time.

The story itself is very fast-paced and full of mystery. There are so many twists that, right when you think you’ve got it figured out, you’ll be thrown for a total loop. As with any good spy novel, you’ll never quite know who to trust.

Overall, The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold is an entertaining read filled with badass characters, hilarious banter, and a heartwarming romance. I hope Ally Carter plans to continue this series because I feel like there are many more potential stories in this world and with these characters.

TL;DR

Ally Carter has taken the best parts from her young adult Gallagher Girls series and crafted the perfect spy romance series for her adult readers. The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold is pure fun with a lot of heart. Mischief, intrigue, and romance abound in this unputdownable second book in the Blonde Identity series.

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The post The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold (The Blonde Identity #2) by Ally Carter | Book Review appeared first on Kait Rose.

Two fledgling tabletop gamers find themselves falling for each other—both in and out of their weekly D&D sessions—in this charming, fantasy-tinged romance.

For years, Sadie Brooks has declined her best friend’s standing invitation to join his Dungeons & Dragons campaign. But when she unexpectedly loses her marketing job and flees New York City to spend the summer with him in small-town Texas, she also runs out of excuses to say no.

In the game, she becomes Jaylie, a powerful and self-assured human cleric blessed by the Goddess of Luck with spells to heal her companions. But in real life, Sadie believes her luck has run out, and she hopes the distraction will give her time to clear her head and plan next steps.

She never expected Noah Walker—the handsome, outgoing bartender roped into joining them—to factor into that plan. Like Sadie, he’s new in town. But with a taste for adventure, Noah never stays in one place for long. He’s something of a traveling bard—just like his character Loren, the charismatic, lute-strumming elf. While Jaylie finds herself succumbing to the bard’s charms over the course of their party’s travels, Sadie also begins to fall under Noah’s spell.

As their relationship progresses in both worlds, Sadie can’t help but wonder if they might last beyond the game. But when a surprising new opportunity opens in New York, she must face the truth about why she lost her job in the first place—and whether she and Noah have found something in Texas worth staying for. Torn between her career dreams in the city and the exciting uncertainty of a new adventure, she will have no choice but to roll the dice.

Read if you like:

• Golden retriever MMCs
• Dungeons and Dragons
• Contemporary romance
• Friends to lovers
• Fantasy vibes
• Found family

My thoughts:

Roll for Romance is a wonderfully unique romance with a loveable cast of characters, adorable romance, and thoroughly entertaining story. Lenora Woods seamlessly weaves together a fun, small-town romance and a fantasy plot worthy of Dungeons and Dragons.

Sadie is a down-on-her-luck New Yorker who decides to spend her summer in Texas with her best friend, Liam. She’ll take some time away to re-evaluate her life and relax. Liam decides it’s the perfect time to introduce her to Dungeons and Dragons as well as some of his Texas friends. One of those friends just happens to be Noah, a ruggedly handsome nomad who is in town for the summer to help his college roommate open a new brewery. Sparks fly, both in the campaign and in real life, and suddenly Sadie’s future is even more hazy than before.

The quirky cast of characters stole the show here. Before I even touch on Sadie and Noah, I have to mention their fellow gamers. Liam is the glue that holds them all together but honestly, he was my least favorite. I loved him but, out of all of them, I feel like he had the least developed personality. As the dungeon master, he called the shots but without an actual character in the game, it made him seem a little flat. Julie and Morgan, on the other hand, were wonderfully developed, both in the campaign and in real life. I loved that Morgan chose to match her DND persona, Morgana, to her real life personality. Julie did the exact opposite with Kain and chose to represent traits she typically hid from the world. Both approaches worked to show off their personalities, in the campaign and out of it. I also adored how they immediately embraced Sadie and the three of them quickly developed a remarkable friendship.

As for Sadie and Noah, I genuinely have no complaints. Sadie is so relatable as a corporate worker who doesn’t necessarily know if she likes her job or if she just sticks with it because she doesn’t know what else she would do. She questions herself constantly and she can sometimes lack faith in herself. None of that changes that she is smart, funny, kind, and extremely capable. Noah is her opposite in so many ways and it totally worked for them. He has major golden retriever energy and it was adorable. He’s a free spirit who holds nothing back. He brings out a different side of Sadie and seems to help mellow her out when she gets too stressed. The two of them worked to balance each other.

The Dungeons and Dragons part of the book was so unique and captured my attention immediately. Lenora Woods has such an immersive storytelling style that it felt like I was in the game right alongside them. You get the best of both worlds with this story; a contemporary romance as well as a little fantasy. Lenora Woods did a great job differentiating between the campaign and real life while also using the campaign to develop the characters and relationships in real life.

Overall, Roll for Romance is a thoroughly adorable story that gamers and newbs (such as myself) alike will love.

TL;DR

Roll for Romance is an adorably quirky romance that gamers and readers alike will adore. Sadie, Noah, and their loveable friend group will have you smiling the whole time. A little contemporary romance, a little fantasy, and a whole lot of fun combine to make this the perfect read.

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The post Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods | Book Review appeared first on Kait Rose.

From the bestselling author of I Am Still Alive comes a new nail-biter that's part survival story, part murder mystery, and all thriller—perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson!

Two years ago Mercy Gray was hailed as a hero for saving lives during a mall shooting. She still carries souvenirs from that incident: the fragment of a bullet lodged in her back, a mountain of medical debt, and guilt for ignoring her sister’s warnings that the sweet boy next door was anything but.

When billionaire-turned-TV-host Damien Dare recruits Mercy to compete on his new survivalist reality show, she can’t turn down a chance at the whopping cash prize that could send her sister to college—but when she and the other contestants arrive at the off-grid location, something isn’t right. The set is empty. The gates close without warning, trapping them inside. Then one of them turns up dead. What appeared at first to be a tragic accident quickly transforms as more contestants start dying. With time and resources running low, surviving this show takes on a new meaning.

Read if you like:

• Suspense
• Elements of horror
• Survival shows
• Relatable characters

My thoughts:

We Won’t All Survive is my first experience with Kate Alice Marshall’s books but it won’t be last. I fear that this is just the start of a new obsession. This is suspense done right. I cannot wait to dig into her backlist titles.

It’s been a while since a book has truly had me hooked from page one but this one did. The characters, the plot, the writing, the twists; every single thing about this book had me turning pages as fast as I could. I kept coming up with theories as I read and I was dying to see if I was right. I wasn’t, just so you know, but I honestly think that made it so much better. I never knew what was coming next.

The plot isn’t exactly new but it was done well and had some refreshing twists. It’s a gripping story that will have you on the edge of your seat, wondering who, if anyone, is going to make it out alive. It was suspenseful with some fun horror elements thrown in. Think end-of-the-world survival meets slasher movie.

While the plot was solid, it was the characters that took this story to another level. All were so well-developed, with unique personalities, and gripping histories. By the end of the book I was devastated by each death. These characters didn’t feel expendable like they so often do in novels like these. I was fully invested in each one and every injury or death felt like a hit. Mercy may have been the main character (and a badass one, at that) but the side characters did their best to steal the show.

Overall, We Won’t All Survive needs to be on every thriller readers TBR. I can’t recommend it enough.

TL;DR

A gripping, page-turner of a novel that perfectly blends end-of-the-world survival with the suspense and danger of a slasher movie. Full of relatable characters, solid writing, and plot twists that you will never see coming, We Won’t All Survive is a must-read for thriller fans.

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The post We Won’t All Survive by Kate Alice Marshall | Book Review appeared first on Kait Rose.

A debut fantasy romance filled with hope after heartbreak, secrets, and betrayal, as a dancer-turned-spy must decide how far she will go to secure her freedom

My protector is gone, revealed to be a monster. But I remind myself that I am not a damsel. I’m no princess bound within a tower.
I am a shadow.

Vasalie Moran was once a dancer in King Illian’s court, until he framed her for murder. Barely surviving her two years in the dungeons, she’s suddenly called to face her king. He offers her a deal: become his spy at the six-week royal Gathering and he’ll grant her freedom.

As Illian’s orders grow bloody and dangerous, forcing her to harm and betray those around her, Vasalie discovers that the monster she serves may be aligned with a bigger monster—one far closer to home. With her world threatened, Vasalie enlists the help of Illian’s brother and greatest adversary, the infamous King of the East.

As the rivalry between brothers escalates, with Vasalie caught in the middle, the horrifying truth of her past comes to light. If she wants to survive, she must decide who to trust, who to fight for, and how much of her soul she’s willing to damn in the process.

Read if you like:

• Romantasy
• Slow burn romance
• Enemies to lovers
• Disability representation
• Love triangles

My thoughts:

A Dance of Lies was a highly anticipated read of mine and I’m happy to say that it completely exceeded my expectations. Brittney Arena’s debut novel is a wonderful blend of romance, fantasy, suspense, and intrigue.

The diverse and well-developed cast of characters is a Dance of Lies’ biggest strength but none more so than Vasalie, no matter how weak she tells herself she is. She is such an intriguing character with a wealth of strength hidden inside. Her past is full of horrors and she doesn’t always realize how they have forced her to grow. She’s well-developed and well-rounded but there is certainly room for growth in book two.

A lot of Vasalie’s strength comes from her unwillingness to quit, no matter what challenge faces her. The disability representation drew me to A Dance of Lies and it was everything I had hoped it would be. The author’s note explains that Brittney Arena has personal experience with chronic pain and it shows in how she writes about Vasalie’s experience with it. Her pain is present in everything she does but she perseveres. Not only does she persevere, she excels.

Something else that makes A Dance of Lies stand out is the fact that Vasalie isn’t a warrior, setting out to destroy or overthrow a king or empire. She’s a dancer who has been forced to use her skill (rusty though it is) to infiltrate a gathering of kingdoms and spy for her king. I won’t lie, I was curious how this was going to translate to the written word. I was pleasantly surprised by Brittney Arena’s ability to write in a way that Vasalie’s dancing seemed to flow off the page, directly into my mind. Without being overly wordy, everything, from the setting to the minutiae of Vasalie’s dances, is described so that you can imagine it clearly.

The story itself is as solid as the writing, though the pacing is a little slow. There is a lot of world-building and a lot of espionage. While engaging, it does make for very little movement of the plot. Things moved along consistently but it did seem to be in smaller increments. True action didn’t take place until much closer to the end.

As for other slow things about A Dance of Lies, we can certainly include the romance. this is truly a slow burn romance. There is also a bit of a love triangle (square?) though it does seem to resolve itself by the end. I’m not sure if it will stay that way in book two though.

Overall, I clearly have a lot of thoughts and feelings about A Dance of Lies, all of them positive. If you’ve been questioning whether or not you should read this one, consider this your sign to pick it up.

TL;DR

A Dance of Lies, Brittney Arena’s debut novel, is a gorgeously written romantasy with a plethora of unique elements. While a bit of a slower read, the story grips you from beginning to end. The writing, the characters, the romance, it’s all damn near perfect. If you’re a romantasy fan, A Dance of Lies needs to be on your TBR.

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The post A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena | Book Review appeared first on Kait Rose.

Every legend has a beginning.

With their freedom on the line, a young woman and a rakish pirate take their fate into their own hands as they attempt to find a lost mythical isle with the power to save their entire world.

Saoirse yearns to be powerless. Cursed from childhood with a volatile magic, she's managed to imprison it within, living under constant terror that one day it will break free. And it does, changing everything.

Horrified at her loss of control, Saoirse’s parents offer her hand to the cold and ruthless Stone King. Knowing she'll never survive such a cruel man, Saoirse realizes there is only one path forward…she must break her curse. 

On the eve of her wedding, Saoirse seeks out the legendary Wolf of the Wild—Faolan, a feral, silver-tongued pirate. He swears to help rid her of the deadly magic, if she’ll use it to locate a lost mythical isle first. Crafted by the slaughtered gods, it’s the only land that could absorb her power.

But Saoirse knows better than to trust a pirate’s word. With the wrath of her disgraced father and scorned betrothed chasing them, Saoirse adds one last condition to protect if Faolan wants her on his ship, he'll have to marry her first.

Read if you like:

• Romantasy
• Forced proximity
• Slow burn romance
• Marriage of convenience
• Pirates
• Magic

My thoughts:

Not enough people are talking about this masterpiece. Soulgazer, Maggie Rapier’s debut novel, is everything you could want in a romantasy. It’s got pirates, magic, and a Celtic-inspired setting, not to mention the romantic tension and yearning of a slow burn romance. This book is utterly perfect.

Maggie Rapier’s lyrical writing style sucks you in and does not let you go. It’s lush and descriptive, painting  a flawless picture of the cast of misfit pirates and their world of lost Gods and terrifying magic. While there were times I felt that the writing style was a little wordy, I couldn’t help but love it.

The writing is lovely but it’s the characters that truly make this a five-star read. Saoirse is extremely sheltered but she dreams of freedom, to see the world and find the place she belongs. Faolan and his crew of colorful pirates provide her with the chance to escape the life laid out before her and choose what her future holds. Faolan and the crew may be brash and rude at times but they never hide their true selves and together, they form a rather odd but endearing family. They don’t always trust Saoirse but they embrace her and help her grow.

Saoirse may live in a world of magic and wonder but she’s one of the most relatable characters I’ve read in a long time. Her story is heartbreaking at times but she perseveres, no matter how much she wants to give up. She shows that there is strength in everyone, no matter how weak they may seem.

Faolan is the opposite of Saoirse in so many ways. He’s bold and brash and seems totally fearless. He’s cocky and quick witted. All his flashy mannerisms hide what’s underneath. I won’t lie, I loved the bold Faolan but the vulnerable, sensitive side that Saoirse brought out may have been even better.

The plot was intriguing, if a little slow-paced. The beginning of the book was more world-building than anything else and it didn’t feel like the actual plot came into play until later. I was hoping for something a bit faster paced but this was still a quick read that kept me hooked.

Overall, Soulgazer is a beautifully written story full of characters that you won’t quickly forget. The story wraps up nicely while still setting things up for the second book in the duology. I can’t wait to return to this world and these characters and see what’s next for them!

TL;DR

Pirates, magic, and a search for a lost island of the gods? Slow burn romance, banter, and a bit of a golden retriever MMC? I feel like Maggie Rapier took all my favorite things and combined them to make the perfect book. Soulgazer features a unique story with fascinating characters and gorgeous writing. It’s a slow burn romance with great tension and wonderful banter. I loved it and can’t wait for book two.

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The post Soulgazer (The Magpie & The Wolf #1) by Maggie Rapier | Book Review appeared first on Kait Rose.