February 2026 – Page 2

Review Card & Book Review- The Holiday Hookup List By Alexis Daria

Valencia

After calling it quits with my cheating fiancé, I’m definitely not feeling the Christmas spirit this year. But when my best friend invites me to a holiday dance party, I show up ready to shake my ass.

Except I must be on Santa’s naughty list, because who do I run into? My infuriatingly sexy high school archnemesis, Gideon Noble.

The pulsing music, red and green strobe lights, and Gideon’s bitable bottom lip make me reckless, so I drag him onto the dance floor.

And then? I take him home with me.

Gideon

If this is my second chance with Valencia, I’m not wasting it.

We’re both alone this Christmas, so we create a naughty and nice list that would make Santa blush: twelve days of wholesome yuletide cheer, and twelve nights decking each other’s halls.

As Christmas Eve, and the end of our list, approaches, I realize that twelve days with Valencia Torres isn’t enough.

I want forever.

But does she?

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Valencia, an EPA lawyer, who unexpectedly reunites with her former high school rival, Gideon, during a night out in New York. What begins as a chance encounter and one-night hookup quickly develops into a spirited arrangement: twelve days of holiday outings by day paired with an adventurous intimacy bucket list by night. The result is equal parts “Hallmark after dark” and heartwarming romance.

Daria skillfully balances lighthearted festive fun with deeper themes, including family complications, past betrayals, and the vulnerabilities of starting over. The chemistry between Valencia and Gideon is undeniable, and the intimacy is not only passionate but also refreshingly mutual and exploratory.

What particularly sets this novella apart is its casual queer and Latine representation, offering an inclusive and modern take on holiday romance. The Holiday Hookup List is both sexy and heartfelt, making it a perfect seasonal read for those seeking something vibrant, diverse, and delightfully unconventional.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 20 February 2026

The Woman Who Turned Her Life Around By Fiona Gibson

🎸 Is it ever too late for an encore? 🎸

When they were young, Josie and Shane thought both they and their band were headed for greatness.

But fast forward three decades, and Josie’s life looks more like this:

A dead-end job in a niche London bookshop

A boyfriend who thinks the answer to their financial problems is Josie sharing photos of her feet on OnlyFans

A grown daughter who’d rather Josie stayed out of her new family’s business

Then Ravi – their band’s fearless frontwoman and Josie’s oldest friend – dies, leaving one last request: for Josie and Shane to finish the ‘tour’ they abandoned all those years ago.

Which is how Josie ends up rattling up the motorway in a retired ambulance with one mattress, one map, and the man who once broke her heart.

Will this be yet another mistake for Josie? Or could it be her chance to make her life what she’d always dreamed it would be?

The Cottage In The Clouds By Caroline Young

When Elin Pugh’s life in London crumbles, she returns to the Welsh mountains of her childhood to care for Anwen Jones, the enigmatic artist who once filled her young heart with dreams of creativity and freedom.

Anwen lives alone in a ramshackle cottage high in the hills, surrounded by cats and decades of dust-covered paintings. Fiercely independent and famously difficult, she’s spent years driving away visitors with her sharp tongue and signs warning trespassers to ‘Go Away’. But as Elin settles into life in the shadow of the mountains, she discovers that beneath Anwen’s prickly exterior lies a woman with an extraordinary story to tell.

Helping the ailing artist catalogue a lifetime of work, Elin begins to uncover long-buried secrets about her own past that her mother has kept hidden for over thirty years. Soon she discovers that her journey home was about more than escaping – it was about finding out who she really is, rediscovering the life-changing joy of creativity and learning where she truly belongs.

A sweeping story of love, loss and the wonder of the natural world, The Cottage in the Clouds explores how creativity and unexpected bonds can help us to heal and find our way back to ourselves.

Review Card & Book Review – Suddenly Mine By Katie Evergreen

This Christmas, love is the best surprise of all . . .

Merry Sinclair used to adore Christmas — until heartbreak ruined her holiday spirit. Working in New York’s famously festive Carroll’s Department Store over the holidays is not helping matters. Until she meets new employee Christian, whose easy confidence and deep chestnut eyes make her heart skip.

Estranged heir to a global empire, Christian Carroll hasn’t set foot inside his family’s store in years. But when his father tells him the company’s struggling, he reluctantly agrees to return, on one condition — he’ll work undercover as a janitor.

The last thing he needs is a distraction in the form of the charming and quirky store-greeter he can’t seem to stay away from.

As Merry and Christian grow closer, their connection becomes undeniable. But when Christian’s true identity is revealed, Merry must choose — can she trust him with her heart, or will past heartaches keep them from finding their own place under the mistletoe?

About The Author

My Review

This is a festive, fun, and flirty addition to the Appex Billionaires series. Set against the twinkling lights of New York during the holiday season, it captures both the magic and the messiness of love. Merry Sinclaire is a hardworking, relatable heroine—drained from long shifts at the Caroll family department store and weighed down by responsibility for her sister’s healthcare. Her struggles with exhaustion and financial pressure add a layer of realism that makes her easy to root for.

Enter Christian Caroll, the reluctant heir forced back from his overseas charity work to rescue the family empire. Disguising himself as a janitor, Christian soon collides—literally—with Merry, sparking a connection that’s equal parts hilarious and sizzling. Their banter, undeniable chemistry, and steamy moments keep the pages turning, while the backdrop of Santa encounters, mulled wine, and holiday chaos adds a cozy sparkle.

Though Christian’s secret identity creates tension, his sincerity shines through, making the romance sweet and satisfying. With its blend of humor, heat, and heart, this is a lighthearted Christmas romance that delivers both laughs and feels in equal measure.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 19 February 2026

Healing Hearts At The Forever Cottage By Jill Steeples

The winds of change are sweeping through the idyllic Cotswold village of Lower Leaping.

After a tumultuous few months, Tess Alexander is ready to welcome her first guests to The Garden Retreat, a beautiful lodge in the grounds of Hollyhocks Cottage.

With her daughter Hannah home from her travels in Australia and her mother, Marjorie, acting out of character, Tess has to juggle many demands on her attention. Even her flourishing relationship with dashing Rob Templeton is put to the test when he faces an emotional dilemma from his past and Barney, her beloved beagle, has her at her wits end.

Tess can weather most storms with the unbridling support of her close friends Dilly, Gina and Suzy but when a passing remark in the local pub causes her to question one of those friendships, she wonders who can she really trust?

Can Tess overcome the obstacles in her path to find the happy ending she truly deserves?

How To Resist Your Boss By Leslie North

From the moment I bumped into Drew Ashford I knew one thing: I’d rather lick a subway pole than deal with him again.

Sure, he’s sexy as hell—in a hot movie-villain kind of way. Too bad he’s also obnoxious, arrogant, and worst of all, a dog hater.

Not my problem…if he didn’t own the hotel where the biggest wedding of my career is taking place.

Landing the wedding of a mega-famous reality star couple could make my career. All I need is everything to run smoothly: no scandals, no drama, no Drew.

But when a very compromising, very viral video catches him with the bride, Drew decides to drag me into his mess. Announcing—to millions of the couple’s rabid fans—that we’re engaged!

Spoiler: we are not.

Now to protect the wedding (and our own reputations), Drew convinces me to play along. The ring? Fake. The backstory? Fabricated. The chemistry?

…Unfortunately, very real.

And somewhere between the forced smiles and infuriatingly hot kisses, I start to wonder… what if I hate him a little less than I should?

Review Card & Book Review – A Winter Of Sweet Secrets By Heidi McCahan

What will it take to save her family’s candy company…and end a decades-long feud?

For generations, the Evergreen Candy Company has been a beloved small-town Alaskan tradition run by Jovi Wright’s family—until now. With her grandparents no longer at the helm, Jovi’s parents are considering selling it. When her sister calls with the news, Jovi hops on a plane back home to help rescue the family business. Her plan: launch Grammie’s salted caramel chews as a new product. But with Grammie’s memory fading and the recipe missing, Jovi has her work cut out for her.
Still reeling from being jilted by her fiancé, Jovi welcomes the distraction of trying to re-create the recipe from scratch. The distraction she’s not so sure about is single dad Burke Solomon. The disillusioned author and his adorable little girl have moved in to his late aunt’s cabin just down the road from her grandparents’ home, where she’s staying. And the discovery that their families have been feuding since before either of them were born is too irresistible to ignore.
With a looming deadline and the stresses of single parenthood, the last thing Burke needs is a bright-eyed optimist like Jovi next door. But he finds himself asking for her help adjusting to life in Evergreen more than he’d like to admit. And untangling the history of what happened to the friendship between his late aunt and Jovi’s Grammie provides an antidote to his writer’s block. But when Burke unearths several shocking family secrets, will revealing them settle the feud or bring everything he and Jovi have been working toward crashing down around them?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartwarming small-town holiday romance that blends family, community, and second chances with a touch of mystery. For generations, the Evergreen Candy Company has been at the heart of Jovi Wright’s family, but with her grandparents aging and her parents considering selling, Jovi rushes home to help. Her plan: relaunch Grammie’s famous salted caramel chews. The problem? Grammie’s memory is fading, and the treasured recipe is nowhere to be found.

Enter Burke Solomon, a widowed author struggling with writer’s block and single father to the utterly endearing Darby Jane. Moving into his late aunt’s cabin places him right next door to Jovi—and right into the middle of a decades-old feud between their families. Their reluctant partnership soon turns into something much deeper, with Burke’s guarded heart slowly opening under Jovi’s optimism and determination.

McCahan delivers cozy festive vibes—snowy Alaska, twinkle lights, candy shops, and heartfelt family moments—while weaving in themes of forgiveness, resilience, and love. Sweet, uplifting, and brimming with holiday charm, this story is a perfect seasonal read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- The Accidental Rewrite By Milly Johnson

What if it was possible to start over again? To leave everything behind, forget all that went before, and live the life you’d always dreamed of?

Polly Potter is losing the plot of her life. At work, her jerk of a boss is making her days unbearable. At home, she’s trapped in an unappreciated relationship with a man-child of a partner. She’s left completely drained by always putting others first. Amid this chaos, Polly finds solace in one place: the pages of her novel, where she shapes the world of the fearless and triumphant Sabrina Anderson, a character who embodies everything Polly wishes she could be. And thus a plan is born: Polly Potter is going to stop writing the life she wants and start living it.

Just as she makes her move–quitting her job, leaving her partner, and embarking on a road trip to start over–fate turns everything upside down. A wild turn of events leaves her far from home along the Yorkshire coast, in the hospital, waking up from a concussion, believing her name is Sabrina Anderson. She doesn’t know where she’s come from, but she feels she could heal in that seaside town, with the fresh air, seagulls, and a few kind strangers who take her into their lives. And into the heart of their joyful, boisterous Italian family restaurant–run by Teddy, the warmhearted son of her new landlady. When the restaurant is threatened, she knows she has the skills to help–and as her memory slowly returns, she must choose between Sabrina’s life or Polly’s. With her identity in question, Polly wonders: what if this new life could truly be hers? What if she could rewrite her story with a happier ending?

About The Author

My Review

This is another heartwarming, witty, and uplifting tale from Milly Johnson, brimming with her trademark warmth and humor. At its heart is Polly Potter, a woman stuck in a stagnant relationship with Chris, whose affections have strayed and whose indifference has chipped away at her confidence. Professionally, things aren’t much better—after the death of her mentor, Polly’s new boss shamelessly steals her ideas, leaving her desperate for an outlet.

That outlet arrives in the form of a creative writing class, where Polly creates Sabrina—a bold, confident, and feisty version of herself who embodies everything she wishes she could be. But life takes an unexpected twist when Polly suddenly becomes Sabrina, with no memory of her past life, landing in a seaside town where she is taken in by the generous Marielle. What follows is a charming, layered exploration of identity, reinvention, and second chances.

Packed with colorful characters, quirky humor (the local paper’s hilarious typos are a delight), and emotional depth, this novel is both entertaining and empowering. Milly Johnson once again delivers a story that feels like a warm hug with a dash of mischief.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 18 February 2026

Breaking His Boundaries By VH Nicolson

Elijah: she’s an obsession I can’t control.

I thrive on order. Precision. Control. Organising Hart Law’s staff event this year is a disruption I do not need. Especially if it means working closely with Sapphire Feelgood. Event organiser and sunshine in human form. She’s bright, bubbly, and allergic to the word no. We clash instantly—her enthusiasm grates, her ideas overwhelm, and her smile… distracts far more than it should.

I don’t do chaos. Or temptation. But Sapphire is both and she knows just how to push my polished buttons and dismantle my boundaries…Sapphire: I want to know every part of him.

Eli Hart may be beautiful, but he’s also the grumpiest man I’ve ever met. He challenges everything—my ideas, my optimism, my patience. But somewhere between the tension and the teasing, I start seeing the real man beneath the perfect suits, but I know he’s still hiding secrets. He pushes me away. I push right back. It becomes our game. Every moment together sparks hotter than the last.

And the more he tries to hold the line, the more I want to be the one who finally makes him cross it…

Review Card & Book Review- Tracing Her Stolen Identity By Katie Mettner

Hunting the enemy who erased her identity

plunges them into a fight for their lives

Skylar Sullivan no longer exists. The obliteration of her identity is only the first step in a diabolical plan to frame the artist for crimes she couldn’t have physically committed from her wheelchair. Turning to the one person she can trust brings back memories of a night fourteen years ago when Sky lost the boy she loved. Reece Palmer failed Sky once. When he vows to protect her with his life in a way he couldn’t in the past, the cybersecurity expert must take down a mortal threat before a cold-blooded avenger makes Sky disappear forever.

About The Author

My Review

This is a compelling blend of romantic suspense, emotional depth, and personal resilience. Skylar, an artist whose life changed forever after a cheerleading accident left her in a wheelchair, has spent fourteen years building a new normal. Returning home from a retreat, she discovers her identity has been stolen and erased, plunging her into danger. With threats looming and nowhere else to turn, she seeks help from Reece Palmer, her childhood best friend and the one man she’s always trusted.

Mettner crafts Reece as a hero worth swooning over—steadfast, respectful, and deeply admiring of Skylar not despite her circumstances, but because of who she is. Their romance simmers with both chemistry and tenderness, placing emphasis on emotional connection rather than just physical attraction. The suspense plot is tightly woven with twists that keep the reader guessing, while the themes of forgiveness, self-acceptance, and renewal lend heartfelt resonance.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 17 February 2026

The Summer Of Lost And Found By Toni Blake

Recovering from cancer, Cincinnati news anchor Jessica Fox has no choice but to take a summer leave. Her boss’s proposal: for Jessica to take it easy and recharge at his late grandmother Mabel’s cottage in the Kentucky mountains.

The town of Lost and Found lives up to its name. Resistant at first, Jessica grows to appreciate the slower pace, the spectacular sunsets, the affable locals, and even Matt Cordray, the laid-back, too-friendly police chief next door. Most engaging of all is Mabel, who left behind a treasure map that leads Jessica to a collection of lost items—mementos and love letters—people have mailed to the town over the years. Jessica needs something to help pass the time, and she finds it in reuniting these precious things with the distant strangers who lost them.

Lost and in flux herself, Jessica has no idea just how connected to life this town will make her feel again or, by summer’s end, how transformative a season it will be.

Summer Skies Over Starr’s Fall By Kate Hewitt

As the weather warms up, everyone in Starr’s Fall has one thing on their minds… ice cream. And Zoe Wilkinson is the person to help them out. Running the town’s only ice cream shop—The Latest Scoop—she should be the most popular person in town, at least every day that the sun’s shining.

But, in spite of growing up in Starr’s Fall, Zoe has reached the age of twenty-eight without letting anyone deeply into her life. Her wild teenage years seem to be all anyone remembers, perhaps not helped by her spiky pink hair, and sometimes even spikier attitude.

That is, until fourteen-year-old Sophie comes into her store, and tries to steal something. Zoe calls her out, only to attract the ire of Sophie’s furious father, Dan Bryant –a surprisingly sexy middle-aged dad who Zoe would probably develop a huge crush on, if he wasn’t busy defending his daughter.

When she gets home to realise Sophie and Dan are in fact also her new neighbors, she knows she has to make nice. Besides, she can’t help but see a bit of her own teenage tearaway self in sulky Sophie.

But, as the summer sun blazes overhead, will letting a lost teenage girl and a man who gives her butterflies into her life be enough to warm up Zoe’s frozen, frightened heart?

Review Card & Book Review- Cinderella’s Fling With The Billionaire By Rachael Stewart

FOR ONE NIGHT OR FOREVER?

Single mom Maria has fought to reclaim her world from her controlling ex. Romance is the last thing on her mind—until billionaire widower Tim walks into her bar, igniting a passion she thought she’d buried. A brief fling was meant to be enough, until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited on a luxury superyacht. Working as a stewardess, Maria is mortified to be serving the man she shared a bed with. Worse still, their attraction is stronger than ever…

About The Author

My Review

This is a sweeping, emotional romance that takes the beloved Cinderella trope and gives it fresh warmth, depth, and glamour. Maria, a single mother who has worked hard to build a safe, independent life for herself and her daughter, Fae, has no plans to let another man into her heart. That changes the night she meets Tim, a widower still carrying the weight of grief while being gently nudged by his daughter and best friend to look toward the future. What begins as a passionate one-night encounter soon takes an unexpected turn when Maria accepts a temporary job aboard a luxury yacht—only to discover Tim is part of the crew’s world.

Stewart masterfully contrasts Maria and Tim’s different backgrounds while showing the undeniable spark that binds them. The chemistry between them is fiery yet tender, their vulnerabilities make them relatable, and the Australian superyacht setting adds pure escapist delight. With themes of second chances, healing, and the courage to embrace love again, this story is both heartfelt and uplifting.

My Rating