February 2026 – Page 5

Review Card & Book Review- Autumn Nights, Holiday Lights By Elle Douglas

Christmas in August? Sunset County is decked out for the holidays—fake snow and all! Maya Monroe can’t believe her novel is being turned into a Christmas movie. Except the “acclaimed” director, Will Hastings, is Maya’s ex. The man who broke her heart via text, and clearly knows nothing about romance, is directing her dream project.

Will never imagined he’d be filming a Christmas romance—especially one based on his ex’s book. But Will’s determined to complete the job, even though Maya keeps interfering with his creative choices—and his heart. In this staged winter wonderland, their feelings are stealing the show. Can Will and Maya heal their past for a second chance to be the lead couple in their real-life romance?

About The Author

My Review

This is the perfect cozy escape to ease into fall. With its charming small-town setting, friendly community, and delightful bakery scenes, the book radiates warmth and instantly puts readers in an autumnal mood.

The story begins with a fun premise—Will adapting Maya’s book into a holiday film, a Hallmark-style rom-com inside a Hallmark book. Their banter is playful and natural, providing just enough tension to keep the romance engaging without ever becoming heavy. While the first half feels light and breezy, the second half dives deeper into Will and Maya as individuals, adding emotional depth that makes their relationship more compelling.

That said, the novel leaves some threads a little underdeveloped, particularly surrounding Will and Maya’s past breakup. Though their regrets and heartbreak are referenced, the lack of a direct, cathartic conversation between them feels like a missed opportunity. The ending, too, could have benefited from a fuller resolution.

Still, with its clean, fade-to-black romance, heartfelt dialogue, and seasonal charm, this is a sweet, uplifting read. Perfect for readers seeking a wholesome, spice-free alternative to typical holiday rom-coms.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 5 February 2026

Second Chances By Roisin Meaney

It’s never too late for second chances…

For the first time in her life, Lydia is taking a great big leap of faith. She’s moving to a small town on the west coast of Ireland to overhaul a large, long-abandoned residence named Chance House with her new husband.

But when things don’t go as planned, Lydia is reminded why she doesn’t take chances. Suddenly she’s facing a very different prospect: a half-finished ramshackle estate, an overgrown garden, dwindling funds, and some difficult choices to make.

Starting over feels impossible. Staying put feels harder still. But when the local community rallies around her and Lydia is unexpectedly reminded of the power of new beginnings, she realises she might just owe it to herself and them to take a second chance on Chance House . . .

Until The Truth Comes Out By Melanie Summers

A rockstar at the height of his fame.
A wife on the edge.
A secret that can’t stay hidden.
And a single night that will change everything.

In the spring of 1997, Zane McCreight and his wife, Sienna, appear to have it all—sold-out stadiums, magazine covers, and the perfect family. But behind the image, their marriage is fracturing, and a scandal is quietly spiraling out of control.

As Zane’s band prepares for a massive tribute concert in the desert—under the eerie glow of the Hale-Bopp comet—tensions rise. Lies are told. Loyalties are tested. And two women find themselves trapped between ambition, betrayal, and the impossible weight of motherhood.

Then, on the night of the show—while the world is watching the stage—the youngest two McCreight children vanish.

Emotionally complex and deeply character-driven, Until the Truth Comes Out is a gripping tale of fame, marriage, the devastating cost of keeping secrets—and the strength of the women left to carry it all.

Maksim By Katie Ashley

Because of the way I speak, everyone judges me the moment I open my mouth. Even though I’m 6’5 and two eighty, they see me as weak. They always have.

Even my father who passed me over as his heir.

Behind the mask with the automated voice, I’m not weak. Women desire me, and men fear me.

As fortunes change within my family, I need to correct my impediment. That’s why I seek out one of the best speech pathologists on the East Coast. On paper, Dr. Sarah Whitfield looks boring and rigid.

But the good doctor is hiding a secret: she has a kink for Masked Men. She sheds her professional facade on weekends when she attends Masked Events.

And I’m here to fulfill her fantasies of being kidnapped by a masked man.

But this time, it’s for real.

Review Card & Book Review – Against All Odds By Brittney Sahin

Rescuing Seraphina Torres wasn’t part of Delta Shield Security’s plan, until an undercover operation gone sideways changed that. But as quickly as this beautiful and mysterious woman enters Ryder Lawson’s life, she disappears.

His team’s new mission is simple: track Seraphina down and turn her over to the government. But from the moment they find her, nothing goes according to plan. Because Seraphina isn’t just running—she’s hunting. And she refuses to let anyone stand in the way of her revenge. Not even Ryder. But when a deadly conspiracy pulls them both into the crosshairs, their only chance for survival is by working together.

Trusting the wrong person could get them killed…and trusting each other might be even more dangerous. But the deeper they go, the stronger the fire between them burns—and soon, it’s not just their lives at stake, but their hearts.

About The Author

My Review

This is a gripping romantic suspense that balances high-stakes danger with heartfelt romance. The story follows Seraphina, a woman living in the shadows while chasing her own quest for truth, and Ryder, a former police officer now leading the elite Delta team with his closest friends. When a mission—and a twist of fate—bring them together, Ryder finds himself torn between duty and the undeniable pull of a woman who quickly becomes more than just an assignment.

Sahin shines at creating couples whose chemistry leaps off the page, and Ryder and Seraphina are no exception. Their dynamic is equal parts fiery and tender, allowing readers to feel their struggles, their vulnerability, and ultimately their deep connection. What makes the book even richer is the sense of community—the Delta team, friends, and family who weave in and out of the narrative, creating a world that feels alive and interconnected.

Fast-paced, emotional, and filled with both action and heart, Against All Odds is a standout installment that showcases why Brittney Sahin is a go-to author for military romantic suspense.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review – A Ruff Royal Christmas By Karen Schaler

Princess Ava’s perfectly planned Christmas Eve charity event erupts into chaos when she loses Stormy, the Queen’s mischievous new border collie. With Christmas approaching fast, Ava has no choice but to team up with Justin, a laid-back American dog trainer who’s used to wrangling strays, not royal runaways!

Sparks fly as Justin’s rule-breaking free spirit clashes with Ava’s determination to follow royal protocol. But when their search for Stormy takes them through glittering Christmas markets, festive holiday activities, and snowy winter wonderlands, an undeniable chemistry builds between them.

The more time they spend together, the harder it is to fight their growing attraction, a problem for Ava, who’s already set to marry the perfect duke. Now, she must decide, stay on the safe, traditional path she has always known…or risk it all and follow her heart?

This feel-good royal holiday romance is a Christmas romantic comedy that’s packed with humor, heart, and holiday magic, and a twist you won’t see coming. Because the best love stories can’t be planned, and they never follow the rules.

About The Author

My Review

Karen Schaler brings festive fun, romance, and just the right amount of chaos in A Ruff Royal Christmas, a story that proves sometimes the best gifts come wrapped in fur.

Princess Ava is focused on pulling off the perfect Christmas Eve charity gala, a tradition made even more meaningful after the passing of her beloved father. Everything seems to be running smoothly until her mother, the Queen, arrives with Stormy—a lively Border Collie whose naughty, playful antics wreak havoc in the palace. When the Queen suddenly departs for Paris, Ava is left to deal with the troublesome pup until a trainer can arrive. Enter Justin, a kindhearted dog trainer with a long history of supporting the royal family’s charity work. Sparks fly when he and Ava butt heads over Stormy, but their reluctant partnership takes an unexpected turn when the pup runs away, forcing them to spend two chaotic, heartwarming days together in search of him.

With humor, festive charm, and an adorable canine at its center, this fast-paced romance is a sweet, feel-good holiday treat that dog lovers and Christmas rom-com fans alike will enjoy.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 3 February 2026

The Queen Of Wishful Thinking By Milly Johnson

Her mother said if she could imagine doing something in her head, she could do it in real life. But as hard as she wishes for a new life, can Bonnie ever make it happen?

Bonnie Brookland grew up in the vibrant world of antiques, surrounded by the comforting chaos of market stalls, old treasures, and the loyal friends who became her second family. But lately, life has felt anything but colorful. So when she stumbles upon The Pot of Gold, a struggling antique shop in a quiet corner of her British town, something about it tugs at her. It feels like home.

The Pot of Gold is a dream come true for Lewis Harley, who left behind a high-pressure investment banking career after a health scare in his forties. Craving peace and purpose, he’s poured everything into the shop. But things haven’t gone to plan, and the business is struggling. That is, until Bonnie walks through the door.

However, both are navigating lives that aren’t easy to leave behind. And when long-buried secrets rise to the surface, Bonnie and Lew must each decide how much they’re willing to risk to rediscover themselves–and whether the life they’ve always hoped for might still be within reach.

Free Falling By Jill Shalvis

Retired hockey player Caleb Colburn needs this construction project to prove himself in the family business, but he also needs to recover from the injury that ended his pro career. Too bad Emma Sumner, architect liaison and Caleb’s college nemesis, is back in town and assigned to the project. They’re going to have to see each other almost every day. Which means once again she’ll make his life a living hell.

As for Emma, her job is on the line with this big project, made all the more challenging by the project manager. Caleb was the one who had snagged the scholarship she’d desperately needed to stay in college. She’s been living hand to mouth ever since and has no intention of ever forgiving the man.

But the beautiful historic building they’re renovating is exactly the kind of project that they both love best. Their surprising common ground and a burning mutual attraction start bringing them closer and closer to a potentially explosive mistake. And that’s even before the secrets come out…

Review Card & Book Review- Santa’s Holiday Spectacular By Fern Michaels

For onetime high school pals Amy, Frankie, Rachael and Nina, being together for Christmas has become a cherished tradition, whether they’re taking a trip or staying close to home.

There’s something special about giving back during the holiday season too, which is why Frankie is so dismayed when she learns that Salvation Army buckets are being pilfered all over town. Amy, Rachael, and Nina quickly agree to help her track down the thieves. It might not be their usual gathering, but it promises to be an adventure, especially when they bump into two women on a very similar quest . . .

Annie and Myra have learned that a shipment of children’s toys they sent to a charity event in New York City has been stolen. It looks like the thefts are connected, and it’s the kind of injustice that the ladies of the Sisterhood simply can’t abide. On a madcap spree through the city, the two groups join forces to find the bandits, save Christmas, and along the way, make this a holiday to remember for all the right reasons

About The Author

My Review

Fern Michaels delivers another festive adventure in Santa’s Holiday Spectacular, bringing together her beloved Santa Crew and Sisterhood series in a holiday tale brimming with friendship, mayhem, and a touch of mystery. This time, four lifelong friends—Amy, Frankie, Rachael, and Nina—opt to celebrate closer to home in New York City after previous holiday adventures took them on a cruise, to the mountains, and even to Italy. The magic of the city at Christmastime—Rockefeller Center, The Rockettes, and glittering lights—provides the perfect backdrop.

When Frankie discovers Salvation Army kettles are being robbed, the friends rally to track down the thieves. Their mission soon collides with Annie and Myra of the Sisterhood series, who are chasing the same criminals. The crossover adds extra sparkle, though the sheer number of characters can feel overwhelming for readers new to either series. Still, once the story finds its rhythm, it becomes a fun, lighthearted romp where justice is served with festive flair.

Playful, clean, and easy to read, this is perfect for anyone who enjoys holiday whodunits anchored by strong friendships and sprinkled with seasonal cheer.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 2 February 2026

Dirty Hit By Livy Hart

When a career-ending injury forces hockey superstar Sadie Rivers to hang up her skates, she never expects to be the NHL’s first female coach. The Portland Fury are the league’s worst team—and Sadie has one season to turn the franchise around. Critics of her “soft touch” coaching style make no secret of their skepticism, but Sadie has never bucked a challenge, on or off the ice.

Defenseman Leo McLaren is hockey royalty. Or he was, until a dirty hit last season left him with a shoulder injury and migraines that have destroyed his game. When he’s traded to the Fury, it feels like the end of his hockey dreams. That is, until the new head coach names him captain—and asks for his help getting to know the team, who resist her personal approach.

Secret coach-captain meet-ups lead to a tentative friendship that quickly turns into sizzling chemistry hot enough to melt a hockey rink. But with the season and both their careers on the line, Sadie and Leo will have to decide if love is a risk worth taking when the game they’re playing demands all they have to give.

Review Card & Book Review – Tell Me About It By Frances Mensah Williams

RELATIONSHIP EXPERT. SERIAL DISASTER… 😅❤️‍🩹

Trainee relationship counsellor Delilah is better at breaking couples up than bringing them together. But after one break-up too many, she’s suspended and ordered to get to grips with her own emotional baggage if she hopes to get her job back.

Desperate to prove she’s not the problem, Delilah accepts a challenge from her sister: track down five exes and make amends for ending things with no good reason. But when she runs into Noah – the fiancé she left at the altar – her plans take a complicated turn.

While Delilah seeks redemption, her own therapy sessions begin to unearth hidden secrets and painful truths she’s long avoided. But only when she’s forced to confront the trauma of her past does she begin to understand that love means a whole lot more than just saying sorry.

About The Author

My Review

Delilah Braithwaite, a trainee relationship counsellor, is supposed to help others fix their love lives, yet she’s a disaster in her own. After a spectacularly ill-timed breakup intervention, she’s put on leave and challenged to revisit five of her exes to apologize. What begins as a sitcom-worthy premise quickly deepens into a story of confronting the past, facing uncomfortable truths, and acknowledging the harm she’s caused.

Each ex forces Delilah to reckon with the different versions of herself—from the chaotic years to the emotionally avoidant ones. But the most powerful reunion is with Noah, the ex-fiancé she left at the altar. Their charged dynamic is layered with pain, unresolved chemistry, and the possibility of forgiveness.

Williams balances sharp humor with raw vulnerability, weaving therapy and self-reflection into a narrative that never feels forced. By the end, the romance is as rewarding as the personal growth, making this a heartfelt and resonant story about second chances and emotional honesty.

Overall, it is a smart, funny, and unexpectedly moving novel about love, accountability, and the messy business of personal growth.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 1 February 2026

Just One More Day By Shari Low

A new dawn, and a new day…
All they have to do is choose to leave the past behind.

Bernadette O’Brien walked away from a husband who cheated on her throughout her whole marriage. Today is the day that she’ll decide between protecting her new life or risking it all for another shot at happiness.

Marge Drummond knows that now is the time to share a hidden truth with her daughter Estelle. But can she bring herself to admit the mistake that’s made her daughter’s whole life a lie?

Amber Collins is finally ready to embrace a new romance after a divorce that broke her heart. Will she find the love she deserves or are her hopes and dreams about to come crashing down to earth?

Three women, three tangled webs of love and betrayal… When all the secrets come out, who will still believe in love at the end of the day?

Review Card & Book Review- Under A Spanish Sky By T A Williams

Out of darkness, light will shine…

Amy Hardy once lived a life full of colour, but a tragic accident has turned her world to shadows. Determined to embrace her new life, Amy sets off on the famous Compostela pilgrimage, hoping to find light in the darkness and a new path.

Accompanying her on her journey is Luke Patterson a man whose own troubled past casts dark shadows over his life. He’s hoping that guiding Amy will be a distraction from his own troubles.

But as Luke and Amy travel through the stunning scenery of Northern Spain, following in footsteps of those travellers before them, they feel a connection to each other. And as their bond grows, a love story from the distant past emerges before them, forcing them to confront their own secrets, pain and feelings for each other.

Can a story of courage and bravery help them both to emerge from the shadows into the light once more?

About The Author

My Review

This is a captivating and beautifully constructed novel that seamlessly weaves together past and present. At its heart are two parallel love stories: Amy and Luke, modern-day pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago, and Aimee and Luc, a widow and Templar knight in fourteenth-century Spain.

Amy, who is blind following a tragic accident, and Luke, still haunted by his own past trauma, set out on the Camino seeking more than just a journey—they are searching for healing and purpose. Their shared love of history inspires them to imagine the tale of Aimee and Luc, whose dangerous mission to protect a holy relic brings them face-to-face with peril, loss, and unexpected love. As these alternating narratives unfold, subtle echoes suggest that destiny—or even reincarnation—links the two couples across centuries.

Williams writes with warmth and sensitivity, balancing the grit of medieval life with the lyrical beauty of the Spanish landscape. The result is both moving and atmospheric, offering readers a story that is equal parts romance, adventure, and reflection. A thoughtful, immersive read for anyone who enjoys history entwined with heartfelt contemporary fiction.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo