This post is a little roundup of all the books I’ve read so far. Some had me laughing out loud, some tugged at my heart, and others completely surprised me. I’m sharing my quick thoughts on each one, and of course, I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading too! I'm not sure if you're like me, but I tend to start the year off slowly when reading - not sure if it's the weather or what but I feel like I tend to hibernate more during the first few months of the year.
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🌟 January Reads
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Mood: Dark romance, forbidden love, taboo romance
Quick thoughts: Overall, I enjoyed the story. It's not something that I would normally have picked up for myself, but because it was for a book club I decided to partake. I appreciate that Sierra Simone focused on the fact that Father Tyler did not just give into temptation and struggled with his desires.
Favorite part: I love a book that gives us the internal monologue of characters, and this one did not disappoint.
Would I recommend it? If you are comfortable reading about a priest's struggle with lust, then I think it's worth the read
Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Dating After the End of the World - Jeneva Rose
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Mood: Exciting, suspenseful, funny
Quick thoughts: If you like zombie stories, then this book is 100% for you. The story goes fast and gets right into the apocalypse which makes it exciting from the very beginning.
Favorite part: I really enjoyed how sarcastic the main characters were. I really appreciate when characters tell full truths and don't hold back and they did not in this book.
Would I recommend it? If you don't mind a little bit of gore and chaos, then I would recommend this book to you. It's different for Jeneva Rose and was a fun story.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
🌸 February Reads
All the Colors of the Dark – Chris Whitaker
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Mood: Suspenseful, overwhelming, though-provoking
Quick thoughts: This is the second time I’ve read this book, and I loved it just as much – if not more- the second time I read the book. I think this will quickly be a book that I read every year because I love it so much.
Favorite part: I can’t say too much without giving anything away, but my favorite character is Sammy. If you’ve read the book, then you know why.
Would I recommend it? I don’t have anything else to say that you should read this immediately. It’s so good.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Hear My Heart by Tay Mo’Nae
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Mood: Sweet, taboo, cozy
Quick thoughts: This was not my absolute favorite romance that I’ve read recently, but I enjoyed the story and really appreciate the deaf representation. And some of the scenes were great.
Favorite part: I enjoyed how she found a family of her own when her fiancé was out of commission. I appreciate that people around her worked to accommodate her disability and acknowledged her when she was struggling.
Would I recommend it? If you want a book that his disability and bipoc representation, then I would say yes.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
📚 Books I started
If you’ve been around for a while, then you know that I tend to read a bunch of books simultaneously and the last few months were no exception. Here are a few books I started during the last few months:
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
- Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino
- Things God’s Break by Abigail Owen
- Quicksilver by Callie Heart (this is a restart)
- Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Reflections on the First Two Months
Looking back at my reading so far, I notice a few trends in my choices. Maybe I’m drawn to mysteries and romances right now, or maybe I just needed a few comforting reads to start the year. Either way, it’s been so fun seeing what I gravitate toward when the world is still waking up in January and February.
A few books I know I’ll be recommending to friends right away are All the Colors of the Dark and Dungeon Crawler Carl, while others I might keep in my “re-read someday” pile. And honestly, some… well, let’s just say they won’t be making it to my favorite list—but that’s okay! Not every book has to be a five-star experience. 😅
One of my favorite parts about reading is that it’s such a personal journey. Sometimes a book can perfectly capture a feeling you’ve been carrying around, or it can transport you to a completely new world. Either way, there’s always something to take away—and that’s what keeps me coming back to my TBR (to-be-read) pile, no matter how big it gets.
I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading so far this year! Any books that completely surprised you, made you laugh, or even just gave you a little comfort when you needed it? Drop your recommendations in the comments—I’m always looking for my next page-turner. 📚💛
Here’s to a year full of amazing stories, cozy reading nooks, and plenty of time spent lost in pages.
Have a wonderful day,
Jackie
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