My February Reading List: What to Read & What to Skip
Every month I share mini reviews of the romance books I read to help you discover the best romance books worth reading and to save you from the romance novels I suggest you skip.
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
It never fails that every month I think I won’t possibly have enough time to fit in all the reading I’d like to do with everything else there is to juggle, but yet again I was surprised by how many romance books I was able to read this month.
And for the shortest month of the year I read a lot!
Mini Reviews to Save You From Mediocre Books
It’s my goal here at She Reads Romance Books to help fellow romance book lovers find the best romance books worth reading.
There is no shortage of romance books available, so why waste your time (and money) reading a mediocre book?
That’s why every month I share with you my reading list with my recommendations for those romance books worth reading and which romance books you should skip.
This month I didn’t stick to one category in the romance genre but instead read several sub-categories. These included historical romance, fantasy romance and erotic romance which was the category for the February Romance Book Reading Challenge.
That’s what I love so much about the romance book genre – the variety to fit whatever mood you’re in!
While a few five and four star books stood out to me this month, there were a number of disappointing books and several DNFs as well.
Below you’ll find my mini reviews of each book I read to give you a quick look at what I think about the book. If you want to know more about what I loved (or didn’t), click the review link.
Check out my entire reading list to see which romance books I recommend you read and which I recommend you skip then share your favorite book for the month in the comments below!
My February 2021 Reading List: What to Read & What to Skip
Favorite Books of the Month:
Yes & I Love You
by Roni Loren
Coming March 2021
*ARC received
A Must Read Contemporary Romance for 2021
5 stars
Everyone knows Miz Poppy, the reviewer of New Orleans nightlife, but no one knows Hollyn, the real face behind the media star. When her boss tells her she needs to add video to her blog, she’s forced to seek help with her fear or lose her job.
Enter aspiring actor Jasper Deares, who realizes he has a perfect opportunity to help his acting career while helping the shy reviewer come out of her shell.
This was my first Loren book and I could not put it down. This book has it all from fantastic writing to unique, diverse characters struggling with social anxiety, Tourettes and ADHD to fantastic dialogue and an engaging storyline that hooked me from start to finish. Definitely pick this one up this year.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Fake Relationship Romance Books, Relationship Coach Romance Books
Hit Me With Your Best Scot
by Suzanne Enoch
Published February 2021
*ARC received
A Historical Romance With a Lovable Scotsman
5 stars
Coll MacTaggert, is not a happy man. The Highlander is being forced to find a wife or lose his family’s land. The trouble is the one woman he wants has no interest in marriage. But when Persephone’s life is threatened, Coll will do anything for his lady.
This book made my list of Most Anticipated Romance Books of 2021 and it did not disappoint!
I totally fell for Coll who is this big burly Scot who is not happy about his predicament to marry. There were so many lines he spoke that just gave me all the feels which is honestly why I gave this historical romance 5 stars.
This can easily be read as a standalone or check out the entire series.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Best Historical Romance Novels, Historical Romance Series to Devour
More Romance Books To Read and Those to Skip:
Written in the Stars
by Alexandria Bellefleur
Published November 2020
A Fake Relationship Romance with Adorkable Characters
4 stars
Darcy is tired of her brother trying to fix her up, so after a disastrous blind date with Elle, his coworker, she fibs and tells him that they were a match.
Elle is ready to find her soul mate but she’s assured that it is not Darcy who couldn’t be more opposite to the care-free astrologer. But when she finds out that Darcy lied to her brother saying that they are now dating, she somehow agrees to Darcy’s plan to fake date through the holidays.
And the more these two spend time with one another, it appears love may be written in the stars for these two opposites after all.
This was such a wonderful read and my first from Bellefleur and my first lesbian romance book.
I fell in love with the story and these adorkable characters who couldn’t be more opposite from one another and yet seem to fit perfectly together. This is a great read for fans of fake relationship romance books!
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Best Fake Relationship Romance Books
Reaper’s Property
by Joanna Wylde
Published January 2013
A MC Romance to Skip!
DNF
Horse is part of the Reapers Motorcycle Club, and when Marie’s brother steals from the club, he wants one thing in return, Marie.
I had originally picked this as my book selection for the February Romance Book Reading Challenge but this was a big N-O after reading about 20%. I must be on another planet because I don’t understand all the high reviews of this book.
Mediocre writing, a doormat of a woman and a man who forces himself on her. That is NOT sexy and this is so not the book for me. Skip this one for sure.
The Revelation of Light and Dark
by Sawyer Bennett
Published February 2021
*ARC received
A New Fantasy Romance Series Beginning
4 stars
From a young age, she always knew she was different. Hallucinations and visions plagued her young mind but were then locked away until she learned her whole existence has been a lie.
Now she’s faced with a new world beyond comprehension with only the gorgeously handsome Carrick Byrne to teach me about my unique gifts. She doesn’t trust him, but there’s no one else to help her.
Bennett kicks off a 5 book fantasy series that will leave you on the edge of your seat. This book lays a good foundation of what’s to come.
There is little romance between Carrick and Finley but the chemistry is there and I look forward to see what comes next.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Pin this for later:
Hard to Score
by K. Bromberg
Published February 2021
*ARC received
A Sports Romance Overcoming a Family Feud
4 stars
I should hate her. Isn’t that what I’ve been told time and again over the past ten years? That Brexton Kincade’s father is the reason for the demise of my family? But when I watch her stride across the football field all this time later, I feel anything but hate.
I’m really enjoying this series by Bromberg about 4 sisters who are sports agents. Brexton is the softer one of the Kincaid sisters and hers is a sweet, friends to lovers story. Definitely worth a read.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Best Enemies to Lovers Romance Books, Best Sports Romance Books
Wild Rain
by Beverly Jenkins
Published February 2021
*ARC received
A Historical Romance That Could Have Been More
2.5 stars
A reporter has come to Wyoming to do a story on doctors for his Black newspaper back east. He thinks Colton Lee will be an interesting subject…until he meets Colton’s sister, Spring. She runs her own ranch, wears denim pants instead of dresses, and is the most fascinating woman he’s ever met.
But Spring, who has overcome a raucous and scandalous past, isn’t looking for, nor does she want, love. As their attraction grows, will their differences come between them or unite them for an everlasting love?
While this historical romance is very well written, the story unfortunately didn’t grab me. The heroine is definitely a feisty woman I wanted to love, but there wasn’t enough build up to her connection with Colton. I found myself wanting to skim the last few chapters as the story was losing focus and my interest.
I’m glad I finally read a Beverly Jenkins book but it wasn’t a favorite.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Best Historical Romance Novels
Rock Me
by Cherrie Lynn
Published July 2017
A Wanna Be Erotic Romance Book to Skip
2 stars
Candace has always had a thing for bad boy Brian. On her birthday she decides she’s tired of being the good girl and decides to get a tattoo and asks Brian to give it to her. That night brings all of her feelings to the surface but will she have to choose between Brian and her family?
It started off well and the writing is decent but then it just went down, down hill. I really couldn’t stand Candace and her family drama was ridiculous but it was her constant back and forth with Brian that drove me nuts. Definitely skip this one.
This was my second choice for the February Romance Book Reading Challenge but another bust.
The Bird and the Sword
by Amy Harmon
Published May 2016
A Medieval Fantasy Romance I Devoured
4 stars
The day my mother was killed, she told me to swallow my words, to push them down deep, and I haven’t spoken a word since. I’m no longer just a prisoner to my mother’s curse but I’m still invisible to those around me.
The Gifted are hunted in our lands and so I keep my words close. But there is one who hears my words and demands my devotion, my duty and perhaps my love.
This book will make you fall in love with fantasy romance!
Harmon is such a talented writer and she pens an unforgettable world and beautiful prose in this fantasy romance that is a perfect slow burn love story within a medieval world. I was enthralled and couldn’t stop reading. Fantastic!
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
A Very Friendly Valentine’s Day
by Kayley Loring
Published January 2021
The Perfect Valentine’s Day Romance
4 stars
Birdie and Eddie have been best friends since college. He’s now an actor on a hit TV show and she’s a archivist with a thing for Sherlock Holmes. They are complete opposites but one night has them looking at the other in a whole new light.
Now they are traveling across country together in the same train suite to get to New York for Valentine’s Day. What could possibly happen?
This was such a perfect, fun read for Valentine’s Day!
If you love friends to lovers romance, forced proximity romances or simply opposite attract stories, this one will tick all the boxes. It’s a quick read that I devoured in a day.
Related: Best Friends to Lovers Romance Books
Escorted
by Claire Kent
Published December 2012
A New Favorite Erotic Romance Novel!
4 stars
At age twenty-six, Lori is becoming increasingly frustrated how her lack of experience is impacting her life. So, the successful romance book writer decides to hire a male escort.
One night with Ander however is not enough and she soon becomes one of his regular clients. While both Lori and Ander keep up walls to maintain a professional relationship, it’s not long before the lines blur and Lori finds herself falling for him.
Finally, a winner for the February Romance Book Reading Challenge! This was so much more than the typical “girl falls for the escort” romance. I found this book to be refreshingly different and such a great read with a really great slow burn love story. Check it out.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Best Erotic Romance Novels
The Awakening
by Nora Roberts
Published November 2020
A Fantasy Romance That Pulls You In
4 stars
Breen Kelly has always just tried to keep her head above water – working a job she hates to pay the bills and her mountain of debt. But when she discovers a secret investment account in her name, it changes everything.
Now she’s off to Ireland to find her father, but there she discovers a gateway to a world of magic and awakens to a past long forgotten and a duty she’s destined to fulfill.
It was so nice to read Nora Roberts again! This book is extremely well written and great at world building. Roberts gives you a glimpse into what the future may hold in this series but also leaves you on a hook for it to unfold in the next book. There isn’t a lot of romance per say but the start of it which was good.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Three Simple Rules
by Nikki Sloane
Published January 2015
A HOT Erotic Romance
3.5 stars
To save her job, Evie needs to come up with a lot of money fast so she’s going to work one night and one night only at an exclusive blindfold club.
She never would have guessed who paid for her that night. She only had to follow three simple rules, but when the blindfold comes off, all she wants is more.
This is definitely one hot erotic romance. The beginning was an intriguing set up and I really came to like the relationship that built between these two. An event at 80% didn’t sit well with me which is the only reason for the slightly lower rating but it’s definitely worth reading!
Related: Best Erotic Romance Novels
Three Hard Lessons
by Nikki Sloane
Published April 2015
Another Fantastic Erotic Romance
4 stars
Payton works at a club where men pay to be with her. Then Dominic walks in and drops $30,000. He wants to talk. And kiss. And take her home. Now he’s breaking down all her walls and breaking all her rules, especially the one to keep men at a distance and never fall in love.
Read this book to meet Dominic. I LOVED him. He is this innocent kind of guy with an alpha, exploratory side that sounds like it wouldn’t mix but Sloane wrote him perfectly.
These two had a hot beginning that developed into a cute love story. I highly recommend.
Related: Best Erotic Romance Novels
Ruthless Creatures
by J.T. Geissinger
Published February 2021
A Mafia Romance That Didn’t Quite Hit
3.5 stars
Five years ago, my fiancé disappeared like a ghost. All that remained were my broken heart and unanswered questions.
Until Kage, a man full of mystery and secrets, arrives in town. Our connection is instant, unlike anything I’ve ever felt, but when I discover he’s tied to my past I may be the next one to get burned.
While I always love Geissinger’s writing, I felt like this book read very similar to her Beautifully Cruel series.
If you liked those books you’ll probably enjoy this one, however their relationship was way too instalove for me and the storyline a bit unbelievable which prevented me from loving the book.
The Duke I Tempted
by Scarlett Peckham
Published July 2018
A Historical, Erotic Romance That Surprised Me
4 stars
Having finally redeemed his family name, the Duke of Westmead now needs to produce an heir. Which means he must find a wife who won’t discover his secret craving to spend his nights on his knees.
Poppy Cavendish has never wanted to marry. Her only desire has been to build a successful botany business to keep her independence. But when her reputation is ruined, Westmead proposes a marriage of convenience which she cannot refuse.
I picked this book on a whim and am so happy that I did. It has fantastic writing and a wonderful slow burn romance that I didn’t want to put down. It’s my first historical, erotic romance and I loved it.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Best Erotic Romance Novels, Best Historical Romance Novels
Wildest Dreams
by Kristen Ashley
Published August 2011
A Fantasy Romance that Missed
DNF
When Seoafin “Finnie” Wilde discovers there is a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she decides to organize a switch with her twin to see her parents again.
But upon arrival in the Winter Wonderland of Lunwyn, she realizes she’s been played and finds herself walking down the aisle to be wed to The Drakkar.
I was intrigued by the set up of this storyline but I called it quits at 20%.
I’m not sure how old Finnie is supposed to be but her dialogue reads as if she’s a teenager. I just couldn’t read one more “cool” or “awesome” or “uh..um.” Even Drakkar couldn’t salvage it for me. He had yet to have much of a personality so this one was a definite pass for me.
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