What to Read & What to Skip: My February 2022 Reading List
At She Reads Romance Books, I’m here to help my fellow romance book readers find the best books worth reading.
In this book list I share which romance books I read in February 2022.
I give you mini reviews of each book and let you know which books I recommend you read and which books I suggest you skip.
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
With Valentine’s Day falling in February, it seems appropriate that February should be a month for reading romance!
I was actually busy cranking out a few new features for the blog and new book lists so I didn’t read as many books as I normally do in a given month but I still got in some good ones.
My biggest project of the month was finally launching the paperback and hardcover versions of the Romance Book Reading Journal and also debuting the Booktok Journal.
If you haven’t yet checked these out, what are you waiting for?
If you read as much as I do, then a reading journal is key. It will help you keep track of all the books you want to read and all the books you never want to forget.
Of course, the digital version of the Romance Book Reading Journal is still a favorite. I love to use the Monthly Reading Tracker page to review the books I read over the course of a given month and use it to help me create this list!
My February Romance Books
This month I read a few books from my Most Anticipated Romance Books of 2022 list, a few February new book releases, and a few throw backs as well.
I love it when I mix things up and read a variety.
The February Romance Book Reading Challenge was to read one SPORTS romance and I used it to check out a new author which was great.
Get your to read list ready as you’re going to find a few books you’re going to want to read (and a few I say just skip!).
Romance Books to Read & Skip: My February Reads
The Kiss Quotient
by Helen Hoang
An Escort Romance Book With a Great Heroine
Published June 2018
4 stars
Stella Lane feels most comfortable at her job, working with numbers, which is why she has way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.
It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice—with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan.
The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan—from foreplay to more-than-missionary position.
Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but crave all of the other things he’s making her feel.
This was Huang’s debut novel and a Goodreads Choice Awards winner in 2018 and I finally read it. Well, listened to it, and it was a whole lot hotter than I was anticipating! 🙂
I’m a sucker for relationship coach romance books where a character needs “lessons” in the bedroom or how to be in a relationship and this totally fit the bill.
I listened to the audiobook which is rare for me but in this case, I think it really made a difference. I felt like the narrator really portrayed Stella’s character well (whether it’s authentic or not I have no idea or frame of reference for) and in a way that made me understand her a bit better than if I was just reading her off the page.
I’ll admit that Michael and his issue about being like his dad got a bit redundant, but overall, I really liked the two of them but Stella stole the show.
Related: Best Relationship Coach Books
Amazon | Goodreads
Something Fabulous
by Alexis Hall
A Whimsical, Historical MM Romance I Adored
Published January 2022
4 stars
Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally. It was always his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, a marriage of convenience will not do for the romantic and she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on Valentine again.
Despite copious misgivings, Valentine finds himself on a pell-mell chase to Dover with Arabella’s twin brother, Bonny, by his side. But being with him makes Valentine question everything he thought he knew. About himself. About love. Even about which Tarleton he should be pursuing.
First off, I have to say that I’m so impressed that this is Hall’s first historical romance. His writing instantly just read like a historical romance in a way that I can’t really explain or describe. Something fabulous indeed.
I loved the writing but also loved these two men as well. It’s a bit of an opposites attract love story but also this awakening for Valentine.
Sure, there is a degree of ridiculousness to the story and yet I kind of liked that about it. Arabella definitely grated on my nerves but I just tuned her out and enjoyed Bonnie and his sweetness and overarching joyousness.
I give it to Hall to create a historical world where love is love (no matter with who) and is accepted as such and where EVERYONE is queer.
Such a fun, original story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s definitely deserving as one of my most anticipated romance books of 2022.
Related: Best MM Romance Books, Best Historical Romance Novels
Amazon | Goodreads
The Wilde Card
by Ashley R. King
A Tennis Sports Romance
Published February 2022
3 stars
*ARC receceived
Simone Warner has spent her life living up to the expectations of others—which is why she decides to have a one-night stand with a gorgeous tennis player eight years her junior.
After she quits her job as CEO of Warner Hotels, Simone agrees to help coach a new top-secret player. Tennis has always been her passion, and Simone eagerly takes the plunge. What she doesn’t expect is for her steamy one-night stand to waltz through the doors.
Alex Wilde can’t seem to get a handle on his game. Obsessed with besting his vile tennis star step-brother, he turns to a new coach, only to find the woman who left his bed without a word. The problem? Alex can’t stop thinking about the woman who holds his future in her hands. And now, he has to play a very different kind of game, one where he has to win the girl.
I ended up changing my pick for the February Romance Book Reading Challenge to this book as I had never read a tennis romance. While the book had a hot start, it kind of coasted from there.
I wish Alex kept his initial alpha-like personality instead of morphing into a love sick puppy. You also have to just believe that Simone had this overnight transformation from business CEO to professional tennis coach.
If you can get over these changes, go with the instalove and just enjoy their come hither looks then it’s a decent read. I was just hoping for a bit more so found myself skimming the middle.
Related: Best Sports Romance Books
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
The Plan
by Karla Sorensen
A Bodyguard, Fake Relationship Romance That Was Enjoyable
Published February 2022
3 stars
I don’t recommend fake dating your bodyguard. Especially if he’s like Erik Wilder: former football player, world class know-it-all and unapologetic grump. Erik’s words might say that the lines have to stay firm between us, but those dark eyes of his? They tell another story when he looks at me.
He’s just as stubborn as I am, but when our fake dating plan starts to feel a lot more real, it’s only a matter of time before his professional walls come crashing down.
This was a fun, good read. The first half of the book was the bodyguard story but then it morphed into a fake relationship romance. Lydia was awesome – someone trying to make a change after a life-altering event. She’s smart, fun and goes after what she wants.
Erik is going through his own struggles but I found the reason to be a bit lackluster. I didn’t really understand why it kept him from his family and from going home but oh well. Overall though it was a good read and I’d recommend it.
Related: Best Fake Relationship Romance Books
Amazon | Goodreads
Meet Me in the Margins
by Melissa Ferguson
Another Book About Editors That Didn’t Meet Expectations
Published February 2022
2 stars
*ARC received
Savannah Cade is a low-level editor at Pennington Publishing, but she has two secrets she’s hiding. One: She’s writing a romance novel. Two: She’s discovered the Book Nook—a secret room in the publishing house where she finds inspiration for her “lowbrow” hobby.
After leaving her manuscript behind one afternoon, she returns to the nook only to discover someone has written notes in the margins. Savannah’s first response to the criticism is defensive, but events transpire that force her to admit that she needs the help of this shadowy editor after all.
As the notes take a turn for the romantic, and as Savannah’s madcap life gets more complicated than ever, she uses the process of elimination to identify her mysterious editor—only to discover that what she truly wants and what she should want just might not be the same.
It seems to be the year of books about authors/editors for me, but so far I’m 0-2. I loved the premise of this story, and yet it didn’t quite come together.
Savannah came across a bit pathetic to me and not someone I really cared about. Will was underdeveloped as well and I just didn’t see what they saw in each other.
Ultimately this is a book that has pieces of what I like and read in other books but it just failed in its execution to feel cohesive. The idea of this novel holds such promise but it just didn’t deliver for me.
Related: 22 Most Anticipated New Romance Book Releases Coming in 2022
Amazon | Goodreads
Desperate Measures
by Katee Robert
A HOT, Erotic Romance That’s All About the Bedroom
Published May 2019
4 stars
Once upon a time, I was a sheltered princess. On the night Jafar takes everything from my father, he offers me a bargain—walk with my freedom and nothing else, or attempt to best him and regain my inheritance. In my arrogance, I play right into his hands. Now Jafar owns me, body and soul.
We fight during the day, but when night comes, we play out every fantasy I’ve never allowed myself to admit to having. He sees to my every need, no matter how carnal or extravagant. It’s almost enough for me to be happy. But a gilded cage is still a prison, and I’ll do anything to obtain my freedom—even betray the man I’m falling for.
I enjoyed this book which was totally hot so it earned a spot on my BDSM book list. I loved the idea of the heroine falling for the “villain,” and it really was just about Jasmine and Jafar’s intimate going-ons 😊
My one hang up- Jasmine calling him “Daddy.” That is SO not my thing so I had to just block that out…but otherwise a good, quick read that is quite erotic.
Related: Best BDSM Books, Best Erotic Romance Novels
Amazon | Goodreads
Asking for It
by Lilah Pace
A Bold BDSM Book
Published June 2015
4 stars
Graduate student Vivienne Charles is afraid of her own desires—ashamed to admit that she fantasizes about being taken by a man who will claim her completely and without mercy.
When the magnetic, mysterious Jonah Marks learns her secret, he makes an offer that stuns her: they will remain near-strangers to each other, and meet in secret so that he can fulfill her fantasy.
Their arrangement is twisted but incredible. And—despite their attempts to stay apart—soon their emotions are bound together as tightly as the rope around Vivienne’s wrists.
This is definitely a good erotic book that made my BDSM book list, but one that took me a bit out of my comfort zone.
This explores two people’s kink where they get off on being taken. Granted they do discuss things up front so there is consent involved but it’s about finding pleasure through force.
Definitely some reader warnings for this read but I found their conversations and back stories interesting.
Related: Best BDSM Books, Best Erotic Romance Novels
Amazon | Goodreads
The Worst Guy
by Kate Canterbary
A Great Enemies to Lovers, Office Romance I Recommend
Published December 2021
4 stars
Eight weeks of forced proximity is a long time to hate someone you’re trying not to love. Sebastian Stremmel is a trauma surgeon so he has enough to deal with without Sara Shapiro, the noisy new reconstructive surgeon, starting a heated “debate” that left an exam room left in shambles.
Now he and Sara have landed themselves in eight weeks of hospital-mandated conflict resolution counseling. Only now being forced to fight fair, leads them to playing dirty when no one’s looking.
Wow- I love enemies to lovers and once they started getting it on, this got really good. I highlighted so many quotes from Sebastian.
I love that these two troubled souls were exactly what each other needed. If you love grumpy heroes, strong heroines and a lot of bickering, you’ll enjoy this book. It’s my first Canterbary book but won’t be my last!
Reader warning that an eating disorder is discussed.
Related: Best Enemies to Lovers Books, Best Office Romance Books
Amazon | Goodreads
The Summer Proposal
by Vi Keeland
An OK Romance With a Hockey Stud
Published January 2022
3 stars
The first time I met Max Yearwood was on a blind date. Turned out, Max wasn’t who I was there to meet. He only pretended to be until my real date showed up.
Before he left, he slipped me a ticket to a hockey game a few blocks away, in case things didn’t work out on my actual date. Apparently, my fake blind date hadn’t invited me to watch hockey with him, he’d invited me to watch him play.
And so began my adventure with Max Yearwood. He proposed we spend the summer helping me forget my ex. Though, you know what they say about the best-laid plans.
This has all the works for a good romance so I recommend it, but I honestly probably won’t remember it next week as it wasn’t anything original.
Max was a great hero who was all in after one look. Georgia was struggling to try something new given her ex-fiance kept their relationship open. Maybe I’m hung up on Max being too good to be true. Regardless it’s worth a read just not a standout for me.
Related: Best Hockey Romance Books
Amazon | Goodreads
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