Everything I Read in February 2026

February was a truly wonderful month of reading. I read nine books total, and would heartily recommend all of them. In Her Defense and The Force of Such Beauty were my favorites (they both received an A+) but truly, every single book on this list is worth the read and that is not something I say each month. There is something for everyone. The usual thrillers, a fairtale retold (Lady Tremaine), a literary romance (The Laws of Love and Logic), and more. Happy reading!

Everything i read in february 2026

I would really love to hear what you’re reading in the comments! And if you are new here, check out The Library. I have kept this page meticulously updated for the past ten+ years. It has every book I’ve read, and you can search, filter by genre, and rank from best to worst. 

PS – Everything I read in January 2026.

Contemporary Fiction

The Heir Apparent, by Rebecca Armitage

If you need something charming and escapist, I can’t recommend this enough. Also, it’s absolutely perfect for fans of The Royal We, a book I’ll always love. Lexi Villiers has built a life for herself that she loves. Now in her second year of a medical residency, she finally feels like her life is going where it wants to. But on New Year’s Day (just as she is about to kiss her best friend Jack), a helicopter lands on the island they are camping on. Out steps her grandmother’s right-hand-man Stewart, delivering tragic news: her father and twin brother have both died in a skiing accident. Lexi is not just any regular girl: she is the granddaughter of the queen, and now she is next in line to the throne. The news brings Lexi back home to London, where she is known as Princess Alexandrina. There, she will greet a conniving uncle and a public that no longer trusts her, having defected years ago. We meet the rest of the royal family, including her sister-in-law, Amira, who harbors an explosive secret. As Lexi (Alexandrina?) navigates being back in the spotlight, she’s not sure who to trust or what she wants. This is fast-paced, fun, and heartfelt . . . I gobbled it up in a couple of sittings. Overall Score A- // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Lady Tremaine, by Rachel Hochhauser (out 3/3!)

This is such a fun and imaginative read–I devoured it! It’s a retelling of Cinderella, through the eyes of her “wicked” stepmother, Ethel. Ethel, aka Lady Tremaine, aka Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley, is twice widowed and lives in a dilapidated old manor. She has her title, but that is about it. Responsible for her two daughters, a stepdaughter who rebuffs her every attempt at closeness, and a prickly old falcon . . . she must work hard to make ends meet (and attempt to keep up appearances). A royal ball offers to change everything for their family. Ethel must first secure an invite for her daughters (requiring a bit of groveling from her old frenemy, the queen). But after the ball, the story gets extra interesting: she discovers a horrible secret within the royal family and must warn her stepdaughter, Elin. I could not put it down. I thought it was so creative and unique and have been telling everyone I know that it is a must-read! Very much worth the pre-order. Overall Score: A // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Laws of Love and Logic, by Debra Curtis

I absolutely loved this. It helped that I got to meet the author at a dinner and fell in love with her story (publishing her first novel at age 62 after ten years and 180 rejections!). It has very strong Broken Country vibes, beautiful writing, and centers around forgiveness. Lily grew up in the coastal town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island with a close-knit family. As a teenager, she falls madly in love for a boy, identified only as “the boy.” But when something awful happens that pulls them apart, Lily moves on with her life, eventually falling in love for a second time with a renowned ornithologist. Marshall is everything the boy was not: safe and stable, wealthy, older than Lily. When “the boy” appears in her life years later, Lily must confront a traumatic evening in the past (and her lingering feelings for him). Meanwhile, there is a sister story too: Lily’s brilliant sister Jane is a genius with numbers (but struggles with demons and addictions). This is a beautiful book about love, loss, sisterly love, romantic love, and our capacities for love and forgiveness. I could not put it down and thought it was so wonderful. I immediately passed it on to my own mother, who I know will love it too. Overall Score: A // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

The Force of Such Beauty, by Barbara Bourland

This book is a masterpiece, an absolute must-read. Becca recommended it many times, and it took me a little while to read it, but I’m so glad I did. At times, it reads like a fairytale; at others, like science fiction, but it’s completely engrossing and was all I could think about! Caroline was once the fastest woman in the world, holding the world record for the fastest marathon. After an injury leaves her disfigured, she has many surgeries and recovers at a fancy American hospital. There, she meets Finn, the prince of a small nation outside of Italy. But the fairytale is not all she had hoped for; the book opens with her trying to escape (only to land in the arms of her guards). It’s an incredible look at the dark side of royalty, and what it would feel like to be a princess. To not have any control over your body, your schedule, your life. The best part is that it’s inspired by real-life events and princesses who have wanted to escape. I will be thinking about this for a very long time. Overall Score: A+ // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Thrillers

Best Offer Wins, by Marisa Kashino

This book is delightfully unhinged (a compliment, if you weren’t sure). I gobbled it up like candy in just a couple of sittings, and I had to move it off my coffee table while I was working, as its presence was too tempting. . . I wanted to read it! The housing market is crazy (very relatable!), and Margo Miyake is in despair: she and her husband are trying to get pregnant while cohabiting in a too-small one-bedroom apartment. No house = no baby, and Margo’s already 38 years old! When she learns that her dream home is about to be listed, she will do anything to get it. And I mean, anything! A little stalking, some light trespassing… blackmail… becoming so obsessive that she nearly loses her job. It’s worth it, though, for the right house. Right? It has to be. You will cringe a little and feel very anxious (at least I did) as Margo does what it takes. At times, it goes very off the rails, but I loved every minute. I don’t know that I could have read it while I was buying my own house, but now that I’ve done that, I got such a kick out of Margo’s journey. I truly loved this and couldn’t put it down. Overall Score A // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Woodworking, by Emily St. James

This is one of those books that will stick with you for a long time. It’s big-hearted and (extremely!) funny, while also tackling serious issues. Erica Skyberg is 35, recently divorced, and still in love with her ex-wife. She’s also trans–she just hasn’t told anyone yet. In her small South Dakota town, she keeps to herself, teaching at Mitchell High and directing community theater. Then, Abigail Hawkes (the Only Trans Girl at Mitchell) enters her orbit, and everything changes. Erica comes out to Abigail, and the two women begin an unlikely friendship. Abigail is not exactly thrilled about this. She’s busy being a political dissident (and dating the most popular boy at school); she doesn’t have time to guide her teacher through her transition in secret. As their friendship evolves, it comes under scrutiny. Why is “Mr. Skyberg” so friendly with this trans girl!? No one is entirely sure what to make of it. The book has a colorful cast of characters, all very lovable and memorable. There is also a big twist I didn’t see coming. The name “woodworking” comes from the idea that you cannot hide yourself and just disappear into the woodwork. I really loved it. I laughed, I cried, it warmed my heart, and felt like sunshine. I think it would be a great movie! Overall Score: A- // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

Dear Debbie, by Freida McFadden

I have been a little critical of Freida McFadden’s work in the past, mostly because of the simple writing style that her books tend to follow. There is little character development, and the writing is direct and to the point. But that’s what it is: a writing style. McFadden is an absolute genius with plot (and manages to crank out a couple books each year), and I bow down to that. This one falls somewhere in the middle in terms of her best and worst. I liked it a lot and read it in just a few sittings. Debbie is a middle-aged advice columnist. She loves her teenage daughters, her husband, and her daughters. But when things seemingly stop going her way, she realizes it’s time to take action against those who have wronged her. There will be no more taking the high road. It’s time to get mad and get even. What follows is a very twisty storyline as she learns to take her own advice. I loved it, and there was a twist that stopped me in my tracks (that doesn’t happen very often!). A very fun read that you can gobble up in a weekend. Overall Score A- // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

In Her Defense, by Philippa Malicka

This book! Unputdownable. It’s my first A+ read of 2026. It was Reese’s Book Club’s February pick (that’s how I found it), and I can see why, as it’s just incredibly written with amazing storytelling. Anna Finbow is a national treasure and beloved TV celebrity. But now she’s in court, battling her daughter Mary’s therapist Jean Guest. Guest has, in Anna’s words, brainwashed her daughter, causing Mary to become estranged from her family. Jean insists that she’s been there to help Mary through the significant trauma that came from her upbringing. Anna maintains that Jean has planted fake memories in Mary’s head. No one can really say who is telling the truth. We meet Augusta “Gus” Bird, Anna’s former employee. Gus may hold the key to the truth, if only she can be brave enough to stand up. The book is set across the English countryside, Rome, and in the courtroom as we get to know a rather tangled cast of characters, lies, and deceit. I loved how transportive it was; I felt like I was visiting Rome. And qualities of the writing (and the scenery, and the suspense) gave it a bit of a Talented Mr. Ripley vibe. Truly such a fantastic read. Overall Score: A+ // Order on Bookshop or Amazon

It’s Not Her, by Mary Kubica

This was more of a “like” vs. “love” thriller, but it’s still worth the read. Fast-paced, twisty, and honestly? A little bit scary. Courtney is on vacation with her family, staying in a couple of cabins at a lakeside resort. She hears a blood-curdling scream across the way and goes to investigate. There, she finds her traumatized niece . . . and the bodies of her brother and sister-in-law, both brutally murdered. Her nephew is still asleep, and her older niece, Reese, is missing. As she works with the police to figure out what happened (and where Reese went), secrets about their town and family come to light. Courtney begins to wonder if she can trust anyone, even her husband. Alternating between Courtney and Reese’s perspectives, we simultaneously cringe at Reese’s rebellious teenage decision-making and wonder whether Courtney will ever figure out what happened! Overall Score: B // Order on Bookshop or Amazon