I felt like I read a ton this past month (shoutout to my library holds finally coming through like a well-timed plot twist), knocking out 14 books, including four 5-star reads (a few others were so close) and one re-read. But—and here’s the twist—nothing made me want to barge into your DMs screaming “YOU HAVE TO READ THIS NOW.” Well, I take that back now that I think about it – We All Live Here (so good, def would rave about that one). I even grabbed some Emily Henry books I’ve already read (they were on sale at Target, so obviously I had no choice) to revisit in March as a little serotonin boost. I also had one DNF—probably the best kind, since it was a self-help therapy book, and, well, I couldn’t quite summon the personal crisis it seemed to require. (Is it progress if I just don’t need help right now?). If you want to check out my past reviews, they’re right here. Oh, and I finally joined Goodreads in December and loaded in all my books—let’s be bookish besties! Here’s my profile. My rating system is at the bottom. Now, let’s dive in!
The Return of Ellie Black 5/5- good, but dark. As a parent I have a really hard time reading/listening to abuse and cruelty against kids and gruesome things -I just can’t , but the story was so well written, it really deserved a 5/5. The twist at the end, did not see that coming. And I really liked the ending ending with what happened with Chelsea’s character. Definitely a dark thriller. “Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s life is turned upside down when she gets the call Ellie Black, a girl who disappeared years earlier, has resurfaced in the woods of Washington state—but Ellie’s reappearance leaves Chelsey with more questions than answers.”
Beautiful Ugly 5/5 -such good writing – so good but dark and I don’t even know what to say, SO MANY twists at the end!!! “A psychological thriller that follows author Grady Green, whose wife, Abby, mysteriously disappears on the day his book becomes a bestseller. A year later, Grady retreats to a remote Scottish island to overcome his grief and writer’s block, only to encounter a woman who bears an uncanny.” resemblance to his missing wife.
We All Live Here 5/5- so refreshing after all the dark books I’d read! Loved that the characters were my age (late 30s/early 40s.) Such good writing I cried when she got home from the hospital and the tree!!! Had a smile on face at the ends, so sweet. “The #1 New York Times bestselling author, whose books so many love, brings us a fresh, contemporary story of a woman and her unruly blended family.”
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen And Listen So Kids Will Talk 5/5-Second time reading this book, it’s so good. I had forgotten a lot of things (I think the twins weren’t talking when I started reading it so the examples weren’t as true as they are now) and I asked Nick to read it and omg it worked, literally he read 30 pages and the next day Ben said he’d rather talk with Nick than play video games!!! I reread it. Love the first sentence “I was a wonderful parent before I had kids” LOLz. “From #1 New York Times bestselling authors, the ultimate “parenting bible” (The Boston Globe)—a timeless, beloved book on how to effectively communicate with your child.”
First-Time Caller 4.5/5 – I always love books with stories that are super original/I wouldn’t have thought of as obvious. This one delivered, it was super cute and also I love older characters. “A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.”
The Almost Romantic 4/5- love when the guys are so into the girls. This is what I needed after dark thrillers. Love that this wasn’t the typical boy meets girl, they fall in love, have a fight and get back together. The story was so good and cute!! Had a heavy dose of spice right from the get go. “Fake engagement. Real marriage. Both have an expiration date…”
The Favorites 4/5 a really good as an audiobook, but I thought it was very long, and I really didn’t like the twist and how it ended for Katarina. This one has been raved about as a favorite by a lot of the people whose opinion I trust, so maybe it’s just that I wasn’t in the right head space because it wasn’t a full 5/5 for me, don’t get me wrong, it was good, but I just wouldn’t rave about it. “An epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating starring a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice”
None Of This Is True 4/5- omg the twists but it just ended abruptly, I didn’t feel like the book was done! “This unputdownable psychological thriller by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell follows a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.”
The Henna Artist 4/5- this is definitely one you should listen to, such lovely accents in the audiobook. Such a gripping story, couldn’t stop listening to it and finished it in a day and a half! “The Henna Artist follows Lakshmi, a skilled henna artist who escapes an abusive marriage and builds an independent life in 1950s Jaipur, catering to the city’s elite while keeping her past a secret. Just as she begins to find stability, her estranged husband and a rebellious younger sister she never knew she had threaten to upend everything she’s worked for.”
Love Her or Lose Her 4/5- this was a cute Tessa Baily book, a good romance story with some spicy scenes! I loved how the characters were married and working on their marriage!! “The #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer and Hook, Line, and Sinker returns with a unique, sexy rom-com about a young married couple whose rocky relationship needs a serious renovation… ”
When We Had Forever 4/5- I kinda saw that twist coming but omg! Such a good story!!! Could not put it down, cute romance too! “”When We Had Forever” by Shaylin Gandhi is an emotionally charged novel that explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. The story follows Mina Drake, who, six months after her husband’s death, uncovers hidden secrets about their marriage, leading her to question everything she thought she knew.”
Is She Really Going Out With Him 3.5/5 – cute enemies to lovers troupe, but I just wasn’t buying the ending, she falls in love with him and he’s spent a total of 2 hrs with her kids when she wasn’t even there? It seemed very unrealistic. And then 9 months later, it just all didn’t really seem realistic. Nice calming accents on audiobook though. “A hilarious love story about a disillusioned divorcée who agrees to let her children play matchmaker.”
The Dream Guy Next Door 3.5/5 it was cute, short and free from audible. I thought it was a little bit overly cheesy but cute story. “A sexy, swoony falling-for-the-neighbor standalone romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely!”
Self Help -DNF – very well written and I love her work, I guess I just don’t have a big issue I’m wanting to work out. “#1 New York Times best-selling author Gabrielle Bernstein charts a path to healing that can literally change your life—a simple, powerful method informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy.”
My rating system
- 5 stars – I loved this book and would recommend it to someone looking for their next book to read. This is a book I would re-read and am slightly jealous of anyone who gets to experience it for the first time
- 4 stars – I really liked and enjoyed this book, it was solid. Glad I read it.
- 3 stars – I liked this book enough to finish it, but wish there would have been something more – and probably wishing it had changes
- 2 stars – It was hard to finish, but I made it to the end. I don’t understand why people liked this
- 1 star – Really annoyed I finished this book, did not like it
- DNF – Did not finish, just couldn’t do it
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