February 2026 Reading Wrap Up
In this February 2026 reading wrap up, I’m sharing the 11 books I finished this month. My February reading list included fantasy, psychological thrillers, small town romance, horror, and personal development. Some books completely captured me, while others didn’t quite land, but each one clarified what I value most as a reader.
Below, you’ll find my full list of books I read in February, along with brief thoughts. If you’re looking for fantasy recommendations, gripping thrillers, or something a little more introspective, there may be a new addition to your TBR here.
*Books marked with (*) were gifted, thank you to the publishers who so kindly gifted these books.
February Reading Stats
- Books read: 11
- Genres: Fantasy, Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Horror Fiction, Western Paranormal Romance, Personal Development
5-star reads: 0
Standout book: Crescent City: House of Flame and Shadow
Books I read in February 2026
Crescent City: House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
Crescent City: House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena
The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda
The Midnight Game by Cynthia Murphy*
Every Last Lie by Mary Kubica
Sweetwater Peak: Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
No Escape by Maren Stoffels*
The Squad: Perfect Cover by Jennifer Lynn Barnes*
The Starter Wife by Nina Laurin
Fantasy Reads
Crescent City: House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas (4.5 stars)
I started House of Sky and Breath in January and finished it in early February. I wasn’t sure at first if this series was going to be for me, but I’m really enjoying diving deeper into the world of Crescent City. One thing I love about Sarah J. Maas is her ability to make you care about every character, from the main leads to the supporting ones.
The ending completely shook me. I was so eager to continue that I started House of Flame and Shadow the same day. I initially read the physical copy, but I switched to the graphic audiobook for this series and honestly, I prefer it for Crescent City. The performance by the cast really brings the world and characters to life in a way that was more impactful for me than reading the print version.
Crescent City: House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas (4.5 stars)
At some point all of Sarah J Maas’ books stress me out, but this one stressed me out in a way I haven’t felt since Kingdom of Ash. I tried to manage my expectations going in, especially after noticing how the ratings for the series slightly lowered with each book release + several not so great social media reviews. But maybe I’m biased with HOFAS especially (IFKYK), because I genuinely enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to seeing the Maasverse continue.
The twists kept the momentum strong, and being immersed even deeper into the Crescent City world was such a satisfying experience. Sarah J. Maas has a way of balancing emotional stakes with plot escalation, and I appreciated how much growth we see across the characters. I’m also very glad I experienced this through the graphic audiobook, it heightened the intensity and made the emotional beats land even harder.
Mysteries + Thrillers + YA
A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena (2 stars)
This year, I’m making an effort to clear my physical TBR shelf, and this was one that had been sitting there for far too long. I really wanted this to work for me, but I struggled. There were multiple moments where I considered DNFing.
The premise had potential, but the execution felt predictable and lacked the intrigue I look for in a psychological thriller. I tend to gravitate toward stories with layered tension and stronger storytelling, and this one didn’t quite deliver that depth for me.
The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda (3 stars)
The premise of The Perfect Stranger immediately pulled me in, and I was genuinely gripped through most of the book. Megan Miranda does a great job building atmosphere and planting questions that keep you turning pages.
That said, the ending felt somewhat rushed. With the amount of detail given in the beginning and middle, I expected a more fully developed ending, particularly for some of the secondary characters. I enjoyed the journey, but I wanted a bit more cohesion in the end.
The Midnight Game by Cynthia Murphy (3 stars)
The Midnight Game had such a strong hook, and I was drawn in by the central mystery. The twists were wild and unexpected, which I appreciated.
However, the Reddit-style “Deddit” threads didn’t land the same way for me. Also, after the major twist, I felt my interest dip, especially toward the ending. It started strong, but the follow-through didn’t quite maintain the same tension.
Every Last Lie by Mary Kubica (2.5 stars)
Told through alternating past and present POVs, this story had an interesting structure and initially held my attention. I enjoy dual timelines when they’re used to deepen suspense and character motivation.
About halfway through, though, I found myself losing interest. The narrative felt repetitive in places, and the direction of the plot became less compelling for me. It simply wasn’t a strong fit with what I look for in a thriller.
No Escape by Maren Stoffels (3 stars)
No Escape was a quick, intense read that I finished in less than a day. The pacing kept me engaged, and the escape room setting added an extra layer of tension that made it hard to put down.
While it may not be the most complex thriller I’ve read, it was gripping and I genuinely don’t think I’ll look at escape rooms the same way again.
The Squad: Perfect Cover by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (3.5 stars)
After loving The Inheritance Games series, I was curious to explore more of Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s work. The concept here, varsity cheerleaders doubling as government spies, is intriguing, and Toby, a Sophomore with zero school spirit, as the unexpected recruit adds an interesting dynamic.
This was a lighter, fast-paced read, and I enjoyed the premise. However, compared to her other work, the plot and character depth didn’t feel quite as strong. It was entertaining, but I found myself wanting how the story unfolded to be more gripping.
The Starter Wife by Nina Laurin (3 stars)
This book pulled me in quickly, and I was invested in uncovering the truth behind Colleen’s death. The central mystery kept me reading, even when my interest dipped slightly in the middle.
The unfolding of events was dramatic and at times wild, though in hindsight, not as shocking as it initially seemed. A solid, engaging thriller, but not one that will linger with me long-term.
Paranormal Romance
Sweetwater Peak: Soul Searching by Lyla Sage (3.5 stars)
After enjoying the Rebel Ranch series, I was excited to return to this universe through the Sweetwater Peak duology. One thing I appreciate about Lyla Sage is the way she develops her characters, she takes time to build their emotional layers, which makes their relationships feel intentional and well crafted.
That said, the paranormal element wasn’t entirely for me. While I could see the potential in the story, I didn’t feel as connected to these particular characters as I have in her previous work, and the emotional arc didn’t land as strongly as I’d hoped. Still, I’m curious enough about where this duology is headed that I plan to read the second book when it releases later this year.
Personal Development
The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
I listened to this audiobook after seeing it recommended online, expecting something slightly different than what I got. The book is structured as a series of conversations exploring Adlerian psychology, which was new territory for me.
I found the concepts thought-provoking and appreciated how accessible the dialogue format made them. Listening to this as an audiobook worked particularly well for me, it felt like sitting in on an ongoing discussion. It also made me reflect on how certain books simply resonate more in audio format than in print. Sometimes the delivery changes the entire experience.
Top 3 February Reads
Crescent City: House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
Crescent City: House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
Sweetwater Peak: Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
Looking back, February was a mix of reads, some books completely drew me in, while others didn’t quite land. But even the less enjoyable ones reminded me of what I value in a story: characters with depth, plots that flow seamlessly, and beautiful storytelling. Some of these reads delivered beautifully, others less so. But even the misses helped clarify what I’m drawn to as a reader. This month’s stack had its highs and lows, and that variety is part of the fun of reading. I’d love to hear what you picked up in February, or which of these books you’d be most curious to dive into.
