While my January was a great reading month, I can’t say the same about February. Sadly, all but one of the five books I read were just okay, 3 star ratings. My reading has slowed down heading into March. I’ve been busy writing and blogging and I’ve been finding more calm in working on my paint-by-number and listening to podcasts, than reading. And I’m totally okay with that! Here are my February reads that I’m sharing with Steph and Jana’s monthly Show Us Your Books linkup.
3 Stars
I Know You by Claire McGowan (Suspense/Thriller, October 2021) Rachel finds a body in the woods on her morning walk. Instead of calling for help, she runs back home. Twenty years ago, her name was Casey and she was a nanny for a family in LA. They were brutally murdered and she was the prime suspect and spent time in prison. Now out and trying to start a new life for herself, she wonders if someone is setting her up. Overall, I found this to be just an okay read. I’ve only read one other book by this author and wasn’t wowed, so I’ll likely pass on reading any of her other stuff.
The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan (Contemporary Romance, February 2014) Anna works in a chocolate factory. After an accident she ends up moving to Paris to work at a chocolatier that her hospital roommate, Claire, knows. The story alternates between Claire’s past and the present, focusing on her relationship with the chocolatier. This was a light read that includes recipes. This was the first book pick of the local Foodie Book club that I joined. We all agreed that overall it was an okay read.
My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle (Suspense/Thriller, December 2021) Jade is happily married to her husband Cam, chef and restaurant owner. They have two young kids and Jade thinks all is good. Until she is confronted by a masked man in her garage who holds her and the kids ransom. If her husband doesn’t come up with over $700,000 by the end of the day……..I think that I need to take a break from the suspense and thriller genre for a little while. I have been very disappointed with the last several that I’ve read, including this one.
Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins (Suspense/Thriller, January 2022) Lux’s boyfriend Nico is hired to sail two college-aged girls to Meroe Island in the South Pacific and she is invited to tag along. When they arrive at the island they discover another boat there and the four become friends with the other couple. The I enjoyed The Wife Upstairs but this book just wasn’t all that
5 Stars
Know My Name by Chanel Miller (Nonfiction/Memoir, September 2019) Chanel Miller was sexually assaulted by Stanford student, Brock Miller. This book tells her story of the events of that night and the psychological and emotional effects that resulted. This book was emotional to read. It had me in tears but also got me so angry. It is ridiculous what women who have been sexually assaulted have to go through to get justice.
Know My Name was such a heavy, emotional read. Such a bummer that you’ve been disappointed with thrillers lately. I read The Marriage Lie by that author and liked it – I hope you find a good one soon!
It was such a heavy read, but an important one. I’m glad I finally read it.
I’m the same way with my reading right now. January and February were pretty solid but I’ve only read one book so far this month. I’ve been more into watching Youtube this month. I get in routines: some months are more reading heavy while other months are more Youtube/TV./movie watching heavy. Your cat is so adorable.
My cat loves to lay on me while I’m reading! March is definitely a lighter reading month for me.
I was amazed at Chanel Miller’s book.
I thought the Claire McGowan was just okay as well.
Yes, it was such a great read.
I kind of want to and not want to read Know My Name at the same time. I know how angry that book is going to make me! We talked about this a lot during one of my college psychology classes and it’s just crazy what hoops sexual assault victims have to go through.
Yes! I can not believe how broken our legal system is. It is a good read though and I do recommend!
I’m interested to see the paint by number and can’t wait to see it. I have a friend who did that during the lockdown. I have been working on embroidery while I listen to podcasts and audiobooks. Have a wonderful Wednesday!
I’m almost finished with the paint by-number. I was doing them along with puzzles during the lockdown.
The last blog I was on from the linkup had a Claire McGowan book too. I thought the premise of Reckless Girls sounded interesting, but then kept hearing negative-ish reviews so I ended up taking it off my holds list.
I hadn’t heard anything about Reckless Girls and probably should have read some reviews before reading. I haven’t had a suspense/thriller that has impressed me in awhile.
Know My Name is one that I do want to read at some point!
Yes, I hope you get to read it soon!
The Wife Upstairs was a thriller I was disappointed with so I skipped Reckless Girls! I did think Know My Name was the best memoir I’ve read and would recommend it to everyone.
I enjoyed The Wife Upstairs so thought I’d like Reckless Girls, but that wasn’t the case.
I’m sorry that February wasn’t a great reading month for you! I’m glad to hear though that Know My Name was good though, that is one I’ve had on my TBR for a while now.