February was way less chaotic than January. No DNFs or real disappointments. On the other hand, as usual, I didn't stick to my TBR at all, which was mainly made up of thrillers. Without further ado, let's go through every book I read in February before planning my (super romantic) March TBR.
February reading wrap-up
The Compound by Aisling Rawle
Synopsis
Lily competes on a reality TV show set in a remote desert compound, where contestants must navigate increasingly dangerous tasks and blurred moral lines for the chance to win luxury rewards and a permanent escape from reality.
Review
Rating: 3/5 stars
I was very intrigued by this book. The summary seemed very interesting, reminiscent of a modern 1984. However, I didn't feel attached to any of the characters, and the story follows a rather classic reality TV format with stories of couples, rivalries, and betrayals. They seem to be in a dystopian world at war, but this is never developed enough for us to understand what is at stake and why it would be better to be here instead. All the events are rather anticlimactic, which is further reinforced by the telling instead of showing. The ending is even more underwhelming. In fact, I even wondered if I was missing some pages.
Movies Showing Nowhere by Yorick Goldewijk
Synopsis
This is a middle grade book including magic realism. After her mother dies the day she’s born, Cato grows up distant from her grief-stricken father until a mysterious reopening of an abandoned cinema pulls her into a strange world where films connect to the past.
Review
Rating: 4/5 stars
I really liked the concept. The relationships between the characters were touching, realistic, and relatable. It was also well written, fast-paced, and hopeful, even though it dealt with difficult themes such as grief and depression.
Talking to Alaska by Anna Woltz
Synopsis
On their first day at a new school, Parker, who wants to stay invisible after a terrible summer, and Sven, who’s determined not to be defined by his epilepsy instantly become enemies. But when Parker discovers her former dog Alaska now belongs to Sven, she hatches a risky plan to steal him back.
Review
Rating: 4/5 stars
It was a pleasure to read. Well written, sweet, and realistic. Good representation of trauma and disability with topics that are not often seen. However, I found the conflict resolution to be lacking in impact, even simple and predictable. It is a solution that could have been proposed in the first chapter, as it is so logical.
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Synopsis
In London society, charming Colin Bridgerton grows weary of his shallow reputation and public scrutiny, while Penelope Featherington, who has secretly loved him for years, realizes he may be hiding deeper secrets than she imagined. When Colin returns from abroad to find Penelope transformed and harboring secrets of her own, he must decide whether she is a danger to his carefully managed life or his chance at true happiness.
Review
Rating: 3.28/5 stars
To give you some context, I first read the first book, The Duke and I, two years ago. I then watched the series on Netflix at the beginning of the year. I only liked seasons 2 and 4. Since this book is about Penelope and Colin, the protagonists of season 3, I had some concerns.
I have to say that the romance is (slightly) better in the book, but everything else seems much more developed in the series. I was surprised by the absence of the Featheringtons, Penelope's family, as well as Eloise, Colin's sister and Penelope's best friend. In the series, they are more present and their relationships are compelling.
As for the romance, it takes place during Lady Danbury's investigation to find Lady Whistledown's identity. I found this investigation uninteresting, repetitive, and its resolution highly anticlimactic. In my opinion, it took up too much space in relation to its relative complexity and the romance.
I don't find their chemistry to be obvious. The romance doesn't come out of nowhere, but as I was reading, I got the impression that Colin falls in love with her simply because she admires him and compliments his writing. This is also the conflict I found most interesting: Colin's jealousy of Penelope and the success of her column. I don't think that's something you see very often.
On the other hand, I sometimes felt like they were going around in circles, especially because of repeated conversations that I thought had already been settled.
Overall, it was an easy read with some great lines.
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Synopsis
Rival hockey captains Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have built their careers on a fierce on-ice feud, but off the ice their chemistry leads to a decade-long secret relationship that threatens everything they’ve worked for.
Review
Rating: 2.90/5 stars
My biggest flex is that I’ve been able to avoid any information about the TV show for months before reading it. And God knows it was everywhere!
Well, it’s gonna be another unpopular opinion. I have no doubt the series is great but I found the book to be just fine. There are some very cute moments, but it's mostly smut. I would have liked a little more romance. Their chemistry isn't obvious, especially since they spend their time saying what they don't like about each other.
The sex scenes become very repetitive, as does the structure of the novel itself. Since they see each other secretly over a decade, all the chapters are similar. They always do the same thing.
Indeed, not much happens. Hockey is in the background and serves little purpose other than to oppose them. But the worst thing for me is the lack of real conflict. They are never in danger of getting caught, even though they keep saying how dangerous it is. And that ending... I don't know if that's the message we want to send to young boys in the same situation. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, though, since I've learned that there are two more books about this couple. I imagine the ending will be more satisfying than this one.
The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
Synopsis
When Joanna and her family move to the seemingly perfect town of Stepford, it appears to offer an idyllic new beginning. But beneath its flawless surface lurks a dark secret involving the wives and their husbands’ secret society.
Review
Rating: 2/5 stars
I was convinced I was going to love this book. Unfortunately, I quickly got bored and it never really managed to catch my interest. I don't think the book does a good job at explaining what happens to the Stepford wives. It's never disturbing or surprising and often focuses on insignificant details.
Maybe the movie is better. At least, that seems to be the opinion of many people on Goodreads.
March TBR
Foe by Iain Reid
Henrietta’s husband has been selected to travel far away from their farm. But she won’t be left alone: someone is coming to take his husband’s place.
Game Changer by Rachel Reid
Scott Hunter is a closeted NHL superstar in a slump until he meets Kip, a charming smoothie shop barista who turns his luck around. As their secret romance grows, Scott must decide if he’s ready to risk his career and reputation to live authentically.
Julia Song is Undateable by Susan Lee
CEO Julia Song is a success in business but a failure in dating, leading her to hire her childhood crush, Tae Kim, as a coach to help her find "The One" for her family's sake. As Tae prepares her for three set-up dates, they both begin to wonder if the perfect match has been right in front of them all along.
Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison
After a string of bad dates, baker Layla Dupree agrees to a month of "practice dating" with the kind-hearted local teacher, Caleb Alvarez.
The Family Game by Catherine Steadman
A novelist engaged to the heir of a powerful American dynasty, is drawn into his family’s dark and dangerous holiday traditions. She finds herself playing a deadly game for the family patriarch.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Two best friends who are complete opposites take one last vacation together to fix their relationship after two years of silence. As they travel to Palm Springs, they must finally face the truth about why their "perfect" friendship fell apart.
Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese
Willa Sutter and her classmate Ryder Bergman start as enemies after a series of misunderstandings in their college business class. But through a game of pranks and forced collaboration, they warm up to each other.
An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
Sophie Beckett sneaks into a masquerade ball and shares a magical night with Benedict Bridgerton before disappearing at midnight. Years later, Benedict rescues a familiar-looking housemaid, unaware that she is the mysterious woman who has haunted his dreams.
To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
Eloise Bridgerton impulsively leaves London to meet Sir Phillip Crane, a moody widower she has only known through letters. Expecting a desperate spinster, Phillip is surprised by the vibrant Eloise, while she must decide if this rugged father of two is the husband she truly wants.
I'm going to read and annotate these last two books for Sally, a long-time customer. Would you like to read them with me too? See the annotated Bridgerton series here.
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