Every Book I Read in January and February TBR

Hello, reader friends! Welcome to another blog post!

This week, I'm bringing you all the books I read in January and the books I plan to read in February. Since this post is going up on Feb. 21st (hopefully!), I will make sure to let you know which ones I've started and read. For each book I read in January, I'll give you my rating and review of what I thought of the book. Remember, please do not be upset if I give a low rating to a book that you love. What doesn't work for me doesn't mean I think you're dumb or wrong for liking the book. It's just my opinion, okay? Okay!

Hope you enjoy the post!

Every Book I Read in January

I read 4 books last month, and while I hoped to read more, one book in particular took me 20 days to finish. Soon, you'll see why.

Book 1: The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle

Rating: 4.25-4.5/5 ⭐️

Review: I saw this book in an email from Barnes and Noble and was like, “So…what are we doing here, guys? When am I buying this??” I just knew I had to get it. I bought the Barnes and Noble exclusive edition, so there’s foiling on the dust jacket and on the naked hardback. Absolutely beautiful. I’m really happy my pretty book was pretty on the inside too. I truly loved this book. I’m so ready for the sequel. I feel like if the romance was better built up and not all of a sudden, I may have given this book 5 stars. It was sooooo good. I hope the romance will be built up a lot better in the sequel, since now they’re back to being enemies. I can’t wait for the sequel. Also, put this book in the new adult category.

Book 2: Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland

Rating: 5/5⭐️

Review: I LOVED the relationship between Royo and Aeri. They DESERVE each other, in my opinion. They are literally so perfect for each other. Because of them, the book had that 5-star feeling. I was losing my mind with how much I loved them. They are literally my third favorite fictional couple of all time now. It goes Ari and Saga→Emma and Justin→ and now Royo and Aeri!!!! <3 I love them so much. Therefore, I love this book despite its flaws.

Book 3: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Rating: 2.25/5⭐️

Review: I don’t dislike this book, not by any means. I just don’t like some aspects of it—the romance being the main thing. I really didn’t understand how these two went from “literary enemies” to kissing on her door around page 100. Of an almost 400-page book!! It was so unbelievably quick that I didn’t care about their romance for the rest of the book. When I’m reading a romance, whether fantasy or contemporary, I need to understand why the love interests like each other. And to do that, I need to see their development, see their attraction grow over time. These two just instantly liked each other, and it really removed me from the experience of reading it. I didn’t feel anything for them, as much as I may have wanted to. But I still gave this book 2.25 because I did enjoy some aspects of it, like the writing and the sisterly relationship. 2 stars for me is like: it’s okay. And that’s what this book was: okay. I hope I enjoy People We Meet On Vacation and Happy Place, because Book Lovers wasn’t for me, unfortunately. So far, my ranking is: Funny Story(4/5), Beach Read(3.5/5), then Book Lovers(2.25/5).

Book 4: Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

Rating: 4-4.25/5⭐️

Review: I think this is definitely my favourite Tia Williams book out of the two I’ve read. I read A Love Song for Ricki Wilde last summer, and I enjoyed it. I like this one a whole lot more, though. This was such a goooooood read!!! As a Black woman myself, I really loved the Black culture references in this book as well. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone; just be sure to look up the content warnings. It’s soooo good.

February TBR

Onto my February TBR! Although I read 4 books last month, I don't think I could read as many this month due to my college's workload and writing tasks. For instance, last month, I finished The Dagger and the Flame in 6 days, even though the book is 500 pages, because I was on winter break. I wouldn't be able to do that now because of how much school and writing take my time away. But that's okay! I'm still getting through a few books, which is all that matters. Let's move onto my TBR, including the books I've already started.

Book 1: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson (read)

Book 2: The Night is Defying by Chloe C. Peñaranda (currently reading)

Book 3: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Thanks for Reading

Thanks so much for reading my blog post! I love you so much, and I hope you stick around for future posts about the other books I've read and will read. What books have you read in January and February? What books do you plan to read if you haven't yet? Drop your answers in the comments! Bye!

Follow me on Goodreads: N.G. Jefferson (85 books) | Goodreads