February 2025 reading round up

January was an excellent reading month for me but February has been a bit of a flop in comparison - I've read 6 books which is still a decent amount, but I've definitely been in a slump of sorts. But regardless, I thought I'd share the books I have read and what I thought of them!

Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

This was our book club read for February, and although I was too poorly to attend the meeting I of course did read the book - this was actually the one I picked for the year, and I genuinely really enjoyed it. I can't say it was a hit with the whole book club (very mixed reviews) but for me it was a really sweet love story, representing limb difference really well, with some excellent spice scenes thrown in too. I gave it 4 stars!

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

I bought this at Gay on Wye when we visited Hay earlier this year, and it's a gorgeous sapphic YA clean romance - rivals to lovers, but super cute and following Bangladeshi culture. This is Adiba's debut novel, and it's a few years old now, but it still stands up and I really enjoyed reading it. I actually flew through this in one evening, and I'd definitely recommend! 4 stars from me.

Training the Heart by Paisley Hope

WOW. This is the second in Paisley Hope's Silver Pines Ranch series and it did not disappoint - so spicy it's positively steamy, this is a gorgeous cowboy romance set on a stunning ranch. Golden retriever boyfriend, strong independent FMC, smut scenes that are about 4 chapters long... what more could you want? I love this series and I love Paisley Hope's writing, and I implore you to read this book if you're a romance girly. GORGEOUS. 5 stars!!

The Crash by Freida McFadden

I listened to this as an audiobook, while doing the dishes or in the bath etc, and it's probably my 5th Freida book so far. One thing about Freida is that she is seemingly incapable of writing likeable characters. Even the 'good guys' are so weird and annoying. Anyway... Did I love it? No, but her books are good 'popcorn' thrillers to listen to while you're doing something else, in my opinion. It's just okay, and she actually definitely has better books, but it's not a waste especially if you're already a fan. I gave this one 3 stars.

Riding the High by Paisley Hope

I had an arc of the 3rd book in the Silver Pines Ranch series and I had to jump straight in - single dad, best friend's brother, secret friends to lovers... ALL the gorgeous tropes paired with small town goodness, plenty of shenanigans, a little bit of political drama. And spice - oh the spice. Sigh. Cole and Ginger's story has been my favourite story so far and if I could give this more than 5 stars I would!!!

Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden

I can't help myself - when I need an audiobook to listen to, I've been leaning towards Freida.  The books are unlikeable in general, but I do tend to gravitate towards them for an easy listen. This was one was anything but easy though, especially in the final third when it started jumping between POVs and dates - five years before, one month before, now, 3 months before and so on. I couldn't keep up, and the ending was just absolute nonsense. Genuinely a 2 star read for me.

Let me know if you've read any of these and what you thought of them - I have an audiobook on the go currently and will be reading the next book club pick over the next few days ahead of our March meeting. Hopefully March is a better month than February for me!

Check out my January reading round up!