February 2026 reading wrap up

All Superheroes Need Photo Ops continues the fun idea of exploring what happens when saving the world also involves managing public perception.

Like the first book, the concept is the real strength here. The mix of celebrity culture, media spin, and superhero chaos is a clever twist on the genre. While I enjoyed the premise and the world Stephens is building, this one also didn’t grab me as strongly as I hoped.

This one had a bit better editing, but I honestly just didn’t care for either character. And the longer this series goes, I expect the more plot holes we will find. And I am sad about this because the premise is so unique.

Still, if you liked the first book or enjoy superhero stories with a contemporary twist, it’s an entertaining read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

(This book was a side quest on The Romance Revelry Society’s book club pick from January)

Daddy Issues was such an enjoyable romance, again with an interesting concept. The characters felt messy in a really human way, and the story leaned into emotional vulnerability without losing its humour.

What I appreciated most was how the book balanced heavier emotional themes with genuinely funny moments. The relationships — romantic and otherwise — felt layered, which gave the story a lot of heart.

And I do love me a FMC who is a nerd. And a hot mess. And this book ticked both of those.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

The Fall Line was a pleasant read overall, with a story that leaned into the timing of the Winter Olympics this month.

While I enjoyed parts of it, the pacing didn’t fully click for me and I found myself wishing for a little more momentum in the plot. The relationship between the characters felt rushed and forced, and I’m still not convinced that the fake marriage was the real answer to the problem for the MMC.

That said, the writing itself was engaging enough that I was still happy to spend time in the story.

Not a new favourite for me, but an enjoyable read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

(This was The Romance Revelry Society’s book club read for February)

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea completely wrecked me in the best possible way.

Inspired by Korean mythology, the story follows Mina as she sacrifices herself to the Sea God in order to save her brother’s beloved. What unfolds is a magical, emotional journey through a spirit world filled with gods, curses, and forgotten stories.

I cried so hard while reading this. The writing is beautiful, the atmosphere is incredibly immersive, and the emotional payoff is huge.

The characters all have their own motivations for the plot, some at odds with each other, and the way that it’s handled is so lovely. The themes of family are what make this book for me though.

This is already a strong contender for my top book of 2026, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Nor thinking about how long it took me to read it.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5 stars)

(This was Bookish Chaos’s book club read for January-February)

Ali Hazelwood rarely misses for me, and Mate was no exception.

This book was such a fun blend of romance, humour, and Hazelwood’s signature character dynamics. The chemistry between the main characters absolutely carried the story, and the banter was exactly the kind of sharp, playful dialogue that makes her books so addictive.

I love that the story picks up right after Bride, and we get to see more of Serena. I also loved how the concept of a forbidden romance played out with the concept of having a mate. This was such a fun spin on a trope that is normally insta-love.

I flew through this one and had a fantastic time reading it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

Pen Pal completely surprised me.

For a good chunk of the story it felt like I was reading a supernatural thriller, and I genuinely had no idea where it was going. The creepiness, bordering on ick factor, was high. I kept almost putting it down, but my friend urged me to keep going. And then the twists kept escalating in ways I didn’t expect, which made it incredibly hard to put down.

But what I loved most was where the story eventually landed. Underneath all the eerie tension and surprises, it ultimately became this really lovely story about finding your person.

Do not let the cover (which honestly gives the total wrong message about what kind of book this is) dissuade you. Yes, it’s an open door romance, but the scenes are very few — and the story is worth it.

A very satisfying read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars) Although, honestly, I keep thinking about this book, and I think I’m going to give it a full five.

(Thank you to Alisha for picking this as one of my 12 in 12 books!)