February’s wrap up post is possibly my shortest ever. Not only did it feel like I read nothing, I also either didn’t enjoy what I did read enough to take a photo for the review or just haven’t gotten around to doing photos yet. I’m also pretty much behind on writing reviews for the whole month – my motivation for basically every area of my life has been at an all time low recently.
Drawn Together by Juliana Smith
Read: 27/1/26 – 1/2/26
This book barely even counts as being a February read, but this post would be extremely short if I didn’t include it. Plus, I want an excuse to gush over this book again. It is such a lovely read. I knew I’d enjoy it, but I didn’t expect to fall completely in love. This felt like a good omen for what the rest of February would be like, but sadly not. I hit a huge slump, one that I still feel like I’m stuck in.
Anyway, I’d highly recommend checking out this book if you’re looking for a sweet friends to lovers romance. My review hasn’t been posted yet and it won’t be for at least another month, so keep an eye out.
Synopsis: A rival children’s book author and illustrator become reluctant friends over their mutual need to advance in their careers in this heartwarming, character-driven, slow-burn romcom set in fall NYC.
In a city that never sleeps, Flora is desperate to wake up and finally land her first big break. But if your twenties are supposed to be the best years of your life, Flora’s off to a terrible start. Five months into her move, she’s barely scraping by—her closest companion a silent roommate, and her first major freelance job slipping through her fingers. Her best chance at making it is surviving the one commission no illustrator before her could: a notoriously impossible-to-please author who (quite rudely) rejects every single draft she submits. Flora’s timeline is short—and she’s running out of chances.
To nail this project, she’ll have to lean into the dark, moody themes of his writing—no small task for someone known for illustrating woodland creatures in top hats. When she’s on the brink of giving up, a chance encounter with a surly stranger changes everything. Fletcher Harding, neighbor, a friend of her roommate, and a dark literature connoisseur, needs help writing a column on romance novels to achieve an advance in his career. Flora, a firm believer in happily-ever-after’s, he decides is the perfect tutor.
On a hazy walk home, the two strike a deal: she’ll teach him about love stories, and he’ll teach her how to embrace the shadows in her work. As their creative boundaries blur, so do the ones between their growing friendship and something far more. But with both of them carrying the weight of their pasts—and the futures of their careers hanging in the balance—can they really trust a story where love is the final chapter?
Especially when Flora realizes the author critiquing her work is the very man she’s falling for.
Game Changer by Rachel Reid
Read: 13/2/26 – 19/2/26
After devouring Heated Rivalry, and falling in love with it, I expected more from Game Changer. I can’t tell you how happy I feel about starting with book two. I don’t think I’d bother with the series otherwise.
I didn’t hate this, it was still pretty good. However, it took such a long time to get through – I felt like I was reading it for weeks.
Synopsis: New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pre-game rituals very seriously. In this case, it’s not just a lucky smoothie he’s craving—it’s the man who made it.
Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, when a smoothie made by juice bar barista Kip Grady precedes Scott breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic…and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.
Kip knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, nevermind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.
Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Read: 20/2/26 – 23/2/26
I was convinced I wasn’t enjoying this book for almost a quarter of it. The start felt so disjointed and the reveal of Hannah’s attack was dropped so casually it was quite jarring. Once I got through all of this, Hannah and Garrett won me over quite quickly. I actually love them so much and I can’t wait to watch the show in May.
Synopsis: She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy . . .
Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice . . . even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date
. . . and it’s going to be oh so good
All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it.
Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.
Check out Young Creative Press on all socials
You can also check out my StoryGraph here
Like this post? Why not read this one too: To Be Read: March 2026