Most Anticipated Releases Tuesday February 10, 2026

 

Here are the titles I am excited about this week.

Still Into You by Erin Connor

I love a good rock star romance. I got to read this one early and it was fun. A solid four stars. Good enough to have me finding her first book on my Kindle. See my thoughts on this one HERE.

Maybe This Once (Rockbottom Love #3) by Sophie Sullivan

I really like Sullivan's writing. I read the first two books in this series and enjoyed them enough to request this one. As I figured, it was a hit for me. But I strongly advise reading them in order so you don't spoil the other couples's stories. See my thoughts HERE.

What about you?

ARC Review: Hollywood Hookup by Christy Swift

 

A scandalized former movie star is thrust back into the celebrity life where she finds herself competing for a date with her longtime crush in this funny and heartwarming rom-com about second chances and rediscovering your true self.
Once a teenage TV star, she’s reinvented her life. Now her very public celebrity crush has put her back in the spotlight.
Josie Days has worked hard to forget who she used to be. Once upon a time, she was Mexico’s favorite bilingual teen star—until one disastrous decision ruined her budding career. These days, Josie’s happy to keep things very off-camera as a makeup artist. That is until her best friend ropes her into a charity game show where the prize is a date with her forever celebrity impossibly charming Irish “It” boy Sean O’Sullivan.

Josie has no interest in winning. In fact, she’s trying to lose—and fast. But Sean is interested in more than a game. The problem? Josie isn’t who he thinks she is. And when the cameras start rolling and her past is exposed, she’ll have to decide if she’s ready for the spotlight again—or if her second act never should have started.

Title: Hollywood Hookup

Author: Christy Swift

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)/Hachette Audio

Expected Publication Date: February 10, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Hacette Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Since I was fortunate enough to have both the Kindle version and audio version of this title, I will be reviewing both at the same time.

While I love audio books that have many narrators when the title is an actual production (like a dramatization), I find it hard to follow a book with multiple narrators when it is not. This book has 6 narrators and for the life of me I could not tell you which person did which character. Six narrators is a lot in a romance book and it honestly made it hard to follow along. The narrators on their own were well done enough, though, again, hard to say who was who and who did the best job. I wasn't a fan of the narrator for the MMC, Sean. His Irish accent was subtle, yes, but often times not even there so I wasn't sure if he just wasn't trying or if that was actually supposed to be how the character's voice came across. Overall, I found the multiple narrator idea overwhelming and it took away from any enjoyment I may have gotten out of the audio.

While it doesn't seem this book is billed as a series, there are many characters who appear from the first book, Celebrity Crush. As a person who likes to read books in order, you will absolutely be spoiled for the couple from that book if you read this one first so I do suggest reading them in order.

While I didn't love Swift's writing in the first book, I wanted to give her another try in the hopes her craft may have grown and blossomed. But that was not to be the case for me. As with her first book, the characters came across as stilted to me. They don't grow, change, and develop as I would hope in a romance story such as this. The FMC, Josie/Savannah, comes across as whiny and scared of her shadow. Plus she's just so self-centered, never worrying  about anyone but herself. She's so worried about being outed for who she truly is, her character never has a chance to evolve. And for the age of the character, she is very immature. The MMC, Sean, comes across as a bit snobbish and quite full of himself. I just found it totally unattractive and didn't see what the FMC saw in him at all. And he was just all around weird with his obsession with props from movies and plays. It didn't lend anything at all to the story or his relationship with the FMC.

If we're going to discuss romance and chemistry, this couple is not the standard by which I would judge a rom-com. I didn't find either endearing. I didn't feel any chemistry between them, even when it may have had a chance to grow. It's unclear what either even sees in each other. They suddenly like each other with no background whatsoever. I didn't believe in their connection at all.

There are a ton of side characters in this story. I did understand the author bringing in characters from the previous story and it was fun to see some of them again. But overall the side characters just didn't add anything to the story or move it along. Plus there is a ton of name dropping in this book that just made no sense.

One of the things I remember from the first book in this series was how much telling the author did. I was hopeful that would not be the case with this title, but, alas, it was not to be. And the plot, it just didn't make enough sense for the story to move forward and let me believe in the characters. The banter felt forced throughout the book. I didn't find myself laughing or even giggling. For a book billed as a rom-com, it totally missed that mark.

I really had to push myself to finish this book. I just did not find it interesting and found myself speeding up the audio or skimming the eARC just to get through it all. I was never fully immersed or invested in the story of the characters.

Unfortunately, I won't be continuing with future stories from this author as I just don't feel her style is for me.

Author:

I write geeky love stories, sometimes as smexy romcoms under the name Christy Swift and sometimes as sci-fi or sci-fantasy with a little heat in the engine coil under C.P. Swift. I daylight as a freelance writer and social media content provider for medical and technology clients across the country. I’m also editor of the award-winning Heartland LIVING magazine. I’m represented by Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. In my free time, you can find me living my best life in the Florida outdoors or playing the nerdiest board game you’ve ever heard of with my kids and friends.

The best way to keep up with what I’m doing is to subscribe to my newsletter. I post about once a month, and I’ll never spam you or share your information.

 

Fat Stack Friday February 6, 2026

 

Happy Friday! It was a good week for me. Check out all my new goodies!

NetGalley/Edelweiss/Booktrovert:

The Paddock Club (Slipstream #2) by Madge Maril

I adored the first book in this series (which I didn't even know was going to be a series!). Slipstream was really very good, and I don't say that lightly about F1 romance because I've had a hard time with them. I saw this on Edelweiss and requested it. Just an hour later the publisher sent me a widget. So excited to read it!

Of Venom and Vengeance by Mikayla Bridge

I really liked the first book in this series, Of Flame and Fury. I had my eye out for this one and requested as soon as I saw it. Excited to get to read more in this world!

Off Course by Julie Cook

I love me a good sports romance. And I love to try out sports romances for sports I don't know much about. This one looks like a good read and it was read now so I grabbed it because it says for fans of Tessa Bailey, who I love. I hope it lives up to her writing!

Kindle:

First Witches Club by Maisey Yates

One of my Amazon first reads picks. It looks really cute. I love anything witchy!

Leave It up to Love by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Another first reads pick. This one is a short story so I'll probably just dive in at some point this month since I'm trying to finish something every day.

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

The publisher had sent me a widget of this book but I just knew I would not have time to read it. I decided it would be better to wait and then read it. I've heard great things.

In the Mail:

My monthly Fairyloot adult/YA combo box arrived and the titles are just so pretty!

Graceless Heart (The Spellbound History Quartet #1) by Isabel Ibañez

The Swan's Daughter by Roshani Chokshi

We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune

This came yesterday. I may have squealed. I love Klune and I have been trying to get the eARC of this one but it's just sitting there and hasn't been approved. I was shocked when I opened the package and this was in there! I cannot wait to read it. Will probably read it this weekend. It's not that big

Libby/Hoopla:

The Serendiptiy (Only Magic in the Building #1) by Emma St. Clair

I needed a new audio book since I finished the one I was loving yesterday so I decided on this from Hoopla. So far it's cute but not as good as the one I just finished!

What did you get?

ARC Review: The Aftermyth (The Aftermyth #1) by Tracy Wolff

 

In a world ruled by the tenets of Greek mythology, one girl’s fate is more than it appears in the first book in a new dark academia fantasy middle grade series from #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Crave series Tracy Wolff.

What’s your myth?

Penelope Weaver has spent her whole life preparing to attend Anaximander’s Academy, where students learn how to bring to life the stories of Greek mythology as well as discover the Greek god whose principles they most embody. Penelope knows she’s an Athena—all smart, practical, and rule-following girls who take part in stories that matter are Athenas.

But when Penelope and her twin brother Paris arrive at Anaximander’s, it appears fate has other plans. Penelope isn’t placed with Athena but with students who are anything but practical and who prefer parties to rules. And that’s just the beginning. She’s given the world’s worst muse, her assigned tasks feel impossible, and the magic of Anaximander’s is overwhelming. Not to mention, there are two very different boys making her new life even more confusing.

But as things go from bad to dangerously worse, one thing becomes in a world where everything is fated to happen a certain way, some stories need to be rewritten. As the world around her shifts and cracks, Penelope is asked to forget everything she thought she knew to help create a better story…even if that changes every plan and breaks every rule.

Title: The Aftermyth (The Aftermyth #1)

Author: Tracy Wolff

Publisher: Aladdin

Publication Date: February 3, 2026

Review:

As much as I wanted to be sucked into this book and love it, I just could not get into it. I had zero desire to pick it up and read it. After getting to page 100 and just not caring about any of the characters or the plot, I decided it was time to give it up. Was the writing good? Yes, I did like it. But the pacing was slow and the plot left a lot to be desired. I enjoyed watching the world unfold but also felt it wasn't explained as well as it could have been. And I liked the idea of the magic system but I didn't truly understand it. Add to all of this the lack of character development and a forced chemistry between characters (read there was none) and I just had to stop reading. I will pass my copy along to someone else who might enjoy it more.

Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tracy Wolff is a lover of vampires, dragons, and all things that go bump in the night. A onetime English professor, she now devotes all her time to writing dark and romantic stories with tortured heroes and kick-butt heroines. She has written all her sixty-plus novels from her home in Austin, Texas, which she shares with her family. tracywolffbooks.com 

ARC Review: Still Into You by Erin Connor

 

When elusive metal frontman Dax Nakamura agrees to give his first interview in years, he has one his ex, Sloane Donavan, has to write it.

Bad-boy-turned-straight-edge frontman, Dax Nakamura, would prefer the skeletons in his closet to stay there, thank you very much. But not giving interviews didn’t stop the press from writing about one of metal’s biggest bands—or its lead vocalist. With their new album about to drop, Dax is finally ready to address the rumors that have plagued Final Revelations for the past eight years. And the only person he trusts to write it is the same person who broke his heart three summers ago.

Sloane Donavan knew she wanted to write about music since the first time she posted a MySpace blog for her neighbor’s garage band. A journalism degree, a failed internship, and countless backstage passes later, Sloane still hasn’t secured the dream job she left her dream man behind for. So when Dax shows back up with a career-making opportunity—exclusive insight into him, his band, and the chance to craft the narrative of one of the scene’s most revered bands—Sloane agrees, with one No one can know they’re exes. As they dive into Dax’s past, Sloane quickly realizes their history isn’t the only thing he’s hiding, and Sloane has a choice to make. The article Dax wants and the salacious tell-all Sloane’s editor expects are two completely different stories. This is the big break she’s been waiting for, but it comes with a the chance to rewrite the ending with her first and only love.

Title: Still Into You

Author: Erin Connor

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)/ Hachette Audio

Expected Publication Date: February 10, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Since I was fortunate enough to have both the Kindle version and audio version of this title, I will be reviewing both at the same time. I'm not normally a big lover of multiple narrators in a story such as this if it is not dramatized. But the way the work is presented, the multiple narrators made sense. I really enjoyed all the voices. I love Karissa Vacker and she was perfect for the FMC voice in this story. The other narrators are new to me and since I didn't know which one was which I will just say I really did enjoy them all and would definitely listen to other titles they narrate in the future.

I am a huge fan of second chance love stories and I really enjoyed this one. The FMC and MMC were together three years ago until the FMC called it quits after their short Summer together. Plus, if you are a fan of Daisy Jones and The Six, I think you will really like this story and how it unfolds. It's not quite the same but the elements are definitely there if you're looking for a rock star story.

The story is told mostly in the present but there are definitely flash backs to the past which sets up the romantic element of the book. I kind of wish there had been just a bit more of that, to be honest. I wanted that deep, rich background and connection between the characters. And, while we do get it in the present, I just think more of their relationship from the past would have helped make sense of their connection in the present. I felt like there was more under the surface that we didn't get to see. On the other side of that is the instant connection once the characters are in each other's orbit again. While time has passed, you can see their bond is still there.

Connor did a great job with the growth and development of the characters. I loved watching them reconnect and see that even after all their time apart, they still had that spark. I loved how much Sloan came into herself and realized what a great journalist she actually is. How she recognized the way she was used in the past and how that pushes her to make her own way in the future. And Dax was super charismatic and had so much depth. Having grown up in the realm of AA and NA, I totally connected with that part of the story. I would have loved to see a little more of his struggle and how that changed him.

The interviews were absolutely amazing in helping to tell the band's story. Rather than having flash back chapters, Connor chose to tell that history through the article Sloan chooses to write about the band.  Lots of nostalgia is seen through the side characters and how they viewed not only themselves, but the band as a whole and more specifically Dax. There are some pretty heavy themes that area addressed and worked through. Connor does well in addressing them and truly letting her characters feel how these themes shape them.

I absolutely loved Connor's writing and pacing. I will be making sure I look into any future books she might put out because I can see she could quickly become a favorite of mine.

4.25 /5 stars

Author:

Erin has been telling herself stories for as long as she can remember, and once she realized she could write them down and share them with others, there was no going back. She loves writing about messy women, platonic and romantic love, and happily ever afters.

Erin lives in the PNW with her spouse, two large dogs, two lazy cats, and more houseplants than she can count. When not exploring fictional worlds, she enjoys hiking, cooking, emo nostalgia, and slowly but surely actualizing her lifelong goal of becoming a forest witch.

Most Anticipated Releases Tuesday February 3, 2026

Here's what I'm highly anticipating being released this week!

Sibylline by Melissa De La Cruz

I was really excited about this one (and look how pretty it is). I had an early copy of this one and, while I loved the idea of the book, the execution left a lot to be desired. And it also touched on something I did not think was at all YA, even though the book is billed that way. Plus a trope I'm not a fan of at all and had I knows about it, I would not have read it. You can see all my thoughts HERE.

Love And Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm

Another book I was very excited about. I love me some women in STEM plus this one was compared to Hazelwood (who it one of my favorite authors). Let's just say Hazelwood it is not. Check out my review HERE.

What are you excited about?

 

January 2026 Reads

 Janaury was a busy month. I vowed to finish 1 short story/novella per day and I made that goal! Here's what I read:

What did you read in January?

Fat Stack Friday January 30, 2026

 

Check out all my goodies this week!

Kindle:

The Faraway Collection by Various Authors

The Far Reaches Collection by Various Authors

Inheritance Collection by Various Authors

I'm loving these Amazon short stories. I've been reading one a day since I started getting them. I'm on the Faraway collection now and have read the first three stories and love them!

The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating by Tiffany Hunt

I don't even remember where I saw this but it looks like a great read and I want to see how it is so I grabbed it!

The Slow Burn by Ali Rosen

I have read some shorts by this author and enjoyed them but have not read a full length book. This one was on my potential request for NetGalley but I didn't have time to request it for review. Looks good!

How to Train Your Groomzilla by Amy Award

This series is kind of my guilty pleasure. It's not great but it's fun to read and I'm excited to jump into this novella tonight!

In the Mail:

A Zoom With a View by Jess Cannon

I won this one through a newsletter email entry. It comes out in May. It sounds great!

Libby/Hoopla:

Grace and Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman

I have this one on Kindle and was going to save it until the holiday season but then it came through on Libby. Not sure if I'll get to it since I have three other listens in front of it.

NetGalley/Edelweiss/Booktrovert:

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews

I have this one on in print but I thought having audio would help me get to is, since I tend to put my print copies on the bottom of the review ladder.

Hollywood Hookup by Christy Swift

I have this one on Kindle but I love to jump back and forth if I can get the audio version. This one has a ton of narrators so I hope I can keep them straight. I also didn't love the first book I read by this author so I'm hoping she's grown somewhat with this one.

Still Into You by Erin Connor

Another one I have on Kindle and I'm jumping back and forth between that and this audio. I love Karissa Vacker as a narrator and I'm enjoying her for this one for sure. Should be done with this today!

In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto

The publisher sent a widget. I'm picky about which widgets to accept but this one looks like something I will really enjoy. Haven't read this author yet.

Big Stick Energy By Sarina Bown

BRING ME ALL THE SERENA! I read and reviewed the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. I love Bowen's writing. I was so excited when the publisher sent me this widget as it's on my most anticipated releases list!

Fossil Feud by Maggie North

Anything that reminds me of Indiana Jones gets put right on my list. Another widget from the publisher and I just could not resist!

What did you get?

Review: Love & Other Killers (The Ruinous Love Trilogy #3.5) by Brynne Weaver

 

Serial killers versus serial killer in a hot and twisted novella about family games, true love, and competitive carnage by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ruinous Love Trilogy.

It’s the annual hunt for Sloane and her vigilante family of serial killers. Track the most cold-blooded psychos imaginable and take them down. This summer’s prey is Allan Munster, a churchgoing chicken farmer who slaughters more than fowl. The rules of the hunt: divide into teams, devise a strategy, and make a move—the more cutthroat the better. May the best team win. The players are closing in. All eyes are on Munster. But there’s a hitch in the family sport this year. Someone might be watching them.

Title: Love & Other Killers (The Ruinous Love Trilogy #3.5)

Author: Brynne Weaver

Publisher: Amazon Original Stories

Publication Date: August 12, 2025

Reivew:

Warning: Do not read this one if you have not read the others. While it is a novella, it definitely fits as next in this series and bridges this one with The Seasons of Carnage series. But you can definitely read it prior to reading the first book in the Carnage series as it doesn't spoil anything there.

I really loved seeing all my favorite characters from The Ruinous Love Triology in this book. All the couples I watched have HEA. All the serial killer things amplified and continued with this short story, as well. 

Was I expecting anything different? Maybe a little. I would have liked to see a stronger connection to the next series. We only get a glimpse of the FMC from Tourist Season (which I loved). But I also saw the overlap  from that book here so that was fun.

This one is filled with the same banter you expect from the main characters of the three books connected with this series. The only thing you don't really see is the signature food item being spoiled for you!

Overall this one was fun but I don't think it was necessary as you don't see more than what Weaver already gives you in the first book of Tourist Season. I do see there may be some connection in the future, potentially, and I'd like to see if Weaver does that with Carnage.

Author:

Brynne Weaver is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and international sensation with over 4 million copies sold in over twenty-five countries to date.  She has traveled the world, taken in more stray animals than her husband would probably prefer, and nurtured her love for dark comedies, horror, and romance in both literature and film. During all her adventures, the constant thread in Brynne’s life has been writing. With thirteen published works and counting, Brynne has made her mark in the literary world by blending irreverent dark comedy, swoon-worthy romance, and riveting suspense to create genre-breaking, addictive stories for readers to escape into. Known as the “Queen of Dark Romcom,” Brynne Weaver aspires to write female-focused stories about resilient characters navigating the darker edges of love. 

Review: When We First Met (Forever Yours #0.5) by Cara Bastone

School’s out for the summer and public school teacher, Cat LaFievre, is ready to blow off some steam. A few nights of no-strings, mindless distraction with a sexy guy is exactly what she needs. Lucky for her, the perfect specimen lives across the hall from her. He’s gorgeous, a little ridiculous, and, according to a neighbor, very good at sex.

Quentin Foster has had a thing for Cat since they hit if off a few months ago. She’s smart, funny, and loves exploring the neighborhood—just like him. He thought he had a shot…until she admits she’s interested in hooking up with his clueless chick-magnet roommate.

Cat thought she needed a fling. But as their connection deepens, Cat realizes Quentin might be the real thing. Thing is, she may have ruined her shot with him…

Title: When We First Met (Forever Yours #0.5)

Author: Cara Bastone

Publisher: HQN Books

Publication Date: April 1, 2020

Review:

This is my second read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It was a stand alone. I know it's part of a series and now I intend to read that one!

I loved the attraction between the two main characters. It was obvious they would end up together but I loved watching their chemistry grow and bloom. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes.

Bastone managed to develop the characters well considering the shortness of this story. I see the FMC appears in the first book, so it will be fun to get to see her again when I read that.

My only qualm with this one is that it was not longer! If you're looking for a short story with heart and great characters, plus a fun time watching them finally figure it all out, pick this one up!

Author:

Hi, I’m Cara!
I’m a full time writer living and writing in Brooklyn with my husband, son, and an almost-goldendoodle. My goal with my work is to find the swoon in ordinary love stories.

I’ve been a fan of the romance genre since I found a grocery bag filled with my grandmother’s old Harlequin Romances when I was in high school. I’m a fangirl for pretzel sticks, long walks through Prospect Park, and love stories featuring men who aren’t crippled by their own masculinity.