A Four Book February // February Wrap-Up
Apologies that this post has also taken so long to post, but it was a four book February that ended with a cold and a blog change.
Hopefully, you’ll like the new blog layout alongside the new way of doing book reviews…
The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick
Genre: Fantasy / Romance
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity and Hades and Persephone Retelling
Pages: 448
Spice: Moderate
Format: Hardback & Audio (Dual Read)
Book Synopsis:
“Wren of Edgewood is no stranger to suffering. With her parents gone, it’s Wren’s responsibility to ensure she and her sister survive the harsh winter. But if the legends are to be believed, their home may not be safe for much longer.
For three hundred years, the land surrounding Edgewood has been encased in ice as the Shade. A magical barrier that protects the townsfolk from the Deadlands beyond, weakens. Only one thing can stop the Shade’s fall… The blood of a mortal woman bound in wedlock to the North Wind. A dangerous immortal whose heart is said to be as frigid as the land he rules. And the time has come to choose his bride.
When the North Wind sets his eyes on Wren’s sister, Wren will do anything to save her. Even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. But Wren won’t go down without a fight . . .”
Spoiler Free Review
I came across The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick online, and the idea of a four-book series that interlocks really caught my attention. I haven’t read many retellings, especially Greek-inspired ones, so this felt like a really good introduction to that genre and trope.
This book was also perfect for Polarthon. Which is a readathon hosted every year by JadeyRae Reads.
What stood out to me most was how we follow two very broken people while so much is happening around them. Their character development is always part of the storyline and grows naturally throughout the book. It never felt rushed or glossed over, which I really appreciated.
The world-building was also very well done. You get a clear sense of the setting and the wider world without it overwhelming the story. I also liked how much of the world we saw despite the forced proximity trope. I’ve read books with that trope before where the story only takes place in one or two settings, but this felt much broader.
This was a solid 4 star read for me. I also liked the crossover introduction for the character who will appear in book two, even though they weren’t shown in the best light. If anything, it actually made me more curious to read the next book.
Spoiler Review
Click here to read
• Wren and Boreas (The North Wind), genuinely hate each other at the start of this book. It makes for some great dialogue because the sarcasm running through their confrontations is so sharp and entertaining.
• Wren is very much the classic older sibling character, carrying responsibility for everyone else. At times that made her story quite difficult to read because you can see how much pressure she puts on herself.
• Personally, I don’t think I would have reached out to Elora again. She not only took advantage of Wren but also completely destroyed her self-esteem. Those moments were honestly quite hard to read.
Holding The Reins by Paisley Hope
Genre: Cowboy Romance
Tropes: Brothers Best Friend and Small Town Romance
Pages: 384
Spice: High level spice
Format: Paperback
Book Synopsis:
“Cecilia “CeCe” Ashby is finally escaping the toxic relationship that has consumed her entire adult life. She’s returning to her hometown of Laurel Creek, Kentucky, and to her family’s equestrian ranch. Unsure of what the future holds.
Nash Carter, the newly retired superstar of the Dallas Stars, is Laurel Creek’s hometown hero. Local business owner, and notorious bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fourth sibling in the Ashby clan. It’s been years since his days of tormenting CeCe with her older brothers Wade and Cole. So, when CeCe needs a job, he feels drawn to help her.
Nash can’t seem to take his eyes off of his best friend’s sister, and it seems she’s been staring right back. Not without animosity left over from his childish teasing back in the day. Despite their initial reluctance, the fire between them ignites and it isn’t long before they jump into the flames.”
Spoiler Free Review
I love a good cowboy romance, but I did feel a bit oversaturated by them last year. For Cliterature, a readathon hosted by Steph Loves, I decided to pick one up again. I had heard so many good things about Paisley Hope’s writing, and Holding the Reins definitely didn’t disappoint.
Cece and Nash are the perfect example of the brother’s best friend trope. I was genuinely kicking my feet reading parts of this story. It’s obvious from early on how much love and care sits underneath all the sexual tension between them.
I also really liked the way the family and wider cast of characters were introduced. It clearly sets things up for the rest of the series, but it never felt forced. In many ways, it felt like reading a Hallmark movie… just with a lot more spice.
And when I say spice, I mean it. I expected this to be a spicy book, but wow. This was a 4.5 star read for me.
Spoiler Review
Click here to read
• Jesus, this book was spicy. If you go into it expecting a mild cowboy romance, you will be very surprised.
• I loved the romance between Cece and Nash. Watching them come to terms with feelings that had clearly been there for years, while reminiscing about growing up in the same small town, made their relationship feel very believable.
• The small-town setting did make me laugh a little though. It feels like a classic cosy small town… and then suddenly there’s this massive sports facility. I had to remind myself this is set in the US, where “small town” can still mean some pretty big and expensive amenities.
Training The Heart by Paisley Hope
Genre: Cowboy Romance
Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine and Workplace Romance.
Pages: 416
Spice: High level spice
Format: Paperback
Book Synopsis:
“Wade Ashby doesn’t let anyone in. With the death of his father and his failed marriage, plus the weight of the family business on his shoulders, Wade has plenty to deal with. He thrives on being the one constant and steady thing in his family’s life. And on their ranch, Silver Pines.
Ivy Spencer knows two things. Animals make better friends than people and she can only count on herself. After a turbulent childhood and a string of bad luck since, Ivy is excited to start fresh at Silver Pines Ranch. To live out her dream of training a racehorse en route to the Kentucky Derby.
Wade needs help on the ranch, but with two entirely different views on how to train his star horse. It makes absolutely no sense why he allows her to stay on. She’s chaos and he’s control, but it doesn’t take long for the levee to break and their passion to ignite.”
Spoiler Free Review
After finishing the first book, I had to continue with the series because I loved the family dynamic so much. I also knew the second book would focus on Wade, who came across as a bit of a grump in the first instalment. As expected, Training the Heart by Paisley Hope leans into the classic grumpy x sunshine trope.
This book gives us much more insight into the ranch and how the family business actually runs. Which naturally means we get to understand the family better as well. I really liked how Paisley positioned Wade as the one leading the brothers and helping manage the business, yet he still clearly defers to his mum. Who very much is still the real head of the family.
A small non-plot spoiler is that Ivy is somewhat of an outsider in this story. She didn’t grow up in Silver Pines, but she did grow up in a town similar to it. Because of that, it’s really fun to experience more of the setting through her eyes as she explores the town and the ranch for the first time. It continues to build the world of the series nicely.
The spice level in this one is definitely higher than the first book. One thing I did notice is that Paisley includes a list at the beginning outlining sexual content and potential triggers, which is helpful for readers who want that heads-up.
Overall, this was a 5 Star read for me.
Spoiler Review
Click here to read
• If you thought the first book was spicy… oh my lord. This one definitely turns the heat up even more.
• I really appreciated the representation of emotional and mental abuse in Ivy’s storyline. Her ex convincing her she couldn’t have children was awful to read about, but it was handled thoughtfully. Wade seeing Ivy for who she is, rather than for her ability to have children, showed what a genuinely supportive partner looks like.
• The epilogue was such an eye-opening moment for the wider series. It gives a glimpse into how these relationships continue to grow and makes the future books feel even more interconnected.
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Missed Connection, Second Chance and Coming of Age Reflection
Pages: 400
Spice: Low Spice
Format: Paperback
Book Synopsis:
“Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen. It’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat. The image that changed her life.
Now Alice lives behind a lens. As a photographer, she’s most comfortable on the sidelines, letting other people shine. Lately though, she’s been itching for something more, and when Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat, and the man driving it.
Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar. Now he’s all grown up—a shameless flirt, who manages to make Nan laugh and Alice long to be seventeen again, when life was simpler, when taking pictures was just for fun. Sun-slanted days and warm nights out on the lake with Charlie are a balm for Alice’s soul, but when she looks up and sees his piercing green gaze directly on her, she begins to worry for her heart.
Because Alice sees people, that’s why she is so good at what she does, but she’s never met someone who looks and sees her right back.”
Spoiler Free Review
I originally picked up One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune for Cliterature but didn’t get around to it until the end of the month. Honestly though, what a book to end the month on. I hadn’t read anything by Carley Fortune before this, but it definitely won’t be the last.
This was a stunning read and exactly what I want from a contemporary romance.
We follow Alice as she’s finding herself and learning to use her voice. I loved the idea of her wanting to relive the summer that first sparked her love for photography, but this time doing it without the shyness that held her back before.
Charlie is very much a man in his feelings, even if he refuses to show it outwardly. On the surface he comes across as cocky and a little full of himself, but when he feels something, he really feels it. There were moments in this book where I genuinely thought he was the perfect fictional man. I mean… the guy knows the five love languages.
I also loved the photography element of the story and seeing the world through Alice’s perspective as a photographer. Throughout the book she describes what she sees, and then there’s that moment where she “clicks” and captures the photo. Sometimes literally and sometimes just mentally. It genuinely made me think about my own surroundings and how much detail we take in during everyday life.
This was a 5 star read for me and honestly a strong contender for my favourite book of the year.
Spoiler Review
Click here to read
• My heart genuinely broke when Charlie was a bit of a dick to Alice after they finally slept together. Carley Fortune writes emotion so well that you feel the tension building alongside the story. I was honestly sobbing at that point.
• The entire time I kept thinking “he’s going to die, isn’t he?” I was so convinced the story was heading that way. When we find out he survives I was genuinely relieved. I think years of reading Nicholas Sparks has made me suspicious of any romance that looks like it might end happily.
February’s Reading Stats
As always, putting everything into TheStoryGraph App, I found…
I read 4 books!
A total of 1,751 pages.
100% of the books read were fiction.
Genre-wise we have romance, contemporary and fantasy. You can tell I had a month of readathons in February.
My average rating for the month was 4.63. Higher than January’s rating.
It says 100% were read in print which they were, but I did dual read The North Wind with the audio book on. Which was an incredible experience I recommend it.
February’s Book Haul
Keeping my rules in mind, I hauled…
- A Dark Forgetting by Kristen Ciccarelli (Pre-order)
- The Wind Weaver by Julie Johnson (Book Club)
- Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker
- The Barbeque at No.9 by Jennie Godfrey (Pre-order)
- Books and Bewitchment by Isla Jewell (Pre-order)
- And Now, Back To You by B.K. Borison (Pre-order)
- The Flight by Julie Clark
- Carrie by Stephen King (Book Club)
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (Book Club)
- Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
- Beautiful Exile by Catherine Cowles
- Broken Harbour by Catherine Cowles
- Delicate Escape by Catherine Cowles
- Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles
As you can see, I picked up a few book club picks for the next couple of months. You’ll also see 7 purchases that were because I wanted them purchases. The 4 books by Catherine Cowles were a boxset and I used a voucher. So I would say that doesn’t count…. But, this is still a smaller haul than last February’s 30+ books!
And that was my four read February. It was a short month with a lot packed in. What did you read?
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As always, thanks for reading…
