This blog post is all about the books I read in February.
Considering February is the shortest month of the year, I don’t think I did too badly on the reading front.
I managed to make my way through seven books in February alongside moving to a new continent and finding my feet in a brand new country.
There were also some big books in there this month like Yellowface and the second book in the ACOTAR series.
If you want to keep up with my reading in realtime, you can follow my Goodreads profile here.
This blog post is all about the books I read in February.
Reviews & Ratings of the Books I Read in February 2025
Below are the ratings and reviews of all the books I read in February 2025. With a wide mix of literary fiction, romance, fiction, memoir and young adult mystery.
1. Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
When struggling writer June Hayward witnesses the sudden death of her celebrated literary rival, Athena Liu, she seizes the opportunity to steal Athena’s just-completed novel—an ambitious story about forgotten Chinese laborers in World War I. Rebranding herself as Juniper Song, she rides the wave of critical acclaim and commercial success, convinced that the story deserves to be told, no matter the author. But as her stolen success spirals beyond her control, June finds herself haunted by Athena’s legacy, threatened by mounting evidence, and willing to go to extreme lengths to keep the truth buried.
My Rating: ★★★★
I had been dying to read this for months. So I naturally jumped on it when I saw it in the Amazon 99p Kindle sale. It was pretty much what I expected and there weren’t many surprises from what the blurb detailed. However, I did love the little twists here and there and enjoyed my time reading it. Now to get around to reading Babel by R. F. Kuang at some point this year.
RELATED blog post to read: 15 Exciting 2025 Book Releases To Look Forward To
2. Pageboy by Elliot Page
Pageboy is a deeply personal coming-of-age memoir by Academy Award-nominated actor Elliot Page. As one of the most well-known trans advocates of our time, Page shares never-before-heard details about his journey with gender identity, love, mental health, relationships, and the pressures of Hollywood. Honest and introspective, this memoir offers a rare glimpse into his experiences, cementing him as not only a defining voice in film but also an emerging literary talent.
My Rating: ★★★★
I seem to be adding a memoir in each month to my reading and I’m enjoying it. Elliot Page is someone I know relatively next to nothing about, but I happened to work on the Gucci Guilty campaign that he was in so thought, Why not read his book? It was interesting to read about his childhood acting career and relationships growing up, as well as some relationships with those in the industry. Definitely worth a read as it also tackles a lot about his transition experience.
RELATED blog post to read: 11 Celebrity Memoirs to Sink Your Teeth Into
3. Kill Joy by Holly Jackson
In this prequel novella to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, a reluctant Pippa Fitz-Amobi attends a 1920s-themed murder mystery party in Little Kilton. Though she initially isn’t in the mood for games, she soon becomes engrossed in solving the fictional murder of Reginald Remy. As Pip pieces together clues and hones her detective skills, she realizes that this night of make-believe might be the spark that sets her investigative instincts in motion—foreshadowing the real mysteries she will one day uncover.
My Rating: ★★★
A small prequel to the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series. I read this because I had read the entire series already, so why not read absolutely everything there is to do with it, right? Nothing ground breaking as you can imagine, but a nice short murder mystery with some twists and turns featuring the same characters.
RELATED blog post to read: Book Series Review: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
4. The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
Temi and Wale’s romance in London is short-lived when Wale dumps her to chase fame on Love Villa. Heartbroken but determined, Temi focuses on her dream of becoming a published author. Yet, as rejection letters pile up and bills mount, she reluctantly accepts a ghostwriting job—only to discover the celebrity in question is none other than Wale. Forced to work together, old feelings resurface, but with time and fame between them, the question remains: is their story truly over, or is this the beginning of an unexpected new chapter?
My Rating: ★★★
A modern second-chance romance for fans of Love Island (like myself!). And if you like to read books about writers/authors, this is one for you. Even though I personally wouldn’t read a memoir by someone that had just been on the latest season of Love Island, the book followed various scenarios and hiccups to keep things interesting. A wholesome romance with little to no spice (if you’re wondering) that makes for a perfect weekend read.
RELATED blog post to read: 15 Exciting 2025 Book Releases To Look Forward To
5. Trespasses by Louise Kennedy
Set in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, Trespasses follows Cushla, a young Catholic woman torn between duty and desire. By day, she teaches at a parochial school; by night, she helps in her family’s pub, where she meets Michael Agnew, a married Protestant barrister known for defending IRA members. Despite the risks, she falls into a passionate affair with him, drawn to his sophistication and defiance of societal divisions. But when the father of one of her students is brutally attacked, the fragile balance of her world shatters, forcing Cushla to confront the devastating consequences of love in a time of violence and deep-seated loyalties.
My Rating: ★★★★★
I’ve read a lot of books about The Troubles by now, and for the most part, a lot of the literary fiction works are similar. Trespasses reminded me of Milkman in a sense, only I enjoyed Trespasses a lot more. I will say that little Davy’s character carried the entire book and had me laughing out loud throughout. Highly enjoyable while also being sensitive and eye opening about the time of the worst of The Troubles.
RELATED blog post to read: 9 Books to Read About the History of Northern Ireland
6. Hook, Line and… Single by Phoebe MacLeod
When Ruby is tricked into a singles cruise by her meddling flatmate, she’s determined to avoid romance at all costs. She quickly finds an ally in Cameron, who was also duped into the trip, and the two agree to be each other’s platonic escape from overzealous matchmakers. But as they sail through the Mediterranean, enjoying stunning destinations and each other’s company, Ruby realizes that keeping her heart guarded might be harder than she thought—especially when Cameron is charming, kind, and impossible to ignore. Will she stick to her vow of staying single, or will this unexpected journey lead to something more?
My Rating: ★★★
A pleasant romance read that was set at the perfect pace to keep me reading in a short sitting. Hook, Ling and Single would be a great book for the beach (or a cruise) but I will say that I didn’t find the two main characters who were best friends, all that nice to each other. This was brought up a few times in the book too, but never really developed. Still, a pleasant and fast-paced, wholesome friends to lovers story.
RELATED blog post to read: The Best Valentine’s Day Romance Books to Read This Year
7. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
In the gripping sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses, Feyre struggles with the trauma of her past, even as she adjusts to her new life as High Fae. Trapped in an impending marriage to Tamlin, she feels suffocated by the expectations placed upon her. But her bargain with Rhysand, the enigmatic High Lord of the Night Court, offers an escape—and a chance to uncover her true strength. As Feyre becomes entangled in a world of dangerous politics, forbidden passion, and immense power, she must confront her past, embrace her growing abilities, and decide where her heart and loyalty truly lie—all while an even greater threat looms over their world.
My Rating: ★★★
I just can’t seem to get into this series at all?! It took me around 60% of the way in to finally feel a little bit interested in what was going on and want to pick the book up again. I’m not sure what I’ve missed or if I’m comparing it too much to Fourth Wing (which in my opinion is so much better). I think I’ll continue with the series now that I’ve started, but so far I’m not getting the hype at all.
RELATED blog post to read: 10 Obsessively Addictive Book Series to Read This Year
RELATED book blog posts to read:
