On the Shelf: February 2025

I thought I had a poor showing for February until I actually sat down and logged the second half of the month. Fifteen's not too shabby! Especially since one of the 15 was The Lotus Empire by Tasha Suri, which is so intricately woven that I couldn't just tear through it. It's been a while since I read a book in increments over the course of a week, but Suri's prose held me rapt. It was immensely satisfying to see Malini, Priya, Bhumika, Rao, and the rest of her beautifully crafted cast of characters conclude the story that began in The Jasmine Throne. 

The Reading Rundown
Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone by Louisa Darling (historical romance)
It Will Only Hurt for a Moment by Delilah S. Dawson (horror)
Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik (sci-fi romance)
Eclipse the Moon by Jessie Mihalik (sci-fi romance)
[Redacted] by TK (domestic suspense, for professional review purposes)
The Lotus Empire by Tasha Suri (fantasy)
Her Beast by S.M. LaViolette (erotic historical romance)

Backlist titles & rereads: I traveled back to Pennyroyal Green for How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long and then popped over to Darkest London for Shadowdance by Kristen Callihan. I've read other books in both series but didn't get to those two until this past month! Then there was Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo and rereads of The Devil of Downtown by Joanna Shupe and Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale. During the last week of February, I dug into my Kindle library for Taking the Heat, Looking For Trouble, and Flirting With Disaster by Victoria Dahl (I reread them in that order—which is out of order—because I love chaos).

Currently reading: Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. (My old paperback fell apart mid-reread. Woe. Sadness.)

On the TBR/wish list
No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel
The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed
Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn
Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter