TBR for February: New Releases, ARCs, and Books We Keep Hearing So Much About

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it never seems short when it comes to reading plans. This time around, choosing our TBR felt harder than ever—simply because there are so many books we’re itching to pick up. New releases, long-standing wish list titles, and a few highly anticipated reads all competed for space, and narrowing things down was no easy task. If only we could spend all day, every day, reading.

This month’s list is a mix of buzzed-about releases, emotional favorites, intriguing mysteries, and a few special early reads. Some have been patiently waiting on our shelves, while others feel like they arrived at exactly the right moment. Together, they reflect where our reading hearts are right now: curious, hopeful, and more than ready to dive in.

Here’s what we’re hoping to read in February—and why each book made the cut.

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Jump to: Katie’s February TBR | Emily’s February TBR

Katie’s February TBR

If you want to follow along with my reading this month,
you can find me on Goodreads here → Katie’s Goodreads Profile

Emily’s February TBR

If you want to follow along with my reads in real time,
you can find me here → Emily’s Goodreads Profile

Katie’s February Reading Wrap-Up

Here’s how my February reading actually turned out:

The Dead Romantics — Ashley Poston

⭐ 4.0/5

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston was such a heartfelt, emotional read. I love a good romance with a paranormal twist, and this one blended grief, humor, and second chances in a way that really worked for me. I did start to see where it was heading about halfway through, but that didn’t take away from the experience.

It’s a slightly slower, more reflective love story about loss and learning to believe in love again. The funeral home family adds such a unique layer, and Benji — her thoughtful, unexpectedly charming editor — was a standout. A sweet, slightly sappy read that made me feel happy, sad, and hopeful all at once.

The Astral Library — Kate Quinn

⭐ 4.0/5

A magical library where you can step into books? That premise alone had me hooked — and as someone who believes stories shape us, this one felt especially personal.

This is a full shift into fantasy from an author known for historical fiction, and I think that abrupt genre change is what’s tripping some readers up. But if you go in expecting a celebration of imagination rather than her previous style, the story really shines.

Overall, it’s a thoughtful, bookish fantasy about courage, purpose, and why books matter.

👉 Read my full review here → [The Astral Library: Full Review]

The Library of Amorlin— Kalyn Josephson

⭐ 4.0/5

A library, magical creatures, and a con artist sent to infiltrate it? I was instantly intrigued. It did start a little slow for me — I felt dropped into the world and needed time to sort through the names, kingdoms, and magic — but once it clicked, I was hooked.

Kasira’s long con kept surprising me, and I loved the subtle tension between her and Allaster. I would have loved more magic and library exploration and a little less politics, but overall this was a clever, engaging fantasy with a slow-burn edge. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book.

The Unforgettable Mailman— April Howells

⭐ 4.5/5

I loved this one! Henry Walton sets out on an unforgettable adventure in 1966 Chicago, determined to deliver letters stuck in the mail — even though he’s not actually a mailman and his memory isn’t what it used to be. With clever notes to himself and a heart full of determination, he does what he can to make a difference, and it’s impossible not to root for him.

Quick, engaging, and full of laughter, tears, and heart, this debut had me hooked from start to finish — I can’t wait to see what April Howells writes next.

The Seven Daughters of Dupree — Nikesha Elise Williams

⭐ 4.3/5

This was a layered, emotional multigenerational story that slowly pieces together one family’s history across multiple timelines. It was a little confusing at first (don’t skip the family tree!), but once everything clicked, it became such a rewarding read.

It tackles heavy themes like slavery, racism, and generational trauma with care, and it left me feeling a mix of sadness, anger, and admiration for the resilience of these women. Not an easy read, but a powerful and thoughtful one.

A Good Animal — Sara Maurer

⭐ 3.5/5

I enjoyed this more for the writing than the story itself. The farm setting felt really real — especially the sheep and daily work — and as someone familiar with farming, that pulled me in the most.

Story-wise, it never fully hit emotionally for me. I wasn’t bored, but the ending felt like it was missing a little impact.

Overall, a solid debut with strong writing. I’d read more from this author, even if this one didn’t quite have the wow factor.

Emily’s February Reading Wrap-Up

Here’s how my February reading actually turned out:

Skylark — Paula McLain

⭐ 3.8/5

Skylark had such a strong concept with its dual storyline — I loved the idea of seeing the world from two different perspectives. Unfortunately, it was a slower build for me than I expected, and I struggled to fully connect in the first half.

That said… the last 100 pages absolutely saved it. Once everything started coming together, the tension picked up and I was much more invested in the outcome. It went from teetering on a dreaded 2-star read to something I’m genuinely glad I finished.

A slow start, but a strong finish that redeemed it in the end.

Conform — Ariel Sullivan

⭐ 5.0/5

This gripping dystopian completely pulled me in from the start. The stakes were high, the world felt chillingly believable, and I flew through it.

If you love the oppressive atmosphere of The Handmaid’s Tale mixed with the survival intensity of The Hunger Games, this one will be right up your alley. It has that same unsettling “this could actually happen” feeling that makes dystopian fiction so powerful.

An easy five stars for me — tense, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down.

The Wayward Pines Trilogy—Black Crouch

⭐ 5.0/5

The Wayward Pines trilogy is fast-paced, addictive dystopian perfection. Every time I thought I had things figured out, the story twisted in a completely unexpected direction.

It’s mind-bending in the best way, yet somehow still feels plausible — which makes it even more unsettling. The pacing is relentless, the reveals are shocking, and it’s one of those series that keeps you saying “just one more chapter” until you’ve finished the whole thing.

If you love twisty, high-concept dystopian thrillers, this is a must-read.

👉 Read my full review here → [The Wayward Pines Trilogy: Full Review]

How to Solve Your Own Murder—Kristen Perrin

⭐ 4.0/5

Calling all former Nancy Drew lovers! This charming murder mystery centers around a wealthy family, buried secrets, and a decades-old prediction of murder that finally comes to light.

It gave me strong Nancy Drew vibes with its clever clues and classic whodunit feel. The tone is light enough to be fun, but there’s still enough mystery to keep you guessing.

A cute, satisfying win for me — I’d definitely recommend it to fellow murder-mystery lovers looking for something entertaining and easy to fly through.

I Who Have Never Known Men—Jacqueline Harpman

⭐ 5.0/5

Oh yes. This is one of those haunting, philosophical dystopians that refuses to hand you easy answers — and I kind of loved it for that.

I Who Have Never Known Men is quiet, unsettling, and deeply introspective. It lingers in your brain long after you turn the last page, raising questions about humanity, freedom, and what it really means to live. Don’t expect clear explanations or neat resolutions — that ambiguity is the point.

Bleak, thought-provoking, and impossible to shake.

👉 Read my full review here → [I Who Have Never Known Men: Full Review]

The Husbands—Holly Gramazio

⭐ 3.5/5

Okay, so The Husbands is a wildly creative idea with sharp social commentary — and I was instantly hooked by the premise.

The concept is clever and surprisingly funny, but I found myself wanting just a little more emotional depth. I didn’t always feel as connected as I hoped to, and the ending felt slightly rushed. Still… such a cute and original idea.

Not a perfect hit for me, but definitely memorable.

Some Bright Nowhere—Ann Packer

⭐ 3.5/5

I think I may have gone into Some Bright Nowhere with expectations that were a little too high.

It’s beautifully written and deeply introspective, and I appreciated the atmosphere and themes. But the quieter pacing didn’t fully deliver the emotional punch I was hoping for. By the time the ending arrived, it felt a bit rushed compared to the slow build leading up to it.

A thoughtful read — just not quite the impact I anticipated.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lyon—Beth Brower

⭐ 3.5/5

Okay… so this isn’t the easiest genre for me. I wasn’t a huge fan of Bridgerton, so I probably should have known this wouldn’t be a five-star read.

That said, I genuinely enjoyed listening to The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lyon on audiobook. It’s cute, clever, and full of that old England charm. The humor and journal-style storytelling made it easy to keep listening.

I may continue the series just to follow the storyline — but I’m in no rush. If you love Regency-era settings and proper society drama, this one is absolutely for you.

The Rest of Our Lives—Benjamin Markovits

⭐ 3.0/5

The Rest of Our Lives wasn’t quite what I expected — and I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it.

It leaned much more emotional than I anticipated, and I did find myself feeling for the male main character. His perspective was probably the strongest part of the book for me. That said, the story moved at a slower pace, and I never felt fully pulled in.

Overall, it was a solid read with some thoughtful moments — just not one that completely wowed me.

Heart the Lover—Lily King

⭐ 4.0/5

Heart the Lover was a winner for me. The second my audiobook started — intro music and all — I knew I was in for an emotional ride, and I was not wrong.

We follow Jordan across several decades, watching her life unfold in all its messy, beautiful complexity. It’s intimate, reflective, and deeply human. Definitely check the trigger warnings before going in — but please read this one.

Tender, raw, and absolutely worth it.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter—Stephen Graham Jones

⭐ 5.0/5

HOLY WOW. I truly did not know what to expect going into The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, but it completely blew me away.

Thriller, horror, and Native American literature are not typically my go-to genres — but this was captivating from start to finish. It’s intense, immersive, and deeply rooted in history. If you decide to pick this up (and I hope you do), I highly recommend looking into the Marias Massacre and the history of buffalo hunting in the Blackfeet region beforehand. It adds so much depth to the experience.

I felt both educated and entertained — though fair warning, it does get a little gory at times.

Powerful, brutal, and unforgettable.

Wrapping Up Our February TBR

We’ll be updating this post throughout the month as we work our way through these books—sharing what we finish, what surprises us, and what maybe ends up rolling over to next month (because let’s be honest, that always happens).

Some months we breeze through our lists. Other months, life gets busy and reading looks different than we planned. And that’s okay. What matters most is finding small moments to slow down, open a book, and enjoy the stories we’ve chosen.

As we head into February, we’re looking forward to carving out time for these reads—whether that’s a few quiet minutes before bed, a stolen afternoon on the weekend, or an audiobook during errands.

We’d love to know what’s on your TBR right now.

Are you reaching for new releases, catching up on your backlist, or rereading old favorites? Share in the comments—we’re always looking for our next great recommendation.

Here’s to reading without pressure, making the most of the time we have, and letting good books carry us through the month.

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