News and Updates
It’s the final week of February, which means the Amelia Island Book Festival is here. While I’m sad this will be my first time missing the festival in several years, there are still plenty of exciting literary events on my calendar. Tomorrow brings a book signing and author talk for Terah Shelton Harris’s Where the Wildflowers Grow, and in just a few weeks I’ll be heading to the Dahlonega Literary Festival—set in one of my favorite North Georgia towns. Will you be attending either of these events? Let’s meet up!
This Week
This week’s prompt couldn’t have been better timed, lining up perfectly with our upcoming author event. Many of my all‑time favorite reads are written by authors of color, and I can’t wait to share some of those standout books with you.
Monthly Reading Challenge: Romance
Weekly Reading Challenge: By a Black Author
Anyone who has faced immune system challenges knows how fleeting the good moments can be—and for Chloe, those moments inspire a bold, deeply personal choice. Determined to stop living in fear and start truly living again, she creates a bucket list designed to push her beyond her carefully guarded comfort zone. But as each challenge draws her further into what she calls her “bad” side, Chloe realizes this journey isn’t meant to be taken alone. Asking for help means opening her heart, risking vulnerability, and allowing romance to quietly bloom alongside healing. This is a tender, hopeful story about reclaiming joy after illness—and discovering that love can be just as transformative as recovery.
If you’re looking for other great books for this prompt, try one of these reads recommended by our StoryGraph community:
- Hook Shot, Kennedy Ryan
- The Neighbor Favor, Kristina Forest
- Seven Days in June, Tia Williams
- You Bet Your Heart, Danielle Parker
New This week
Two of our early reviews are releasing this week. I can’t wait to see what you think of these!
If you love the city of Chicago, baseball, or have dreams of opening your own restaurant, you’re going to love this book. Grief, a missing pension, and Chicago baseball aren’t exactly what Angie expected to be juggling at her husband’s funeral.
In Last Bite by Amy S. Peele, Angie is suddenly a widow who can’t get straight answers: her husband’s pension vanishes, his work partner is acting off, and the people she thought she could trust keep raising red flags. Between ballgames, building authority drama, and a cozy small-town-feel romance, this one reads like a light whodunit love letter to Chicago.
This may be one of my favorite books of the year – I didn’t want to put it down! Debut author Cameron Sullivan delivers dual timelines, razor‑sharp banter, big twists I didn’t see coming, and just enough gore and spice to keep things intense without losing the heart.
Everything isn’t exactly as it seems with Professor Graves. He’s made a deal with the devil, is haunted by the love he lost, and now the family he would do anything to protect is in danger all over again. Between demon sidekicks, werewolves, and hunters lurking in the shadows, this paranormal thriller reads like a dark fairytale retelling with a morally gray hero you can’t look away from.
In Case You Missed It
Last Week’s Prompt
Last week’s review spotlighted Never Fall for Your Back‑Up Guy by Kate O’Keeffe, a charming romantic comedy about heartbreak, second chances, and the messy work of finding your truth. After a long-term relationship ends, Zara is juggling a struggling small business, looming life anxiety, and an ill-advised marriage pact with her best friend—while slowly realizing that her dependable constant, Asher, might be more than just her backup plan.
Filled with relatable dating misadventures, lovable pets, and eccentric side characters, I gave this book 4.3 out of 5 stars. O’Keeffe blends warmth and humor with just a touch of Hallmark-style charm, making it a fun and satisfying pick—especially for our “featuring a pet” reading challenge prompt.
Last Week’s Articles
Why do the coziest romances almost always include a cat at the end of the bed or a dog under the table?
This week, we broke down how authors use pets for comic relief, emotional support, and character reveals—with real‑book examples and a few stories from my own reading life with two very mischievous cats. Click through to read the full article and grab some great recommendations for books with furry friends stealing the show along the way.
Last Week’s Preview
Seven mystery authors. One week on a bookish cruise. What could possibly go wrong? (Spoiler: everything.)
Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson throws Penelope—personal assistant to a legendary mystery writer—into the chaos of fan events, missing authors, and a murder. Between the eccentric cast, a slow-burn romance, and Penelope’s spiraling anxiety, I flew through this one. This feels like a love letter to classic whodunits with a modern romcom twist. If you love ensemble casts, cruise settings, and trying to guess the killer before the final reveal, this is such a fun pick.
This book is out now and you can read my full review here.
Reading Challenge Prompts
It’s the last week to get in on the February reading challenge prompts if you’re reading with us. But never fear! If you’re behind, we are cheering you on, too! Our community is one of happy reading choices and finding the right speed for you!
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: Mermaid in Manhattan, Jessica Gadziala
- Current audio book: Soul of Shadow, Emma Noyes
- Book I’m most looking forward to: Revenge Prey, John Sandford
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