February’s rolling in with more than just leftover Valentine’s chocolates—it’s dropping a whole new batch of reads that are set to spice up your bookshelf. Our February book recommendations are here to turn up the heat (or at least keep you company while you avoid the cold). Whether you’re in the mood for a whirlwind romance that’ll make you forget your dating apps, or an epic fantasy that has more love triangles than your last group chat, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to swipe right on this month’s top picks, where the only thing frosty will be the icy villains and maybe the weather outside. Let’s dive into the stories that are about to become your new obsessions—or at least keep you entertained until the next batch of recommendations.

his post was last updated April 3, 2024

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2024 February Book Recommendations

Contemporary Romance February Book Recommendations

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Under the Covers Top Read Seal of Approval

Amazon goodreads storygraph

Contemporary Romance

Ever After Always
by Chloe Liese

The Bergman Brothers #3
January 2, 2024

read this is you want:

Marriage in trouble
Mental health representation
Second chances

Freya and Aiden have been together for over a decade, but now things aren’t so good for them. Then just as they decide to start marriage counseling, Freya and Aiden are thrown into a Bergman family Hawaiian holiday. Will this be an opportunity for them to get their spark back or will it be the final straw that destroys their marriage?

The Bergman Brothers series (or in this case, a Bergman sister with Freya) is full of deeply emotional stories with flawed characters facing challenges. Aiden faces his anxiety and throws himself into his relentless pursuit of success to counteract his difficult childhood, and Freya sometimes struggles to understand him with her own very different upbringing. Chloe Liese does a great job of making it both painful to read about the couple struggling but also making you feel their love so strongly even when they are mad at one another. This is not necessarily an easy, light-hearted book, so definitely read the content warnings at the beginning, but it is so good and impactful and you won’t want to put it down.

Bearded HERO, Curvy Heroine, Funny, Geek, Lovable Characters, Marriage in Trouble, Mental Health, Steamy, Strong Females, VACATION, FAMILY

I’ve learned that the measure of your love isn’t how “okay” you both are or how quickly you hit the curveballs that life throws at you. Love’s true test, the measure of its strength, is its bravery to be honest, its willingness to face the hardest moments and say, Even though there’s nothing to be done, at least I have you.

A heart-warming story of two people working on their marriage.

Freya and Aiden have been together for over a decade, but now things aren’t so good for them. Aiden is quiet and withdrawn and Freya feels like he’s never around. All Aiden wants to do is make his wife happy, but he’s not sure he can provide for their family well enough if they have a baby. The pressure is making his anxiety the worst it has ever been. Then just as they decide to start marriage counseling, Freya and Aiden are thrown into a Bergman family Hawaiian holiday. Will this be an opportunity for them to get their spark back or will it be the final straw that destroys their marriage?

The Bergman Brothers series (or in this case, a Bergman sister with Freya) is full of deeply emotional stories with flawed characters facing challenges. Aiden faces his anxiety and throws himself into his relentless pursuit of success to counteract his difficult childhood, and Freya sometimes struggles to understand him with her own very different upbringing. Chloe Liese does a great job of making it both painful to read about the couple struggling but also making you feel their love so strongly even when they are mad at one another. This book has a major emotional impact. I definitely laughed and teared up and really felt so many things along with the characters.

To me, I think one of the biggest strengths of this book, but also a potential drawback for newer Chloe Liese fans, is that Freya and Aiden are extremely embedded in the lives of their family members. This means that you really need to have read the previous books in the series to fully understand this story, even though it can technically be read as a standalone. The emotional impact will be so much less without the additional context.

Overall, I always recommend Bergman Brothers books, and this one is no exception. The additional epilogue from this new edition adds even more to the story and I love seeing another snippet of Freya and Aiden’s day-to-day life. As should already be clear, this is not necessarily an easy, light-hearted book, so definitely read the content warnings at the beginning, but it is so good and impactful.

Reviewed by Liz on Under the Covers Book Blog

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Amazon goodreads storygraph

Contemporary Romance

Everything for You
by Chloe Liese

The Bergman Brothers #5
February 6, 2024

read this is you want:

Grumpy/sunshine
Emotional reads
Family and found family stories

Oliver Bergman is a rising soccer star and always positive and smiling. Gavin Hayes is a legendary player at the end of the year and constantly grumpy. When they’re forced to work together as co-captains, they realize they have tons of chemistry off the field too. This story is super emotional and impactful. Gavin is struggling with the end of his career and Oliver is maybe not as carefree as he seems (content warning for anxiety and panic attacks). Throughout the book, they’re forced to open up to one another and we really get to see them working through major transitions in their lives and all the emotions that go along with that. It’s a heartbreaking and heartwarming read and will hit you in the feels. At the same time, being back in the Bergman Brothers universe feels a bit like a warm hug.

Age Difference, Bearded, Bisexual, Disability, Enemies, Forced Proximity, Grumpy, Large Family, M/M, Mental Health, Neighbors to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Sports, Sunshine, Workplace

“We’re both going to mess up. And that’s scary. But I think it’s okay to be a little scared, maybe it’s even good. It means we know what’s in our hands, how precious it is.” He sets his hand over my chest, his palm warm and heavy. “Our hearts.”

An emotional yet funny enemies to lovers story.

Oliver Bergman is a rising soccer star and always positive and smiling. Gavin Hayes is a legendary player at the end of the year and constantly grumpy. Oliver and Gavin end up being named co-captains of the team, and Coach forces them to play nice or lose their leadership roles. As they finally lower their guards, Gavin and Oliver realize they have tons of chemistry off the field too.

This story is super emotional and impactful. Gavin is struggling with the end of his career and Oliver is maybe not as carefree as he seems (content warning for anxiety and panic attacks). Throughout the book, they’re forced to open up to one another and we really get to see them working through major transitions in their lives and all the emotions that go along with that. Chloe Liese notes that she was heavily inspired by a Ted Lasso/Roy Kent dynamic from the Ted Lasso TV show, and I can absolutely see that and it makes a perfect grumpy-sunshine story.

This book does have a bit of a slower start, since we get a taste of Oliver in college and then have a four-year time jump to the present day and needing to get reoriented to where the characters (including the entire Bergman family) are now. I also wish it was maybe even a bit longer to get a little more of especially Gavin’s growth trajectory.

Overall, in case it’s not already clear, I definitely recommend this book. It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming and will hit you in the feels. At the same time, being back in the Bergman Brothers universe feels a bit like a warm hug.

Reviewed by Liz on Under the Covers Book Blog

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Amazon goodreads storygraph

Contemporary Romance

Canadian Boyfriend
by Jenny Holiday

Standalone
January 30, 2024

read this is you want:

Childhood crush
Single father
Opposites attract

Jenny Holiday has a natural way for making you fall for her characters! CANADIAN BOYFRIEND was sweet and sexy but also a heartfelt story that made me care for the characters as if I personally knew them. The way in which Aurora and Mike connected, how their relationship grew, was just perfection.

This book certainly packed a lot in, from fun tropes to heavier topics. I think overall the author did a great job at giving us depth, delving into hard topics in a real and relatable way, and still making us cheer for that happily ever after.

Great chemistry, great banter and a fun ride! And on the plus side, the audiobook being narrated by Joshua Jackson was a treat. It needs to be repeated. 🙂

HOCKEY, SPORTS ROMANCE, DANCER, CHILDHOOD CRUSH, ADORABLE KID, OPPOSITES ATTRACT, WIDOW(ER), FORCED PROXIMITY, single father

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Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Amazon goodreads storygraph

Contemporary Romance

If Only You
by Chloe Liese

The Bergman Brothers #6
February 20, 2024

read this is you want:

Sports romances
Morally gray characters
Strong family

Ziggy Bergman is constantly underestimated and treated like a baby and she’s sick of it. Sebastian Gauthier’s hockey career and sponsorships are at risk unless he appears to clean up his destructive ways. They decide to fake a public friendship to each change their images, but their relationship starts to feel very real and less than platonic. If you’re familiar with the other books in the Bergman Brothers series, for me, this was probably the most difficult story to get into. However, we do really get to see both Ziggy and Seb open up and make progress towards their goals and their friendship is so sweet. This book feels like a warm hug and is great to curl up with.

Bisexual, Celebrity, Fake Relationship, Found Family, Friends to Lovers, Grumpy, Large Family, Mental Health, Siblings’ Best Friend, Sports, Tats & Piercings, Tortured Hero, Chronic Illness

An enemies (?) to friends to lovers story with all the feels.

Ziggy Bergman is constantly underestimated and treated like a baby and she’s sick of it. She figures the best way to makeover her angelic image is to hang out with her brother’s best friend (with a pretty dark reputation), Sebastian Gauthier. Sebastian’s hockey career and sponsorships are at risk unless he appears to clean up his destructive ways, so he thinks a fake friendship for publicity with Ziggy will do the trick. But the fake friendship starts to feel real very quickly and Ziggy and Seb realize their unexpected friendship could be so much more.

For me, this was probably the most difficult story in the Bergman Brothers series to get into. Sebastian has so much self-sabotage at the beginning (check the content warnings) and is not really doing anything to redeem himself. Ziggy also seems very stuck and it’s not totally clear if she’ll be able to advocate for herself. However, as the book goes on, we really get to see both of them opening up and working on themselves in a way that’s very inspiring. Like other books in the series, it really packs an emotional punch and I couldn’t help but root for them.

We’ve seen bits and pieces of Ziggy in the previous books in the series, but this is the first time that we really got to see her full personality. I liked the interactions with her family and the chances for them to continue to grow as characters beyond what we saw in their own books.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book. If you like morally grey characters and redemption stories and sports romances, this one is for you. It’s not an easy read, but it does feel like a warm hug and is a great story to curl up and read.

Reviewed by Liz on Under the Covers Book Blog

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein

Amazon goodreads storygraph

Contemporary Romance

When Grumpy Met Sunshine
by Charlotte Stein

Standalone
February 6, 2024

read this is you want:

Curvy heroine
Retired soccer player
Grumpy/sunshine

This book is contemporary romance tropey heaven! Sports romance, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, fake dating and I could go on. As you can expect from a Charlotte Stein book, not only does it deliver the steam but also delves deep into some more serious topics like fat phobia. I love that the heroine is still extremely confident and strong. And as far as grumpy heroes go, you’ll fall quickly for Alfie.

If you are a fan of Tessa Bailey and Talia Hibbert, you’ll want to pick this one up.

Sports Romance, Writer, Curvy heroine, retired soccer player, FAKE DATING, WORKPLACE, celebrity, grumpy hero, sunshine heroine, friends group, slow burn, OPPOSITES ATTRACT

When one of your favorite authors has a new book coming out, you immediately add it to your TBR. Even if that book doesn’t seem to be quite like her others. I may be a bit of a judge a book by the cover kind of person, so before diving into When Grumpy Met Sunshine I adjusted my expectations from erotic romance to steamy contemporary romance. And that was just the thing to do! If you’ve been reading Charlotte Stein for years, I definitely suggest you do that before diving in. Picking up a book in the right mood with the right expectation is always key.

I’m a sucker for soccer romances! The hero of this story is a retired soccer star, extremely grumpy, and in need of a ghostwriter to write his memoir. Enter our sassy heroine. She can do this job with her eyes closed and hopefully get her writing career in the right direction. But as they have to spend time together and are caught by the paparazzi, the best way to throw them off the scent of the upcoming book is to fake a relationship.

If you are a fan of Tessa Bailey and Talia Hibbert, you’ll want to pick this one up.

Reviewed by Francesca on Under the Covers Book Blog

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Paranormal Romance February Book Recommendations

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Amazon goodreads storygraph

paranormal Romance

The Wrath
by Gena Showalter

Rise of the Warlords #4
February 6, 2024

read this is you want:

Witty writing
Strong and sarcastic FMCs
Jacob’s Ladder piercings

Gena gives readers a unique twist in this next installment of the Rise of the Warlords series. Simultaneously advancing the Astra’s next task while also focusing on those most affected by it, this fourth book in the series continued to connect the overall story while adding a new level of excitement. When a witty and snarky harpy-oracle crosses paths with the king of the Realm of Agonies, readers are in for an unforgettable adventure. The Wrath gave us spice, a different spin on fated mates, and amazing back-and-forth between the two main characters.

Alpha Hero, Disability, Enemies, Fated Mates, Love Triangle, Marriage in Trouble, Psychic, Sexy Banter, Tats & Piercings, Tortured Hero

‘I tempt you?’
‘Beyond measure.’

“Rathbone the Only was a total snack cake.”

The Rise of the Warlords series just keeps getting better and better. The Wrath features my favorite couple yet, despite the fact that far less focus is on the Astra warlords. The shift in focus has definitely kept the over-arcing plot of the series interesting, as we saw less of the next Astra task and more how it affects any bystanders.

Neeka and Rathbone truly had some of the best interactions (flirting?) of the series, and a lot of that had to do with how much I loved Neeka and her personality. Her confidence and how she verbally expresses herself is definitely a new goal. As an oracle who slips in and out of visions, Neeka was a treat to read and kept me grinning every time it was her turn to shine. Gena always manages to strike the perfect balance between serious conversation, banter, and sarcasm, and this combination is at its peak in this paranormal romance.

Without spoiling plot points outside of the synopsis, I really liked that there was more than usual to focus on within the story. So far, the series has given us the relationship and the warlord’s task in each book; but, The Wrath ended up giving us far more, both in terms of couples and things that needed to be accomplished for the Astra to succeed.

With Gena’s witty writing, fantastic dialogue, and more than usual happening with the Astra and their harpies, The Wrath is a must read for paranormal fans who gravitate towards strong females and the gruff males who fall in love with them.

Reviewed by Jen on Under the Covers Book Blog

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Amazon goodreads storygraph

paranormal Romance

Bride
by Ali Hazelwood

Standalone
February 6, 2024

read this is you want:

Lighter, fluffier paranormal romance
Ali Hazelwood’s writing style
Knotting

This book will have great crossover appeal for paranormal romance lovers who love Hazelwood’s writing, but maybe not her STEM-based romances. While it’s less likely that Hazelwood fans who don’t love paranormal romance will find as much to enjoy about this one, this might actually be a good beginner paranormal romance for those new to the genre. Even though I loved Misery and Lowe’s relationship for what it was, it is still very much ruled by the fact that she is a blood-drinking Vampyre and he is a shape-shifting Alpha Werewolf with a knot.

Alpha Hero, Arranged Marriage, Fated Mates, Shifters, Slow Burn, Vampires

“I am but a cornucopia of regret.”

“It must be tiresome, being a decent person, and I can’t relate. I revel in my moral flexibility.”

“I don’t know what you were embarrassed about, you majestic fluffball…”

“Every second, I want you too much, and every second, I’m on the verge of wanting you more.”

“He and I. Together. The greatest thing of all time that never should have happened.”

As a long-time fan of both Ali Hazelwood romance and paranormal romance, I was excited to read her foray into a world of Vampyres and Weres. Ali did not disappoint, giving readers plenty of paranormal lore while simultaneously building a steamy, yet fragile, relationship between the main characters.

For most of her life, Misery has been on the sidelines. Relegated to the role of glorified bargaining chip in order to keep the peace between the Vampyres and the humans, Misery spent most of her childhood apart from her family and her own kind. So when her father offers her up – this time through marriage – to the local Were Alpha, Lowe, she doesn’t expect her experiences to be anything to write home about. But life with Lowe and the Weres isn’t at all what Misery was expecting. Instead of the cold, cutthroat world of the Vampyres, Misery finds familial love and pack bonding with the Weres. And she finds more than she ever imagined with the stranger she married.

As a paranormal fan, I really enjoyed Hazelwood’s take on Vampyres and Weres and what they were capable of. It’s always fun to see where an author’s first foray into paranormal romance will take them, and I thought Bride perfectly combined paranormal elements with the types of romance that we’re used to seeing from Ali Hazelwood.

Bride had some wonderful world-building, and it was easy to picture the world that Misery and Lowe inhabited as well as the dangers they faced just because of what, and who, they are. Outside of the world building, Hazelwood writing came through with so many memorable and highlight-able passages. Lowe and Misery’s dynamic relationship hooked from the very first page, and I loved every up and down they experienced on the way to their happily ever after.

Reviewed by Jen on Under the Covers Book Blog

Amazon goodreads storygraph

paranormal Romance

Legacy of Temptation
by Larissa Ione

Demonica Birthright #1
February 6, 2024

read this is you want:

Enemies to Lovers
Battle of good vs evil
Demons and angels

Ready for the action-packed and romantically intense ride of the season? The Demonica series is back with the next generation, in this spin off. Haven’t read the original series? No problem. But while we think you can still enjoy this book even if you haven’t read where it came from, this is one of the series we consider must read in the paranormal romance genre. The romance between this demon hunter and the son of one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse fighting on the demons’ side.

Alpha Hero, demons, angels, enemies to lovers, star-crossed lovers, action packed, kidnapped, pets (hellhound), forbidden romance

Legacy of Temptation encompasses everything I love about the Demonica series. The battle of good versus evil, forbidden romances and some of the most action-packed and intense stories in the whole of paranormal romance. Larissa Ione has a way of keeping you on the edge of your seat, not just for the romance but for the actual plot and battles.

Eva is an Aegis agent, a demon-slaying organization, and she hates demons. She’s part of an exchange group to work with the Demon Activity Response Team (DART) for two weeks. Except they have no clue the people they are training with are actual demons.

Logan knows the Aegis has been trying to kill him since birth and he can’t trust Eva. When one of her coworkers kills one of his teammates, they go on the run together as forced allies. Because there’s more trouble than what they originally suspected and they can only defeat it working together.

Spicy enemies to lovers, pulse pounding fast-paced action, this book felt as comforting as coming back home and as exciting as a movie.

Reviewed by Francesca on Under the Covers Book Blog

Urban Fantasy February Book Recommendations

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Amazon goodreads storygraph

urban fantasy

A Tempest of Tea
by Hafsah Faizal

Blood and Tea #1
February 20, 2024

read this is you want:

Heist books
POC vampires
Gangs and tea

A Tempest of Tea is a deeply rich story full of intrigue and suspense. While this book may not come across super flashy and maybe even a bit more subdued, it certainly delivers a story that you want to slowly peel back the layers. With some drama and romance, the stakes are high and the characters are deep. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows, Peaky Binders, or anyone wanting a different and original take on vampires.

1920’s london, found family, heist, vampires

Family isn’t who we live with but those we would die for.

Arthie runs a tearoom by day and a blood house by night. I was so enamored with the concept that I’ll admit I wish this setting played a bigger part in this book because it’s a fun concept. Would loved to have seen it explored more. The tearoom is threatened and she must assemble a crew (old and new) for a heist that will change her world forever.

While this is set in historical Victorian London, there are many things about this world that felt like current day settings. I loved seeing vampires from a POC perspective, delving into things like first and second generation immigrants mindset and even colonialism. So many things that made this story a lot deeper. At times it gave Jade City flashbacks but I think only because of the “gangs” vibe. Although I think you’ll certainly enjoy reading this if you like that.

Reviewed by Francesca on Under the Covers Book Blog

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Best Books of 2024 – February Book Recommendations

2024 February Book Recommendations

Contemporary Romance February Book Recommendations

Ever After Always
by Chloe Liese

Everything for You
by Chloe Liese

Canadian Boyfriend
by Jenny Holiday

If Only You
by Chloe Liese

When Grumpy Met Sunshine
by Charlotte Stein

Paranormal Romance February Book Recommendations

The Wrath
by Gena Showalter

Bride
by Ali Hazelwood

Legacy of Temptation
by Larissa Ione

Urban Fantasy February Book Recommendations

A Tempest of Tea
by Hafsah Faizal

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