February Reading Wrap-Up 📚

February was a busy month, which meant I didn’t quite manage to get through everything on my ever-growing TBR. That said, I still had some fantastic reads across a mix of thrillers, fantasy, literary fiction, and YA. From unsettling literary explorations to addictive popcorn thrillers, here are some of the highlights from my February reading.

Half His Age — Jennette McCurdy

Jennette McCurdy’s novel demonstrates considerable literary ambition, offering an unsettling, first-person reimagining of the Lolita narrative that prioritises the interiority and agency of its teenage protagonist, Waldo. Through a blunt and deliberately uncomfortable perspective, McCurdy explores desire, power imbalance, and adolescent vulnerability without sentimentalising or excusing the behaviour of Waldo’s teacher.

Central to the novel’s psychological texture is Waldo’s relationship with her narcissistic, emotionally unstable mother, whose unmet needs, fixation on appearance, and dependence on men profoundly shape Waldo’s self-perception, loneliness, and craving to be seen.

While the book is at its strongest in its raw depiction of teenage longing and the messy realities of adolescence, it occasionally falters in nuance, relying on familiar tropes and relatively surface-level character development. Nonetheless, McCurdy’s unsparing honesty and refusal to offer comfort or moral simplification render the novel provocative and deeply disturbing.

Vanished — J.J. Foraday

Vanished is an emotionally resonant and strikingly assured debut that captivates from its opening page, blending supernatural intrigue with an immersive, distinctly British atmosphere.

Set at Lockwood University, the novel follows Noah Beach as he infiltrates a world of vampires, witches, and werewolves in search of his missing foster brother, Roman, navigating grief, identity, and belonging along the way.

The writing feels fresh and intimate, balancing dry humour with moments of genuine heartbreak. The slow-burn structure allows relationships and tensions to unfold carefully before sharpening dramatically in the final act. Noah is a thoughtfully developed protagonist whose vulnerability and growth lend the narrative its emotional weight, and the supporting cast, particularly the formidable female characters, are vividly drawn.

The novel’s introspective tone, layered character dynamics, and powerful exploration of brotherhood and loss make it a deeply affecting read and an impressive first instalment.

Heartless Hunter (The Crimson Moth #1)

Heartless Hunter is a fast-paced and highly entertaining fantasy romance about Rune Winters, a witch living a double life in a world where witches are hunted and executed.

By night she is the vigilante Crimson Moth, and by day a noblewoman who enters a dangerous fake courtship with Gideon Sharpe, a witch hunter determined to destroy her kind.

The standout element is the sharp, high-stakes enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Rune and Gideon are true adversaries, and their cat-and-mouse relationship is filled with tension, banter, and compelling chemistry. The pacing is strong, the worldbuilding is clear without being overwhelming, and the climax brings the story together in a satisfying, dramatic way—even if some twists are predictable.

Overall, this is a gripping, witchy fantasy that executes familiar tropes extremely well and makes for an addictive read.

Dead in the Water — John Marrs

Dead in the Water is a high-concept psychological thriller that begins with a strong and intriguing premise and an engaging first half.

The audiobook narration—particularly the use of multiple narrators—was well done, and while some late twists were genuinely surprising, others were easier to anticipate.

Unfortunately, the story loses momentum in the second half, becoming repetitive, overexplained, and increasingly implausible, which ultimately dulls its impact.

Despite a promising start and an interesting central idea, the execution doesn’t fully deliver, leaving it as a solid but slightly underwhelming 3.5-star read.

What Have I Done? — Teresa Driscoll

This taut and emotionally charged thriller examines the consequences of a single act of kindness.

The story follows Laura, a mother estranged from her eldest daughter and struggling to support her youngest through a difficult period, whose impulsive decision to help a vulnerable young woman while stranded in Paris sets off a devastating chain of events.

As the young woman disappears and Laura’s family becomes the target of increasingly disturbing incidents, the narrative evolves into a powerful exploration of guilt, trust, and moral ambiguity. Driscoll skilfully probes the fragility of compassion in a cynical world while portraying the psychological toll of suspicion and isolation.

With fast pacing, constant twists, and short suspenseful chapters, this is a compelling and immersive thriller.

Silence of the Wind — Damien Buckley

Silence of the Wind is a moving and tightly crafted companion to Orchestra of the Gods, enriching the series with remarkable emotional depth and world-building.

Centred on Daevan’s relentless journey to save his dying daughter, the novella beautifully captures the strength of a father’s love while expanding the lore established in the series. Familiar characters return, but the introduction of the cinder fox adds an especially compelling new layer to the magical ecosystem.

Despite its brevity, the story delivers immersive writing, strong pacing, and rich emotional development—particularly in the bond between Daevan and Uehan. It’s a heartfelt and impressive example of how short fiction can meaningfully elevate a larger fantasy saga.

Believe Me — Sarah Marriott

Believe Me is a powerful and unsettling YA novel that examines grooming, consent, and emotional vulnerability through a compelling dual perspective.

By presenting both Paige’s fragility and Mark’s manipulative mindset, the novel offers a stark exploration of toxic dynamics, blurred boundaries, and the devastating impact of coercion.

Tackling themes such as sexual assault, mental health, substance misuse, and victim blaming with honesty and sensitivity, the novel reinforces the crucial message that consent cannot be defined simply by the absence of the word “no.” Harrowing but deeply important, this is a timely and essential read.

Tell Me Lies — Teresa Driscoll

This atmospheric domestic psychological thriller follows Hannah and Sam as they retreat to Owl Cottage in Cornwall in an attempt to repair their troubled marriage after infidelity.

What begins as a tentative reconciliation soon becomes increasingly unsettling as strange events and resurfacing childhood memories begin to destabilise Hannah’s sense of reality.

Though the novel unfolds at a measured pace, it steadily builds tension through its claustrophobic setting and psychological focus. Hannah’s character is particularly compelling—a woman haunted by grief, doubt, and mistrust—while the plot gradually darkens into a suspenseful and unsettling conclusion.

The Tenant — Freida McFadden

The Tenant is a fast-paced psychological thriller that embraces Freida McFadden’s trademark style: short chapters, morally questionable decisions, and increasingly outrageous twists.

When Blake loses his job and he and his fiancée decide to take in a tenant to ease their financial strain, what begins as a practical solution quickly spirals into chaos.

While the novel doesn’t prioritise deep character study and occasionally requires a suspension of disbelief, it delivers relentless momentum and a bold mid-book twist that reinvigorates the story. Addictive, dramatic, and unapologetically pulpy, it’s a classic “popcorn thriller.”

Demon Copperhead — Barbara Kingsolver

Demon Copperhead reimagines David Copperfield in contemporary Appalachia, following Damon “Demon” Fields as he navigates poverty, foster care, addiction, and the devastating impact of the opioid crisis.

Kingsolver crafts a vivid narrative voice, capturing Demon’s wit, resilience, and vulnerability with emotional immediacy. The novel provides a sweeping exploration of generational trauma and systemic neglect.

However, while undeniably ambitious and empathetic, the story at times leans heavily into familiar regional stereotypes and layers hardship upon hardship in a way that can feel excessive. Though powerful in its intent, the novel ultimately proves somewhat uneven in execution.

Final Thoughts

Despite February being a busier reading month than I’d planned, I still discovered some standout books across multiple genres.

Highlights of the month were Vanished for its emotional depth and supernatural intrigue, Believe Me for its essential message, and Silence of the Wind for its beautifully crafted storytelling.

I’m hoping March will give me a little more reading time so I can finally tackle some of the books still sitting on my TBR pile.

What was your favourite read in February?