Better late than …. ugh. Listen, there’s a pandemic, y’all. And I fully plan on milking that excuse for as long as I can because GEE WIZ.
I’ve been sitting on this wrap up for two weeks because I could not get EXACTLY ONE flat lay just the way I wanted it. I have those “done is better than perfect” blurbs posted all over my house but, real talk; I am never going to post a half-assed flat lay. Especially where a lesser known work is concerned. I just…. I can’t. Anyway, this morning my friend posted her February wrap up on instagram and I figured there was no harm in going ahead and posting my own.
Though it was a short month with less reading time for me than in January (I’m back at work now post-surgery, woohoo!) I still managed to check off quite a few books! Here’s what I loved this last month as well what failed to hit the mark. (DNF not included because right now I’m not in the mood to rail on an author I otherwise love.)

Slippery Creatures (The Will Darling Adventures #1) by K.J. Charles
π΅π΅π΅π΅ (four stars as rated in cups of tea because, “thank God we’re British.”)
The following review is copied from my previous post about this book.
Uhhh… is it hot in here or is it this book!? HOLY COW, y’all! This book is steamy!! We’re talking, some of the best sex I’ve read in awhile. I mean, hot damn! Look, I am a sucker for a cozy mystery and this one was an absolute delight. Well done, K.J. Charles. Well done.
β¨ Rep in this book: gay protagonist, queer characters
β¨ Content Warnings for this book: homophobia, harassment, assault, government conspiracy, kidnapping, violence, guns, discussions of war, graphic sex

A Complicated Love Story Set in Space by Shaun David Hutchinson
π«π«π«π«π« (five stars as rated in Nutreesh, Earth’s favorite nutritional meal substitution bar and a proud subsidiary of Gleeson Foods)
The following review is copied from my previous post featuring this book.
Listen, it’s hard for me to find sci-fi that doesn’t make me want to hurl. This is probably my fault for reading unobjectively bad sci-fi. BUT ANYWAY, holy smokes, y’all! This book was a ride! It really is like reading a season of bad outstanding teen TV. Also, queer rep in all three main characters had me doing little happy claps every couple of pages. Read this book next time you’re in a rut! You won’t regret it.
β¨ Rep in this book: gay protagonist, queer characters
β¨ Content warnings for this book: rape, sexual assault, gun violence, kidnapping, memory manipulation, gas-lighting, brainwashing, death of a partner, violence

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
π»π»π»π»π» (five stars as rated in Sydneyβs mamma’s sunflowers)
The following is copied from a longer review in my previous post about this book.
This book blew me away. Gentrification is a nasty business and this book succeeds in giving it an even more sinister spin with a very Get Out feel. Every twist and turn was genuinely enjoyable to me and the ending had me completely gripped! I love a good thriller, particularly one that is believable. I think what was most chilling about this book is that it isnβt really that far-fetched. After all, whatβs more terrifying and depraved than the 400+ year legacy of white supremacy?
β¨ Rep in this book: Black protagonist, Black author, own voices
β¨ Content warnings for this book: medical stuff, forced institutionalization, wrongful accusation, racism, death of a parent, murder, domestic violence, abuse, dysfunctional relationship, white supremacy, abuse of power by police and government officials

What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo
πππππ (five stars as rated in Eleanor’s mother’s bathtub)
The following is copied from a longer review in my previous post about this book.
What’s this, a Gothic horror novel with a twist on popular folk monsters?? Be still my beating heart because this is the book of my DREAMS! Y’all, this book really goes places. The premise is completely brilliant and the execution of it was just….*chefs kiss.* When I finally put things together at the end… when I realized WHAT (or should I say whom?) Eleanor is supposed to be I felt so dang foolish for having overlooked it. But the pieces are laid out so brilliantly that the answer just isn’t terribly obvious! Bah. I loved it.
β¨ Rep in this book: bisexual characters, non-binary author
β¨ Content warnings for this book: physical abuse, absent parent, death of an animal, arson, blood gore, graphic depictions, bullying, murder, death of a child, homophobia, manipulation, toxic relationship, mind control, violence, mob mentality

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
πΊπΊπΊπΊπΊ (five stars as rated in flowers because for whatever reason this book just makes me feel like flowers)
I was given a free review copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The following review is copied from my previous post about this book.
Wow. Just… wow. What a spectacular debut. So much about this book blew me away and left me really questioning what I knew – or thought I knew – about gender dysphoria. Truth be told, I am still somewhat reeling from the experience.
β¨ Rep in this book: transgender protagonist, mixed-race supporting character, transgender author, own voices
β¨ Content warnings for this book: homophobia, trans-phobia, dead-naming, outing, attempted suicide, physical assault, sexual violence, infidelity, divorce, abortion, medical stuff, toxic relationships

Love is a Revolution by RenΓ©e Watson
π¨π¨π¨ (three stars as rated in ice cream cones on a hot, summer day in Harlem)
The following review is copied from my previous post about this book.
I was really excited to get my hands on this book so close to the publication date. This is exactly the kind of book I wish I had read as a teen. So many important themes are explored; body positivity, Black joy, community involvement, self acceptance, and more. I appreciate everything that this book is and strives to be, particularly for young Black readers. I will say that the text reads a bit more like middle grade than young adult which is not what I was expecting. I enjoyed it well enough, regardless and, though, I probably wouldn’t recommend it to many adults, it was a very solid middle-grade-style read.
β¨ Rep in this book: Black protagonist, fat rep, Black author, own voices
β¨ Content warnings for this book: child neglect, abusive parent, infanticide, toxic relationship with a parent, blood, graphic injuries, death threats, attempted murder, sacrifice, forced marriage, death of a parent, death of a child, torture, battle, war themes, sex.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
π₯π₯ (two stars as rated in the fire that its all leading up to)
I was given a free review copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The following review is copied from my previous post about this book.
When it comes down to it this book was a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed getting to know the main characters but my problem was that so much time is spent continually introducing other characters that I lost track (and interest) in what even the protagonists were up to after a while. At the end of the day I’m impressed when anybody can write a book, and one that I actually want to actually finish, at that. So huzzah to TJR for all she’s accomplished thus far in her career and even if I had DNF’d this book, you better believe I’ll buy everything she ever writes because her words are just a joy to consume. Even when I don’t really know what’s going on.
β¨ Rep in this book: n/a
β¨ Content warnings for this book: neglect by a parent, absent parent, alcoholism, drowning, arson, drug use, infidelity, divorce, physical violence

Spark to Shadow by Atima Kim
πππππ (five stars as rated in DRAGONS of course!)
The following review is copied from my previous post about this book.
Y’all know I am such a sucker for a good fantasy romance and this one was really outstanding. I BR’d (buddy read) Spark to Shadow with my friend, Amanda, and while it was a genuine pleasure for me personally to read I know that Amanda’s experience with the novel was light-years more meaningful than my own. Please take the time to read her full review and, of course, give her a follow!
β¨ Rep in this book: Eastern Asian cast of characters, own voices
β¨ Content warnings for this book: violence, themes of war and battle, discussion of abuse

Stats:
- Women authors: 6
- NB authors: 1
- Trans authors: 1
- WOC authors: 3
- Own voices: 4
- Queer rep: 3
Thanks for reading, friends, and a lovely March to you all!
Sarah

Looks like February was a good reading month! Hopefully, March is just as good. π
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Fingers Crossed! β€
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Ooh, I’m glad you enjoyed Slippery Creatures, that’s on my TBR and I’m really looking forward to it! Have you read any of her other books? Any Old Diamonds is one of my favourites π I’d not heard of Spark to Shadow before but it sounds great!
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Yes!! I actually just finished Band Sinister last night and it was wonderful! I’ve also read the Magpie Lord but didn’t love that one as much. KJ Charles is def working her way into fav author territory. And Spark to Shadow really is fun!
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Oh, Band Sinister is my other favourite of hers! I used to do Classics so the Latin is fun, lol! I just finished her newest one, The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, and it was great, so I hope you enjoy that one too π
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Oooh! Thanks for the rec! Adding it to my TBR!
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What Big Teeth’s cover always catches my attention. Glad to see you enjoyed that one. I hope you have a good March!
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Thanks so much and I’m glad it stands out to you too
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