New Adult Corner: Top Picks for February

We have finally moved out of January and are in the month of love! Of course, as an avid romance reader I am always celebrating the euphoria behind love stories but February deserves a special shout out. Whether we’re celebrating our love with family, friends or any significant other be sure to spread a little joy around. This month brings us plenty of love in all shapes and sizes.

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

When becoming an adult means learning to love yourself first.

With her newly completed PhD in astronomy in hand, twenty-eight-year-old Grace Porter goes on a girls’ trip to Vegas to celebrate. She’s a straight A, work-through-the-summer certified high achiever. She is not the kind of person who goes to Vegas and gets drunkenly married to a woman whose name she doesn’t know…until she does exactly that.

This one moment of departure from her stern ex-military father’s plans for her life has Grace wondering why she doesn’t feel more fulfilled from completing her degree. Staggering under the weight of her parent’s expectations, a struggling job market and feelings of burnout, Grace flees her home in Portland for a summer in New York with the wife she barely knows.

In New York, she’s able to ignore all the constant questions about her future plans and falls hard for her creative and beautiful wife, Yuki Yamamoto. But when reality comes crashing in, Grace must face what she’s been running from all along—the fears that make us human, the family scars that need to heal and the longing for connection, especially when navigating the messiness of adulthood.

This story features an f/f romance and a married in Vegas troupe! But where this novel really shines is the journey the character takes. Grace may have a newly minted diploma but that doesn’t mean you’ve solved all of your life’s problems. Living in NYC about trying to find a new path despite family pressures; as the plot develops we discover the layers behind Grace and her new wife, Yuki.

Blindsided by Victoria Denault

What if Romeo wore hockey skates, and Juliet was raised on a farm next door?

As a life-long Vermonter, there are three beliefs I’ve always held true:

Our family farm is everything

Hockey is a close second
The Todds next door are our sworn enemies

But this season will test everything I stand for.

I have an illicit side job that could cost me my hockey scholarship. And now Maggie Todd knows my secret. She’s waiting for the right moment to use it against me. But every time I face off against her, I learn things I shouldn’t want to know. Like how deeply her competitive streak runs, and how sexy that is. And how easy it is to make her blush… everywhere.

An Adler and a Todd cannot be lovers. Breaking that rule is like pulling a pin on a grenade–everything in my life could blow up. Can we surrender to these feelings… or will our families’ feud make us its next casualty?

Blindsided has made me trust the enemies to lovers trope again. It’s a fast- paced family saga drama that pits two star crossed lovers against each other in a farmer’s market war that could only happen in Vermont. I was unsure how it would wrap up but the two characters brought chemistry and heat to this icy story.

How To Save A Life by P. Dangelico

Riley James has everything to live for, a business to grow, goals to achieve. After everything she’s overcome, there’s no way she’s going to let anyone get in the way of her hopes and dreams. Not even a handsome businessman who makes her a crazy offer she would be even crazier to refuse.

Jordan West has everything a man could want. And yet it all feels so meaningless. But when tragedy strikes and he’s entrusted with the care of a two-year-old toddler, life doesn’t seem so meaningless anymore. Jordan West suddenly has everything to live for. Problem is…how does he hold on to that feeling?

There’s more than one way to save a life…

This was a one sitting kind of read and I really enjoyed how the author moves the plot along. There is a large span of time that is covered and we witness the slow burn of stoic Jordan, our hero, and surprisingly warm Riley, our heroine. I could’ve done without the misunderstanding at the end, however, communication is a real life lesson. This book delivers plenty of that and I wish there was an epilogue. It’s a cute, sweet romance

Steal My Magnolia by Karla Sorensen

Life lesson from Grady Buchanan: If you’re going to fall in love with the untouchable girl in town, don’t hire her as your only employee.

Even after he bungled the interview with Magnolia MacIntyre, he knew better than to hire her. The list of why it’s a bad idea is a long one.

Her father could ruin his fledgling business.

She is completely overqualified.

And he’s attracted to her.

What does Grady do? He offers her the job.

Magnolia knew better than to take it. Normally, she’d make the safe choice, and working for Grady is anything but.

He’s new in town–and entirely too charming.

Her dad will be furious.

She hates the outdoors and working for an outdoor adventure company is not exactly the right fit.

What does she do? She says yes on the spot.

Grady and Magnolia will have to prove to everyone in their life that they’re not crazy. And prove to each other that the list of why it’s a bad idea should be tossed out the window.

For these two opposites, sometimes doing the wrong thing is exactly right.

This is very much a slow burn, angsty romance. Much of the story has the couple apart however, this develops both of their characters separately. It was the best choice for the heroine, as she was getting over a complicated relationship and may be heading into another one. The Buchanan curse apparently only likes very awkward situations, you’ll find out why as you read the story. The unraveling of the effects of the curse is the best part as Grady and Magnolia navigate their relationship through different lenses. One with insta love and another with trepidation and on the brink of independence. It’s a unique look into an inter racial relationship that also has a sweet edge.

What are you reading this month?