There’s a book for everyone in this round-up of some of the best new releases
With January now behind us and the promise of longer daylight hours gradually approaching, it won’t be much longer until we see milder weather returning. Until then, though, there’s nothing quite like cosying up indoors with a good book.
Fortunately, February brings a wave of major new titles from beloved authors including B. K. Borison, Kristen Ciccarelli and Matt Dinniman, alongside plenty of thrilling debut novels. Whether you’re drawn to fantasy and romance or prefer historical and literary fiction, here are some of the standout books launching this month to help you discover your next favourite read, as reported by the Express.
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And Now, Back to You by B. K. Borison
Two rival meteorologists are forced to find common ground when the snowstorm of the century hits in the new book from the bestselling author of First-Time Caller.
Jackson enjoys sticking to the script from the comfort of his booth while Delilah relishes the unpredictability of being out in the field. But when they’re teamed up to cover the snowstorm, they must figure out how to work together.
As they get to know each other, it isn’t long before they become unlikely friends. But when other feelings start to surface, they must decide whether they’re compatible in ordinary weather conditions too.
Humorous and heartfelt, this wintry Harry Met Sally-inspired novel is the perfect romance read to dive into this February.
And Now, Back to You publishes February 26.
A Dark Forgetting by Kristen Ciccarelli
No matter how far Emeline Lark flees, the song of the forest reaches her, enticing her away from her dreams of the stage and back to her small town and its superstitions. But every superstition is rooted in truth, and when her grandfather goes missing, Emeline will be forced to return to Edgewood and the forest beyond.
There, even Hawthorne Fell, a brooding tithe collector, cannot dissuade her from her path-a path that will lead her into the court of the fabled Wood King himself-and into a bargain with the deadliest price.
This is a dark, atmospheric story with beautifully flawed characters and rich, transportative worldbuilding.
A Dark Forgetting publishes February 12.
Motherfaker by Anna Brook-Mitchell
Barri Brown has spent years slaving away as an English teacher. However, with a distant family and a husband who has mysteriously disappeared along with her life savings, she yearns for a fresh start.
Her plan? Feign pregnancy and utilise the paid year off work to begin anew somewhere else. All she needs to do is keep up the charade until she can vanish permanently.
But on a small island like Guernsey, it’s not as simple as it sounds, particularly when a student uncovers her secret and her faux pregnancy compels her to form genuine relationships for the first time in years. It appears that conning your way to a better life becomes more challenging when you start appreciating the life you’re trying to flee from.
Motherfaker is as entertaining as you’d anticipate from such a synopsis, but it also delves into some weightier themes that give it considerable depth. It’s a book that will undoubtedly have you both laughing and crying in equal measure.
Motherfaker publishes February 26.
Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaeffer
Camille is determined to be the quintessential traditional wife—cooking, cleaning, and homesteading while sharing her journey with her followers. But every trad wife needs a baby, and Camille is prepared to go to any lengths to have one.
Upon discovering a dilapidated well concealed in the field behind her new home, she feels an inexplicable attraction towards it. After making a wish, she finds herself plagued by intense dreams she believes are divine, before receiving a visit from something far from angelic.
As her bump expands and her announcement goes viral, the life she’s always dreamed of is finally within her grasp… if it doesn’t consume her first.
This book is full of dubious choices, unlikeable characters and incisive social commentary, making it utterly impossible to put down.
Trad Wife publishes February 19.
She Made Herself A Monster by Anna Kovatcheva
A cursed village is offered a glimmer of hope when Yana, a vampire hunter, arrives to rid them of the monsters only she can defeat.
Upon reaching Koprivci, Yana encounters Anka, a young woman whose parents perished on the night she was born and who the villagers believe is responsible for the curse. Yana and Anka form an unlikely alliance as they devise a plan to save both Koprivci and Anka from their doomed fates, but their scheme soon takes on a terrifying life of its own.
Brimming with folklore, superstitions and a dark gothic backdrop, this is a fantastic read for anyone seeking a character-driven story in a moody setting.
She Made Herself A Monster publishes February 12.
Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman
Dungeon Crawler Carl author Matt Dinniman’s new standalone follows colonist Oliver Lewis, whose simple existence on New Sonora is thrown into chaos when Earth’s Apex Corporation initiates an “eviction action”, transforming the extermination of his people into a paid game where gamers remotely control war machines.
Determined to protect their home, Oliver and his friends and neighbours retaliate with the assistance of a profanity-hating robot, a cherished book from his late grandfather and a heap of rusty scrap metal.
This science fiction adventure novel is everything you could want – it’s fast-paced, action-packed and filled with humour and heartfelt moments. The audiobook, narrated by Legends & Lattes author Travis Baldree and featuring a guest appearance from Dungeon Crawler Carl narrator Jeff Hays, is also a real delight.
Operation Bounce House publishes February 12.
Just Watch Me by Lior Torenberg
Struggling with overdue rent, a constant stomach ache and her sister Daisy in a coma at a hospital threatening to pull the plug, Dell is barely keeping things together. On a whim, she decides to start a 24-hour livestream to raise enough money to keep her sister alive for another week.
As she climbs the platform’s ranks and discovers a knack for eating spicy food, her following skyrockets. But as her behaviour becomes increasingly risky and a mysterious troll threatens to reveal her past, there’s a lot on the line.
Just Watch Me is a darkly humorous tale about family, grief and mental health, ideal for fans of Fleabag or Big Swiss. Set over just seven days, this book will take you on a wild journey with some truly unexpected twists and turns.
Just Watch Me publishes February 26.
A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage by M. K. Oliver
A reformed sociopath attempts to create the perfect family life whilst searching for her ideal Hampstead property – whatever it takes. Lalla Rook enjoys a devoted husband, two gorgeous children and a beautiful home. She’s even given up killing people.
However, when she discovers an intruder in her house, she reverts to her former habits and quickly finds herself relishing the adrenaline hit that accompanies murder. After all, disposing of a body and securing her daughter a place at an elite school is simply part of daily life.
This is a sharp, fast-paced debut featuring an anti-hero you can’t help but support – and occasionally even identify with. Fans of How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie are certain to discover a new favourite here.
A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage publishes February 12.
How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson
A speed-dating evening transforms into a killing spree in this exciting debut. Film enthusiast Jamie wasn’t anticipating a massacre when her best friend persuaded her to attend speed-dating, but when her date is brutally murdered at their table, the evening takes an unexpected twist.
Drawing on her extensive understanding of what not to do in a slasher film, Jamie and her fellow survivors search for an escape route from the maze-like venue. But is the violence as random as it first appears and who will emerge as the real-life Final Girl?
Whether you’re a horror or romance enthusiast or fresh to either genre, this is a pulse-racing, yet still romantic read that will keep you turning the pages well into the small hours.
How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates publishes February 12.
Passage to Tokyo by Poppy Kuroki
A young woman is whisked away from 1995 to the 1920s Tokyo in Poppy Kuroki’s latest captivating timeslip adventure. Yui Sanada is burdened with the responsibility of raising her 12 year old brother, Hiro, while dealing with a neglectful, alcoholic mother. During a visit to Ueno Park, Hiro dashes away from his sister into a mysterious passage beneath a samurai statue.
In pursuit of him, Yui enters the tunnel and when she emerges, she finds herself in 1923, not with Hiro, but with a young woman named Chiyo and her family. As emotions between the two women blossom, Yui realises she has arrived just weeks before a horrifying natural disaster that will devastate the city, claiming thousands of lives. Can she locate her brother and protect her newfound family from the impending catastrophe?
Combining high stakes time travel with queer romance and a genuine historical tragedy, Passage to Tokyo is a book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.
Passage to Tokyo publishes February 5.
The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O’Neill
It’s been years since the three Ryan sisters were all together at their family’s cherished home. Two decades ago, their lives were shattered by a tragic accident on their brother Topher’s boat that led him to take his own life. Now, they’re back for Thanksgiving, but each bearing a heavy secret.
As old tensions resurface and new truths emerge, more than just a family holiday is at stake unless the sisters can find a way to forgive themselves—and each other.
With beautiful writing and a cast of memorable characters, this is another debut you won’t be able to put down this February.
The Irish Goodbye publishes February 5.
Love and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm
Neuroscientist Dr. Frances Silberstein needs a breakthrough. Determined to make it on her own, she turned down a job offered to her by her boyfriend. Now, years on, she’s stuck with no job security and no personal life to speak of. Her best shot is a summer conference packed with her field’s leading scientists.
The only problem? It’s organised by her ex, who has found the success that’s eluded her. But backing out is not an option, because Frances desperately needs to network to save her career.Enter Dr. Lewis North: her perceptive, meticulous, and inconveniently attractive rival. When their academic sniping gets mistaken for flirtatious chemistry, Frances doesn’t deny it—putting her integrity and career on the line. Frances realises she needs to keep up the charade, or risk everything she’s worked for.
Overflowing with sizzling chemistry and witty banter, this book is a must-read for fans of the fake dating or academic enemies-to-lovers tropes, or those who loved Ali Hazelwood’s ‘STEMinist’ romcoms.
Love and Other Brain Experiments publishes February 12.
