I finally finished the ACOTAR series. You can read my full thoughts and how I ranked them here. Even though February is the shortest month, I seem to get the most reading done during this time. We’re on the cusp of having more daylight again, but it’s been rainy and gloomy most of the month, so I’ve been hunkering down with my books.

What did you read this month? Let me know in the comments. And be sure to check out all my past reads in my new Bookshelf page.

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A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

Book four in the ACOTAR series was like a holiday special to me. I enjoyed it, it was a quick read (compared to the others that are quite long), and a nice break from all the adventure and action. The war is over. Velaris is rebuilding after the devastating hit it took during the war and Winter Solstice is coming. Feryre, Rhysand, and their friends are all looking forward to the holiday, if nothing more than having a few days off with friends. A bit of ground work is laid out for the final book in the series, but for the most part, this book felt like a filler for me. The holiday album or christmas movie put out because that’s what you do. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, it just wasn’t my favorite of the series.

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

This is Nesta’s story, told from her point of view. At the beginning of the book I really didn’t like her, which I think is the point. As more is revealed about why she acts as she does, I grew to like her. Along with developing Nesta’s story, we also learn more about Cassian and realize how similar they are, but have channeled their energy differently. Nesta has taken to getting drunk every night to drown out her thoughts. Feyre gives her an ultimatum - live at the House of Wind and train with Cassian or move back to the human world. Obviously she chooses the House of Wind and she begins her healing journey. She slowly opens up to those around her and throws herself into the physical training - she finds it helps calm her mind and stop all the punishing thoughts. Ultimately this book is a story of overcoming your own obstacles, digging deep to find your strength, and recognizing that you are worthy. Throw in a lot of spicy scenes and an Illyrian Trial and you’ve got my favorite book of the series

Tom Lake By Ann Patchett

I thought this book was wonderful and thoroughly enjoyed it. Set on a Michigan cherry farm during lockdown in the pandemic, Lara shares the story of her brief summer romance with the famous actor Peter Duke (aka Duke) with her three grown daughters while harvesting cherries. It’s a story of youth, love, opportunities, growing up, and family. It’s about the life our parents lead before us that we’ve never known about or thought we knew. Sharing bits of your life with your children while keeping some to yourself. Patchett has a way of storytelling that make you feel like you are there with them on the farm. The interruptions from the daughters and the shock they share when they learn something they didn’t know (as if they know EVERYTHING about their mother) make the conversation feel real.

Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr

If you like art, mystery, history, and scandal… this is the book for you. I loved this book and finished it in a few days. Jules Roth is a young, ambitious investigative journalist who has just talked her way into a dream job working for Dan Mansfield. He’s assigned her a very secret assignment that takes her across the world in search of the truth surrounding a painting that was taken by the Nazis during world war 2. The story involves Ellis Baum, a famous shoe designer, who has connections to the painting that are deeply personal. Jules loves the hunt of a good story and will stop at nothing to get to the truth. But, she quickly realizes she may be in over her head when she meets her adversary, Margaux de Laurent, who will stop at nothing to prove the painting is rightfully hers. Margaux is a cunning, ruthless psychopath who rules the art world and loves the game almost more than the art. The book moves a a fast pace and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I couldn’t put it down.

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki

This book was wonderful and I couldn’t put it down. Marjorie Merriweather Post is the daughter of C.W. Post, founder of Grape Nuts and the Post Cereal Company (later General Foods) and she was the wealthiest woman in the United States in her lifetime. What I loved most about this book was that it was historical fiction and included so many interesting facets of her life. She was born shortly after the Civil War, lived through WWI, the depression, WWII, supported women’s rights, and truly paved her own way. She was a philanthropist through and through and felt the most settled when she was doing that work. She was married four times, had THE most incredible social life (hosting multiple presidents, iconic families, CEOs, etc), built a few amazing homes (Mar-A-Lago is one of them!) and even spent time in Russia, Luxumberg, and Belgium with her husband when he was the US Ambassador stationed there. She also had a head for business and even though she couldn’t outright hold a position in her father’s company until much later in her life (because she was a woman!), she was the driving force behind many of their successful acquisitions and innovations - setting the direction from behind the board of directors. I highly recommend this one :)