February is all about love, and what better way to express love than through our love for books? Luckily, these authors are bringing it with these dazzling fantasies, adorable romances perfect for the theme of the month, and emotional contemporary that will keep you warm for the rest of winter! Check out our top picks for February below.
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Content warning: The Honey POP encourages mindful reading and always checking the author’s website for any additional content warnings.
Seven Faceless Saints By M. K. Lobb
Winter is the perfect time to dive into a new fantasy! This one follows Rossana Lacertosa, a disciple of Patience with special powers, and Damian Venturi, a security captain, in a corrupt world ruled by saints and disciples. Together the duo must team up to find a mysterious killer while they ignore the history between them and try to dismantle the corrupt system they’ve grown up in.
Release date: February 7
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Content warning: violence (shooting, poisoning, beheading), graphic descriptions of blood/bodies, death of parents/friends/siblings, a parent depicted with memory loss/confusion, PTSD and flashbacks, descriptions of war, prejudice, religious intolerance, hallucinations, paranoia, alcoholism, and mentions of self-harm.
City Spies: City Of The Dead By James Ponti
The fourth installment of the middle-grade series City Spies is here, and this time the gang is taking on codebreaking in Cairo! And supposedly, it’s the most complex mission they’ve ever faced… It all starts with Codename Kathmandu, a.k.a. Kat, who leads an investigation into a series of cyberattacks on the British Museum that leads the team to the City of the Dead to solve the mystery.
Release date: February 7
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This One’s For You By Kate Sweeney
This music-centric contemporary romance is right up our alley here at THP. Cass and Syd are ex-best friends who are seemingly going in two different directions after graduation. Turns out, they find a connection via music, and the two embark on a cross-country road trip to follow the reunion tour of the band Cass’ mom was in when she died. We can’t wait to see how Cass and Syd reconnect and we can’t wait to stan the Darlas!
Release date: February 7
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Out of Character By Jenna Miller
17-year-old Cass Williams’ outlet for escaping the stress of her absent mom and her relationship with her cool-girl girlfriend is a so-called nerdy book roleplay community online. But her obsession quickly becomes unhealthy when the roleplaying affects her grades and her anxiety––plus, she might have feelings for her internet bestie. We’re already living for the drama and can’t wait to see how this one plays out!
Release date: February 7
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NerdCrush By Alisha Emrich
Happily Ever Afters meets You’ve Got Mail!! Ramona, a shy, artistic cosplay enthusiast, decides to be brave and start a convo with her crush over email––only it’s from her cosplay account. But when Ramonda becomes IRL friends with her crush, Caleb, without him knowing it’s her behind the cosplay, things get… complicated.
Release date: February 7
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The Love Scribe By Amy Meyerson
When Alice’s innocent story written for her best friend after a breakup, meant to just cheer her up, becomes magic, she becomes the love scribe. As she learns about her new power, she meets Madeline, a recluse with an extensive library that challenges Alice’s own view of love as she attempts to help Madeline with her magic.
Release date: February 7
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Revelle By Lyssa Mia Smith
This dazzling standalone fantasy is one that we need on our shelves ASAP! Inspired by Moulin Rouge! and Prohibition-era New York, we follow Luxe, the star of her family’s show who’s determined to keep the family business going, even if it means fake-dating the wealthy son of a prominent family. Meanwhile, Jamison, an orphan, digs into other secrets of the island and crosses paths with Luxe, where sparks fly. Consider us enchanted!
Release date: February 14
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Content warning: extreme jealousy, domestic violence, manipulation
When You Wish Upon A Lantern By Gloria Chao
The newest from Gloria Chao follows Liya and Kai, who used to be childhood best friends. But after a huge misunderstanding, they’re no longer speaking––that is, until Liya takes over her late grandmother’s beloved tradition in order to help her family’s wishing lantern shop. As Kai helps her fulfill the wishes of people’s lanterns, they have a chance at finding their way back to friendship and more, despite the challenges they face. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Release date: February 14
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And Other Mistakes By Erika Turner
After Aaliyah was outed by a church elder during junior year, her life fell apart. Now, she’s determined to take back her senior year. But there may be more obstacles than expected, despite the new girl, Tessa, who’s giving her allll the butterflies. This story of identity, making mistakes and owning them, and first loves is one we definitely have at the top of our TBR.
Release date: February 14
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Always the Almost By Edward Underhill
16-year-old trans boy Miles is on a New Year’s resolution mission to win back his ex-boyfriend while simultaneously beating his nemesis in a piano competition. Things aren’t really going according to Miles’ plan, and when a new boy, Eric, surprises Miles with butterflies he isn’t used to, he sees his world in a whole new light. This beautiful blend of romance and self-discovery is a must for your list!
Release date: February 14
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Wedding of the Season By Lauren Edmondson
We don’t know about you, but all this cold weather is making us dream about the summer! Good thing that we can get all the summer vibes we need from this book! Cass is not happy to be back in her hometown, especially to celebrate her sister’s engagement into a family that stole a mansion from her family in the past. The drama ramps up even more when Cass arrives and she uncovers surprise after surprise. Plus a local gossip blog seems determined to expose their secrets online. A story of family legacy, truth, and former love, Wedding of the Season has something for everyone!
Release date: February 21
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Imposter Syndrome And Other Confessions Of Alejandra Kim By Patricia Park
In this next release, we follow Alejandra, who feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere, especially after the loss of her father. That’s why she dreams of leaving the city to attend university. But after Ale is thrown into the spotlight because of a microaggression at school, she’ll find out what it means to belong in a space you’ve made for yourself.
Release date: February 21
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Content warning: microaggressions, grief, death of a parent
Last Chance Dance By Lakita Wilson
February is the perfect month for adorable romance books, and Last Chance Dance sounds perfect! In the story, we follow Leila who has been dumped by her boyfriend right before graduation. But not all hope is lost! To get over her breakup, she participates in her school’s Last Chance Dance tradition. All she has to do is submit 3 unrequited crushes of hers and see if she matches with anyone. To her surprise, she matches with all her crushes, plus her nemesis/chemistry partner Tre who is determined to convince her they’re right for each other. We already know we’ll be swooning over this cute story!
Release date: February 21
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Black Candle Women By Diane Marie Brown
In California, generations of Montrose women have lived together in their quaint and quiet home. That is, until seventeen-year-old Nickie brings home a boy for the first time, causing her family to tell her about the family curse, that anyone they fall in love with dies. This confession brings back old memories that were pushed away, and might bring to light a story long thought forgotten.
Release date: February 28
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Content warning: death
Nightbirds By Kate J. Armstrong
This next book is for our fantasy readers! In this world, we have the Nightbirds, who are teenage girls that have magical powers which can be given to another with a kiss. Because of the religious groups that despise magic, they must stay hidden while giving magic to their wealthy clients. Once their time is up, they are expected to marry a Great House lord and become mothers of the next Nightbird generation. But these girls won’t accept their fate and are determined to make their own choices. We can’t wait to see how this story unfolds!
Release date: February 28
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Content warning: violence, death, near drowning, torture, poisoning
She Is A Haunting By Trang Thanh Tran
Are you looking for your next spooky read? Then this book is perfect for you! Jade is determined to appear happy in front of her estranged father when she arrives in Vietnam. After all, it’s her only way of getting the college money he promised. Except each night, Jade wakes up paralyzed and hearing sounds of thrumming coming from the walls. She also sees a trace of her ancestor that has a cryptic warning, only telling her: don’t eat. With the help of another girl, Jade hopes to prove the house’s sinister intentions, but hopefully she can do it before it’s too late.
Release date: February 28
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Content warning: internalized biphobia, body horror, bugs, systemic/interpersonal racism, colonialism, death of a parent, blood, bones, depiction of a hanging, murder, mention of domestic abuse
(Food is a significant, thematic thread throughout She Is a Haunting. While the book doesn’t discuss eating disorders, some of the conversations and depiction of food may be difficult for some readers.)
Delicious Monsters By Liselle Sambury
Daisy has the power to see the dead, which happens pretty often in Toronto, a city packed with ghosts. To make things more complicated, Daisy’s boyfriend dumps her and she’s also being whisked away to a secluded mansion that her mother has just inherited. Eager for an escape, Daisy is excited to return to a home she spent her summers at when she was little. Except there, she uncovers secrets about her mother and a danger within the home’s walls. This book also has a dual timeline in the future that follows Brittney, who is now living in the haunted home. She is desperate to gain control back from her abusive mother, but quickly gets wrapped up in her investigation on what happened to a young girl who used to live in the house before. This book sounds spooky in all the right ways!
Release date: February 28
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Content warning: childhood sexual assault (off page, some details discussed), childhood physical abuse (corporal punishment, off page, described), childhood physical abuse (confinement punishment), childhood neglect, gaslighting, grooming, suicide (off page, mention), killing of a goat (off page, described), discussions of fatphobia, body horror/gore, violence, death.
Lola at Last By J.C. Peterson
Are you a fan of Pride and Prejudice? Then we have the book for you! Inspired by the classic novel, this book is all about Lola who is not having a great start to her summer. Not only has she alienated her twin sister and lost most of her friends, she also might have set a boat on fire. Needless to say, when she’s given the ultimatum of either jail time or the rest of the summer at the nonprofit Hike Like a Girl, everyone is expecting her to fail. Follow Lola on her journey as she deals with bugs, blisters, and bears, and she might just find romance and friendship along the way.
Release date: February 28
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The Island By Natasha Preston
Jagged Island is known as being a private amusement park for its rich clients, so when a group of famous social media influencers is invited, they jump at the chance to go. Promising to document the experience with their followers, they arrive to a place even better than they hoped for. Except they weren’t planning on having to fight for their chance to survive.
Release date: February 28
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Content warning: murder.
Chaos Theory By Nic Stone
The bestselling author of Dear Martin, Nic Stone, is back with another young adult story! After being bullied at her old school, Shelbi is not taking any chances with making friends at her new one, but Andy catches her eye. Andy is struggling with drinking and is at one of his lowest points when the two teens meet. As they grow closer, they start to unravel each other’s pasts, and some secrets might tear them apart.
Release date: February 28
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Content warning: addiction, grief, loss of sibling, suicide, self-harm, bipolar disorder, abortion, depression, bullying (off page), alcoholism.
What’s on your TBR this February? Let us know on Twitter @thehoneypop or in the comments below!
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