February 2026
- Katie Peterson
- Feb 3
- 7 min read
Something old, something new, something steamy, something true-ish
(Hint: If you click on the image of a book below, it will take you directly to the section about that book!)
Something old: That's Not My Name by Megan Lally
Something new: Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz
Something steamy: The Rehearsals by Annette Christie
Something true-ish: Come Fly With Me by Camille Di Maio
Book club pick: The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar
The Ratings:
Like plain, black coffee. Strong dislike.
A little cream, a little sugar. Not bad. Not great.
Add some flavor or syrup, it's getting good.
I liked this a latte!
Love! Refill please!
The Steam:
No peppers: Love/romance not a major part of this story
One pepper: Mild! Some love scenes; nothing risque on the page; fade to black
Two peppers: Moderate! Slightly descriptive romantic scenes may occur on page; some implied innuendos
Three peppers: Hot! Blushing while reading may occur; lots of spice
That's Not My Name
Megan Lally
This book isn't really that old. And it doesn't take place that long ago. But it became my 'something old' pick because someone loaned it to me and I left it sitting in my TBR pile for months. It is a not-so-well-kept secret (I tell everyone) that the thriller genre (which used to be one of my absolute favorites) is something I really have to force myself to take on every once in awhile. I don't know why exactly, but at this stage in my life, common thriller tropes don't hold the appeal they once did--it feels way too terrifyingly possible to actually happen. But, once I really pump myself up to start, I do end up enjoying them.
This is a dual-perspective mystery, bopping back and forth between the lives of Mary and Drew. Mary is a girl who's found with injury induced amnesia and can't remember anything about herself or her life. While at the police station, a frantic man claiming to be her dad arrives. After providing paperwork and photographic proof, Mary is released into his custody and taken to his remote home in the woods. Meanwhile, Drew, a teenager in a town a few hours away, won't give up looking for his missing girlfriend. He's the prime suspect in her disappearance, and not only does he want to find her to clear his name, he also feels immense guilt. What no one else knows: he broke up with her right before she went missing, which is why she walked home instead of being driven by him.
Drew follows up on leads that no one else will, and earns support from someone in 'the enemy camp'. Mary tries to piece together small glimpses of memories...but the things she's remembering don't make any sense. Drew's persistence and Mary's survival instincts bring this story to a dramatic, and surprising, climax.
My rating:
While some events are predictable, there are some twists in here that I didn't see coming!
Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore
Emily Krempholtz
The Thornwitch is a feared villain throughout the lands, second in command to an evil sorcerer. But when he's felled, she has an opportunity to do something she never thought she could: be good. Changing her name to Violet, she moves into a nearby village, Dragon's Rest, where she uses her magical powers to open a flower and plant shop. The greenhouse for her store is shared with Nathanial, a grumpy alchemist, stuck running his parents apothecary after their untimely deaths.
As they share a workspace, Violet and Nathanial find themselves enjoying their banter, and develop romantic feelings. Shortly after her arrival in town, a strange blight began showing up, feeding on plants and destroying anything it touches. Working together, Violet and Nathanial try to solve the mystery of the destructive plague running amuck in the village. However, the closer they get to an answer, the more questions Nathanial has about Violet's past. And while Violet wants to disclose her former life, she's worried that the truth might put a wedge between them.
As Nathanial begins to understand the properties of the blight, he wonders if Violet knows more than she's letting on. And if he truly cures the destruction, what will it do to Violet's magic?
Romance, mystery, and magic abound in this whimsical fantasy. This was a light, fun read, but I have found (over and over) that fantasy is just not my genre (with the big exception of Harry Potter, as I am still somehow hoping to get into Hogwarts). If you love fantasy and romance, then I really think you'll like this one!
My rating:
(Not because it wasn't well written--just not my favorite type of book. If you love Romantasy-give it a try!)
Steam rating:
The Rehearsals
Annette Christie
Megan and Tom have been together for twelve years and are finally tying the knot. They wake up the morning of the rehearsal dinner feeling excited, and apprehensive...because both of them are harboring secrets that may change everything. Wanting to begin marriage with a clean slate, they each struggle with how and when to confess to the other. Not finding time prior to the rehearsal, the dinner turns catastrophic as others inadvertently disclose the hidden information. The only vow that's made is to call the wedding off...but they wake up the next morning and discover they're stuck in a time loop, destined to repeat the horrendous day.
As the day repeats, Megan and Tom try different tactics, desperate to escape the worst day of their lives. Making superficial amends, hurtful decisions, and even avoidance of one another all lead to the same conclusion: another rehearsal. As they get the chance to experience different aspects of the day, their perspectives change. Not only do they understand themselves more, but they start to see things from the others' point of view. Will they ever make it to the wedding day, or will they be stuck in rehearsal mode forever? And if they do get the chance to face the aisle: will they walk down it together or not?
My rating:
Steam rating:
Come Fly With Me
Camille Di Maio
First up in the 'historical fiction/flying' combo for this month: Come Fly With Me is set in the 1960's, right in the heart of the 'Golden Age' of air travel. It's a dual perspective story told by Judy and Beverly. Judy is escaping an abusive marriage in small town Pennsylvania. Lying on her application, as no flight stewardess can be married, she skips town to literally take to the air with the help of her neighbors. Beverly is attempting to make her own name for herself, growing up under the pressures of New York City high society and all the expectations that come from having wealthy and well-known parents. Opposites truly attract, and these very different women become best friends and confidants.
The early jet age of domestic and international air travel is adventurous and glamorous. As they settle into 'life above the clouds' Beverly and Judy embrace opportunities as they appear, including visiting places they'd only dreamed out and embarking in romantic rendezvous. But as many times as she departs and lands in new destinations, one place keeps haunting Judy: the town she escaped. It never feels too far off as her husband attempts to track her down. Will she be able to escape his grasp, or will he once again keep her from spreading her wings?
Throughout the book, small glimpses into the future are shown, but we don't know whose perspective they are from until the end. We know someone meets an untimely end, but who and how remains a mystery throughout.
My rating:
The Flight Girls
Noelle Salazar
Audrey Coltrane is an independent, intelligent woman who has dedicated her life to aviation. Learning to fly at a young age, it's always been her dream to run the local airfield. Wanting some excitement and different experiences, she works as a civilian flight instructor in Hawaii. After surviving the Pearl Harbor attack that took so many American lives, including those of her friends and colleagues, she joins the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) program in Texas. Keeping in touch with her dear friend, Lieutenant James Hart who gets sent overseas, Audrey takes on every new challenge thrown her way. She learns how to fly every type of military plane, ferrying pilots and planes across the country for the war effort.
Audrey and the other WASPs develop strong bonds and fierce friendships. Many of them have husbands or family members serving in the war and provide support and comfort to each other in the long, hard days of not knowing their fate. When Lt. Hart is declared MIA, Audrey finds herself rethinking her life plan. While she's always seen herself as a self-sufficient woman, she wonders now if she actually wanted both romance and flying. Determined to do whatever it takes to find out what happened to James, Audrey takes things into her own hands, putting her safety, and life, at risk.
This story is as much romance as it is historical fiction, both of which I love. One of my favorite time periods to read about is World War II, and the focus on flying made this one particularly speak to my soul.
My rating:
*Our first ever '5's across the board' book club book!
Read along with me in March
Something old | The Measure by Nikki Erlick |
Something new | The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab |
Something steamy | The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center |
Something true-ish | Margot by Jillian Cantor |
Book club pick | The Push by Ashley Audrain |
As always, send me book recs to sosnssst@gmail.com or tag me on IG @ktpete23.
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