Monthly Wrap-Up: February 2026

I don't know how, but I managed to read 10 books this month! That's a total of 3042 pages, which is 859 pages MORE than last month! 😱

• 6 were full-length novels, and 2 manga, 1 novella, and 1 light novel
• 8 were part of a series, and 2 were standalone
• I started 3 series, and finished 1, and caught up on 1
• 9 were finished copies and 1 ARC
• 4 were physical books, and 5 were ebooks, and 1 was an audio/ebook combo
• 4 were 4.5 stars, 3 were 4 stars, and 3 were 3.5 stars
• All 10 were traditionally published
• 6 were by authors I've previously read, and 4 were new to me
• 3 were adult books, and 7 were YA books
• All 10 were fiction
• 2 were action, 4 horror, 1 high fantasy, 1 mystery thriller, 1 cozy fantasy, and 1 sci-fi

Review: Accomplice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain #3) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Title: Accomplice to the Villain

Series: Assistant to the Villain #3

Previous book in this series: Assistant to the Villain (#1) | Apprentice to the Villain (#2)

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Genre: Adult, high fantasy, romance

Publication date: August 2025

Published by: Entangled: Red Tower Books

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: REWARD OFFERED: Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate). Frequently seen with a grumpy frog (crowned, judgmental). Answers to “Evie” or “Stop that.”

Evie Sage didn’t mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom’s most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised “light paperwork and occasional beheadings,” and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.

Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire—or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.

Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again... neither was falling for The Villain.

A magical office comedy with grumpy bosses, snarky frogs, and definitely-not-feelings.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

I don't know what's going on with this series, but it is progressively getting worse and it's making me so sad! I literally gave the first book 5 stars! 😭

Review: Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain #2) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Title: Apprentice to the Villain

Series: Assistant to the Villain #2

Previous book in this series: Assistant to the Villain

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Genre: Adult, high fantasy, romance

Publication date: August 2024

Published by: Entangled: Red Tower Books

Source: Purchased paperback

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Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Outlet

Synopsis: NOTICE TO STAFF: There has been a disturbing increase in cheeriness, sprightly behavior, and overall optimism of late. Please resume your former dark, ominous terrors at your earliest convenience. —Mgmt

Evie Sage has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome (shhh, bad for his brand) evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat... er, out-of-evil-office.

But Rennedawn is in grave trouble, and all signs—Kingsley’s included—point to catastrophe. Something peculiar is happening with the kingdom’s magic, and it’s made The Villain’s manor vulnerable to their enemies... including their nemesis, the king.

Now it’s time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain’s lair, all of his nefarious works, and maybe (provided no one finds out) the entire kingdom. No pressure, Evie.

It’s time to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It’s all so... so... delightfully fun.

But what happens when the assistant to The Villain is ready to become his apprentice?

My rating: ★★★★☆

I'm not gonna lie, I didn't love this book as much as the last one. I mean, I still liked it, but Assistant to the Villain was an easy 5 stars, sooo...

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #456: I Finished My February TBR!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #492: They Got Me

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Winter Olympic Book Tag

I'm not gonna lie, I don't really follow the Olympics 😅 I just don't... sports. Lol. You probably know this about me. Lol. But that's not gonna stop me from doing a book tag about it 😆 I found this over at It Starts at Midnight.

Review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Title: Assistant to the Villain

Series: Assistant to the Villain #1

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Genre: Adult, high fantasy, romance

Publication date: August 2023

Published by: Entangled Publishing: Red Tower Books

Source: Purchased paperback

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem and terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer―naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain―and his entire nefarious empire―out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.

My rating: ★★★★★

This book was so fun! I loved it a whole lot more than I was expecting!

Review: The Well of Ascension (Mistborn #2) by Brandon Sanderson

Title: The Well of Ascension

Series: Mistborn Era 1 #2 | The Mistborn Saga #2 | Cosmere #3

Previous book in this series: Mistborn: The Final Empire

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Adult, epic/high fantasy

Publication date: August 2007

Published by: Tor Books

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: They did the impossible, ending the thousand-year reign of the godlike Lord Ruler. Now Vin, the former street urchin turned powerful Mistborn, and Elend Venture, the idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a healthy new society in the ashes of an empire.

As tensions grow in the wake of the uprising, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what manner of power it bestows.

It may just be that killing the Lord Ruler was the easy part. Surviving the aftermath of his fall is going to be the real challenge.

My rating: ★★★★★

The Lord Ruler was dead, but the story did not seem finished.

This book was insane in the best way possible!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #455: Small Detour

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #491: Galentine's Day Shenanigans

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

2026 Bookish Prediction Tag

I'm back at it again with the Bookish Prediction tag 😆 It was created by Book Princess Reviews.

Review: Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

Title: Mr. Wrong Number

Series: Mr. Wrong Number #1

Author: Lynn Painter

Genre: Adult, contemporary romance

Publication date: March 2022

Published by: Berkley

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Things get textual when a steamy message from a random wrong number turns into an anonymous relationship in this hilarious rom-com by Lynn Painter.

Bad luck has always followed Olivia Marshall... or maybe she’s just the screw-up her family thinks she is. But when a “What are you wearing?” text from a random wrong number turns into the hottest, most entertaining—albeit anonymous—relationship of her life, she thinks things might be on the upswing...

Colin Beck has always considered Olivia his best friend’s annoying little sister, but when she moves in with them after one of her worst runs of luck, he realizes she’s turned into an altogether different and sexier distraction. He’s sure he can keep his distance, until the moment he discovers she’s the irresistible Miss Misdial he’s been sort of sexting for weeks—and now he has to decide whether to turn the heat up or ghost her before things get messy.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I never thought I'd have a favorite romance author, but here we are, because I think Lynn Painter is my favorite romance author 😆 Everything I have read by this author I have enjoyed—including this book!

Review- Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Mistborn: The Final Empire

Series: Mistborn Era 1 #1 | The Mistborn Saga #1 | Cosmere #2

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Adult, epic/high fantasy

Publication date: July 2006

Published by: Tor Books

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: For a thousand years, ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years, the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years, the Lord Ruler reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when all hope was lost, the scarred, heartbroken half-Skaa Kelsier found in himself the powers of a Mistborn.

A brilliant thief and natural leader, Kelsier recruits the underworld's smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, who each share one of his many powers and relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream: not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot.

But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel's plan looks like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, she's a half-Skaa orphan, but she's lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers that she’s never dreamed of.

My rating: ★★★★★

I loved this book so much! I finally understand the hype surrounding this author!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #454: Sticking with the Spooky Vibes

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #490: Another Readathon!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Relax & Read-athon: February 2026

I have really been looking forward to doing another Relax & Readathon! I missed the one in December because I was on vacation, but I currently have a 3-day weekend, so I thought it would be perfect to start off the new month with this! This readathon was created and hosted by the Reading Nymph (love her! Here is the announcement video.)

Last time I did this readathon, I felt like I stressed myself out trying to read as much as I possibly could. Which is the exact OPPOSITE of what this readathon is about 🤦‍♀️😂 I'm gonna try and actually take it easy in this one. My goal is to finish the book I'm currently reading, and maybe start another? I'm not sure. I'm really looking forward to the non-reading prompts with the snacks, the coziness, and doing other hobbies though! But I'm still going to be reading, of course. Lol.

Review: Venus in the Blind Spot by Junji Ito

Title: Venus in the Blind Spot

Author: Junji Ito

Genre: Adult, manga, horror

Publication date: February 2019

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Gifted

Add it on Goodreads

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Synopsis: This striking collection presents the most remarkable short works of Junji Ito’s career, featuring an adaptation of Rampo Edogawa’s classic horror story “The Human Chair” and fan favorite “The Enigma of Amigara Fault.” With a deluxe presentation—including special color pages, and showcasing illustrations from his acclaimed long-form manga No Longer Human—each chilling tale invites readers to revel in a world of terror.

My rating: ★★★⯪☆

I love manga, and I love horror, but even I find it hard to believe that I still had not read any Junji Ito thus far in my life. Lol. Luckily, that's finally changed! Lol.

February 2026 TBR

Oh. My. God. My January TBR went SO well! I am truly shocked. Lol. Let's do another tbr and see what happens in February because I really don't know how long this may last 😅😂

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #453: Getting Spooky

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #489: A Nice Break

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!