A Short Month, Big Feelings | My February 2026 Reading Wrap-Up

Read time: 5 minutes

February’s reading wrap-up captures a whirlwind month of cozy mysteries fueling my A-Z challenge, sharp ARCs from NetGalley and Edelweiss, and standout favorites that balanced winter comfort with bold emotional punches.

This time, Death of a Billionaire ambushed my Sunday as highlight of the month, while 30 book finishes from 43 tracked (13 smart DNFs) kept the audiobooks flowing at 87%, down slightly from January’s 56 but up +3 cozies.

Dive into my top picks, eagerly awaited ARCs by release date, and a full stats snapshot below, perfect fuel for your reading list as Toronto thaws.

Book of the month: Death of a Billionaire by Tucker May

What started as a casual skim turned into a full-blown reading spiral. Sharp, satirical, and wildly clever, this billionaire murder mystery delivers razor-edged humor, a standout snarky narrator, and a twist that genuinely blindsides. A bold, confident debut that demands a spot on your TBR.

Book Links: My review | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Hardcover

ARC Spotlights:

1. A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage by M.K. Oliver
   (Feb 17, 2026 | Atria Books | NetGalley ARC)
   Morally gray antiheroine Lalla delivers razor-sharp dark humor and wicked satire in this domestic noir. Perfect for fans of My Sister, the Serial Killer. Voice shines with confidence, but the edgy crime vibe isn’t my cozy comfort zone; still, a standout if you crave ethically questionable protagonists.
   Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
2. How to Cheat Your Own Death by Kristen Perrin
   (Apr 28, 2026 | Dutton | NetGalley ARC)
   Standout in the Castle Knoll Files: Perrin flexes with dark, layered storytelling that evolves beyond cozy roots into something emotionally sharp and satisfying.Annie and Frances shine. This book proves the series’ bold growth.
   My Review | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
3. Tides, Lies, and Alibis by Taffy Beach
   (May 4, 2026 | Twitching Whisper Press | Author ARC)
   Classic beachy cozy with animal-filled warmth, bakery vibes, and introverted sleuth Kate McGregor in Manatee Bay. Comforting with just enough bite. I’m invested in the series; Perfect for cozy fans seeking familiar coastal charm.
   My Review | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
4. Moonlight Murder by Uzma Jalaluddin
   (May 5, 2026 | Harper Perennial | Edelweiss ARC)
   Kausar Aunty’s Toronto-grounded sleuthing blends cultural heart, grief’s long shadow, and clever mystery. Cozy with emotional depth that lingers. Quietly one of my favorite series; that book-three teaser demands special attention.
   My Review | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
5. A Zoom with a View by Jess Cannon
   (May 5, 2026 | Dutton | NetGalley ARC)
   Debut cozy packs small-town drama, witty banter, and virtual murder-solving with confident style and solid promise. Pacing and loose ends held it back from perfection, but I’d grab book two to watch this series grow.
   My Review | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
6. Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols
   (Aug 18, 2026 | Minotaur Books | NetGalley ARC)
   Charming Marigold Cottage sequel wraps humor, heart, found-family vibes, and twisty whodunit with Mrs. B remaining iconic. Comfortable yet stakes-high cozy perfection. Auto-pre-order if book one hooked you.
   My Review | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
7. Fancy Meeting You by Louise Marburg
   (Jun 2, 2026 | Blair | Edelweiss ARC)
   Zippy, smart contemporary snapshot of midlife messiness with flawed, funny protagonists. Enjoyable one-sitting read. Doesn’t linger deeply, but great palate cleanser for character-driven tales.
   Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
8. Whose Body in the Library by Eva Gates
   (Jun 9, 2026 | Crooked Lane Books | NetGalley ARC)
   Solid but uneven Lighthouse Library addition; works standalone, yet longtime fans like me miss Lucy’s rhythm. Loyalty holds back for the next, hoping it regains series stride.
   My Review | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy

now coming to my monthly favorites:

These six stood out from February’s 30 finishes for their emotional pull, clever twists, and that perfect mix of cozy comfort with deeper stakes. Ideal for Toronto’s lingering winter chill.

1. We, the Jury by Robert Rotstein
   (Blackstone Publishing | Legal Thriller)
   Audiobook plunges you into a moral storm of judgment, bias, and fractured truth, like a devastating 12 Angry Men must-listen. Smart, layered psychological tension questions justice itself; quietly brilliant for courtroom drama fans.
   Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
2. Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee
   (Duet Books | YA Fantasy)
   Queer YA superhero tale flips sidekick tropes with secret identities, heartfelt romance, and subversive world-building. Clever, refreshing emotional stakes make it a solid pick for fantasy readers craving heart.
   Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
3. A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
   (Berkley | Cozy Fantasy)
   Heartfelt magical realism wrapped in found-family wisdom. Cozy, restorative, and gently affirming for self-doubt struggles. Read, re-read, and gift it; you hold your own magic, no savior needed.
   My Review | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
4. A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow
   (Tordotcom | Fantasy)
   Short but lingering fairy-tale retelling with morally complex Zinnia Grey reclaiming villains and questioning “salvation.” Gritty heart shines in audio; follow Harrow anywhere for fantasy with bite.
   Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
5. A Murder of Crows by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
   (Embla Books | Cozy Mystery)
   Near-cozy with darker turns, ecological smarts, and atmospheric charm with Dr. Nell Ward hooks via Kristin Atherton’s narration. Intelligent environmental edge plus bats and heart.
   My Review |Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
6. Murder on Milverton Square by G.B. Ralph
   (Tantor Media | Cozy Mystery)
   Classic cozy glows with progressive queer rep, small-town humor, and character depth that launches a series. Warm audio hug around Addison Harper’s grounded charm; hooked for more.
   My Review | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy

Meanwhile…

I’m also doing an A-Z Cozy Challenge run by Stephanie on Instagram called #CozyFrolic 2026. Follow her on her link and check out other posts from the challenge here.

Here’s my contribution:

… and that’s a wrap for February!!!

If February taught me anything, it’s this: never casually “skim” a book at 8 a.m. Some of them will steal your entire day, and your heart. Here’s to more unexpected favorites, fewer DNFs, and stories that refuse to let go.