4.04. Two Chapters and a Dream

Welcome back to another My Sister’s TBR wrap-up! Also known as our monthly tradition of lovingly checking in with our reading lives and admitting that sometimes… we simply vibe near our books instead of actually reading them.February was not exactly a productivity queen.Our reading pace could best be described as “two chapters and a dream.”Did we sprint through our TBRs? No.Did we respectfully wander near them while playing video games, traveling, and living our lives? Absolutely.But we still read a few good books, and had some thoughts. This is not the Reading Olympics, and we refuse to pretend otherwise.So let’s talk about what we actually read this month, what worked, what didn’t, and the one book that emotionally took over February.The Reading Slump Strikes AgainFebruary started with a familiar villain: the reading slump.Not because we weren’t trying, but because sometimes you start a book that just doesn’t hit right, and suddenly every page feels heavier than the last.When that happens, it’s easy for the slump spiral to begin. One mediocre book leads to slower reading, slower reading leads to picking up fewer books, and suddenly the entire month feels like you’ve barely touched your TBR.Add in things like travel, schedules, and a certain well-known MMORPG that may or may not be reclaiming some of our free time… and suddenly February is gone.We’re trying to stop framing these months as failures. Life happens. Reading seasons change. And sometimes a slower month is just what it is.The Books We FinishedEven in a quieter reading month, we still managed to finish a few books… with mixed results.The Fix by Mia SheridanThis romantic thriller sounded incredibly promising on paper. A tragic past, a mysterious kidnapping, and a race against time to uncover secrets, the premise had all the ingredients for a gripping story.Unfortunately, this one dragged more than expected. What started as an intriguing concept slowly became cumbersome to get through, and by the end it felt less like a page-turner and more like a marathon.That said, it wasn’t a terrible read! Just one that didn’t quite hit the way it could have.Death to Valentine’s Day by Catherine CowlesThis short romantic suspense story (part of the Amazon Original Valentine’s series) had a lot going for it.A masquerade ball.A mysterious murder.A masked stranger who turns out to be your ex’s older brother.We love the drama.The setting was fun, the romance had strong friends-to-lovers energy, and the overall premise worked well for a short read. The only issue was a plot twist that felt a little too sudden and slightly uncomfortable.If the story had been longer, it might have been a dealbreaker. But at around 100 pages, it was still an enjoyable quick read.I Will Always Love You… Maybe by Dana HawkinsThis sapphic romance delivered cozy cabin vibes, a chaotic pink-haired vet tech, and the classic “snowed in together” trope.Colby, a grieving widow who has built a quiet life in isolation, unexpectedly finds herself stuck in a cabin with Josie — a woman who avoids emotional vulnerability by jumping from hobby to hobby.What unfolds is a sweet, character-driven romance full of awkward tension, slow emotional opening, and a golden retriever that deserves honorary main-character status.It’s charming, heartfelt, and easy to read. Even if it isn’t the most memorable romance.Book Lovers by Emily HenryFive stars. No hesitation.Emily Henry has a talent for writing romances that feel deeply human, and Book Lovers is no exception. What starts as a story about rival publishing professionals slowly unfolds into something much richer. Not just a love story, but a story about family, ambition, identity, and sisterhood.While the romance between Nora and Charlie is fantastic, the emotional core of the novel lies in Nora’s relationship with her sister Libby. That dynamic adds a level of emotional depth that makes the book feel bigger than a typical rom-com.The humor is sharp, the dialogue sparkles, and the emotional moments hit exactly where they’re supposed to.For February, this was the standout read… and possibly a contender for favorite book of the year already.The Tournament by Matthew ReillyA historical mystery set in 1546, featuring a massive chess tournament hosted by the Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent, was definitely not a book we would normally pick up.But sometimes asking a friend for their favorite book leads you somewhere surprising.This story combines history, politics, chess strategy, and murder mystery, all narrated through the perspective of a young Queen Elizabeth I.It’s smart, fast-paced, and full of twists, and while it sits far outside the usual romance-heavy reading habits, it ended up being a surprisingly entertaining read.Featured Read: Regretting You by Colleen HooverOur February featured read was Regretting You by Colleen Hoover. A contemporary story about grief, secrets, and the complicated relationship between a mother and daughter.The novel follows Morgan and her teenage daughter Clara as they struggle to navigate life after a tragic accident that shatters their family dynamic.While both of us enjoyed the book overall, our reactions landed slightly differently.One of us rated it five stars, praising Hoover’s ability to create emotionally engaging characters and fast-paced storytelling.The other landed closer to four stars, appreciating the story but not quite feeling that unforgettable emotional punch.Still, we both agreed on a few things:* The mother-daughter relationship was compelling and realistically written* The book is incredibly easy to read* It’s a strong entry point for contemporary romance readersBook vs. Movie: Did the Adaptation Work?Since our podcast theme this year includes page-to-screen adaptations, we also looked at how the Regretting You movie compares to the book.Surprisingly, the adaptation stayed very close to the source material. While the film condensed some backstory (particularly around Morgan, Chris, Jenny, and Jonah) the overall tone and character dynamics remained largely intact.One notable difference involved Miller and Clara’s film project. In the book, their short film competition plays a larger role, whereas the movie focuses mainly on the promposal moment instead.Overall verdict? You’ll have to listen to find out!Final Thoughts on FebruaryFebruary may not have been our most productive reading month, but it still gave us:* A five-star Emily Henry moment* A surprisingly good historical mystery* A few solid three-star reads* And a reminder that slower reading months are completely normalNot every month needs to be packed with books to still be a good reading month.Sometimes all it takes is one great story to make the whole thing worth it.Until next time:Read what you want.Pause what you need.And remember that your TBR is not the boss of you. 💚📖 Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe