ShortBookandScribes February 2026 Reads, Book Post and Stats

Posted on 4th March 2026 By Nicola

Hello and welcome to my February reading round up. A shorter month means a slightly smaller stack of reads than normal although I’m halfway through another book that I started last month. Is anyone else really bad at making time for reading? It’s always the last thing I do, even after doom-scrolling through increasingly bizarre social media posts trying to work out whether they’re AI or not. I must try harder!

Here’s what I managed to read in February:

The Homecoming by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

This is book 24 of the Morland Dynasty series. Although I always love following the London contingent I did miss Morland Place action in this one.

Mrs Pearcey by Lottie Moggach

A well-researched book based on a true Victorian crime but unfortunately I found it hard to engage with.

The Barbecue at No. 9 by Jennie Godfrey

This is an enjoyable and authentic story set on the day of Live Aid in 1985, following different characters from the same road.

Unreliable Narrator by Araminta Hall

I thought this was a first-rate story of subtle manipulation through one intense summer and its rippling effects over the following ten years.

The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski

I enjoyed this story of a family’s downfall and eventual extinction as their family home is bought by a hotel chain.

Six Little Words by Sally Page

A joyous story of a group of new friends embracing their creativity. Full of colour, warmth, empathy and humour.

Book post received this month with thanks to the named publishers:

The Repentants by Kate Foster (sent by Pan Macmillan)

A Private Man by Stephanie Sy-Quia (sent by Pan Macmillan)

The Lottery Widow Winners Club by Elly Vine (sent by Wildfire)

A Short Road to Longbrook by Bethan Roberts (sent by Vintage)

My Sister’s Secret by Jane Corry (sent by Viking)

How to Lose the Lottery by Jay McKenzie (sent by Harper Collins)

Rose & Renzo by Carolyn O’Brien (sent by Northodox Press)

An Unlikely Visitor by Joanna Cannon (sent by Borough Press)

The Love Letter by Lucinda Riley (sent by Pan Macmillan)

The Airline Girl by Lizzie Page (sent by the author)

I also bought:

You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees – look at that detail under the dust jacket 😍. I’m so pleased this couple have written a new collaborative book. I loved their earlier ones which I read 20-25 years ago and still have.

The Crossing Places, The Janus Stone, The House at Sea’s End and A Room Full of Bones, all by Elly Griffiths. I’ve heard lots of good things about this series and bought the first four from World of Books. Their idea of ‘very good’ condition is rather different to mine but I suppose I shouldn’t grumble as the total cost including delivery was only £11.10. I always like embarking on a series knowing that there are plenty of others already available.