February 2023 Reading Recap & March 2023 TBR

My February 2023 Reads: 

I am shocked at how many five star reads I had this month! 😍😍😍

1. An Explorer's Guide to Julian of Norwich by Veronica Mary Rolf - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This was a reread for me and I enjoyed it even more the second time around. - Read my review.


3. Return From Tomorrow by George G. Ritchie and Elizabeth Sherrill - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


4. The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. Meet Hate by Abi Sabina - ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - Read my review.


6. The Other Side of Certain by Amy Willoughby-Burle - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review pending.


7. The  Glass Road by Alyssa Schwarz - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


8. To Free the Stars by J'nell Ciesielski - ⭐⭐ - Publication is not until August 2023 and I read an eARC, so perhaps the final book will be better.

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Expected March 2023 Reads:

1. Confessions to a Stranger by Danielle Grandinetti.


2. June Bug by Chris Fabry - My local book club's selection for March.


3. Write Better by Andrew T. Le Peau.


4. The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy.


5. I'll Start Again Monday by Lysa TerKeurst - Currently reading.


6. Reading for the Love of God by Jessica Hooten Wilson.


7. The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green.


8. Endless Grace by Dan Wilt and Ryan Smith. - Prayers inspired by Psalms 76-150 - Currently reading.

What will you read this month?

Book Review: Meet Hate by Abi Sabina

About the Book:

Meet Hate is an enemies-to-lovers rom-com with crackling chemistry full of laughs and heart set on a dairy farm. All the tension without the explicit bits. It's the third book in the Meet Cute Series, but it can be read as a standalone.

If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it's that I’ll do anything to prevent some suit from walking onto my family farm and buying it from us.

Hayes may think he can show up at our home, fling a contract in my face, and I’ll drop to my knees and thank him for saving the day, but he’s got it all wrong.

Even if it means Hayes has to spend more time on the farm, sleeping in the bedroom next to me, and almost getting a limb cut off.

When I learn that Hayes needs his job to care for his nephew, I see a different side to the grumpy businessman and understand his motives. He may be the enemy, but soon I can’t deny the chemistry that sizzles between us.

But his boss gives him an ultimatum to finalize the sale or get fired, and I make the greatest sacrifice of my life and sign the contract so he can raise his nephew right. Even if it means losing the man I love.

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My Thoughts:

I enjoyed Meet Hate by Abi Sabina from start to finish. Initially, I thought the title unappealing. However, once I started reading, I was hooked by this enemies-to-lovers romance. The author used this familiar trope to create a feel-good romantic comedy (romcom) that was funny without relying too heavily on pop culture references.  

The characters in Meet Hate undergo limited character development as the focus is on Hayes and Ellie’s growing relationship. Unlike some enemies-to-lovers stories, Ellie’s antagonism of Hayes was completely understandable considering her impending loss. The pronounced tension between them led to legitimately funny moments that had me snickering (mostly at Hayes). The author deftly moved Ellie and Hayes from business-related tension to romantic tension. I enjoyed all the stages of their relationship as well as the story’s conclusion.

Meet Hate lands as the third installment in Abi Sabina’s Meet Cute series. The novel works well as a standalone, but it was so delightful that I’ve already added the prior books to my wish list. I recommend this story to readers who enjoy clean romance with fun, humor, and swoony moments. The only thing I would change would be to omit the last paragraph of the book blurb as it’s a bit of a spoiler.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.