Books of the Month February 2025

February books page.

We have a lovely mixed bunch of titles for you to browse and win this month.

We have the latest from Jojo Moyes, introducing the fractured and chaotic Kennedy family, and award-winning short fiction writer Charmaine Wilkinson. Gregg Hurwitz returns with his latest thriller in the Orphan X series and Holly Stars will cheer you up with a fun murder mystery set in the world of drag queens!

For romance this month, Katie Fforde takes us from Provence to London, Suzanne Snow takes us to the Yorkshire Dales and Milly Johnson reminds us of the power of female friendship and that it's never too late for a new start.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes. The Kennedy household is a whirlwind of chaos and unexpected change. Lila, once a bestselling author on marriage, is now navigating single motherhood after her ex’s betrayal. Her stepdad Bill, kind but exasperating, has moved in after her mother’s death. Celie, her eldest, has secretly quit school, while nine-year-old Violet delights in inappropriate rap lyrics and fart jokes. Their dog, Truant, has just bitten Gene, Lila’s long-absent father - a charismatic but unreliable actor and an expert in domestic disruption. His return shakes up the family in surprising ways: the girls find a kindred spirit, Bill starts to unwind, and Lila, against all odds, begins dating. As tensions and transformations unfold, one question looms, will Gene’s presence heal or fracture their family forever? Published by Michael Joseph. 11th February 2025. £22. Pre-Order your copy here

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson. Ebby Freeman takes a three-month trip to France to escape her complicated past, only to run into her ex-fiancé Henry and his new girlfriend. This forces her to confront painful memories from twenty years earlier when her family, the only African American household in a wealthy Connecticut enclave, experienced a violent home invasion that changed their lives forever. Among the losses was a cherished stoneware jar, crafted by an enslaved ancestor and passed down through generations. As Ebby grapples with her past, she realises uncovering the artifact's history may be key to healing her family and reclaiming her future. Published by Michael Joseph. 6th February 2025. £16.99. Pre-Order your copy here

Murder in the Dressing Room by Holly Stars. Meet Misty Divine - your favourite new amateur sleuth! Drag isn't just dramatic. It's deadly. By day, shy hotel accountant Joe hides behind their desk and plays by the rules, taking to the stage by night as Misty Divine, upcoming star of the London drag scene. When Misty’s mentor, Lady Lady, is found dead in her dressing room, Misty is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Lady Lady was murdered, and as the only ones with access to her room, Misty and her fellow performers soon become prime suspects. Heartbroken by the loss, and frustrated by the inaction of the police, Joe is determined to uncover the killer. But what can a mere hotel accountant, possibly do? This is a case for Misty Divine. Published by Michael Joseph. 6th February 2025. £16.99. Pre-Order your copy here

From London with Love. Katie Fforde. It’s 1968 and cold when Felicity arrives in London to stay with her mother, improve her English, do a secretarial course, and meet a suitable man. She's already missing her home in Provence with her father, his new wife and their extended family. But it’s only for a year she tells herself - and then she can go back to France and do what she really wants and become a painter. Until she bumps into Oliver who is quite the most interesting young man she has ever met. He lives on a barge for one thing and has a collection of jobs, but his passion is looking for hidden treasures along the shores of the river Thames. In a word, he’s a mudlarker and before long Felicity is mudlarking too. She's also pursuing her dreams and painting scenery for Oliver’s actor friends. But is Oliver a Suitable Man of whom her mother will approve? Felicity knows she will not. Published by Century. 13th February 2025 £16.99. Pre-Order your copy here

Same Time Next Week by Milly Johnson. Welcome to Spring Hill, a thriving local community and in Ray’s Diner, a group of women meet once a week over a cup of something. Amanda is primary carer to her elderly mother and one of the few women in a male-dominated company is used to being second-best. Sky works at a repair shop, patching up teddy bears, and their owners’ hearts, her heart beats for a man who is strictly off-limits. Mel, a loyal and loving wife to Steve, but when he goes to his old school reunion, her life will never be the same again. Erin is trying to get over a traumatic loss where her guilt weighs more than her grief. Astrid is feeling in need of a change and a challenge. But when an opportunity presents itself she thinks she isn't worthy enough to take the risk. Can these women find the answers to their worries, acceptance, courage and support? Published by Simon and Schuster (UK) 27th February 2025. £16.99. Pre-Order your copy here

Finding Home in Hartfell by Suzanne Snow. The eldest of five siblings and mother of teenage Harriet, Pippa is the glue that holds the family together. When her father, rock legend Jonny Jones, asks her to 'sort out' an old family home in Hartfell, the last thing she wants is to spend her summer holiday in the Yorkshire Dales. Faced with no WIFI and a lot of mud, she and Harriet find themselves house-sitting for the summer and are suddenly owners of a Shetland pony and a sitting tenant, the local vet Gil, who doesn't want to leave. Even as sparks fly with the handsome vet, tensions rise when Pippa's plans put his practice and the village fete under threat. Can she turn the fete into a success and win back the villagers' approval? And will Pippa unstick herself from her demanding family enough to go after what she needs? Published in paperback by Canelo, 6th February 2025. £9.99. Pre-Order your copy here

Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz. The latest novel in the Orphan X series.  No greater friend: Evan Smoak is the guy you want on your side. A highly trained former government black ops assassin, he'll be there for you in your darkest hour - and he'll rain hell and thunder on those who caused your pain. No worse enemy: A lone wolf operator, Evan can't afford to lose any of the few people he likes and trusts. But when Tommy Stojack, Evan's loyal, long-time gunsmith and armourer, betrays him, it's war. Because a good assassin keeps his friends close, but his weapons closer. Published by Michael Joseph, 13th February 2025. £16.99. Pre-Order your copy here

Win all the books featured this month in our competition, click here to enter

_{We are an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase}