2026 WINTER RECAP: Definitely, Maybe, Pass
Disclaimer: I read books based on preferences which take into account my faith and personal convictions. Please check any of my recommendations against your own convictions and read responsibly.
Hey reader friends! 2026 is here and already well underway. A new year always brings new reading habits, and for me, it’s looking like less is more—which is slightly problematic considering I set my reading goal at 100 books, ha! But I’m feeling less compelled to read just anything and everything, and more drawn to stories with depth, emotional layers, and truly captivating plots. Safe to say, 2026 is shaping up to be a doubling down of quality over quantity.
With the new year also came a desire to change how I share books with you. Last year, I recapped everything I read, sharing my full thoughts on each one. But this year, I want to make it easier for you to quickly spot the books I actually think you should read—filtered, of course, through my own perspective.
So what does that look like? Instead of long monthly recaps, I’ll be doing seasonal ones—think winter, spring, summer, and fall. And I’m introducing a new system: Definitely, Maybe, Pass.
It’s simple:
Definitely = must-reads, TBR gold
Maybe = worth considering depending on your taste
Pass = let me save you the time
And as a special treat, I’ll end each recap with a DIAMOND pick—the one standout book from the season. In other words, if you only read one book, this is the one it should be.
My hope is that this makes finding your next read feel easier, more fun, and a little more tailored. So let’s take this new method for a spin and dive into my Definitely, Maybe, Passpicks from January and February!
MY WINTER READING STATS
“DEFINITELY”
4.5 ⭐️ BEARTOWN : by Fredrik Backman
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: LIGHT | ❕CONENT WARNING: MODERATE
Backman does it again. His ability to write such deep duality creates storytelling that both infuriates you and makes you feel deeply seen, all while challenging traditions and societal norms. The characters and their individual journeys are truly what shine in this book. You walk alongside each of them through questions of good and evil, right and wrong, speaking out or staying silent—all woven together by the fabric of a small town. Backman’s writing is also filled with the kind of quotes that stop you in your tracks; I easily jotted down at least twenty. The narrative is both beautiful and heartbreaking, but above all, incredibly powerful.
5 ⭐️ SECRETS OF THE SECRET PLACE : by Bob Sorge
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: NONE | ❕CONENT WARNING: NONE
A true spiritual gem that I can’t recommend enough. This book is made up of short, powerful chapters that gently challenge your daily walk with God while inviting you into deeper intimacy with Him. It’s one I highly encourage reading slowly—I personally worked through it over the course of last year, reading just one or two chapters during my morning quiet time. I finally finished it in January, and honestly, I already want to start it all over again. Take your time with this one. Sit with it. Let God meet you in each reflection and speak to you through every page.
4.75 ⭐️ MY HUSBAND’S WIFE : by Alice Feeney
❤️🔥 SPICE: LIGHT | 🔪 VIOLENCE: MILD | ❕CONENT WARNING: MILD
Easily the best thriller I’ve read this year! The first half is incredibly twisty, fast-paced, and completely unputdownable—I couldn’t figure out what was unfolding for the life of me. The dynamic, unreliable characters add layers of tension and intrigue across the multiple POVs. While the suspense tapers slightly toward the end and the final scene left me a bit dissatisfied, it’s still a gripping, true thriller with storytelling and deception that keeps you guessing until the final pages.
4.75 ⭐️ WORST WINGMAN EVER : by Abby Jimenez
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: NONE | ❕CONENT WARNING: NONE
This is the simplest, cutest short story romance. I read it during my Valentine’s readathon, and it was the perfect bright, feel-good moment. The characters are charming, the plot is fun, and the MMC is top tier—though I may be a little biased since he builds things and reminded me of my husband. It’s the perfect clean rom-com palate cleanser!
4.5 ⭐️ THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE : by Christina Lauren
❤️🔥 SPICE: LIGHT | 🔪 VIOLENCE: NONE | ❕CONENT WARNING: NONE
Another short story from my Valentine’s readathon, and this one was absolutely adorable. Think pen pals, but via email—and there’s just something so swoon-worthy about people falling in love through written correspondence. Even though it’s short, the story spans multiple years, giving you time to really get to know the characters. And speaking of them—they’re incredibly lovable and easy to root for all the way to the end.
4.5 ⭐️ ACCIDENTALLY YOURS : by Christina Lauren
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: NONE | ❕CONENT WARNING: NONE
My third short story from my Valentine’s readathon, and another hit! This one leans into a work-from-home romance, which added a fun, modern twist. The characters are relatable, especially the FMC—and the plot is fast, light, and easy to enjoy. A perfect little romance pick-me-up.
4 ⭐️ TRULY : by Lionel Richie
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: NONE | ❕CONENT WARNING: LIGHT
A truly beautiful memoir spanning the life of a musical legend. The audiobook is a treat—even though it’s not narrated by Lionel, it still feels engaging and true to his voice. One of the standout elements is the rich historical backdrop, taking you on a journey through America’s past through the lens of Black artists in the music industry. It’s riveting, heartwarming, at times devastating, and filled with beautiful storytelling from start to finish.
4.5 ⭐️ THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM : by Laura Dave
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: LIGHT | ❕CONENT WARNING: LIGHT
This is the sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me, and honestly, I enjoyed this one even more than the original! The character depth is what truly shines and carries this book. It’s a story layered with secrets, sacrifice, and the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love. While it’s categorized as a thriller and moves at a fast pace, it almost reads more like contemporary fiction, filled with thoughtful reflections and beautiful quotes about life and family. You should read the first book to fully appreciate this one—but it’s also adapted into a series on Apple TV+. I watched the first season before reading the original book—which devalued the book experience for me. So, I highly recommend reading the second book before watching season two!
“MAYBE”
3.5 ⭐️ THE LET THEM THEORY:by Mel Robbins
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: NONE | ❕CONENT WARNING: NONE
This is a soft “maybe” for me—some readers will find it incredibly helpful, while others may already be familiar with many of the concepts. I appreciate Mel’s direct, science-backed approach, though as a Christian, I’d encourage pairing her ideas with Scripture. The audiobook is engaging thanks to her strong personality, but much of the content felt more like familiar ideas repackaged. The standout for me was her take on adult friendships, a topic that isn’t talked about nearly enough.
3.5 ⭐️ THE ANATOMY OF AN ALIBI:by Ashley Elston
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: MILD | ❕CONENT WARNING: LIGHT
This one is another soft maybe for me—the plot is intriguing from the start, with strong family drama and layers of hidden secrets. The dual POVs add tension and keep the mystery unfolding in an engaging way. However, it leans more heavily on toxic family dynamics and corruption than on the actual “whodunnit,” which made it feel slower and less like a true thriller. By the end, the twist felt somewhat predictable, leaving me a bit underwhelmed as a whole.
3.75 ⭐️ THE GUY YOU LOVED TO HATE:by Spencer Pratt
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: NONE | ❕CONENT WARNING: MILD
I’m giving this one a mild maybe—some readers will find it entertaining and a juicy behind-the-scenes look at reality TV, while others may dislike it for those same reasons. Spencer is an engaging, witty storyteller who genuinely made me laugh, and the audiobook is definitely the best way to experience it. That said, parts of the second half felt a bit off-track, and I skipped a few sections due to personal beliefs. Even so, if you watched The Hills, this will likely be a fun, nostalgic listen.
“PASS”
3 ⭐️ BEST OFFER WINS : by Marisa Kashino
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: LIGHT | ❕CONENT WARNING: LIGHT
This one is a pass for me—there are simply better thrillers out there. The unreliable, unhinged narrator had potential, but often crossed into unlikeable and borderline unbearable. The second half, including the twist, felt too unrealistic to deliver any real payoff. While it had a few entertaining moments, it ultimately lacked the depth and tension I look for in a great thriller.
1 ⭐️ WITH ANY LUCK : by Ashley Poston
❤️🔥 SPICE: MILD | 🔪 VIOLENCE: NONE | ❕CONENT WARNING: LIGHT
Sadly, this was the one dud from my Valentine’s readathon. The characters felt flat, and the FMC was a bit annoying at times. The plot lacked depth and ultimately landed in a pretty underwhelming way, making it hard to connect with the romance. The spicy scene also felt SO unnecessary and out of place. I only finished it because it was short—but this is an easy pass.
2.5 ⭐️ DEAR DEBBIE : by Freida McFadden
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: MODERATE | ❕CONENT WARNING: MODERATE
Freida McFadden usually doesn’t disappoint, but this one sadly missed the mark for me. I picked it up on a flight to cure a reading slump, and unfortunately, it only pulled me deeper into one. The FMC is extremely unhinged, which ended up making her unlikeable for most of the story. The plot leans into the usual wild twists, but this time it didn’t land in a satisfying way. While I typically enjoy a good payback moment, this one crossed the line a few too many times. There are definitely stronger McFadden books I’d recommend picking up before this one.
“MY DIAMOND PICK”
💎 ATMOSPHERE : by Taylor Jenkins Reid
❤️🔥 SPICE: NONE | 🔪 VIOLENCE: NONE | ❕CONENT WARNING: MILD
My top read this winter! And would you believe I actually DNF’d it the first time I picked it up? Thankfully, the second time was the charm. This is a heartbreakingly beautiful story about love, loss, and chasing your dreams, set against the backdrop of NASA’s 1980s space shuttle program. The lovable cast and strong sense of found family pull you in from the very first page, while the story thoughtfully explores the nuances of relationships, family, and career. Add in the fascinating behind-the-scenes look at astronauts and space, and you have a deeply emotional, layered read I highly recommend.
