Sunday Confessions #347

 


Welcome back to Sunday Book Confessions, where I say the quiet reading thoughts out loud.

This is the space for the DNFs I don’t regret, the petty opinions I absolutely stand by, and the completely unnecessary stress I put on myself over my TBR. Consider this your weekly reminder that reading is supposed to be fun… even if I occasionally treat it like a competitive sport.


Sunday Confessions #346
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Weekly Menu #649 And The Book Of The Week
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February 2026 Wrap Up
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What I Read Last Week - February 23rd to March 1st


Weekly Menu #650 And The Book Of The Week
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What I Read Last Week - March 2nd to 8th
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Sunday Confessions #348










63/250 2026 Reading Challenge
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25/102 2025 Goodreads Nominees Reading Challenge


And that’s it for this week’s confessions.

Some opinions may change. Some won’t. My TBR will continue to grow faster than I can manage, and I will continue pretending that’s fine. If you made it this far, you’re either nosy in the best way or avoiding your own reading slump. Either way, same. See you next Sunday.

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What I Read Last Week - February 23rd to March 1st


4 Stars

I told myself after book one that I wouldn’t continue this series.

Reader, I continued.

Brimstone by Callie Hart is still addictive in that “just one more chapter” way. The characters have bite. The tension works. The stakes feel high.

But here’s my issue with this series: it keeps stacking ideas like it’s building a literary Jenga tower. New concepts, new twists, new chaos. Just when the storyline feels like it’s tightening into something sharp and inevitable, everything detonates and we’re off in a new direction.

It starts to feel like several short stories stitched together instead of one focused arc. Every time momentum builds, it resets. Not cool.

That said, I was still invested. Still turning pages. Still here, apparently. Four stars because I enjoyed the ride… I just wish it picked a lane and stayed in it.

4 Stars

This felt very honest.

Alyson Stoner talks about identity, trauma, growing up in the spotlight, and trying to untangle all of it as an adult. There’s a lot of self-reflection and research mixed in, but it never felt like they were talking down to the reader.

At times it leaned a little more analytical than emotional for me. I wanted a bit more raw feeling and a little less structure. But overall, I really appreciated how thoughtful it was.

It’s not a light, easy read. It’s more of a sit-with-your-thoughts kind of book.

Solid 4 stars.

5 Stars

This had a mystery I needed answers to. It’s a slow burn, but it kept me interested the whole time. Very much written in that typical Lockhart style.

I haven’t always been a fan of this author, but they’ve grown on me. Or maybe I’ve just started appreciating the writing more. Either way, this one worked for me.

Easy 5 stars.



3 Stars

The world building and the cultivation aspects were interesting. I liked seeing how everything worked and how the progression system was set up.

But the plot and magic system felt slow and heavy at times. It dragged the pacing down, and I don’t think it all came together in a very cohesive way. There were moments where I wanted things to just move already.

That said… I’d probably still pick up the next book. I’m curious enough about the MC and where his journey goes from here. Sometimes that curiosity is enough.

4 Stars

At first I was like, “Oh no. Is this about to be another The Selection situation?” But once I got into it, the only real similarity was the whole bride competition setup.

Everything else? Way darker. Way more enchanting. It had this lush, slightly dangerous vibe running through it that kept me locked in. The world felt rich, the stakes felt real, and I was way more invested than I expected to be.

It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, which I’m never thrilled about. But honestly, that just means I’ll be grabbing book two immediately.

So yes. 4 stars. Dramatic, moody, and just addictive enough to trap me into the sequel.

5 Stars

This was one of those books where you think you’ve cracked the case… and you absolutely have not. I was so sure I knew who did it. I did not. Humbling.

I loved how this started. The podcast angle was such a fun hook, and honestly, I’m a little offended it’s not real because I would 100% subscribe and spiral with it. The format pulled me in fast, and then the story just kept inching deeper into the darkness.

By the second half, I wasn’t pacing myself. I was devouring it. One sitting. No breaks.

Easy 5 stars from me.

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February 2026 Wrap Up

 


February said “short month,” and I said “watch me.”

I read 28 books in 28 days, which feels slightly unhinged but also deeply on brand for me. It was a mix of fantasy, feelings, chaos, and a few late nights where I absolutely should have gone to sleep but instead needed to know what happened next. Overall? A very solid reading month.













63/250 2026 Reading Challenge
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25/102 2025 Goodreads Nominees Reading Challenge


And that’s February.

28 books, a few new favorites, a couple surprises, and at least one “why did I stay up until midnight for this?” moment. Overall, I’m really happy with how this reading month turned out. Now we roll into March with an ambitious TBR, unrealistic expectations, and absolutely no intention of slowing down.

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Weekly Menu #649 And The Book Of The Week

 


WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Chorizo and Veggie Power Bowls

Kids - Cheesy Rice and Veggies

 

Tuesday

Lemon Garlic Chicken and Cucumber Salad

Kids - Chicken and Cucumbers

 

Wednesday

Bratwurst & Cabbage Skillet

Kids - Hotdogs and Chips

 

Thursday

Breakfast for Dinner Veggie Scramble

Kids - Sheet Pan Pancake

 

Friday

Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wraps

Kids - Cheese Quesadilla

 

Saturday

Crispy Chicken Sandwiches

Kids - Grilled Cheese

 

Sunday

Leftovers Night

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Sunday Confessions #346

 


Sunday feels like a good place to admit that last week was actually… good. Not chaotic, not survival mode. Just good. Things got done, everyone was fed, no major fires to put out. I’ll take it. So these confessions are less “what went wrong” and more “okay, maybe we’re figuring this out.” Small wins count. And I’m counting them.


Sunday Confessions #345
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Weekly Menu #648 And The Book Of The Week
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What I Read Last Week - February 16th to 22nd


Weekly Menu #649 And The Book Of The Week
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What I Read Last Week - February 23rd to March 1st
~
Sunday Confessions #347











58/250 2026 Reading Challenge
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22/102 2025 Goodreads Nominees Reading Challenge



So that’s this week’s confession. Nothing dramatic. No spirals. Just steady, solid days that added up to something good. I’ll take the progress, the small wins, and the calm where I can get it. If next week decides to be chaotic, fine. But for now, I’m ending this one grateful… and maybe a little proud.

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