Book Mail: A Roundup of the Book Mail I Received Last Week

The first week of February feels like a promise of something new just around the corner, and this week’s book mail made that feeling sparkle. My TBR pile has grown into a charming little tower of anticipation, thanks to a book haul filled with new book releases that seem to whisper, read me next. Each package carried thoughtful book recommendations, gentle nudges from fellow readers who always seem to know what my heart needs. With so many titles already hinting at their place among the best books of 2026, it feels like the sweetest way to spend winter—wrapped in a blanket, a good story, and the quiet joy of books finding their way home.

Where to Buy These Books:

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I want to note that I do not get paid to do these posts, I just love authors and the book industry. However, they do take time and energy to create. If you want to donate a few dollars to my coffee fund, which keeps this blog going, you can do so here: https://venmo.com/AshleyHasty or here: http://paypal.me/hastybooklist.

Aardvark Book Club is a monthly book subscription service that curates a selection of buzzy new releases and under-the-radar gems, giving readers the chance to discover fresh titles before they hit everyone else’s radar. Each month, members choose from a thoughtfully selected lineup across genres, and the books arrive in Aardvark’s signature bright, bookish packaging that feels like a little literary present on your doorstep. I was kindly gifted a box by Aardvark in exchange for my honest review.

Receiving my Aardvark box was genuinely such a fun experience. From the moment it arrived, it felt special—beautifully packaged, easy to open, and filled with books that were perfectly aligned with my reading tastes. I loved the mix of genres in my selection, from conversation-starting literary fiction to page-turning suspense and feel-good romance, giving me a well-rounded stack I was immediately excited to add to my TBR. It’s the kind of delivery that makes you want to clear your schedule, brew a cup of coffee, and start reading right away.

This Week’s Book Mail Includes:

Isn't It Obvious? by Rachel Runya Katz – A secret-identity podcast romance turns chaotic when sworn real-life enemies discover they’ve been falling in love online.
The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith – Sixteen years after a sister’s abduction, a family’s long-buried secrets erupt when the missing girl suddenly returns—but is she really who she claims to be?
Back After This by Linda Holmes – A podcast producer forced to broadcast her dating life must decide if real love is worth risking her career and her carefully guarded heart.
The Hostess by Courtney Psak – A luxurious Hamptons escape becomes a chilling game of cat and mouse when a recovering woman suspects her glamorous hostess isn’t what she seems.
The Violin Maker's Secret by Evie Woods – Three strangers become unlikely guardians of a mysterious violin whose haunting past could change all of their futures.
Clack-Clack, Little Crab by Amy Blay – An interactive board book that invites little hands to clack, play, and discover ocean friends along the way.
The Wild Card by Stephanie Archer – A fiery rivalry with a hockey legend-turned-single-dad coach turns into an irresistible battle of hearts and control.
Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake – Two rival artists with a shared romantic past must live, work, and compete together—until tension sparks something neither expected.
The Re-Do List by Denise Williams – A freshly heartbroken woman recruits her brother’s best friend to help her redo life’s firsts—and accidentally finds a love worth keeping.
Sunk in Love by Heather McBreen – A divorcing couple fakes romance on a family cruise only to discover old love might not be sunk after all.
Akiko's Quiet Happiness by Jan-Philipp Sendker – Two lonely souls reconnect in Tokyo and uncover family truths that redefine who they are and how they love.
Bender's L.A. by Michael Elias – A darkly funny, coke-dusted journey through 70s and 80s Hollywood explores love, loss, and the cost of chasing dreams.
Plant Pandemonium! by Camille Pichon – Forty-five interactive puzzles turn young readers into playful problem-solvers in a house full of mischievous plants.
Dragon Cursed by Elise Kova – In a city besieged by dragons and suspicion, a young woman hiding a deadly curse must trust the one man who might know her secret.
A Writing Marriage by Lori Carlson-Hijuelos – A lyrical memoir blending love, grief, and unfinished art to tell the enduring story of two intertwined literary lives.
Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson – A murder aboard a luxury author cruise turns a cool-headed assistant into an amateur sleuth—and maybe a romantic heroine too.
An Unconventional Lady by Sarah E. Ladd – A bold Regency heroine fights scientific fraud, social expectations, and unexpected attraction to claim her future.
Restrung by Matt Fogelson – A father’s rediscovered love of music becomes a path to healing old wounds and redefining father-son connection.
Last Bite by Amy S. Peele – A newly widowed Chicago woman launches a funeral-catering business—and stumbles into laughter, Cubs baseball, and a second chance at love.
Vivian's Decision by Della Leavitt – A 1960s mother facing an impossible choice confronts family secrets, societal limits, and her own quiet strength.
Maysoon Zayid, the Girl Who Can Can by Seema Yasmin and Noha Habaieb Yasmin – The inspiring true story of a girl who defied expectations to become a groundbreaking Muslim comedian.
Murder Before "I Do". by Rosie A. Point and Charles Timmerman – Solve the mystery of a wedding-night murder through word searches that hide clues in plain sight.
Rings of Fate by Melissa de la Cruz – A tavern-keeper and a cursed prince enter a fake engagement that may decide the fate of kingdoms—and their hearts.
Start Your Engines! by Katy S. Duffield – A rhyming race-day adventure where friendship matters more than crossing the finish line first.
The Story of Marceau Miller by Marceau Miller – A grieving widow follows her husband’s final manuscript into a labyrinth of truth, deception, and identity.
Rebel of the Regency by Ann Foster – The untamed true story of a forgotten princess who scandalized a monarchy and became a symbol of female defiance.
Such a Perfect Family by Nalini Singh – A whirlwind romance turns to ashes when a deadly past collides with a too-perfect family hiding monstrous truths.
Inharmonious by Tammye Huf – Four lives are forever changed when war, race, and love collide in America’s fight for identity and justice.
Construction Site: Dad and His Crew Power Through! by Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford – A beloved construction crew returns with a heartwarming celebration of dads, teamwork, and family.
Chopsticks Are by Chloe Ito Ward and Lynn Scurfield – A joyful picture book celebrating chopsticks as tools of food, culture, memory, and connection.
If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean by Brooke McIntyre and Gordy Wright – A breathtaking dive through ocean layers reveals mysterious creatures and the hidden wonders of the deep.
The Colorful World of Reptiles by Matt Sewell – Fifty fascinating reptiles come to life through vibrant watercolor art and delightfully strange facts.
When Twilight Comes by Marcie Flinchum Atkins and Michelle Morin – A luminous exploration of dawn and dusk reveals the secret lives of creatures who thrive in the in-between.