LOVE FIRST, ALWAYS! | February 2025 Monthly Favorites

 This was one month that definitely flew by that's for sure! Anyways, I'm gonna share what I was into for February- I got of good things to brag about! Let's get into it!

A good slew of February favorites!

Favorite Music (good round of music all-around- some of it made dance, some of it made me happy, and some of it made me feel angsty):

• Gave You Everything by the Interrupters: https://youtu.be/3EP7422hggs?si=7Aw-lgLLZy-VzQT0

• If by House of Heroes: https://youtu.be/kSsOUY_cnZc?si=vNK33KW-VwlEeyTq

• Wanna Start a Band? by Sleigh Bells: https://youtu.be/0RXiWCkX_1Q?si=jx_cqdO76Wp5m0lB

• Basic Being Basic by djo: https://youtu.be/3AYJJQEMHwo?si=ea5r7mn3EJnfCc3Z

Favorite Coffee and / or Tea:

• Nespresso x Blue Bottle Blend no. 1 whole bean coffee: notes of plum compote, toffee, & raspberry- this was a part of surprise to me for a (belated) Valentine's Day gift (the rest of were some other Nespresso pods I was interested in). Anyways, this was a nice & bright coffee to begin the day with. I'll link it: https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/order/capsules/vertuo/blue-bottle-blend-no-1-whole-bean

• Starbucks Mountain Blend ground coffee: notes of cocoa nib & orange zest; this coffee was bought an impromptu grocery run and I ended up really liking it! The notes are pronounced well and not too overpowering! I'll link it: https://www.target.com/p/starbucks-mountain-blend-roast-ground-coffee-10oz/-/A-92987801#lnk=sametab

Favorite Book(s) I've Read and / or listened to as an audiobook via Spotify:

• First Time Caller by B.K Borison (my February 2025 BOTM pick): This was such a good book! Enjoyed Aiden & Lucie's story from friends to lovers- very funny, too! Had some spicy scenes but it didn't overtake from the story too much. I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first-time-caller-bk-borison/1145583402?ean=9780593641194

• How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry: This book was such a cozy vibe- the bookshop setting did help- and learning all of the characters' impacts on the main character's late dad. The lovey-dovey bits didn't hurt either! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-find-love-in-a-bookshop-veronica-henry/1125190256?ean=9780735223509

• This Song is (not) for you by Laura Nowlin: This book had it all (first, it was very easy to read): a love triangle, music references, and coming-of-age themes (told mostly from high-schoolers' perspectives'). I enjoyed it so! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/this-song-is-laura-nowlin/1121772378?ean=9781464218781

• The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose: This was such a good, wild ride of a book! Can't wait for the sequel to this book to come out! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-perfect-divorce-jeneva-rose/1146289711?ean=9798228310056&aug=1

• The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood: This was such a light-hearted, funny read and I truly enjoyed it! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-love-of-my-afterlife-kirsty-greenwood/1143890951?ean=9780593816134

• The Boyfriend by Frieda McFadden: This was my first time reading this author (I know she's widely popular) and I didn't know what to really expect when I got this book. Boy, I was in for a thrilling ride- twist after twist- won't be my last book from her! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-boyfriend-freida-mcfadden/1144894254?ean=9781464234569

• The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr (library pick): This was available at my local library as a blind date with a book pick (didn't have to pay for it obviously). It was such a good read- wholesome & heartwarming- and appreciate the puzzle touches as that went well with the theme of the book. The romance-ish bits were nice, too! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fellowship-of-puzzlemakers-samuel-burr/1143735391?ean=9780593470091

• How to Kill Men and Get Away with it (Spotify audiobook pick) by Katy Brent: This was a mind-blowing & shockingly twisted (even funny) audiobook. Didn't expect some of the twist(s) in the book either. I'll link the book for those that don't have a Spotify account to listen to the audiobook version (it's worth reading/listening to): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-kill-men-and-get-away-with-it-katy-brent/1142001090?ean=9780008536695

Well, that's all for this month! Hope you enjoyed reading and looking forward to spring plus all of the hopefully good changes coming (within that season obviously)!

-Lauren-