January 2026 Reads!

This was (mostly) a good reading month for me!

2/7 Edited to

... Read moreJanuary was a remarkable month for my reading journey, especially as I delved into several notable series and standalone novels that left a lasting impression. One highlight was Raven Kennedy's The Plated Prisoner series, which features intriguing titles such as "A Gilded Cage is Still a Prison," "Gold Can Blind, Lies Can Bind," and "Death is Not Your End." Her writing combines suspense and emotional depth, making the series addictive and thought-provoking. In addition to Kennedy’s works, I also enjoyed books by Harper L., a USA Today bestselling author, whose gripping stories like "Death is His Undoing" captured my attention with their intense plot twists and rich character development. Rebecca Ross’s "True Love is More Divine Than Any Ruthless God" stood out as a beautifully crafted novel that blends mythology with romance, offering a refreshing and immersive reading experience. What I appreciate most about these reads is not just the storytelling but also how each book engages with themes of freedom, trust, and overcoming personal struggles. The mix of fantasy elements and emotional realism creates a balance that appeals to a wide range of readers, including those who enjoy complex world-building and relatable characters. For anyone looking to expand their reading list this year, I highly recommend exploring these authors and their works. Whether you are drawn to series with intricate plots or novels that touch on divine love and redemption, the selections from my January reads provide a diverse and enriching reading experience. Sharing personal reviews like these helps me connect with fellow book lovers and encourages meaningful discussions around literature.

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A January 2026 reading calendar showing book covers placed on specific dates, indicating when each book was read. Below the calendar, a list of books with their ratings and reading status, including 'Interview With The Vampire,' 'The New Jim Crow,' and 'Ghost Light' marked as currently reading.
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January Reads
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Amazon First Reads January 2026
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❄️ January Reads & A Few Stats
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2026 Reads
I loved the concept of this book, but Idk if it’s the narrators or the writing but I found this very cringe. Both the main characters were infuriating and the dialogue during spicy time gave me the ick. Thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Media for this gifted ALC. ⭐️Overall rating: 2/5 #lemon8boo
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My January 2026 Reads
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January 2026 reads
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ESSENCEJANAYᥫ᭡

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2026 Reads - Moonstruck By Jade Ambrosia
I loved this so much, I stayed up until 4am to finish it, once I started I couldn’t put it down, it’s addicting. I haven’t read a shifter romance in a while and this was absolutely amazing. I absolutely loved Amara and Cyrus, their chemistry even when they were strangers could be felt from the begi
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Shynnel

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2026 Reads - Church Girl by Naima Simone
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2026 Reads - You Could Do Damage by K.C. Mills
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A digital device displays the vibrant cover of the book 'Heaux Phase' by Netra Antionette. The cover features a Mardi Gras theme with colorful flowers, garlands, beads, and two ornate masks flanking a window. Text reads 'A WOMAN'S FREEDOM IS ITS OWN LOVE STORY.' and 'THE NETROVELLA COLLECTION'.
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This was a beautiful story. I love when women find themselves and learn to live and love themselves out loud unapologetically. ⭐️Overall rating: 5/5 #lemon8bookclub #JanuaryPagesChallenge #bookwormsoflemon8 #NetraAntionette #HeauxPhase
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Jessica Holmes

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15 likes

2026 Reads
Where is the rest of the story? What in the cliffhanger was that? No to be continued, nothing just the end ? MERCY!! ⭐️Overall rating: 3/5 #lemon8bookclub #JanuaryPagesChallenge #bookwormsoflemon8 #TatumJames #SafeWord
Shynnel

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One of my favorite reads of 2026✨
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Kayla Reads 📚 🥰

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2026 Reads
The burn is very very very slow. I enjoyed the story for the most part but I didn’t realize this would end on a cliffhanger until I got 80% in and realized there’s still so much we don’t know and then we got to chapter 18 and I was like oh, there’s gonna be another book. ⭐️Overall rating: 3/5 #
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Shynnel

Shynnel

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A pink spiral notebook displays a handwritten 2026 book log. It includes daily page counts for 'Hunting Adaline', January reads like 'The Housemaid's Secrets' and 'The Perfect Marriage', a TBR list with 'That's Not My Name' and 'Pretty Girls', and favorite authors. A pink pen rests on the pages.
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My 5 ⭐️ Reads January-March 2026
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📚Jo Lee Reads📚

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A digital book cover for 'A Little Kissing Between Friends' by Chencia C. Higgins, displayed on a tablet. It features a cartoon man in a yellow jersey and a woman in a green dress embracing, against a pink background with musical notes.
2026 Reads - A Little Kissing Between Friends
I enjoyed the story enough to finish, but I feel like there was so much miscommunication for no reason. ⭐️Overall rating: 3/5 #lemon8bookclub #blackreaders #bookwormsoflemon8 #ChenciaCHiggins #ALittleKissingBetweenFriends
Shynnel

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13 likes

A digital screen displays the book cover for 'Trading Places' by Tiffany Grey. The black and white cover shows two pairs of hands, one wearing a watch and the other a bracelet, intertwined.
2026 Reads - Trading Places by Tiffany Grey
⭐️Overall rating: 2/5 #lemon8bookclub #bookwormsoflemon8 #bookish #TiffanyGrey #TradingPlaces
Shynnel

Shynnel

14 likes

2026 Reads - Lilith by Alexandria House
This was absolutely insane and I loved every minute of it 10/10⭐️Overall rating: 5/5 #lemon8bookclub #bookish #JanuaryPagesChallenge #alexandriahouse #lilith
Shynnel

Shynnel

13 likes

2026 Reads - Maybe One More Time by Christina C Jones
⭐️Overall rating: 4/5 #lemon8bookclub #blackreaders #bookwormsoflemon8 #ChristinaCJones #MaybeOneMoreTime
Shynnel

Shynnel

24 likes

2026 Reads - Score by Kennedy Ryan
Kennedy always does such a great job at portraying black love that makes you want it so bad, and she always takes such care when navigating mental health and what that can look for an individual and the people they love that love them, I always appreciate that about her writing. I loved everything
Shynnel

Shynnel

29 likes

2026 Reads - Restore Me by JL Seegars
Sensual, sexy, and nasty ash, but oouuu did both these characters get on my nerves. Nonetheless it was a great read.⭐️Overall rating: 4/5 #lemon8bookclub #blackreaders #bookwormsoflemon8 #JLSeegars #RestoreMe
Shynnel

Shynnel

26 likes

My reads of January 2026 so far
Off to a good start! I did start two of these before the end of 2025. My boyfriend said I should count those two as apart of last year. What do you think? #2026reads #readingchallenge #bookstagram #reading
Briereads98

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0 likes

The cover of 'I Love You Too Much' by Jessica N. Watkins, displayed on an e-reader, shows red and yellow roses, some with red splatters, scattered on a dark ground with a shovel. A Lemon8 @shynnel watermark is visible.
2026Reads I Love You Too Much by Jessica N.Watkins
This was a wild ass ride, all these mofos are crazy. ⭐️Overall rating: 4/5 #lemon8bookclub #blackreaders #bookwormsoflemon8 #JessicaNWatkins #ILoveYouTooMuch
Shynnel

Shynnel

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January reads!!
I just officially hit a new personal record: 7 books in one month! My brain is currently full of fictional characters and plot twists, and I have absolutely no regrets. I’m either very productive or very good at avoiding my chores. Probably both! What’s your all-time monthly record? #Read
Brenda 🖤

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11 likes

January Reads 2026 📚
5 books read this month. Goal for the year is 50. Best book of the month goes to : Listen for the Lie Worst Book of the month goes to : Run Little Rabbit I’ve been reading more stand-alones lately. But if I don’t feel like reading a series I won’t 🫶🏾 #readingwrapup #januaryread
Bri 🤎

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4 likes

2026 Reads - Have Mercy On Me by Tatum James
This was hilarious, had me cackling the entire time. ⭐️Overall rating: 3/5 #lemon8bookclub #bookwormsoflemon8 #bookish #TatumJames #HaveMercyOnMe
Shynnel

Shynnel

30 likes

A hand holds a tablet displaying the book cover for 'Coming For You' by best-selling author Aubree Pynn. The cover features a woman's profile against a vibrant purple and pink background, with the text 'A Majestic Heights Love Story'.
2026 Reads - Coming For You by Aubree Pynn
I ate this up it was so good. Tres and Emree are just mm mm mm I loved them. This is my second read by Aubree Pynn and she is quickly becoming one of my favs. And I think second chance romance maybe a new fav for me. ⭐️Overall rating: 5/5 #lemon8bookclub #bookwormsoflemon8 #bookish #AubreeP
Shynnel

Shynnel

17 likes

2026 Reads - Kings Surrender by Iesha Bree
From the cover I thought this would be a poly romance, no dice😩. I wasn’t as invested in this story as much as I was with the first three, but I still enjoyed it. ⭐️Overall rating: 3/5 #lemon8bookclub #blackreaders #bookwormsoflemon8 #IeshaBree #KingsSurrender
Shynnel

Shynnel

15 likes

2026 MUST READS 📚🎉🎊
#2026 #yearofbooks #booktok #fyp #lemon8bookclub
Bliss📚🫶🏼

Bliss📚🫶🏼

123 likes

2026 Reads
I understand having to come to terms with who are you after being raised the way Nadine was raised but that’s no excuse for what she did and how she acted. After about 50% I think I started lowkey hate reading. No one can convince me that she didn’t cheat on Eddie, got me over here feeling sorry fo
Shynnel

Shynnel

22 likes

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