Tesse

Beautiful gets Boring

[t-ess-e]

Review of the 21 books I read in February 2026

Splintered Hearts by Sophie Quinn 3 Stars This had a promising start, got lost somewhere in the middle, but it redeemed itself towards the end.

An Honest Thief by Fyodor Dostoevsky 3 Stars So many words for such a short story

God Sees the truth, but waits by Leo Tolstoy 4 Stars Ugh, I cried. Moral lesson: listen to women

The Darling by Anton Chekhov 4 Stars Like many people, I often wonder how much of my thinking is shaped by others and whether I have a mind of my own. The Darling does not. She’s miserable on her own and only lives when someone deigns to engage with her. Very sad tbh

A Christmas Tree and a Wedding; Short Story by Fyodor Dostoevsky 3 Stars The bad guy wins, poor girl

Pump ‘N Dump by C.W Scott (did not even rate this) Imagine if your dude bro starts smelling like an omega in heat, and oh, he’s also lactating (The books I read, oh my Lord)

Blue Gold by Tal Lewin 4 Stars It's messy and toxic and ugh, but I love them, it tackles real issues, infidelity, eating disorders and many more. a

Like Real People do by E.L Massey 5 Stars My latest must-read writer, this book is the most beautiful story I’ve read all year

Like You’ve Nothing Left to Prove by E.L Massey 5 Stars Sequel to the most beautiful story, an even more beautiful story.

Polzunkov by Fyodor Dostoevsky 3 Stars Oh look at me, I’m a funny little guy, people laugh at my expense but that’s okay.

All Hail the Underdogs by E.L Massey 5 Stars Ugh, don’t you love when an aloof, nonchalant man gets very woke after falling in love?

My Revenant; Devil & Rabbit by Ronan Marlow 3 Stars This book set out in a “I’m being chased” vibe, slowed down to “um I miss him though”, and then he gives up and then goes back/lets himself be found, it left me wanting, and not in a good way, more like a “that’s it?” way

Free from falling by E.L Massey 5 Stars Close-minded farm-boy turned woke hockey star falls in love with a rockstar. Just beautiful stuff.

Mr. Prohartchin by Fyodor Dostoevsky 2 Stars So imagine, you’re terrified of being poor, of losing wealth, so instead you live poorly and die miserably. WHEN YOU HAD MONEY THE WHOLE TIME. I know this book has a deeper meaning, but I’m just miffed at Mr. Prohartchin, the loser.

Another Man’s wife and a Husband under the bed by Fyodor Dostoevsky 2 Stars My wife’s cheating on me, I think, I’m not so sure, but I’m going to make it everyone's problem.

The Tragedy of Felix and Jake by J. Daniels 4 Stars Spoiler alert, it actually wasn’t a tragedy, which was a relief, my babies deserved their happy ever after.

If I were to Die by L.A Cannon 4 Stars Absolutely heartbreaking and traumatizing, friends to lovers to enemies to lovers, this book took me through it

Win you over by C.S Autumn 5 Stars Insert that image of a gecko smiling, that’s how I feel about this book, so wholesome and beautiful.

Would you die with Me? by L.A Cannon 3 Stars This didn’t land as well as part one did, with certain areas I couldn’t get over, the ending was nice though

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka 3 Stars “Would you love me if I were up a bug?” Gregor Samsa asked his family “Ew no!” they replied.

Don’t Feed the Vampire by Grae Bryan 3 Stars I love Grae Bryan, and maybe I’ve consumed too much of their work. This felt repetitive and bland, and it could have just been better

[anxiouslyandmessily]

Jean when he saw Jeremy at the airport in his tiny golden shorts and a random yo-yo tangled up in his headphones

[infinityinakiss]

feat. hans zimmer is such an insane flex.

[t-ess-e]

Here’s what all 13 books I read in January 2026 were about.

This may contain spoilers

1. Most Valuable Player by A.M Woody 3 stars

Highschool cliché loudmouthed jock is more than he seems, and he has a crush on the high school cliché nerd who is also more than he seems, the two make a wonderful pair, growing from initial rejection into a closer relationship, they make each other better and scale past toxic exes and traumatic pasts together.

Wonderful story, it also shows why having a great support system is very important.

2. Evan by Lark Taylor 3 stars

Following the first book in the series “Finlay.” Evan is a character that was explored greatly even in the first book, he stole the limelight with his drama, this story explores forgiveness and reconciliation. It really immerses you into the clan, you (the reader) feel safe and protected, which is something the other MMC needed. Evan had made mistakes but with the events in the book, he shows up and shows out, to show he was reliable. I loved reading about the other characters, and as Lark Taylor often does, she debuts the next couple at the end of the book.

Safe to say, I’m holding on to my wig while waiting for the next book.

3. Remember My Name by Rebecca Rathe 3 stars

Don’t you just love when you have a one-night stand, whom you can’t get out of your head, so you write songs and songs about this person, you become famous and one day you find your muse on TV playing the atrocity Americans call “football”.

Clears throat, I may be salty about that game but let’s go on.

Ah yes, Rockstar meets Football star, and the two explored their mutual attraction while fielding homophobic press and the insensitive media. The Romance was romancing in this book! Loved it

4. Pieces of Home by Becca Neil 4 stars

After having this book aggressively recommended by my favourite bookstagram MM romance reader influencers, I decided to read it, I made the right choice. It was a gut wrenching, heart breaking, knife stabbing, boob grabbing, masterpiece of a book.

The book starts in the thick of it, while the story explores one man’s trauma (and I mean TRAUMA!!!) alongside another man’s trauma. The two save each other and over a long healing process become whole together.

The book mentioned very heavy topics, very deep but Author Becca Neil, masterfully explores these hard themes and delivers a book on grief, shame, pain and most importantly Healing.

5. Rebound Control by Jodi Oliver 4 stars

The way I’ve been waiting for this, Elliott being my favourite character in the book, I’m glad he got his own book, and It was a swoon-worthy romance, and as all the best things and the worst things it began with a crush, and a fireman wink, wink. I loved this book.

6. Bend Him Break Him by M.N. Bennet 2 stars

Where do I start? I did not like this book, or the characters, but I finished it and for that, I feel it’s worth a try.

This book is a Bully and bullied romance, they then swap places in college and forgive each other? oh wait, that’s why I didn’t like the book. I’m not a fan of forgiveness, but hey it worked out for the characters, so yay for them.

I wouldn’t forgive someone who did what the bully did to the bullied but that’s just me and also I don’t feel like he gave enough of an apology and the reasoning for his actions simply did not make sense, but I’m built different, I guess.

7. White Nights by Fyodor Dostoyevsky 4 stars

Ugh, don’t we just love a yapper! Honestly, I know why he doesn’t get the girl, you ask him a question, and he gives you a spiel. The humour was good though and I thoroughly enjoyed the FMC.

8. Beautiful Obsession by Vee Eddy 5 stars

Ahem, *clears throat* Screams! Like many others, I often dream of meeting the person of my dreams on a cold dark night, while I cycle through a lonely street and watch as he kills a man. But it’s fine! The man is a rapist. So green flag!!!.

These two characters, they just fit so well, GO READ THIS BOOK. It was long but I didn’t notice, you know why? because I was enjoying myself.

9. The Dream of a Ridiculous Man by Fyodor Dostoyevsky 3 stars

The man is suicidal, he dreams of ridiculous things, and if you, like many others (le me) have this deep all-consuming fear that everything you touch is cursed and ruined. You will relate to his “ridiculous” dreams

10. The Crocodile by Fyodor Dostoyevsky 3 stars

As a fellow slave to Capitalism, I too fear for my productivity, if I am to be swallowed by a Crocodile.

Side note: invest in better friends?

11. Bobok by Fyodor Dostoyevsky 3 stars

A living man spies on the musings of the dead, in the end it’s all just “bobok, bobok”

12. Heart by Jesse H. Reign 5 stars

*inhales* To let the book speak for itself, here’s an excerpt;

“He looks up at me, and his eyes narrow with a foreign expression I’ve never seen on him before, it takes me a second to place it, A heavier brow than usual, a slight flare of his nostrils. Annoyance “I’m not calling the police on my fucking soulmate, Lennon. Who do you think I am?””

“Oh, Um. What are you doing then?” He glares at me like I’m the biggest idiot on the planet. “I’m looking for the best goddam therapist in town”

…

“Good thinking. I think that’ll be beneficial for you…” His lips part and he leans in top lip pulling up slightly. “it’s not for me, Lennon”, he says inserting a tiny pause between each word. “you’re the one who’s getting therapy”.

Trust me you need to read this book.

13. Deviant Cora Rose & Lark Taylor 3 stars

Our favourite Criminal (ish) family is back! Hold your wigs, clutch your boobies, “The Firm” book 2 is here, and we’re off with a bang!.

First time Kidnapper kidnaps an expert Kidnapper, who just follows him because he finds amateur kidnapper cute, he decides to adopt this amateur, and then shows him the way of Proper Kidnapping.

[jessefandomunited]

Lemme get a playback on that!!!!

[thisfeebleheart]

I'll be OK in a second. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We're good here. Your family is here.

[littlegirlinvisible]

# ILYA ROZANOV IS A COMEDIAN  

CONNOR STORRIE as ILYA ROZANOV HEATED RIVALRY (2025—)

[t-ess-e]

Love this man

[hoko-onchi-writes]

I bet young Ilya Rozanov never thought he’d get slapped in the face with that tism rizz and he would be so fucking cooked.

This man has eight of the same shirt and five of the same hoodie. This man memorizes hockey stats for fun. This man will have a cold ginger ale. This man will look awkwardly at the camera with a smile like he wants to incinerate himself in every wet t-shirt contest sports drink ad his mom books for him. This man will take everything you say absolutely literally. That’s French, Ilya. You just said a French word and we’re talking about Russian, are you unfamiliar with your own language. This man takes three days to recognize a social cue. And ten years to name an emotion. You’ll tell him you like him in the most roundabout way and you’ll think you NAILED it, and he’ll promptly have a panic attack on your dick. When he names that emotion finally? He’ll be absolutely relentless and will not stand down; he’s had an emotion and he knows you have one, too. By that point, there’s no escape. He’s imprinted on you and is starting to ovulate in your vicinity. He will bludgeon you with adorable nerd and insatiable ass. And his oral fixation is so mighty he’ll suck your remaining brain cells out through your dick.

This man drives a Range Rover because it’s good in the snow. This man does a loon call. This man will make you eight cheeseburgers. Buddy it’s over for you.

[existential-queeer]

He was cooked from the moment he first shook his hand

[odetoalibrary]

Dear X is fascinating because Ah Jin hasn’t actually yet hurt someone nearly as much as some of the other characters in the same show and yet some viki comments treat her as the devil incarnate. Is she worse than the father who tried to sell her for explicit films as a child, the stepmother who verbally and physically abused her, the school bully who tried to get her expelled for ranking ahead of her, the corrupt policeman who tried to get her convicted after being bribed, the CEO who exploits her and other young people for money, the actress who drunk drives, bullies her and has a history of physical violence against staff…..

Also highly aware of a lot of the behaviour she exhibits are seen worse because of her gender. I’ve seen male characters in Winter Begonia do some things that make Ah Jin’s actions pale in comparison and the comments were still calling them their little miaow miaow.

Another example is Jun Seo who has illustrated some pretty questionable and toxic behaviour himself which is often glossed over by the excitement of seeing Ah Jin potentially get punished by him or the idea that he “deserves better.” I’m not familiar with the original source material but in the show, she has attempted to cut ties with him twice now and he will not let go. Even both his works are based on her.

It’s just really interesting to constantly check myself and question if an action would seem as terrible if a male protagonist/villain had done it or if Ah Jin is actually the worst person to appear this year on our screens. She’s definitely to blame for many of her actions but when even her ambition or her ruthlessness towards people who have repeatedly tried to destroy her multiple times is treated like crimes against humanity, I have to question if the drama is unintentionally exposing the gender double standard in fiction we consume.

It’s fun to watch with the comments on but I’ve noticed I’m starting to defend Ah Jin’s insane actions because of the crucifying she is getting in them lol. I guess I would be one of the suckers she’d manipulate if I had the misfortune of being in this show.

[cinefiliz]

Baek ahjin in Dear X .

[ramenyul]

at its core the knives out trilogy is literally about helping people and being a good person. benoit is a side character in all of them because it's always centred around the main character's struggles with being Good and Kind even when they have every right not to be. kindness always wins. rian johnson the man that you are

[luke-thompsons]

#the duo we never knew we needed

[mobius-m-mobius]

#welcome back cinema welcome back Benoit Blanc 🙏

[oldbutchdanielmolloy]

this is basically how it went right

[sunnyyfur]

he would have interviewed the fuck out of those vampires

[chickenmim]

😆

[temothylol]

if i came to investigate a case and the main suspect was named “judas duplicitous” i’d throw in the towel dude

[sloanegabe]

shane hollander staring at ilya rozanov (ilya's version)