Homeschool Friday - The Haunted Scavenger Hunt

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

The Haunted Scavenger Hunt: A Spook-tacular Storybook

By: Steve Patschke

Illustrator: Roland Garrigue

Expected Publication: July 2, 2024 by Templar

40 pages

Genre: Children's, Humor, Halloween

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A delightfully spooky and funny Halloween story

When four friends find a mysterious box with the message “Don’t look at it, don’t touch it, don’t open it!”, they decide that they have to know what’s inside. And so they end up on a haunted Halloween scavenger hunt that leads them to the basement of a spooky house. But one by one, a friend goes missing as the group gets closer to discovering the mystery behind the clues. Will they be able to reach the surprise at the end? This humorous Halloween page-turning story begs to be read aloud again and again.

My kids love scavenger hunts, and they love Halloween. So I thought I would check out this book. Unfortunately, I didn't love it. The illustrations were nice and spooky. Very Halloweenish. But I didn't love the messaging.

Four friends stumble upon a box that says not to open it. They open it. It says not to follow the map. They follow it. They come to a door that says don't open it. They open it. A voice says not to go down the dark hallway. They go down it. They come to a door that again says don't open it. And there's only one friend left by this point. She opens it. But what's at the end of the hunt is a glorious party for the last girl. Since becoming a parent, I'm more interested in the messages that my kids are getting, and I don't love the messaging of doing the opposite of what you're told or asked to do. Of course, the other friends were in on the surprise party. So one could argue that they knew what was waiting for Sarah at the end and they were trying to influence her in a positive direction. But the overall message is to ignore the stop and maybe there's a big happy surprise for you at the end of the journey.

I know, I know...I'm reading too much into this. But I'd rather read a book to my kids where the kids who didn't listen to the stops came face to face with a scary evil monster. Or about kids who listened and got rewarded. Or even about some kids just doing a fun scavenger hunt that may have been a little spooky but they pushed through their fears and were rewarded with a fun party at the end.

The Haunted Scavenger Hunt gets 2 Stars. Have you read The Haunted Scavenger Hunt? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for 'Til Heist Do Us Part

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

'Til Heist Do Us Part

By: Sara Desai

Expected Publication: August 20, 2024 by Berkley

368 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, India

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Diamond necklaces, billionaires, Mafia bosses, and student loans—it’s all in a day’s work for Simi Chopra and her ragtag heist crew in the next romantic-comedy caper from Sara Desai.It’s been a year since Simi Chopra’s motley crew pulled off a high-wire diamond necklace heist with the help of sexy rogue Jack Danger. After living it up on the reward money, they're back where they started, struggling to pay their bills. So when a Chicago Mafia boss demands they return the jewels—plus interest, or else—they need to get the team back together…and fast.Unfortunately, Simi soon discovers that the necklace is in the hands of Jack's nemesis, a highly-skilled and supremely vengeful master thief who is not above a little blackmail to get even. (Did Jack really have to piss her off?) Now, the crew is forced into her working her con in order to get the necklace back. As if Simi needed any more complications while trying to rob a billionaire’s mansion, she and Jack are on the rocks, someone else is after her score, and a gorgeous detective is hot on her tail. Simi better be careful or she’ll end up in the less fun kind of handcuffs.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

I Wish You Would - Review

I Wish You Would

By: Eva Des Lauriers

Expected Publication: May 21, 2024 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

280 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--In this drama-filled love story, private confessions are scattered on the beach during a senior class overnight and explosive secrets threaten to tear everyone apart, including best friends (or maybe more?), Natalia and Ethan.

It’s Senior Sunrise, the epic overnight at the beach that kicks off senior year. But for Natalia and Ethan, it’s the first time seeing each other after what happened at junior prom―when they almost crossed the line from best friends to something more and ruined everything. After ghosting each other all summer, Natalia is desperate to pretend she doesn’t care and Ethan is desperate to fix his mistake.

When the senior class carries out their tradition of writing private letters to themselves―what they wish they would do this year if they were braver―Natalia pours her heart out. So does Ethan. So does everyone in their entire class. But in Natalia’s panicked attempt to retrieve her heartfelt confession, the wind scatters seven of the notes across the beach. Now, Ethan and Natalia are forced to work together to find the lost letters before any secrets are revealed―especially their own.

Seven private confessions. Seven time bombs loose for anyone to find. And one last chance before the sun rises for these two to fall in love.

Sigh...I'm struggling with what to say about I Wish You Would. I got sucked in quickly, which was nice since I've picked up and put down about 4 or 5 books lately because they didn't snag my attention quickly. I read this book quickly, but I had two major complaints. Let's get into the story.

Natalia and Ethan have been best friends for years. They made a pact in freshman year that if they were still virgins by senior year, they would use each other to change that. First of all, I think that's completely idiotic, and if this information had been in the description, I probably would have skipped this book. Why would "just friends" even consider making a pact like that? It makes no sense. And the reasons that Natalia shared were bogus as all get out. Anyway, after junior prom, they had a moment where they considered calling in the pact. But Natalia made a comment that spooked Ethan, and he backed out knowing that he couldn't cross that line with her without changing their relationship. Natalia takes his backing out as rejection. These two could have rendered this book pointless if they'd just had a simple conversation. Honestly, I don't love it when books are centered around one or two big misunderstandings. 

Natalia is the student council president, and it's her job to organize these events for the school, like Senior Sunrise. Like the pact that Natalia and Ethan made, I found the entire idea about Senior Sunrise and writing these bravery letters to themselves bogus. I mean this is one of those things that sounds good, but the execution would never work. If this is an event the school holds every year (not the camping part, but the letter-writing part), there's no way that people's personal secrets being shared or exposed has never happened or come up before if they keep them in some jar for a big burning ceremony. It only makes sense to burn those suckers immediately if you're going to have some big event like this. But also, why does a group need to come together for individuals to write a letter like this to themselves? Why isn't this an exercise that each kid could do on their own time in the privacy of their own home and dispose of in whatever way they want to? If you were going to have some bogus tradition like this in the first place, that is. 

I could continue describing the events of the book, but honestly, I don't feel the need to do so. Even though I've complained already, one of my biggest two complaints was that there was so much drama. Do you guys know how video content creators have learned to cut clips to different camera angles and to hype the drama so that people's brains are engaged and never bored? Well, I felt like the writing in this book was the equivalent of watching some of those YouTubers who play video games and hype their videos so much that it feels ultra-intense the entire time. One minute Natalia's running away, and Ethan's chasing her. Only for them to have the briefest of conversations that didn't actually move them any closer to a real discussion of their emotions or the secrets they're hiding from each other, only for Ethan to run away from Natalia, and then her to chase him right back. The back and forth was like watching a yo-yo go up and down. That's not even to include the actual events the characters experienced or were struggling with.

The book featured essentially 10 characters (not including the adults). Of those 10, four were LGBTQIA, two adults were sexual predators of some sort, and one of the LGBTQIA identified as a they/them. Guys...this makes no sense whatsoever. The character "identifies" as an individual but uses plural pronouns. I don't understand how we've gotten to this place. One character was a bully. Bullying used to be pushed in every young adult book for a period, but now apparently, the criteria for mainstream publications is to have at least one they/them character. We also had 2 characters that were "persons of color". Unnecessary information if you ask me, except the characters have to experience adversity because of their races. I only mention this because it felt like we were checking all the boxes in a leftist agenda. This felt like the exact narrative that certain individuals want to portray as a typical American experience, but I just don't see this where I live. Maybe it's because the book takes place in California. Again, had I known this was the cast of characters this book would feature, I would have skipped this book. 

All of that said, I find it hard to rate this book. On the one hand, I read it quickly. I was interested in finding out what happened to Natalia and Ethan. I wanted to see them resolve their issues. But I also had so many logistical issues with this story...the plot, the characters, the writing method, the drama. All of it was just too much for me to truly enjoy this book. Overall, I guess the best rating I can come up with for I Wish You Would is 3 Stars. Have you read I Wish You Would? What did you think? Let me know! 

Sunday Post - 05/12/24

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Happy Mother's Day! Big kids had games Monday night at the same time. My brother and sister-in-law came to see them. Since both were playing at the same place, we alternated watching half a game of each. Little Girl's team lost 11 to 8. They had a rally there at the end, but it wasn't in enough time to win. Little Boy's team won. I don't remember the score. Tuesday we went to the park with a friend. The boys had haircuts. And then we went to Burger King for lunch (all because they have a playplace, not because we love the food). Wednesday, Big Girl had a haircut. She's got it cut pretty short for her. It's a little longer than her shoulders. My mother-in-law had back surgery also. It was supposed to be outpatient, but she ended up having to stay overnight. We went to visit her after dinner. Wednesday was Husband and I's 15th wedding anniversary. My parents watched the kiddos while we went out for dinner. Thursday it rained off and on all day. We spent the day with my parents. Little Girl's game got cancelled because of potential bad weather. Little Boy's game was still on. It was their last game and they won 14 to 1. That win put them in 2nd place for the league. We did end up having bad weather that night. Our power went out at 9pm and didn't come back on until 7:30 the next morning. Littlest Boy slept with us, and the big kids slept on the couch. Friday was a normal day. I started coughing Tuesday afternoon. By Thursday, I knew I was getting sick. I spent most of Saturday watching Netflix and YouTube. Husband took the boys Mother's Day shopping and Little Girl went to a friend's house. I wanted to nap, but I couldn't from coughing so much.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Lost Crows and Fallen Stars (Bonds of the Imnicus, # 1) by Abelia Sumpter (2.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The Courting of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 1) by Abelia Sumpter
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of I Wish You Would by Eva Des Lauriers
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

NEW BOOKS:

No new books.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster

By: Jamie Michalak

Illustrator: Bob Kolar

Publication: September 26, 2023 by Candlewick Press

48 pages

Genre: Children's, Humor, Early Readers

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Frank takes the lead in tracking down a very smelly creature as our favorite culinary odd couple embark on their funniest adventure yet.

Frank has a book, a map, and a plan to find the Stinky Feet Monster. Bean has new boots, a new hat, and a drum, and is ready to rock—BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! He doesn’t believe in the Stinky Feet Monster, but as the two friends trek through the dark woods, they encounter strange noises, big footprints, and a very foul odor. Could that be the elusive monster? Will it make Frank and Bean its next meal? Get ready for a final twist as wry text, deadpan timing, a dash of suspense, and bright, comic illustrations lay out a feast for beginning readers and young listeners hungry for laughs.

My 6-year-old son is learning to read. Yet he pretty much hates it. He gets overwhelmed with a lot of reading at one time even though he's doing very well and is already working on first grade level work when he should still be in kindergarten. (One of the pros of homeschooling is that we can work at the pace of the child. And even while not loving to do it, he's still ahead.) That being said, I've been trying to find books that are his type of humor. And Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster was a close hit to his interest.

Frank is a hotdog, and Bean is...well...a bean. They're two friends who set out on a journey to find the Stinky Feet Monster. Bean doesn't believe he's real, and Frank is determined to show he is. There are three things Frank knows about the Stinky Feet Monster: his feet shake the ground, he's really stinky, and he says "me want to eat you." The pair do meet a monster they believe to be the Stinky Feet Monster, but there's a twist that I don't want to spoil for you.

In the end, this is a relatively easy phonics level for beginner readers. And the content will be right up the alley of little boys who like all things stinky and monster. Frank and Bean: The Stink Feet Monster gets 4 Stars. Have you read Frank and Bean: The Stink Feet Monster? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Courting of Bristol Keats

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

The Courting of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 1)

By: Mary E Pearson

Expected Publication: November 12, 2024 by Flatiron Books

560 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--From NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Mary E. Pearson comes a thrilling romantic fantasy full of dangerous fae, dark secrets, and addictive romance

After losing both their parents, Bristol Keats and her sisters struggle to stay afloat in their small, quiet town of Bowskeep. When Bristol begins to receive letters from an “aunt” she’s never heard of who promises she can help, she reluctantly agrees to meet—and discovers that everything she thought she knew about her family is a lie. Even her father might still be alive, not killed but kidnapped by terrifying creatures to a whole other realm—the one he is from.

Desperate to save her father and find the truth, Bristol journeys to a land of gods and fae and monsters. Pulled into a dangerous world of magic and intrigue, she makes a deadly bargain with the fae king, Tyghan. But what she doesn't know is that he's the one who drove her parents to live a life on the run. And he is just as determined as she is to find her father—dead or alive.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Lost Crows and Fallen Stars - Review

Lost Crows and Fallen Stars (Bonds of the Imnicus, # 1)

By: Abelia Sumpter

Publication: April 9, 2024 by Rose & Lavender Press, LLC

383 pages

Genre: New Adult, Science Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--For romantasy readers who want to dip their toe into sci-fi, this enemies-to-lovers thriller will enchant you before it breaks you.

Today I met my husband for the first time . . . again.

Milo Arris–the young ruler of two planets–is as cruel as he is handsome, and for some reason, he chose me to be his wife. He chose me to be the Columess–the girl he seems to hate more than the invaders who wiped my memories.

But I have bigger problems than Milo’s cold words. Servants in the palace are hiding strange burns on their bodies. A maid is murdered at the ball. Not to mention there’s the looming mystery of why my memories were wiped to begin with.

Danger lurks in the shadows, and with every strange occurrence, I fear someone aboard the Imnicus may be putting both our lives in jeopardy.

Lost Crows & Fallen Stars is a new-adult space romantasy. Please see the author’s website for a full list of content warnings.

I was sucked into the story of Lost Crows and Fallen Stars pretty quickly. Amnesia stories bring intrigue from the questions immediately thrust upon the character and the reader. Margot wakes up from what appears to have been an attack where she was tortured for information. She doesn't know who she is, but her lady's maid is brought to the hospital to help her figure out who she is. We learn that she's the Colum's wife (Colum = King). 

Let's pause here and discuss this world. This is a science fiction story. The Colum, Milo, is the ruler over two plants, Lavenai & Ashtanabo. His home is on a space station, type of ship, or something that hovers near both planets. His father was Colum before him and conquered Lavenai. From what he shares with Margot, it seems like Lavenai just wants its independence back and is causing problems for Milo and his rule. He paints the picture that he's just trying to help Lavenai get back on its feet after the war, but they are rejecting all his attempts to aid them.

Milo has a group of special, military type of soldiers that he keeps close called proditors. They have superhuman abilities that deal with the mind when they touch other people. I got the impression that each one has a little uniqueness to their abilities, but only one was discussed in detail as to what that proditor could do. These people are stronger than the Colum but are his most trusted warriors, I guess. I'm struggling to find the right description for aspects of this book. There are five of these proditors that live on the Imnicus (the ship/space station where the Colum lives) that are the strongest and closest to Milo. I'll come back to them in a bit.

There was so much about this book that didn't make sense to me or didn't feel fully fleshed out. Margot wakes up from her amnesia and only remembers her first name. She gets immediately annoyed when she learns she's married and her husband hasn't come to visit her. It felt like she wrote him off immediately based on that. The two have a combative beginning. She's told they fell in love, but she's annoyed by the smallest things that he does. At one point, he even tells her that he hated her even before the amnesia. So how did they have this whirlwind love affair that resulted in their marriage while simultaneously hating each other? Aside from that, Margot makes several assumptions about life and other people in a way that doesn't seem to make sense given her amnesia. Granted, I don't fully understand how amnesia works, but I felt she was too opinionated over things she didn't know anything about.

Margot takes down a proditor that snuck up on her. They explain that her body has this muscle memory that her brain might not realize is associated with past memories. She's told she was a soldier who quickly worked up the ranks to become a spy. Apparently, she was extremely good at this. Later, we find out that Margot wasn't all that athletic when it came to physical fights, so how she had the muscle memory to take down a proditor doesn't make sense. The muscle memory thing is not over yet as far as not making sense. She opens a locked tablet with a passcode that her brain doesn't remember, but her fingers apparently do. She's ultimately sent on a spy mission for Milo. Before the mission, no one is particularly concerned about her amnesia because "don't worry, her muscle memory will take over." I feel confident that spies probably use their brains and training just as much as any muscle memory. The goal of a good spy would be to never need to be in a combat situation, right? Anyway, the only opportunity the reader has to see Margot spying is that she once follows Milo around for a week, trying to sneak up on him. He tells her almost immediately that he knew she was following him. And then we learn he even knew where she was so she didn't catch him off guard. This could be explained away with some spoilers, but I don't think the explanation makes any more sense than anything else about this book. Not to mention that we do learn that Margot wasn't all that capable of a spy in the first place.

Margot and Milo supposedly fall in love. I say "supposedly" because there are no events that happen that should create any deep connection between these two. Sure, they have several surface-level interactions. But there's no depth of feeling involved. There's no analysis of the other person's character that inspires any emotion. It's just like we're told they fall in love, and so we're supposed to believe it. Perhaps this is a telling versus showing problem. If anything, I believe there was some attraction and lust, but I didn't experience anything that would lead me to believe these two were in love at all.

Back to the proditors. The term crows is used about the proditors and their abilities. Someone's crows are sick. Someone else's aren't powerful enough to give them full proditor abilities. These guys are so confusing. There are 5 of them on the Imnicus. Two Margot has an immediate liking to. They feel like old friends in a way. One of them, she doesn't meet until her spy mission, and then he is only mentioned in passing. This HAS to be set up for some piece in the future of the series because otherwise, he was entirely unnecessary. One appears to hate her for no reason she can determine. One keeps getting her drunk and seems like he just wants to hang out with her. How their abilities work, how they work for Milo, nearly everything about them is just confusing. What in the world do crows have anything to do with anything? How many crows are there?

There's a giant twist that should make things make more sense. In some ways, the twist does, but in other ways, I just ended up with more questions. 

I read Lost Crows and Fallen Stars really quickly. I was driven forward to keep reading because I wanted the answers to Margot's memories. Who was she before all of this happened to her? But so much of this world and the events of this story didn't make any logical sense. I had more questions after the book than I did to start with. And I can't fully say that I loved any of the characters. Margot was made out to be some top-level spy with an epic love story with her husband that she doesn't remember yet falls in love with again. Milo seemed like a good enough leader with perhaps a short temper, yet I couldn't find anything in his character to draw Margot to him. And I couldn't see why he came to love her either, except perhaps she showed a little spunk. There are plenty of spoilers I can't talk about, but I have to say that I'm not sure if I'll continue this series or not. I'm curious about what might happen next, but with so much not making sense logically and with characters that I don't really care about, I am not sure I'll find the desire to continue the series all that strong when the time comes. I'm giving Lost Crows and Fallen Stars 2.5 Stars. Have you read Lost Crows and Fallen Stars? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 05/05/24

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Another good week. We all struggled with some kind of colds this week. The three kids had coughs. I had a runny/stopped up nose. Monday night we usually have games, but neither big kid had one that night so we had a nice day. It rained off and on Tuesday. We got groceries and hung at the house. Big Boy's team won their game 14-3. He hit two home runs. At this age, if the ball goes to the outfield there is at least some chance of it being a home run. Big Girl's team won their game barely. Like 10-9 I think. That allowed them to win the league as we only have two teams in her age range in our league and even though we still have to play them one more time we have won the majority. Wednesday night, Big Girl helped me cook dinner. She planned out the menu and did most of the cooking. I only chopped veggies and helped to manage the flow of the cooking. She did all the seasoning and stirring. We had shredded chicken tacos, nachos, and peach/tomato summer salad. It was all really yummy. Thursday, we ran to the grocery store to get a few things I forgot on Tuesday. The kids always love going in the store with me. It's a rare experience for them since I usually do grocery pickup. Thursday night her team had a game and we won that one also. I can't remember the score. It was close, but we still won by a couple of runs. She got a triple which has been her best hit so far. It wasn't from errors either, it was an earned triple. And since she'd been in a batting slump a few weeks ago I'm really proud of her. She also got an out at 2nd and an out at 1st. Friday night Big Boy's team played well but they didn't quite get the win. It was 13 to 17. He did get another home run his first at bat. He had quite a few bobbles at 2nd base, but considering he never played that position in practice, I think he's doing well there. I hate the season is almost over. He only has two games left this coming week. Saturday, Big Girl went to spend the day with a friend of hers. The boys and I went for a walk and then I let them swim. It's still too cold for me to get in, but I stuck my legs in. Honestly, it won't be long before we're all out there swimming every day. I let the boys hang at Grammy's house for a while, and I mopped the whole house and prepped blog posts. I used to be a month or so ahead, and I've got to get back to that. We only have three more weeks of school left. The summer is upon us.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Court of Claws (Blood of a Fae, # 2) by Briar Boleyn (3 Stars)
Tuesday: Top 9 Reasons I DNF Books (Or Lower a Rating)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Shield of the Mighty (The King's Men, # 2) by Connilyn Cossette
Friday: Homeschool Friday - The Beginner's Bible Jesus and His Friends (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Lost Crows and Fallen Stars (Bonds of the Imnicus, # 1) by Abelia Sumpter
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

NEW BOOKS:

Beneath a Crescent Shadow (The Balkan Legends, # 1)

By: A.L. Sowards

Expected Publication: June 4, 2024 by Shadow Mountain

351 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--After an arranged marriage, Konstantin and Suzana must find a way to meet the demands of a conquering Ottoman sultan amid a torrent of setbacks and dangers much closer to their Balkan home.

The Balkans, 1373

A devastating battle claimed the lives of Konstantin's father, uncle, and most of their Serb army, leaving him to rule as a vassal of the Ottoman sultan, a role he is wholly unprepared for. Between war, famine, and a persistent band of brigands, Konstantin is nearly bankrupt. He will need to find a wealthy bride to marry if he is to have any hope of saving his lands and securing his future.

A betrothal to Suzana, the daughter of a prosperous merchant, is soon arranged, and upon meeting her, Konstantin immediately feels hope that their marriage could someday grow into love. Yet, from the moment of Konstantin and Suzana's betrothal, enemies threaten their lives, outlaws prey on their lands, and the terrors of Suzana's abusive past haunt their fragile new relationship. As this onslaught of threats closes in, the two face challenges that will test their love, their faith, and their hope to save their people and win their freedom from the heavy weight of Ottoman oppression.

A Proper Facade (Proper Scandal, # 4)

By: Esther Hatch

Expected Publication: August 20, 2024 by Covenant Communications

248 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Mercy Rothschild has always been granted an unusually long tether by her parents, who have never pushed her to marry until she’s ready. She assumes that when the right man comes along, she will marry for love. However, even her long-suffering parents have their limits. As she embarks on her third Season, they begin to pressure her to find a match. And the Duke of Harrington is the perfect candidate.

Nicholas Kendrick, Duke of Harrington, follows the rules of the ton meticulously. When he determines that Mercy is the ideal candidate for a wife, he marches dutifully toward her along the courtship path. Desperate to extricate herself from Harrington’s advances, Mercy concludes that there is only one course of action: she must push her intended into the arms of another woman. But when Mercy becomes acquainted with the man behind the proper facade, her plans come crashing down as she realizes that stiff and proper Harrington might be the very man she’s been waiting for. If only she hadn’t been so successful in her plot to thwart her chances with him.

Highcliffe House

By: Megan Walker

Expected Publication: May 7, 2024 by Shadow Mountain

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Love ignites when two rivals vie to secure a possible fortune at the seaside town of Brighton.

Brighton, England, 1813

When a romantic entanglement leaves her humiliated and reeling, Anna Lane wants nothing more than for her father to whisk her away from the gossip of the ton. Unfortunately, he has obligations elsewhere, leaving her stuck in London.

Graham Everett’s financial security depends on an investment with Mr. Lane, his long-time friend and business partner. He’ll do just about anything to secure it for his family, even if it means fighting spoiled, embittered Anna for her father’s attention.

Luckily, Mr. Lane concocts a plan that will give everyone what they wat, with one stipulation: Anna must accompany Graham to Brighton in her father’s stead and make a decision to invest—or not—based on a thorough report.

But it will take more than a day at the beach for these two headstrong hearts to admit that they’ve been wrong about each other. If they are willing to invest a little time working out their differences, they might have a chance at real love.

By: Nisha J Tuli

Expected Publication: June 4, 2024 by Forever

556 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The highly anticipated third installment of the steamy Artefacts of Ouranos series journeys deeper into the glittering fae world as Lor puts both her life and her heart on the line in this enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance.

With the Heart Crown now in her possession, Lor must navigate the dangers of being an heir on the run, knowing more than one power-hungry ruler is after her blood. When she returns to Aphelion to unlock her magic and recover her family's legacy, it becomes clearer than ever that all that’s gold doesn’t sparkle. No stranger to battles, she continues to fight her attraction to the Aurora Prince, understanding this might be the one she finally loses.

As the past mixes with the present, Lor uncovers the truth about the Artefacts and their role in shaping her destiny. Now, her future hangs in the balance, leaving her closer than ever to getting everything she's ever wanted... or losing it all forever.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Jesus and His Friends

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

The Beginner's Bible Jesus and His Friends

By: Kelly Pulley & Mission City Press Inc.

Publication: June 10, 2007 by Zonderkidz

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Bible, My First Readers

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Jesus loves many people. He has lots of friends who love him, too. Jesus and his friends help people. They share their food. Best of all, Jesus and his friends tell people about God. This My First I Can Read! book, with basic language, word repetition, and great illustrations, is perfect for shared reading with a child. It aligns with guided reading level J and will be of interest to children Pre-K to 3 rd grade.

Jesus and His Friends was pretty good. It's written in a way that young children should be able to understand the gist of the story. This book covers who the twelve apostles were (by name only), and two of Jesus's miracles--the feeding of the five-thousand and healing the centurion's daughter. The healing is mentioned only in passing with little detail. The feeding of the five-thousand has a little more details.

I suppose since this is a "shared reader" level that means the parent is mostly reading to the child. I originally requested these books thinking that my son who is 6 and learning to read would be able to read this on his own. I didn't actually ask him to try, but there were words that I know he hasn't been exposed to either the phonics rules or the words themselves. That is no fault of the book. I just didn't pay close enough attention when I requested it. Overall, I give The Beginner's Bible Jesus and His Friends 4 Stars. Have you read this book? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Shield of the Mighty

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Shield of the Mighty (The King' Men, # 2)

By: Connilyn Cossette

Expected Publication: August 20, 2024 by Bethany House Publishers

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Biblical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Captured by the Philistines as a young boy, Zevi has grown into a formidable warrior. As a captain in King Saul's army, he is assigned a crucial mission: Recruit soldiers, gather tribute for the royal coffers, and find talented artisans for the king's court. But when he is sent to Maresha, the town he was forced to leave as a child, he faces a startling truth--the elder council rejects King Saul and his campaign against their enemies.

Yochana, a widow and skilled woman of business, is captivated by a stranger who enters her perfume shop. Upon discovering he is not only a soldier but a captain responsible for enlisting young men to die in battle, fury and pain from her past loss resurfaces, threatening to consume her. But when Zevi's actions in Maresha entangle Yochana in his radical scheme, they're forced to confront present dangers and past scars.

Embark on a journey through ancient Israel with bestselling and award-winning author Connilyn Cossette in this exhilarating tale of vengeance, justice, and healing.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Top Nine Reasons I DNF Books (Or Lower Their Rating)

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Petty Reasons You DNF Books Or Lower Their Ratings

1. Content is beyond my threshold. I have a fairly mild content threshold.
2. Author has an agenda or is preaching at the reader instead of letting the events of the story and the characters shape the content.
3. LGBTQAI push. I'm so over how books can't be published without at least a side character being LGBT. Sometimes I'm just in a mood, and if I feel like the author is pushing this for no reason I'll DNF. I don't DNF every book with an LGBT character though. Mood, context, character personality and many other factors play into my decision.
4. Characters that let their emotions rule at the expense of their brains. We all feel emotions, but when a character does something they know is wrong just because it "feels good" or "feels right"...I bounce.
5. When the writing just isn't good. It's often hard to describe bad writing, but if I don't like the prose I'll drop the book quickly.
6. Similar to above. Too much telling and not enough showing can get me to DNF.
7. Characters with mental health issues if I didn't know from the description. I read for fun. I like lighthearted books for the most part. And I don't want heavy books sneaking up on me. Mental health issues usually feel like heavy books.
8. A heavy focus on bullying. Usually you'll know by the book description, and I won't even pick these up. But I got so tired of reading bullying books that I just DNF these.
9. Too much feminism. I'm all for strong female characters, but I hate female characters taking over at the expense of male characters. We don't have to put men down in order to raise women up.

Let's be honest, I really don't DNF very often. I've only DNF'd 53 books in about 12 years. That averages to a little over 4 books a year. And I'm not sure that's an accurate count because some of the books on my Goodreads DNF shelf I never actually started. But these seem to be the general reasons that I'll put a book down and not pick it back up again. Why do you DNF? Let me know!

Court of Claws - Review

Court of Claws (Blood of a Fae, # 2)

By: Briar Boleyn

Publication: June 30, 2023 by Starwater Press

409 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Bound to a man she hates more than she ever thought possible...

Everything Morgan Pendragon knows and loves is gone as she wakes in the dangerous court of the Siabra. The man she was falling in love with is dead, and in his place is a man she barely knows. Surrounded by liars and knives in the dark, all Morgan wants to do is run the other way but Kairos Draven is determined to keep her by his side.

As Morgan and Draven's lives become even more irrevocably entwined, little do they know the sins of the past are coming for them both…

Court of Claws picks up shortly after Queen of Roses ended. Except for the prologue, epilogue, and a few dreams from another character's POV, the story is told from Morgan's perspective. We left the previous book with Morgan being fatally injured, but Draven bonds with her to save her life. Of course, Morgan doesn't know this. 

Morgan wakes up in Draven's home court where he is the Prince who should be Emporer. His stepmother has been running the court as Queen Regent. And she's not thrilled to give up her rule. Draven and other candidates enter a contest called the Blood Rise to see who will ultimately win the crown.

Morgan has only been accepted into the court begrudgingly as Draven's paramour. And she isn't happy about playing the role. But he knows that is the only way to keep her safe and untouchable. I was just as frustrated with Draven as Morgan with his lack of information. She does learn some of what she needs to know. But Draven keeps so much to himself that he could have easily opened up about more than he did to save himself and Morgan some drama. But that wouldn't make for easy conflict, would it?

Morgan is so judgmental about some things while so accepting of others. It was somewhat frustrating that her view of the world and morality is offered up as "well of course this is wrong" or "of course this is okay." Like no one could possibly view things any differently than her without being morally out of whack. What is the standard she's following for such morality lines? Nothing but her own thoughts and feelings.

This was also a frustrating book in that Draven did seem to be working for the greater good and obviously cared about Morgan, but she just couldn't cut him any slack. And as soon as anything went out of her liking, he was public enemy number one in her mind. Granted, he did keep several secrets that were pretty big, and of course, trust would be broken in so doing.

Court of Claws does have the troupe of a game that must be played/challenges that must be won. Books like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Hunger Games, Divergent, Throne of Glass, Red Rising, etc are hits because of similar games/challenges. I will say I got a little confused about how the court was able to watch the trials when the contestants were in a cave, and the court was not. (I'm really going to date myself here, but I totally pictured something like the '90s kids' game show Fun House when reading about the trials.)

This series is obviously a feminist or semi-feminist twist on King Arthur/Camelot where almost all of the strong male characters from the original are either female, LGBTQ, or toxic masculinity abusive males. I DNF'd Kristen White's feminist Camelot retelling for similar issues. Only I do find Briar Boleyn's retelling more interesting. I like that Draven is still such a strong male character. But (highlight for spoiler) I don't understand why he couldn't have been Emporer and Morgan Empress through their bond without him having to "let" her take the position. His line about not wanting to leech power from her felt a bit thin to me. End spoiler.

Favorite quote:

-"How many times can you deny a gift before the gift no longer comes when you call it?”

I read Court of Claws quickly given its size. I stayed up late reading, and I don't give up sleep easily these days. I didn't want to put it down when I needed to. But at the same time, looking back I feel I can only give Court of Claws 3 Stars. Morgan's attitude was challenging for me through a large part of the book. Draven's refusal to share information only felt like a weak plot idea to be able to create conflict later rather than an actual need to keep said information to himself for any real reason that I can discern up to this point. I will be continuing the series; however, I hope it improves, and this book just suffers from SBIASS (second book in a series syndrome). Have you read Court of Claws ? What did you think? Let me know! 

Sunday Post - 04/28/24

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Monday both kids had ball games. Big Girl's team played terrible. They just didn't have it together. Big Boy's team played well. He hit a ball that bounced and hit the fence. The other team still beat them out. Tuesday was the first Tuesday in months that we haven't had somewhere to be. It was nice not to have plans. Wednesday was a mostly normal day. Little had been coughing for over a week, but Wednesday it seemed to be worse. Thursday, we spent the day at my parents. We missed the previous two Thursdays so that was nice to be back there. Little Boy was getting worse it seemed. I kept taking his temperature, but he wasn't running any fever until nap time. He woke during the night and got in our bed. Thursday night the big kids had games again. Big Girl's team didn't do well again. She seems to be in a hitting slump. Big Boy's team won and he played 2nd base for the first time in a game. He did really well considering he's never played there before. He got two outs and almost got a double play. That was a close game, but we won which advanced them to the next round of the tournament. Friday I kept Little Boy home from school. I managed to mostly do normal school with the big kids with him home, although that was challenging. Friday night, Big Boy had another game against a team we've played twice and has always been drama. There was MORE drama of course. Big Boy didn't do as well at 2nd base, but again, he's only played there once before so he doesn't know the position that well. They lost by one point. Saturday, we had a pretty chill day. Husband mowed grass. The big kids went to Grammy's to "help in her flower garden" and I mostly hung with Little Boy.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Hogle (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for A Lady of Conscience (Somerset Stories, # 5) by Mimi Matthews
Thursday: 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - April Wrap Up
Friday: Homeschool Friday - The Den That Octopus Built (3 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Court of Claws (Blood of a Fae, # 2) by Briar Boleynn
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

NEW BOOKS:

Lost Crows and Fallen Stars (Bonds of the Imnicus, # 1)

By: Abelia Sumpter

Publication: April 9, 2024 by Rose & Lavender Press, LLC

383 pages

Genre: New Adult, Science Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--For romantasy readers who want to dip their toe into sci-fi, this enemies-to-lovers thriller will enchant you before it breaks you.

Today I met my husband for the first time . . . again.

Milo Arris–the young ruler of two planets–is as cruel as he is handsome, and for some reason, he chose me to be his wife. He chose me to be the Columess–the girl he seems to hate more than the invaders who wiped my memories.

But I have bigger problems than Milo’s cold words. Servants in the palace are hiding strange burns on their bodies. A maid is murdered at the ball. Not to mention there’s the looming mystery of why my memories were wiped to begin with.

Danger lurks in the shadows, and with every strange occurrence, I fear someone aboard the Imnicus may be putting both our lives in jeopardy.

Lost Crows & Fallen Stars is a new-adult space romantasy. Please see the author’s website for a full list of content warnings.

One Question a Day to Stay Close and Curious

By: Gina Senarighi PhD CPC

Publication: April 23, 2024 by Zeitgeist

176 pages

Genre: Adult, Non-Fiction, Self-Help

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--From bestselling author Dr. Gina Senarighi, a journal to support couples as they build a long and enriching life together. One Question a Day to Stay Close & Curious is for ALL couples who wish to deepen their connection while spending fun, meaningful time with the one they love!

Couples who maintain a sense of fascination about one another report longer relationships and more passionate connection. What’s more, couples who understand each other’s inner worlds fare better through life’s unexpected ups and downs. One Question a Day to Stay Close & Curious brings couples together to laugh, share, and explore who their partner is, what shaped them, and who they wish to become. A journal for all couples—married and unmarried, new and decades seasoned—the questions here will bring you together for conversations to support a lifetime of love.

• Questions to grow closer. Questions inspire curiosity and closeness, taking you inside each person’s history, desires, dreams, and goals. It’s like falling in love all over again.
• A ritual of connection. As life gets busy, it becomes harder to connect. The journal offers an easy way to return to one another, with as little as one line a day.
• Time for undistracted communication. Set a daily ritual, spice up date night, or come together during long-distance periods to keep your connection strong.
• Space for each person to journal. Write love notes, share stories, doodle memories—this journal offers space for each partner to express themselves and their desires.
• An ideal couple’s gift for any stage of the relationship, from the newly engaged and newlyweds to those celebrating anniversaries and Valentine’s Day.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - The Den That Octopus Built

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

The Den That Octopus Built

By: Randi Sonenshine

Illustrated By: Anne Hunter

Publication: May 21, 2024 by Candlewick Press

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Science & Nature

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Follow one of the ocean’s most mysterious animals in this warm but candid look at its dramatic life cycle, from the creators of The Nest That Wren Built.

These are the shells she wears like a sheath,
keeping her safe from Tiger Shark’s teeth
when she’s far from the den that Octopus built . . .

The solitary and ingenious octopus is a master of disguise and invention, creating her den out of the objects of the ocean, from shells and rocks to tiny glass shards. Using creative methods of hunting and construction, the octopus prepares for the biggest task of her life: motherhood. With one last, poignant gesture of love, the mother octopus sends her hatchlings on their way, starting a new cycle of life for the tiny offspring who face peril of their own. Offering deeply informative back matter, including an author’s note, a glossary, and fascinating “octo-knowledge” (did you know that octopuses have nine brains, including one in each of their independently operating arms?), this third in a series from author Randi Sonenshine and illustrator Anne Hunter continues the work of gently introducing children to the reality of the animal world.

I got gung-ho when we started homeschooling about wanting to review more children's books that we could use in our school. This shouldn't surprise me, but I don't love reading children's books on the computer. Of course, get the print version and you don't have to deal with that.

The Den That Octopus Built is a cute, rhyming book that follows a female octopus through different challenges or daily events. I was surprised that she dies in the book, but I was reminded of Charlotte's Web where her babies live on after her. The book then follows a hatchling to complete the circle of life. 

The artwork is beautiful. It almost looks like colored pencils and maybe even penwork were used to create the illustrations. I'm no art expert, but I liked the style a lot. 

I had no issues with the story itself. I found it cute and informative. I don't always read the pages at the end of children's books with more information. Since homeschooling, I have been reading these more, but since I am reviewing this book, I wanted to read every page. I was not surprised, but was disappointed, to see references to an old-Earth worldview. Beyond that was a wildly outrageous claim about the evolution of octopuses that claimed they lost their shells and how they evolved into extremely intelligent creatures. Considering I am a Christian, I take a young-Earth worldview and believe that God created the octopus exactly as He wanted it to be... soft-bodied and yet incredibly intelligent from the start. Of course, you can skip/edit these parts when reading to your children if your worldview is similar to mine. Or simply take the opportunity to discuss the differences in worldviews with your children as they organically come up while reading.

The Den That Octopus Built did teach me some things I didn't know about octopuses. I enjoyed the illustrations. The story itself was sweet and informative, but I would need to edit the extra information after the book to either fit our worldview or be prepared to discuss with my children statements made as facts that I don't believe from a creationist, Christian, young-Earth worldview. The Den That Octopus Built gets 3 Stars. Have you read The Den that Octopus Built? What did you think? Let me know!

2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - April Wrap Up

Time for our Monthly Wrap Up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge hosted by Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know and Holly @ Words Fueled by Love!

Sandy finished These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows, # 2) by Lexi Ryan.

Which series enders did you finish? Link the up below. Don't forget to include the title, your name, & your blog name (Ex: Requiem - Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know) Also, the April giveaway runs from April 25th - May 25th. On May 25th we will use random.org and the linky entries from the entire year to pull a grand prize winner.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Can't Wait for A Lady of Conscience

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

A Lady of Conscience (Somerset Stories, # 5)

By: Mimi Matthews

Expected Publication: July 30, 2024 by Perfectly Proper Press

? pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A Victorian bluestocking with a passion for lost causes attracts the unwilling attention of a frost-hearted viscount during her tumultuous debut season in Bath in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s fifth book in her acclaimed Somerset Stories series.

West Country beauty Hannah Heywood may be quiet with fashionable strangers, but when it comes to animals in need, she has no trouble finding her voice. Newly arrived in Bath for her very first season, all she desires is to find one like-minded gentleman. A man of warmth and compassion, as sensitive to animals as he is to people. But if such a man exists, he dare not approach her. Not with the tall, blond, and menacing Viscount St. Clare standing in the way.

James Beresford, Viscount St. Clare has often been described as a sentient block of ice. A man so cold and dispassionate, he would never suit a young lady of Hannah’s disposition. And she would certainly never suit him. Focused on repairing his family’s infamous reputation, James requires a diamond of the first water. The daughter of a duke or a marquess, at least, not a simple country girl with a passion for four-legged creatures.

And yet, there’s something about conscience-driven young Hannah that draws James, first to Bath, and then into one increasingly hare-brained scheme after another. She confounds him at every turn, subverting his expectations and threatening to do what no lady has succeeded in doing before—thawing his ice-cold heart.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Old Flames and New Fortunes - Review

Old Flames and New Fortunes

By: Sarah Hogle

Publication: April 2, 2024 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--From the celebrated author of You Deserve Each Other and Just Like Magic , a steamy second-chance romance about a magical florist’s unexpected reunion with her high school sweetheart as she fake dates his soon-to-be stepbrother.

A small, magical town tucked away in rural Ohio, Moonville is the perfect place for flora fortunist Romina Tempest to expand her shop, where she uses the language of flowers to help the hopeful manifest their love lives. After giving up on her own big romance eleven years ago, at least she can bask in the promise of others’.

So, when the shop’s potential financier shares news of his wedding, Romina jumps on the opportunity to discuss buying the business. What better place to negotiate a deal than at a wedding, even if she has to fake-date her chaotic colleague Trevor to get an invitation? But all hell breaks loose when she discovers Trevor’s soon-to-be stepbrother is none other than Alex her high school sweetheart. Her greatest love. The boy who, eleven years ago, broke her heart, and who now thinks she and Trevor are dating.

What starts as an innocent misunderstanding becomes a week-long fake dating scheme, as Romina resolves to make Alex pay for breaking her heart. The only issue? She can’t deny their still-burning connection. Caught between proving to Alex what he lost, and coming clean and risking her business, Romina must decide whether giving Alex another chance means going back on herself, or finally releasing her hold on the past.

I wasn't sure about Old Flames and New Fortures when I first started. I don't always enjoy magical realism. Magic that happens in a magical world I have no problem with, but magic that happens in the real world stumps me. So when I tried to classify this book I got confused. Does Romina think she's actually a witch? Or is this supposed to be a magical world? Once I decided to stop trying to figure it out and just enjoy the story, things got better for me.

Romina and her sisters own a shop in town and they want to expand to the building next door, but they need some additional funding to renovate the space. Trevor's dad is just the investor they need. But Trevor doesn't have the best relationship with his dad. When they think his dad has finally agreed to meet with them about the loan, they come to find out that Trevor's dad is just trying to tell him that he's getting married. 

I can't remember if the fake-dating scheme came before or after running into Alex. I feel like it came before. If I remember correctly, Romina tries to jump to Trevor's rescue when his cousin or a girl he likes cousin starts putting him down. And then Alex kind of witnessed or overheard Romina's declaration. Romina and Trevor decide to roll with it in hopes of making the girl that Trevor actually likes see what she's missing and for Alex to see that Romina has moved on with her life.

If there's one thing Sarah Hogle knows how to write, it is relationships that have gone bad and are restored again. The tension between Alex and Romina was so strong and intoxicating. Alex was so obviously still into Romina. Romina was trying so hard not to be still affected by Alex that it was comical. As a matter of fact, I think I did laugh out loud at least once. But man, the steps that Alex took to prove himself were so attractive. How could anyone not be won over by actions such as that?

Favorite quotes:

-We are a vast population of hurting hearts that miss people who haven't come into our lives yet.

-...it feels as if he takes something; as if, every time I meet his gaze, he siphons off a little piece of me to keep.

-"We'd be a lot further ahead right now if you'd just been honest."

-Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

-"Romina, I would've picked up the sun with my bare hands and moved it if you didn't like the position of your shadow..."

-I don't get to be part of what happens next, who she becomes. But I can take heart in knowing I did my very best in the short time we had together.

That last quote reminded me of a particularly emotional piece of the book that I don't want to say anything more about so I don't give anything away. Given my cousin had an experience that reminded me very much of the one that Romina experienced makes it even more so for me. 

Old Flames and New Fortunes was so much better than I thought it was going to be when I first started it. Keep pushing forward if the beginning is a little confusing or off-putting for you like it was for me. Old Flames and New Fortunes gets 4 Stars. Have you read Old Flames and New Fortunes? What did you think? Let me know!