A Curse for True Love - Review

A Curse for True Love (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 3)

By: Stephanie Garber

Publication: October 24, 2023 by Flatiron

386 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Two villains, one girl, and a deadly battle for happily ever after.

Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems as if she has it. She’s married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle. But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she’s paid for this fairytale. She doesn’t know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out . . . but first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.

Blood will be shed, hearts will be stolen, and true love will be put to the test in A Curse for True Love, the breathlessly anticipated conclusion to the Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy.

Oh my heart. After the cliffhanger ending of The Ballad of Never After I jumped into A Curse for True Love immediately. Like, I finished and almost simply flipped the next page found book 3 on my Kindle, and just kept reading. I highly recommend having A Curse for True Love to read lined up if you plan to read The Ballad of Never After. 

So we start with Evangeline having just lost her memory of the last year. She doesn't remember anyone she's met in the Magnificent North. She wakes up to Apollo telling her that he's her husband (true), and then he proceeds to fill in minimal gaps with a few historical rewrites. Evangeline doesn't know the difference. She does have some instinctual, residual feelings. I think this is actually a scientifically proven thing in some ways. Our brains can remember when we've left a task incomplete even if we can't always remember what that task was., Evangeline feels an urgent sense that she needed to tell someone something very important. But she can't remember who and she can't remember what. She has some instinctual feelings about Apollo. She has some instinctual feelings about other characters as well--some she's met before and some she hasn't. I was annoyed that she didn't trust her instincts as much as I wanted her to, yet I could see why she wouldn't. 

Jacks is heartbroken. He knew Time would take something from him, but he didn't think that something would be taken from Evangeline instead. He blames himself. Yet he's just so relieved that she's still alive--considering he witnessed Chaos murder her out of bloodthirst. He wants so badly for her to remember him and her feelings for him. Yet he also knows that her forgetting is actually less painful for her. But not less painful for him. At the same time, he can't have gone through all of that just for someone else to kill her. And yet it seems she's still being sought after by multiple people trying to harm her. Jacks has a fulltime job trying to keep her alive. And thus they keep getting thrown together. 

Evangeline has the smallest sparks of remembering when she's near Jacks, and that makes her want to be near him more. I wondered how long the memory loss would drag on. And thankfully, they all came back in one whoosh eventually rather than trickling out over the course of the entire book. But that's all I'll say about that before we spoil too much.

Favorite quotes:

-Her heart still hurt, as if it had been broken and only jagged bits remained. She put a hand on it, as if to keep more pieces from breaking off. And once again, she was struck with the inescapable feeling that among everything she'd forgotten was one thing more important than all the rest, more important than anything.

-...but some things were worth hurting for...

-"I do understand, and I hope you understand that as long as you treat me like an untrustworthy captive, I will act like one instead of like your wife."

-Instead she was exhilarated. It felt as if she'd found a bit of her old self. And it was one of her favorite pieces. It was the part of herself that loved to hope.

-But she wasn't supposed to want to kiss him. It wasn't fair of [...] to hate her a little for it. But feeling hateful was the only thing that made it possible for him to leave. And he really needed to leave.

-...the curse had been cast out of terror, and curses that come from a place of fear always turn out a little twisted or become far more terrible than intended.

-"I've seen you try before. I've seen you want something more than anything else in the entire world. I've seen what you're willing to do. How far you were willing to go. You haven't even come close to that now."

-"There is never necessary evil, just poor choices, and I fear you're about to make one, boy."

-"Being yours does not make you mine."

-"I don't believe you, [...]. I might not remember everything about you. But I know you. I know that I know you, and I don't believe there is anything you can't do."

-"I know I seem naive," Evangeline pressed on. "I know my faith in love might appear foolish. I also know it might not be enough. But I'm not doing this because I believe I'll win. I'm actually a little afraid I'm going to lose. I no longer think love is a guarantee of victory or of happily ever after. But I think it's a reason to fight for those things. I know my attempt to save [...] could end in a firey explosion, but I'd rather go up in flames with him than watch while he burns."

-"I'm not going to hurt you." "I feel as if that's what people always say just before they hurt you."

The rest of my favorite quotes spoil too much so I won't include them. 

A Curse for True Love is a good ending to a fun trilogy. I enjoyed all of the fairytale vibes. I liked the story curse, which was still present and working through this story. I loved Evangeline and Jacks and Lala. And I was happy with how everything ended. My only wish is that we had a little more time where the characters were happy together before it was over. Of course, the ending was left open for other stories in this world, and I'm 100% here for them. A Curse for True Love gets 4 Stars. Have you read A Curse for True Love? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Can I Play Too?

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

Can I Play Too (Elephant & Piggie, # 12)

By: Mo Willems

Publication: June 8, 2010 by Hyperion Books for Children

64 pages

Genre: Children's, Level 1, Humor,

Source: Own/Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Description--Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.

Gerald and Piggie are best friends.

Can I Play Too? is the third Elephant and Piggie story included in Biggie 1 even though Goodreads lists it as # 12 in the series. Elephant and Piggie books are books that my seven-year-old wants to read. They are lengthy books (64 pages) for this reading level. I love this. Most pages only have a sentence or two at most, so my son doesn't feel overwhelmed and can read through the books quickly. These are all AR Level 1 (a couple of them are 0.5 and 0.6) so the words aren't complex or difficult.

Gerald asks Piggie to play catch. Piggie's excited. A snake comes up and asks if he can play catch too. Piggie and Gerald are concerned. They want to play with him, but he doesn't have any arms. The snake jokes with them, and he then attempts to catch the ball. Piggie and Gerald are determined to play catch with their snake friend, and things go a little awry. In the end, they are all happy with the results.

The illustrations for Can I Play Too? make the series and bring the words to life. Any book that can get my son to enjoy any part of the reading process is a win for me. Can I Play Too? gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read Can I Play Too? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Governess and the Rogue

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 Governess and the Rogue (Somerset Stories, # 6)

By: Mimi Matthews

Expected Publication: August 5, 2025 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 down-on-her-luck Victorian governess and an unrepentant rogue enter into a fake engagement during a lengthy voyage at sea in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s sixth book in her acclaimed Somerset Stories series.

Stranded in India after being dismissed without a reference, governess Beatrice Layton exchanges her freedom for passage home to England, taking a position with the only family that will hire her. But Bea hasn’t reckoned for just how dreadful her new employers will be. Stuck with them at sea in increasingly desperate circumstances, she finds an unlikely champion in the injured ex-soldier traveling aboard their ship.

Colonel Jack Beresford has spent the last fourteen years serving in Her Majesty’s Army. Though time has lent him maturity, it hasn’t dulled the roguish impulses of his youth. When he’s confronted with the tantalizing prospect of a damsel in distress, he naturally steps in to rescue her. His solution? An engagement of convenience, of course. One that will last only as long as their voyage.

But once back on land, Jack and Bea’s simple arrangement is beset by complication after complication. There are Bea’s horrid employers to contend with, and the growing gossip in Somerset society. Most complicated of all, there’s Jack’s family—his parents, siblings, and precocious nieces and nephews—all of whom seem to think that Bea might be perfect for him. Jack is beginning to think so too. All that remains is to convince bold, beguiling Bea that he’s perfect for her.

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

The Ballad of Never After - Review

The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 2)

By: Stephanie Garber

Publication: September 13, 2022 by Flatiron Books

416 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she'll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.

But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.

Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can...

The Ballad of Never After starts where Once Upon a Broken Heart left off. Evangeline is angry with Jacks for betraying her. He cursed Apollo in a suspended sleep and had Evangeline framed for murdering him. Jacks is trying to get Evangeline to open the Valory Arch which is said to hold either the greatest treasure or the most terrible monster of the Valors who were the first royals of the Magnificent North. Evangeline has sworn she won't open the arch no matter what, and now partnering with Jacks is also completely out of the question.

Yet, Jacks is always there. He's constantly saving Evangeline from danger and near-death experiences. Then another curse that affects Apollo and Evangeline happens. Time is running out for Apollo to wake before the next heir to the throne takes over. And now, Evangeline is in even more danger as she's being hunted by the curse of the Archer and the Fox. Jacks is her best hope at survival, and it turns out that opening the Valory Arch is the best option for removing the curses upon Evangeline and Apollo. So they begin their search in earnest to find the four missing stones needed to open the arch. 

The Ballad of Never After is the perfect kind of torture. The wishy-washy back and forth of whether or not Jacks actually has feelings for Evangeline drove the story for me. She is coming to terms with her own emotions. And even though Evangeline would not have said she was in love with Apollo, it seemed like she wanted him well because that was just the right thing to do and because he was innocent in all the curses. Evangeline and Jacks grow so much closer as the story progresses. And it was pretty clear which direction things were headed in. And I was all for it. Speaking of wishy-washy, I loved the inclusion of the story curse. It was mentioned and played upon in the previous book, but The Ballad of Never After, out of the three books in the series, used this plot device the most. It led to feelings of uncertainty because you couldn't even trust the information that Evangeline was getting from any source. Pretty smart if you ask me.

Jessica from A GREAT read had warned me that the cliffhanger from The Ballad of Never After was pretty brutal and that I would want to have book 3, A Curse for True Love, to dive straight into. I thought I was prepared. I was so not prepared for that ending. Oh, the heartbreak. I would truly have hated that cliffhanger if I'd had to wait a year before getting into the next book. And I'm so thankful I could dive right into the next part of the story. As a matter of fact, I literally did. I finished this book and immediately picked up the next book. Like not even minutes to breathe or process. 

Favorite quotes:

-"Since I met you, my first love was turned to stone, I was turned to stone, then I was turned into a fugitive, multiple people have tried to murder me, and you poisoned my husband--"

-And when Liana reached the last page of every story, she never said, The end. Instead, she always turned to Evangeline and asked, What do you suppose happens next? They live happily ever after, Evangeline usually proclaimed. Most characters, she believed, deserved it after all they'd been through. Her mother, however, felt differently. She believed most characters would stay happy for now, but not forever. Then she'd point out things that would certainly work to wreak havoc in their future--the apprentice to the villain who was still alive, the evil stepsister who'd been forgiven but was still out there somewhere waiting to attack once more, the wish that had come true but wasn't quite paid for, the seed that had been planted but had yet to grow.

-Jacks often told Evangeline that heroes didn't get happy endings, but in that moment, Evangeline wasn't looking for happiness. She just wanted a break.

-"Ballads never end happily, everyone knows that."

-But sometimes reason was no match for feeling.

-Evanegline's hope had always burned brighter than her fear.

-Winning at love was less about succeeding in a battle and more about continuing to fight, to choose the person you loved as one you were willing to die for, over and over.

-Evangeline wanted to give love and be loved and feel love at just the sight of someone.

-But it was so hard. All of it hurt. It hurt to want him. It hurt to be rejected by him. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to cry. It hurt even more when she tried not to cry.

-"If you do this, Time will take something equally valuable from you." [...] "There is nothing of equal value to me."

So many of these quotes are just basic human emotions that anyone can relate to. Reason outweighed by feelings, hope burning bright, winning at love, just wanting to love and be loved, hurting in all the ways.

The Ballad of Never After was so juicy. It was a wishy-washy, "I don't know what to believe", book with all the best parts of the series if you ask me. Book 2 in a trilogy can sometimes be a dud. The buildup of book 1 has it ranked higher, and the conclusion of book 3 ranks it higher, and then book 2 is often the dud that carries the story between these two points. But The Ballad of Never After is easily my favorite in this series. I'm giving it 4.5 Stars. Have you read The Ballad of Never After? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 04/06/25

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 busy week. Monday I had to work the concession stand for Big Boy's baseball team. I don't enjoy it exactly, but I don't mind helping out as someone has to do it. It's all about doing our part, but I do get frustrated when other parents don't step up and help out as well. Big Girl's team had a game that night. They lost. Tuesday was a rough day behavior wise. The boys decided to have an orange fight in my house during the two minutes it took me to go to the bathroom and change clothes. I came out to mandarin oranges all over my house and all in Little Boy's hair. We also had grocery pickup and haircuts scheduled for the kids that afternoon. The boys were not very well behaved at the salon either. And then both boys had ball games that night. Little Boy plays tball and they do keep score, but it's all chaos anyway. Big Boy's team pulled off a win after being down in the first two innings. Wednesdays are always nice because we don't have activities that night. We did go on a family walk after dinner. Thursday was co-op day. We had pictures for the yearbook at co-op which threw the entire day off. They also decided kind of last minute to have additional play practice after co-op which put me in a little bit of a bind. I had to run grab lunch, take the boys home, take Big Girl back to co-op and then come back home. We did some school work and then I went back to pick her up. Little Boy had a game that night. He finally decided to try running after the ball which I prefer over standing there like a knot on a log. Friday, we had a much easier school day. Both big kids had ball games. Big Girl's team lost, but technically they get to count it as a win because the other team didn't have enough players and had to forfeit. I was glad they still let the girls play, but Big Girl didn't even get to bat and she only had field time one inning--even though she got the first out of the game. Big Boy's team had another close game. They were tied and battling the entire game but pulled it out with one more point. He got some good hits but only got on base once. Saturday, Big Girl's team had a tournament. We were at the ball field early. The first game was just a warm-up. They won the second game. Big Girl got a hit and ended up scoring the game winning run for her team. And then they lost the third game. It was single elimination so that put them out of the championship game. When we got home the kids actually got in the pool. It's way too cold for me, but they were barely shivering. I worked on mowing the back lawn and got my consignment finished.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: March 2025 EOM Wrap Up
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The Last Wish for Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 2) by Mary E Pearson
Thursday: Review of A Dawn of Godds and Fury (Fate & Flame, # 4) by KA Tucker (4 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Watch Me Throw the Ball!

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 2) by KA Tucker
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Can I Play Too?

NEW BOOKS:

A Wager with the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match, # 3)

By: Jody Hedlund

Publication: May 6, 2025 by Bethany House Publishers

352 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 her brother's entanglement with an Irish gang threatens their family's safety, Alannah Darragh flees St. Louis and her troubled past, seeking refuge as a maid for the affluent Shanahan family. Alannah's resolve to avoid romance is tested by the undeniable attraction she feels for Kiernan Shanahan. Determined to maintain her position and the safety it provides, she vows to resist the pull of her heart despite the growing bond between them and their undeniable chemistry.

In the wake of a devastating fire, Kiernan Shanahan sees a shrewd opportunity to invest in a clay mine and brickyard to aid the city's rebuilding. To secure his venture, he seeks a wealthy bride with a substantial dowry. However, the matchmaker he consults has different plans. As danger looms and Alannah fights to keep her brother safe, Kiernan's protective instincts draw them closer together, but a future with him seems too far out of reach. It will take a miracle--or a wager with the wily matchmaker--to bring the unlikely couple together.

Be swept away in a tale of love, danger, and destiny in this captivating historical romance from bestselling author Jody Hedlund.

Waiting for the Rancher (High Country Ranch, # 1)

By: Jody Hedlund

Expected Publication: June 4, 2024

228 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Personal Kindle Library (currently on sale)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Hazel Noble loves her job managing the mares at High Country Ranch. As the foaling season begins, she gets to spend even more time with the horses . . . and with her secret crush, Maverick Oakley, the owner of High Country Ranch and her brother Sterling’s best friend.

When Maverick unwittingly ruins Sterling’s wedding, he goes from best friend to worst enemy. With the rift between their families, Maverick is faced with the possibility of losing Hazel, and he can no longer deny how much he’s always cared about her. The trouble is that he and Sterling made a vow not to court each other’s sisters, and he doesn’t want to break his word and cause further problems.

Maverick gathers the courage to speak with Sterling about their vow, but Sterling demands that he stay away from Hazel. When a tragic accident strikes, Maverick is forced to finally choose where his loyalties lie—with his best friend or his best friend’s sister. After pushing Hazel away, will he be too late to win her heart?

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 - Watch Me Throw the Ball

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

Watch Me Throw the Ball (Elephant & Piggie, # 8)

By: Mo Willems

Publication:March 17, 2009 by Hyperion Books for Children

64 pages

Genre: Children's, Level 1, Humor,

Source: Own/Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Description--Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.

Gerald and Piggie are best friends.

In Watch Me Throw the Ball! , Gerald is determined to teach Piggie that ball-throwing is serious business... but Piggie is just as determined to have serious fun.

Watch Me Throw the Ball is the second Elephant and Piggie story included in Biggie 1 even though Goodreads lists it as # 8 in the series. Elephant and Piggie books are books that my seven-year-old wants to read. They are lengthy books (64 pages) for this reading level. I love this. Most pages only have a sentence or two at most, so my son doesn't feel overwhelmed and can read through the books quickly. These are all AR Level 1 (a couple of them are 0.5 and 0.6) so the words aren't complex or difficult.

Piggie stumbles upon a ball. He's excited and Gerald tells him that Piggie found his ball. Gerald asks if Piggie knows the secret to throwing, and Pigge declares to have fun. Gerald is incensed. Gerald being matter-of-fact as he is tries to tell Piggie that it is hard work. Piggie's throw is terrible but Piggie is ever the optimistic and sees things his own way. Gerald tries to point out that Piggie didn't throw the ball very far at all, but Piggie doesn't mind because he had fun. Gerald gives the fun thing a try. In essence, a nice moral to the story to boot.

The illustrations for Watch Me Throw the Ball make the series and bring the words to life. Any book that can get my son to enjoy any part of the reading process is a win for me. Watch Me Throw the Ball gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read Watch Me Throw the Ball? What did you think? Let me know!

A Dawn of Gods and Fury - Review

A Dawn of Gods and Fury (Fate and Flame, # 4)

By: KA Tucker

Publication: September 3, 2024 by Penguin

528 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--"Prophecy always finds a way."

The will of the fates has come to pass. Monsters swarm from the depths, while dragons soar overhead. And the throne of Islor lies vacant… but not for long.

Fleeing the merciless sirens, Tyree and Annika find themselves stranded on a distant shore. Forced together to survive, they find old magics and terrifying new enemies.

For Romeria and Zander, the long-held secrets of the casters’ magic reveal a chance to finally master the power that has held all their lives in the balance for too long. But with power comes betrayal. And sacrifices must be made.

The final book in the captivating Fate & Flame series.

The previous book ended with Romeria killing Queen Neilina and assuming the crown for Ybaris. The rift is open, and monsters and beasts are coming out at night. Some have been wounded. And now Zander has to figure out how to get his throne back. Early in the book, he takes a trip to Islor's capital and finds Malachai, the god of fire, on his throne. He has to make a hasty retreat. And Malachai lets it be known that he intends to rule more than just Islor. With Sofie by his side, protecting him by default as she tries to protect Elijah makes it even harder to get rid of him.

Romeria and Zander play a huge role in A Dawn of Gods and Fury, but truthfully, I was more excited to read Tyree and Annika's chapters. Of course, the process of falling in love is more exhilarating than maintaining a relationship. Tyree and Annika were in much more of an unknown situation crossing the sea and entering into an unknown country. I really appreciated their pieces of the puzzle because they helped keep things interesting and fresh. Add in KA Tucker addressing the tension between Jarek and Romeria. I wasn't expecting her to actually bring it up even if the reader was able to see it easily. 

My biggest complaint revolves around the anti-climatic ending. Again, KA Tucker actually says that the ending is anti-climatic but poetic. And it reminds me of how people often make fun of themselves before others get a chance to so that it won't hurt when others make fun of that same thing. By letting us know she knows the ending was anti-climatic, it's like saying "You don't have to tell me, I already know." 

Some pieces that included Malachai felt gratuitous. I suppose they were included to show how bad he was. But these portions were mostly unnecessary if you ask me. 

Favorite quote:

-"Kings and queens are known to influence what the realm may remember of them and the gods they serve, and sometimes society chooses to erase history as if it never happened rather than confront the dark side of it."

The other things I highlighted had more to do with foreshadowing or things I wondered if they would come back around. Some did. Some didn't. 

A Dawn of Gods and Fury was a good ending to an enjoyable series. I feel like this book deserves 4 Stars. Everything I needed to see wrapped up was. I enjoyed the inclusion of Tyree and Annika. Even Atticus wrapped up well enough even if I wish we could have seen a little more firsthand of his reunion with the Gracen. I did find the battle and ultimately the climax to be a little bit of a letdown. But overall, I'm still happy with the series ender. Have you read A Dawn of Gods and Fury? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Last Wish 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 Last Wish for Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 2)

By: Mary E Pearson

Expected Publication: November 13, 2025 by Tor

480 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--Everyone needs something to hold onto, even if it’s a lie.

After Bristol Keats nearly loses her beloved King Tyghan to the monsters her mother had unleashed, their love deepens to a whole new level. Together, Bristol and Tyghan work to understand and reconcile their differences, moving forward with their common goal of saving Elphame. But when a daring rescue attempt turns into a disaster, and a beloved knight dies, Bristol is forced to confront the fact that her mother is more powerful than she could have ever imagined—and more dangerous. Meanwhile, Tyghan’s heart is laid bare when he encounters his former best friend and betrayer again, Bristol's own father, and must wrestle with a new secret that throws everything he thought he knew about his past into question.

Bristol is Elphame’s last chance for survival, but where do her loyalties truly lie? If she fully embraces the magic that has always been her birthright, she could become a different kind of monster from her mother. Is she willing to risk losing the people she loves most, if it means keeping them safe?

Brimming with dark secrets, lush world-building, and addictive romance, The Last Wish of Bristol Keats is the unforgettable conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Mary E. Pearson's first adult series.

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

March 2025 EOM Wrap Up

I read 11 books (not including children's books).
Blood of the Old Kings (The Bleeding Empire, # 1) by Sung-Il Kim
Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked, # 1) by Kerri Maniscalco
Juniper's Christmas by Eoin Colfer
Midnights with You by Clare Osongco
Risking It All (Pushing the Limits: Next Generation, # 1) by Katie McGarry
Iron & Embers (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 1) by Helen Scheuerer
A Scar in the Bone (A Fire in the Sky, # 2) by Sophie Jordan
Now or Never (Stephanie Plum, # 31) by Janet Evanovich
Spark of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 1) by Penn Cole
Glow of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 2) by Penn Cole
Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. John Townsend & Dr. Henry Cloud

I have reviewed 4 books (not including mini reviews of children's books).
A Lady of Conscience (Somerset Stories, # 5) by Mimi Matthews
A Fire in the Sky (A Fire in the Sky, # 1) by Sophie Jordan
Midnights with You by Clare Osongco
Blood of the Old Kings (The Bleeding Empire, # 1) by Sung-Il Kim

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 03/02/25
Sunday Post - 03/16/25
Sunday Post - 03/23/25
Top Ten Spring 2025 TBR List
Can't Wait for A Bachelor's Lessons in Love by Sally Britton
Can't Wait for Winterset by Tiffany Odekirk
Homeschool Friday - Today I Will Fly

Goals:
I'm a few days ahead in my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 39 out of 75 books (including children's books).

Sunday Post - 03/30/25

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.

This past week was spring break for us. My big kiddos left on Saturday and were gone with my parents all week to Gatlinburg, TN. They had a blast. My youngest, Little Boy, was battling a cold or virus all week. He had a pretty bad cough and even had some vomiting. We didn't do as much as I thought we might because he was sick. We spent a lot of time resting and snuggling. I did get some stuff done this week. I worked on consignment labeling. I did quite a bit of baking. I spent one afternoon cleaning my middle child's bedroom. He actually keeps it fairly clean, but he has a spot under his bed that was out of control. And I wanted to mop in there. We did go out to eat one night. And I did get to take Little Boy to Target to spend some money he'd been given. The big kigs got back home Saturday afternoon. I've also been dealing with a cold. I feel like mine is probably pollen related. Hopefully it'll pass quickly.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Blood of the Old Kings (The Bleeding Empire, # 1) by Sung-Il Kim (3.5 Stars)
Tuesday: Last Ten Books I DNF'd
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Fallen City (Fallen City Duology, # 1) by Adrienne Young

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: March 2025 EOM Wrap Up
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Thursday: Review of A Dawn of Gods & Fury (Fate & Flame, # 4) by KA Tucker
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Watch Me Throw the Ball

NEW BOOKS:

Glow in the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 2)

By: Penn Cole

Publication: July 14, 2023 by Penn Cole

608 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--An unexpected gift offers the power to change everything. Keeping it could cost Diem her life.

The threat of war has arrived at Diem’s doorstep, along with a new discovery that could save her people. To use it, she must survive the next thirty days by forming a devil’s bargain with the people she hates the royal family of House Corbois.

But as she dives into the world of the Descended elite, Diem quickly realizes good and evil aren’t as simple as they seem. Old prejudices are challenged, and new loyalties blur the line between friend and foe.

Meanwhile, her mother is still missing, and the secrets she left behind can no longer be ignored—and neither can the Guardians and their demands. Caught between an old flame and a sizzling new spark, Diem must confront the truth about who she is and what she wants before time runs out.

War is coming, and dangerous enemies wait on all sides.. but the most deadly battle Diem faces may be the one for her heart.

Glow of the Everflame is the second book in The Kindred's Curse Saga, a four-book epic fantasy romance series that follows our fiesty, bad*ss heroine Diem Bellator in her fight against injustice and oppression, her struggle to survive in a royal palace full of betrayal and intrigue, and her journey of self-discovery and finding true love. This slow burn, enemies-to-lovers series is perfect for fans of unique magic systems, dragons and other mythical creatures, angst and romantic tension, and hilarious banter. This book will appeal to fans of plot-heavy, character-driven romantasy such as A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, Gild, Shadow & Bone, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night.

Heat of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 3)

By: Penn Cole

Publication: March 11, 2025 by Atria Books

848 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic

( 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 third installment in the #BookTok sensation and New York Times bestselling series that started with Spark of the Everflame—now in a collectible hardcover edition featuring gorgeous full-color endpapers, an exclusive designed hardcover case, and a never-before-seen bonus chapter.

The war has begun. Both sides demand Diem’s allegiance—or her death.

After her disastrous coronation, Diem finds herself at the center of the conflict between the Descended and the Guardians. With her newfound friends and the man she’s falling for on one side, and the mortals she has vowed to protect on the other, Diem must walk a careful line to save the people she loves…even from one another.

When the mystery of her unusual heritage begins to unravel, it sends Diem and Luther on an unexpected journey across the realms. The answers they seek may hold the key to winning the war, but finding them will require Diem to face painful truths about her mother, her bloodline, and her fate.

Meanwhile, the Crowns have set Diem in their sights. Some could be her greatest allies—while others want her dead. To end their oppressive reign, Diem must sort friend from foe and risk it all to build an army of her own.

But a powerful figure in the north has plans that could change everything…

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!

Can't Wait for Fallen City

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.

Fallen City (Fallen City Duology, # 1)

By: Adrienne Young

Expected Publication: November 4, 2025 by Saturday Books

400 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology, Retelling

( 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 the great walled city of Isara, political turmoil ignites a rebellion one hundred years in the making. But when a legionnaire falls in love with a Magistrate's daughter, their love will threaten the fate of the city and the will of the gods.

Luca Matius has one purpose—to carry on the family name, maintaining its presence in the Forum once his powerful and cruel uncle dies. But his noviceship with the city's Philosopher places him in the middle of a catastrophe that will alter the destiny of his people.

Maris Casoeria was raised amidst the strategic maneuvers of the Citadel's inner workings, and she knows what her future holds—a lifetime of service to a corrupt city. But her years of serving as a novice to the last Priestess who possesses the stolen magic of the Old War has made her envision a different kind of future for the city. When she meets Luca, a fated chain of events is set into motion that will divinely entangle their lives.

As a secret comes to light and throws the city into chaos, Luca and Maris hatch a plot to create a calculated alliance that could tip the scales of power. But when an execution forces Luca to become the symbol of rebellion, he and Maris are thrown onto opposite sides of a holy war. As their fates diverge, they learn they are at the center of a story the gods are writing. And even if they can find their way back to each other, there may be nothing left.

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

Last 10 Books I DNF'd

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 Last Ten Books I DNF'd

1. Everything I Promised You by Katy Upperman
2. Lady Helen's Misalliance by Jessica Spencer
3. The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith
4. After Life by Gayle Forman
5. Princess of Air by Natalie Cammaratta
6. The Irish Goodbye by Amy Ewing
7. Flirty Little Secret by Jessica Lepe
8. The Getaway List by Emma Lord
9. Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke
10. Watership Down: The Graphic Novel by James Strum

Which books are the last ones that you DNF'd? Let me know!

Blood of the Old Kings - Review

Blood of the Old Kings (Old Erth, # 1)

By: Sung-Il Kim

Publication: October 8, 2024 by Tor Books

368 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Dragons

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Blood of the Old Kings begins an epic adventure in which three strangers journey through a vast Empire that uses the power of dead wizards to conquer and subdue, from award-winning author Sung-il Kim and translated by the highly-acclaimed Anton Hur.

Powered by the corpses of sorcerers, the Empire has conquered the world. It claims to have brought peace and stability to its conquered lands, but some see that peace for what it is—a lie—and will give everything in the fight against it.

Loran is desperate for revenge after the Empire killed her family, so much so that the swordswoman climbs the volcano where the legends say an ancient dragon slumbers and leaps in. She finds that the legends are true, and Loran leaves the mountain with a sword made of dragon’s fang and a great purpose before her.

Cain arrived in the Imperial Capital lost and orphaned, and it’s only thanks to the kindness of a stranger-turned-mentor that he survived on the city’s streets. When his friend is found murdered, he will leave no stone unturned to find those responsible, even if it means starting a war.

Arienne’s future has never been in question—born a sorcerer, she’ll be a Power Generator for the Empire upon her death. But when she starts to hear the voice of a powerful necromancer in her head, she realizes the only thing more terrifying than dying for the Empire is never getting to truly live in the first place.

When peace is a lie, there is power in truth—and as Loran, Cain, and Arienne hunt for answers in their own lives, any one of their small rebellions could be the stone that brings the Empire toppling down.

Coming off Onyx Storm I just wanted more dragons. So when I saw Blood of the Old Kings available for audiobook review, I decided to check it out. Even though I often read fantasy, this isn't the normal fantasy type of book I read. Having it on audio is probably the only way I finished Blood of the Old Kings. As a matter of fact, I listened to three hours in one day because I was driving my kids on a field trip out of town. This allowed me to get invested in the story a little. And then I just listened a little at a time here and there until I finished it.

There are three main characters and three audio narrators. Each did a wonderful job. I appreciated having different narrators for each POV. Eunice Wong, Major Curda, and Suzy Jackson were the narrators.

The book starts with Loran climbing into the volcano where the last fire dragon is chained. She makes a deal with him, and he gifts her a fang used as a sword. She then starts calling herself the Princess of Arland (*sp?). After taking on a group of legionary soldiers on her own and rescuing another man, people begin to spread the word of the Princess of Arland. Hope sparks anew in their bellies, and rebellion grows against the Empire. 

Arienne is born a sorcerer and is on a path to becoming a power generator. Power generators are kind of terrifying. They are dead sorcerers hooked up to machines using their magic to power things from lights to machines to this mysterious circuit of destiny. Arienne hears a voice in her head of a long-dead sorcerer who has been turned into a power generator. The sorcerer has plans of his own, but in the process, he helps Airenne discover power she didn't know she had. 

Cain is a collector of favors. He doesn't collect them for power, but because he genuinely enjoys helping people when he can. He's trying to carry on the gift given to him when he showed up in the capital alone. He does interact with Arienne. And then Arienne interacts with Loran. So in a way, all of the stories are tied together. 

Overall, I enjoyed Blood of the Old Kings. It was entertaining. I didn't dread listening to it, but I didn't feel compelled to keep listening. I always prefer stories with romances, but this was missing a romance altogether. Not all stories need them. And it would have been weird for this book to have had one, I think. But I still prefer to read relationship-driven books over plot-driven ones. Blood of the OId Kings gets 3.5 Stars. I don't think I'll continue the series. Have you read (or listened to) Blood of the Old Kings? What did you think? Let me know!

*Since I listened to the audiobook, I have no way of knowing the spelling of various characters and places within the story. Goodreads provided me with character name spellings, but the places were not listed.

Sunday Post - 03/23/25

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.

This was a busy and challenging week. It was the first week in quarter four of our homeschool. Baseball and softball games started this week. And it was the week before spring break for us. So Monday was a pretty normal day. Tuesday, I kept a friend's daughter for the day. We met up at the park. The kids played for a while, and then I ran to pick up groceries. We did have to squeeze in some school, and then I took her to meet her mom. The boys both had first games. Neither team won. Big Boy's team was doing really well. They had 3 double plays that game, but they ended up having two bad innings. They couldn't recovery enough to bring back the win after that. Little Boy is only playing t-ball, and it's so chaotically funny. Wednesday was another normal day. Thursday, we didn't have co-op because they were having a geography and art fair that evening. I oringially planned to participate in that, but then there was a conflict with ball games. We went to a friend's birthday party at a local trampoline park. And then Big Girl had a double header for her first two games. The temperature in our area dropped on Thursday, and we froze our tails off at the games. Bless them. 10U Softball is not all that fun to watch. One girl on the other team literally got a homerun off a dropped 3rd strike and bad throws. Big Girl walked each game and played outfield even though she practiced at first base all practices. It makes no sense to me when a coach practices a kid in one position only to move them somewhere entirely different when games start. But she's only 9 so she has to earn her dues. Friday was tough. I had planned on a lighter school day in hopes of finishing school by lunchtime so I could spend the afternoon packing. But Big Boy didn't finish his school work until 3 pm. We had plans to celebrate Little Boy's birthday (which was two months ago), my sister-in-law's birthday (last month), and my mother-in-law's birthday which was Friday. We did presents and ate an early dinner, and then we had to get back to the ball fields for the boys to have games. They didn't keep score on Little Boy's game so I have no idea if they won or lost. Big Boy's game was pretty frustrating. The dugout mom and coaches messed up the batting order on accident of course and skipped Big Boy and the other team made a big fuss and he was called out without getting to bat at all. I know that is the rules, but there's a difference between being so focused on winning that you take it out on the kids. He's only 7. He's not in charge of the batting lineup. And maybe I wouldn't have been so upset if I didn't constantly feel like he was getting overlooked. He hasn't hit his stride with batting this year yet so he might not have gotten on base anyway. He's had some hits but they've been caught in the air or thrown out at first before he's gotten on base so far. Oh well. The big kids left Saturday morning with my parents. They went to Gatlinburg, TN. Saturday morning, I met up with my two nieces that have kids at the park and let the kiddos play. We stayed there about an hour. And then we spent the rest of the day at my mother-in-law's letting the boys play. They played so adorably well together all afternoon. There was zero fussing or arguing and zero fighting. I was having such a great time watching them just enjoy being with each other.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Midnights with You by Clare Osongco (4 Stars)
Tuesday: Top Ten Spring 2025 TBR List
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Winterset by Tiffany Odekirk

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Blood of the Old Kings (The Bleeding Empire, # 1) by Sung-Il Kim
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Watch Me Throw the Ball

NEW BOOKS:

A Scar in the Bone (A Fire in the Sky, # 2)

By: Sophie Jordan

Expected Publication: October 14, 2025 by Avon

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Dragons

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--MAGIC AWAKENS.

DARKNESS SWELLS.

AND A HERO RISES.

It’s been a year since Tamsyn transformed from the enemy in Fell’s bed to the wife he sacrificed himself to save. From an ordinary girl to Penterra’s best hope to keep magic from disappearing forever.

With Fell torn from her side in the dangerous swirling mists of the Crags, Tamsyn is alone among the dragon pride. An outsider learning to survive in her new home, she trains until her muscles burn and her blood spills. And slowly, a warrior emerges.

But is Fell truly beyond Tamsyn’s reach? Their bond pulls at her, as does the fierce drive to protect both humans and dragonkind from a relentless enemy determined to destroy her – and all magic.

Magic stirs in the darkness, strengthening all who believe in it. But will it be enough to save the pride, the kingdom, and a love fated to endure for centuries?

In this explosive sequel to the Sunday Times bestselling A Fire in the Sky, the fate of magic rests on one warrior’s shoulders – but it could cost her everything …

🔥Fated mates

🔥Magic, dragons, and witches

🔥Spice

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!

Can't Wait for Winterset

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.

Winterset

By: Tiffany Odekirk

Expected Publication: October 7, 2025 by Shadow Mountain

272 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

( 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 hidden past. A house with secrets. And one chance for two wounded hearts to find love together.

Northern England, Late Fall, 1820

Katherine Lockwood is hiding for her life in the most unlikely of places: the forgotten priest holes in the abandoned Winterset Grange manor house. When Kate learns that Winterset’s long-absent owner, Mr. Oliver Jennings, is about to return, she is desperate to find a way to make him leave, even if it means “haunting” him from behind her protective walls.

After a grand tour of the Continent, Oliver returns home to England determined to make the most of his inheritance. But from the moment he arrives, nothing is as he expected. His manor is in disrepair, the steward hired to care for his estate is a thief, and to top it all off, Winterset is haunted. Undeterred, Oliver resolves to reclaim his life, piece by piece.

When Oliver discovers the hidden rooms, he’s shocked and pleased that his “ghost” is actually a beautiful young woman. Captivated by Kate and her story, he invites her to stay at Winterset under his protection.

Yet, danger persists as the man who threatens Kate’s safety learns of her ruse and attempts to exact his revenge. Kate and Oliver find themselves ensnared in a perilous game of cat and mouse against a powerful opponent while also trying to untangle their blossoming feelings in this enthralling gothic Regency romance.

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