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!

Top Ten Spring 2025 TBR List

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 Spring 2025 TBR List

1. Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao
2. Tale of the Heart Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos, # 4) by Nisha J Tuli
3. The Folklore of Forever (Moonville, # 2) by Sarah Hogle
4. A Kingdom to Claim by Sian Ann Bessey
5. Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy, # 1) by Mimi Matthews
6. I Want to Trust You But I Don't by Lysa TerKuerst
7. A Touch of Shadows (The Lost Queen, # 1) by Jessica Thorne
8. The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson
9. Nothing Like the Movies (Better Than the Movies, # 1) by Lynn Painter
10. Til Heist Do Us Part (Simi Chopra, # 2) by Sara Desai

Which books are on your spring TBR list? Let me know!

Midnights with You - Review

Midnights With You

By: Clare Osongco

Publication: November 12, 2024 by Disney-Hyperion

368 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

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--“Where were you thinking of going?”
“Nowhere.”
“Great,” he says lightly, putting the car in gear. “Then we’ll go there.”

Seventeen-year-old Deedee’s life is full of family ghosts and questions she can’t ask. She longs for an escape, but guilt holds her back—that, and the fact that her strict Filipino single mom won’t let her learn to drive. But one sleepless night leads Deedee down a road she never thought possible: secret driving lessons with the new boy next door, Jay, whose turbulent family life also keeps him up until sunrise.

As midnights stretch into days, Jay helps Deedee begin to unravel her past, and as shared secrets blossom into love, Deedee starts to imagine a life where happiness is possible. But the deeper she digs into the trauma that has shaped her, the more that trauma threatens to tear Deedee and Jay apart. Together, these two must decide if the pain they’ve both inherited has the power to choose their fate, or if they have the power to choose for themselves.

Man oh man! What do I say about Midnights with You? I needed a genre change after reading several fantasy books in a row. But I also wanted something that would hook my attention quickly. I've picked up and put down so many books lately. They're all ones I want to read, but I just haven't felt hooked on any characters quickly. And to be honest, Midnights with You didn't hook me too quickly either. The book starts with Deedee's mom berating her. And I wasn't sure I was in the head-space for this kind of book. And really, Midnights with You ended up being an incredibly complex book. 

Deedee's mom has anger issues. And she talks to Deedee so horribly. I mean it's abusive really. The things that she says have affected Deedee deeply. She's begun to think that she's broken, flawed, toxic, unlovable. Her mother refuses to talk about her extended family. And Deedee's dad died several years ago. Since then, Deedee has pretty much no one. She does have one friend at school, bless Suzy's heart. But Deedee doesn't know how to share with Suzy how bad things are at home. And her mom always puts on a front. Deedee is mostly just incredibly sad. All the time. She gets the itch to find out what her mother is hiding. Her extended family. Why she doesn't allow Deedee to do anything because she's scared of her getting hurt, yet her mother's words are often what hurts her the most. And she also begins to feel a little bit rebellious. That leads her to the desire to learn to drive. 

Jay is the boy next door, and his family is struggling also. His parents have divorced, and they moved. His older sister is away at college. And he's working to help fill in financially and fill the fatherly role for his younger sister as much as possible. His mom depends on him a lot. And while she's not quite as mean constantly as Deedee's mom, Jay's mom can say some pretty hurtful things to him as well. Deedee runs into Jay late at night and they go for a drive. In the end, she asks him if he'll teach her how to drive. But then she backs out. They end up making a deal where she will tutor him in English and history (two subjects he's not doing so hot in) if he will teach her how to drive. 

Of course, Deedee and Jay develop feelings for each other. And this is where the rollercoaster ride begins. Deedee and Jay are both screwed up mentally. And that doesn't make for the healthiest relationship. These two were so hot and cold, on and off, fast and slow. This book was a trainwreck in the best possible way. I couldn't look away. I ended up reading until 1 am one night and forced myself to put this book down at 80% knowing it would take me at least another hour to finish it. Even then I couldn't go to sleep. And I don't normally enjoy "coming of age" stories.

There was something so relatable to me about this story. All of the characters. Even as scary as it sounds, the terrible mother and the partially terrible one. Since becoming a mother, I find it much easier to relate to the mothers in books. And even though, I can say that I don't treat my kids like Deedee's mom, I know I've slipped up and said hurtful things to my kids. I've behaved in ways that I've had to apologize for. All of this story was heartbreaking.

Favorite quotes:

-She's given me a good life, and I'm grateful. And the way she treats me hurts, too. Both things are true.

-"You know how they say, your trauma isn't your fault, but it's your responsibility?"

-You did a bad thing and you can learn from it. You can know why you did it. You can work on it. You can be different. You can change, because you want to change.

-"Maybe if you change the way you think about the past," I say, voice hard-edged, "you'll be able to make some different decisions. Today, tomorrow, the day after. Maybe if you could tell yourself you didn't deserve it, you would see I don't deserve this, either."

-"Some of the things you do make more sense to me now," I swallow hard as she picks up the letter and slowly opens it with trembling hands. "But some of the things you do aren't okay."

"Coming of age" really is the best description for Midnights with You. It's about growing up, first love, generational curses, depression, anger, and so much more. I didn't quite cry while reading this, and I didn't always "like" this book, but sheesh, it gave me so much to contemplate. It was incredibly complex and well done overall. Midnights with You gets 4 Stars. Have you read Midnights with You? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 03/16/25

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.

I slipped up and didn't post last week. It was just too busy. I didn't post for my blogaversary this year, but I did celebrate my 14th year of blogging. We took a few days to adjust to the time change last week. Monday night, Big Girl was recognized at the local high school's varsity softball game for participating in their annual softball camp. We stayed to watch the game. It's become something that I look forward to doing with her every year. Big Boy had a double header scrimmage game on Wednesday night. He played catcher which is a new position for him, but he enjoyed it. The scoreboard wasn't working, but since we were playing a travel ball team I'm pretty sure we got crushed. Thursday was co-op day, of course. Friday, my mom came to get Little Boy for a spend the weekend with them. My parents will be taking my big kids to Gatlinburg for spring break the week after next so they wanted to focus on him this weekend. I ended up taking Big Girl to do a little clothes shopping Friday afternoon. And then both big kids had practice Friday evening. Saturday, my kids spent most of the day at my mother-in-law's house. We had a threat of bad weather (along with so many others), but thankfully things didn't get bad in our area beyond a lot of wind and lightning. Many many others had damage and even loss of life in the storms that ravaged the US yesterday.

THE PAST TWO WEEKS

Monday 3/3: Review of A Lady of Conscience (Somerset Stories, # 5) by Mimi Matthews (3.5 Stars)
Monday 3/10: Review of A Fire in the Sky (A Fire in the Sky, # 1) by Sophie Jordan (3.5 Stars)
Wednesday 3/12: Can't Wait for A Bachelor's Lessons in Love by Sally Britton
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Today I Will Fly

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Midnights with You by Clare Osongco
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Watch Me Throw the Ball

NEW BOOKS:

Iron & Embers (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 1)

By: Helen Scheuerer

Publication: January 28, 2025 by Alchemy

614 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy

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--“I’ve made no secret of what I want... You. It’s always been you.”

Wren Embervale, alchemist-turned-assassin, finds solace in only one thing: seeking vengeance for the death of her friends. The wars of the past may be over, but her thirst for revenge is far from quenched.

For years, she has been content with her poisons and potions for company, but when an unknown form of alchemy is used to attack a king of the midrealms, Wren’s time in the shadows comes to an end.

She’s offered a place at the ancient alchemy academy of Drevenor to find a cure to the dark magic threatening the kingdoms. To win her spot, she must conquer the Gauntlet, a grueling series of deadly trials that could cost her sanity, or her life.

More is at play than sabotage from fellow competitors. Magic wielders are being targeted and Wren becomes tangled in a dangerous web of deception and bloodshed that puts the entire realm at risk.

But the biggest threat of all might come from the man assigned to protect her—Torj Elderbrock, the silver-haired war hero who has hated her since she assassinated his last charge.

Their shared history ignites a simmering tension that threatens to consume them both.

Peace is fragile, trust is scarce and enemies lurk around every corner… Will love heal all wounds—or will it be the most lethal poison of all?

Iron & Embers is the breathtaking first installment in the epic fantasy romance series, The Ashes of Thezmarr. With its lush world-building, sizzling chemistry, and heart-pounding action it’s perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, From Blood & Ash, and The Bridge Kingdom.

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!