Between These Broken Hearts

Between These Broken Hearts (These Hollow Vows, # 4)

By: Lexi Ryan

Publication: July 22, 2025 by Storytide

464 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fae

Source: Publisher via NetGalley/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--Forbidden romance, mysterious prophecies, and the battle to save the fae realm come to a captivating conclusion in the #1 New York Times bestselling saga begun with Abriella in the These Hollow Vows duology and continued with Jas and Felicity in Beneath These Cursed Stars.

Princess Jasalyn has eleven days to live.

Jasalyn is facing the repercussions of a deadly bargain. Her life, and the future of the shadow court, are forfeit on her birthday unless she can stop the evil fae king Mordeus. She needs to face her greatest fears and find him before she runs out of time, but even after everything, Kendrick won’t let her face this alone.

Shape-shifter Felicity has vanished.

Felicity disappeared from King Misha’s dungeons, and her friends have been searching for her to no avail. But even if she’s found, Felicity will never be able to escape the oracle’s tragic prophecy for her and her family. In her lonely battle with fate, Misha is the last person she can ask to stand by her side, but the first one she’ll need.

The previous book, Beneath These Cursed Stars ended on a double cliffhanger. Jasalyn has discovered a betrayal. Kendrick isn't who she thought he was. Or at least, he's more than who she thought he was. This means she can't fully trust him, and she leaves him and his group to go off on her own after the sword of fire in hopes of killing Mordeus for good. Felicity's betrayal of Misha was discovered, and she was captured by her twin brother and trapped in an illusion of an alternate reality. 

Jasalyn has finally come to a place where she realizes that she wants to live, and she wants her bargain to be broken not just because she doesn't want Mordeus to use her for his resurrection, but also because she actually wants to live her own life even if it will be different from what she always imagined it to be. Her journey is dark and full of sadness. This is not a peppy story by any means. And I like that Lexi Ryan touched on the topics that she did in the way she did. 

Felicity has to come to terms with her deception and what that means. She's been fighting a prophecy that says she will succeed in killing her father, the evil King Erith of the mortal realm, but in doing so her brother in all the ways that matter, Kendrick, will die. She has no problem being the one to kill Erith, but she can't bring herself to do so at Kendrick's expense. 

There are many side stories and pieces that come into play. And Lexi Ryan does a great job of weaving them all together. I will say that I wasn't surprised by any twists or turns. There really weren't any. Things were pretty straightforward, even if you didn't fully know how the day was going to be saved, and they were going to save Jasalyn and everyone in the end. 

Between These Broken Hearts is two love stories in one. I do wish we had a few more glimpses of Brie and Finn, but it wasn't really their time to shine, and that's okay.

Language is present, and there is a small amount of spice. If I remember correctly, most of the action doesn't take place on the page. 

Favorite quotes:

-"A magic like this is hungry. It takes and takes. It will draw from you until there's nothing left."

-Fear isn't a measure of cowardice, and pain isn't a measure of weakness. You are brave and strong and anything but broken.

-"...if I've learned anything from having a seer in the family, it's that fate is a slimy thing. People like to think of it like a fixed point, but it's always changing."

-"Everyone in this world has a fate they would personally rearrange the stars to avoid." ..."Don't think I am so different."

-"Tell me what you want and I will bend the world to give it to you."

-I thought I knew loneliness in the depths of my despair, those years before I got the ring, but that can't compare to the loneliness of knowing nothing I say or do will be remembered.

-"You are so easy to love."

-"Do you know how I feel about you?" "You hate me."... "So that's a no?"

-"I look like something that crawled out of the Underworld." ..."I had no idea that place had so much to offer."

-I know my worth now. If I am lucky enough to see a life beyond my eighteenth birthday, I won't disgrace that gift by living in the shadows. I deserve a life in the sun.

-"It's easy to want the good days. ... It's the others that make the decision so hard. The bad and the painful and the gray and the numb. You can't just imagine a happy life and decide it's worth it; you have to choose all of it."

-Every existence has pain and joy and sacrifice...

-"No. They're mine. I endured."

Between These Broken Hearts is ultimately a story about overcoming, about enduring, about choosing to live and to love. It's about loving others, but ultimately about loving yourself. I love the deeper themes and takeaways from this book. While self-harm and ceasing to exist are not something I struggle with, I know that so many do. And I hope they can all find beauty in the scars, beauty in the pain, hope in the future. Between These Broken Hearts gets 4 Stars. Have you read Between These Broken Hearts? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 07/20/25

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.

As per usual, I can't remember much about Monday. I know the big kids had martial arts. Tuesday, we spent the day with my parents and did my grocery pickup. The big kids had martial arts again. Wednesday was a rough day behavior wise. It happens. Big Boy had batting practice. He's improving. Thursday, we had a decent day. I had a doctor's appointment. Just an annual checkup. The kids hung at Grammy's while I was gone to that. Big Boy had earned a reward for reading 20 books so he and Daddy went to see a movie. He let Little Boy tag along with him which I was okay with because he doesn't have a goal yet to work towards earning mama/daddy dates himself just yet. Big Girl and I went to pitching practice. Friday, I ended up having a haircut. I forgot that I'd scheduled that. My parents kept the kids for me. Saturday, we hit up Walmart for tax-free weekend. We didn't have to get much, just a few school supplies. Little Boy needed a new backpack for MDO. And Big Boy also needed a new backpack for co-op. After lunch, the kids went to Grammy's while Husband was mowing her grass. I managed to float in the pool for nearly two hours uninterrupted while listening to an audiobook. It was glorious.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy, # 1) by Mimi Matthews (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Brimstone (Fae & Alchemy, # 2) by Callie Hart
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Be Honest and Tell the Truth (4.5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Between These Broken Hearts (These Hollow Vows, # 4) by Lexi Ryan
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Hands Are Not for Hitting

NEW BOOKS:

No new books this week.

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 - Be Honest and Tell the Truth

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.

Be Honest & Tell the Truth

By: Cheri J. Meiners

Illustrated By: Meredith Johnson

Publication: August 25, 2007 by Free Spirit Publishing

40 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Manners

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.

Description--It's never too soon to learn the difference between what's true and what isn't. Words and pictures help young children discover that being honest in words and actions builds trust and self-confidence. They also learn that telling the truth sometimes takes courage and tact. Includes discussion questions, skits, scenarios, and games that reinforce the ideas being taught.

I have one child who particularly struggles with telling the truth. As usual, Be Honest and Tell the Truth begins with why being honest is a benefit for the child. The child can feel good about his or her choices and behavior. Treating others the way that we each want to be treated. I love that being honest is discussed as a decision to be made ahead of time. We can decide to always be honest. Thinking about how others will feel about the words we plan to use, yet still choosing to find kind words that are true. It can be respectful to keep some words and thoughts to yourself. But you can talk to a trusted adult whenever you're unsure what to do. Letting others know when we're joking is important, and also, stopping the jokes when not everyone is having fun is a good idea. Telling the truth sometimes takes courage, but we can do that. Don't blame others. Doing one's own work. And being honest even when no one sees is important. Keeping our promises is something we can do when we do what we say we will. When we keep our word, people can depend on us. We can show respect to others by not touching their things without permission. And if we find something that doesn't belong to us, we can try to find the owner. Being honest is worth more than having an item that doesn't belong to us. And the book ends with repeating the benefits of being honest to the child, when we treat others fairly, they can believe and trust us. And beyond that, we can feel good about ourselves.

Like the others in this series that I've reviewed, Be Honest and Tell the Truth is packed full of great information to help a child see the benefits of being honest and telling the truth. There are extra instructions for the parents at the end. These types of books spark communication with your kids on what you both expect from common situations. I like how things are worded "I can..." because it's subconsciously planted in the child that they are capable of these ideas without being confrontational.

Be Honest and Tell the Truth is a great book that all parents can add to their collections of books on manners. (Surely all parents have multiple books about manners for young children, right?) It presents information in a way that helps the child feel empowered to know that they are capable of being honest in situations. I'm giving it 4.5 Stars. Have you or your child read Be Honest and Tell the Truth? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Brimstone

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.

Brimstome (Fae & Alchemy, # 2)

By: Callie Hart

Expected Publication: November 18, 2025 by Forever

672 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae, Romantasy

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Duty. Blood. Honour. Power.

Saeris Fane doesn't want power. The very last thing she needs is her name whispered on an entire court's lips, but now that she's been crowned queen of the Blood Court, she's discovering that a queen's life is not her own. A heavy weight rests upon her shoulders.

Her ward - and her brother - need her back in her homeland . . . but the changes that have strengthened Saeris have also made her weak. Born under blazing suns, Saeris will surely die if she makes her way home through the Quicksilver. Which means that, once again, she must send someone else in her stead . . .

'Keep your mouth shut. Stick to the shadows. And for the love of all seven Gods, do NOT crack any jokes.'

Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate has defeated armies and survived all manner of horrors, but traveling back to Zilvaren with Carrion Swift might just be the death of him. The male just will not shut up. Hidden dangers await them down the narrow alleyways of the Silver City. Unfolding secrets pose impossible threats. Fisher must wrangle the smuggler and accomplish his goals quickly if he wants to see his mate again.

A darkness falls across Yvelia. The realm and their friends are in danger. Together, Saeris and Fisher will pass through fire and brimstone to save them.

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

Rules for Ruin - Review

Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy, # 1)

By: Mimi Matthews

Publication: May 20, 2025 by Berkley

400 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Victorian

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--No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.

On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim—train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. Outraged by a powerful politician’s systematic attack on women’s rights, the Academy summons its brightest—and most bitter—pupil to infiltrate the odious man’s inner circle. A deal is struck: bring down the viscount, and Miss Euphemia Flite will finally earn her freedom.

But betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has other plans. The viscount is the perfect pawn to insulate Gabriel’s underworld empire from government interference. He’s not about to let some crinoline-clad miss destroy his carefully constructed enterprise—no matter how captivating he finds her threats.

From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that’s complicated by a blossoming desire. Soon Euphemia realizes it’s not the broken promises to her Academy sisters she should fear. . . . It’s the danger to her heart.

I've read 18 of Mimi Matthews' published books. I find her to be a consistent author who writes characters I can root for and stories that pull me in. Out of 18 I've read, I've only rated 5 less than 4 Stars. So I generally expect to like her books. Yet when I started Rules for Ruin, I had a hard time connecting to the beginning of it. I worried the story was going to stray more into a mystery than her books have in the past. All it took to change my mind was to make it to the part where Gabriel and Effie met. That was enough to hook me.

Effie has grown up in an orphanage for girls. But this wasn't a typical orphanage. The owner of the orphanage wasn't affectionate, and she and Effie often butted heads. Effie was eventually sent to Paris, and now she's returning for a mission that will, hopefully, earn her freedom. Mrs. Corvus has tasked her with ruining a man who stands in the way of laws to further women's rights--specifically protecting women's property that they bring into a marriage from being taken over by their husbands and leaving them completely dependent upon their spouses, who might not have their best interests in mind. Effie is hosted in society by a lady who owes a debt of some sort to Mrs. Corvus. This lady is frequently in the company of Lord Compton--the mark. Lord Compton has an impeccable reputation, but how he votes often sways his peers. 

When Effie meets Lord Compton, she also meets a man named Gabriel Royce. Gabriel runs a betting house in the Rookery. He is trying his best to grow his business and improve the Rookery. He has good intentions. But he uses Lord Compton as protection from the law. And he's recently been pressing him for introductions to more noblemen and businessmen, hoping to garner investors in his improvement ideas. But he has to do so using a bit of blackmail. Effie's goals run counterproductive to his own. And he lets her know up front that any plans she has against Lord Compton will be undermined by Royce himself. 

Effie and Gabriel have a fun journey. I liked seeing them work against each other and for each other. I liked seeing them bump heads as both tend to have a little temper and fire about them. I appreciated that Gabriel isn't a typical hero. Most wouldn't root for a man who owns a betting shop in the slums. But he was a good match for Effie. And I enjoyed their story. 

I did wonder a little at a few things. The Crinoline Academy is essentially raising spies. They are trained in unconventional arts. And Effie is supposed to be the prize student. Yet, I found her skills lacking several times. Maybe she's out of practice, having been in Paris and not necessarily on a mission. But a few things felt obvious to me that she missed. Even after being warned by Nell to assume she's being followed, her correspondence being read, and being spied on herself by keyholes, Effie is never as paranoid as I would assume she would be. 

Favorite quotes:

-"A finishing school in Paris, was it?" Gabriel inquired. "That's correct." Miss Flite returned her attention to the others. "And were you?" he asked. She glanced back at him again, distracted. "Was I what, sir?" "Finished?" Her mouth curved into a slow, feline smile. "On the contrary," she said. "I'm just getting started."

-"There you are," he said, with a husky scrape of triumph. "I see you now."

-"Fashion is fleeting, but a well-timed right cross is forever." She added wryly, "To paraphrase The Oracle of the Ring."

-"You're too bitter, that's the trouble. You persist in blaming Miss Corvus for the conditions that brought you here. And she's accepted the blame--foolishly, I feel--in the mistaken belief that your anger would fuel you. Instead, all it's done is cloud your judgment. It's made you suspicious of everything you've learned. Perpetually dissatisfied, imagining there's something better waiting just around the corner, if only you could be free of this place."

-"Never talk about other people. It is the mark of a small and common mind."

-"Don't be ridiculous," she said. "Blackmail is a loathsome business." She smoothed her gloves. "I intend to remove Compton from the board entirely."

-"Everyone must sleep eventually." "Some people sleep with one eye open." Effie gave him a thoughtful look. "Some people must be very tired." Gabriel's mouth hitched wryly. "Exhausted." "That's why it's important to have a true friend. Someone you trust with your life. You can sleep in turns."

-"When all the world desserts you, you will have no friend but yourself to rely on," Miss Corvus had told them. "See that you are a fierce and competent friend. A friend to be reckoned with."

Rules for Ruin is multifaceted, and I've barely scratched the surface in my review. Miss Corvus's backstory. Effie's backstory. I mentioned Nell, but I haven't described any of the side characters. Franc, the dog. I enjoyed it all. I'm so glad that I pressed on when things felt slow in the beginning. And I can't wait to continue the series with Nell's book next. Rules for Ruin gets 4 Stars. Have you read Rules for Ruin? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 07/13/25

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.

Monday, Big Girl ended up having pitching practice. It was out of her normal time, and we won't do that regularly. But she was able to have a couple of friends in the class so that was fun for her. Tuesday, we spent the day with my parents. The big kids had martial arts. And then I was able to meet up with a lot of the moms from our co-op for dinner. That was fun. Wednesday we went for a walk and went swimming. Wednesday was Holly's birthday. She hasn't been as active on her blog, but she's still around. Thursday my dad had hip replacement surgery. I didn't want to get involved with much because I planned to meet them when they got home to help him get in the house. I did have a few errands to run. And the big kids had martial arts again. Friday was our puppy's first birthday. We gave him a couple of new toys. Big Girl has had it in her heart to take him to Starbucks to get him a pup cup. So we did that. He also got a treat in the form of some chicken and beef liver gravy to go on top of his kibble for a special birthday treat.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Sanskari Sweetheart by Ananya Devarajan (3.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Be Careful and Stay Safe (5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy, # 1) by Mimi Matthews
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Be Honest & Tell the Truth

NEW BOOKS:

The Marriage Method (The Crinoline Academy, # 2)

By: Mimi Matthews

Expected Publication: November 25, 2025 by Berkley

416 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--The Academy always comes first . . . which makes marriage to its most formidable adversary an exceedingly inconvenient arrangement.

Well removed from London’s more curious eyes, the Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies strives toward one clandestine to distract, disrupt, and discredit men in power who would seek to harm the advancement of women—by appropriate means, of course.

When intrepid newspaper editor Miles Quincy starts to question the school’s intentions, the Academy appoints Penelope “Nell” Trewlove, one of their brightest graduates, to put this nuisance to rest. An easy enough mission, she supposes. Or it would be, if Miles wasn’t so fascinating—too fascinating to resist—and if Nell’s visit to London didn’t perfectly coincide with the murder of one of Miles’s reporters.

When the inexorable claws of fate trap Nell and Miles in a compromising situation, they agree to an arrangement that will save their reputations while enabling them to investigate the story that led to a man’s death, as well as the surprising chemistry between them . . .

Save Me (Maxton Hall, # 1)

By: Mona Kasten

Translated By: Rachel Ward

Publication: July 1, 2025 by Berkley

368 pages

Genre: New 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--The first book in the international bestselling Maxton Hall series—now an Amazon Prime streaming series—in English for the first time.

They come from different worlds, and yet they are meant for each other.

Money, glamour, luxury, power—Ruby Bell couldn’t be less interested in these things if she tried. After being awarded a scholarship to one of England’s most prestigious and expensive private schools, Maxton Hall, all she wants is to keep her head down, work hard, and get accepted to Oxford. She keeps her distance from everyone, especially the arrogant, rich, and extremely handsome James Beaufort, ringleader of the school’s party boys.

When Ruby discovers a scandalous secret about the Beauforts, she is suddenly on James’s radar. It only gets worse when James is forced to work with her to plan the school's annual gala. Yet the more time they spend together, the more they realize they share much more than they thought.

Falling for James Beaufort was never part of her plan, yet Ruby can’t help but let her feelings sweep her away. But James must make a decision for will he choose what’s expected of him, or what he feels for her?

Save You (Maxton Hall, # 2)

By: Mona Kasten

Translated By: Rachel Ward

Expected Publication: September 2, 2025 by Berkley

352 pages

Genre: New 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--The second book in the international bestselling Maxton Hall series—now an Amazon Prime streaming series—in English for the first time.

After all the hurt between them, will they be able to find their way back to each other?

Ruby Bell thought that she and James Beaufort had something special. She’s never had such strong feelings for someone. And after his betrayal, she’s also never felt this much hurt. Ruby just wants her old life back before she knew anyone at Maxton Hall, before she knew James. She used to be able to rely on her studies to keep her focused, but school is no longer a refuge—not when she sees James everywhere. But she has to stay on track, especially with university looming over them and the uncertainty of what the future holds.

Despite everything, Ruby wants to support James as he struggles with his father’s expectations of him taking over the family business. But she makes one thing very clear: she is not willing to forgive him or give him a second chance. As love and hate compete for Ruby's heart, James will try everything he can to win her back.

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 - Be Careful & Stay Safe

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.

Be Careful & Stay Safe

By: Cheri J. Meiners

Illustrated By: Meredith Johnson

Publication: November 15, 2006 by Free Spirit Publishing

40 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Manners, Safety

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.

Description--The world can seem so perilous, especially where our children are concerned. But even very young children can learn basic skills for staying safe in ordinary situations and preparing for emergencies. Without scaring kids (or alarming adults), this book teaches little ones how to avoid potentially dangerous situations, ask for help, follow directions, use things carefully, and plan ahead. Includes questions, activities, and safety games that reinforce the ideas being taught.

Be Careful & Stay Safe starts with the benefit to the child: being able to take care of oneself. We all want to be independent. Listening and following instructions is the first way listed to help children stay safe. The book reiterates over and over about "adults I can trust." This is great for instilling that not all grown-ups are trustworthy. Thinking thoroughly and carefully ahead of time helps tremendously. Being aware and staying away from things that are dangerous until the child is old enough to learn how to deal with those things is shown. The buddy system in public is listed as a safe option. If lost from a parent or trusted adult, stay in place or ask an employee for help. Community helpers are listed as good options to look for when help is needed. And it lists a few ways on how to recognize those people. Ask for help if needed. Call for help in situations of emergency. Don't talk to strangers unless with a parent or trusted adult. If the child feels uncomfortable or doesn't know the stranger, the book instructs them to ignore the person and walk away. And if that person doesn't feel safe or right, find a safe place and a trusted adult right away. Sometimes things happen that we don't expect, but we can plan ahead for potential emergencies. The benefit to the child is reiterated: learning to keep oneself and others safe, which also helps everyone to get along.

For such a small book, this is packed full of great information to help a child with several safety situations they need to be aware of and know how to deal with. There are extra instructions for the parents at the end. These types of books spark communication with your kids on what you both expect from common situational dangers. I do like to add what the Berenstain Bears' Stranger book says, which is essentially that we can't have rules for every situation so we have to use our common sense to figure out what we need to do.

Be Careful & Stay Safe is the exact type of book that all parents need to read with their kids. It presents information in a way that helps the child feel empowered to know that they can handle these situations instead of building up a sense of fear. It references the child's dependence upon trusted adults, while also, showing the child how they can tackle these situations. I'm giving it 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Be Careful & Stay Safe? What did you think? Let me know!

P.S. There is an illustration of a cordless telephone circa early 2000s on the page that references calling for help in case of emergency. This is an outdated illustration as most houses no longer have telephones like this. Maybe it's a good talking point with your child though. My children know how to use my phone to make an emergency call. If you choose to read this book with your child, it might be a good idea to show them how to do the same on your own phone.

Can't Wait for And Then There Was You

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.

And Then There Was You

By: Sophie Cousens

Expected Publication: November 18, 2025 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

384 pages

Genre: 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--From the New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year comes another "what if" romance about a floundering young woman who signs up for an unusual dating service to find The One . . . at a special cost.

Chloe Perfect is thirty-six, and despite her surname, suspects she’s not most men’s idea of the perfect woman. She wears too much corduroy, has an unglamorous job marketing gardening supplies online and her hair refuses to be straightened however much she tries. Between looking after her plants and her bad-tempered grandmother, she finds herself lonely, despairing she will never meet "her person."

So on a whim, she signs up to Perfect Partners, an experimental dating agency with an unusual model. The caveat? There are many, but Chloe must agree not to date anyone else outside of the program for the duration of the trial. Well, she's never had much luck finding someone the "normal" way, anyway.

After a few days, Chloe is matched with Rob, who checks off all her boxes, and she's instantly smitten. But the more seamless the dates, the more seriously she's forced to weigh the moral complexities of their setup.

And when she meets Oliver, another Perfect Partners participant, who quickly takes on the role of her confidante away from Rob, the more Chloe starts to perhaps her person isn’t someone perfect after all. Perhaps it’s someone just as kooky as she is. But is she really prepared to jeopardise the perfect life she's been wanting for so long? And more importantly, can she?

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

Sanskari Sweetheart - Review

Sanskari Sweetheart

By: Ananya Devarajan

Publication: May 20, 2025 by HarperCollins

272 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--Raina needs to win the National Bollywood Dance Circuit Scholarship. That will show her mother that dance can be a financially stable career and prove to her boyfriend and co-captain, Aditya, that they’re still the perfect couple, even if all they seem to do these days is fight. There’s only one problem—Aditya breaks up with her, their Nationals choreography crumbles on stage, and Raina, as well as her hopes of winning the scholarship, is taken right down with it.

All Raina wants is a do-over, so when she wakes up the next morning to a miracle—another chance at Nationals with Aditya by her side—she couldn’t be happier. But as the events of the day start repeating, Raina realizes she’s stuck in a time loop, cursed to humiliate herself at Nationals and then get dumped—over and over again.

Raina is certain that if she follows all the right steps, she can break out of the time loop, win Nationals, and earn back the heart of her one true love in the process. But what if perfection isn’t enough?

I've been on an adult romantasy kick for a while. So I needed a change of pace, and that usually means changing genres. I decided to pick up Sanskari Sweetheart. The description tells pretty much everything you need to know. But I will say some things were confusing or needed more fleshing out for me. I felt the author understood the missing pieces, but they were never fully spelled out to the reader. One of those things is Raina's mom being so kind of a prophetess. That was never explained. Mentioned in passing as though the reader should understand or accept it as fact and move on.

Raina starts the book showing up at Nationals with her mother, whom she just dropped the bomb on that she wants to pursue dance as a career. She doesn't really give her mother a chance to discuss things with her as she drops the bomb and rolls out of the car at the same time. As she's running away, she basically declares that if she wins the scholarship offered at Nationals, then she will choose dance. 

Raina and Aditya have been dating for four years. They're madly in love. Yet they fight all the time. Raina is obsessed with being the perfect girlfriend for him, but she refuses to have any conversation with him about any important topics. The initial breakup felt jarring. I suppose it was supposed to feel that way. The couple went from "we're so in love" to "we should break up" in 0 to 60. Only after exploring many of the loop days do you begin to piece together what's missing in their relationship. I guess that was because Raina needed to figure it out, and as the narrator, it would only be frustrating for the reader to fully understand the issues while Raina continually repeats the same day and the same mistakes over and over again.

Raina does change things up. It isn't like she can't change the day she experiences. But it doesn't matter. Every time she gets to the end of the day she and Aditya break up. Then the day starts over. 

I liked that these two have such an innocent relationship. There is passion between them, but things don't progress physically, and I respect that. It is counter-cultural (American culture at least). And I'm all about that. They have found their person so early in life, which also isn't normal. I can respect that as well. 

I did appreciate the lessons that Raina and even Aditya learned along the way. I don't think I would want to read many books that follow this same format, but overall, I enjoyed Sanskari Sweetheart. A few things were confusing, like Raina's mother's prophecies, why Raina had an obsession with being the perfect girlfriend, and a few other things. But overall, I read this book quickly and wanted to keep reading when I needed to stop. Sanskari Sweetheart gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Sanskari Sweetheart? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 07/06/25

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.

After last week, I was determined to be lazy this week. Recovery was really the key. We can't always be going all of the time, and that's the entire purpose of summer break. It's a break. So I had a lot of lazy days. We did our maintenance house chores. My big kids had baseball and softball 1:1 practices. We didn't have martial arts this week because of melt ceremony and the holiday. We didn't spend the day with my parents on Tuesday because my dad had pre-op for his upcoming hip replacement surgery this week. Husband got off work early on Thursday. We spent all day Friday at his mom's house. The 4th of July has a double meaning for his family as his dad passed away on the 4th 10 years ago. Saturday, I was ready for a project but didn't have one.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: May & June 2025 EOM Wrap Ups
Tuesday: Top Ten Bookish Accessories from Amazon
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The Marriage Method (The Crinoline Academy, # 2) by Mimi Matthews
Thursday: Review of Look Before You Leap (Miss Prentice's Proteges, # 2) by Virginia Heath (4 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Tails Are Not for Pulling (5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Sanskari Sweetheart by Virginia Heath
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Be Careful & Stay Safe

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 - Tails Are Not for Pulling

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.

Tails Are Not for Pulling

By: Elizabeth Verdick

Illustrated By: Marieka Heinlen

Publication: September 15, 2005 by Free Spirit Publishing

24 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Manners

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.

Description--If pets could talk, what would they say? Maybe “Fur is for petting, backs are for scratching, noses are for nuzzling . . . and tails are not for pulling!” Toddlers and pets belong together—as long as toddlers don’t chase, grab, squeeze, yank, and tease. In simple words and delightful illustrations, this book teaches the basics of kindness to animals: careful handling, awareness, safety, and respect. It also includes helpful tips for parents and caregivers.

We have been studying manners in our homeschool, and we got our first dog and family pet this past October. So when I saw Tails Are Not for Pulling for review, I grabbed it. My older children are very calm with our dog, although they had to learn to the proper way to handle him. My youngest son, who is only 4 years old now, is still a little rough with him from time to time. He knows better, but sometimes he gets a little wild. The content in this book is best suited for smaller children and probably even younger than 4.

I liked how the book starts off with wondering how if animals could talk, what would they say. It goes through some common pet animal sounds. Then the book enters into a series of statements that are about how to properly handle a pet. For example: "fur is for petting, not grabbing" and "ears are for listening, not yanking." This establishes that there are good and proper ways to handle our pets. That section ends with "Tails are not for pulling. Ouch, that hurts." Even young children understand pain and "ouch". The book then goes into some other things a pet might want to say. For example: "Hey, my bowl is empty!" or "Gee, I could use a walk." This shows the different ways that animals need to be cared for. The book then emphasizes that pets are for loving, not teasing. And then some examples for teasing are given. Like "holding toys out of reach" or "pretending to steal food". The book shows how teasing might feel for both the pet and the child, which, again, I think all children can relate to. And then some warning signs are given that an animal might give you to show that they're unhappy with your treatment. A few tips are given about approaching someone else's pet.

All in all, I think Tails Are Not for Pulling gets 5 Stars. If you are considering getting a pet, this would be a great resource to share with your children first--especially if you have younger aged children. It's simple and straightforward. Have you or your child read Tails Are Not for Pulling? What did you think? Let me know!

Look Before You Leap - Review

Look Before You Leap (Miss Prentice's Protegees, # 2)

By: Virginia Heath

Publication: June 24, 2025 by St. Martin's Griffin

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

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--The second hilarious and heartwarming novel in the Miss Pretence’s Protégées Regency romp of a series

Nine years ago, Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount of Wennington, was publicly humiliated when a reckless romantic gesture went very wrong. Despite that, his mother held tight to the promise he made her then: that she would have a house full of grandchildren by his thirtieth birthday. Still single, embittered, and swiftly approaching that milestone birthday, there’s not a grandchild in sight. His heart now lies with his land and work is his life. In desperation, his mother decides that if he refuses to venture back into society to find her future daughter-in-law, the only solution is to bring society to him via a weeklong houseparty so that she can find one for him. The first Guy knows about her plan is when her hand-picked gaggle of debutantes arrive at his estate, all competing to be his wife.

After failing miserably as a governess, Lottie Travers isn’t proving to be any better at being a lady’s companion. As the only girl in an all-male household growing up, she’s developed several bad habits she can’t shake and keep getting her dismissed. Even after years of Miss Prentice’s teachings, Lottie still climbs a tree better than she embroiders, and still cannot seem to curb the desire to gallop astride a horse in breeches whenever an opportunity arises. But with the family farm in trouble, and her father now in dire need of her wages to keep it afloat, she’s determined to conquer her wildness once and for all and concentrate on her career.

Even with his home full of eligible women, there is only one that catches Guy’s eye, as much as he tries to deny it. And succeeding in her new role is easier said than done for Lottie when the Wennington Estate is filled with horses and she can’t help but feel a spark around the grumpy Lord. By the end of the week, will the two of them remain stuck in their ways, or will they learn that they may just be the perfect match?

Lottie has been failing. She finds it so hard to tame herself. More than her manners, she finds it impossible not to sneak away and gallop on the back of a horse. The specific horse doesn't seem to matter. She just has to get away. Horseback riding is one of the ways she lets off steam and deals with anxiety. She's been let go from another position as a governess. She goes for a gallop in Hyde Park (Rotten Row), and she has an accident with Lord Guy Harrowby. After that, she gets hired as a companion to Guy's aunt, who is as spunky as Lottie--maybe more. And she needs to keep her job this time. Her father's farm is failing, and even though he wouldn't accept it if he knew the money was coming from her, Lottie sends every spare penny home to her family. 

Guy is jaded. He had his heart broken years ago, and he's hated London and society ever since. Yet he's promised his mother that he will give her grandchildren by his 30th birthday. Despite not having any prospects. He finally relents and allows his mother to plan a small birthday party for him, but she turns that into a house party full of ladies who are driving him crazy. Even more, the crazy woman who almost ran him over in London is among the guests as his aunt's companion. 

Favorite quotes:

-But then pride always came before a fall, and once fallen, pride was the only thing you had left to cling to that might get you through it.

-They instantly bunched up inside him and then seemed to sigh in unison as they immediately relaxed as if they had been waiting his entire life for this moment. For this woman. Even the muscles in his jaw gave way, and he felt it hanging in bemused wonderment. [...] but she was stunning!

-"He is adamant there is nothing else to be done for my...condition. Beyond reducing my motherly anxieties over you, of course. He is convinced my malaise is aggravated by stress." "I thought Dr. Arden said that it was your overindulgence of cheese that set it off?" "That is what I told him to tell you, dear, because I didn't want you upset."

Look Before You Leap is my 5th book by Virginia Heath, and I have complained about this in just about every book. Just because you write historical fiction romance doesn't mean that the main characters have to have sex before marriage. Of course, this happened. Life doesn't change that much. But would it be too much to ask that one of her couples abstain until marriage in keeping with the cultural expectations of the period? 

Look Before You Leap was a fast, fun book. It didn't take me long to read it at all. I have it marked as started and finished on the same day on Goodreads. I can't remember if that's accurate or if I just forgot to mark that I'd started reading it when I actually did. Either way, it was a fast read, which improved my enjoyment. I rooted for Guy and Lottie. They were both easy to like, even when I wanted them to behave differently at times. Look Before You Leap gets 4 Stars. Have you read Look Before You Leap? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Marriage Method

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 Marriage Method (The Crinoline Academy, # 2)

By: Mimi Matthews

Expected Publication: November 25, 2025 by Berkley

416 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--The Academy always comes first . . . which makes marriage to its most formidable adversary an exceedingly inconvenient arrangement.

Well removed from London’s more curious eyes, the Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies strives toward one clandestine to distract, disrupt, and discredit men in power who would seek to harm the advancement of women—by appropriate means, of course.

When intrepid newspaper editor Miles Quincy starts to question the school’s intentions, the Academy appoints Penelope “Nell” Trewlove, one of their brightest graduates, to put this nuisance to rest. An easy enough mission, she supposes. Or it would be, if Miles wasn’t so fascinating—too fascinating to resist—and if Nell’s visit to London didn’t perfectly coincide with the murder of one of Miles’s reporters.

When the inexorable claws of fate trap Nell and Miles in a compromising situation, they agree to an arrangement that will save their reputations while enabling them to investigate the story that led to a man’s death, as well as the surprising chemistry between them . . .

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

Top Ten Bookish Accessories from Amazon

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 Freebie.

So I picked bookish accessories from Amazon.

1. Kindle Paperwhite - Of course, the first item on my list would be a Kindle. I love the Paperwhite for actually reading. I love the auto adjustment to light levels most of all. I think this Metallic Jade color is so pretty.
2. Kindle Colorsoft - I don't own a Colorsoft, personally, but I'm so interested in them. When I need to replace or upgrade, I'll probably get one of these.
3. Rechargable Book Clip-On Light - I prefer to read on my phone or Kindle Paperwhite at night, but occasionally, I still need to read a hardcopy book at night. Having a clip-on book light for reading a physical copy at night is a must.

4. Hand Strap for Kindle and Tablets - These straps make holding onto my Kindle while reading so much easier--especially at night when I'm lying down. I love that they come in nearly every color imaginable.
5. Tablet Holder for Kindle Reading in Bed with Page Turner Remote - I don't own one of these yet, but I'm seriously considering getting one. Being able to move it as needed is a big pro.
6. Remote Control Page Turner for Kindle - Such a brillant idea for those of us who like to keep our arms under the covers while reading, but also we have to turn the page! These last three products are the definition of first world issues, but I'm here for them.

7. Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds - I'm a Samsung girlie, and these earbuds are a must for listening to audiobooks. Of course, you don't have to get this kind, but wireless earbuds are a top pick for sure.
8. Sticky Index Tabs Page Markers - I don't do a ton of tabbing because I don't read a ton of physical books. I read more on my Kindle, but I love having the option of marking my favorite pages and color coding everything.
9. See Through Sticky Notes

10. Bookmarks - I love the colors of this set. And the little charms are so cute. They come where you can put them together yourself, so you get to choose which charm goes with which bookmark. I'm including a couple of options for bookmarks: Space/Starry Night, Stained Glass
    

    And if you want a different style of bookmark, I like these: Handmade Christian Leather Bookmarks, Magnetic Bookmarks, or Gold Hollow Bookmarks

All Amazon links are affiliate links and go to support giveaways at Somewhere Only We Know.

What are your favorite bookish accessories? Let me know!