Sunday Post - 07/19/26

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, I ended up having to take my daughter to the doctor. She also has swimmer's ear. She had pitching practice Monday afternoon, and then the big kids squeezed in a martial arts practice Monday evening. Tuesday morning, the boys had haircuts. Then we spent a few hours at my parent's house. We grabbed my grocery pickup on the way home. And then Tuesday evening the big kids had belt testing for martial arts. We went out to eat after that. Wednesday was a mostly normal day at home. Little Boy had a date night with Husband to see Minions and Monsters. Thursday was a normal day at home. And then Friday, we met my brother-in-law halfway to their house in Georgia to let the boys spend the weekend with them. Big Girl and I stopped by my brother and sister-in-law's new house on our way home. Then we drove the hour and a half home. Big Girl got car sick on the way home. Thankfully, I had a vomit bag in the car. We rested a bit and had dinner. Then we went to Walmart for a few school supplies. She also had a Dairy Queen gift card that she wanted to spend. Saturday, she and I went to a friend's house to hang out. We stayed there until about 2ish. We also went shopping for some jeans. We didn't completely succeed, but I do know what we're looking for now. And I think I'll be able to get some online now that we have her sizing and what style she's looking for.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of The Wind Weaver (Reign of Remnants, # 1) by Julie Johnson (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Threshing Day (The Empyrean, # 3.5) by Rebecca Yarros
Friday: Homeschool Friday - On the Job (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Little Wild Library: Hawthorn by Clare Gogerty
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Book Review?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - ?

NEW BOOKS:

A Bargain So Bloody (Kingdom of Dark Magic, # 1)

By: Kingdom of Dark Magic

Publication: June 30, 2025 by Late Night Daydreams LLC

498 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romantasy, Vampires

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--She’s trapped in a magical prison. To break out, she’ll make a deal with the most dangerous prisoner of them all.

Sentenced for a crime she didn’t commit, Samara is bullied by guards and tormented by the screams of her fellow prisoners. She’s resigned herself to enduring her fifteen-year term… until she learns that the freedom she's been promised is the cruelest lie of all.

Now she's faced with a choice: resign herself to dying in the cold walls of Castle Greymere, or do the unthinkable and escape. But no one leaves Greymere alive. So to break out of the prison? She’ll have to use one of the undead.

Raphael is the worst kind of a vampire with a thirst for blood, the mortal enemy of witches, the same breed that killed her mother. And most importantly, he’s unspeakably powerful, his supernatural strength tamed only by the enchanted cuffs forced on him.

He’s her only chance at a life outside the prison walls.

The deal is Samara unlocks his shackles, and he'll help her escape. But although Raphael agreed to help her leave Greymere, he never promised to let her go…

A Bargain So Bloody is the first book in an exciting new romantasy series, perfect for readers who love slow burn romance with morally grey heroes who fall first and hard and heroines who find their own strength.

Of Blades and Wings (Flame Cursed Fae, # 1)

By: Eliza Raine

Publication: March 14, 2024 by Logic in Creativity Ltd

298 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae, Romantasy

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--Fae fantasy meets Vikings in this enemies-to-lovers romance about a broken ice-fae princess who must earn her Valkyrie wings, a villainous fire-fae who will stop at nothing to get his revenge, and an ancient war that could see their whole world burn.Princess Madivia is broken. Her fae magic doesn’t work, her illness will kill her, and nobody knows she exists.So when the gods select her to leave her tower in the Ice Court and train to be a Valkyrie at Featherblade, she is sure they’ve made a terrible mistake.So is every other fae at Featherblade. All except the disgraced fire-fae Valkyrie, Kain. His burning gaze never leaves her. Nobody knows what he did to have his wings taken away, but he is as dangerous as the deadly world Maddy has been drawn into.And she has the key to his revenge.If he discovers her secret, it won’t just be Maddy’s life that is in danger. She knows she should avoid him.But, the only thing harder than becoming a Valkyrie? Conquering her searing fascination with the unhinged fire-fae.If she is to survive Featherblade, she must earn her wings. If she is to survive Kain, she must make a choice that could burn their world to ash.This is the first book in the Flame Cursed Fae romantasy series, and is inspired by Norse mythology and sexy fae Vikings. It has villain gets the girl and obsessive burn-the-world-down-for-her (literally) hero vibes. The romance is slow burn and builds in steam and delicious tension.

Avalon Tower (Fey Academy for Spies, # 1)

By: C.N. Crawford & Alex Rivers

Publication: June 27, 2024 by Corey Press

526 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae, Romantasy

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--Avalon Spy Academy rules: spy on the fey, resist falling for your mentor, and try not to die in the process.

I spent five years saving up for a European vacation. But instead of drinking champagne on the beach, I get swept into a war of espionage between the humans and the fey.

It turns out, I have a magic power needed to fight an evil fey king. I'm quickly whisked off to an elite spy academy--in the hidden realm of Camelot. There, in the ancient and gothic halls of Avalon Tower, snobbery is as much a tradition as the veneration of Merlin and Arthur.

As if I didn't have enough trouble, my new mentor is Raphael Launcelot, a maddingly sexy demi-fey who already ruined my life once. Now, I have to push his distracting allure out of my mind to focus on our mission. We're going into the Fey realm together. If we get captured, we’ll die horrific deaths–and humanity doesn’t stand a chance.

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 - On the Job

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

The Berenstain Bears: On the Job

By: Stan & Jan Berenstain

Publication: October 12, 1987 by Random House Books for Young Readers

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Early Reader, Level-2, Picture Books

Source: Personal 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--Illus. in full color. Brother and Sister meet Firebear Bob, Police Officer Marguerite, and others as they try to discover "What will I be when I grow up?".

I still have my original 1987 edition of On the Job from my childhood. This was one of my favorite books as a child because of the variety of the pictures and topics.My kids have all requested this book over and over through the years. AR Book Finder lists this book as a level 2.5. So when my son was reading level 2 books, I grabbed this one to put in our stack of level 2 books. 

On the Job is told in rhyming verse. There are varying rhyme patterns throughout the book, but mostly it follows an ABCB pattern. Brother and Sister Bear take a walk around Bear Country to check out different types of jobs available. Firefighter, police officer, bus driver, ambulance driver, truck driver, mechanic/fixer, teacher, doctor, store owner, banker, engineer, scientist, builder, wrecker, singer, news anchor, astronomer, astronaut, programmer, environmentalist, beekeeper, carpenter, farmer, or forester. And then the book ends with telling the kids that even if they don't know what they want to be yet, that's okay; what they want to be might not have been invented yet. And it encourages kids to pick a job that they enjoy. 

There's not much that I feel the need to say about this book, but anytime that my kids don't fight me on actually reading for themselves, I count that as a win. On the Job gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read The Berenstain Bears: On the Job? What did you think? Let me know!

*It looks like this book might have been re-released under the title Jobs Around Town which seems to be part of the Living Lights series with Biblical inclusion.

Can't Wait for Threshing Day

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.

Threshing Day (The Empyrean, # 3.5)

By: Rebecca Yarros

Expected Publication: September 29, 2026 by Entangled: Red Tower Books

224 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Dragons, 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--The next book in the blockbuster Empyrean series, Threshing Day contains thirteen stories starring your favorite characters and their dragons. The deluxe first edition includes sixteen beautiful original full-color illustrations by artist Joe Requeza. This breathtaking collectible is available only in the US and Canada while supplies last. Full blurb to be revealed soon!

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

The Wind Weaver - Review

The Wind Weaver (Reign of Remnants, # 1)

By: Julie Johnson

Publication: April 8, 2025 by Ace

544 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

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--Magic and adventure swirl through this spellbinding romantasy where a young woman reignites the embers of an ancient prophecy, unleashing a storm that could save her realm or doom them all.

Fear of maegic plagues war-torn Anwyvn. Halflings like Rhya Fleetwood are killed on sight. But Rhya’s execution is interrupted by an unexpected savior—one far more terrifying than her would-be killers. The mysterious and mercenary Commander Scythe. In the clutches of this new enemy, Rhya finds herself fighting for her life in the barren reaches of the Northlands. Yet the farther she gets from home, the more she learns that nothing is as it seems—not her fearsome captor, not the blight that ravages her dying realm, not even herself.

For Rhya is no ordinary halfling. The strange birthmark on her chest and the wind she instinctively calls forth means she is a Remnant, one of four souls scattered across Anwyvn, fated to restore the balance of maegic…or die trying.

But mastering the power inside her is only the beginning. Desire for the Commander—a man she can never trust, a man with plans of his own—burns just as fiercely as the tempests beating against her rib cage for release. Rhya must choose: smother the flames…or let them consume her.

I dont really know why but I didnt have high expectations for The Wind Weaver, but I found myself pleasantly surprised and enjoying it. At the same time, I did notice early on that plot points of The Wind Weaver reminded me of other books I've read.

Rhya is a halfling fae. I don't know how she knows that considering she's never met her parents and have been raised by a human instead. Her human father for all intents and purposes was a healer who taught her the trade but also taught her to hide the parts of her that are fae, well except for her ears she cant hide. Her human father is dead, and Rhya is alone. The book starts with her having already been captured by an army squad that is determined to execute her. She is saved by an unlikely person, Scythe. But he keeps her bound and doesn't treat her very well as they run from another enemy army that seems to be chasing them for some reason Rhya doesn't know.

Scythe is actually an alias and his real name is Pendfyre. I won't tell you too much about him as that would be a spoiler. But he is taking Rhya against her will north. He won't explain anything to her. He barely talks to her at all. Yet time and again he saves her life. To him that seems to cover a multitude of sins. Or at least normal decency and behavior. When Rhya still has trouble trusting him, he's annoyed that his protection from harm or death ought to be enough to reveal his character to her. I'm sorry, I'm with Rhya on this one. It's obvious he's kidnapped her with a purpose but he won't share that purpose with her.

The misunderstood, morally grey but not really MMC, the long journey with one horse, the shared bedroom at the inn, the lack of communication because then what would the plot conflict actually be...all of these felt very familiar to other fantasy novels I've read. They did feel unique enough without a deeper dive to say they don't mimick any one book too closely.

After I felt hooked, I did begin to feel like things were being too predictable. I have my suspicions for what is to come with the next book. Also, I skimmed more than I wanted towards the end of the book.

Favorite quotes:

-The heart makes you soft. The stomach makes you weak. Ignore their fleeting impulses. It is your mind you must mind.

-Physical contact is something I took for granted in all the years of my youth.

-For what is hate but love turned poison?

-“It is only lately, for the first time in seventy years, that I have felt my first bit of respite from those pointless longings. For if she were still here . . . you would not be.”

-Skies, everything was so much simpler when we were at each other’s throats instead of under each other’s skin.

The Wind Weaver was better than I expected it to be. Yet it was also predictable. The Wind Weaver gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Wind Weaver? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 07/12/26

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 was a rough parenting day. Big Girl got a break from pitching practice, but the kids went to martial arts instead since belt testing is coming up. Tuesday, we went to a funeral visitation for a friend's grandmother. Then we did grocery pickup. Tuesday after lunch, we had some friends come to swim. The Big Kids did martial arts. Wednesday was a chill day. Thursday, we had another swim playdate with a friend. The Big Kids did martial arts again. Friday, we had another chill day. I try to balance being active with resting during the summer. I'm so thankful to get to do both. Saturday, our dog turned 2. We took him to get a pup-cup.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of An Honorable Love (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?) by Audra Wells (3 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Throne of the Heavens (The King's Men, # 4) by Connilyn Cossette
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Jake Plays Ball (5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Wind Weaver (Reign of Remnants, # 2) by Julie Johnson
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Book Review?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - ?

NEW BOOKS:

Web of Vows and Vengeance (The Hirathean Path, # 1)

By: Aria Ashbrook

Publication: February 27, 2026 by Hellhound Press Limited

542 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romantasy

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--Stripped of power. Fuelled by vengeance.

She lost everything because of his lie. Now the only way to save her sister is to win a deadly competition that could cost her the only thing she has left: her life.

When Prince Kyor twisted the truth about his mother’s death, Rose paid the price. Her family was stripped of their magic, cast into the slums, and abandoned by the kingdom they once served. Now her parents are gone, and her younger sister’s future hangs in the balance.

Rose’s only hope is the Tournament of the Gifting, a brutal competition held once a century, where the victor earns a blessing from the Goddess of Life. The catch? Every other contender wields the very power she was robbed of.

And Prince Kyor is among them. Commander of the armies. Rider of a bonded dire wolf. Wielder of lightning. He doesn’t just want to win for vanity – he wants the gift for himself. But what could a man who has it all possibly want?

Thrown into a world of magic, monsters, and merciless trials, Rose must fight not only for survival but for the chance to reclaim her future. Along the way, she’ll find unlikely allies, ruthless rivals, and a dangerous connection with her greatest enemy – one that could ruin or remake her.

Web of Vows and Vengeance is a dark, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy, set in a Nordic-inspired world, featuring deadly trials, found family, gods and goddesses, political intrigue, and an underdog heroine who refuses to stay broken.

This is a story of heartbreak, vengeance, and the kind of power that can never be taken.

Theo of Golden

By: Allen Levi

Publication: October 3, 2025 by Atria Books

387 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Christian

Source: Borrowed from the e-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--One spring morning, a stranger arrives in the small southern city of Golden. No one knows where he has come from…or why…

His name is Theo. And he asks a lot more questions than he answers.

Theo visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits hang on the walls, portraits of the people of Golden done by a local artist. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their “rightful owners.” With each exchange, a story is told, a friendship born, and a life altered.

A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another.

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 - Jake Plays 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 for each.

Jake Plays Ball

By: Crystal Bowman

Publication: June 10, 2007 by Zonderkidz

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Early Reader, Level-2, Picture Books

Source: Personal 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--Jake’s friend Jason comes over to play with Jake and wants to play baseball. After Jason hits the ball several times, Jake wants a turn to bat. Jake keeps striking out, so Jason gets frustrated and goes home. Jake is discouraged at his inability to play baseball. Mother assures Jake that with patience, practice, and God’s help, he will learn to hit the ball too. Grandma comes over for a visit and Jake asks her to play baseball with him. Grandma has the time, patience, and encouragement Jake needs to learn how to hit the ball.

Jake Plays Ball is a Zonderkidz Level 2 reader. A friend gave us this book, and my son read it at 7 years old and in the 2nd grade. To be honest, I was a little distracted while he was reading it to me because my younger son was acting up. But I didn't notice him having any trouble with the words. It is 32 pages, which is the average page count for most level-1 and level-2 readers in my experience.

As for the content, I loved the story behind Jake Plays Ball. Jake's friend Dan comes over and wants to play baseball. Dan is good at baseball and hits the ball over Jake's head each time. When Jake takes a turn, he doesn't do well and misses the ball every time. I loved that Jake's mom tells him that God made him good at other things, and she names a few of those things. Then she goes on to tell Jake that he can be good at baseball, too, if he practices. Jake asks his grandma to play with him. She helps him, and he's able to hit the ball. I love that God is incorporated. These younger level readers don't have to be stories that are all fluff just because they are at an easier level. The stories can still incorporate God and morals. Working hard, praying for help, understanding that we are all different and have different talents given to us by God. All of those are great lessons that I want my children to learn.

Jake Plays Ball gets 5 Stars from me. If you can have a leveled reader that can help my child with reading fluency as well as present good morals, lessons, and include God then that book is a winner in my opinion. I'd recommend this book to any child reading at level-2. Have you or your child read Jake Plays Ball? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Throne of the Heavens

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.

Throne of the Heavens (The King's Men, # 4)

By: Connilyn Cossette

Expected Publication: October 6, 2026 by Bethany House Publishers

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian 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--Flashes of a forgotten life are all Mattaniel remembers from before his freedom was stripped away. When a shocking revelation forces him into the service of a foreign king, he finds himself entangled in a world of political intrigue and captivated by a woman far beyond his reach.

As the daughter of a king, Elissa knows her duty is to secure her father's ambitions with an advantageous marriage. Yet when her brilliant and enigmatic tutor uncovers a conspiracy that drags them both into a deadly game of treachery, her privileged world begins to crumble. As more fragments of Mattaniel's past are uncovered, enemies close in, loyalties fracture, and their forbidden bond will ignite a chain of events that could reshape the destiny of nations.

The early years of King Saul's reign come to life in bestselling and award-winning author Connilyn Cossette's compelling, biblical-inspired tale.

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

An Honorable Love - Review

An Honorable Love (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?)

By: Audra Wells

Expected Publication: March 19, 2026

244 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--One grump. One thief. One highly-questionable adventure.

Leonard Stanton has perfected the art of being alone. He keeps to the edges of ballrooms, and society, whenever possible. But when a priceless family heirloom is stolen off his very person, he finds himself dragged into the one thing he hates most—a social entanglement.

Enter Miss Honora Gillingham. Vexingly cheerful, utterly unpredictable, and the last person Leonard should trust. Mostly because . . . she’s the one who stole from him.

Sigh, I'm a little sad about An Honorable Love. I can't say that I loved this book out of the A Gentleman's Gamble series. This series has been such a fun reading journey. I've seen independent historical fiction authors pile together to create these "series" where the characters or themes are connected, and each book is written by a different author. I think it's a great way to introduce readers of one author to similar authors they may be unfamiliar with. That certainly happened with me and this series. At the same time, I just didn't feel like An Honorable Love meshed with the other books in this series as much as I wanted it to.

Leonard is the last of his friends to marry. Or at least, he is unmarried at the start of this book. And that means that he has to pay the forfeit to the other friends for a total of six hundred pounds. He has the money, but his investments are tied up, and it isn't wise to pull them at this time. Yet he wants so badly to pay off his friends that he's willing to sell his great-grandmother's ring to do so. Unfortunately, he gets pickpocketed by a woman.

Honora didn't grow up wealthy. As a matter of fact, her father was a thief. And she has no friends in her new life. Well, she has one, but that friend hasn't contacted her in a while. And now she's bored. She's tried conversing with her maid, but the maid is terrified of stepping outside of her duties. And so she sets her sights on Leonard because he's so fun to rile up. She didn't mean for them to have any repeat interactions after pocketing his great-grandmother's ring. But the man did manage to track her down. Honora uses Leonard in a series of quests to complete a final task and put her thieving days behind her once and for all. Only these two are catching feelings.

Honora's past and entanglements make this book feel almost like a mystery, yet the mystery element is lacking. The only real mystery is the truth behind her past. But that isn't revealed in some big climax, but over a series of slow drips of information for both the reader and Leonard. I could feel the attraction between the two of them, but to get all the way to love felt like a stretch.

In a similar way, it was like Leonard was so against marriage and tying anyone to his father and his family, yet that didn't turn out to be any big obstacle in the end, and his father didn't even seem like an unreasonable man either. It was almost like he was made out to be some big villain, even potentially abusive to his son, yet none of that ended up coming out. I wasn't disappointed to find out that he was a decent person, but it felt a little bit anticlimatic.

In the end, An Honorable Love was probably my least favorite in the The Gentleman's Gamble series. I've decided to give it 3 Stars. I almost thought Thomas was going to show up in the end single after starting the whole thing, considering we never met him in person aside from the prologue of all of the books. That would have been something. Have you read An Honorable Love? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 07/05/26

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 was a day of errand running. My dog had to go to the groomers. So I dropped him off that morning. Then picked him up after lunch. Big Girl had pitching lessons Monday afternoon. Tuesday, we went to my parent's house for the day. We did leave there a little earlier than normal because my dad needed to go to the store. Since I had to move my car for him, we just loaded up to go get my grocery pick up. Tuesday night is martial arts for my big kids. Wednesday, we spent most of the day inside. I had to do a good bit of computer work preparing for our upcoming homeschool year and ordering curriculum. Then Big Girl and I visited a different church. We got home a little later than I wanted to. Thursday, we had some friends come over to have a playdate and swim with us. They stayed until just after lunch. The Big Kids went to martial arts. They have just a little over a week before their next belt testing. Friday, Husband was off work and mowed the grass here and at his mom's. He also took the kids to buy fireworks. Saturday, we spent the day with his family celebrating the 250th year for America's birthday and remembering his dad who passed 11 years ago on the 4th.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Mini Review of A Bewildered Bachelor (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?) by Holli Jo Monroe (4 Stars)
Tuesday: Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases of Q3/Q4 2026
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The Mirror of Infinite Endings (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 3.5) by Stephanie Garber
Thursday: June 2026 EOM Wrap Up
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Jake's Brave Night (5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of An Honorable Love (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?) by Audra Wells
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

NEW BOOKS:

Breath as Prayer for Kids

By: Jennifer Tucker

Publication: November 10, 2026 by Tommy Nelson

32 pages

Genre: Children, Picture Book,

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--Help young children navigate emotions and find peace through prayer with this comforting guide written and illustrated by Jennifer Tucker, bestselling author and artist. When big feelings flare up, breath prayers prompt kids to self-regulate as they take a deep breath and recite simple prayers of love and encouragement.

Trust Fall

By: Lynn Painter

Expected Publication: September 29, 2026 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

416 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies, Lynn Painter, comes a rags-to-riches rom-com about a small-town girl whose family inherits a fortune and moves to New York City, where she meets a big-city boy hiding an explosive secret.

Julia is just a small-town girl from Nebraska who loves her peaceful life. But when her elderly next-door neighbor—who just happens to be a secret multi-millionaire—leaves everything to Julia and her family after his passing, Julia is swept away to live in a historic brownstone in New York City and attend an elite private school for the super-rich.

It should be a dream come true. Wrong. Julia doesn’t fit in at her new school; worse, she’s failing. Enter Damion, the mysterious and handsome tutor who will get Julia back on track. Except Damion has a secret. He is the great-nephew of the man who left everything to Julia’s family. Damion doesn’t buy for a second that the person who was like a father to him would leave his home to strangers. And he’s determined to prove it.

To uncover the truth, Damion schemes to earn Julia’s trust. Not an easy task with Julia unsure about this rich boy with a rebellious personality. But the more time Damion spends with Julia, the more his plan begins to backfire. Because he is falling for the enemy—and the enemy is falling for him.

As Damion and Julia figure out where they belong, can they see past their differences and act on their feelings, or will the trust Damion has worked so hard to gain fall apart?

Light Up My Life

By: Kasie West

Expected Publication: October 20, 2026 by Scholastic Press

336 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Christmas, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Beloved YA romance author Kasie West (P.S. I Like You) returns with a charming, hilarious modern-day Romeo & Juliet story about two rival families, one Christmas house decorating competition, and a blossoming forbidden relationship. Perfect for fans of Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice and the forthcoming Mint To Be!

Sixteen-year-old Jasmine Costas is a sensitive, shy artist who has spent her entire life going out of her way to avoid the bane of her existence, Ryan Moreno. On top of being an arrogant jerk, Ryan hails from the Moreno family, the Costas's next-door neighboors and longtime enemies. But this is Jasmine's older brother's last year of high school, so she's determined to make it the Best Christmas Ever. When it's announced that their town is holding an actual contest for Best Decorated House, Jasmine and her family are ready to wage an all-out war to claim the trophy. Until Jasmine and Ryan are accidentally locked in a pantry together during a holiday party, and she's forced to wonder if there's actually more to Ryan Moreno than meets the eye. And unfortunately, their chemistry is undeniable.A secret relationship blooms that threatens to completely upend the lives of their families as the Christmas decoration schemes and rivalries get wilder and more chaotic.

Jasmine and Ryan want to be together. Can they convince their families to patch things up and embrace the holiday spirit? This charming story from the master of romantic-comedy, beloved author Kasie West, is a spirited exploration of the chaos of change, and the enduring magic of Christmas.

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 - Jake's Brave Night

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

Jake's Brave Night

By: Crystal Bowman

Publication: June 10, 2007 by Zonderkidz

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Early Reader, Level-2, Picture Books

Source: Personal 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--Jake is excited about having his own bedroom, but when it comes time to go to sleep, he is afraid of the dark and afraid of being alone. Jake tries to conquer his fears by turning on the bedroom light. When that doesn’t work, he takes his animals to bed with him. Then he tries crawling under his bed. When none of these methods work, he crawls back into bed and finally falls asleep. The next morning, when Jake tells his parents what happened, they get him a night light and remind him that God is with him all night long. The next night Jake has no trouble falling asleep.

Jake's Brave Night is a ZonderKidz Level-2 reader. Jake is used to sleeping in the room with his sister, but now that he's growing up, he has his own bed and bedroom. He does his bedtime routine which includes brushing his teeth, puting on his pajamas, his father reads him a Bible story, and his mother prays for him before bed. But Jake has trouble sleeping. First he's scared of the dark so he turns on the light. Then his stuffed animals have scary shadows so he turns the light back off. Then he feels lonely so he grabs his stuffed animals to sleep with but there's no room. He puts them back up, but tries to sleep under the bed instead. But now the floor is hard and cold. He finally goes to sleep, but he is so tired the next day. His parents talk to him about not being alone in his bed at night because God is always with him, and God never sleeps. The next night Jake is able to sleep peacefully.

It's funny that my son chose to read this when he did. He's going through a phase of waking up scared and lonely during the night for about a month now. I love that Jake's Brave Night incorporates God, prayer, and peace. This story could have easily been fluff. So many of our level-2 readers are just mindnumbingly boring stories. But having a story that encourages faith in God and His protection over us in this way is exactly what children need to be reading.

Jake's Brave Night gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Jake's Brave Night? What did you think? Let me know!

June 2026 EOM Wrap Up

I read 10 books (not including children's books).
Igniting Lies (Burning, # 1) by Rebecca Donovan
I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 (I Survived) by Lauren Tarshis
The Wind Weaver (Reign of Remnants, # 1) by Julie Johnson
I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 (I Survived) by Lauren Tarshis
Silver Elite (Silver Elite, # 1) by Dani Francis
I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900 (I Survived) by Lauren Tarshis
Rain of Shadows and Endings (The Legacy, # 1) by Melissa K Roehrich
Dire Bound (The Wolves of Ruin, # 1) by Sable Sorensen
Fury Bound (The Wolves of Ruin, # 2) by Sable Sorensen
The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillon

I reviewed 8 books (not including mini reviews of children's books).
First and Forever by Lynn Painter
An Accidental Marriage (The Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Deborah M. Hathaway
A Foolish Proposal (The Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Kasey Stockton
Forever is the Sweetest Con by Joanna Thurlow
Igniting Lies (Burning, # 1) by Rebecca Donovan
A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams – A Historical Novel of the Woman Who Helped Shape America from the Shadows by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie
A Novel Engagement (The Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Anneka R Walker
A Bewildered Bachelor (The Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Holli Jo Monroe

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 06/07/26
Sunday Post - 06/14/26
Sunday Post - 06/28/26
Top Ten Summer 2026
Top Ten Most Anticiapted Releases of Q3/Q4 2026
Can't Wait for Trust Fall by Lynn Painter
Can't Wait for Spirit Lands (The Spice Road, # 3) by Maiya Ibrahim
Can't Wait for Light of My Life by Kasie West
Can't Wait for Twined Fates (Tangled Hearts, # 3) by K. Bromberg
Homeschool Friday - Clifford's Manners
Homeschool Friday - The Spooky Sound
Homeschool Firday - Facts About Frogs and Snakes
April & May 2026 EOM Wrap Up

Goals:
I'm a few days ahead on my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 84 out of 110 books (including children's books).

Can't Wait for The Mirror of Infinite Endings

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 Mirror of Infinite Endings (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 3.5)

By: Stephanie Garber

Expected Publication: September 22, 2026 by Flatiron Books

256 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy,

( 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 #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING Once Upon a Broken Heart series continues… Return to the Magnificent North and the BREATHTAKING LOVE STORY that has captivated readers all over the world!

Jacks and Evangeline Fox have finally found their happily ever after.

Everything here in the Hollow is wonderful and perfect.

Nothing is going to go wrong.

No one is keeping a secret . . . except for maybe one.

But don’t worry, it’s not going to rewrite reality or alter history or change the ending of Jacks and Evangeline’s story.

Definitely not.

Featuring cameos from fan-favorite characters and twenty full-page illustrations by Lotusbubble, the newest installment in the Once Upon a Broken Heart universe will immerse readers once again in this beloved, #1 New York Times bestselling series. Because every story has the potential for infinite endings.

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