The Best I Never Had - Review

The Best I Never Had

By: Amy Buchanana

Expected Publication: August 18, 2026 by St. Martin's Griffin

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--They staged a romance, faked a breakup, and this time around, anything can happen—even something real.

Thea Pappas has always been the storm in her own life—fiery and unpredictable—traits that led her and her younger sister, Addy, through a series of foster homes. But with Addy's whirlwind engagement, Thea is determined to be the perfect maid of honor, even if she finds it odd that she hadn't heard of the fiancé until the ring was on Addy's finger. She believes she can survive a week in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a group of strangers without causing any trouble.

But upon arrival, Thea realizes these aren't strangers. Among the familiar faces is Owen Hayes—the man who, three years ago, paid her to pretend to be his girlfriend at a family wedding. Now, he's looking at her with the same panicked expression.

Owen's life has always been about control—managing his mother's matchmaking schemes, his family's expectations, and the career path he never truly chose. Thea was his one rebellion, a beautiful lie that ended with a "heart-destroying" fake breakup. Now, with his younger brother's wedding underway and his mother on the prowl, Owen begs Thea to reprise their roles. One week. Same fake breakup. No feelings.

But as old sparks reignite and the lines between pretense and reality blur, Thea and Owen will have to choose: carry on their greatest performance yet or admit the truth—that it was never fake at all.

The Goodreads book description tells us a lot. Thea once fake-dated Owen for cash she desperately needed, and he needed to get his mom off his back about dating. Little does she know that he's been milking a fake-broken heart ever since. But truth be told, he was interested in staying in touch with Thea, and maybe even making a go at something real, but Thea deleted her number from his phone in hopes of a clean break. Now Thea's little sister is marrying Owen's brother. I find it hard to believe that even without knowing his last name, Thea wouldn't have been tipped off about Addy dating his brother, but I didn't want to question it too much. When Thea shows up and realizes that Owen is her sister's soon-to-be new brother-in-law, they decide to continue the charade. They aren't fake-dating again, but they are pretending to be exes. Except this time, Addy specifically asks Thea to stay away from Owen, all the while his mother is constantly trying to throw them together in hopes of getting them back together.

The Best I Never Had has some pet peeves of mine. We've got a pregnant lesbian couple. And there's also a gay male couple that isn't as prominent. Oh, and we have the trifecta with the bisexual (I think) best friend. Diversity for diversity's sake...CHECK! The language was a lot. And the on-page spice was more than my preference. You can skip ahead if this isn't your cup of tea, like me.

Favorite quotes:

-"I like to know what pain I'm getting into before it hits."

-"I--I lash out. When I'm feeling vulnerable. Always have. It's easier to hurt other people than face my own [stuff], but I don't want to do that to you. I don't want to be someone who hurts you. So I'm sorry."

-"I ask for your help trying to connect with the family, then resent you for becoming close with them. I worship you, then get jealous of the things I idolize."

This entire book was a study in how different people handle trauma. For Owen, his dad died, and his mom pushed him to succeed with the company to carry on his father's legacy. He also had to step up and take care of his younger brother. He sacrificed his own wants and needs to take care of others until that became his default, and he rarely ever sought after anything he wanted for himself. Owen's mom was so heartbroken over her husband's death that she couldn't cope and do all of the things she needed to do as a mother. She ended up trying to micromanage and control her sons, at least Owen, to the point of alienating them both and becoming manipulative. Thea was always fiery. Her mom died from a drug overdose. And Thea and Addy went into the foster care system. Thea had a habit of lashing out in anger over everything when she felt vulnerable, and this pushed many people away. Addy grew up with such a complex over moving from place to place that she could barely be herself for fear of constant rejection from others, at least until Harrison. These are all messed-up people that sound exactly like real people with flaws, messed-up backstories, and childlike coping mechanisms.

I ended up enjoying the overall story of The Best I Never Had. I felt like some pieces didn't make a lot of sense. Owen's mom went from being Team Thea to Anti-Thea pretty easily. I was annoyed with Addy for wanting Thea to get close to the family and then getting mad at her for doing exactly that, but all of that was at least addressed. Owen and Thea had a good relationship development, and I liked that they mostly handled their situation with maturity. Until the forced conflict, anyway. The Best I Never Had did check a bunch of the diversity checkboxes. Diversity for diversity's sake has always annoyed me. But in the end, I'm giving The Best I Never Had 3.5 Stars. Have you read The Best I Never Had? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 08/16/26

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.

Well our school year started this week. Monday was our first day back to school, and it was a great day. Big Girl had pitching lessons Monday evening. Tuesday, was not great. We did a little school in the morning, and then we went to my parent's house. We grabbed my grocery pickup. But attitudes, in one child anyway, were not good. Wednesday was a much better day compared to Tuesday. We went to church that night. Thursday, Big Boy started his nature school class that happens twice a month. We packed a lunch and went to the park with friends after his class. Thursday afternoon we still had some school left to do, and that was a struggle, but we managed. Friday, was again a better day overall. Saturday, the kids had baseball/softball evaluations. That went well, but boy it was hot.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Soulgazer (The Magpie and the Wolf, # 1) by Maggie Rapier (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The Kiss of the Season (Fairfax Sisters, # 4) by Michelle Kenney
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Let's Go for a Drive

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Best I Never Had by Amy Buchanan
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Review ?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - A Panda in the Bamboo Forest

NEW BOOKS:

The Architect's House of Belonging (Brides of the Regency, # 4)

By: Isabel Jacobs

Expected Publication: March 25, 2026 by Grace Romance

329 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian 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--A restless young woman. A widowed architect. Could a summer gathering bring the healing only God can give?In this heartwarming Regency romance, a young woman longing for purpose crosses paths with a grieving widower whose little girl yearns for a mother’s love. Long summer days and starlit nights at a country estate may become the setting for new beginnings neither dared to imagine.

She cannot find rest …
Jane Davis came to London with her sister for a Season full of hope and promise. Now her sister is happily married, and Jane is left wandering quiet halls, her mind troubled and her heart unsettled. Disappointed in the shallow attentions of society’s gentlemen, she misses her family—and prays for peace. Then, one sleepless night, she meets a bright-eyed little girl who asks the question Jane never “Will you be my new mama?”

He cannot forget his loss …
Two years have passed since Barclay Thompson’s beloved wife died. Though the Earl of Saunton now calls him brother, Barclay’s nights remain long and lonely. Devoted to his daughter’s happiness, he never considered opening his heart again—until he meets a young woman whose kindness stirs hope in places he thought were gone forever. Yet his birth outside of marriage makes him wary; society would scorn a match between them, and he will not bring Jane harm.

Can three lonely hearts trust that God’s providence might weave them together into a family?

The Architect's House of Belonging is the moving first novel in the Brides of the Regency series by Isabel Jacobs. If you enjoy noble heroes, courageous heroines, and stories of romance woven with faith and emotional depth, then you will be captivated by this heartfelt tale of love, trust, and quiet redemption.

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 - Let's Go for a Drive

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.

Let's Go for a Drive (Elephant & Piggie, # 18) (Biggie 1, # 4)

By: Mo Willems

Publication: October 2, 2012 by Hyperion Books for Children

64 pages

Genre: Children's, Animals, Level-1, Early Reader, Humor, 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--Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.
Gerald and Piggie are best friends.
In Let's Go for a Drive Gerald and Piggie want to hit the road. But the best-laid plans of pigs and elephants often go awry.

Let's Go for a Drive is the fourth Elephant and Piggie story included in Biggie 1 even though Goodreads lists it as # 18 in the series. Elephant and Piggie books are books that my then seven-year-old wanted to read. They are lengthy books (64 pages) for this reading level. I love this. Most pages only have a sentence or two at most, so my son didn't feel overwhelmed and can read through the books quickly. These are all AR Level 1 (a couple of them are 0.5 and 0.6) so the words aren't complex or difficult.

Gerald gets the great idea to go on a drive and asks Piggie to go also. The realize they need a plan and a map. Then they need sunglasses. Piggie is great at getting the things they will need for their drive. Planning ahead means they may need umbrellas. The realize they have a lot to take with them, so they need bags to carry their stuff. Ultimately, they realize they don't have a car.

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

Can't Wait for The Kiss of the Season

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 Kiss of the Season (Fairfax Sisters, # 4)

By: Michelle Kenney

Expected Publication: November 6, 2026 by One More Chapter

? 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--‘Worthy of Georgette Heyer…the most wonderfully satisfying five star Regency Romp’ Julie CaplinStern elder brother, and master matchmaker of the Fairfax family, Sir Thomas Fairfax intends to announce the marriage of his youngest sister, Matilda, at The Knightsbridge Christmas Ball.

Determined to defy her brother, Matilda persuades her friend Georgiana to accompany her on a bracing ride over a wintry Dartmoor so she can enlist as a nurse with the army instead. Yet, her plan fails when Georgiana falls and breaks her ankle, developing a fever that concerns them enough to send for her older, widowed sister, Miss Arabella Farrington.

From the moment the enigmatic Arabella arrives, it is clear that she and Thomas share a mysterious history. Faced with the secrets of the past, Thomas finds himself questioning the future he thought he knew…

Each book in the Fairfax Sisters series can be read as a standalone.

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

Soulgazer - Review

Soulgazer (The Magpie and the Wolf Duology, # 1)

By: Maggie Rapier

Publication: July 8, 2025 by Ace

451 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Pirates

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--Every legend has a beginning.

With their freedom on the line, a young woman and a rakish pirate take their fate into their own hands as they attempt to find a lost mythical isle with the power to save their entire world.

Saoirse yearns to be powerless. Cursed from childhood with a volatile magic, she's managed to imprison it within, living under constant terror that one day it will break free. And it does, changing everything.

Horrified at her loss of control, Saoirse’s parents offer her hand to the cold and ruthless Stone King. Knowing she'll never survive such a cruel man, Saoirse realizes there is only one path forward…she must break her curse.

On the eve of her wedding, Saoirse seeks out the legendary Wolf of the Wild—Faolan, a feral, silver-tongued pirate. He swears to help rid her of the deadly magic, if she’ll use it to locate a lost mythical isle first. Crafted by the slaughtered gods, it’s the only land that could absorb her power.

But Saoirse knows better than to trust a pirate’s word. With the wrath of her disgraced father and scorned betrothed chasing them, Saoirse adds one last condition to protect if Faolan wants her on his ship, he'll have to marry her first.

Saoirse picked up a soulstone as a child, and ever since then, she and her family have believed her to be cursed. After touching her pregnant mother's belly, her baby brother died. After touching her older brother, he drowned. But it isn't every human touch that seems to condemn someone to death. So that part was a little confusing to me. Since these incidents, Saoirse has been cast into a cottage to live alone for years. Her father is one of the kings of this realm, and he's treated her unkindly since he lost two children "at her hands." But he still plans to use her for a political match. I don't see how that's possible exactly, but he was keeping the details of her "curse" to himself and not sharing it with the man he basically wants to sell her off to. At the same time, her father has been attempting to bind her magic.

Saoirse has existed on tales of the Wolf and his escapades, as her older brothers used to tell her his stories. When Saoirse is allowed out of the cottage for a yearly ceremony, she runs into the Wolf himself. He just so happens to be looking for the exact magic that Saoirse is capable of. Only her magic is now stifled due to her father's bindings. Saoirse knows that her only protection from the bethrothal that her father has arranged is if she's married to someone else. So she and Wolf get married as a marriage of convenience. Although no one but them knows that--not even his crew.

You see, the Wolf, Faolan, is a pirate. He's been working for his queen, his cousin, to pay a life debt. But his time to find an island that can't be found is running out. He needs Saoirse's magic in order to find it. Of course, Faolan and Saoirse begin to develop feelings that go beyond convenience.

The magic of this world is unique. Saoirse isn't the only one who holds magic, but her kind is feared because people don't understand it.

Favorite quotes:

-The Wolf's hold falters as I buckle forward, choking on the waves of it because I know him, this stranger. I see a hundred different versions of his face, feel the weight of his hand upon my chest--I know that I'm going to tear through his world like an arrow through flesh, and he will bear those scars for the rest of his days. I will steal his rest, and he will rob me of mine. We are going to break each other.

-Legends may not die, but stories always end.

As per usual, we can't have side characters without trying to check all of the boxes. I can't say more because AI bots will block my reviews on various sites where I post my reviews. But know that the alphabet is present in this one.

All of that being said, I never had an issue with the world-building. I don't avoid "witch" books per se, but I have found that none of them particularly satisfy what I'm looking for in a story. I've felt the same about time travel and mermaid books. I just haven't found one that works for me. And this world isn't about witches in the sense of casting spells. But when I read the author's note at the end of the book, I felt a conviction not to continue the series. I can't explain it. There was nothing in this book that turned me off exactly. There was no content that I can point to. But afterwards, when I went to pick up the next book, I just felt a strong conviction not to read it. And I know that it came outside of myself because my preference was to read book 2. I enjoyed book Soulgazer enough to want to continue the series. But I've also learned to listen to these "instincts." So I won't be continuing the series.

Soulgazer had a unique magical world that I'd not seen before. It's one of only two pirate books that I've enjoyed. It wasn't without faults. The diversity for diversity's sake is always frustrating to me. But the conviction I felt not to continue the series leaves me feeling like I can't exactly recommend this book to others either. Soulgazer itself gets 4 Stars. The conviction I felt didn't come until I'd finished this book. Thus, I won't be continuing the series. Have you read Soulgazer? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 08/09/26

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.

This was our last week of summer break from school. Monday we ended up not having pitching practice. Tuesday, I took the kids to my parents, but then I had to run to the dentist. After I got the kids, we picked up groceries, and then headed home. I did end up taking Big Girl to pitching practice Tuesday night. My mom gave me a fall diamond art, and I decided I wanted to work on that before school started back, so I spent a lot of time this week listening to audiobooks and doing diamond art. Wednesday was a pretty chill day. We went to church that night. Thursday, the kids had a neighborhood friend who spent most of the day with us. Friday, I last minute decided to use a gift card to a new indoor playground facility in our area. It was much bigger than the others nearby, and it had more things for older kids I think. We actually ran into two different boys that have played baseball with Big Boy in the past--although never all 3 on the same team before. Saturday, I mopped my entire house while listening to an audiobook, and I push-mowed the backyard. Husband grilled steaks for us that night. I can't believe school starts back tomorrow. It'll be our 4th year of homeschooling.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Embrace (Off the Ice, # 4) by Bal Khabra (4 Stars)
Tuesday: Ten Books I Was Reading On This Day Over the Years
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Peculiar Stars by Rebecca Yarros
Friday: July 2026 EOM Wrap Up

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Soulgazer (The Magpie and the Wolf Duology, # 1) by Maggie Rapier
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Review ?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Let's Go for a Drive

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!

July 2026 EOM Wrap Up

I read 9 books (not including children's books).
The Little Wild Library: Hawthorn by Clare Gogerty
The Sea Spinner (Reign of Remnants, # 2) by Julie Johnson
I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 (I Survived) by Lauren Tarshis
Soulgazer (The Magpie and the Wolf Duology, # 1) by Maggie Rapier
I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived) by Lauren Tarshis
I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 (I Survived) by Lauren Tarshis
Web of Vows and Vengeance (The Hirathean Path, #1) by Aria Ashbrook
The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
A Kingdom to Claim by Sian Ann Bessey

I reviewed 4 books (not including mini reviews of children's books).
An Honorable Love (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?) by Audra Wells
The Wind Weaver (Reign of Remnants, # 1) by Julie Johnson
The Little Wild Library: Hawthorn by Clare Gogerty
Daggermouth (The Heart, # 1) by HM Wolfe

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 07/05/26
Sunday Post - 07/12/26
Sunday Post - 07/19/26
Sunday Post - 07/26/26
Can't Wait for The Mirror of Infinite Endings (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 3.5) by Stephanie Garber
Can't Wait for Throne of the Heavens (The King's Men, # 4) by Connilyn Cossette
Can't Wait for Threshing Day (The Empyrean, # 3.5) by Rebecca Yarros
Can't Wait for The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson
Homeschool Friday - Jake's Brave Night
Homeschool Friday - Jake Plays Ball
Homeschool Firday - On the Job
Homeschool Friday - Mr. Popper's Penguins
Homeschool Friday - Facts About Sharks & Whales
June 2026 EOM Wrap Up

Goals:
I'm a few days ahead on my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 102 out of 110 books (including children's books).

A Kingdom to Claim - Review

A Kingdom to Claim

By: Sian Ann Bessey

Publication: July 2, 2024 by Shadow Mountain

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian 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--Aisley lost everything in a Viking attack. Now, working alongside the one man she trusts, she is ready to fight for her people—and for love.

Wessex, AD 878

Aisley’s young life was changed forever when her father accompanied King Alfred into battle and lost his life in a deadly skirmish with the Vikings. Now, almost seven years later, the Vikings are once again rallying on Wessex’s borders, and Aisley fears that her older brother may have treacherous plans to betray the king by aligning himself with the invading Norsemen. But when Aisley encounters a handsome nobleman in the market, she feels the first stirrings of hope. Though they met only once when Aisley was little more than a child, she recognizes him immediately as one of King Alfred’s most trusted men.

It has been years since Brecc has seen Aisley, but when he spots her in the marketplace, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to the copper-haired young lady with a gift for healing. Before his fledgling feelings for her can develop into something more, however, a Viking attack tears them apart. King Alfred is forced into hiding, and in a matter of days, the Saxon nation is brought to its knees. Unwilling to forsake their people, the king and his men embark on secret raids of Viking encampments. But when Aisley joins the fight, Brecc must reconcile his steadfast loyalty to King Alfred with his growing love for the king’s newest warrior.

I read Sian Ann Bessey's previous book, The Call of the Sea which features Rhiannon who's family is raided by Vikings. Yet she has a connection with one of the men who were present, and their story builds from there. When I saw A Kingdom to Claim also takes place in roughly the same period, I knew I would want to read it. At the same time, I wondered if Bessey would take a different approach. She does. What makes this even more fun for me, is that this past year, we studied about King Alfred the Great in our homeschool. So it was fun for me to see all of the same information I learned studying with my kids being included in A Kingdom to Claim.

Aisley is the daughter of a thegn who went to fight with King Alfred at one of his early battles against the Vikings. Wessex was defeated in this battle and suffered heavy losses. Her father being one. Her brother takes over as thegn in their area, and he doesn't have the same good qualities that her father had. At the same time, Aisley's mother has been training her in the healing arts of plants. She uses her skills to heal others which reconnects her with another thegn, Brecc. They've had a couple of encounters prior to this, and their connection builds as Aisley helps his friend Rheged. Unfortunately, Aisley's brother does not have her best interest at heart--only his own wealth motivates him.

Brecc is honorable. He takes his position seriously, and he worries more about the threat the Vikings pose than many others. His warnings put him in a situation to be a good counselor to King Alfred.

I don't want to say too much more about the story so that I don't spoil anything for the reader, but I enjoyed this book, and I read it in just a couple of days.

Favorite quotes:

-"When one prefers to sit and watch over participating, it becomes easier to catch things that are not spoken."

-"If it would help to talk, I am a good listener. If you need time for quiet contemplation, we can walk in silence." She waited, barely daring to breathe. And then he smiled. "I should like that very much," he said. "To which 'that' do you refer>" "Walking with you. And talking. And thinking. I believe I should like to try a little of them all."

-It was a rare thing to be led by a monarch so wlling to learn and to teach.

I enjoyed A Kingdom to Claim. I know that I'm not the only one fascinated by the Viking culture, but it's also odd to be fascinated by a culture that goes so against what is right. The raiding by the Vikings was completely opposite of civil or good. So it's an odd place to put authors trying to write love stories that are also historically acurate when it comes to facts and events. Sian Ann Bessey did a great job. A Kingdom to Claim gets 4 Stars. Have you read A Kingdom to Claim? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Peculiar Stars

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.

Peculiar Stars

By: Rebecca Yarros

Expected Publication: November 17, 2026 by Montlake

653 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Survival

( 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 #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros comes a slow-burn romance about love, family, and what it means to become the truest version of yourself.

Callista Moran has spent a lifetime putting her own plans aside to care for other people. Once she and Darren Knight announce their engagement, she thinks her future is finally set. But when a routine sailing trip goes tragically wrong, a cyclone blows those carefully made plans away.

Stranded on an island for the next eighteen months alongside the crew and her fiancé’s cousin, Callista discovers a strength she never knew she had. And begins to question the life she always thought she wanted. With Dominic, an ex–army medic, she finds true peace―and a version of herself that she doesn’t need to explain. They resist their connection at first, but as months wear on, and the hope of rescue fades, something real starts taking shape, built on who they are when everything else is stripped away.

When they’re finally found, the world hasn’t changed. But they have. In the height of a modern media frenzy, learning to live as the people they’ve become will challenge not only their definition of survival, but love.

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

Ten Books I Was Reading on This Day Over the Years

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 Ten Books I Was Reading on This Day Over the Years

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1. House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, # 1) by Sarah J Maas - 2025
2. Serpent Sea (The Spice Road Trilogy, # 2) by Maiya Ibrahim - 2024
3. Homeschool Bravely by Jamie Erickson - 2023
4. Engaging Sir Isaac (Inglewood, # 4) by Sally Britton - 2022
5. Beguiled (Betwixt & Between, # 3) by Darynda Jones - 2021
6. Igniting Darkness (Courting Darkness, # 2) by Robin LaFevers - 2020
7. The First Girl Child (The Chronicles of Saylok, # 1) by Amy Harmon - 2019
8. The Song of David (The Law of Moses, # 2) by Amy Harmon - 2018
9. PS I like You by Kasie West - 2017
10. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover - 2016

Which books were you reading on this day over the last 10 years? Let me know!

Embrace - Review

Embrace (Off the Ice, # 4)

By: Bal Khabra

Publication: August 4, 2026 by Berkley

400 pages

Genre: Adult, Romance, Sports

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--An unexpected spark between a hockey player and the coach’s daughter might cause them to cross the line in the next Dalton University book from international bestselling author Bal Khabra.

Kian Ishida is all about parties, hockey, and living in the moment. But when he realizes he’s headed to the NHL without his degree, his late dad’s one wish for him, he’s determined to make up those last few credits. Desperate for help, he joins a study group led by none other than Scarlett Kilner. She’s as gorgeous as she is smart. Too bad he doesn’t know yet that she’s his coach’s daughter.

After making a reputation for herself, all Scarlett wants for her senior year is to prove she’s more than her mistakes and graduate without tarnishing her well-respected father’s name. But when Kian Ishida, one of her dad’s star hockey players, joins her study group, things get complicated.

As Scarlett helps Kian, their study sessions turn into something more—stolen glances, lingering touches, and a connection neither of them expected. Kian has to decide what’s more the dream he’s worked for his whole life or the girl he never saw coming.

I'm coming in on the end of this series. I haven't read any of the previous books, so I have no idea how much of this story or the characters connect to other books beyond the obvious (other couples).

Here's the gist, and probably more information than you need to know up front. Scarlett's parents married when they probably shouldn't have. They weren't in a great place for getting pregnant, but they did anyway. Scarlett grew up witnessing her father being abusive to her mother. And Scarlett's testimony is part of what put her dad in prison. Her mother is now remarried. Her stepfather ended up adopting her. Yet Scarlett remembers good times with her biological father, and she has always wondered if they would be able to have some kind of relationship despite their past. All of this plays into how Scarlett viewed herself in her freshman year of college. And let's just say she had a lot of meaningless hookups and casual sex and developed quite a reputation for herself. She has been trying to rehab her image, but it isn't going so well. It seems that once you undervalued yourself and physical intimacy, it's hard for others to see value in what you didn't value yourself. It's not slut-shaming. It's human nature. Suppose I have a glass teapot that I toss in the air and slam onto the table. Will my friends be gentle with my teapot when they have a chance to use it? Of course not, because I've already shown them the lack of value I place upon it by how I treat it. But I digress.

Kian needs to pass his last class to graduate, which is what his father always wanted for him. Kian begs Scarlett to tutor him; in exchange, he will help her repair her image. At the very least, guys will leave her alone, knowing that they are friends and will have to answer to Kian for mistreating her. Kian has been the happy guy that all his friends and family can both count on and yet don't want to burden. He has his own issues dealing with both the death of his father and his mother having dementia.

I really liked the slow buildup between these two characters. Because of Scarlett's history, they took things slower than a lot of couples would have. And yet when that line was crossed, they went full steam ahead. So if you're looking for low language and physical scenes, this isn't really the book for you. But if it doesn't bother you or you can skip over any of that, I did enjoy the plotline.

Favorite quotes:

-Can a hug alter your brain chemistry?

-"I think you need to meet her where she's at. You don't always need a big declaration, Kian. It just seems like she wants your honesty,"...

-I'm so sick of missing people who are close enough to touch but never to be with.

To be honest, most of what I highlighted were editing errors, which will likely be fixed in the final version since I read an advanced copy. The second most I highlighted were points of contention where I didn't agree with some of Scarlett's life choices or their explaining away the consequences of her choices. I don't think that gives people grounds to disrespect her or treat her like trash, but we show others what we value. Scarlett made some bad choices that she came to regret. Call it like it is.

Another minor pet peeve is Kian's pet name for Scarlett is Scar. She seems to like this a lot yet never comment on how that's what her parents also call her. Yet throughout the book I noticed both her mother and adoptive father call her this. It felt off to me. At least if it had been addressed that Kian called her by her parent's nickname for her then it wouldn't have felt out of place.

Overall, I really enjoyed the storylines of Embrace, and I read it quickly. It took me too long to realize why it was named Embrace, but now I get it. And you better believe I've been implementing some six-second hugs in my life with my family. I don't love the language and physical scenes. That could be left out for my preferences, but I expected it at the same time. Embrace gets 4 Stars. Have you read Embrace? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 08/02/26

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 normal day except we had to run a few errands. We went by UPS, Goodwill, and Walmart. Monday afternoon, Big Girl had pitching lessons. My boys weren't allowed to play with neighborhood friends this week, so I planned a couple of playdates with friends that are better influences. Tuesday, we met some friends at the park and played for a couple of hours. The Big Kids had martial arts. Wednesday, I vacuumed the pool, and then we went swimming. Big Boy had pitching lessons. Then we went to church. Thursday, we met some different friends at the park. We played and then walked to a local store that sells popscicles. From there, we went to Burger King. I don't love Burger King's food, but it is seriously one of the only fast food places around that have a play place. Big Kids had their last martial arts for a couple of months. I registered them for fall ball which starts later this month. Friday, we stayed at home and went swimming. Saturday was a rainy day, and being trapped inside most of the morning was wearing on me. I can't believe we only have one full week until school starts back.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Daggermouth (The Heart, # 1) by HM Wolfe (3 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Facts About Sharks & Whales (4.5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Embrace (Off the Ice, # 4) by Bal Khabra
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Review of A Kingdom to Claim by Sian Ann Bessey
Friday: Homeschool Friday - ?

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 - Facts About Sharks and Whales

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.

Facts About Sharks and Whales

By: Sue Stuever

Publication: January 1, 2023 by The Good and the Beautiful

58 pages

Genre: Children's, Animals, Level-2, Early Reader, Non-fiction, Science

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | The Good and the Beautiful )

*Note: The above link to The Good and the Beautiful is NOT an affiliate link.

Goodreads description--Young readers will dive into the underwater world of fascinating sharks and wondrous whales in this high-interest book. Real photos of these ocean animals in their natural habitats will excite early readers as they discover new information about life in the sea.

The Good and the Beautiful ranks Facts About Sharks & Whales as a Level-2A. Level 2 starts to get into some longer books, but 58 pages is still longer than a lot of the other level-2 books that we own. I think stretching the child to longer books is a good idea. So I like that this isn't a 30-page book like the level-1s and early level-2 books we own.

As the name suggests, this book is all about various facts concerning sharks and whales. It also includes rays and dolphins. What they eat, how they breathe, their physical bodies, their teeth, whether they lay eggs or have live babies. All of these are facts that are presented in this book. If your child is reading, why not enjoy some books that will teach them some fun topics. I don't know anyone who isn't at least mildly fascinated by sharks and whales.

Facts About Sharks and Whales is a great addition to your level-2 library or reading list. The information is factual. The photographs are beautiful. It's a win-win to work on reading fluency and learn about some of God's amazing creatures at the same time. Facts About Sharks and Whales gets 4.5 Stars. Have you or your child read Facts About Sharks & Whales? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Christmas Yes List

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 Christmas Yes List

By: Melissa Ferguson

Expected Publication: October 6, 2026 by Thomas Nelson

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Get ready for a laugh-out-loud holiday romance that's brimming with witty banter and heartwarming cheer by the bestselling author of Meet Me in the Margins, Melissa Ferguson.

Chronic people-pleaser Chloe Hollis is determined to finally learn how to get over her fear of rejection. Her unconventional solution? She must collect ten "nos" before Christmas Day by asking strangers for the most ridiculous favors she can dream up. But her plan goes hilariously off-track when she meets James Dutton.

James, a rule-following workaholic, has decided to do the exact opposite of he's saying "yes" to every opportunity that comes his way in hopes of finally embracing life--and maybe a little Christmas spirit.

As they continue to get tangled up in each other's wild experiment, Chloe and James find themselves in a whirlwind of festive, awkward, and delightful situations. But no one is more surprised than they are to realize they're falling in love.

With sparkling humor and swoon-worthy heart, this delightful Christmas rom-com is a feel-good story about facing fear head-on, choosing growth over comfort, and finding the courage to say "yes" to the things--and the people--that truly matter.

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

Daggermouth - Review

Daggermouth (The Heart, # 1)

By: H.M. Wolfe

Publication: March 3, 2026 by Scarlett Press

544 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Dystopian

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--Set in a corrupt surveillance state ruled by the masked elite, this true enemies-to-lovers dystopian romance that’s Conform meets V For Vendetta follows a mercenary who botches the assassination of the president’s son and ends up forced to marry him.

The first thing you’ll learn in New Found Haven is that mercy doesn’t exist. The second thing is that, from the highest glass atrium in the Heart to the windowless slums of the Boundary, the Veyra are always watching.

The last lesson is the hardest, but you must remember it: Love outside of your ring is a death sentence.

The city is carved into rings of privilege and poverty, ruled by the masked elite who will do whatever it takes to hold onto power. Obedience is demanded. Rebellion is crushed.

Greyson Serel has spent his life caught between two worlds. Publicly, he’s the flawless heir to the presidency. Privately, he’s entangled in secrets that could topple the regime. But when he’s forced into a political marriage meant to bind him tighter to the government’s brutal laws, he finds himself shackled to a bride as lethal as she is unwilling.

Shadera Kael is a mercenary raised to kill, not to wed. Yet when her bullet misses its mark, survival leaves her tied to the very man she was sent to eliminate. Trapped inside the corrupt heart of the city, she becomes both prisoner and wife, her every step watched, her every move tested.

Their union is no love story—it’s a battlefield. As secrets come to light and betrayals fester within the walls of power, Greyson and Shadera must decide between annihilating each other or burning the city to the ground together.

In a world where passion has consequences and loyalty is paid for in blood, their forced bond may be the spark that ignites a revolution. Or the fire that consumes them both.

Daggermouth is a dystopian book at heart. It's told from multiple POVs, whichever character has the most important information to share in the moment. It has some technology that isn't quite widely used today, but none of that is out of the realm of possibility for today so it doesn't quite fit science fiction. And while there are relationships, I also didn't really feel like it fit into the realm of romance either.

I've seen Daggermouth praised in the Bookstagram world so I figured I would check it out. But I have to say that I wasn't quite as blown away as those I saw praising it. Mostly I felt like there were too many inconsistencies. I'll spend most of my review addressing these.

Why can an assassin feel so much hatred towards an executioner? Both characters are taking hit orders from someone else. Neither know the people they are killing intimately. Both understand that the people they are killing have families and people who care about them. Both feel the weight of what they're doing. One is forced into a role without their choosing, the other chose their role. Neither know each other well enough to judge the other, but do so anyway.

People in this world are regularly executed for falling in love across "rings". Yet because someone from the lowest ring saw someone from the highest ring unmasked they are forced to get married? That makes no sense. Even the idea of marrying between the rings to unite them is inconsistent. The entire point of their political world seemed to be to keep people in their rings. No rising or falling. Just stay where you are in your place. So Shade and Greyson being forced to "marry" just because she saw him unmasked made no sense.

This world starts off feeling like the "royal" family is almost mafia. All of the family members have their places and assignments. Yet the further into the book we go, we see such subjugation for the women in this world. And it just felt a little forced to me. If this were a political commentary on today's society (which I'm not saying it is), Daggermouth would show how far we've come past women's subjugation today.

Then, a character is shot literally 3 different times in the span of a week and continues to fight on like his entire body isnt facing multiple debilitating injuries. But maybe he's built up a tolerance to pain through his history. Yet the first bullet left him near death. Another character is injured similarly. Not quite 3 bullet wounds. But still, this is so unrealistic it's laughable.

Look, I don't avoid books that have spicy scenes if the plot is good. But I'd rather not have them in there. I don't think it's necessary. And Daggermouth had less and more than I expected. The only full scene (and I say full given the amount of description and the act itself) was early in the book. There are a few more partial scenes that were descriptive, but didn't go as far as I expected. I have to say that given the proclivities of the two main characters, I'm glad that things didn't progress as much as one would expect. But I don't understand why almost all of the scenes in this world had to include violence of some kind. Maybe it's just me, but even if it is, I feel like it shouldn't be.

I think Daggermouth was supposed to have some big plot twists. But if you read enough books, you can begin to predict things that might happen. This was the case with me reading this book. There was only one small surprise for me at the very, very end of this book. Everything else I predicted. That's not to say that every reader will do this. I know some friends of mine never try to predict what's going to happen, but my brain can't turn that off. I'm always thinking "oh I bet this unexpect thing is going to happen." Anyway, at the same time, with the way Daggermouth ended, I really don't see the need for a second book. I know there are a lot of holes, but none of them feel pressing enough for me to need a second book.

Even though the majority of my review has been negaitve, I read Daggermouth quickly. I wanted to keep reading when I needed to put it down. So it wasn't all bad. I had hopes for the characters, which I guess hasn't fully fleshed out and maybe that's the idea behind the second book, but yeah, I also can't rate Daggermouth as some masterpiece either. At this point, I'm giving Daggermouth 3 Stars. I'll probably read the second in the series when it publishes, but time will tell if my interests drops before it publishes. Have you read Daggermouth? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 07/26/26

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 day. I think the boys were coming down from their weekend spent at their cousins' house. Big Girl had pitching lessons. Tuesday, we went to my parent's house, and then did grocery pickup. Then the Big Kids had martial arts belt ceremony. They got their purple belts. We ended up going to Zaxby's for dinner. Wednesday my dad came to get Big Boy to help him work in the yard. My parents had some ornamental trees cut down, and so they were hauling off the trees to the local dump. We live in an area where burning is acceptable, but my dad has COPD and doesn't need to be breathing in any smoke. Thursday, Big Boy went back over to help. I've been able to spend a good bit of time on the computer this week. I'm trying to get caught up on my computer work which I always feel behind on. Typing reviews is my biggest challenge right now. I've also been spending a lot of time prepping for our upcoming homeschool year.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of The Little Wild Library: Hawthorn by Clare Gogerty (3 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Mr. Popper's Penguins (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Daggermouth (The Heart, # 1) by HM Wolfe
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Book Review?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - ?

NEW BOOKS:

The View from Here

By: Kasie West

Publication: January 5, 2027 by Delacorte Romance

304 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.

Amazon description--Two teenagers—an ex-social media star and girl who feels totally adrift—find an unexpected connection on a eleven-day, senior citizens cruise. But will rough waters sink their temporary love story?

Tate Hall needs a sign. At least, according to the fortune she finds in a trinket shop. Which makes sense, because lately she’s felt totally adrift. So when her grandma offers her a spot on a Mediterranean cruise during spring break, she jumps at the chance—even if the cruise is for senior citizens, not seniors in high school.

Running headfirst into Luca Park, ex–social media star and one of the only other teenagers on board? Definitely not a sign. Nor is the fact that Luca needs someone to help him film videos for his secret new channel, or that everything Tate shoots for him goes viral.

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 - Mr. Popper's Penguins

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.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

By: Richard Atwater & Florence Atwater

Publication: January 1, 1938

69 pages

Genre: Children's, Classics, Fantasy, Animals, Humor, Middle Grade

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--It was hard enough for Mr. Popper to support himself, Mrs. Popper, Bill and Janie Popper. The addition of twelve penguins to the family made it impossible to make both ends meet. Then Mr. Popper had a splendid idea—the talented penguins would be a sensation on the stage. And so they were....

A classic of American humor, this story of a gentle house-painter and his high-stepping penguins has delighted children for generations.

I've been doing chapter read-alouds with my kids for a few years now, but we finally have a rotational system where we rotate who gets to pick the book I read. We go in age order, and I also get a turn. Mr. Popper's Penguins was actually my pick. I thought it would be a good read-aloud for the Christmas season without being a "Christmas" book, and it was a good choice.

My kids range in age from 10 to 4 (almost 5--at the time of reading this book) so this was a good choice for the three of them. The story wasn't complicated or long. It wasn't too much for them to pay attention. The chapters were short enough that I would read two in one sitting without them even realizing it, and at that pace I was able to read about 10% per night that I read. I read this during our bedtime routine on the nights it was my turn to put the kids to bed. (Husband and I alternate nights.)

Mr. Popper is a painter. And the majority of his work comes during the spring. It seems that he mostly has the winter off work. But sitting around the house with nothing to do can cause him some depression as well as get on Mrs. Popper's nerves. Mr. Popper also loves reading about travelers and explorers. Apparently, he wrote a letter to Admiral Drake who is at the South Pole doing a study and the Admiral sent him a penguin. Of course, as an adult, I know this is ridiculous, but it makes sense to the children.

Mr. Popper is so excited to have a penguin as a pet. Mrs. Popper is surprisingly on board, even when they turn their refridgerator into it's home. I actually found this as refreshing as I did unreasonable. So often, husbands and wives are displayed in literature as being at odds. Mr. & Mrs. Popper were different while not being on opposing sides of their marriage. Their children Bill and Janie also love the penguin.

However, Captain Cook (the penguin) began to get sick overtime. Mr. Popper writes to a couple of people to ask for advice and gets sent a female penguin which does bolster both penguins, but it also results in like 10 babies. Mr. Popper and Mrs. Popper end up entertaining their penguins by creating a show with them. They travel around the country to different theaters to show off their penguins, but by the summer the penguins begin to be unhappy again. I won't tell you how the book ends, but I will say that we enjoyed it.

Mr. Popper's Penguins was just a fun book all around. It wasn't too complicated. The stakes weren't too high. It wasn't filled with too much action. It was just an all-around good classic book that I and my children enjoyed. Mr. Popper's Penguins gets a stable 4 Stars. Have you read Mr. Popper's Penguins? What did you think? Let me know!

The Little Wild Library: Hawthorn - Review

The Little Wild Library: Hawthorn: Simple things to do with the plants around you.

By: Clare Gogerty

Expected Publication: September 16, 2025 by David & Charles

112 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Plants, Nature, Science

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--Introducing The Little Wild Hawthorn – a captivating pocket-sized guide to the magical and practical hawthorn tree. Known for its frothy white blossoms in spring and vibrant red berries in autumn, the hawthorn is a beloved tree that provides shelter, food, and enchantment throughout the year. From the moment its blossoms appear in May, to the fall when its berries brighten the hedgerow, this book reveals how to forage, craft, and cook with this ancient tree, all while uncovering its deep roots in myth and folklore.
• Simple Foraging Guidance: Learn how to identify the hawthorn among its hedgerow companions, with easy-to-follow tips on when and where to forage its flowers and berries.
• Seasonal Recipes & Crafts: Explore beginner-friendly recipes and crafts, from hawthorn jelly to soothing tinctures, perfect for making use of this versatile tree all year round.
• Rich History & Folklore: Discover the fascinating myths surrounding the hawthorn, a tree considered sacred to the Celtic druids.

Whether you're new to foraging or looking to connect with the ancient plants of the hedgerow, The Little Wild Hawthorn is the perfect introduction to this magical tree. With its blend of practical foraging advice, seasonal projects, and enchanting folklore, this guide will inspire you to embrace the hawthorn’s many gifts and explore the natural world around you.

I read The Little Wild Library: Elder before and learned there are several uses for this plant that grows in our yard. I'm not sure what drew me to the hawthorn book other than being familiar with the name, but hawthorn doesn't grow anywhere I can think to harvest it, so that's one point away from this book being useful to me.

Another thing was that I didn't find the "recipes" or uses for hawthorn to be as fitting to any needs I could see myself needing it for. So apart from the plant not being readily available to me, it also doesn't have uses that I can see myself needing, according to this book.

One of the weirdest things to me was the inclusion of one brief sentence that threw me off. The author mentions in the elder book about referencing many old books to get her information and recipes from, but the sentence in this hawthorn book that completely threw me off was: "Hawthorn is one of the preferred woods for making dowsing rods (hazel is another) because of its associated magical properties and because it is easy to find." Magical properties had me going "huh, wait, what?" And then I noticed the bibliography references books called Folk Magic and Healing by Fez Inkwright and The Witch's Yearbook by Clare Gogerty. And this gave me the ick.

I don't have problems reading fiction that includes magical systems and worlds and fantasy. But touching on witchcraft in real life, even in the form of potential recipes shared "innocently," just doesn't sit right. I do believe that God gave us plants to be used for all sorts of purposes, but even touching anything "witchy" with a ten-foot pole is not for me.

The Little Wild Library: Hawthorn now feels like something I'd be wary of using any of the recipes from anyway, even if they are innocent or legit. I don't feel like I can recommend this book, and I probably would go back and update my ratings for the previous book as well. Outside of this issue, I would list The Little Wild Library: Hawthorn as 3 Stars. Have you read The Little Wild Library: Hawthorn? What did you think? Let me know!

P.S. There's a difference between folklore and witchcraft.