Top Ten Fall 2026 TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Fall 2026 TBR List

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1. Silver & Smoke (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 3) by Helen Scheuerer
2. Her Hidden Fire by Clíodhna O'Sullivan
3. The Realm Reaper (Reign of Remnants, # 3) by Julie Johnson
4. A Bargain So Bloody (Kingdom of Dark Magic, # 1) by Vasilisa Drake
5. Deceptive Inheritance (Remnants of the Lost, # 1) by Jennifer Anne Davis
6. Chase Me if You Can by Heather Frances
7. Spellcast (Fire in the Sky, # 3) by Sophie Jordan
8. Of Blades and Wings (Flame Cursed Fae, # 1) by Eliza Raine
9. The Matchmaker's Cottage by Kat Sloane
10. Kiss of the Black Flame by Helen Scheuerer

Which books are on your fall 2026 TBR list? Let me know!

Reckless - Review

Reckless (Powerless Trilogy, # 2)

By: Lauren Roberts

Publication: July 2, 2024 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

383 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Paedyn and Kai battle with duty and desire in this highly anticipated second installment in the sizzling and epic romantic fantasy trilogy that’s packed with spicy tension and edge-of-your-seat betrayal.

The kingdom of Ilya is in turmoil…

After surviving the Purging Trials, Ordinary-born Paedyn Gray has killed the King and kickstarted a Resistance throughout the land. Now she’s running from the one person she had wanted to run to.

Kai Azer is now Ilya’s Enforcer, loyal to his brother Kitt, the new King. He has vowed to find Paedyn and bring her to justice.

Across the deadly Scorches, and deep into the hostile city of Dor, Kai pursues the one person he wishes he didn’t have to. But in a city without Elites, the balance between the hunter and hunted shifts—and the battle between duty and desire is deadly.

I was disappointed with the ending of Powerless. *Spoilers for the previous book!* How Kitt and Kai could both basically be in love with the same woman, know the other brother is in love with her, yet refuse to even discuss it, was beyond me. I really wanted to punch Kitt in the face, to be honest. I wasn't even sure I wanted to continue the series if brothers fighting over a girl that obviously favored one of the over the other was going to be the path we took. But since I got Reckless on audio, I decided that I would continue at least through this book and see how I ended up liking it.

Paedyn is on the run for killing the king of Illya. Of course, he attacked her first, but details don't seem to matter. Kitt and Kai both feel betrayed by Paedyn. And Kitt has charged Kai with bringing her back. Kai injures her in his pursuit, but she does manage to escape and cross the Scorches to the next city of Dor. Kai pursues her. And the two play cat and mouse for a while. Ultimately, Kai does capture Paedyn, but getting back to Illya isn't smooth sailing. Plus, their forced proximity brings old feelings to the surface.

I can't even begin to tell you how much the cliffhanger to Reckless angered me. Like, I really and truly don't know if I want to continue the series after that mess. Seriously. What in the world is Lauren Roberts thinking except trying to make her readers angry? Well, it's working.

I don't have any favorite quotes since I listened to the audiobook version, but I will say the narrators Cecily Bednar Schmidt, Chase Brown, and Jared Zeus did a fabulous job.

Reckless was actually better than I expected it to be. I was hooked from the beginning due to the cliffhanger of the previous book. But I was so angry over the cliffhanger of this book that I don't even know if I want to finish the series. Kai and Paedyn all the way. Kitt can go kick rocks. Reckless would have gotten 4 Stars until the sorry cliffhanger which takes my rating down to 2 Stars. Have you read or listened to Reckless? What did you think? Let me know!

P.S. Since finishing these two books, I have followed a series on Instagram by Kim Argyle discussing the ethicacy of this series, and I am apt to agree with her assessment on this series thus far. I noticed similarities with Powerless and both The Hunger Games and Red Queen, but it's been so long since I read the Dance of Thieves duology that the similarities with that series didn't stand out to me, even though I did notice more similarities with Glass Sword.

Homeschool Friday - Tomas Looks Up and Out

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.

Tomas Looks Up and Out (Good News for Little Hearts)

By: J. Alasdair Groves

Illustrated By: Jo Hox

Publication: October 9, 2023 by New Growth Press

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Animals, Picture Books, Christian, Manners

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--Tomas Looks Up and Out helps children learn how God considers us and wants us to look to him for help so that we consider others too. Tomas Turtle starts his day thinking more about himself than others. Not only is he annoyed that his sister Tori’s cough kept him awake, but he also brags to all of his friends about his successes. It’s not until he gets sick and his friends take care of him that Tomas learns to look up to God and out to others. Edited by counselor Alasdair Groves, Tomas Looks Up and Out offers concrete, grace-based help for growing in empathy and is part of the Good News for Little Hearts series, which brings gospel wisdom and biblical counsel to families. Based on CCEF’s model of hope and help, each story focuses on an animal family’s real-life issues, encouraging young readers toward a growing relationship with Jesus during challenging circumstances.

I absolutely love the Good News for Little Hearts series. There's always a Scripture where a book dedication usually stands. Tomas Looks Up and Out features Philippians 2:4, "None of you should look out just for your own good. Each of you should also look out for the good of others." Tomas Looks Up and Out is 32 pages long, but of course, it isn't an AR book so finding an exact book level for reading purposes would just have to be a guess, but I would put these books on par with the Berenstain Bears which ranges from a level-2 to a level-4. Either way, this is a book that I've read to my kids, not a book that my kids have grabbed for supplemental reading purposes (at least so far).

The book starts with Tomas Turtle being annoyed by the noises coming from downstairs because it's Saturday, and he normally gets to sleep in on Saturday. His mother explains that Tori has been up all night, and she's not feeling well. But Tomas is only annoyed with his missing sleep. Tomas comes in that afternoon with his friend Henry bragging about making the swimming team. He interrupts his father and tells his parents that Henry didn't make the team because too much water isn't good for hedgehogs. Later, Tomas and Buster are sliding down the grassy hill. Tomas bursts through the front door bragging about beating Buster down the hill. His mother pulls him aside to discuss how Buster might be feeling. Tomas blows her off because Buster wins all the time. After dinner, Tomas isn't feeling well. Tori, knowing how it feels to be sick, offers Tomas the remote and a hot water bottle that she had been using. Tomas, however, was too frustrated with being sick to notice Tori taking care of him. The next day, Tomas's friends show up with some supplies to help him feel better. A mishap has the two friends covered in water, but instead of being angry and frustrated, they just laughed. Tomas realized that his friends could have been out doing anything else, but instead they had come to see and help him. That night before bed, he makes things right by apologizing to Tori, who forgives him. Tori also shares a piece of paper from her nightstand which shares Philippians 2:4. Tomas goes to bed, looks up to God, and asks for help to look out for others. The next morning, Tomas is feeling better, but his mom shares that Buster and Henry are now feeling sick. Tomas asks his mother if they should take them some soup.

At the end of the book is a section to parents about helping children learn to walk in another's shoes. And the finally, there are four "Back Pocket Bible Verses" that you can pull out and give to your child/children for when they are lonely. Matthew 7:12, Romans 12:15, Philippians 2:4, and 1 Peter 3:8.

Picture books that teach about Biblical character in a way that children can understand and apply in their lives are among my top favorite books. This entire series is great. Tomas Looks Up and Out gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Tomas Looks Up and Out? What did you think? Let me know

Without a Clue - Review

Without a Clue

By: Melissa Ferguson

Publication: February 17, 2026 by Thomas Nelson

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, 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--When a mystery writer mysteriously dies on a cruise filled with rabid fans, his protégé (and personal assistant) teams up with a rugged cowboy and fellow writer to crack the case. One part Only Murders in the Building, one part Book Lovers, and a whole lot of laughs, Without a Clue will keep readers guessing and swooning until the very end.

If there's one thing Penelope Mae Dupont prizes most, it's her composure--her ability to stay calm in the face of stress. It's a vital trait in her job as a personal assistant to renowned mystery author Hugh Griffin. But when Pip organizes a book cruise featuring The Fabulous Seven--seven celebrated authors from different genres who have supported each other through thick and thin--her famed composure is in danger of sailing away. One boat, hundreds of devoted readers, and seven Big Personalities. What could possibly go wrong?

Disaster strikes when, on the second day of the cruise, Hugh is found murdered. And, in the face of gross incompetence by the on-board security force, Pip realizes she'll need to be the one to discover who did it. With the ship stranded in the middle of the Atlantic and no help on the horizon, it's up to her to unravel the mystery. Along with her friend Nash--a dreamy Western author who's just as rugged as the cowboys he writes about. As Pip's composure starts to sink faster than a leaky dinghy, Nash becomes her anchor in a storm of clues and red herrings.

With Nash at her side, Penelope dives into the murky depths of the mystery, navigating treacherous waters filled with unexpected twists and turns. No one, not even a desperately hopeful mystery sleuth named Pip, could anticipate the wild ride ahead. Whether she likes it or not, she is on the adventure of a lifetime . . . and maybe, just maybe, she'll find love along the way.

In this laugh-out-loud funny Clue-meets-Emily-Henry rom-com, Penelope Mae Dupont is about to find out that in the world of mystery and romance, you have to risk going overboard to find the truth.

I've had an up and down relationship with Melissa Ferguson's books. Yet I've found that the ones I've loved the most have been the books that she writes about books. Meet Me in the Margins and The Perfect Rom-Com were two that stood out to me in the past. But I'm not a big fan of mysteries, so I put off reading Without a Clue for longer than I intended, and I also started it and put it back down due to a slower beginning. But once I get into the heart of the book, I found it easy to keep going.

I really feel like Melissa Ferguson has written these books about books, about stories, as a way of venting her love for each of the genres. I could be reaching, but that's how it appears to me. As I already said, I'm not the biggest fan of mysteries, and I find that when they are mixed with romance, the plot can overtake the relationships. Or the mystery becomes the major conflict instead of relational conflict. One I appreciate, and the other I don't. Without a Clue was enough romance to suit my preferences there.

Penelope has been a writing assistant for an author for years. She also organizes and keeps things together for a group of seven famous authors. Hugh, the author she's an assistant for, keeps trying to get her to write her own book. She's also developed a crush on one of the other authors who she has a close working relationship with. Yet they never associate outside of work. When Penelope's long-term boyfriend breaks up with her in a public way, she's feeling herself on the verge of an emotional breakdown. This vacation (a celebrity cruise) is just what she thinks she needs. Only Hugh ends up murdered, and Penelope is the only one who can solve the murder.

I can't say more due to spoilers.

Without a Clue was an enjoyable read, and I got into it once I made it about 20%. There was mystery-genre plotting, and romance. I wasn't always sure who I could trust. At the same time, I wasn't surprised by the outcome or ending of the book at all. Without a Clue gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Without a Clue? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 09/13/26

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 the kids got to spend a little time with their cousins before they went back to Georgia. Tuesday, we made some changes to our school schedule, so we didn't go to my parent's house. Plus Big Girl started getting sick on Monday/Tuesday. She missed softball practice that night. Husband took the boys to their ball practices. Wednesday was a good school day. I took Little Boy to batting practice. Thursday, Big Girl was feeling better so we went to band. The boys had to go with us this week, but they did well. Thursday night, I had the boys at baseball and Husband had Big Girl. The older two both had scrimmage games. Big Boy got to pitch to his first ever live batter. He did strike out his first batter. Friday was a normal, full school day. Saturday, the league has a opening practice tournament. Big Girl's team came in second place. The coaches of the opposite team vote for an MVP on the other team and she got the award for her team. I was so proud of her. Big Boy's team won their age bracket. He didn't get to pitch in the tournament, but that's okay. I'm sure he will have opportunity throughout the season. Little Boy's team won their first game, but got put out in their second game. It was quite hectic trying to get to all the games, but we had overcast skies and a slight breeze off and on which helped with the temperature. I am still wiped out though.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of When Calls the Heart (Canadian West, # 1) by Janette Oke (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Trust Issues by Kasie West
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Darcy is Always First

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Review ?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Tomas Looks Up and Out

NEW BOOKS:

Vale of Dreams (Fey Academy for Spies, # 2)

By: C.N. Crawford & Alex Rivers

Expected Publication: December 15, 2026 by Scarlett Press

400 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae, Romance, Romantasy

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--Acting as the mistress of a terrifying Fey prince known as the Dream Stalker was never on my wishlist. But that’s exactly what happens when I journey into Brocéliande to rescue my lover, Raphael. Sometimes, fate has a twisted sense of humor.

Captured by the prince, I quickly learn he’s a beautiful, living nightmare. He immediately discovers my hidden talent—mind control. He gives me no choice but to serve him. Avalon Tower thinks it’s a good idea, too. Now, I'm keeping secrets from everyone, and the Dream Stalker doesn’t know I'm a spy. His plan? Manipulate ministers, overthrow his father, and annihilate humanity.

Seductive and complex, he’ll get in my head if I let him. In the Fey palace, courtly intrigue reigns. If I can’t outsmart the prince, my neck will be the next one on the execution block, and he will crush humanity in his beautiful hands.

Lady of the Lake (Fey Academy for Spies, # 3)

By: C.N. Crawford & Alex Rivers

Expected Publication: March 16, 2027 by Scarlett Press

448 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae, Romance, Romantasy

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--Acting as the mistress of a terrifying Fey prince known as the Dream Stalker was never on my wishlist. But that’s exactly what happens when I journey into Brocéliande to rescue my lover, Raphael. Sometimes, fate has a twisted sense of humor.

Captured by the prince, I quickly learn he’s a beautiful, living nightmare. He immediately discovers my hidden talent—mind control. He gives me no choice but to serve him. Avalon Tower thinks it’s a good idea, too. Now, I'm keeping secrets from everyone, and the Dream Stalker doesn’t know I'm a spy. His plan? Manipulate ministers, overthrow his father, and annihilate humanity.

Seductive and complex, he’ll get in my head if I let him. In the Fey palace, courtly intrigue reigns. If I can’t outsmart the prince, my neck will be the next one on the execution block, and he will crush humanity in his beautiful hands.

The Realm Reaper (Reign of the Remnants, # 3)

By: Julie Johnson

Expected Publication: February 23, 2027 by Ace

592 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance, 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--Four courts. Two kings. One Remnant whose choice could change the fate of the realm.

The final battle begins in this epic conclusion to the #1 Sunday Times bestselling series.

Captured and alone, Rhya Fleetwood is fighting not to sink into darkness. With each passing day, her mind unravels and her power slips away—until there may be no magic, no hope…no more Rhya.

Soren and Penn will flood, scorch, and destroy their way through Anwyvn to save the woman they love. But even if they succeed, the Rhya they find may not be the one they lost.

The realm needs all four fated Remnants—Earth, Fire, Water, and Air—to restore balance. As prophecy looms and deadly sorcery rises in the Southlands, time is running out.

Rhya must reclaim her rightful place before it’s too late. Her mind may be frayed, but some bonds cannot be broken—and some loves are so powerful, not even oblivion can erase them.

- Enemies-to-lovers
- High concept
- Fae courts
- Elemental magic
- Kingdoms at war
- Political intrigue

Of Frost and Feather (Flame Cursed Fae, # 2)

By: Eliza Raine

Expected Publication: February 16, 2027 by Scarlett Press

288 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae, Romance, Romantasy

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--Maddy used to think she knew what would end her life. Now, the list is too long to guess from. And possibly the most dangerous of them all? Kain.

Every day she spends at Featherblade, more secrets are revealed, and it will only be so long before one of them is hers. When Kain has what he wants from her… She fears it won’t just be those who wronged him who will feel his wrath.

She must be strong. She must earn her wings. She must resist the promise in his flaming eyes.
She must not fall for the villain of Featherblade.

Fae Vikings meets fantasy romance in this enemies-to-lovers series in an academy/war college setting. If you love villain-gets-the-girl stories and obsessive burn-the-world-down-for-her MMCs, then this is for you. The spice is deliciously slow-burn and builds with each book.

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!