Now or Never - Review

Now or Never (Stephanie Plum, # 31)

By: Janet Evanovich

Publication: November 19, 2024 by Atria Books

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Humor, Mystery

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--She said yes to Morelli. She said yes to Ranger. Now Stephanie Plum has two fiancés and no idea what to do about it. But the way things are going, she might not live long enough to marry anyone.

While Stephanie stalls for time, she buries herself in her work as a bounty hunter, tracking down an unusually varied assortment of fugitives from justice. There’s Eugene Fleck, a seemingly sweet online influencer who might also be YouTube star Robin Hoodie, masked hero to the homeless, who hijacks delivery trucks and distributes their contents to the needy. She’s also on the trail of Bruno Jug, a wealthy and connected man in the wholesale produce business who is rumored to traffic young girls alongside lettuce and tomatoes. Most terrifying of all is Zoran—a laundromat manager by day and self-proclaimed vampire by night with a taste for the blood of pretty girls. When he shows up on Stephanie’s doorstep, it’s not for the meatloaf dinner.

With timely assists from her stalwart supporters Lula, Connie, and Grandma Mazur, Stephanie uses every trick in the book to reel in these men. But only she can decide what to do about the two men she actually loves. She can’t hold Ranger and Morelli at bay for long, and she’s keeping a secret from them that is the biggest bombshell of all. Now or never, she’s got to make the decision of a lifetime.

One of my biggest complaints about the Stephanie Plum series is the lack of overall story progression. Stephanie has been bemoaning her career and relationship status for literally thirty books. She's been on again and off again with Morelli and Ranger. And I want progress to be made. Well, I consider the progression from 29-30 and 30-31 significant. I won't spoil 31 for you, but if you're caught up to this point then you know that Stephanie accidentally engaged herself to both Ranger and Morelli. And I wasn't sure if she would actually pick by the end of this book. All I will say is that she does. 

Stephanie is chasing skips as always. Surprisingly, most of the skips in this book weren't trying to fight capture. They were mostly willing to go with her to get their court date rescheduled and be re-bonded. Of course, it can't be too easy. Willingness didn't come without some hurdles she needed to jump through to actually get them there. I thought the addition of Herbert in this book was where a lot of the comedic value came from. Stephanie knows Herbert from high school, and he keeps showing up and doing all of these favors for Stephanie. He seems to be trying to get her to date him despite her continually telling him that she's engaged. 

As always, I don't listen to these books expecting too much out of them. They're light-hearted and entertaining. I don't expect depth or emotion for the most part. However, this one was better than I was expecting. Probably because I was expecting her to somehow stall for the entire book on making a decision between Ranger and Morelli. 

As always, there is cursing and some mild content that not all readers are fond of, although there is no real on-page spice. 

Now or Never gets 4 Stars. I'm usually ready for this series to wrap up even though I enjoy the books. But Now or Never had me wanting more. The book ends with saying "not the end" so I wonder if that means more books are to come or not. Ending on a high note is what I would recommend, but I'll keep coming back for more I suspect if Janet Evanovich keeps writing them. Have you read (or listened to) Now or Never? What did you think? Let me know!

*P.S. Lorelai King is still one of my favorite audiobook narrators. And, she does a great job as always. 

Blood of the Old Kings - Review

Blood of the Old Kings (Old Erth, # 1)

By: Sung-Il Kim

Publication: October 8, 2024 by Tor Books

368 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Dragons

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Blood of the Old Kings begins an epic adventure in which three strangers journey through a vast Empire that uses the power of dead wizards to conquer and subdue, from award-winning author Sung-il Kim and translated by the highly-acclaimed Anton Hur.

Powered by the corpses of sorcerers, the Empire has conquered the world. It claims to have brought peace and stability to its conquered lands, but some see that peace for what it is—a lie—and will give everything in the fight against it.

Loran is desperate for revenge after the Empire killed her family, so much so that the swordswoman climbs the volcano where the legends say an ancient dragon slumbers and leaps in. She finds that the legends are true, and Loran leaves the mountain with a sword made of dragon’s fang and a great purpose before her.

Cain arrived in the Imperial Capital lost and orphaned, and it’s only thanks to the kindness of a stranger-turned-mentor that he survived on the city’s streets. When his friend is found murdered, he will leave no stone unturned to find those responsible, even if it means starting a war.

Arienne’s future has never been in question—born a sorcerer, she’ll be a Power Generator for the Empire upon her death. But when she starts to hear the voice of a powerful necromancer in her head, she realizes the only thing more terrifying than dying for the Empire is never getting to truly live in the first place.

When peace is a lie, there is power in truth—and as Loran, Cain, and Arienne hunt for answers in their own lives, any one of their small rebellions could be the stone that brings the Empire toppling down.

Coming off Onyx Storm I just wanted more dragons. So when I saw Blood of the Old Kings available for audiobook review, I decided to check it out. Even though I often read fantasy, this isn't the normal fantasy type of book I read. Having it on audio is probably the only way I finished Blood of the Old Kings. As a matter of fact, I listened to three hours in one day because I was driving my kids on a field trip out of town. This allowed me to get invested in the story a little. And then I just listened a little at a time here and there until I finished it.

There are three main characters and three audio narrators. Each did a wonderful job. I appreciated having different narrators for each POV. Eunice Wong, Major Curda, and Suzy Jackson were the narrators.

The book starts with Loran climbing into the volcano where the last fire dragon is chained. She makes a deal with him, and he gifts her a fang used as a sword. She then starts calling herself the Princess of Arland (*sp?). After taking on a group of legionary soldiers on her own and rescuing another man, people begin to spread the word of the Princess of Arland. Hope sparks anew in their bellies, and rebellion grows against the Empire. 

Arienne is born a sorcerer and is on a path to becoming a power generator. Power generators are kind of terrifying. They are dead sorcerers hooked up to machines using their magic to power things from lights to machines to this mysterious circuit of destiny. Arienne hears a voice in her head of a long-dead sorcerer who has been turned into a power generator. The sorcerer has plans of his own, but in the process, he helps Airenne discover power she didn't know she had. 

Cain is a collector of favors. He doesn't collect them for power, but because he genuinely enjoys helping people when he can. He's trying to carry on the gift given to him when he showed up in the capital alone. He does interact with Arienne. And then Arienne interacts with Loran. So in a way, all of the stories are tied together. 

Overall, I enjoyed Blood of the Old Kings. It was entertaining. I didn't dread listening to it, but I didn't feel compelled to keep listening. I always prefer stories with romances, but this was missing a romance altogether. Not all stories need them. And it would have been weird for this book to have had one, I think. But I still prefer to read relationship-driven books over plot-driven ones. Blood of the OId Kings gets 3.5 Stars. I don't think I'll continue the series. Have you read (or listened to) Blood of the Old Kings? What did you think? Let me know!

*Since I listened to the audiobook, I have no way of knowing the spelling of various characters and places within the story. Goodreads provided me with character name spellings, but the places were not listed.

Homeschool Friday - The Giver

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 Giver (The Giver, # 1)

By: Lois Lowry

Publication: April 26, 1993

225 pages

Genre: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Dystopian

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Life in the community where Jonas lives is idyllic. Designated birthmothers produce new children, who are assigned to appropriate family units; one male, one female, to each. Citizens are assigned their partners and their jobs. No one thinks to ask questions. Everyone obeys. Their community is a precisely choreographed world without conflict, inequality, divorce, unemployment, injustice ... or choice.

Everyone is the same.

Except Jonas.

At the Ceremony of Twelve, the community's twelve-year-olds eagerly accept their predetermined Life Assignments. But Jonas is chosen for something special. He begins instruction in his life's work with a mysterious old man known only as The Giver. Gradually, Jonas learns that power lies in feelings. But when his own power is put to the test -- when he must try to save someone he loves -- he may not be ready. Is it too soon? Or too late?

At 38 years old, I've finally experienced Lois Lowry. I listened to The Giver on a family vacation while driving there and home. Middle Grade isn't my favorite, but I'm reading more in this age range to offer my kids suggestions when the time comes. 

I was easily hooked into this story of The Giver. I could easily see myself recommending this to my kids. As the story progressed, I questioned whether I would still recommend it. The world-building happened at just the right pace. At first, the reader doesn't notice much difference between the fantasy world The Giver is set in compared to the real world. Slowly, differences emerged. And the differences and Jonas's reaction to them propel the reader forward. 

Jonas begins the book at 11 years old. And he will soon participate in the Ceremony of Twelve where the kids his age will be given a job to help the community. Jonas is given a "special" job. And it's this job that the majority of the story is about. But I can't discuss it in detail because that would be spoilers. 

Parts of this story didn't feel appropriate for younger children. But I guess I am more of a sheltering parent than most. And if you really get analytical about some aspects of this world things do begin to break down. 

As someone who doesn't love ambiguity, I can't say I loved the ending. Yet the unique world and wanting to learn more propelled me to keep listening. At the same time, I'm not sure if I want to recommend this book to my kids or others. I guess I give The Giver 3 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) The Giver? What did you think? Let me know!

Lets Call a Truce - Review

Let's Call a Truce

By: Amy Buchanan

Publication: January 14, 2025 by St. Martin's Griffin

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--LET’S CALL A TRUCE is a sexy contemporary romance about second chances at life and love, bursting with humor and a touch of angst from debut author, Amy Buchanan.

After Juliana Ryan's husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her with two grieving kids and a stunted career from years as a stay-at-home mom, she has no choice but to make it work all on her own. But her confidence crashes around her when she overhears her condescending but infuriatingly attractive new colleague, Ben Thomas, talking about how her kids and inexperience are a liability the company can’t afford. This sets off a feud between the two, as Juliana vows to prove him wrong.

Two years later, their feud rages on, but it may be charged with something they aren't willing to admit. When they are forced onto a career-making project together, Juliana has no choice but to call a truce. As their lives become more intertwined in and out of the office, Juliana finds it hard to ignore Ben’s perpetual smile and charming determination. What started as a truce grows into more, as boardroom-clearing arguments turn to desk-clearing kisses. Could the man she deemed her nemesis understand her life–her stress and responsibilities–better than anyone?

But just when Juliana decides to open her heart again, Ben’s past threatens their newfound bliss, and she has to figure out whether this second chance at love is worth it after all.

I don't know how much more outside of the description listed for this book I can tell you without spoilers. This isn't the type of book where having spoilers would really kill the vibe or experience, but some things are best left unknown to the reader until the main character, Juliana learns about them or experiences them herself. 

I listened to the audio version of this book. Charlotte North narrates Let's Call a Truce and does a great job. 

Like the description says, Juliana's husband died suddenly and left her as a grieving widow with two grieving children. Her entire purpose has switched to making sure her kids are okay. And well that job just got harder as she has to take on roles that weren't meant to be hers. Most importantly, she needs to provide for their physical needs. And that means she needs this job. So when she overhears a co-worker blasting her on day 1, she feels justifiably irate. Who does this guy think he is? How can he judge her or her life or her kids on day 1 without knowing her or anything about her? She strikes out in a campaign against him. 

And well, as the description says, two years later the feud is still going strong. An added complication is that Juliana and Ben share a best friend. The best friend, I can't remember her name, doesn't want to play the middleman. She always indicates that she knows more than Juliana does, and Juliana ought to give Ben a break.

There are "on-page" scenes that are descriptive. It's been a month and a half between listening to this book and writing my review. So I don't remember it all clearly. I've stated frequently that I have a lower spice tolerance than most people. And well some of the scenes made me cringe a little if I remember correctly. However, audiobook versions of these scenes are always harder than paper because skipping ahead is a little more complicated. 

In the end, I decided that Let's Call a Truce gets 4 Stars. I enjoyed the relationship build-up and transition from enemies to lovers between Juliana and Ben. Their backstories and the resolution worked really well. Have you read (or listened to) Let's Call a Truce? What did you think? Let me know!

Dirty Thirty - Review

Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, # 30)

By: Janet Evanovich

Publication: October 31, 2023 by Atria Books

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Humor, Mystery

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Stephanie Plum, Trenton’s hardest working, most underappreciated bounty hunter, is offered a freelance assignment that seems simple enough. Local jeweler Martin Rabner wants her to locate his former security guard, Andy Manley (a.k.a. Nutsy), who he is convinced stole a fortune in diamonds out of his safe. Stephanie is also looking for another troubled man, Duncan Dugan, a fugitive from justice arrested for robbing the same jewelry store on the same day.

With her boyfriend Morelli away in Miami on police business, Stephanie is taking care of Bob, Morelli’s giant orange dog who will devour anything, from Stephanie’s stray donuts to the upholstery in her car. Morelli’s absence also means the inscrutable, irresistible security expert Ranger is front and center in Stephanie’s life when things inevitably go sideways. And he seems determined to stay there.

To complicate matters, her best friend Lula is convinced she is being stalked by a mythological demon hell-bent on relieving her of her wardrobe. An overnight stakeout with Stephanie’s mother and Grandma Mazur reveals three generations of women with nerves of steel and driving skills worthy of NASCAR champions.

As the body count rises and witnesses start to disappear, it won’t be easy for Stephanie to keep herself clean when everyone else is playing dirty. It’s a good thing Stephanie isn’t afraid of getting a little dirty, too.

I always say that Stephanie Plum books aren't ones that I take too seriously. They're fun, filler books for me. The overall storyline progresses so slowly that not much has happened in the overall arc over the last several releases. But the gists of the events stay the same. 

Morelli is out of town testifying on a case, so Stephanie is babysitting Bob, Morelli's dog. But Morelli being missing means this book has much more of Ranger on the page. He's helping Stephanie hunt down Nutsy because his business was providing security for the jewelry store that got robbed, and Ranger doesn't like unsolved mysteries concerning his business.

Stephanie only had 3--maybe 4--skips to hunt down in Dirty Thirty, aside from working to find Nutsy who the local jewelry store owner thinks might have robbed him. Lula is always present on her adventures, but Lula is convinced she's being stalked by Grendle (from Beowulf). After Lula's apartment has a fire, she moves in with Stephanie--who temporarily moves in with Ranger. It's complicated. 

One of the best scenes of the whole book is the chase scene with Stephanie's mom driving on their stakeout. It's one of those things that you can't see Stephanie's mom doing, yet it also completely fits in with her character at the same time.

As for that overall story arc I mentioned earlier, Stephanie finds herself in a dilemma at the end of the book that will potentially move us along a little bit. I'm hesitant to get too worked up about the supposed cliffhanger because, in typical fashion, I doubt much will be solved or wrapped up in the next book. We shall see.

Either way, Dirty Thirty was entertaining and exactly what I expected it to be when I picked it up. I actually had a chuckle out loud with this book which bumps it from my typical 3-Star rating to a 4-Star rating. Have you read (or listened to) Dirty Thirty? What did you think? Let me know!

ADHD is Awesome - Review

ADHD is Awesome

By: Penn & Kim Holderness

Publication: April 30, 2024 by Harper Horizon

292 pages

Genre: Adult, Nonfiction, Parenting, Self-Help, Psychology, Mental Health

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--Hi, friend! Welcome to the ADHD club.

You're here because, like me, you've been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder—which, by the way, just might be the worst name for a condition ever—and you're trying to figure out how to make your life a little more manageable. Or because, like my wife, Kim, you love, teach, or work with someone who has ADHD, and you're trying to figure out how to best support them.

The world isn't built for ADHDers, and navigating it can wear us down. But we'll let you in on a little secret: having ADHD doesn't have to be a burden. It can actually be a superpower that propels you to creative heights and allows you to achieve more than you ever thought possible.

We want to give you a new perspective on ADHD, whether it's your own brain or a friend or family member's that you're trying to understand. We hope you come away with strategies you can employ to make things a little easier. (We also hope you laugh out loud, at least once or twice.)

Most of all, we want you to silence that voice that whispers that you're broken or a mess or a failure. None of that is true. You have ADHD—and that makes you awesome.

—Penn Holderness

My almost seven-year-old son has not been officially diagnosed with ADHD, but he has a lot of indications that he might have ADHD. He, more than my other two children, has prompted me to study and learn about child development. I just haven't figured out why he struggles so much in a few key areas. When his Pre-K4/MDO teacher suggested he might have ADHD at the age of 5, I immediately rejected the idea and thought he was just being a boy and boys having trouble sitting still and such. Well, fast forward about 2 years, and I've done a good bit more research, plus had more time to observe him, and I think she might be right. So much of  ADHD and what he's going through seems negative. When I came across a video by The Holderness Family about ADHD, Penn talked about the book they co-wrote called ADHD is Awesome. I immediately added it to my TBR list. Thankfully, the e-library got a copy of the audiobook, and I jumped on it to listen.

I am so thankful for Penn and Kim writing this book. Penn shares his experiences of having "a raging case of ADHD" with this book. Having an adult be able to describe what happens in his own brain helps me so much to relate to my son. I've never understood why he can never remember where his shoes are or why an item ceases to exist in his brain when he puts it down. How he can not remember so much has always baffled me. And I've often thought and even accused him of lying to me. And I can easily say that doing so has damaged our relationship. Penn's candor has provided me with some relief. Similar to the relief he felt after being diagnosed. I feel relief in learning more about and understanding more about things my child struggles with or deals with and how his brain works. I cried. Multiple times. From guilt over how I've handled things in the past, sadness over the struggles he has and why everything feels harder for him, hope for the future, and fear for the same. 

Penn and Kim do a wonderful job of presenting ADHD as it is. They don't sugarcoat things. Penn's struggles and the negative side of having ADHD are there in all its ugliness. But there are positives to having ADHD or being close to someone who has ADHD, and those positives are essentially never pointed out. They want everyone to know that it isn't all bad. And I can so appreciate that. As someone whose child is still very young, I feel like we have an uphill battle in front of us, but there is hope. They offer coping strategies. This was one of the most practically applicable books I've ever read on a similar topic (not ADHD specifically). I appreciate that so much. And I appreciate Penn and Kim Holderness for putting this book out there. I needed it. And I'm sure so many others do too.

The humor kept the topics light enough that this didn't feel like a heavy book even though I was quite emotional through portions of it. I suppose if it were heavy or dull the ADHD brain would abandon it, most likely. Penn definitely wrote with other ADHDers in mind. 

I also loved the discussion of the name ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The name truly doesn't describe the condition. And that contributes to the condition being so highly misunderstood. Addressing the misconceptions around ADHD was really helpful for me, and it helped me see that I had a lot of unfounded preconceived ideas of what ADHD is that are completely false. 

I can tell you that I would have had way too many quotes highlighted if I'd read this on my Kindle, but since I listened to the audiobook, I don't have any to share. I will tell you that I will 100% get a physical or digital copy of this book to have for myself to read again and probably even more than once. The audiobook version is wonderful being narrated by Penn and Kim directly. I don't know how much sidebar-type stuff they added to the physical book. It almost seemed like some things were added in their audio narration that wouldn't be in a physical copy, but I couldn't tell you that for sure without comparing the two. But their narration made the audiobook fun and easy to listen to (the goal). The only reason I want a physical copy for myself and not the audio version to own is that finding a passage for reference would be much easier in a physical copy. 

If you have ADHD or have a loved one with ADHD, I think you should definitely check out ADHD is Awesome by Penn and Kim Holderness. If nothing else, you can commiserate with someone who understands your struggles. ADHD is Awesome gets 5 Stars from me. Have you read (or listened to) ADHD is Awesome? What did you think? Let me know!

P.S. I have purchased a digital copy for Kindle since writing this review.

Twisted Knight - Review

Twisted Knight (Tangled Hearts, # 1)

By: K. Bromberg

Expected Publication: September 24, 2024 by Bramble

416 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Kings of Sin meets It Ends With Us in a gritty, heated romance from New York Times bestselling author K. Bromberg.

Holden
They thought they’d managed to get rid of me once and for all. They thought I’d just forget what they did to my brother. But I’m going to make sure that they never forget. If only I can stop thinking about her.

Rowan
No one sees me. Behind my brother, I’m a ghost, managing the family business that he claims to run. But I’m tired of second fiddle. I’m tired of pretending. I’m going to take what’s mine. The only problem? Well, he just came back to town.

First, I mentally missed that this is the first book in a series, even though I listed it as book 1 in my Sunday Post and on my spreadsheet. Somehow my brain still thought this was a standalone book. So know that Twisted Knight is the first in a series. No idea how many books are intended for the series, but you need to know more than one. Otherwise, you might look up at 90% and realize there's too much left unresolved to be wrapped up in the last 10%. Another thing you should note if you're planning on going into this series is that language and sexual content is HIGH. I thought about DNFing many times based on these two issues alone. The good thing about an audiobook version is that you can click that little 10-second skip-ahead button and breeze through any content that might bother you. But you'd be breezing through such a large portion of this book. The dirty talk was just too much for me guys. I would have laughed in my husband's face if he said some of the stuff to me that Holden said to Rowen. Laughed and laughed and laughed. And then considering so many of the scenes were written from Holden's perspective, so the male narrator, Patrick Zeller, had to perform these scenes (and perform he did!) had me wondering what the narrator thought about these scenes which of course pulled me out of any kind of story. Honestly, I'm not a prude, but I prefer books not filled with so much explicit content. The language and the scenes. So many f-bombs. So so many GDs. I would have DNFd because of these things if I had known there would be a sequel. I thought I would push through and be done. 

Now the actual story content was interesting. Holden HATES the Rothschilds, specifically Rhett Rothschild. He has issues with Chad Williams, Rhett's best friend. And he seems to have a small place of anger toward Rowen but it's unclear why at first. You know that Rhett has somehow offended him in the past but the story is slowly leaked in flashbacks throughout the book. It all makes sense. And you know Holden plans to take down the entire Rothschild family because of this past. But his plan isn't entirely revealed either. 

Poor Rowen is caught up in everyone's games and manipulation. Her brother sells the family company without telling her. This devastates her because she promised her grandmother that she would keep the company in the family's hands and get it back on track. Her mother is trying to marry her off to Chad who she only feels friendship towards. Her grandmother left her money and a seat on the board in her will but only if Rowen meets certain conditions. And Holden is using her to enhance his destruction of the Rothschild family. She's the only one you can really root for in this story because despite who her family is, she's always wanted to be different and hated the role her family has wanted her to play. She isn't at all what Holden expected her to be. Yet I can't fully root for a character that pursues a path she knows she shouldn't just because it feels good. Morally this goes against everything I believe in. 

Ultimately, I liked the story. I wanted to know what happened to Holden for him to hate the Rothschilds so much. And I wanted to see how his plan would unfold. I wanted to see how Rowen fit into the entire story. Yet I found myself almost laughing out loud while cringing at the sex scenes. I debated DNFing especially over the content and language. But I pressed on not realizing until the last 10% that this book is only the first of a series I don't know if I'll continue. In the end, I'm giving this one 3 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) Twisted Knight ? What did you think? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review - The Courting of Bristol Keats

The Courting of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 1)

By: Mary E Pearson

Expected Publication: November 12, 2024 by Flatiron Books

560 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!) - Audiobook version

( 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 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Mary E. Pearson comes a thrilling romantic fantasy full of dangerous fae, dark secrets, and addictive romance

After losing both their parents, Bristol Keats and her sisters struggle to stay afloat in their small, quiet town of Bowskeep. When Bristol begins to receive letters from an “aunt” she’s never heard of who promises she can help, she reluctantly agrees to meet—and discovers that everything she thought she knew about her family is a lie. Even her father might still be alive, not killed but kidnapped by terrifying creatures to a whole other realm—the one he is from.

Desperate to save her father and find the truth, Bristol journeys to a land of gods and fae and monsters. Pulled into a dangerous world of magic and intrigue, she makes a deadly bargain with the fae king, Tyghan. But what she doesn't know is that he's the one who drove her parents to live a life on the run. And he is just as determined as she is to find her father—dead or alive.

Brittany Pressley has one of those voices that sounds like every audiobook narrator--familiar and smooth. I don't speak French but her French sounded immaculate to me. She has enough voice deviation to tell different characters but not as much as someone like Lorelai King. 

Bristol and her family have always been on the run, traveling from city to city. She and her sisters always knew her parents were keeping secrets from them. But they finally settled in one place after the youngest, Harper, begged them not to leave. However, everything began to fall apart. First, their mother leaves them and then dies. Then their father also dies in a car accident. Bristol isn't the oldest, but somehow she stepped up to take on the burden of providing and leading the other sisters. Now, a mysterious financial offer from an aunt the sisters have never heard of changes everything. When Bristol learns that her father might not be dead after all, she has to take the chance and try to find him.

Tyghan and his crew of fae have information about Bristol and her family that she and her sisters don't have. But they need Bristol's help to close a portal before the choosing ceremony. They're not even sure if she can do it. She shows no sign of magic. But if they share the information with her she'll never help them. What Tyghan didn't count on was coming to care for Bristol. 

Bristol is so sick and tired of being lied to. Her parents lied to her and her siblings all her life. Many people in Bowskeep turn out to be fae. A guy she was hooking up with ghosts her. The secrets of her parents have slowly been trickling out since she met her mysterious aunt, but the biggest secrets are still hidden from her. And much more. So it was obvious to the reader (listener) that when she finds out what her parents and Tyghan have been keeping from her she would feel betrayed. But I couldn't stop myself from barreling forward hoping every minute to get to the big reveal.

Tyghan has been betrayed by his best friend who was as close as a brother. And he isn't over it either. Every decision is viewed through the lens of potential betrayal. Understandably, he keeps information from Bristol. At first, he doesn't know her well enough to trust her. But even when he does...

I don't have any quotes to share with you since I was listening to the audiobook. But I'm sure I would have highlighted quite a bit if I'd been reading a Kindle version.

The Courting of Bristol Keats was better than I was expecting it to be. I shouldn't have been surprised as I've enjoyed Mary E Pearson before. The Courting of Bristol Keats easily gets 4.5 Stars. I absolutely can not wait until I get my hands on book 2. Have you read (or listened to) The Courting of Bristol Keats ? What did you think? Let me know.

P.S. From what I remember there was minimal language (including a few f-bombs) and two on-page scenes although not terribly descriptive. 

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

All Things Halloween Review - Vows and Ruins

Vows & Ruins (The Legends of Thezmarr, # ) 2

By: Helen Scheuerer

Publication: September 21, 2023 by Alchemy

536 Pages

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy

Source: Personal Library (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--Against all odds, Althea Zoltaire emerged from her trials as a champion. Now, she must train even harder and prepare herself to become a true warrior of Thezmarr.

But Thea’s world is turned upside down as she struggles to navigate her newfound magic and uncover the secrets of her past. Slowly, she begins to untangle the truth about her family, her powers and the evil that threatens to engulf the kingdom.

When Wilder Hawthorne returns to be her official mentor, everything changes. Dark forces are gathering, and he will stop at nothing to prepare her for the challenges to come, even if it means breaking her.

As war looms and their quest for answers leads master and apprentice deeper into danger, the undeniable connection between them intensifies – defying all odds, but also threatening to tear them apart.

With secrets unravelling and evil closing in, Thea and Wilder fight to save the world, and each other. The fate of the realms rests in their hands – will they emerge victorious, or will the darkness consume them both?

Full of action, adventure and steamy romance, Vows & Ruins is the second book in the spellbinding epic romantic fantasy series, The Legends of Thezmarr and is perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom, From Blood and Ash and The Witcher.

Whew guys! I don't even know what I'm going to say about this one.

I got Blood & Steel on audiobook for review and really enjoyed it. It ended with a little bit of a cliffhanger. But I knew I had to wait a while for the audiobook to release for Vows and Ruins or I would probably get the print version. Well surprise me, but not much time went by when nearly the entire series was released in print and the audiobook version for book 2 was released as well. When my birthday came up, I snagged the audiobook version as it wasn't that expensive at the time. Mollie Stark & Sebastian Grove narrate the same as Blood and Steel; they do an outstanding job. (*Side note: I often wonder what male audiobook narrators think of the books they're narrating.)

Vows and Ruins picks up with Thea training to be a Warrior of Thezmarr. But Wilder is MIA. She's still training, but she is angry. And she isn't taking good care of herself. She's recently discovered a significant piece of information about herself, and she isn't coping very well with the stress of it all. Wilder shows up just in time to help her get back into a more balanced headspace of self-care and training. He decides that they need to take their training on the road because that is where all Legends learn most of their training.

Wilder and Thea do this dance back and forth between trying to maintain a professional relationship and getting it on. They do good, and then they cave. The back and forth was a little much for me. But what was really much for me was the frequency and description they ended up together. If readers were missing this action from the previous book, Vow and Ruins ought to have made up for it. For my personal reading level, the on-page sex was a bit excessive. This was probably made worse for me by having the audio version where skimming ahead isn't as easy as the print version. Also, there was something about hearing these scenes out loud instead of reading or skimming them that gave me second-hand embarrassment. 

As far as plot goes, Vows and Ruins had multiple plot twists. One plot twist was pretty obvious. And I think Helen Scheuerer was pulling a sleight-of-hand trick where she was keeping our attention on this flashy, in-your-face, twist all while sneaking a major blindside from behind our backs. Maybe other readers/listeners caught this plot twist, but I missed it. And I felt the emotions all the more because of it. 

Vows and Ruins was really good. I wanted to keep listening until I finished it. I got a good bit of crocheting done during this one, and of course, dishes washed and meals cooked, as well. Wilder and Thea were a bit of a roller coaster. Their back and forth was a bit much at times. The on-page sexual scenes exceeded my preferences, but it's the plot that keeps me coming back for more. Yet again, we have a pretty major (even bigger than before) cliffhanger at the end of this book. I will be continuing this series to find out what happens next. Vows and Ruins gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) Vows and Ruins? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

All Things Halloween Review - The Kingdom Cold

Kingdom Cold (Kingdom Cold, # 1)

By: Brittni Chenelle

Publication: January 25, 2021 by Brittni Chenelle

276 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Attempted murder , that's how sixteen-year-old Princess Charlotte's engagement starts.

It seems like the only thing she has in common with Prince Young of Vires is their mutual discontent.

When her kingdom's attacked, Charlotte's parents renegotiate her hand in marriage to a handsome stranger with a sinister plan. With the people Charlotte loves dying around her, and her kingdom's future at stake, the only person she can turn to is the prince she betrayed. But, should she save her kingdom or her heart? One must fall. Diverse Fantasy, YA Fantasy Romance, Enemies-To-Lovers, Multi-POV

BRITTNI CHENELLE is a USA Today Bestselling Author who specializes in angsty multicultural fantasy romances. She loves the enemies-to-lovers trope and her favorite genres to read and write are Young Adult Fantasy Romance, New Adult Urban Fantasy, Fairytale Retellings , Steamy Paranormal Romance, and African American Paranormal Romance with plenty of Black Girl Magic. She's very passionate about equal representation and makes a point to include characters from different backgrounds and cultures in her fantasy stories.

I listened to Kingdom Cold on audiobook through YouTube Audiobooks for free. I find that books I might find long or frustrating in print aren't as difficult for me in audio for some reason. I think a large part of this is the ability to multitask while listening to the book. I can wash the dishes, cook dinner, clean the house, fold clothes--all tasks I would have to do anyway--while listening to a book. And since I'm not using "valuable reading time" to do so I find that I don't get as annoyed if a book is slower to hook my attention or overall not one that might qualify for that coveted reading time. So I say all that to say that I think listening to this book helped me enjoy it more. There are three narrators: Lessa Lamb, Matthew H. Longoria, & Jake McAskill. These three did a good job narrating, and I appreciated being able to easily detect which character POV I was listening to.

Princess Charlotte is sixteen years old. Her parents inform her that it is time for her to marry. She thinks she's too young and wants to wait a few more years, but their country is nearing war and a political marriage will be a stabilizing factor. Charlotte begins quite selfishly. All she can think about is herself. She's not opposed to marriage, but she doesn't want to marry now. She also has never wanted to rule her country. When Prince Young arrives, she shoots an arrow at him. Thankfully, she misses, but it doesn't start things off on the right foot. It doesn't help that when she gets her first close-up she mistakes Prince Young for his older brother Prince Minseo. She showed obvious attraction to Prince Minseo in that first meeting. And I was secondhand embarrassed while listening to this scene.

Prince Young remembers meeting Charlotte previously and he was intrigued by her then--granted intrigued by her appearance alone it seemed. But at least he was somewhat hopeful going into this political marriage. I don't think he expected Charlotte to be thrilled with marrying a stranger, but he didn't expect the level of animosity or direct opposition he would receive from her. 

The kingdom of Besmium (I'm unsure about the spelling since I listened to the audiobook) was attacked on what was supposed to be Charlotte and Young's wedding day. Young helps Charlotte and her maid/friend Millie escape and that helps to tip him into the ally category. Charlotte and Young have many twists and turns to endure through this book. And I can understand if the book faces criticism due to there being too many. Characters are thought to be dead yet repeatedly aren't. Characters you think are good are actually bad, oh wait, just kidding they're still good. Characters that are supposed to be morally upright, represent faith, and believe in things bigger than themselves (like fate or God) end up being the weakest moral characters in the book. I think Emmett was supposed to be a narcissist. And if so, I thought that was decently done even though he is a despicable character. There's betrayal from those who are loved most. There are political alliances some gone wrong, and others not. This book just tried to squeeze a little too much in. Mostly, I see these things in hindsight, in the analysis of the book, and not as much while I was listening to it.

At this point, I do think I'll check out book 2 on audio as well. If I were reading this in print I probably wouldn't dedicate the time to finishing the series. But audiobooks are not as serious for me as print versions. I think Prince Young was the best thing about this book, and I did enjoy Charlotte's transformation from spoiled princess to well...I'll leave that for you to find out if you decide to read (or listen to) this book. Have you read (or listened to) Kingdom Cold? I'm giving it 3.5 Stars. What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

All Things Halloween/Homeschool Friday - The Wild Robot

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 Wild Robot (The Wild Robot, # 1)

By: Peter Brown

Publication: April 5, 2016

279 pages

Genre: Children's Fiction, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Source: Personal Kindle Library (was on sale)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Can a robot survive in the wilderness?

When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is--but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a violent storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants.

As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home--until, one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.

From bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Peter Brown comes a heartwarming and action-packed novel about what happens when nature and technology collide.

I got The Wild Robot a while back because I'm trying to increase the number of chapter books that I am reading aloud to my kids. My kids are currently 8, 6, and 3. We just finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire which is a massive book for the age of my kids. I wanted to take a break from the Harry Potter series before we started that one, but my daughter was determined to push forward. I am forcing a break before we move into book 5 though because the subject matter gets more mature and the plot gets more complex. But back to The Wild Robot. I might have an easier time convincing my kids to pick this one as our read-aloud option before bed if I were more familiar with it. So I get the audiobook from the e-library. 

Kate Atwater does a wonderful job with the narration. She is robotic when Roz speaks without being too over the top. And her voices for the other characters were just enough to distinguish them without making it feel like too much either. I think my kids would enjoy the audiobook version as well, since I have the Kindle version, I will probably just read this aloud to them when convenient. Kate did give me a great jumping-off point to guide my own inflection while reading aloud.

The book description tells you about all that I can when it comes to plot. Roz is a robot that wakes up on an island. Some robot pieces were scattered around where she wakes up, and she realizes that she's the only robot who survived. And survival is exactly what Roz needs. I love this concept. That's what most of us humans are doing as well. We're surviving. We have to survive in the basic sense of feeding and clothing ourselves. Of course, our society is more advanced in technology so we have many of our survival needs almost on autopilot. But there's still more we have to survive. We need other humans for survival. We need relationships. And so we have to manage, navigate, and sometimes survive our relationships. And how we survive becomes learned and ingrained. Roz does the same thing. She has to adapt to her environment to survive. She doesn't have basic needs as far as eating or sleeping. She can rest, but many of her instincts are about helping her not to die rather than needing xyz to survive. Either way, she sees that she needs to learn from the animals on the island if she's going to survive.

But life should go beyond mere survival. Of course, if we don't have our basic needs met, we can't look beyond that to relationships. But once we have the basics we can move from surviving to thriving. Roz shows us that the most satisfying "survival" we can have is to be helpful to others. We can create better relationships that allow us to both survive and thrive when we're living a life that helps and serves those around us. Roz goes from being viewed as a monster in the eyes of the animals on the island to being family. 

I'm always on the lookout for books with strong moral values--especially if those can be taught in a way that doesn't cram the message down the reader's throat. The Wild Robot succeeded in that area. When we get to the end of the book, the stakes are raised, and the adventure peaks. Some sensitive readers might find this to be too intense for them, but I think my kids would be just fine. They survived Cedric Diggory's murder as well as Charlotte's self-sacrifice from Charlotte's Web. So I think they will handle The Wild Robot without any issues. I'm not sure if we'll continue the series as I've heard less than stellar opinions about the subsequent books in this series. But for now, The Wild Robot gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) The Wild Robot? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

All Things Halloween Review of The Death King

The Death King (Death, # 1)

By: Penelope Barsetti

Publication: August 29, 2024 by Hartwick Publishing

341 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Dragons, Abuse

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--I was fifteen when the Death King came for us.

With a mighty black dragon and the ability to command the dead, he raised an army of our fallen soldiers to fight for him—and conquered us in the night. My father, King Laurier of Scorpion Valley, couldn’t stop him. I tried to flee but came face to face with the man in black armor, the man who looked more like a god than a human. Instead of killing me, he chose to show me mercy…but it didn’t feel like mercy.

Not when the next ten years of my life are spent as a slave in the Arid Sands, digging for Black Diamonds from sunrise to sunset. I'm also the personal slave of General Titan—a man who has grown obsessed with me. The work under the hot sun is unbearable—but I prefer it to his company any day. I’ve never tried to escape because there’s nowhere to run in the desert, but all of that changes when I hear the news—that the Death King is coming.

I sneak out in the middle of the night to steal his dragon, but that backfires in my face—because you can’t steal a dragon. Khazmuda is no mindless beast. He can speak directly into my mind and hear my thoughts in return. The Death King is about to kill me, but Khazmuda changes his mind—because I have the gift.

The ability to speak with dragons.

The Death King spares my life once again and takes me back to his castle. He has no idea who I am, has no idea what he did to my family ten years ago. He asks me to fight for his cause—but he won’t tell me exactly what that cause is. And then he tells me he wants more from me…desires me more than any other because, like him, I have the gift.

I can’t deny he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, with eyes black like midnight, a jawline as sharp as his dragon’s talons, the height of a mountain, and shoulders as broad as a stream. But no amount of attraction will ever change the fact that he destroyed my life. The answer is no—and it’ll always be no.

But the Death King doesn’t accept that answer.

Trigger Contains dark themes including rape and suicide.

I got this one on audio after seeing an overall 4.4 rating on Goodreads. Before I talk story let me briefly discuss the audio aspects. This book has dual narration. Ramona Master reads for Calista, and Michael Ferraiuolo reads for Talon. (*Note, I'm not entirely sure about spellings since I don't have a physical copy of this book to double check.) I liked Ramona Master better than Michael Ferraiuolo. Although the panic and fear were audible in Ramona Master's narration of Calista's emotions (as well as her other emotions), sometimes I felt her performance was a bit too exaggerated in places for me. Michael Ferraiuolo was a little bit of a struggle. I liked his voice for Khazmuda better than her regular voice for Talon. Sorry, the voice didn't seem to fit the character to me. 

Now let me say that I have no idea how The Death King has such a high overall rating on Goodreads. Who are you people rating this mess as 5 Stars? First, the most obvious pet peeve of mine is language. There's no need for every 3rd word to be the f-word. But I guess when the characters are on each other like rabbits throughout the book one page of sexual content turns right to the next page, language like that is somewhat expected. I mean it was constant. I began to wonder what happened to the actual story there for a bit. And the descriptive terms used made me cringe. Perhaps that isn't too surprising. I have a lower tolerance for this than probably most people but yeesh. And this is made worse by the fact that Calista spent 7 years being raped daily before being freed from General Titan's captivity. Yet the man who destroyed her life and basically turned her into his own whore is supposed to erase all the trauma she's endured? When she finally has the power to say yes or no she's going to give it up so freely and be treated no better because he claims he's not going to hurt her during sex even though his restraint is not because he wants to restrain himself. I mean how are we supporting this, people? How is this 5 Stars?

And then Khazmuda basically vouches for Talon with Calista. "There's more to him than you understand. He is so hurt he isn't the same person he used to be. His story is so painful it can't be recounted without being relived." Yet come to find out, his story is exactly the same as Calista's except there's a different villain featured in his. I was thankful that this was at least brought up and not completely ignored. Yet it doesn't change anything. 

I was so intrigued by the description. The Death King kills Calista's family,  and she's sent to servitude until it's discovered that she can talk to dragons which is an ability much needed. The Death King would then need to get Calista to come to his side. Surely there would be some reason for his actions that can't be seen. It is possible. Rhys turned out to be the good guy after all. And bonding with dragons turned out awesome in Fourth Wing . But no. Not much happened in the entire plot that can't be summed up by this short paragraph. Well except that Titan is missing and it should be assumed he's going to hook up with the shamans to get a dragon for himself to steal Calista back from Talon. 

Despite being intrigued by the minuscule plot, I will not be returning to this series. Any possible redemption for any of the characters isn't worth trudging through this much language, sexual content, and terrible decisions. The Death King gets 2 Stars... *the miniscule plot saving it from an entire DNF. Have you read (or listened to) The Death King ? What did you think? Let me know!

P.S. Where in the world did the necromancy pieces fit in? So weird. 

*Let it be known that I skipped ahead during certain scenes...multiple times. It was just way too much.

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

The Getaway List - DNF Review

The Getaway List

By: Emma Lord

Publication: January 23, 2024 by Macmillan Young Listeners

Duration: 9 Hours, 49 Minutes, 49 Seconds

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--The day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes two things: One, that she has spent the last four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she really is anymore, and two, she has no idea what she wants because of it. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer, where her childhood best friend Tom and co-creator of The Getaway List ― a list of all the adventures they’ve wanted to do together since he moved away ― will hopefully help her get in touch with her old adventurous self, and pave the road to a new future.

Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since his famous mom’s scriptwriting career pulled him away. But when Riley arrives in the city, their reconnection is as effortless as it was when they were young―except with one, unexpected complication that will pull Riley’s feelings in a direction she didn’t know they could take. As she, Tom, and their newfound friends work their way through the delightfully chaotic items on The Getaway List, Riley learns that sometimes the biggest adventure is not one you take, but one you feel in your heart.

Inescapably romantic and brimming with Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.

Have you guys ever had a book that was like a series of events that just seemed to keep you from the book or enjoying the book? That's what happened to me with The Getaway List. At first, I was listening to the audiobook and enjoying it. I was wrapping Christmas presents while listening. But then I decided to lie down in bed and listen one night. You'll be surprised to hear that I fell asleep. NetGalley's audiobooks aren't easy to navigate because the sections are all labeled the same. That made finding the place I stopped difficult. Then, if you can believe it, I decided to start over in case I missed too much, and the same thing happened to me again. No more lying in bed listening to audiobooks. Lesson learned. But then I kept having issues with the content of the book after that. 

Okay, so Riley and Tom were best friends until Tom moved to New York, and Riley was left behind. Riley's mom has kept her busy with any and all extracurricular activities. Tom has stopped replying to text messages. And their relationship has dwindled. Riley and her mom had a falling out after graduation, and Riley decides to take a weekend trip to New York to visit Tom--which turns into a longer stay. Tom's mother is apparently in the film industry and is never home. Because apparently, no one could possibly dislike New York, Riley falls in love with the city, all the while realizing that she has feelings for her best friend. 

Enter my issues. 1) Riley's a little whiny and self-centered. 2) The characters cuss all the time. But it's the type of cursing that seems like the characters feel cool for doing it. (This is a pet peeve of mine...people who drink because they think they look cool doing it. And people who curse because they think it makes them cool.) The excessive language just felt stupid and unnecessary to me. You won't find me complaining about cursing in most of my book reviews. I tend to only mention it when it's excessive. And The Getaway List was excessive and unnecessary. 3) LGBTQ+ agenda. I don't always mention this either, believe it or not. But when LGBTQ+ stuff is thrown in for the sake of checking a box, I mention it. 4) Mostly, I found that I couldn't connect to the characters in a way that I cared about any of them. I kept trying. I kept listening to push forward and make progress. I kept thinking I would get invested soon. And I just didn't. I ended up listening to 62% of the book, and by that point, I usually tell myself that I've come too far to stop now. But I felt so much relief when I finally made the decision to DNF that I knew I made the right choice. 

I tried to like The Getaway List. I have enjoyed Emma Lord's books in the past. In fact, I did rate Tweet Cute as 5 Stars. I hate that I couldn't connect to the characters or the story, but this book was a series of unfortunate events for me. I was not the right reader for The Getaway List, and I ended up DNFing at 62%. Have you read The Getaway List? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871

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.

I Survived the Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived, # 11)

By: Lauren Tarshis

Publication: February 24, 2015 by Scholastic Inc.

115 pages

Genre: Children's, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure, Chapter Book

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--Could an entire city really burn to the ground? Oscar Starling never wanted to come to Chicago. But then Oscar finds himself not just in the heart of the big city, but in the middle of a terrible fire! No one knows exactly how it began, but one thing is clear: Chicago is like a giant powder keg about to explode.An army of firemen is trying to help, but this fire is a ferocious beast that wants to devour everything in its path, including Oscar! Will Oscar survive one of the most famous and devastating fires in history? Lauren Tarshis brings history's most exciting and terrifying events to life in this New York Times-bestselling series. Readers will be transported by stories of amazing kids and how they survived!

I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 is the second book in the I Survived series that we have listened to. We follow Oscar who's mother is remarrying after being a widow for a while. Oscar isn't happy to be moving to a new place even though he does like the man his mother is planning on marrying. When they arrive at the train station in Chicago Oscar's luggage is stolen, and shortly after he decides to take off after a girl who was instrumental in helping the boys who stole it. Oscar finds the little girl and learns why she is helping a gang of boys steal in the city. In the meantime, the famous fire breaks out and Oscar has to find his way back to his mother and Mr. Morrow while helping the little girl also.

My kids were really enjoying the audiobook when we had to take a break because they went on a trip during Spring Break with my parents and our library copy expired. The break in our rhythm kins of messed things up, and they weren't as excited to finish this book than I think they would have been otherwise.

Oscar's story is brief but packed full of all the good things you hope for in a kid's book. He faces many challenges and has to overcome them. The people he meets aren't always good, and he has to decide how to handle each one.

I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 was another good installment in a series that I know we will continue diving into. I love how Lauren Tarshis mixes fictional stories into historical events that help the reader (or listener) feel like they are actually experiencing the events and learning about historical events in the process. The characters always face challenges that bring out the best in them. I Survived the Chicago Fire, 1871 gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871? What did you think? Let me know!

Going Rogue - Review

Going Rogue (Stephanie Plum, # 29)

By: Janet Evanovich

Publication: November 1, 2022 by Atria Books

324 pages

Genre: Adult, Mystery, Humor

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--Stephanie Plum breaks the rules, flirts with disaster, and shows who’s boss in this “fast and fun” (Publishers Weekly) thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Janet Evanovich.

Monday mornings aren’t supposed to be fun, but they should be predictable. However, on this particular Monday, Stephanie Plum knows that something is amiss when she turns up for work at Vinnie’s Bail Bonds to find that longtime office manager Connie Rosolli, who is as reliable as the tides in Atlantic City, hasn’t shown up.

Stephanie’s worst fears are confirmed when she gets a call from Connie’s abductor. He says he will only release her in exchange for a mysterious coin that a recently murdered man left as collateral for his bail. Unfortunately, this coin, which should be in the office—just like Connie—is nowhere to be found.

The quest to discover the coin, learn its value, and save Connie will require the help of Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur, her best pal Lula, her boyfriend Morelli, and hunky security expert Ranger. As they get closer to unraveling the reasons behind Connie’s kidnapping, Connie’s captor grows more threatening and soon Stephanie has no choice but to throw caution to the wind, follow her instincts, and go rogue.

Full of surprises, thrills, and humor, Going Rogue reveals a new side of Stephanie Plum, and shows Janet Evanovich at her scorching, riotous best.

The Stephanie Plum series is one that doesn't fit any of my normal standards. What I mean is that normally I can't stand not to finish something. I normally don't skip around in a series. I can't stand missing pieces of a puzzle or not reading a series from book one to the end. In this series, I started in book 15 I think. I haven't read books 2-14 at all. I've missed some between 24 and 29. Under usual circumstances, this would bug me to no end. But I'm not bugged because it's this series alone. I don't read these books to experience the next big literary masterpiece. Or even to advance the story. As a matter of fact, the overall storyline hasn't advanced...at all...in many books.

This book starts off with Connie being kidnapped pretty early. Stephanie is in charge of finding what the kidnappers want in order to get Connie returned safely. Ranger is helping her. Morelli is mostly working an off-book murder case for convenience's sake. Vinny is out of town for most of the book. So it's up to Stephanie with the help of Lula, of course, to keep the office running as well as get Connie back. I didn't have any laugh-out-loud moments.

I find this is pretty much all I have to say about the book. I enjoyed it. I'll hit up the next book since I actually have it for review. And I do continue to hope that there will be progress in the overall storyline, although I never expect it. Going Rogue gets 3 Stars. Lorelai King is one of the best audiobook narrators I've ever listened to. Have you read (or listened to) Going Rogue? What did you think? Let me know!

Romancing the Artist - Review

Romancing the Artist (Return to Inglewood, # 1)

By: Sally Britton

Expected Publication: Pink Citrus Books (March 31, 2023)

? pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Amazon description--A farmer's daughter doesn't belong in high society, even if she is a talented artist. And a gentleman training to take over the family estate can't afford distractions. But when the two of them meet, their whole world shifts. Can they overcome their fears, or will love remain out of their reach?

Caroline Clapham isn’t a world renown artist—she’s simply a farmer’s daughter possessed of natural talent with a paintbrush. Talent that her mentor, the Countess of Inglewood, is happy to foster for a summer at her beautiful seaside estate. Caroline’s friends, including a persistent suitor, warn her that the season will end and she will return home as insignificant as ever, and will have to settle for a life far less grand than she imagines. But that won’t stop her from pursuing her dream, or finding a new friend in the handsome Mr. Everly.

Mr. Edward Everly is preparing to take the reins from his father. Everything about their home and family will fall under his care, including the land, their tenants, and all the responsibilities of a gentleman—including marrying the girl his parents have chosen for him. Overwhelmed and uncertain about his new role, Edward stumbles upon a beautiful artist in the woods. As he comes to know Miss Clapham, her way of looking at the world restores his confidence and makes his heart light. Before summer’s end, he cannot imagine a life without her.

Friends and family alike have warned against Caroline and Edward’s relationship. Edward has a role to fill, and he needs a companion who is up to the task. If Caroline leaves behind a life of finer things, she risks losing more than just her dreams of painting. Will she choose to remain in the world in which she grew up, or take the steps necessary to prove herself a worthy match for Edward?

***

The Return to Inglewood novels are a continuation of the stories in Sally Britton's Inglewood series, following the children of the heroes and heroines of Inglewood. This series can be read out of order and without reading Britton's previous books. All books in the series are sweet romance with no steamy content.

Oh my goodness guys! This one slipped through the cracks. I listened to this book on audio back in December, and I'm just now writing my review in March. That's more than 3 months between when I finished it and writing the review. All of that to say that I know I'm forgetting a ton of the details.

I do want to say that I really appreciate Sally Britton putting her audiobooks on YouTube for free. I wouldn't get to many of these books without authors like her. I don't know how she manages to do it, but I love and appreciate her for it. Marian Hussey did a wonderful job narrating. She captured this story wonderfully.

If you're familiar with the Inglewood series by Sally Britton, then you're well familiar with Neil Duncan. His story was Reforming Lord Neil, where he fell in love with a widow, Teresa Clapman. Teresa's daughter, Caroline, stars in this story along with a younger Everly sibling, Edward.

Caroline is a budding artist. She has come to Inglewood to learn from Esther, the Countess of Inglewood, from Rescuing Lord Inglewood. Caroline is a gentleman's daughter, but her family is now used to simpler circumstances. She doesn't know all of the ins and outs of the gentry. She has an encounter with Edward Everly, and the two become allies.

Edward agrees to help Caroline with her art if she will help him deflect attention from his family and his friend's family trying to match them. Caroline doesn't mind pretending to court Edward since she plans to leave Inglewood. And she really does need someone to sit for some of her art pieces. Through all of this, Edward and Caroline realize that the feelings they have aren't fake after all.

Romancing the Artist was exactly what I wanted. It was a fast listen that pulled me in quickly and hooked me into characters I cared about and rooted for. I wanted them to succeed individually as well as collectively. I have no idea who else will find themselves from and center for the Return to Inglewood series, but whoever it is, I'm here for it. Romancing the Artist gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) Romancing the Artist? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - I Survived the Wellington Avalanche 1910

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.

I Survived the Wellington Avalanche, 1910 (I Survived, # 22)

By: Lauren Tarshis

Publication: September 6, 2022 by Scholastic Inc.

144 pages

Genre: Children's, Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Adventure

( 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 Wellington snow slide of 1910 was―and still is―the deadliest avalanche in America’s history. Lauren Tarshis's story of one child surviving the frozen nightmare pounds with page-turning action and heartwarming hope. The snow came down faster than train crews could clear the tracks, piling up in drifts 20 feet high. At the Wellington train depot in the Cascade Mountains, two trains sat stranded, blocked in by snow slides to the east and west. Some passengers braved the storm to hike off the mountain, but many had no choice but to wait out the storm. But the storm didn’t stop. One day passed, then two, three . . . six days. The snow turned to rain. Then, just after midnight on March 1, a lightning storm struck the mountain, sending a ten-foot-high wave of snow barreling down the mountain. The trains tumbled 150 feet. 96 people were dead. The Wellington avalanche forever changed railroad engineering. New York Times bestselling author Lauren Tarshis tells the tale of one girl who survived, emerging from the snow forever changed herself.

Since I started homeschooling my kids, I have been looking for ways to increase the time we spend on books while also trying to get my 6-year-old son interested in reading. Audiobooks have helped us a lot. We mostly listen to them in the car while we're jetting around running errands. And it helps to cut down screen time and boredom in the car. I'd seen the I Survived series, but this was the first one I got for us to listen to. And it was a good choice.

Lauren Tarshis starts this book at the actual avalanche to build intensity and suspense. And then she backtracks seven days. Our main character is Janie, who is an orphan being used by a crime boss to run stolen goods for him. She doesn't have many choices as she has no other family or means of providing for herself. Her handler gets arrested, and Janie uses this opportunity to try to escape like her friend Bash did a while back.

The other passengers think it is odd for a young girl to be riding the train unaccompanied, and several take Janie under their wing. She befriends a young boy about her age named Frederick. She still has the stolen jewels on her, and she hasn't figured out what to do with them yet.

My kids asked me if Janie was a real person. Because this was my first experience with the series, I didn't think so, but I wasn't sure. Lauren Tarshis does explain what was fact and what was fiction in her author's note at the end of the book, which we listened to as well. I wanted my kids to hear about how much work goes into creating a story like this in hopes that they might learn that things they might think are easy aren't always so.

My son did ask me to find a book with a male main character for our next book, and I think I've found just the one. Even with Janie being a girl, her storyline of jewel thief would appeal to readers of both genders. My children (minus the three-year-old) certainly enjoyed the story. I give I Survived: The Wellington Avalanche, 1910 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) this book? If so, what do you think? Let me know!