All Things Halloween Review - Sunrise on the Reaping

Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, # 0.5)

By: Suzanne Collins

Publication: March 18, 2025 by Scholastic Press

400 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Science Fiction

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--When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch's name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.

As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

I don't often return to series that I feel has been complete when additional books are written over time. Especially if a large amount of time has passed, and even more especially if the new book is a prequel. The Hunger Games already had a prequel that I wasn't the least bit interested in. I tried to force myself to get it and read it just to complete the series, but I was never interested in President Snow's story, so I never finished The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, but Haymitch was a much more interesting character from the original books in my opinion, and I heard good things about it from my nephew. So I decided to check it out. And I actually listened to this almost non-stop on our trip to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN in April.

Because this is a prequel, you already know how Haymitch's story ends. He wins his year of the hunger games. He is District 12's only winner. And he lives alone in the winner's village, drinking himself into a stupor more times than not. And yeah, so that's exactly where Sunrise on the Reaping ends. What the reader doesn't fully know or understand is the journey to get there.

I want to discuss some topics in detail, but I don't want to spoil anything for the reader since we already know so much about how this story ends; spoiling anything else would make the book pointless. I won't say that Sunrise on the Reaping is necessary to enjoy the series, but it does make an already interesting character more understandable and interesting.

The narrator, Jefferson White, did a great job. I can't tell you the last time I listened to a book entirely narrated by a male, but I enjoyed this one. Sometimes the female voices were a bit much, but it didn't bother me too much.

Sunrise on the Reaping was better than I thought it was going to be. At one point, I was hoping for an ending that was different from what I knew to be the actual ending. So to get me invested enough to hope against what I know to be true felt like a feat well accomplished. Sunrise on the Reaping gets 4 Stars. Have you read or listened to Sunrise on the Reaping? 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.

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.

A Founding Mother - Review

A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams – A Historical Novel of the Woman Who Helped Shape America from the Shadows

By: Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie

Narrated By: Cassandra Campbell

Publication: May 5, 2026 by William Morrow Paperbacks

464 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, American Revolution

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--In time for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the United States comes a sweeping, intimate portrayal of Abigail Adams—wife of one president and mother to another—whose wit, willpower, and wisdom helped shape the fledgling republic. A stunning historical novel with modern-day implications from the New York Times bestselling authors of America’s First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton.

In the heart of revolutionary Boston, Abigail Adams raises her children amid riots, blockades, and the outbreak of war. While her husband, John Adams, rises from country lawyer to nation-builder, often away for years at a time, Abigail builds her own independence—managing their farm, making lucrative investments, amassing savings, battling plague and loss, and defending their home. Unafraid to speak her mind, she famously offers fearless political counsel, urging John to “remember the ladies” in the new government. Through it all, she becomes his most trusted confidante and indispensable ally.

When peace is secured, Abigail steps onto the world stage—exchanging ideas with Thomas Jefferson in the French countryside, navigating court life as the wife of the Minister to Great Britain, and presiding over the parlor politics of the early American republic in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Even after her husband’s presidential administration, she continues battling political foes and working behind the scenes to advance her family, secure independence for the women in her life, and ensure a better life for the next generation of Americans.

From war-torn streets to the chandeliered halls of power, A Founding Mother is the unforgettable story of a woman ahead of her time—one whose voice, vision, and valor still resonate powerfully today.

Given the United States of America is set to turn 250 years old this July 4th, I saw A Founding Mother for review and knew I wanted to check it out. I requested the audio version because I knew I would get through it quicker that way. And man, was that the right choice! Cassandra Campbell does a wonderful job narrating the audio version.

I've got to be honest. I didn't know too much about John or Abigail Adams. Neither was a big part of my American History education throughout school, and after listening to this audiobook, I feel like that's probably a disservice to myself and to the Adams family and their service to the country.

I do find history fascinating. When you look at it through the lens of just being a collection of stories about individual people, then I find it much easier to learn about. I will say that I cried at least three times while listening to this book. I don't think that has ever happened to me while reading (or listening to) a book before. Part of that is the story, but also, as I mention, Cassandra Campbell does a wonderful job bringing this story to life. Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie's writing. All of it merging into a wonderful conglomeration.

Of course, when you're reading a book that isn't dual or multiple perspectives, you are just getting one person's point of view. So it's easier to sympathize with what a person is going through and to see that person as being the "good guy" and the people that oppose them as "bad guys". That isn't the correct lens to look at the world, though. Things are rarely black and white. And the people who might have worked against the Adams family have their own versions of events. I have come out of this story having learned a lot while also having a desire to learn more. And that's one of the best recommendations that I can give it.

It amazes me how much things haven't changed in our world. How, from the formation of America, the news has been printing lies, scandals, stirring the pot, and trying to take down the opposite political viewpoint. Today we often think of the biased news media as being a new thing. It's talked about so frequently that it's easy to see. But this has been happening since the beginning. It's also easy for us to think that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, and the country was unified and everyone was happy and working together to create this great nation. Without proper education on how truly difficult our forefathers fought to create our nation, it's so easy to forget what all the people who lived and died fought for. It seems like American History must hardly be taught, and what is taught is skewed.

For instance, I know that slavery is such a talked-about thing concerning America's foundation. And a lot of our founding fathers even owned slaves, but then when you look deeper, you learn that some of our founders opposed slavery from the beginning. Abigail was strongly against it, and her work for women's rights is something that could easily be forgotten because progress wasn't exactly made in her lifetime.

A Founding Mother was a deeply moving story about a woman whom I came to respect. My heart broke for her throughout the story, yet Abigail was a strong woman who stood through many heartbreaking times. She had a strong understanding of politics and helped her husband often throughout his political career. She was also a brilliant businesswoman, taking control of their family's finances nearly on her own while John was overseas and even after, to the point where John didn't concern himself with finances and he didn't even know how Abigail actually made money for their family. It's mind-blowing what she accomplished in a time when women weren't given the freedoms that we have today. The story itself is engaging enough for me to recommend it to my readers. I was never bored while listening to it.

Yet if you have a particular fondness or interest in history, I cannot recommend this book to you enough. A Founding Mother easily gets 5 Stars from me. As a matter of fact, A Founding Mother is the first book I've given 5 Stars to in 2026. Have you read or listened to A Founding Mother? What did you think? Let me know!

Seek the Traitor's Son - Review

Seek the Traitor's Son (The Burning Empire, # 1)

By: Veronica Roth

Narrated By: Imani Jade Powers; Max Meyers; Rebecca Soler; Steve West

Expected Publication: May 12, 2026 by Tor Books

432 pages

Genre: Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--A new epic romantic, dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor's Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth

Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

Seek the Traitor's Son had a slow start for me. I liked the idea of two people receiving the same prophecy. The prophecy isn't set in stone on which woman will come out as the "winner," but both will be the rise or fall of their people. Both will fall in love with a man. Man, I'm butchering this. Check out the description to see the details about the prophecy.

Elegy has always been the spare daughter. Her mother has served a prominent role in her nation, and her sister will be the heir to receive the role after their mother passes. Elegy doesn't even know her real father, but her adoptive father is basically the one who raised her. Elegy has an entire life. And not to spoil things, but the reader would know quickly upon the start of the book that Elegy is married at the beginning. So to hear this prophecy that she (or Rava Vidar) will be the one to conquer the other for their nations, and Elegy will fall in love with a man, she knows that it isn't her husband. Elegy rejects the idea of being the Hope of Cedrae. The reader has to know that Elegy's husband is either destined to die or they will get divorced. The reader just doesn't know which.

I am thankful that I had Seek the Traitor's Son on audiobook. This is definitely a book that would have been put off for months or years if I were actually reading it. The narrators did well. I was kind of sick of hearing the whole name Rava Vidar by the end of the book. I guess I would have likely felt that way whether listening or reading. But the emphasis that was put on this name was a little annoying. It kind of added to her character build-up that I didn't think was deserved.

Theron was up and down for me. He didn't have any more choice in his destiny than Elegy did. He was thrust into a position that he wasn't fully prepared for. He was once a coward, and then had to go through extensive difficulty to come out a different person. Theron's relationship with the guy who hated him felt forced to me. I can't remember his name, and due to having the audiobook copy, I can't exactly go hunting for it. This didn't feel realistic to me at all. I honestly chose to block it from my memory until the time to write this review. Had I known that this content was present within the book, I probably would have taken a pass on it.

The book ended on a cliffhanger, and at the time, I definitely thought I would need to find out what was going to happen next. But now that I've had a little distance between finishing Seek the Traitor's Son and writing this review, I've already lost a lot of my interest in seeing what's going to happen next. I can definitely see myself not continuing this series. It was complex, but I kept feeling like the story was lagging. Overall, not my favorite book from Veronica Roth. Seek the Traitor's Son gets 3 Stars. Have you read or listened to Seek the Traitor's Son? What did you think? Let me know!

Bloodsinger - Review

Bloodsinger (The Fire That Binds, # 2)

By: Juliette Cross

Narrated By: Blair Dade; Kale Williams

Publication: April 7, 2026 by Macmillan Audio

400 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Dragons

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--A spellbinding gift...

A plea answered by the gods...

An unforgiving world where dragons rule Rome.

Lela Bihari’s village was invaded on her wedding night, her betrothed murdered right in front of her. While her sisters were either dragged away or escaped, Lela was sold to Valerius, a consul of Rome.

When she tried to kill Valerius her first night as his slave, her bloodsinger gift manifested… and she was punished for it. Now she’s paraded in front of the other senators for their amusement.

But Trajan Tiberius, the newly elected tribune to the senate, is different. He has no love for the brutality around him. When he frees Lela from enslavement and hides her, Lela is set on a path of vengeance, and using her gift puts her in more danger than ever before.

Now trapped inside the walls of Rome while deathriders circle the skies, how can she possibly trust a Roman dragon? Especially when it is clear Trajan has ulterior schemes of his own? As her powers grow stronger, danger draws closer, and Lela realizes it isn't just her life at stake, but also her heart.

Bloodsinger is a fantasy with some dark themes, including elements of master/slave relationship, attempted sexual assault, and dubious consent—none of which is between the MCs. There is also a scene with self-injury. Listeners who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note.

I listened to the audio version of Bloodsinger which means that spelling or names and places is hard to get right. Also, I don't have any quotes to share or notes to refer back to. I enjoyed the dual narrators. They both did a good job and most of all enhanced the story and didn't take away from it at all.

Lela is Malina's sister that we met in Firebird. She was on the cusp of her wedding when her village was attacked, and her betrothed was killed in front of her. As the description states, she was sold as a slave to Valerius who tortured and abused her and made her wear a muzzle after her attempt to kill him with her bloodsinger gift. With one taste of anyone's blood she can command them to do what she wishes. But she has been abused and mistreated to the point of not having much faith in herself.

Trajan is invivted to Valerius's house often. After Julian's betrayal, Trajan has to stay close to the leaders to prove himself even though doubt is immediately thrust upon him simply because he used to be under Julian's command. And it's true, he has been plotting with Julian to take down Inniculus and the other vile dragon shifters that would take his place. He does everything he can to help Lela escape. Although, he knows Malina, he has no idea that Lela is her sister.

Trajan was sweet and took his time building his relationship with Lela given everything she's been through. Of course, there is on-page action which I usually skim over. And there's cursing which I also prefer to skip. It's more annoying to me in audiobooks because my eyes can jump over it while reading, but hearing it aloud is harder to ignore. Another frustration is that the endearments I complained about in the first book are the same used in this book even though the characters are different. Sure endearments can be cultural, but this is one of my pet peeves and an easy way to distinguish unique voices from character to character.

Bloodsinger was good. I listened to it quickly, and I did hate to have to put it down. I felt slightly less connection to the characters as well as the frustrations I mentioned above with the endearments having the lead characters sounding too simular to the characters from the previous book. I am excited about the sneak peek given into the next book in the series, and I look forward to continuing to unravel this world. Bloodsinger gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read or listened to Bloodsinger? If so, what did you think? Let me know!

Next Level Love - Review

Next Level Love

By: Shameez Patel

Narrated By: Shahjehan Khan; Jensen Olaya

Publication: January 20, 2026 by Forever

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Multicultural

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 your favorite player turns out to be your very real boss, the rules are a lot more complicated.

Elizabeth Gordon-Bettencourt is rebuilding her life on her own terms, starting with a new internship, a shot at her dream job as a civil engineer, and a whole lot of distance from her family’s drama. With her life full of change, the one constant is @theanswerisno, a charming gamer who seems to just . . . get her. Even if he has no interest in meeting her in real life.

Elizabeth would feel a lot more confident about her job if her new boss wasn’t so hard to read. Lincoln Carden is quiet, demanding, and adamant about avoiding small talk—especially in the office. What she doesn’t know is that online, he’s someone else entirely: quick, confident, and a little bit flirty. And his favorite player to team up with is @pancakesareelite, the one person who never makes him feel like he has to try so hard. As their two worlds start to collide, Elizabeth and Lincoln start to wonder: with their careers on the line and their online friendship at risk, is a romance IRL worth it?

I listened to Next Level Love when my family was hit with a fever virus. Everyone was down for the count, including me. Having something to listen to helped me pass the time when I felt like I didn't want to move and didn't have the energy to watch TV or hold my Kindle. Of course, I find that my enjoyment of a story tends to go up the faster I finish it. That being said, I finished Next Level Love in one day.

Lincoln is an engineer and gamer. His dad died when he was young, about eight, I think, when he was hit by a car as he was walking down the road. The road had no sidewalks. So, Lincoln has focused his engineering career on roads. He also has ADHD, so he struggles with distractions and has developed coping mechanisms to help him through his work. But he's always struggled to connect with other people. He has a group of friends, but he has always felt a little bit like an outsider with them. His mother is remarrying and moving out of his childhood home. She is expecting him to pack his father's office. Lincoln is being offered a trial run as a supervisor at his company, but he has to figure out how to manage people, specifically an intern.

Elizabeth is the stepdaughter of a famous guy. Yet she's escaped him and his influence and is trying to make her way in the engineering field. She's landed an internship that she's not sure she earned. Everyone treats her a specific way due to her last name (her stepfather's name). In her free time, she loves to play online games. Only she's beginning to suspect that the Link she's been chatting with online for years might actually be her boss.

I really appreciated that Next Level Love didn't have any on-page spice. Things "fade to black," so to speak. I can't remember any cursing, but if there was any, it would have been minimal. To be fair, I wasn't in my top brain while listening, so I might have missed it. But I love it when a story can prove that those things aren't needed to make a good and enjoyable book.

My eight-year-old son has, I believe, undiagnosed ADHD, so seeing an adult character with a rewarding and complicated career, with a friend group, and a love life. It helps my mama heart to see that some of the struggles we are having now might be able to be overcome because some days it feels hopeless, which I know isn't true.

The dual narrators, Shahjehan Khan and Jensen Olaya, did a great job. I felt their performances, and they never pulled me out of the story. That's the note of a good narration job.

Next Level Love was a really enjoyable book for me. I liked the ADHD representation. You could tell that Lincoln isn't white, but his race wasn't harped on, which I also appreciated. The relationship and all of the side pieces of the story came together very well, and every piece of the puzzle popped off the page feeling real and well-rounded. Next Level Love gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) Next Level Love? What did you think? Let me know!

I Want to Trust You But I Don't - Review

I Want to Trust You, but I Don't: Moving Forward When You’re Skeptical of Others, Afraid of What God Will Allow, and Doubtful of Your Own Discernment

By: Lysa TerKeurst

Publication: October 8, 2024 by Thomas Nelson

256 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Christian

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--New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst shows you what to do with your skepticism and distrust so you can heal from past betrayals and move forward with strength and resilience.

Trust is the oxygen of all human relationships. But it's also what trips you up after you've been burned. Maybe a friend constantly lets you down. A leader or organization you respect turns out to be different than they portray themselves to be. A spouse cheats on you. A family member betrays you. You're exhausted by other people's choices and starting to question your own discernment. And you're wondering, If God let this happen, can he even be trusted?

How can you live well and step into the future when you keep stumbling over trust issues? Lysa TerKeurst says it's not simply about finding better people to walk with. It's about developing the stability you long for within yourself and with God, so you don't become cynical and carry a broken belief system into every new relationship.

In I Want to Trust You, But I Don't, Lysa shows you how to identify which of the eleven relational red flags are stirring up distrust, so you can pinpoint why you're feeling uneasy;stop having more faith in your fears coming true than God coming through for you by asking crucial "what if" questions to better process your doubts;recognize when a fractured relationship can be repaired by considering a reasonable list of characteristics necessary for rebuilding trust; andunderstand the physical, emotional, and neurological impact of the betrayals you've experienced and start healing from the inside out.

In a world where so many things feel alarming, this book will give you a peace that isn't dependent on unpredictable people, circumstances, and experiences. Instead, it offers practical and biblical ways to make real progress toward healthier perspectives, relationships, and a future you can authentically look forward to.

I've read several books by Lysa TerKeurst, but I've not read them all. The last one I read was Forgiving What You Can't Forget which was about the healing and restoration of her marriage. I don't follow her so I was surprised when I dove into this book to find out that her marriage didn't survive afterall. I hate it for her. This book was written from a place where her hurt and trauma could be felt. I felt so bad for her, while also being able to relate on some levels. Of course, none of us have experienced exactly the same hurts and betrayals.

I have to say that while I have come a long way from a lot of my own truama and personal betrayals, I still find myself struggling to trust at times. And I still find myself trying to control all the things I have no business trying to control. This book brought some of those experiences back to the forefront of my mind, which I didn't want. I do want to move forward, truly forgive fullly, and move on. So bringing some of these memories back to the surface was a painful experience for me. And I had to proceed slowly through this book. I couldn't just plow through it. I ended up putting it down for quite a long time before returning and finishing it.

If you have been betrayed and you hope to regain some of the trust that was lost, I would recommend this book as a resource for you. I think Lysa has some good tips. It's always helpful to know that we aren't alone and that we haven't experienced something that no one else in the world has experienced. So comisserating and seeing how someone else processed their pain can be helpful. I appreciate her attempts to always be learning from God during her life no matter if that's from pain or joy. I strive to do the same in my own.

I always appreciate that Lysa often narrates her own books. I switched back and forth between listening to this on audio and reading it. Both are equally good. I didn't find myself rating this as 5 Stars probably for a couple of reasons 1) my trauma and betrayal isn't new and these aren't feelings I'm actively working through, 2) I had to put this book down for a long time and having a big gap in the reading experience caused continuity issues for me. This is solely my fault and no fault of the book itself, but it does affect my experience reading it. Either way, I'm giving I Want to Trust You But I Don't 4.5 Stars. Have you read or listened to I Want to Trust You But I Don't? What did you think? Let me know!

The House Saphir - Review

The House Saphir

By: Marissa Meyer

Narrated by: Rebecca Soler

Publication: November 4, 2025 by Macmillan Young Listeners

Duration: 12 Hours, 15 Minutes, 3 Seconds

432 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--From the #1 New York Times bestselling "Queen of Fairytale Retellings" and author of Cinder and Heartless, this is the tale of Bluebeard as it's never been told before—a thrilling romantasy and murder mystery.

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she comes from a long line of witches, the only magic she possesses is the ability to see ghosts, which is rarely as useful as one would think. She and her sister have maintained the family business, eking out a paltry living by selling bogus spells to gullible buyers and conducting tours of the infamous mansion where the first of the Saphir murders took place.

Mallory is a self-proclaimed expert on Count Bastien Saphir—otherwise known as Monsieur Le Bleu—who brutally killed three of his wives more than a century ago. But she never expected to meet Bastien's great-great grandson and heir to the Saphir estate. Armand is handsome, wealthy, and convinced that the Fontaine Sisters are as talented as they claim. The perfect mark. When he offers Mallory a large sum of money to rid his ancestral home of Le Bleu's ghost, she can’t resist. A paid vacation at Armand’s country manor? It’s practically a dream come true, never mind the ghosts of murdered wives and the monsters that are as common as household pests.

But when murder again comes to the House Saphir, Mallory finds herself at the center of the investigation—and she is almost certain the killer is mortal. If she has any hope of cashing in on the payment she was promised, she’ll have to solve the murder and banish the ghost, all while upholding the illusion of witchcraft.

But that all sounds relatively easy compared to her biggest learning to trust her heart. Especially when the person her heart wants the most might be a murderer himself.

I have an up-and-down relationship with Marissa Meyer's books. I loved the Lunar Chronicle series. And I enjoyed the first book in the Gilded series. I never finished book 2. I wasn't sure about The House Saphir, but I decided to take a chance and check it out. And I am glad that I got the audiobook version so I could do that.

The House Saphir is about a girl who is pretending to be a witch in order to trick people into paying for haunted house tours, seances, trinkets, potions, and various other things. She and her sister are simply trying to survive by whatever means necessary. Specifically, she is using a local mansion in disrepair where the owner is known to have killed his four wives before he himself died.

Mallory is approached on one such tour by the descendant of Count Bastian Saphir who wants to use her services to expell the ghost of the count from the house. Mallory and her sister move into the house hoping to milk the experience for all the time and money they can. Only Mallory begins to develop feelings for Armand, the man who hired her. And things aren't quite as they seem all around.

I am so thankful that I listened to this book on audio. I have nearly zero experience with French. And many, many words would have been horribly butchered or skipped entirely had I been reading this book myself and not listening to it. The narrator did a wonderful job.

I can't say that anything about the story itself, plot wise, was a surprise. Things played out pretty expectedly. The creatures and the magic were fairly unique at least to my knowledge. Again, I'm not up on any French folklore if these beasts were inspired by anything or completely fictional created by Marissa Meyer.

There was enough of a romance to satisfy me. I don't usually enjoy reading if that's entirely missing. I don't remember much cursing. And there are no spicy scenes to worry about.

The House Saphir was better than I was expecting. Yet I wasn't expecting a lot given that I was on the fence about this book. I've liked Marissa Meyer in the past, but the description didn't seem entirely something that I would normally gravitate towards. Unless you're familiar with French, I do suggest listening to the audiobook. The House Saphir gets 3 Stars. Have you read or listened to The House Saphir? What did you think? Let me know!

A Presumptuous Hope - Review

A Presumptuous Hope (Daughters of the Gentry, # 3)

By: Jennie Goutet

Publication: September 12, 2024 by Millefeuille Press

272 pages

Genre: Adult, Regency, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance

Source: Listened to for free from the author's YouTube channel (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--Who declared that every lady of a certain age must of a certainty wish for marriage? Who said a handsome man of fortune might command any woman he pleases for the role of wife?

In the quiet countryside of Lincolnshire, Christine Grey is perfectly content with her life of spinsterhood, finding solace in the companionship of her beloved animals. In the tranquil routine of her days, she spends time with her married friends and puts up with her brother who would try the patience of a saint. Content in her independence, she asks for nothing more.

Alexander Thorne arrives in Horncastle a newly minted knight and owner of the long-dormant Ashbourne—an estate, which borders the Greys'. His aspirations to prove his worthiness lead him to pursue the life and sport of a country gentleman, and through it a clash with his pretty neighbor. His arrival stirs whispers among the locals, and skepticism in Christine’s heart.

When circumstances force them into a compromising situation, they have no choice but to face the necessity to wed. To their surprise, the connection between them deepens even as doubts continue to linger. Christine wonders if her hopes for a happy marriage are too presumptuous, particularly for a woman of her station. Alexander must grapple with his own insecurities as he strives to be husband to a woman as worthy as Christine.

A Presumptuous Hope is a companion book in a series. I think it's probably 3rd in the series (Daughters of the Gentry), but Goodreads didn't list it as part of a series, so it was hard for me to determine it's exact location within the series. I am only using the relationship statuses from side characters that have their own books which take place prior to this book as a guide to determine the order. But I didn't know any of that before starting A Presumptuous Hope.

Christine lives with her brother. She handles his household business as if she is the mistress of the house. Yet she also enjoys getting her hands dirty with things like cleaning, gardening, etc. She also has a love for animals--specifically dogs. When she and her dogs are almost run over by a man gallopping through the woods, she's immediately put off by someone who would endanger her beloved dogs.

Alex is new to the area and has recently taken up residence in the neighboring estate to Christine and her brother. Alex and Christine have a handful of awkward and perhaps off-putting experiences. I found this to be a fun twist on enemies-to-lovers. They aren't enemies exactly, but there's definitely a level of dislike or at the very least awkwardness between them.

Alex and Christine find themselves in an abandoned hut one night when on the way to a country ball or event of some kind (I can't remember the details). They arrive seperately, but Christine nearly drowned in the process of escaping the rising floodwaters. Alex cannot abandon her. Unfortunately, they are compromised simply from being alone together. Circumstances push Alex to propose, yet Christine doesn't want to force anyone to marry her. I appreciated her stance, especially given their initial interactions. Yet I also liked the view of how even the friends and family of the two parties involved suffered the mistreatment of others as a result of her decision to refuse Alex's proposal.

I listened to A Presumptuous Hope on audio, so I don't have any quotes to share with you. This was a quick and fun story--exactly the type of book that I enjoy breaking up some heavier or longer books with a change in genre and tone. A Presumptuous Hope gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) A Presumptuous Hope? What did you think? Let me know!

Threaded Lies - Review

Threaded Lies (Tangled Hearts, # 2)

By: K. Bromberg

Expected Publication: October 14, 2025 by Bramble

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Holden
I let my guard down.
And got screwed over by a woman without even knowing why.
But it won’t happen again.
Because the only thing I care about is burning this whole place down.

Rowan
Two can play this game.
I gave my heart to a man who set out from the get-go to destroy it.
Now I’m more than ready to show him just who he messed with.
You wanted a war, Holden Knight.
You’ve got one.

Holden Knight has a plan to take down two men and their families that were responsible for the hit and run that killed his brother along with the coverup that resulted. In the previous book, Twisted Knight, you can see that Holden's plan originally included taking down Rowan as well. He had an interaction or two with her twin sister that led him to believe she was the same as the rest of her family, but he has since realized that she isn't. And his plans have changed. But all of the lies that he told at the beginning of the previous book are catching up with him.

Rowan fell in love with Holden. But now she's uncovered a piece of his plan which was to cut her out of the company she has worked so hard to keep going for her grandmother's sake. She loves the company, and she realizes that she never trusted Holden, perhaps with good reasons. She goes about trying to acheive her goal by other means which is to get married so she can get her inheritance. She agrees to marry, Chad, one of the men in Holden's sights and a man that has been in love with her his whole life. Chad knows she isn't agreeing to marry him because she loves him. But he's willing to play his part to get what he wants. Only Rowan begins to see that Holden is keeping up his end of the bargain and giving her all of the things he agreed to.

Language is intense. But thankfully, the physical scenes weren't as intense as the previous book--except maybe the dress scene. There wasn't as many of them, I don't think. It isn't like I counted them. I do wish skipping those spicy scenes was easier to do on audio.

The plot brought me back for this second book. And I do plan to finish the series out. But personal preferences are less language and less spice. I am giving Threaded Lies 3 Stars. If I wasn't already invested, I probably would have skipped this series, but now that I'm here, I need to know what's going to happen in the end. Have you read or listened to Threaded Lies? What did you think? Let me know!

To Hunt an Heiress - Review

To Hunt an Heiress

By: Martha Keyes

Narrated By: Paula Hunt

Publication: June 2, 2025 by Paradigm Press

284 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--He’s after her heart—and her money. He’ll have to fight her for his dignity first.

Sebastian Drake is in dire need of a fortune. With limited time and a dearth of wealthy relatives to will him such a thing, he is left with only one marry money. Happily, London is full of eligible heiresses, but it is the newest arrival in Town who catches his eye.

Selina Lawrence is only just rid of one husband—the last thing she wants is to acquire another. When she finds herself the target of the charming Mr. Drake, a suspected fortune hunter, what is she to do but teach the man a valuable lesson?

However, both Sebastian’s attempts to woo Selina and her efforts to humble him backfire in unexpected ways, leaving them entangled in a battle of wits and hearts.

To Hunt an Heiress is a closed-door romance full of banter, fun, and swoony moments. The books in the Bachelors of Blackstone's series can be enjoyed in any order.

Oh my goodness, guys! This was such a fun book! We meet Sebastian and discover that he's in search of a wife, but his most pressing requirement is that she possess a fortune. We don't know why at first. So we see Sebastian propose to a lady with whom he has zero connection. This lady is eccentric at best, but the way she hands Sebastian his tail after this proposal is everything it needed to be. Sebastian then goes back to the drawing board to find a new prospect. His buddies point him in the direction of Miss Lawrence. He thinks that because Selina was not wealthy before her marriage, she might have married for money, as he's trying to do. And his thought process is that she won't fault him for doing the same thing she did. Only, he doesn't expect to find her attractive and enjoy her company.

Selina feels like she was duped into marriage. She feels like her parents pushed her into a marriage that she wasn't ready for. She originally thought her husband loved her, but she came to learn that he liked her for how she appeared as his wife. She was almost a prize to be shown, like one would show a work of art. He didn't love and value her. She isn't mourning his passing. But she doesn't have the desire to marry again at all. She is only sponsoring her sister-in-law's sister and trying to help her marry without the mistakes that Selina made. When the uncle (I think) of the first girl that Sebastian proposed to tells Selina that he only asked her to marry him because he's a fortune hunter, Selina decides to teach him a lesson.

Truth be told, Selina is hurt to find out that Sebastian might be a fortune hunter. She was beginning to genuinely like him. She places a series of challenges before him in such a subtle way that he doesn't realize he's being tested (and failing) until it's almost too late. However, Sebastian has good reasons to seek marriage for money. More than meets Selina's eye. And once he figures out her game, he decides that two can play.

I enjoyed every minute of this audiobook. The narrator, Paula Hunt, does a wonderful job. I never felt pulled out of the story because of her narration style. The marcupial, Pip, adds to the story. Who doesn't love a good monkey sidekick? I wish I had some quotes to share, but it's so hard to get them correct with audiobooks.

Ultimately, I loved this story. Selina and Sebastian were so easy to root for. Their pranks and challenges were hilarious. I even giggled out loud at least once. I will definitely check out more books by Martha Keyes. To Hunt an Heiress gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) To Hunt an Heiress? What did you think? Let me know!

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.