The Library of Lost Things - Review

The Library of Lost Things

By: Laura Taylor Namey

Expected Publication: October 8th 2019 by Inkyard Press

384 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

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

Goodreads description--From the moment she first learned to read, literary genius Darcy Wells has spent most of her time living in the worlds of her books. There, she can avoid the crushing reality of her mother’s hoarding and pretend her life is simply ordinary. But when a new property manager becomes more active in the upkeep of their apartment complex, the only home Darcy has ever known outside of her books suddenly hangs in the balance.

While Darcy is struggling to survive beneath the weight of her mother’s compulsive shopping, Asher Fleet, a former teen pilot with an unexpectedly shattered future, walks into the bookstore where she works…and straight into her heart. For the first time in her life, Darcy can’t seem to find the right words. Fairy tales are one thing, but real love makes her want to hide inside her carefully constructed ink-and-paper bomb shelter.

Still, after spending her whole life keeping people out, something about Asher makes Darcy want to open up. But securing her own happily-ever-after will mean she’ll need to stop hiding and start living her own truth—even if it’s messy.

I usually try to review a finished book before moving onto a new book, but these days it's easier to move on to another book than it is to sit down and type up a review. So The Library of Lost Things isn't as fresh in my mind as I'd like.

I picked up The Library of Lost Things because of the hoarding aspect. I can't say that I've ever read a book that dealt with this subject in any form. So the uniqueness really brought me in. Husband isn't a hoarder, but he certainly attaches sentiment to objects whereas I'm much less sentimental with material things. And Laura Taylor Namey really took on the topic well I thought. Of course, we weren't seeing the hoarding from Darcy's mother's perspective but from Darcy's.

While I liked Darcy and I liked Asher, I did feel like the romance between the two was missing something. It was a slow build for sure, which I usually like, but I wish there would have been a bit more heat or passion I guess. I don't know. Something hard to put my finger on was missing.

Initially I was annoyed with Darcy's "word of the day". This is a little overused in YA books where characters are prepping for the SATs. But this wasn't the deal at all and was worked into the overall story much better than I've ever seen it before.

For a debut, I thought Laura Taylor Namey showed a lot of promise. She wrote with a purpose. Her words chosen specifically and often poetically. It wasn't lyrical like I've seen from Lauren Oliver, Maggie Stiefvater, or Tahereh Mafi. But her words had multiple meanings at times which I can certainly appreciate. I will look out for future books from her, but I also hope to see some continued polish with pacing, the romantic relationship, and a few other areas.

The one area and character that never disappointed was best friend Marisol. The easiest choice for the best best friend of the year so far. Everything about her was wonderful. She was supportive. She never battled Darcy for center-stage. She was amazing. I loved her. I wish I had my own Marisol.

Favorite quote:

-"Don't you know? You've got me, Wells."

I want to talk more about the cause of the hoarding and how Darcy handled her relationship with her mother, but I feel like most of that is spoiler-area. I will say that some of the ultimate conflict didn't have the "oomph" that I was looking for.

The Library of Lost Things was a solid debut for author Laura Taylor Namey. It wasn't perfect. I wanted a little bit more passion from the romance and felt ultimately the build up behind the hoarding wasn't quite what I wanted it to be. Yet, I loved the side relationships. Marisol, in particular, was awesome. I'll be looking out for more from this author. The Library of Lost Things gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read The Library of Lost Things? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Selah

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Selah (The Sugar Baron's Daughter, # 3)

By: Lisa T Bergren

Expected Publication: March 3rd 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

352 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

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

Goodreads description--Selah Banning has come of age on the West Indies island of Nevis, shaped by experiences far beyond the typical upbringing of a young British lady in 1777. She never anticipated that the most tumultuous time of her life might await her in the year ahead.

Jedediah Reed, a young Methodist preacher with a call to serve the slaves of Nevis, has settled at Selah's family's plantation, the Double T. As Selah's heart is drawn to the same people, their shared purpose brings them together--despite her guardians' concern with a romance that promises little security for the future.

As Jedediah's faith and Selah's abolitionist leanings lead to changes on the plantation, the Revolutionary War continues to build in the States. With the threat of starvation and the conflict with island mogul Angus Shubert growing ever stronger, the future of the Double T and its people hangs in the balance.

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

Never Have I Ever - Review

Never Have I Ever

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated By: Amanda Ronconi & Jason Clarke

Publication: July 30th 2019 by Audible Studios

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher (Thank you!!)

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

Goodreads description--What happens when two frenemies can't stop pushing each other's buttons? Find out in this tender, laugh-out-loud funny romance from number-one New York Times best-selling author Lauren Blakely, available in audio first!

Never Have I Ever been so infuriated by a man I wanted to kiss.

They say opposites attract, but I beg to differ. Combust is more like it. Because every single time I talk to Zach Nolan, I see red.

The too-good-looking, too-smart, too-effortlessly-charming single dad who works down the hall from me has turned getting under my skin into a sport. Call it the battle of wits between the wedding planner and the divorce attorney. Trouble is, when we’re forced into closer quarters, planning an engagement party for our best friends, I start to see his other sides.

And I fear I’m falling for the enemy.

***

I’m not out to make friends. My goals are simple -- fight till the end for my clients, and my family. The last thing I need is a vibrant, outgoing, snarky, and surprisingly big-hearted wedding planner to spend my precious free time with…except, watching Piper bond with my daughter just might break down the cinder block walls I’ve built around my heart these last few years. Second chances don’t come around for guys like me…or do they?

I listened to the majority of this book while mowing the grass one day after Husband had his Lasik procedure and cutting grass wasn't allowed. It was so relaxing to be productive and enjoy a good book at the same time.

Never Have I Ever is a dual narrative. I enjoyed both the male and female audiobook narrators. The only times I didn't enjoy this as an audiobook was during the steamy scenes. I prefer those to be kept to a minimum or non-existent, and there were only two maybe three scenes max so I wasn't affected too terribly much by that. But even less would have better fit my reading preferences.

I wasn't sure how the game "Never Have I Ever" would fit into a story about wedding planning and divorce lawyers. But Lauren Blakely worked it in in a classy manner. It started with a bride wanting to play the game with her wedding party, and Piper tactfully explains why this would be a terrible idea. It's hard for me to believe that adults still play this game, and to try to work it into your wedding events kind of blows my mind, but I can also see that a very specific type of person might very well try to do just that. But then Piper ends up playing the game with Zach's daughter in a very light and G rated way. The game, of course, works its way into Zach and Piper's interactions, but I felt like this could have even been played up a bit more.

Zach was what you would think and more at the same time. He sounds like a typical male Romance lead, but he's not a player. He's not some bad boy out sleeping around until he finds the one who will make him change his ways. No. He's always been a one-woman man. He loved deeply his first wife before she died. And now that he has kids, he's not even interested in becoming anything different. I respected him for that. He wasn't about trying to sow his wild oats now that his wife was gone. He was more concerned about his children and their needs than anything else.

Piper was easy to like. She's built her business from the ground up. She's made a name for herself. She cares deeply for her clients and pulling off the wedding of their dreams, even if that means stepping into roles that shouldn't really be needed of a wedding planner. But she's got their backs. I loved how Piper first established a relationship with Zach's daughter before softening to him at all.

I could have done without Piper's sister's side story. I suppose she was there to round things out and give Piper a little added conflict and tension for making everything in her business work. But I think just simply needing and wanting to succeed might have been enough for me.

All in all, I very much enjoyed Never Have I Ever. It wasn't perfect for me, but it was a fun, cute book that inspired me to try and fit more audiobooks back into my life. The characters were easier to respect and thus like than I sometimes find from the adult romance genre. Never Have I Ever gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened) to Never Have I Ever? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 9/15/19

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Husband was off work all but Tuesday of the week before last. He needed to use some PTO. It was really nice having him home. We left Friday after getting Little Girl from school for LaGrange, Georgia to spend the weekend at Great Wolf Lodge. This was our first real vacation with having two kids. I mean we've been to visit relatives but not really a family vacation. And since we took two trips earlier this summer without them we really wanted to take them somewhere they would enjoy. The kids had a blast. They loved the water park. Little Girl probably enjoyed it the most of all of us. I had to keep telling her she couldn't just run off without me. Little Boy did have fun, but boy did he want Daddy to just carry him around a lot. The kids were late getting to bed the first night but slept really well. And then none of us slept good Saturday night. We left after breakfast and check out Sunday morning to go visit our niece and her newborn baby. This week was back to normal. Back in our own beds and on our normal schedule. Little Girl is loving school still. Even on days that aren't school days (she only goes 3 days a week) she asks me if she can go to school anyway. We went for walks when we could (weather depending since it's been so hot). Played outside. I've been catching up on things around the house. It's amazing how being gone a little over 48 hours causes a back up in ALL THE THINGS.

THE PAST TWO WEEKS:

Monday 9/2: Labor Day (US) - No Blog Post
Wednesday 9/4: Can't Wait for Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters
Thursday 9/5: Review of Verity (The Sugar Baron's Daughter, # 2) by Lisa T Bergren (4 Stars)

Monday 9/9: Review of Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, # 3) by Jenny Han (4.5 Stars)
Tuesday 9/10: Ten Books I Have Been Avoiding Reading
Wednesday 9/11: Can't Wait for The Runaway Bride (The Bride Ships, # 2) by Jody Hedlund

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Never Have I Ever by Lauren Blakely
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2019 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2019 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Devil's Ballast

By: Meg Caddy

Publication: May 7th 2019 by Text Publishing

288 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( 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.

Goodreads description--ANNE Bonny was eighteen when she ran away from her violent husband, James, into the arms of pirate captain Calico Jack Rackham. Now she’s ensconced aboard Jack’s ship Ranger, passing as a cabin boy, and playing her ruthless part in a crew that is raining down mayhem and murder on the ships of the Caribbean.

But James Bonny is willing to pay to get his ‘property’ back. And pirate-hunter Captain Barnet is happy to take his money.

The Ranger’s a fast ship: Anne might just be able to outrun Barnet. But can she outrun the consequences of her relationship with Calico Jack?

Action-packed yet nuanced, culturally relevant and sharp as a cutlass, this new novel by the remarkable Meg Caddy brings to life one of history’s most fascinating anti-heroines.

Realm of Knights (Knights of the Realm, # 1)

By: Jennifer Anne Davis

Publication: September 10th 2019 by Reign Publishing

270 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( 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.

Goodreads description--Reid has spent her whole life pretending to be a man so she can inherit her father’s estate, but when a chance encounter threatens to expose her lie, she is forced to risk everything.

In the kingdom of Marsden, women are subservient to men and land can only pass from father to son. So when Reid Ellington is born, the fifth daughter to one of the wealthiest landholders in the kingdom, it’s announced that Reid is a boy.

Eighteen years later, Reid struggles to conceal the fact she’s actually a young woman. Every day, her secret becomes harder to keep. When one of Marsden’s princes sees her sparring with a sword, she is forced to accept his offer and lead her father’s soldiers to the border. Along the way, she discovers a covert organization within the army known as the Knights of the Realm. If Reid wants to save her family from being arrested for treason and robbed of their inheritance, she will have to join the Knights and become a weapon for the crown.

To protect her family, Reid must fight like a man. To do that, she’ll need the courage of a woman.

The Stars We Steal

By: Alexa Donne

Publication: February 4th 2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

400 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Retellings

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( 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.

Goodreads description--Engagement season is in the air. Eighteen-year-old Princess Leonie “Leo” Kolburg, heir to a faded European spaceship, only has one thing on her mind: which lucky bachelor can save her family from financial ruin?

But when Leo’s childhood friend and first love Elliot returns as the captain of a successful whiskey ship, everything changes. Elliot was the one that got away, the boy Leo’s family deemed to be unsuitable for marriage. Now, he’s the biggest catch of the season and he seems determined to make Leo’s life miserable. But old habits die hard, and as Leo navigates the glittering balls of the Valg Season, she finds herself failing for her first love in a game of love, lies, and past regrets.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Runaway Bride

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

The Runaway Bride (The Bride Ships, # 2)

By: Jody Hedlund

Expected Publication: March 3rd 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

384 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian 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.

Goodreads description--Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.

Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.

As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need—a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?

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