Sunday Post - 02/08/26

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

Monday was a pretty normal day. I ended up keeping Little Boy home from school to just give him a little extra time to get well. Monday evening, Big Girl had pitching practice, and then both big kids went to martial arts. Tuesday, we went to my parents. I had a dentist appointment. All went well there. After my parents, I did my grocery pickup. Tuesday evening, Big Girl had softball evaluations for rec league. Wednesday, Little Boy was back to school. Wednesday afternoon, one of the coaches from evaluations called and asked us if we'd be interested in Big Girl joining a travel ball team. We are not currently interested in travel ball, but it was an honor to be asked. Thursday, the big kids had their first homeschool class with their new group. That went great. They both had a really good time, and it was exciting to see other kids from both our co-op last year and from martial arts. Thursday after lunch we had several errands. We dropped by my parents' house to give my mom her birthday present that finally arrived. Then we went by Five Below. I had to buy a hoola hoop for Big Girl to use for a pitching drill. The kids wanted to spend some allowance money so we ended up stopping by Target. Then we came home. Thursday evening the big kids had martial arts. Friday was a pretty normal day. We didn't have any errands or extra curriculars. Saturday, Big Girl had a softball camp at the local high school. And I worked on mopping and cleaning the house. We even moved the couches and pulled the rug up to clean under there. This week will be even busier than normal. We are hoping to get a belt testing date soon for martial arts. Overlapping sports is always A LOT! But, sometimes we have to choose overlapping a couple of week or taking a couple of month entirely off. Neither is wrong. I have been reading a good bit, and I've already been blowing through some audiobook this year. But man, I am so far behind on writing book reviews which has become normal over the past several years.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of If You'll Have Me by Esther Hatch (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for An Honorable Love (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?) by Audra Wells
Friday: Homeschool Friday - A Tiger in the Tall Grass (Animal Adventures) by Heather Horn

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Reivew of The Last Wish of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 2) by Mary E Pearson
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Friday: Homeschool Friday - The Friend Who Forgives

NEW BOOKS:

A Foolish Proposal (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?)

By: Kasey Stockton

Publication: February 5, 2026 by Golden Owl Press

256 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--One careless remark. One outrageous proposal. One Season to discover love where they least expect it.

Caroline Whitby needs a husband. Unfortunately, her charmingly infuriating neighbor Tristan Shepherd just ruined her best prospect—and then had the audacity to propose himself. If only she didn’t despise him and his insufferably flirtatious grin.

***The Gentlemen's Gamble is a series about seven men racing to the altar in order to avoid losing a wager. Starting January, the books will release in surprise order so as not to give away who the final bachelor and loser of the wager is.

A Deal with a Debutante (London's Most Eligible, # 1)

By: Chelsea Bobulski

Expected Publication: April 7, 2026 by Haven

304 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--She’s running from London’s marriage mart. He’s running out of time to save his estate. Neither planned on falling in love—but their hearts have other plans.

American heiress Calliope Hart is thrust into London’s high society against her will, all because her mother is determined to marry her off to an aristocrat. Despite being named “the debutante of the season” back in New York, Calliope wants nothing more than to avoid becoming another pawn in the social game.

Edward Chase, the Earl of Hayward, is on the brink of financial ruin. To save his estate, he must marry, and Calliope Hart is his last hope. When he boldly declares his intentions, she swiftly rejects him, making it clear she has no interest in marrying for convenience. Undeterred, Edward offers a deal: He will escort Calliope to all the best sights of London that she’s been dying to see if she agrees to visit his estate and consider what they could accomplish together.

What begins as a business arrangement soon sparks something much more complicated—an undeniable chemistry neither can ignore. But as their hearts begin to soften, both must confront their fears: Can Calliope trust Edward with her heart, and can Edward truly win her love when she’s convinced he only wants her fortune?

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

Homeschool Friday - A Tiger in the Tall Grass

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.

A Tiger in the Tall Grass (Animal Adventures)

By: Heather Horn

Illustrated By: Victoria Skakandi

Publication: January 1, 2024 by The Good and the Beautiful, Level-2

68 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Book, Christian, Educational, Early Chapter Book

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | The Good and the Beautiful )

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

Goodreads description--Adventure is always a step away for young tiger cubs Kash, Reva, and Lata. Their curiosity keeps their mother, Tara, on her feet! What will the cubs discover as they explore the tall grass, splash in the water, and wander a little too far from their mother? Follow the tiger cubs as they escape danger and learn to hunt in the tall grasses of India.

A Tiger in the Tall Grass is listed as a Level-2A reader by The Good and the Beautiful. We get a lot of homeschool curriculum and books from The Good and the Beautiful. My seven-year-old son is a reluctant reader. He can read, but I'm pretty sure he has ADHD and is easily distracted while reading. He is always easily overwhelmed when he sees either a lot of words on one page or many pages in between his starting and stopping point. So I love that this is a chapter book. Early chapter books for this reading level get the child accustomed to reading in chapters without feeling like he has to complete the entire book. A Tiger in the Tall Grass also has pictures included for every page or opening.

A Tiger in the Tall Grass is an informational book that follows a female tiger who gives birth to cubs and her journey to raise her cubs. The tigers are given names, so in that way it is a fictional story. But it focuses more on the life of a tiger and not just a fictional story. The goal of the book is to present information about tigers in a way that kids will easily absorb and be interested in the story.

One complaint that I had is that the tiger names were probably chosen so as to be authentic to cultural names that might be used in the area where tigers naturally inhabit. This is a guess on my part, but the names were ones that could have been interpreted with more than one pronunciation. I would prefer names with more clear-cut pronunciations when dealing with early readers. I'm not even sure if Reva is Re-va or Rev-a. Tara and Lata are the same.

Now for our personal experience while reading this book: My son was fine with starting the book, but he put it down for a week or so, and when I basically forced him to finish it, he wasn't happy about it. I don't know if that's the book's fault or because my son has some oppositional behaviors and doesn't like being forced to do anything.

A Tiger in the Tall Grass was a good level-2 chapter reader. It's educational while also presenting information about tigers in a story format. My son wasn't happy about finishing this book, but I don't imagine he'll enjoy every book he reads. He mostly doesn't enjoy reading at this stage. From my perspective, A Tiger in the Tall Grass gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read A Tiger in the Tall Grass? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for An Honorable Love

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.

An Honorable Love (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?)

By: Audra Wells

Expected Publication: March 19, 2026

? pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--One grump. One thief. One highly-questionable adventure.

Leonard Stanton has perfected the art of being alone. He keeps to the edges of ballrooms, and society, whenever possible. But when a priceless family heirloom is stolen off his very person, he finds himself dragged into the one thing he hates most—a social entanglement.

Enter Miss Honora Gillingham. Vexingly cheerful, utterly unpredictable, and the last person Leonard should trust. Mostly because . . . she’s the one who stole from him.

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

If You'll Have Me - Review

If You'll Have Me

By: Esther Hatch

Expected Publication: February 3, 2026 by Shadow Mountain Publishing

320 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--A lady desperately seeking freedom. A prosperous younger man. An unexpected connection.

Anna Atwood returns to Breckenridge, where she spent one blissful summer as a young woman. This time, though, she comes to the quaint town as a penniless spinster with a single hope: to build a life free from the constraints her father’s death put on her and free from the persistent suitor Mr. Green, whose plans for marriage are Anna’s worst nightmare. When she runs into David Tate, the boy she knew from that memorable summer, she finds he has grown into a confident and striking man. As they rekindle their friendship, David offers her warmth and protection in the moment she needs it most—when Mr. Green appears in town and threatens to destroy Anna’s carefully laid plans.

David Tate remembers Anna as the spirited woman who once brought light into his dark childhood. Now a man of means, he has a promising future, if he can withstand the powerful Lord Murphy—a man whose menacing hold on the town he owns is surpassed only by his relentless hold on David’s life. When David meets Anna again, he realizes he has a chance to save her from Mr. Green’s schemes, even if it means putting David in danger of Lord Murphy’s wrath and revealing David’s deepest secrets.

In a moment of desperation, David and Anna agree to a proposal of convenience to provide the safety they both need. But as their attraction ignites, the looming dangers from Lord Murphy and Mr. Green threaten to destroy their budding happiness.

Esther Hatch is an auto-read author for me. I have loved every book I've read by her. And this one was no different.

Anna and her mother are in trouble. Her father passed and her relations have decided that they will no longer support Anna and her mother. But they just need a little over a year for Anna to be able to access her inheritance. Anna convinces her mother to return to Breckenridge where they spent one summer when Anna was seventeen. Some friends they made have a cottage that Anna and her mother can stay at, but only for two weeks because they have already rented it. Anna's only other option is to marry a man who is twice her age and as sleazy as they come.

However, their first day back, Anna runs into David who used to follow Anna around that summer. David is three years younger than Anna which isn't typical in historical fiction. David kept his family a secret from Anna back then. His father is Lord Murphy and is quite abusive. As adults, David and his sister Julia are mostly left alone at the family's country estate due to the sacrifice of their older brother, Griffin. David has been in love with Anna since he was fourteen. He had no idea if he would ever see her again though.

When the awful man pursuing Anna's hand shows up to a dinner, David takes matters into his own hands and declares that Anna can't marry Mr. Green because she is engaged to him. The two intend to call off their engagement in time because David has no plans to ever marry. This was a little confusing to me. He was obviously enamored with Anna from the start. So why go through so much trouble to "enjoy their engagement" when that would only leave him with the inevitable broken heart in the end. Yet I suppose he was just so thankful to get to have these moments with Anna that he never dreamed he would actually get.

The aspects involving Lord Murphy felt alittle unrealistic. A little too dramatic. But real life can definitely be stranger than fiction.And I appreciated this book touching on the idea of a member of the peerage being abusive. Obviously, that part could have been real.

Anna and David were such a great couple. And my heart broke for David and his siblings. I am interested to see if Esther Hatch will pursue stories for the side characters, Julia especially, but Griffin also.

Favorite quotes:

-"You see, if I were to fall from this branch right now—” I grabbed her arm. “Please don’t. David would be extremely disappointed in me if I allowed that.” “But if it were to happen—” I tightened my hold. “It won’t.” She narrowed one eye at me as if she simply wanted to finish her sentence. “The point is, I wouldn’t be sad for the climb, even if I fell. Even if I were in pain for days afterward.” ... “Here’s to the climb, then.”

-I’d thought losing my father had been excruciating, but having a father like mine— even if I’d had to lose him— had made my life a paradise compared to David’s.

If You'll Have Me is a semi-marriage of convenience--which is one of my favorite tropes. I rooted for Anna and David. I really liked that Anna was the one to be vulnerable first. As someone who was terrified of that in my life, I can respect it in others. If You'll Have Me gets 4 Stars. Have you read If You'll Have Me? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 02/01/26

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

This was a pretty good week, but I was all off in my days. Monday, we didn't have any snow like most of the country seemed to. But school did start late, so I was late dropping Little Boy off at school which put everything else late. We switched pitching practice with martial arts, so the Big Kids had martial arts Monday night. Tuesday, the Big Kids had wellness checkups at the doctor's office. All of that went well. My dad had a colonoscopy too so we didn't go by my parents' house. I grabbed my groceries and Chickfila for lunch. Tuesday evening, Big Girl had pitching practice. The other girls that are normally in her session called out so she had it by herself which was good to zone in on some bad habits she needs to fix. Wednesday was finally a normal day. I did have to go by the pharmacy and bank. Not much to report there except Little Boy came home from school with a cough. Thursday, I made sourdough and Big Girl baked and decorated a cake for Saturday. The kids played so well together all day. It was one of those days where I thought to myself how much I love and am thankful for this life with them. Big Kids had martial arts Thursday night. I ended up keeping Little Boy home from school on Friday. He wasn't worse, but with COVID and flu going around, I didn't want to risk him getting worse or picking up something extra. Friday, was an up and down day with school. The Big Kids had to dissect owl pellets which was cool and fun. But Big Boy decided to put school work off to the afternoon, and then his brain was struggling to focus. Or maybe it was just a struggle bus all day. I don't know, but it was no fun. Saturday, we celebrated my mom and Little Boy's birthdays. Saturday was my mom's actual birthday.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of We Met Like This by Kasie West (4.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for An Accidental Marriage (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?) by Deborah M Hathaway
Thursday: Review of Nothing Like the Movies (Better Than the Movies, # 2) by Lynn Painter (3.5 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Reivew of If You'll Have Me by Esther Hatch
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Friday: Homeschool Friday - The Friend Who Forgives

NEW BOOKS:

Pride Comes Before a Fall (Miss Prentice's Protegees, # 3)

By: Virginia Heath

Expected Publication: July 28, 2026 by St. Martin's Griffin

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--In the third installment of this witty Regency romcom series, a headstrong chaperone is torn between following her rigid principles or her heart

Despite his many responsibilities, there is nothing Leopold Sloane, the 11th Duke of Debden, takes more seriously than the safety of those he loves. When one of his sisters is injured at a protest rally, he drags his family to Bath for the summer to keep his reckless and rebellious siblings out of harm’s way. The only flaw in his plan is his overwhelming but inexplicable attraction to the new chaperone he has hired to watch out for them. An outspoken conundrum of a woman who soon causes him more trouble than both his sisters combined...but who calls to his soul regardless.

From the moment Portia Kendall read her first revolutionary pamphlet beneath her bedcovers at Miss Prentice’s School for Girls, she realized that her true calling was to make the world a fairer place for the masses downtrodden by the aristocracy. A calling that led her to Equitas, a radical newspaper that champions reform. But as Portia discovers, writing doesn’t pay the bills. To make a living, she must push aside her principles and serve the very people she criticizes weekly in her column. A temporary position as a chaperone in the home of a pompous duke seems like the perfect way to earn enough to follow her heart. Unfortunately, the duke who hires her seems to be more dashing and noble than pompous and soon begins to call to her heart too—as much as she tries to deny it. But dare she risk her principles for love or will her pride always come before a fall?

The Best I Never Had

By: Amy Buchanana

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

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

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

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

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

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

Forever is the Sweetest Con

By: Joanna Thurlow

Expected Publication: June 16, 2026 by Sugar Shack Books

292 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--Cleo Des Rochelles doesn’t believe in love—not after being swindled by her ex and left to repay his debts or risk losing her home and her mother’s safety. Desperate for cash, she signs up for Camp Couple-Up, a reality dating show with a $250k prize.

But instead of a glamorous retreat, Cleo finds herself in the wilds of Canada’s Northern Ontario, scrubbing toilets and faking romance with Kei, a charming musician with lofty dreams of stardom. Their pact is play pretend, win big, and never catch feelings.

Then the crew vanishes. With no food, no phones, and no refill of Kei’s insulin, the stakes skyrocket from love and money to sheer survival. As danger closes in, Cleo discovers a strength she never knew she had—and a love too real to fake.

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!