Homeschool Friday - The Bad Seed

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 Bad Seed (The Food Group, # 1)

By: Jory John

Illustrated By: Pete Oswald

Publication: May 8, 2018 by HarperCollins

40 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Level-2

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--This is a book about a bad seed. A baaaaaaaaaad seed. How bad? Do you really want to know? He has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. He's been bad since he can remember!

With Jory John's charming and endearing text and bold expressive illustrations by Pete Oswald, here is The Bad Seed: a funny yet touching tale that reminds us of the remarkably transformative power of will, acceptance, and just being you. Perfect for young readers, as well as anyone navigating their current world, The Bad Seed proves that positive change is possible for each and every one of us.

When I first read The Bad Seed I was a little torn. In some ways, it seemed like the seed was completely fine being bad. He seemed proud to be bad. There's an explanation of some hard things he's been through in his life. And now he's made up his mind to be better. I like that he chooses the be good in the end even though he isn't perfect. It shows that all people mess up sometimes, and that's okay. But the effort we make in trying to be good is what matters most.

Accelerated Reader lists The Bad Seed as a level-2 book. My son likes this book a lot, so he didn't fight me on reading it at all. I don't remember him stumbling on too many words. And I was so proud of him for getting "unremarkable" on the first try.

The Bad Seed gets 4 Stars from us. I felt a little conflicted on the messaging, but ultimately, we like the story. Have you or your child read The Bad Seed? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Stranger I 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.

The Stranger I Love (Runaway Brides, # 1)

By: Anneka R Walker

Expected Publication: May 20, 2026

341 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--When both attempt to flee their past, can love’s pursuit catch them?

Estelle Lowry has traded her privileged life for anonymity, running away to become Miss Estelle Lewis—governess and companion. But her carefully laid plans unravel when she discovers a man beaten and left for dead. Defying every rule of propriety, she rescues him, bringing him to safety. A connection sparks between the two strangers, yet his injuries keep his face obscured. Before he fully recovers, she is forced to leave in search of employment—without a name, a past, or any way to find him again.

Six months later, Estelle arrives at Rosemont Manor, determined to guard her heart—and her secrets. But her resolve falters when she finds herself drawn to the last man she should want: the brooding and unpredictable Lord Camden.

Atlas Camden has no time for distractions. Due to his complicated past, he is determined to shoulder his responsibilities and keep his family safe. The arrival of his sister’s new companion sets him at odds with himself. Miss Lewis is as headstrong as she is captivating—and far too often at the center of trouble, drawing both his attention and concern. His mother would be scandalized if she knew he was even entertaining romantic notions about a woman in service, let alone one who is half-Irish. Besides, a man with his history has no right to offer his heart—and even less to hope for one in return.

When secrets are revealed and trust crumbles, running from their past is no longer an option. Estelle and Atlas must choose between the new paths they’ve forged or the broken history to which they are still bound.

The Stranger I Love is full of longing, redemption, and courageous love. It is the first book in The Runaway Brides series and is a clean Victorian romance without explicit content.

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

Ten Authors I Wish Were Still Publishing New Books

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Authors You Wish Were Still Writing Today

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1. Katja Millay - Wrote The Sea of Tranqulity and hasn't published since.
2. Leah Garriott - Published Promised and hasn't published anything since.
3. Richelle Mead - Her last published book was in 2018. Granted, none of her later books compared to her Vampire Academy series for me, I would still like to read more by her.
4. George R R Martin - As far as I can tell, George R R Martin is still publishing, but we all know that we're waiting for Winds of Winter which will probably never come.
5. Stephenie Meyer - Your girl has been busy pursuing other paths, but I sure wouldn't mind some of those "other stories set in the Twilight world."
6. Katie McGarry - Last published in 2024, but I still want more.
7. Priscilla Glenn - Priscilla Glenn has two published books that I never knew about, but still, her last published book was in 2014.
8. Robin LaFevers - Last published in 2020 unless she's writing under a different name.
9. Tammara Webber - Last published in 2017. I want more.
10. Jane Austen - I mean who wouldn't want more Jane Austen.

Which authors do you wish were publishing new books? Let me know!

The Duke's Bargain - Review

The Duke's Bargain

By: Megan Walker

Expected Publication: May 5, 2026 by Shadow Mountain

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--Ruined by scandal, Georgiana bargains with a duke to regain her place in Society. But their pretend friendship sparks real love, risking reputations, duty, and unexpected happily-ever-afters.

Eight months after a stolen kiss ruined her reputation, Miss Georgiana Wood is a recluse, cast out of Society without any hope of ever finding a suitable match. Longing for redemption, she never expects her salvation to arrive in the form of a handsome, temperamental duke.

After a failed bargain left the Duke of Marlow without a promised wife and heir, he must face courtship a final time. He plans to entice his future bride with a priceless family heirloom—one now in the possession of Miss Wood, who agrees to return it if he takes her on three outings in London during the Season to restore her reputation.

As the pair navigate Society’s expectations and whispered gossip, Marlow soon sees a new side to Georgiana—an ally and friend. Her wit and courage, grace and allure far exceed that of the eligible ladies he intended to court, and soon, he’d do almost anything to secure her happiness.

As Marlow wrestles with duty and desire, Georgiana begins to hope that she could be loved not despite her past, but because of who she truly is. When hearts are tested, truth and secrets revealed, will love be enough to risk it all?

First, The Duke's Bargain should really be listed as book 3 in a series with the previous two books being: Lakeshire Park and Miss Newbury's List. Georgiana was a side character in Lakeshire Park. Her brother was the main male character of that book. And she and another woman were in competition at a house party for the hand of one man. Georgiana had known him since childhood and truly couldn't comprehend that he wasn't interested in her. She kisses him in a public way, and her reputation suffers because of it. But she hasn't given up. When the Duke of Marlow shows up at her house to retrieve an heirloom that his cousin lost to Georgiana's brother, Peter, during a bit of gambling, Georgiana knows that she has to capitalize on this opportunity.

Marlow was a side character in Miss Newbury's List. He was supposed to marry Rosalind in an arranged marriage beneficial to both of them. But Rosalind fell in love with another man during that time. Marlow still needs to find a wife and produce an heir. He agrees to Georgiana's request to escort her to three events, thereby giving her his blessing to all of society. But he didn't count on falling in love with her. Nor her with him.

I really enjoyed this romance. Marlow was so cold in Miss Newbury's List, yet I did remember feeling sorry for him. And I like that Georgiana was considered a villain in Lakeshire Park. It's all about perspective. I love being able to turn things around and see them from a different angle.

Favorite quotes:

-Loneliness was an ugly, bitter hag, and I was tired of her.

-"No man can measure up to a good book."

-"I don't aim to control you, Georgiana. I only aim to please you."

-"'Dear, dear! To see how some people fling away their happiness, and then cry and weep about it, just as if it was not their own doing, and as if there was more pleasure in weeping and wailing than in being at peace.'"

-"Ours is my very favorite story, Lucas."

I definitely feel like The Duke's Bargain should be listed as the third in a series. While you could read this book independently from the previous two books, I do feel like you'd be missing a lot about the characters' stories and background. How we got to where we are is so important to appreciate the full story. The Duke's Bargain gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Duke's Bargain? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 05/03/26

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.

Man, this week was packed full. Monday was a normal school day. Little Boy had his last ball game of the season. They won, and they ended up winning their age group in our league because they only lost one leauge game. Big Girl also had a game. They didn't win, but it was a close one at 9 to 12. They were up to bat in the final inning and she hit a line drive that short stop robbed her of. Neither of our two base runners tagged up, so the other team got a triple play and ended our come back. Turns out about half of that team is from a travel ball team, so that made our game even more impressive to me. Tuesday, Big Boy had his second round of testing. I won't know anything about the results until later this month. We went to my parent's house after that. Big Boy's game got canceled Tuesday night because it was raining. I didn't mind the extra night at home this week because we have just been so busy. Wednesday was another normal school day. We are wrapping up a lot. We have finished our science unit for the quarter and we only have one more history lesson to wrap that up. I can't believe we only have two weeks left of school. Big Girl had pitching practice Wednesday night. And it was another emotional one. She's doing great though. The coach spent a good bit of time talking to the girls about how much of a mental game softball is, especially for the pitcher. I had to ask her if she would tell a friend the things she was telling herself. I hope that helps. Thursday, I had hoped we could go to the park, but even though it didn't rain on Thursday, everything was wet. We decided not to. Big Girl had her last ball game. Big Girl would get two strikes on almost every batter, and then they would hit or walk. She did much better staying calm, but she was really, really sad when the game was over. Mostly just that the season was over. Even though this group of girls wasn't our best team as far as knowing and playing the game, she said this group of girls was really nice, and that hasn't always been the case. Friday, we had another normal school day. Big Boy's last game was scheduled, but I just knew they would cancel it due to rain. But they let them play in the rain. We lost by one, but I was also proud of him because he played short stop in the first inning and caught a popfly. Then he got an out playing on the pitcher's mound. He had a good hit too, but he also had a piddly hit that he beat out the first baseman to the base. Saturday, the kids had a big gang of neighborhood kids riding bikes back and forth in front of our house. I always feel torn about them playing with neighborhood kids. More than one of these kids under 13 years old have a cell phone with (as far as I can tell) unfiltered access to the internet which scares me so much. I spent my day cleaning house. We've been gone every Saturday for over a month so I haven't been able to get as much done lately as I wanted, and it feels so nice to have cleaned what I did.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West (4.5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Reivew of The Duke's Bargain by Megan Walker
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Friday: Homeschool Friday - The Bad Seed

NEW BOOKS:

No new books this week.

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!