January & February 2026 EOM Wrap Ups

January 2026

I read 11 books (not including children's books).
And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens
Rebel Witch (Crimson Moth, # 2) by Kristen Ciccarelli
Firebird (Fire That Binds, # 1) by Juliette Cross
Reckless (Powerless, # 2) by Lauren Roberts
A Love Most Daring (Bow Street, # 3) by Joanna Barker
Bloodsinger (Fire That Binds, # 2) by Juliette Cross
The Duke's Bargain by Megan Walker
A Fortunate Miscalculation (A Gentleman's Gamble) by Karen Thornell
Nothing Like the Movies (Better Than the Movies, # 2) by Lynn Painter
An Accidental Marriage (A Gentleman's Gamble) by Deborah M Hathaway
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chronicles of Narnia) by CS Lewis

I have reviewed 7 books (not including mini reviews of children's books).
Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent
I Want to Trust You But I Don't by Lysa TerKeurst
Room to Breathe by Kasie West
And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens
We Who Will Die (Empire of Blood, # 1) by Stacia Stark
We Met Like This by Kasie West
Nothing Like the Movies (Better Than the Movies, # 2) by Lynn Painter

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 01/04/26
Sunday Post - 01/11/26
Sunday Post - 01/18/26
Sunday Post - 01/25/26
Top Ten Books I Read in 2025
Top Ten Most Anticipated 2026 Q1/Q2 Releases
Can't Wait for A Novel Engagement (A Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Anneka R Walker
Can't Wait for A Foolish Proposal (A Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Kasey Stockton
Can't Wait for A Fortunate Miscalculation (A Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Karen Thornell
Can't Wait for An Accidental Marriage (A Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Deborah M Hathaway
Homeschool Friday - This Book is on Fire!
Homeschool Friday - The Magical Yet
Homeschool Firday - The Lemonade War
Homeschool Friday - The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross
2025 EOY Wrap Up
2025 EOY Book Survey

February 2026

I read 9 books (not including children's books).
Forever is the Sweetest Con by Joanna Thurlow
A Foolish Propsal (A Gentleman's Gamble, # ?) by Kasey Stockton
The Best I Never Had by Amy Buchanan
Ruby Red (Precious Stone Trilogy, # 1) by Kerstin Gier
Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, # 1) by Rebecca Ross
The Proposition of the Season (Fairfax Sisters, # 3) by Michelle Kenney
A Deal with a Debutante (London's Most Eligible, # 1) by Chelsea Bobulski
A Novel Engagement (A Gentleman's Gamble) by Anneka R Walker
A Secret Infatuation (The Earl's Sisters, # 2) by Jennie Goutet

I have reviewed 4 books (not including mini reviews of children's books).
If You'll Have Me by Esther Hatch
The Last Wish of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 2) by Mary E Pearson
The Wicked and the Damned (Dark Inheritance Trilogy, # 2) by Rebecca Robinson
The Proposition of the Season (Fairfax Sisters, # 3) by Michelle Kenney

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 02/01/26
Sunday Post - 02/08/26
Sunday Post - 02/15/26
Sunday Post - 02/22/26
Top Ten Quotes From/About Books 2026
Can't Wait for An Honorable Love (A Gentleman's Gamble) by Audra Wells
Can't Wait for A Bewildered Bachelor (A Gentleman's Gamble) by Holli Jo Monroe
Can't Wait for Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth
Homeschool Friday - A Tiger in the Tall Grass
Homeschool Friday - The God Contest
Homeschool Firday - Caspian Crashes the Party
Homeschool Friday - Seth and Beth

Goals:
I'm a few days ahead on my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 29 out of 110 books (including children's books).

Homeschool Friday - Seth and Beth

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.

Seth and Beth

By: Jenny Phillips

Illustrated By: Alessia Ray

Publication: January 1, 2019 by The Good and the Beautiful

91 pages

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

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | The Good and the Beautiful )

*Note: The above link to The Good and the Beautiful is NOT an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Seth and Beth are the best of friends. They love to spend time together, going on adventures in the woods. However, trouble seems to follow them everywhere they go. Become a part of their tales of fun and mishap as they find out that as long as they have each other and God, they can get through anything.

Seth and Beth is a Level-2 reader from The Good and the Beautiful. It is 91 pages long, broken into three "books" with three chapters each. Each book begins with a list of challenging words included in that book. I like this because you can go over the more difficult words with your child beforehand, and hopefully, they will recognize them as they come upon them in the story.

Seth and Beth are friends who live next door to each other. In the first book, they ride their bikes to the pond, but Beth gets hurt on the way home. Seth has to go home without her to bring help back. Seth prays to God for help. Book 2 is about Seth's family's bake shop catching on fire. Seth and Beth devise a plan to pick and sell apples from Beth's apple tree to help pay for the repairs to the bakery. In the last book, Seth and Beth build a raft. They come back the next day to find a boy has commandeered their raft. They decide to behave like Jesus and treat the boy with kindness. All three kids end up as friends and play with the raft together.

This is exactly what I love about books from The Good and the Beautiful. All of these stories carry wonderful messages and morals. The first focuses on relying on God for help. The second shows that we can all step in to help out in times of trouble. And the third shows that by treating others with kindness, we can all win. Early level readers don't have to be pointless just because they use smaller, easier-to-read words. They can still have a moral and a message.

Seth and Beth gets 5 Stars from me for the messages and morals included in each story. My son read this without arguining or freaking out. And I love how these readers are slowly introducing my son to chapters and longer books so he can see that it's possible for him to read longer books. Have you or your child read Seth and Beth? What did you think? Let me know!

Top Ten Quotes From/About Books 2026

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 Quotes From/About Books

Do you guys even have a single clue how difficult it is for me to pick only 10 bookish quotes? I include more than 10 in one book review sometimes. And every year I post the Best in Books Survey where I include more than 10 quotes from the books I read that year. If you're looking for more of my favorite book quotes check out my EOY Book Survey posts from more than the past 10 years.

1. -She will nurse God at her breast--He who has always brought forth the bounty of earth's supply (Psalm 145). She will clothe God--He who is robed in the stars and the sun (Psalm 104). She will change God's linens--He who has cleaned up after the sin and filth of mankind and His people for ages past (2 Chronicles 7:14). She will sing to God--the Lord who sings over us, the song of salvation (Zephaniah 3:17). Yes, indeed, grace has come to Mary...she is about to be the mother of God. - He is Here!: 25 Days Of Christmas Devotions by Browning Montgomery Wood
2. -To the ones who don't run with the popular crowd, the ones who get caught reading under their desks, the ones who feel like they never get invited, included, or represented. Get your leathers. We have dragons to ride. - Rebecca Yarros's dedication in Onyx Storm
3. -“Every person in this room wants something from you,” he said after a heavy pause. “They look at you, and they see the things they want to take. I know, because I lived it. From the moment I became heir, everyone wanted to be either my friend or my lover. When you took the Crown, I swore to be different— to serve your goals, not mine. I told myself that even if you had no one else, you would at least have me. I never wanted to become just another person who wanted to steal a piece of you for themselves.” He let out a shuddering sigh. “And I have failed. Completely, irreversibly failed. I don’t just want a piece of you— I want them all.” His thumb raked across my lower lip. “I want every breath, every laugh, every tear. Every taste of your mouth, every inch of your skin. I want to kneel at your feet, soaked in the blood of your enemies, then... - Glow of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 2) by Penn Cole
4. -But sometimes, when I stared at the vastness of the starry host above and listened carefully, it was as if there was a knowing deep in my bones I could not explain. As if the reverberation of an ancient whisper still trembled there at the core of my being--a tune hummed so low only the most astute of ears could detect its melody. - Splendor of the Land (The King's Men, # 3) by Connilyn Cossette
5. -Winning at love was less about succeeding in a battle and more about continuing to fight, to choose the person you loved as the one you were willing to die for, over and over. The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 2) by Stephanie Garber
6. -Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, is how I feel I contribute to the world. Reminding people of what's important. Letting them escape the harsh parts of life, even if just for a few hours. Feeling happiness in watching happily-ever-afters unfold. Remembering truths. Recalling their self-worth. Loving others. Living well. Learning. I want to do that. -Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson
7. -"I love you.” She jerked. She couldn’t help it. But she didn’t bolt for the door as she probably would have done a few months ago. “Are you trying to shackle me?” He breathed a laugh, shook his head. “Who said love had to be shackles? I’m not trying to hold you anywhere, force you to do anything. This is a gift to you, [...]. I give it freely. I demand nothing in return. You can love me or you can not. You can stay with me or you can go. Either way, I will love you. I will love the very spirit that may insist you run far and fast.”... “But I hope, of course. I hope you’ll stay. I hope you’ll accept my love— not as a prison trying to make you be something you don’t want to be. But as . . . wings. To help you reach whatever heights you strive for.”A Portrait of Loyalty (The Codebreakers, # 3) by Roseanna M White
8. "You have to understand. I am no one special. I am just a single girl. Five feet two inches tall. And I am in between in every way. But I have a secret. You can build walls all the way to the sky and I will find a way to fly above them. You can try to pin me down with a hundred thousand arms, but I will find a way to resist. And there are many of us out there. More than you think. People who refuse to stop believing. People who refuse to come to Earth. People who love in a world without walls. People who love into hate and refusal, against hope, and without fear. I love you. Remember. They cannot take it."Delirium by Lauren Oliver
9. -I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war.Red Rising (Red Rising, # 1) by Pierce Brown
10. -How cruel a life, that the sight of my dead wife means hope.Golden Son (Red Rising, # 2) by Pierce Brown

Which book quotes are your favorite? Let me know!

The Proposition of the Season - Review

The Proposition of the Season (Fairfax Sisters, # 3)

By: Michelle Kenney

Publication: February 6, 2026 by One More Chapter

285 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--'How I love a story of sisters, and Michelle Kenney has conjured up four sparky modern-minded Fairfax girls. The dialogue is quick-fire, plot complex and satisfying, the men heroic and rich' Jane Dunn, Sunday Times bestselling author Perfect for Bridgerton and Jane Austen fans! Fall in love with your favourite new Regency series, with this third installment from the Fairfax family…

‘And you’ve come here today to read me a lecture in all my deplorable habits?’

‘No…’ she stalled, wracking her brain for inspiration and failing, ‘I’ve come here to ask you to marry me!’

After three disastrous seasons, bookish Josephine Fairfax believes that she is long past the age of finding her perfect fictional hero. But when her brother’s loathsome Monstrous Marriage Masterplan results in her youngest sister Matilda’s engagement to the vastly unsuitable Lord Huntingly, even she must draw the line.

Josephine may be the bluestocking sister, but she is still a Fairfax who will sacrifice anything for family, even proposing marriage to a man who may be the most dangerous gentleman in the ton…

Each book in the Fairfax Sisters series can be read as a standalone.

The Proposition of the Season started out a little slow for me. It wasn't long before the main character was writing in her journal to a fictional character, Fitzwilliam (Darcy one would presume since she loves Jane Austen). I just find this a little juvenile. Obviously, writing in a journal is one thing. And the point was to show how deeply affected Josephine is by the fictional stories that she's read and what she is looking for in a match. But I felt it was a little unrealistic given her age. Just a little annoyance.

I haven't read the previous books in this series. The previous two have featured Josephine's older sisters, Sophie and Phoebe. So I did feel like I was missing a little information. But what's most important to know is that Josephine's oldest brother, Sir Thomas, is determined to marry his sisters off as quickly as possible. He seems to be only concerned with money, even though the estate was never mentioned to be struggling exactly. He just seems to be obsessed with how much money his sisters are costing him and how he can't wait to marry them off. Even going so far as to engage their youngest sister, Matilda, to a man whose reputation has been damaged by scandal--scandal that paints him as a potential murderer.

Josephine is so determined to rescue her younger sister from this fate, that she reaches out to Lord Huntingly to offer herself as an alternative to Matilda since it is the family name he is seeking in the match. Huntingly is so awed by Josephine that he agrees. Josephine then spends the rest of the book bouncing back and forth between being drawn to Huntingly and being scared she's going to be married to a murderer.

Instead of asking him any direct questions, she makes assumptions and then spends a large amount of time going behind his back to ask all kinds of questions from everyone but him. I mean sure he might not be truthful with her, but at least ask the man what he knows and what happened before judging him one way or the other. Sheesh. I get that this is part of the period culture. People rarely spoke directly it seems.

In the meantime, Josephine has somewhat idealized her brother Fred's friend, Sir Francis. He is well read and seems to value Josephine's mind despite many considering her a spinster bluestocking. Yet he hasn't made any offers or any indication that he thinks of her beyond his friend's sister. We do come to learn more about Sir Francis. **Highlight for spoiler: I do wish he hadn't been involved in the situation with Huntingly's father and Eliza. I felt that was a little too on the nose. Having him be a rogue and womanizer was enough in my book. I didn't feel like him being connected to the downfall of Huntingly himself was necessary. End spoiler.

Also, I was annoyed with Fred. Why did he have be included in the admiration that everyone apparently feels for Sir Francis? Things were subtle which I do appreciate, but I'm also so sick of this being pushed on us in nearly every book. And I often choose historical regency fiction so that I can avoid this topic.

I'm unsure whether I will continue this series. I'm vaguely interested in Matilda's story. She is a bit of a wild child so her story could go in so many directions. And I do wonder if the series will eventually follow any of the brothers. I would obviously skip Fred's if he's ever given one. But it is called "Fairfax Sisters," so likely not.

Favorite quote:

-"I trust the flavour is to your liking, sir?" ..."Indeed," he replied, taking a drink with dancing eyes, "the flavour is very much to my liking. A small wedding, no objection to restoration work, and a skilled hostess--you are in danger of making me like the flavour a great deal, Miss Fairfax."

All of that being said, once I got passed the beginning and a few things that annoyed me slightly, I really did enjoy the overall story. The FMC & MMC didn't have a ton of on-page interactions, which I would have preferred more of, but I still read it fairly quickly. The rate I read and my desire to keep reading has me wanting to rate this around 4 Stars, however, the issues I had with the characters and overall plot brought The Proposition of the Season down to 3.5 Stars. Have you read The Proposition of the Season? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 02/22/26

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 so nice. Husband was off work, and we took the day off school. It was such a pleasant day. We did have a lot of activites in the evening. Big Girl had pitching practice. Big Boy went to martial arts. Then both Big Kids had ball practice. Tuesday, we normally spend the day with my parents, but the Big Kids woke up with sore throats. And since my dad has recently been diagnosed with COPD, we don't want to take any germs over to their house. So we stayed home. They ended up feeling fine and honestly it was a stressful day all day with behavior though. The Big Kids went to martial arts, and I took Little Boy to ball practice. Wednesday was had a short school day. A friend of ours was having a birthday celebration at the park so we got our school done early and went to the park to celebrate with her. Thursday, the Big Kids had their nature homeschool class, and I started work with Little Boy on Kindergarten Math and KinderPrep Language Arts. He did great and asked if we could do it every day. Then we did another picnic lunch at trip to a different park with friends from nature school. Thursday evening Big Girl went to martial arts and the boys went with me to Little Boy's practice. Then the Big Kids had ball practice after that. Friday was a normal day. We had a normal school day for once this week. And we didn't have any evening activities which was nice and much needed. Saturday, I taught a women's devotion class with the ladies from our church. That went well. Other than that, I spend time cleaning up and doing a little blog prep work.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of The Wicked and the Damned (Dark Inheritance Trilogy, # 2) by Rebecca Robinson (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Caspian Crashes the Party by Edward T Welch

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Reivew of The Proposition of the Season by Michelle Kenney
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Seth and Beth

NEW BOOKS:

The Wind Weaver (Reign of Remnants, # 1)

By: Julie Johnson

Publication: April 8, 2025 by Ace

544 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Magic and adventure swirl through this spellbinding romantasy where a young woman reignites the embers of an ancient prophecy, unleashing a storm that could save her realm or doom them all.

Fear of maegic plagues war-torn Anwyvn. Halflings like Rhya Fleetwood are killed on sight. But Rhya’s execution is interrupted by an unexpected savior—one far more terrifying than her would-be killers. The mysterious and mercenary Commander Scythe. In the clutches of this new enemy, Rhya finds herself fighting for her life in the barren reaches of the Northlands. Yet the farther she gets from home, the more she learns that nothing is as it seems—not her fearsome captor, not the blight that ravages her dying realm, not even herself.

For Rhya is no ordinary halfling. The strange birthmark on her chest and the wind she instinctively calls forth means she is a Remnant, one of four souls scattered across Anwyvn, fated to restore the balance of maegic…or die trying.

But mastering the power inside her is only the beginning. Desire for the Commander—a man she can never trust, a man with plans of his own—burns just as fiercely as the tempests beating against her rib cage for release. Rhya must choose: smother the flames…or let them consume her.

A Novel Engagement (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?)

By: Anneka R Walker

Expected Publication: March 19, 2026 by Anneka R. Walker

238 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--A reckless wager. A forgotten promise. Two enemies in a race to the altar.

With an arranged marriage looming, Rowan Ashworth and Arabella Delafield cannot get past their vexing history—or their growing attraction. He has a vow to keep, and she’s determined to wed anyone but him. Old hurts, mistaken identities, and surprise chemistry turn a childhood promise into a second chance neither expected—and a love neither can outrun.

***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.

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!