A Bewildered Bachelor - Mini Review

A Bewildered Bachelor (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?)

By: Holli Jo Monroe

Publication: March 5, 2026 by Brillig Press

250 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Personal Kindle 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--The bet was simple. The plan was perfect. The result was bewildering.
To win a high-stakes wager, Ambrose Hartley must find a wife, preferably one who will help secure his ideal future. Hardened by past disappointment, he is avoiding fickle emotions by focusing on a logical list of requirements. His plans include a serious courtship, a suitable partner, and a predictable life.

Susanna Fenton is unpredictable, unsuitable, and rarely serious. A contented spinster, she believes love is the only proper reason to surrender her freedom. Having known Ambrose since childhood, she doesn’t hesitate to mock his plan. But as she watches him court eligible ladies, she begins to wonder if what she feels isn’t sisterly concern but jealousy.

As Ambrose’s plan unravels, Susanna worries that she will never measure up to his impossible standards. With their mutual misunderstandings mounting and six hundred pounds on the line, can they find the courage to risk their hearts for a future they never thought to plan?

***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 an unannounced order to keep the loser of the wager a surprise.

Somehow I skipped writing my review for A Bewildered Bachelor upon completing this book. That being said...I finished this book three months before sitting down to write my review of it, once I realized that I never did. And I remember nearly nothing about this book. Also, I didn't highlight anything in my Kindle for notes, impressions, or quotes I wanted to refer back to. I did list it in my spreadsheet when I finished the book with a 4 Star rating. Thank goodness for that. I have racked my brain trying to remember a single thing about this book, but everything I thought I remembered was actually about a different book in this series. I don't think that's a fault of the book, but my fault for not reviewing it promptly. I do remember that it wasn't my least favorite book in this series. I actually did write a timely review of that book, and it will be coming. Maybe I should re-read this book so I can write a proper review. This is probably the worst book review I've published on my blog since I had zero to say about Harry Potter when I was originally listening to those on audiobook back in 2011.

Have you read A Bewildered Bachelor? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 06/28/26

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 my sister and niece showed up to surprise me for my birthday. That was so nice. It's been since Christmas that I've gotten to see them. Tuesday, we spent the day with my parents, sister, and niece. We ended up taking the kids to the trampoline park. They had a blast. Then I did my grocery pickup, and the Big Kids went to martial arts. My sister came after martial arts to let Big Girl spend the night at Grandma's with my sister and niece also. Wednesday, I ended up take the boys to the doctor. They both have swimmer's ear in one ear. So we had to get medication for that. Wednesday night, Big Girl and I went to church. Thursday, we mostly stayed at home. The Big Kids had martial arts again. And then Friday, we had to run to the store to pick up a birthday present for a birthday party on Saturday. The boys played so well together. Saturday, Little Boy had a birthday party for a friend from his baseball team.

THE PAST TWO WEEKS

Monday 6/15: Review of Forever is the Sweetest Con by Joanna Thurlow (4 Stars)
Wednesday 6/17: Can't Wait for Light Up My Life by Kasie West
Thursday 6/18: Review of Igniting Lies (Burning, # 1) by Rebecca Donovan (4 Stars)
Friday 6/19: Homeschool Friday - The Spooky Sound
Monday 6/22: Review of A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray (5 Stars)
Tuesday 6/23: Top Ten Summer 2026 TBR List
Wednesday 6/24: Can't Wait for Twined Fates (Tangled Hearts, # 3) by K. Bromberg
Thursday 6/25: Review of A Novel Engagement (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?) by Anneka R Walker
Friday 6/26: Homeschool Friday - Facts About Frogs and Snakes

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of A Bewildered Bachelor (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?) by Holli Jo Monroe
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

NEW BOOKS:

Fury Bound (The Wolves of Ruin, #2)

By: Sable Sorensen

Publication: May 5, 2026 by Requited

608 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy

Source: Personal Kindle 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--Revenge demands sacrifice.

CROWNED BY DESTINY. CONSUMED BY VENGEANCE.

Against all odds, Meryn Cooper has inherited the crown—and a deadly war. As the Kingdom of Nocturna splinters under the weight of generations of lies, it is up to Meryn, her bonded direwolf Anassa, and their allies to bring the country back from the brink.

But the commoners, the Bonded, and the nobles are distrustful of their new queen and Meryn is caught in a deadly game of politics. Meanwhile, Meryn’s beloved younger sister, Saela, is more at risk than ever.

Confusingly, the one person Meryn can trust is Stark Therion—the dark, dangerous Alpha she thought hated her as much as she loathed him. Yet, his loyalty is unshakeable. His presence is intoxicating. And with his guidance, Meryn can seize an unthinkable level of power.

With enemies closing in and shadows stirring in her dreams, Meryn stands to lose her kingdom—and her heart.

Blood will spill. Bonds will break. Fate will be tested.

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 - Facts About Frogs and Snakes

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.

Facts About Frogs and Snakes

By: Sue Stuever

Publication: January 1, 2020 by The Good and the Beautiful

62 pages

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

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | The Good and the Beautiful )

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

Goodreads description--I can read it all by myself! Young readers will be excited to learn about two of their favorite animals in this fun, fact-filled book. Close-up photographs of real frogs and snakes will fascinate young readers as they keep reading to learn about the behaviors, diets, habits, and more of these interesting animals. Facts About Frogs & Snakes is just right for children reading at Level 2. Five challenge words will help them stretch their skills.

The Good and the Beautiful ranks Facts About Frogs & Snakes as a Level-2A. Level 2 starts to get into some longer books, but 62 pages is still longer than a lot of the other level-2 books that we own. I think stretching the child to longer books is a good idea. So I like that this isn't a 30-page book like the level-1s and early level-2 books we own.

As the name suggests, this book is all about various facts concerning frogs and snakes. What they eat, their physical bodies, where they live, and more are facts that are presented in this book. If your child is reading, why not enjoy some books that will teach them some fun topics. Frogs and snakes both freak me out a little but learning more about how God created them takes a little of the fear out.

Facts About Frogs and Snakes is a great addition to your level-2 library or reading list. The information is factual. The photographs are beautiful--if you can stand looking at pictures of snakes and frogs. It's a win-win to work on reading fluency and learn about some of God's amazing creatures at the same time. Facts About Frogs and Snakes gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read Facts About Frogs & Snakes? What did you think? Let me know!

A Novel Engagement - Review

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

Source: Personal Kindle 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--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.

Rowan and Arabella have been arranged to marry since they were little. The story goes that Arabella and family arrived at Rowan's family's house for a house party in tears. Two-year-old Rowan asked to hold baby Arabella, and she settled. At the entire house party, whenever Arabella would get upset, they would jokingly call in Master Amrbose to calm her down, and it worked every time. And thus they were promised to each other. However, being told you're going to marry someone from the time you're little doesn't always sit right, and Arabella and Rowan began to resent and tease each other. Rowan's mother dies while he is still young, and his grief plays a part in his treatment of Arabella. Also, he and his friends ridicule Arabella's writing and break her heart in the process, as writing has become her favorite pastime and way of dealing with life. Yet after the wager between his friends, Rowan has finally decided it is time to do his duty and marry Arabella afterall.

Arabella knows that Rowan is coming to force her hand since he's written to her father. She travels to visit her sister and concocts a plan to find someone else to marry in the meantime. She does settle on her sister's husband's cousin. She hopes that marrying him will allow her to live a quiet life where she will continue to write undeterred. But there are a couple of issues with Mr. Clodwick, one he's not Rowan. Two, Arabella isn't attracted to him at all and can only stand close proximity to him in small doses, and three, he believes in ghosts and thinks they not only haunt his house but also follow him around.

Rowan and Arabella have a lot of history that has caused a lot of tension. They behave with each other in a way that they wouldn't behave towards anyone else. Yet they also have a sweet history that needs to be remembered and brought back to the surface.

Favorite quotes:

-"You're a liar Arabella Delafield. You're more drawn to me than you dare admit. So fight all you want, but in the end, we both know I'm the only one for you."

-The more she tried to push me away, the more she ensnared my interest.

A Novel Engagement is probably my second favorite of this series. And I'm not going to quite say that Anneka R Walker is a better author than the other ladies writing this series, but I will say that I noted her writing style and felt it was more polished and to my tastes, even if I plan to seek out more books by the other authors of this series as well. Anneka R Walker has become an auto-read author for me, and A Novel Engagement reinforced exactly why. A Novel Engagement gets 4 Stars. Have you read A Novel Engagement? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Twined Fates

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.

Twined Fates (Tangled Hearts, # 3)

By: K Bromberg

Expected Publication: October 20, 2026 by Bramble

368 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--The explosive conclusion to the Tangled Hearts trilogy from New York Times bestselling author K. Bromberg!

Holden
She’s my rival. My obsession. My ruin.
I told myself Rowan Rothschild was nothing more than the enemy across the boardroom table.
But the longer our worlds collide, the harder it is to remember which battles are worth winning.
Now she’s the woman I can’t stay away from, even when the cost might be everything I’ve worked years for.

Rowan
The company. The inheritance. The family name.
I’ve fought to protect it all from Holden Knight, but nothing prepared me to face him again.
Every look, every touch, every ruthless move he makes drags me deeper back into him.
The line between love and hate has never been thinner.
And this time, falling for him could destroy us both.

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