Friday, July 31, 2020

July 2020 EOM Wrap Up

I have read 8 books (not including children's books). *These qualify for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
Vying for the Viscount (Hearts on the Heath, # 1) by Kristi Ann Hunter
Moment of Truth (Love, Life, & the List, # 3) by Kasie West
Secrets and Suitors by Joanna Barker
Colors of Truth (Carnton, # 2) by Tamera Alexander
Fable (Fable, # 1) by Adrienne Young
Fair as a Star (Victorian Romantics, # 1) by Mimi Matthews
*Wild at Heart (Wild, # 2) by KA Tucker
You Have a Match by Emma Lord

I have reviewed 8 books. *These qualify for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
A Bride of Convenience (The Bride Ships, # 3) by Jody Hedlund
Not Another Love Song by Olivia Wildenstein
A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, # 1) by Sarah J Maas (Upon Further Review)
Girl Gone Viral (Modern Love, # 2) by Alisha Rai
Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson
A Proper Charade (A Proper Scandal, # 2) by Esther Hatch
Maybe This Time by Kasie West
Colors of Truth (Carnton, # 2) by Tamera Alexnader

Other Posts:
Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 07/05/20
Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 07/12/20
Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 07/19/20
Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 07/26/20
Top Ten Authors I've Read the Most (as of 2020)
Ten Books That Made Me Smile
Can't Wait for Layla by Colleen Hoover
Can't Wait for The Prince of Spies (Hope & Glory, # 3) by Elizabeth Camden
Can't Wait for Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover
Can't Wait for Almost a Bride (The Bride Ships, # 4) by Jody Hedlund
2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge - July Wrap Up
June 2020 EOM Wrap Up

Goals:
I am 35 days ahead on of schedule my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 52 out of 52 books (including children's books).
I've read 5 out of 5-10 series enders.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Can't Wait for Almost a 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.

Almost a Bride (The Bride Ships, # 4)

By: Jody Hedlund

Expected Publication: August 25th 2020 by Northern Lights Press

184 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Adult

( 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--Always close, but never a bride.

Longing to find true love, Kate Millington arrives in British Columbia on a bride ship. With countless men waiting to snag a bride, Kate has no trouble getting engaged. It’s staying engaged that’s the problem. After traveling to the remote mining town of Williamsville to marry her newest fiancĂ©, she finds herself single again.

As the prosperous owner of a gold mine, Zeke Hart has everything he’s ever wanted except for a wife. At Kate’s arrival, he takes it upon himself to protect his childhood friend from the men clamoring to court her. The more he renews her friendship, the more he wants to win her for himself. But as much as Kate admires Zeke, she’s resolved not to marry someone who doesn’t share her faith.

When Zeke begins receiving anonymous threats, he unwittingly puts them both in grave danger. In the midst of peril, the past rises up to haunt them both, and Zeke realizes the fight for Kate’s affection may be his biggest challenge yet.

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

Monday, July 27, 2020

Colors of Truth - Review

Colors of Truth (Carnton, # 1)

By: Tamera Alexander

Publication: July 7th 2020 by Thomas Nelson (Update: Expected Publication: October 6th 2020)

400 pages

Genre: Adult, 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--Based on the real history of Carnton, an antebellum home that served as a Confederate hospital, Colors of Truth follows the journey of an Irish immigrant arriving in a country where her kind isn't wanted, and of a former Federal soldier returning to the scene of a battle that almost destroyed him.

In 1866 Catriona O'Toole arrives in the town of Franklin, Tennessee, searching for her younger brother, Ryan, who, according to his last letter, was headed for Franklin only days before the catastrophic Battle of Franklin. Ryan's last note contained a stack of cash--enough money to bring his entire family across the ocean from Ireland. But after disease and illness tear through County Antrim and the O'Toole family, only Catriona and her seven-year old sister Nora are left to make the journey.

Wade Cunningham, one of ten operatives in the newly formed United States Secret Service Agency, is on the hunt for counterfeiters. A tip leads him to Franklin and to Carnton, the home of wealthy Tennessean John McGavock. The recent murder of a fellow agent mandates that Wade keep his true identity hidden, as well as his past service in the Federal Army. But when he receives a note bearing only the name of the deceased agent, he realizes someone in town already knows who he really is.

As evidence in the case mounts, it eventually points to Catriona, but Wade is slow to want to believe it. Because his heart is swiftly becoming hers. However, Catriona's sole focus is to find her brother and to provide a home and safety for her sister. In doing that, she somehow finds herself part of a burial committee for the over two thousand Confederate soldiers who were hastily buried in a field following the Battle of Franklin--and her deepest fear is that Ryan's body is among those shallow graves.

Colors of Truth is a timely book. For me anyway. I have in the past shied away from any books that take place around the Civil War era because I don't want to read about racism. But Tamera Alexander blew me away with With this Pledge that I knew I wanted to continue the series. As I type this review, our nation is currently plagued with racial riots and division. And honestly, I'm both heartbroken and unsurprised that we are where we are. On the one hand, so many have shed their blood to ensure that we have, are, and will make progress in loving and viewing one another as equals, despite the color of our skin. On the other hand, there will always be evil in the world. And no matter how much we fight to eradicate murder, rape, racism, or any other evil act, it just won't ever happen. But that doesn't mean the fight to get there isn't worth it.

This topic is so deep and complex and it can ruffle feathers more than just about any other topic I've ever witnessed in my life. In today's culture, we often view people in extremes. Good or evil. Racist or antiracists. We see a person stands for a position that we don't. Pro-life or pro-choice. Democrat or republican. Any person who doesn't fit in the same categories as we do or agree with our position is seen as the enemy. But what Colors of Truth, and really the Carnton series, does such a good job of is showing that people are really just varying shades of gray. Good people can be found on both sides of almost any argument, most any war, most any position. Sometimes things aren't as cut and dry as they appear.

It was interesting to see the world of Carnton through Wade's view. Even though Lizzi was against slavery, she still felt very Southern. She was in a unique position of not supporting the war yet the Confederate soldiers who fought and died were still her people, people she knew personally. Wade fought for the Union. He viewed the Confederate soldiers with a mix of contempt and respect. It was interesting to see that he'd once found it skeptical to believe that some soldiers would fight for the Confederacy while not supporting slavery. But he finds himself in a position of both posing as an ex-Confederate soldier as well as meeting someone who's family fought without supporting the cause because he didn't have a choice. Things, people especially, are rarely black or white (speaking in terms of extreme contrasts and not skin color).

Catroina and her sister Nora are recent immigrants from Ireland. It was interesting to see that the Irish were viewed so negatively during the same period. I wasn't really aware of this since when we study this period in school, the focus is on black and white relations and not much else. Catriona is in search of her brother who was conscripted into the Confederate army immediately upon arriving in South Carolina several years prior. She hasn't heard from him since he mentioned coming to Franklin. So she starts her search for him there. She's doing her best to take care of Nora, her 7-year-old, spunky sister. Nora doesn't make doing so easy at all.

Catroina and Wade's story was complex. Each has so much going on. Catriona is taking care of Nora, looking for Ryan, and comes to realize she's essentially broke and needs to find a place to live and a job to make some money. Wade is working for the Secret Service in search of counterfeiters. He's posing as Carnton's overseer. Both have distanced themselves from God and have to find a way to heal their relationship with him. There's a spark between them, but Catriona is sure Wade is keeping secrets. Wade feels confident that Catriona isn't part of the counterfeiters but just as sure as he is that she's innocent, he's sure that her brother Ryan is guilty.

I didn't have near as many highlights in Colors of Truth as I did in With this Pledge. But here are my favorite quotes:

-Every time she tried being more of a parent to Nora, her efforts ended either with Nora throwing a tantrum or collapsing in sobs. Which only increased her own guilt and made her feel even more of a failure.

I feel that one in my soul.

-He only hoped the deep rifts in this country could soon be healed and that the chasms present for so many years would finally be bridged.

-“I ain’t one to question the Lord’s goodness. But sometimes it sure feels like he can give a body too much to bear, don’t it?”

-“With all the peoples who done lived and died ’fore us, don’t you think the Almighty’s heard just ’bout everything there is to hear? People been railin’ at him since the beginnin’ of time. But he still loved this ol’ world enough to send his only Son to bring us back to him. Don’t that say a lot about him? ’Bout how much he loves us? How much he wants to take care of us?” Catriona tried to smile but couldn’t. “Aye, it does. Until I think about what he did to that only Son while he was here.”

-Way I figure it, one way or the other, give it enough time, and the truth always has its say.

-How could someone who inflicted so deep a wound on your heart still manage to possess a piece of it?

-Aye, they’d both suffered in ways they’d wish on no man or woman. But if God had never led them down those particular paths, they might never have found each other. And whatever he had in store for them— be it prosperity or hardship— they would face it together and look for the blessing in it.

And then probably the best quotes from the entire book were in the Acknowledgements section.

-The United States following the American Civil War was a country divided, a country on the brink of collapse both economically and relationally. Some might say that with current-day divisions in America, we are approaching that same brink again. But we must never forget the abundance of blood spilled for us. Not only by fellow countrymen and women on hallowed battlefields such as that of the Battle of Franklin at Carnton, but far more importantly, at the foot of the blood-soaked cross of Jesus Christ. As long as people inhabit the earth, we will have our differences. But we are all created in the image of God and are therefore his image-bearers. We should treat one another as such, bearing with one another in love, even as we disagree.

-Continue to break me, Lord, until I’m wholly yours.

I do need to mention that I didn't enjoy the dialect in Colors of Truth. I realize dialect can make a story more authentic, but this is a personal preference of mine. It takes me out of a story to read dialogue that's formed or spelled in such a way that's wholly different from our current manner of speaking. It's just not my favorite.

Colors of Truth was really good. I didn't want to stop reading the few times that I needed to. I learned more than I knew before about the history of this period, and I feel more compassion for all those who lived during this time. My heart hurts that we're in the situation we are in our country currently. So much blood was spilled for us to be where we are. More than even enjoying the story (which I certainly did), Colors of Truth gives me much to think about. I'm giving Colors of Truth 4 Stars. Have you read Colors of Truth? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 07/26/20

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.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of A Proper Charade (A Proper Scandal, # 2) by Esther Hatch (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover
Thursday: Review of Maybe This Time by Kasie West (3.5 Stars)
Saturday: 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge - July Wrap Up

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Colors of Truth (Carnton, # 2) by Tamera Alexander
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Friday: July EOM Wrap Up

Don’t forget to link up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2020 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.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, # 0)

By: Suzanne Collins

Publication: May 19th 2020 by Scholastic Press

528 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Source: Borrowed from the eLibrary

( 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--Ambition will fuel him.
Competition will drive him.
But power has its price.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

Betwixt (Betwixt and Between, # 1)

By: Darynda Jones

Publication: February 18th 2020 by Feather & Leaf, LLC

233 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

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

Goodreads description--A Paranormal Women's Fiction with a bit of class, and a lot of sass, for anyone who feels like age is just a number!

Divorced, desperate, and destitute, former restaurateur Defiance Dayne finds out she has been bequeathed a house by a complete stranger. She is surprised, to say the least, and her curiosity gets the better of her. She leaves her beloved Phoenix and heads to one of the most infamous towns in America: Salem, Massachusetts.

She’s only there to find out why a woman she’s never met would leave her a house. A veritable castle that has seen better days. She couldn’t possibly accept it, but the lawyer assigned to the case practically begs her to take it off her hands, mostly because she’s scared of it. The house. The inanimate structure that, as far as Dephne can tell, has never hurt a fly.

Though it does come with some baggage. A pesky neighbor who wants her gone. A scruffy cat who’s a bit of a jerk. And a handyman bathed in ink who could moonlight as a supermodel for GQ.

She decides to give it three days, and not because of the model. She feels at home in Salem. Safe. But even that comes to a screeching halt when people begin knocking on her door day and night, begging for her help to locate their lost objects.

Come to find out, they think she’s a witch. And after a few mysterious mishaps, Dephne is beginning to wonder if they’re right.

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!

Saturday, July 25, 2020

2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge - July Wrap Up

Time for our Monthly Wrap Up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge hosted by Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know and Holly @ Words Fueled by Love!

Sandy finished Wild at Heart (Wild, # 2) by KA Tucker.



Which series enders did you finish? Link the up below. Don't forget to include the title, your name, & your blog name (Ex: Requiem - Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know) Also, the July giveaway runs from July 25th - August 25th. On August 25th we will use random.org and the linky entries to pull a winner.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Maybe This Time - Review

Maybe This Time

By: Kasie West

Publication: July 9th 2019 by Point

368 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Personal Kindle Library (on sale $1.99)

( 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--One year. Nine events. Nine chances to . . . fall in love?

Weddings. Funerals. Barbecues. New Year's Eve parties. Name the occasion, and Sophie Evans will be there. Well, she has to be there. Sophie works for the local florist, so she can be found at every big event in her small hometown, arranging bouquets and managing family dramas.

Enter Andrew Hart. The son of the fancy new chef in town, Andrew is suddenly required to attend all the same events as Sophie. Entitled, arrogant, preppy Andrew. Sophie just wants to get her job done and finish up her sketches so she can apply to design school. But every time she turns around, there is Andrew, getting in her way and making her life more complicated. Until one day she wonders if maybe complicated isn't so bad after all . . .

Told over the course of one year and following Sophie from event to event, this delightful novel from master of romantic comedy Kasie West shows how love can blossom in unexpected places.

Kasie West is an auto-buy author for me. I can always count on being pulled into her story and characters. I can always count on clean content and a relationship to root for. I have other authors that I consider to be auto-buy but I don't think anyone else is as consistent as Kasie West. And I love that. I love knowing that if I can get my hands on one of her books that I will enjoy it. And I have every single time. Of course, there are books that she's published that I've enjoyed more than others and some I've enjoyed less. But that's to be expected. Maybe This Time fell into the category of ones I enjoyed but didn't quite love.

Sophie is working at the local florist. She dreams of going to design school in New York after high school and getting out of her small town in Alabama. She is one of those characters that I could understand but sometimes found myself cringing with her inability to keep her mouth shut when she was upset--her biggest flaw. She also has to learn (as most of us do) that there are two sides to every story and relationship. This was true for her relationship with her mom, dad, best friend, and of course with Andrew too.

Sophie's best friend, Micah, was one of my favorite parts of this entire book. She works for her dad's catering business as a waiter. She's organized beyond the norm and my fellow planner heart just wanted to squeeze her.

Of course, I have to discuss Andrew. His dad was a chef on TV and he's since traveled around to small businesses to try to help them improve. This requires them to travel around which doesn't allow Andrew to make friends easily. He's a little arrogant, a lot defensive of his dad, and seems to quickly learn from his mistakes, unlike Sophie who takes a bit longer.

Sophie, Micah, and Andrew are thrown together repeatedly at various town events where Sophie works with the flowers and decorations, Micah works with the food, and Andrew takes pictures. Micah easily becomes friends with Andrew as she tends to see the best in people. Sophie and Andrew, however, have a hate-to-love relationship. They are really combative with each other and have a slow-building relationship. Sometimes slow builds are great, but I think the amount of time between interactions (or events the characters worked at) interfered with my enjoyment.

I wonder a little at the choice of setting for this book. Small town Alabama. I grew up in a small town in Alabama. I actually still live in a small town in Alabama. Some aspects of the town felt stereotypical in a negative way. Yet, I also couldn't necessarily say any of it was wrong and definitely none of it was out of the realm of possibility.

Maybe This Time fell in line with what I expect from Kasie West. This wasn't one of my favorites even though hate-to-love relationships are often a win for me. I think Sophie's attitude and inability to keep from verbally attacking others when she was upset forced me to keep my distance from her a little. I also think this book was a little more conceptual than Kasie West usually does. While conceptual works at times, I felt it hindered my connection to the characters and their journeys. Maybe This Time gets 3.5 Stars from me. Have you read Maybe This Time? What did you think? Let me know!

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Can't Wait for Heart Bones

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.

Heart Bones

By: Colleen Hoover

Expected Publication: August 27th 2020 by Hoover Ink, Inc.

300 pages

Genre: Young Adult?, Contemporary

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Beyah comes from a life of poverty and neglect; Samson from a family of wealth.

When the two find themselves spending the summer as neighbors, they soon realize money is one of the few things they don't have in common.

Their bond is too intense to ignore, but with only ten weeks separating them from the start of their new lives on opposite ends of the country, Beyah and Samson decide to stay in the shallow end of a summer fling.

What they don't realize is that a rip current is coming and it's about to drag both their hearts out to sea.

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

Monday, July 20, 2020

A Proper Charade - Review

A Proper Charade

By: Esther Hatch

Publication: May 1st 2020 by Covenant Communications

224 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult

Source: Personal Kindle 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--Lady Patience Kendrick was born to a life of privilege, and with the London Season looming, she finds herself facing unprecedented pressure to adhere to the rules of society. Unfortunately, the free-spirited young woman is anything but proper. Patience's elder brother, a former military man, bemoans his sister's antics - but when he accuses her of incurable frivolity, it is simply more than she can bear. Determined to prove her brother wrong, Patience undertakes a drastic experiment: she will disguise herself as a maid and demonstrate her ability to work as hard as anyone.

Taken on as household staff by her brother's former general, Patience soon learns that willingness and ability are two very different things. While her plan sounded promising in theory, the reality is that she is out of her depth - and the irresistibly charming son of the house isn't helping matters. Patience soon finds herself embroiled in a charade far more complicated that she imagined. With both her pride and her heart at stake, she is determined to prove her brother wrong - even as her plans spiral delightfully out of control.

Esther Hatch was a favorite new author for me in 2019. I read both Roses of Feldstone and A Proper Scandal. Both books were such pleasant surprises for me and Esther Hatch became an author added to my stalk list. When I saw A Proper Charade was coming to publication, I began stalking Netgalley and Edelweiss hoping I wouldn't miss it. *And as far as I know, there was never a review galley for A Proper Charade so I used part of my Mother's Day gift card to buy it. (*They did eventually list it on NetGalley, AFTER publication.)

I will say that I know before reading every book that the characters are going to encounter conflict, but there's something to me about conflict being too obvious or unavoidable that makes me dread books sometimes. So I was a little on the fence about the description of A Proper Charade. The drama between Patience and Anthony is inevitable because he will have to eventually learn that she is not who she claims to be. And from watching multiple seasons of Catfish, I don't believe I ever saw an episode where one party lied about their identity, and the other party decided to move forward with the relationship. Ultimately, every time they would decide the lies were too much.

Well, I'll have more faith in Esther Hatch next time. She worked each piece of the story out in a way that I felt completely okay with. Certainly, there were times when I felt Patience's charade was too easy to figure out and thus doomed. But Esther Hatch wrote just the right amount of discovery and subterfuge.

A Proper Charade gets 4 Stars. I enjoyed each step of the journey between Patience and Anthony. The side characters were each supporting without taking over too much from the main couple. I'm looking forward to Esther Hatch's next book and will begin stalking immediately. Have you read A Proper Charade? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 07/19/20

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.

We've had a good week here. Holly and my niece, Ashlyn, came to hang out with us Tuesday. We went for a walk and went swimming. The kids have actually been swimming almost twice a day every day. I've been taking them after our walks around the neighborhood where we get super hot and sweaty. Then Husband will take them after he gets home from work. Thursday, I took the kids to visit my mom. She was also serving as a babysitter while I ran to the doctor's office. I can now officially announce that we are expecting Baby # 3 (in January 2021). We suffered our 2nd miscarriage at the beginning of January and so 2020 started off really sad for us...and didn't get much better. I wasn't even ready mentally or emotionally to start trying again. But when I saw that positive test (on Memorial Day), I was filled with joy and excitement. Yesterday we went to a family celebration for my nephew who graduated high school last weekend.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Girl Gone Viral (Modern Love, # 2) by Alisha Rai (4 Stars)
Tuesday: Ten Books That Made Me Smile
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The Prince of Spies (Hope and Glory, # 3) by Elizabeth Camden
Thursday: Review of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of A Proper Charade (A Proper Scandal, # 2) by Esther Hatch
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Review of Maybe This time by Kasie West

Don’t forget to link up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2020 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.

You Have a Match

By: Emma Lord

Expected Publication: January 5th 2021 by Wednesday Books

320 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

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

Goodreads description--From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord's You Have a Match, a YA novel of family, friendship, romance and sisterhood…

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

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!

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey - Review

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey

By: Abigail Wilson

Publication: May 26th 2020 by Thomas Nelson

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Regency

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--When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity, as well as his dangerous mission.

Trapped by not only the duty to her country but her limited options, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her illegitimate son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. She is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murderer, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Afraid of what Lord Torrington might do if he learns of her son’s true identity, Elizabeth must remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless mystery person bent on her new family’s ruin.

I have said before but I love marriages of convenience that turn into something more. Yet I have a hard time understanding why or how one could think it would be a good idea to marry the brother of the father of your illegitimate child and still plan on keeping the identity of the father a secret. Especially when you think the child bears a resemblance to his father.

That was my issue going into Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey. But I quickly came to the realization that it didn't stop me from enjoying the book. The first two sentences provided a good opening and I didn't want to put the book down after.

Elizabeth has been through a lot in her 26 years. Her parents died leaving her and her brother deeply in debt. Her brother tries smuggling as a desperate attempt to provide for her. Thankfully she has a cousin who takes her under her wing when her brother is arrested. During her 2nd Season, she falls in love with a man who seems to return her affections. He even asks his father about marrying her but her history doesn't make her marriage material according to his father and when she announces that she's pregnant, he abandons her altogether. Thankfully her cousins still allow her to live with them but she's secured a position as a housekeeper for a friend in Dover and decides to take her son and go. Unfortunately, she wasn't planning on being held up by a highwayman and involved in a carriage crash.

Adrian is a spy. He has spent the last 15 years keeping his family life from his spy life. But he made a mistake. He held up the wrong carriage. And being caught alone with an unconscious woman and then pretending to be her husband to get her set up at the local inn was fine until an acquaintance overhead him say she was his wife. Now they have the choice of continuing in their deception and getting married for real or ruining reputations that are already fragile enough. Staying married will benefit Adrian in almost every way. But what about Elizabeth? Will it benefit her?

On top of trying to fool Adrian's two daughters (eighteen and sixteen) as well as his household that theirs is a love match, the two arrive back at Middlecrest Abbey just in time for there to be a murder. And much of the book is trying to figure out who the murderer is and how they connect to the correct carriage Adrian was supposed to hold up for his spying assignment. I had a few pieces of this puzzle figured out but not how each piece connected.

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey gets 4 Stars. I liked both of the main characters. I appreciated their journey to love. I don't always want a mystery in my historical fiction but I enjoyed this one. And it's always a plus when I don't figure out all of the pieces. Have you read Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey? What did you think? Let me know!

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Can't Wait for The Prince of Spies

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 Prince of Spies (Hope and Glory, # 2)

By: Elizabeth Camden

Expected Publication: February 16th 2021 by Bethany House Publishers

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical 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--Luke Delacroix has the reputation of a charming man-about-town in Gilded Age Washington, DC. In reality, he is secretly carrying out an ambitious agenda in Congress. His current mission is to thwart the reelection of Congressman Clyde Magruder, his only real enemy in the world.

But trouble begins when Luke meets Marianne Magruder, the congressman's only daughter, whose job as a government photographer gives her unprecedented access to sites throughout the city. Luke is captivated by Marianne's quick wit and alluring charm, leading them both into a dangerous gamble to reconcile their feelings for each other with Luke's driving passion for vital reforms in Congress.

Can their newfound love survive a political firestorm, or will three generations of family rivalry drive them apart forever?

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

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Ten Books That Made Me Smile

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 Books That Have Made Me Smile.


  1. Mayhem (Mayhem, # 1) by Jamie Shaw
  2. Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
  3. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
  4. The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
  5. Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West
  6. The Simple Wild (Wild, # 1) by KA Tucker
  7. Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, # 2) by Sarah J Maas
  8. A is for Abstinence (V is for Virgin, # 2) by Kelly Oram
  9. This Girl (Slammed, # 3) by Colleen Hoover
  10. Notorious Nineteen (Stephanie Plum, # 19) by Janet Evanovich

I chose to be very literal and looked for reviews where I specifically mention the book making me smile or "cheese". Which books have made you smile? Let me know!

Monday, July 13, 2020

Girl Gone Viral - Review

Girl Gone Viral (Modern Love, # 2)

By: Alisha Rai

Publication: April 21st 2020 by Avon

400 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

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--In Alisha Rai’s second novel in her Modern Love series, a live-tweet event goes viral for a camera-shy ex-model, shoving her into the spotlight—and into the arms of the bodyguard she’d been pining for.

OMG! Wouldn’t it be adorable if he’s her soulmate???

I don’t see any wedding rings [eyes emoji]

Breaking: #CafeBae and #CuteCafeGirl went to the bathroom AT THE SAME TIME!!!

One minute, Katrina King’s enjoying an innocent conversation with a hot guy at a coffee shop; the next, a stranger has live-tweeted the entire episode with a romantic meet-cute spin and #CafeBae is the new hashtag-du-jour. The problem? Katrina craves a low-profile life, and going viral threatens the peaceful world she’s painstakingly built. Besides, #CafeBae isn’t the man she’s hungry for...

He’s got a [peach emoji] to die for.

With the internet on the hunt for the identity of #CuteCafeGirl, Jas Singh, bodyguard, friend, and possessor of the most beautiful eyebrows Katrina’s ever seen, comes to the rescue and whisks her away to his family’s home. Alone in a remote setting with the object of her affections? It’s a recipe for romance. But after a long dating dry spell, Katrina isn’t sure she can trust her instincts when it comes to love—even if Jas’ every look says he wants to be more than just her bodyguard…

I had some hesitation over the description of Girl Gone Viral. Well, I guess my first issue was it's the 2nd in a series and I have not read book 1. I try not to do this, but I make an exception when the books are companions and the main characters are different from book to book. That was the case with the Modern Love series. I find stories with social media presence being so focal as both relevant and annoying. Probably because I find social media borderline annoying. Yet this certainly steered enough toward relevant.

I wasn't sure how much I was going to relate to Katrina once Girl Gone Viral started. Katrina struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. But her character was so endearing. Katrina worked hard to continue to see the good in others despite the negative things that happened to her in her past. She was unfailingly kind. I couldn't help but root for her to succeed in all areas.

Alisha Rai surprised me by writing from both Katrina's perspective and Jas's. Jas has been in love with Katrina probably longer than she's been in love with him. He has been utterly devoted to her. Yet I appreciated that he had his own issues and struggles that didn't have anything to do with her.

I found myself a little confused with the ethnicity of both characters. Some pieces were specified, but I actually liked that it wasn't spelled out because I didn't have to get wrapped up in the specifics. I could just appreciate the characters' personalities and the human experience.

Language and sexual content are both present if that's something that you'd rather not read.

I didn't highlight too much. There were a couple of continuity things I highlighted. Like one place was discussing a male character and "her" was used. And one place a character's grandfather was mentioned but then he was called the father. But I did have two quotes that I want to share.

- “The whole phrase goes, the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb. People shorten it to mean that kin is stronger than all else, but the original meaning is that the bond between nonfamily members can actually be stronger than family.”

-“I don’t mean anything bad when I say you’re nice, by the way. I think it takes a certain kind of strength, when the world is hateful or mean, to come out on the other side with your heart and your kindness and your humanity intact."

Girl Gone Viral wasn't without faults, but I mostly just enjoyed the journey. Katrina and Jas were both characters that I adored and rooted for. I thoroughly enjoyed their story. The relevancy of taking someone else's private moments and putting them on blast on social media really needs to be addressed. People's lives as being ruined daily in similar ways. But I appreciated how Katrina overcomes. Girl Gone Viral gets 4 Stars. Have you read Girl Gone Viral? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 07/12/20

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.

I was so concerned when we started the week because the forecast said to expect rain all week which is super depressing for me. I need to get outside. It helps tremendously with the kids. But as it turns out we were only stuck inside on Tuesday. Every other day we were able to walk and then we even went swimming after getting all hot on our walks. One day this week we happened upon another mom and two kids walking as well. We walked with them for a while (from an appropriate distance...close enough to chat, but far enough away to feel safe). Thursday my mom came to hang out with us. My nephew is graduating from high school today. This will be my first outing into a very public space as I've even avoided the grocery store thus far. Only I'm going due to a limited number of tickets. But I'll be masked up and keeping my distance from other as much as possible.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Not Another Love Song by Olivia Wildenstein (3 Stars)
Tuesday: Top Ten Most Read Authors (as of 2020)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Layla by Colleen Hoover
Thursday: Upon Further Review of A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, # 1) by Sarah J Maas (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Girl Gone Viral (Modern Love, # 2) by Alisha Rai
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Review of Masquerade at Middlecrest by Abigail Wilson

Don’t forget to link up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2020 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.

Fable (Fable, # 1)

By: Adrienne Young

Expected Publication: September 1st 2020 by Wednesday Books

368 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

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

Goodreads description--As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.

But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn't who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they're going to stay alive.

Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while trying to survive in a world built for men.

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!