Homeschool Friday - Mouse Loves School

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.

Mouse Loves School

By: Lauren Thompson

Illustrated By: Buket Erdogan

Publication: June 28, 2011 by Simon Spotlight

24 pages

Genre: Children's, First Readers

Source: Personal 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--Mouse decides to hide inside a bright red backpack...and ends up at school! He explores a world full of colors, letters, and numbers and more until, at last, Mouse discovers his favorite thing about school. Friends!

Young readers are sure to enjoy Lauren Thompson's simple, energetic text and Buket Erdogan's sweet, playful illustrations as they learn to recognize words and begin to read on their very own!

Mouse Loves School is one that my son picked out from our stack of level-1 readers. I kept this one back for several weeks because I saw some words that we'd not learned the phonics principles for yet. He actually asked to read this one with my husband instead of me, but I wanted to be close by since I try to repeat or give hints to the principles we have learned without giving the answer away or telling him what the word is. Like with Turtle and Snake Go Camping, he did surprisingly well using context clues to help him with words that he didn't know or hasn't learned the phonics to be able to sound out completely.

Mouse Loves School has repetitive words and sounds which helps build fluency. There was even a small amount of rhyming. I love the concept of reinforcing the idea that learning and school can be fun. It can be enjoyable and a positive thing. For someone who thinks learning gets in the way of all the fun they want to be having, I think reinforcing that it is possible to enjoy learning is always a good thing. Mouse Loves School gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read Mouse Loves School? What did you think? Let me know!

2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - July Wrap Up

Time for our Monthly Wrap Up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge hosted by Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know and Holly @ Words Fueled by Love!

Neither Holly nor Sandy have finished any series enders this month.

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 from the entire year to pull a grand prize winner.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Can't Wait for A Fire in the Sky

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.

A Fire in the Sky

By: Sophie Jordan

Expected Publication: September 24, 2024 by Avon

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Dragons

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan returns to the high-stakes, sweeping world of dragons, romance, and drama first evoked in her bestselling young adult Firelight series, in a brand-new epic adult romantasy series.

Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying.

But human lust for power is immortal.

Dragon fire no longer blisters the skies over Penterra, but inside the lavish palace, life is still perilous…especially for Tamsyn. Raised in the glittering court alongside the princesses, it's her duty to be punished for their misdeeds. Treated as part of the royal family but also as the lowliest servant, Tamsyn fits nowhere. Her only friend is Stig, Captain of the Guard...though sometimes she thinks he wants more than friendship.

When Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, descends on her home, Tamsyn’s world becomes even more dangerous. To save the pampered princesses from a fate worse than death, she is commanded to don a veil and marry the brutal warrior. She agrees to the deception even though it means leaving Stig, and the only life she’s ever known, behind.

The wedding night begins with unexpected passion—and ends in near violence when her trickery is exposed. Rather than start a war, Fell accepts Tamsyn as his bride...but can he accept the dark secrets she harbors—secrets buried so deep even she doesn’t know they exist? For Tamsyn is more than a royal whipping girl, more than the false wife of a man who now sees her as his enemy. And when those secrets emerge, they will ignite a flame bright enough to burn the entire kingdom to the bone.

Magic is not dead...it is only sleeping. And it will take one ordinary girl with an extraordinary destiny to awaken it.

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

The Getaway List - DNF Review

The Getaway List

By: Emma Lord

Publication: January 23, 2024 by Macmillan Young Listeners

Duration: 9 Hours, 49 Minutes, 49 Seconds

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

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--The day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes two things: One, that she has spent the last four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she really is anymore, and two, she has no idea what she wants because of it. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer, where her childhood best friend Tom and co-creator of The Getaway List ― a list of all the adventures they’ve wanted to do together since he moved away ― will hopefully help her get in touch with her old adventurous self, and pave the road to a new future.

Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since his famous mom’s scriptwriting career pulled him away. But when Riley arrives in the city, their reconnection is as effortless as it was when they were young―except with one, unexpected complication that will pull Riley’s feelings in a direction she didn’t know they could take. As she, Tom, and their newfound friends work their way through the delightfully chaotic items on The Getaway List, Riley learns that sometimes the biggest adventure is not one you take, but one you feel in your heart.

Inescapably romantic and brimming with Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.

Have you guys ever had a book that was like a series of events that just seemed to keep you from the book or enjoying the book? That's what happened to me with The Getaway List. At first, I was listening to the audiobook and enjoying it. I was wrapping Christmas presents while listening. But then I decided to lie down in bed and listen one night. You'll be surprised to hear that I fell asleep. NetGalley's audiobooks aren't easy to navigate because the sections are all labeled the same. That made finding the place I stopped difficult. Then, if you can believe it, I decided to start over in case I missed too much, and the same thing happened to me again. No more lying in bed listening to audiobooks. Lesson learned. But then I kept having issues with the content of the book after that. 

Okay, so Riley and Tom were best friends until Tom moved to New York, and Riley was left behind. Riley's mom has kept her busy with any and all extracurricular activities. Tom has stopped replying to text messages. And their relationship has dwindled. Riley and her mom had a falling out after graduation, and Riley decides to take a weekend trip to New York to visit Tom--which turns into a longer stay. Tom's mother is apparently in the film industry and is never home. Because apparently, no one could possibly dislike New York, Riley falls in love with the city, all the while realizing that she has feelings for her best friend. 

Enter my issues. 1) Riley's a little whiny and self-centered. 2) The characters cuss all the time. But it's the type of cursing that seems like the characters feel cool for doing it. (This is a pet peeve of mine...people who drink because they think they look cool doing it. And people who curse because they think it makes them cool.) The excessive language just felt stupid and unnecessary to me. You won't find me complaining about cursing in most of my book reviews. I tend to only mention it when it's excessive. And The Getaway List was excessive and unnecessary. 3) LGBTQ+ agenda. I don't always mention this either, believe it or not. But when LGBTQ+ stuff is thrown in for the sake of checking a box, I mention it. 4) Mostly, I found that I couldn't connect to the characters in a way that I cared about any of them. I kept trying. I kept listening to push forward and make progress. I kept thinking I would get invested soon. And I just didn't. I ended up listening to 62% of the book, and by that point, I usually tell myself that I've come too far to stop now. But I felt so much relief when I finally made the decision to DNF that I knew I made the right choice. 

I tried to like The Getaway List. I have enjoyed Emma Lord's books in the past. In fact, I did rate Tweet Cute as 5 Stars. I hate that I couldn't connect to the characters or the story, but this book was a series of unfortunate events for me. I was not the right reader for The Getaway List, and I ended up DNFing at 62%. Have you read The Getaway List? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 07/21/24

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.

Tuesday the 8th we had a playdate with some friends who came over to swim for a while. We were just wrapping up our playtime when it started to rain. Wednesday, Big Girl's friend and her mom came over. The kids swam for a little while, but Little Boy jumped off the diving board and landed on top of Big Boy who was under the water and knocked his loose tooth looser. That put an end to swimming, but the girls went inside to play for a while. I had my annual checkup with my doctor on Thursday so my parents watched the kids for me. My sister and neice came to visit from Gulf Shores so Friday evening we went to my parent's house to visit for a while, and Big Girl spent the night with them. Saturday, we had a family swim birthday for my sister-in-law, Holly. Monday and Tuesday were normal days for this last week. Wednesday, we hung out with my parents. I also had a hair appointment. Then Thursday, we had a playdate with my friend who lives in Texas and her kids. They are visiting her parents for a month this summer. Friday, we went to Husband's mom's house because his sister and her family came to visit. We swam, but Big Boy wasn't feeling well. I checked him when we got home, and he was running a fever of 103.1. He ran fever off and on. We had a chill day Saturday. The other two kids went back to Grammy's house to spend time with family, but I stayed home with my sick boy. It also rained all day so I actually spent most of the day reading which was really nice. I'm hoping he's on the mend now though.

THE PAST TWO WEEKS

Monday: Review of Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan (4.5 Stars)
Thursday: Review of The Lady Glass by Anneka R Walker
Friday: Homeschool Friday - I Survived The Chicago Fire, 1871
Monday: Review of The Design of Us by Sajni Patel (4 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Turtle and Snake Go Camping

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: DNF Review of The Getaway List by Emma Lord
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Thursday: 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - July Wrap Up
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Mouse Loves School

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign 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!

NEW BOOKS:

Once Upon a Broken Heart (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 1)

By: Stephanie Garber

Publication: September 28, 2021 by Flatiron Books

408 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

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--How far would you go for happily ever after?

For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings... until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.

Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic but wicked Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.

But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game—and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after or the most exquisite tragedy...

'Til Heist Do Us Part

By: Sara Desai

Expected Publication: August 20, 2024 by Berkley

368 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, India

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--Diamond necklaces, billionaires, Mafia bosses, and student loans—it’s all in a day’s work for Simi Chopra and her ragtag heist crew in the next romantic-comedy caper from Sara Desai.It’s been a year since Simi Chopra’s motley crew pulled off a high-wire diamond necklace heist with the help of sexy rogue Jack Danger. After living it up on the reward money, they're back where they started, struggling to pay their bills. So when a Chicago Mafia boss demands they return the jewels—plus interest, or else—they need to get the team back together…and fast.Unfortunately, Simi soon discovers that the necklace is in the hands of Jack's nemesis, a highly-skilled and supremely vengeful master thief who is not above a little blackmail to get even. (Did Jack really have to piss her off?) Now, the crew is forced into her working her con in order to get the necklace back. As if Simi needed any more complications while trying to rob a billionaire’s mansion, she and Jack are on the rocks, someone else is after her score, and a gorgeous detective is hot on her tail. Simi better be careful or she’ll end up in the less fun kind of handcuffs.

How and When to Tell Your Kids about Sex: A Lifelong Approach to Shaping Your Child’s Sexual Character

By: Stanton L Jones & Brenda B Jones

Publication: August 6, 2019 by NavPress

280 pages

Genre: Non-fiction, Self-Help, Christian, Parenting, Family

Source: Personal 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--One Million Copies Sold in Series!
Christian Book Award: ECPA Medallion of Excellence

Stan and Brenna Jones help parents establish a biblical view of sexuality in their homes. Building on a biblical foundation, they discuss how to talk with your children about sexual issues and when it’s appropriate to tell them what. With stark honesty and practical suggestions, they address Building a Christian understanding of sex and sexuality Developing a healthy dialogue with children about sexuality How and when to explain sexual intercourse Preparing for the physical changes of puberty Preparing for dating: dealing with romance and sexual attraction Encouraging a commitment to chastity What to do if you’re getting a late start telling your kids about sex Now revised and updated with helpful material on the dangers of pornography, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

I Want to Trust You, but I Don't: Moving Forward When You’re Skeptical of Others, Afraid of What God Will Allow, and Doubtful of Your Own Discernment

By: Lysa TerKeurst

Expected Publication: October 8, 2024 by Thomas Nelson

256 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Christian

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--New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst shows you what to do with your skepticism and distrust so you can heal from past betrayals and move forward with strength and resilience.

Trust is the oxygen of all human relationships. But it's also what trips you up after you've been burned. Maybe a friend constantly lets you down. A leader or organization you respect turns out to be different than they portray themselves to be. A spouse cheats on you. A family member betrays you. You're exhausted by other people's choices and starting to question your own discernment. And you're wondering, If God let this happen, can he even be trusted?

How can you live well and step into the future when you keep stumbling over trust issues? Lysa TerKeurst says it's not simply about finding better people to walk with. It's about developing the stability you long for within yourself and with God, so you don't become cynical and carry a broken belief system into every new relationship.

In I Want to Trust You, But I Don't, Lysa shows you how to identify which of the eleven relational red flags are stirring up distrust, so you can pinpoint why you're feeling uneasy;stop having more faith in your fears coming true than God coming through for you by asking crucial "what if" questions to better process your doubts;recognize when a fractured relationship can be repaired by considering a reasonable list of characteristics necessary for rebuilding trust; andunderstand the physical, emotional, and neurological impact of the betrayals you've experienced and start healing from the inside out.

In a world where so many things feel alarming, this book will give you a peace that isn't dependent on unpredictable people, circumstances, and experiences. Instead, it offers practical and biblical ways to make real progress toward healthier perspectives, relationships, and a future you can authentically look forward to.

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 - Turtle and Snake Go Camping

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.

Turtle and Snake Go Camping

By: Kate Spohn

Publication: June 1, 2000 by Penguin Young Readers

32 pages

Genre: Children's, First Readers

Source: Personal 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--Turtle and Snake are going camping. Where should they put their tent? They splash through a brook, climb over some rocks, and paddle across a pond, before they find the perfect spot. But the forest is a little too scary at night. These endearing characters help beginning readers gain confidence.

Turtle and Snake Go Camping is one that my son voluntarily pulled from our stack of level-1 readers. He will often say a book looks "boring" or "cheesy", so for him to choose a book is a big thing. I was worried that he might not be at a level to actually read this book because "turtle" isn't a word that he's learned the phonics principles yet (words that end in le). But number 1, the word "turtle" isn't actually in the book, only the title. And number 2, he has been doing surprisingly well using context clues to help him with words that he doesn't know or hasn't learned the phonics to be able to sound out completely.

I'm always looking for books that are repetitive with words or sounds because that helps build fluency without each sentence being a repeat. Turtle and Snake Go Camping was a good method of doing this because Turtle and Snake go camping and then come back home. So the actions they do to get there are the same actions they take to go back home. And this provided repetition without it being "cheesy" as my son might say. He did give me a little giggle there at the end also. Turtle and Snake Go Camping gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read Turtle and Snake Go Camping? What did you think? Let me know!

The Design of Us - Review

The Design of Us

By: Sajni Patel

Expected Publication: July 16, 2024 by Berkley

368 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

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--One impulsive lie leads to a weeklong adventure of fake dating for two bickering coworkers in this swoony destination wedding rom-com by Sajni Patel, author of The Trouble with Hating You .

Sunshine incarnate Bhanu brings big UX energy to whatever she does, including going for the promotion where her only serious competition is her work nemesis, AKA Sunny, the grump with the Denzel voice. She expected to get a reprieve from him while visiting her family in Hawai’i, but the universe has other plans. When Bhanu runs into Sunny at the hotel and witnesses his ex criticizing him about being single, Bhanu does the first thing that comes to she impetuously claims to be Sunny’s girlfriend just to get some peace and quiet. Except Sunny is on island for a friend’s wedding and his ex has already texted the entire wedding party about this mysterious girlfriend.

Bhanu truly is the bane of Sunny’s existence. But the last thing he wants to do is cause tension during his friend’s wedding festivities, much less be the object of their pity. He has no choice except to play along, if only he and Bhanu can put aside their quarreling and act like a real couple.

Between Bhanu’s hilariously meddling family and Sunny’s ecstatic friends, the two are pushed closer together, even as stress mounts over the impending promotion.

They say what happens on island, stays on island. But as Sunny and Bhanu let their guards down, will either of them be able to resist this romantic getaway without crossing the line?

Sajni Patel has become one of my favorite authors. The description above gives you all you need to know about this book. If you like relationships that start out fake for appearances sake but end up real and/or if you like enemies-to-lovers tropes then this is the book for you. 

Bhanu has gone to Hawaii to visit her sister for a much-needed vacation. She works hard, and even on vacation, she finds it difficult to put work away. She's dedicated, and she's good at what she does. So good that she's up for a promotion. The only problem is, that Sunny, her work nemesis, is being criticized by his ex-girlfriend right in front of her. Not only is the hate ruining her vacation vibes, but she also doesn't think Sunny deserves to be treated like that. She has to take up for him. The only problem is that she puts them both in a situation that will only further embarrass him...and possibly her, too.

Sunny wishes that Bhanu had kept her nose in her own business. But it does take the pressure off a little to have her join in his friend's wedding activities. It keeps him from being the odd man out and everyone feeling sorry for him that his ex is with someone else but rubbing it in his face. 

If I'm honest, I did it again. I read this book THREE MONTHS before writing my review of it. And I've read 24 books since this one. So, I don't remember all of the particulars. I do remember being annoyed with Bhanu's tourist hate. Bhanu's sister lives in Hawaii, and so she regularly visits. Despite technically being a tourist, she has such an aversion to tourists which I find odd. Her sister's entire job is dedicated to tourists. The islands themselves depend heavily on tourism for their economy. Of course, tourists won't know what the locals know. But how can you be so annoyed by their ignorance? How can you expect people to understand what they don't know? Some of the tourist issues that Bhanu and her sister noted were just people being rude and disrespectful, but I have a feeling that's just who those people are at their core and not because they're tourists specifically. Once people know better, they can do better. But until then, your harsh judgments of them aren't helping matters.

I didn't highlight anything except references to the tourist hate I mentioned above.

I read The Design of Us really quickly. It's the perfect summer or beach read. Hey, if you're going to Hawaii on vacation it'd be a great choice both for entertainment value and for some information on what locals find annoying about tourists. I loved Sunny and Bhanu's relationship journey. I'm a sucker for fake dating and enemies-to-lovers tropes anyway. The Design of Us gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Design of Us? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871

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.

I Survived the Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived, # 11)

By: Lauren Tarshis

Publication: February 24, 2015 by Scholastic Inc.

115 pages

Genre: Children's, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure, Chapter Book

Source: Borrowed from the e-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--Could an entire city really burn to the ground? Oscar Starling never wanted to come to Chicago. But then Oscar finds himself not just in the heart of the big city, but in the middle of a terrible fire! No one knows exactly how it began, but one thing is clear: Chicago is like a giant powder keg about to explode.An army of firemen is trying to help, but this fire is a ferocious beast that wants to devour everything in its path, including Oscar! Will Oscar survive one of the most famous and devastating fires in history? Lauren Tarshis brings history's most exciting and terrifying events to life in this New York Times-bestselling series. Readers will be transported by stories of amazing kids and how they survived!

I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 is the second book in the I Survived series that we have listened to. We follow Oscar who's mother is remarrying after being a widow for a while. Oscar isn't happy to be moving to a new place even though he does like the man his mother is planning on marrying. When they arrive at the train station in Chicago Oscar's luggage is stolen, and shortly after he decides to take off after a girl who was instrumental in helping the boys who stole it. Oscar finds the little girl and learns why she is helping a gang of boys steal in the city. In the meantime, the famous fire breaks out and Oscar has to find his way back to his mother and Mr. Morrow while helping the little girl also.

My kids were really enjoying the audiobook when we had to take a break because they went on a trip during Spring Break with my parents and our library copy expired. The break in our rhythm kins of messed things up, and they weren't as excited to finish this book than I think they would have been otherwise.

Oscar's story is brief but packed full of all the good things you hope for in a kid's book. He faces many challenges and has to overcome them. The people he meets aren't always good, and he has to decide how to handle each one.

I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 was another good installment in a series that I know we will continue diving into. I love how Lauren Tarshis mixes fictional stories into historical events that help the reader (or listener) feel like they are actually experiencing the events and learning about historical events in the process. The characters always face challenges that bring out the best in them. I Survived the Chicago Fire, 1871 gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871? What did you think? Let me know!

The Lady Glass - Review

The Lady Glass

By: Anneka R Walker

Publication: July 9, 2024 by Covenant Communications

288 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.

NetGalley description--Theresia Dvorak has nothing left of her parents—nothing save her dowry, a priceless crystal vase stolen and sold by her own stepmother. Theresia will do anything to secure what is rightfully hers—even assume a false identity and steal her future back. When she gains entrance to a house party and has a memorable run-in with the handsome navel captain Rolland Reese, her mission is compromised. She swore never to trust an Englishman again, but when he makes a daring proposal she cannot refuse, she must work side by side with him if either of them is to achieve their aim.

Rolland is stunned when his homecoming from the war takes a decidedly deadly turn. The quickest solution is to throw a house party and invite all the suspects. With the stakes incredibly high, Rolland must root out the killer before they turn their sights to the next potential victim: his own father. The mysterious Theresia is undoubtedly the most suspicious of his guests, but against all odds, he finds himself risking everything to protect her. As Rolland unravels a tangle of clues, he faces the greatest threats of all: a heart of fire and a future as fragile as glass.

I have adored Anneka R Walker's Matchmaking Mamas series. But I didn't love her book The Dreaming Beauty. I can't say the complaints I had with The Dreaming Beauty are exactly the same as they are with The Lady Glass, but there are similarities in the feel. For one, the pacing was slow at the beginning of The Lady Glass. I try not to be someone who has a short attention span, but I prefer to be hooked into the storyline quickly if possible. 

Marcus, who was the leading male character of the previous book, is hosting a house party full of guests who are suspects in a murder and plot of the potential murder of Rolland's father. Rolland is the main male character in this story. He was a captain in the Navy until he was injured in the line of duty. He is still recovering, but his main purpose for now is the discovery of the murderer. He, Marcus, Ellis (the leading male character from The Masked Baron, which I haven't read), and Simon--a friend from school--are the main crew investigating. I was disappointed in their efforts during this book. None of the characters involved in solving mysteries and spying for the government in the past books did anything noteworthy to discover the murderer in their midst. Their attempts were nonexistent and pathetic. I mean, this served for the plot, but it felt unrealistic or believable how little progress was being made. Or more than that, the effort behind the progress is what was so lacking.

Theresia was fine. I mean, when I look at her knowing that she has nothing to lose by seeking the vase her father promised to be her dowry, but her stepmother sold, I guess I can understand some of her actions. But that's a stretch. She had almost a disregard for her life at the expense of her quest. She was involved in breaking and entering and searching other people's property, who she has no indication actually stole her vase. Theresia did more for the investigation than any of the four men who have spy and military backgrounds did. 

I did end up reading most of The Lady Glass quickly. But I think the mystery plot might be Anneka R Walker's downfall. These aspects tend to bring up the unbelievable simply for the sake of the mystery plot. I think her storytelling is much better without the mystery components. But I liked Rolland and Theresia overall. The Lady Glass gets 3 Stars. Have you read The Lady Glass? What did you think? Let me know!

Beneath These Cursed Stars - Review

Beneath These Cursed Stars

By: Lexi Ryan

Expected Publication: July 9, 2024 by HarperTeen

432 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Fae

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (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--From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan comes a romantic fantasy in which a human princess armed with death’s kiss and a fae shifter on the run become unlikely allies when a mission to assassinate an evil king collides with a fatal prophecy.

Princess Jasalyn has a secret. Armed with an enchanted ring that gives her death’s kiss, Jas has been sneaking away from the palace at night to assassinate her enemies.

Shape-shifter Felicity needs a miracle. Fated to kill her magical father, she’s been using her unique ability to evade a fatal prophecy.

When rumors of evil king Mordeus’s resurrection spread through the shadow court, Jasalyn decides to end him once and for all. Felicity agrees to take the form of the princess, allowing Jas to covertly hunt Mordeus—and starting Felicity on the path that could finally take her home.

While Jasalyn teams up with the charming and handsome Kendrick, Felicity sets out to get closer to the Wild Fae king, Misha. Kendrick helps Jasalyn feel something other than anger for the first time in three years, and Misha makes Felicity wish for a world where she’s free to be her true self. Soon, the girls’ missions are at risk right alongside their hearts.

The future of the human and fae realms hangs in the balance as fates intertwine. Between perilous tasks, grim secrets, and forbidden romances, Jasalyn and Felicity find that perhaps their stars are the most cursed of all.

Beneath These Cursed Stars is a spinoff of These Hollow Vows series. Technically you don't have to read the first series first. I didn't. But I felt like I was missing out through the entire book. The events of the previous books affect this one but affect the characters and their relationships with each other the most. *I have since read the previous books and reviews for them will be coming soon.

Jasalyn was held captive by the previous king when her sister was the rightful heir to the throne. He tortured her but healed her wounds. She is suffering from PTSD and the trauma she endured. But at some point, she buys a magical ring from a witch which takes away her fear and turns her into an Enchanted Lady making everyone obey her every word. It also gives her the kiss of death. She's been using this to kill Mordeus's supporters and the guards who tortured her. Jasalyn is deeply affected by what she experienced, and she can't seem to be what everyone else wants her to be. She can't pretend she's healed or whole or normal.

Felicity is an Echo which means using someone else’s hair she can transform into their body when the hair is on their head. It also gives her one memory of the person she is turning into. Felicity is hiding from her birth father. As soon as she returns to her actual form her birth father will be able to locate her. Felicity and Jasalyn come to an agreement for Felicity to take Jasalyn's place visiting the Wild Fae court because Jasalyn needs some space to breathe, and Kendrick needs her for his mission. Felicity has a part of the mission which happens to include being at the Wild Fae court.

Kendrick is on a mission to save the realm of Elora from corruption. He spent time in the dungeon in a cell next to Jasalyn. She was younger then, but he encouraged her and connected with her through their shared trauma. Although Kendrick never knew the full extent of Jas's torture because she was healed before being returned to her cell. Kendrick needs Jas to help him succeed in his mission. So his friends kidnap her. Jasalyn agrees to help them because she loves Elora and still considers it her home. It represents the beginning of her life. Before she was kidnapped and tortured. 

And then there's Misha. He's the king of the Wild Fae court. He's a friend of Jasalyn's sister, Aribella. Aribella wants Jasalyn to stay with Misha for a while until she recovers a little more emotionally from her trauma. Aribella may also be attempting to play matchmaker. Misha never has seen Jasalyn romanticly but things change for him while she's in his court. Unfortunately, the Jasalyn with him is Felicity posing as Jasalyn with her permission. Misha spends his time trying to get Jasalyn out of her shell and teaching her to defend herself should she ever be faced with a situation where someone wishes her harm. You can imagine how he will feel when he finds out that Jasalyn is not who he has been spending time with. 

I have barely scratched the surface of the plot. Lexi Ryan does an outstanding job with character development and handling trauma. Of course, I have no experience in the trauma that Jasalyn specifically went through. But Lexi Ryan wrote in a way that felt realistic. The other characters have all been through their share of some trauma. No one is immune to heartbreak. And everyone has their missions and plans. It makes for an intricately woven web. 

Beneath These Cursed Stars sucked me in. We get a two-for-one in the romance department. Although, of course, the couples can't be happy right now because there's more to come from the series--at least one more book. But the more the merrier in my opinion. I didn't want to stop reading when I needed to. And I immediately went to find the previous series as soon as I finished this book. Beneath These Cursed Stars gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read Beneath These Cursed Stars? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 07/07/24

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 and Tuesday were mostly normal days. Tuesday I did have grocery pick up and we swam after lunch instead of before. Wednesday, we swam before lunch and then Husband's sister and family came to town and the kids went over to his mom's to visit with them. Thursday morning we went to my parent's house for a little over an hour. My aunt and uncle had come for a day visit from Mobile, and I don't get to see them very often anymore. Half of their kids live out of state so they're traveling regularly to visit with them and their grandbabies. We also have less family in Mobile so we rarely travel there these days as well. Then we came home and changed clothes and grabbed some things for lunch. We had lunch with Husband's family and went swimming at his mom's house after lunch. We came home and let Little Boy nap. Then we went back to his mom's for dinner and to shoot fireworks. If you're an old subscriber then you'll know that Husband's dad passed away on July 4th of 2015, so we always celebrate the holiday together while remembering him together. His sister and family were still here Friday so we went back over after breakfast and swam again and had lunch. The kids got back in the pool after lunch and then we came home for nap again. Saturday was much more low key. The kids did swim a little while but not long. They actually played really well together most of the day. I worked on prepping for our upcoming school year. I made my last order for curriculum. We will go pick up a few school supplies in a few weeks. But thankfully, since we homeschool we don't have to buy entirely new supplies each year.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: June 2024 EOM Wrap Up
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Tiny Goes to the Library
Saturday: Review of On the Bright Side by Anna Sortino (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - I Survived The Chicago Fire, 1871

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign 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!

NEW BOOKS:

Serpent Sea (The Spice Road Trilogy, # 2)

By: Maiya Ibrahim

Expected Publication: September 17, 2024 by Delacorte Press

512 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

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--As a Shield Immani is sworn to protect her land from the monsters across the city but as the Harrowlanders begin preparing supplies, horses and their greatest weapon—spice magic—she knows it is only a matter of time before the invasion begins…and it will be a losing battle. But Immani also knows that the only true way to fight magic is with monsters. If she can restore Qayn’s stolen powers, together they can summon an army to save Sahir. Forming an alliance with a former King turned monster might seem like the riskiest thing she can do but things are made even more dangerous by the fact that his magic is in the form of three jewels that once were encrusted in his crown but are now hidden beyond the dessert.

A forbidden quest to find the jewels might be the only way to combat the Harrowlanders but as Immani journeys across the sea, she will discover serpentines and other scaled creatures warriors have only heard about in myths…and that can strike at any moment. One wrong move could cost her life—and everyone she loves. But Immani may find there is more than meets the eye crossing the serpent sea…and betrayal cuts deeper than any dagger.

A Game of Hearts (The Cartwells, # 1)

By: Joanna Barker

Publication: October 6, 2022 by Rose Petal Press

321 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance, Regency

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--If you can't join them, beat them.

Marigold Cartwell has only one to defeat her long-time rival on the archery field. She knows she can outshoot irritating, cynical Tristan Gates, but the local bowmen’s society—the one he belongs to—refuses to allow women to compete. Spurred on by their rejection, Marigold decides to start a new society. Naturally, it has only one no men.

Tristan Gates is used to Marigold Cartwell always getting her way, so he is far from surprised when she forms her own society. He knows how relentless she can be, something he learned firsthand facing her at the targets. But Tristan has enough worries of his own, what with his bachelor uncle falling in love with a fortune hunter. He has no time to entertain Marigold’s ambitions.

However, after a visit to the seashore ends in disaster—and scandal—Marigold and Tristan soon realize how little they know about each other. The strained tension between them quickly turns to simmering attraction, but an important archery competition looms ahead. Lines are drawn all around them, with Marigold and Tristan on opposite sides, and neither can afford to lose. Yet winning might be the very thing to tear them apart.

To Charm a Lady (The Cartwells, # 2)

By: Joanna Barker

Publication: June 6, 2024 by Rose Petal Press

294 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance, Regency

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--Cora Atherton wants nothing more than to finally fall in love—real love, not the unrequited sort. When she is invited to attend a house party without her disapproving, overbearing mother, Cora leaps at the chance, desperate to make a match of her own. That is, until she finds that Oliver Cartwell is also attending the party. Oliver, the boy she has loved since she was a girl and the man she is determined to forget.

A house party in the country is just what Oliver needs to distract himself from the shadows of his past. When he discovers that Cora, his sister’s best friend, is in need of a little matchmaking, he resolves to help her in her search for a husband. He quickly learns that no man is good enough for her, least of all himself. Why, then, does he find himself fighting his attraction to gentle, beautiful Cora at every step?

As the two draw closer together, Cora is forced to confront the feelings that have tortured her for years. With her future on the line and a deadline fast approaching, can she trust that flirtatious Oliver has changed for the better—or will he leave her heart in pieces once again?

Kingdom Cold (Kingdom Cold, # 1)

By: Brittni Chenelle

Publication: January 25, 2021 by Brittni Chenelle

276 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Attempted murder , that's how sixteen-year-old Princess Charlotte's engagement starts.

It seems like the only thing she has in common with Prince Young of Vires is their mutual discontent.

When her kingdom's attacked, Charlotte's parents renegotiate her hand in marriage to a handsome stranger with a sinister plan. With the people Charlotte loves dying around her, and her kingdom's future at stake, the only person she can turn to is the prince she betrayed. But, should she save her kingdom or her heart? One must fall. Diverse Fantasy, YA Fantasy Romance, Enemies-To-Lovers, Multi-POV

BRITTNI CHENELLE is a USA Today Bestselling Author who specializes in angsty multicultural fantasy romances. She loves the enemies-to-lovers trope and her favorite genres to read and write are Young Adult Fantasy Romance, New Adult Urban Fantasy, Fairytale Retellings , Steamy Paranormal Romance, and African American Paranormal Romance with plenty of Black Girl Magic. She's very passionate about equal representation and makes a point to include characters from different backgrounds and cultures in her fantasy stories.

Nymph Totem

By: Britti Chenelle

Expected Publication: March 26, 2024 by Brittni Chenelle

282 pages

Genre: Young 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--They should've known when they damned me... Hell makes monsters of us all.

Nova has lived all her life in The Garden, an island that floats above Earth, undetected. Her secret friendship with the Prince changed to something more and all that stands in the way of the life she’s been dreaming of is her Totem Ceremony–an age-old rite that assigns one of four elements she'll spend her life protecting.

When Nova's ceremony goes horribly wrong, she's placed in a fifth Totem located in the Underworld. Humiliated and cast out, her only hope is to convince her true love’s arrogant, moody brother that there’s been some kind of terrible mistake. But the longer she spends in the darkness battling the salacious urges brought on by the Underworld’s ruler, the closer she comes to unleashing her true nature and making the world that betrayed her burn.

The Monstrous Kind

By: Lydia Gregovic

Expected Publication: September 3, 2024 by Delacorte Press

400 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Gothic

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--An atmospheric, haunting, romantasy inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, set in a Regency England about two sisters fighting to hold on to their manor while deadly monsters prowl along its perimeters—perfect for fans of House of Salt and Sorrows and Anatomy: A Love Story.

Merrick Darling’s life as daughter of the Manor Lord of Sussex is better than most. Unlike the commoners, she is immune to the toxic fog that encroached on England generations earlier. She will never become a Phantom—one of the monstrous creatures that stalk her province’s borders—and as long as the fires burn to hold them back, her safety is ensured. She wants for nothing, yet she will never inherit her family’s Manor. She must marry smartly or live at the kindness of her elder sister, Essie.

Everything is turned on its head, though, when Merrick’s father dies suddenly. Torn from her New London society life of ball gowns and parties, Merrick must travel back to her childhood home, the Darling estate of Norland House, and what she finds there is bewildering. Once strong and capable, Essie is withdrawn and frightened—and with good cause. A recent string of attacks along the province’s borders has turned their formerly bucolic countryside into a terrifying and unpredictable landscape. The fog is closing in and the fires aren’t holding, which makes Merrick and Essie vulnerable in more ways than one. Because the Phantoms are far from the only monsters in Merrick’s world, and the other eleven Manor Lords are always watching for weakness.

Revealing her and her sister’s current state to the rest of the Manors is out of the question, but when Essie goes missing, it’s clear that Merrick needs help. Only, who can she trust when everyone seems to be scheming, and when all she holds true feels like it’s slipping right out of her grasp?

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!

On the Bright Side - Review

On the Bright Side

By: Anna Sortino

Publication: July 2, 2024 by Putnum

319 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Disability

( 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 hopeful novel about love, disability, and the inevitability of change by the author of Give Me a Sign.

Ellie’s Deaf boarding school just shut down, forcing her to leave the place she considered home and return to her hearing family. Back in a mainstream school, Ellie quickly becomes the subject of hateful rumors. That’s when her guidance counselor pairs her with Jackson, a student who’s supposed to help her adjust. Can the boy who tries to say the right things, and gets it all wrong, be the lifeline Ellie needs?

Jackson has been avoiding his teammates ever since some numbness in his legs cost them an important soccer match. With his senior year off to a lonely start, he’s intrigued when he’s asked to help the new girl, initially thinking it will be a commendable move on his part. Little does he know Ellie will soon be the person he wants most by his side when the strange symptoms he’s experiencing amount to a life-changing diagnosis.

Exploring what it means to build community, Anna Sortino pens a story about the fear of the unknown and the beauty of the unexpected, all wrapped up in a poignant romance that will break your heart and put it back together again.

I didn't love Anna Sortino's Give Me a Sign. I took issue with her characters' general mindset. The evidence that Anna Sortino might suffer from the same mindset is that the characters in that book all generally agreed on the same things. So I wasn't sure if I wanted to pick up On the Bright Side. But I decided to give this one a try, and I'm glad that I did.

Ellie used to go to a deaf boarding school. But lack of funding has the school shutting down, and Ellie has to return to her hearing family and school. I finished this book two months before sitting down to write my review, and I know that I'm forgetting the intricacies of the relationship dynamic between Ellie and her family. I felt like fault lay on both sides. Ellie's parents didn't seem to put themselves in her shoes, and they didn't make the necessary adjustments to help her feel like part of the family. Ellie feels inferior to her sister, at least, she views her parents as seeing her as inferior. Mostly, it seemed that communication was needed between them that had nothing to do with hearing or the language that was being used. I felt bad for Ellie, but I also felt bad for her family.

Jackson has been hiding some numbness in his legs because he wasn't sure what was happening. His dad is hard-core physical and always pushes him to go harder. Jackson probably could have talked to his parents, but he chose not to, fearing their response. Jackson has a fall during a critical soccer game, and his teammates give him a hard time over. And then Jackson's symptoms get more and more concerning. He eventually gets to the point where he can't hide what he's going through from his family any longer. And he finally receives a diagnosis. I felt bad for Jackson because the doctors were giving him the runaround. I, too, have felt like doctors were blowing off my concerns in different areas as no big deal when their explanations didn't seem to make sense. It's hard to push back against the ones who are supposed to know more about the human body than the average person. But I've learned through various family members and my own experiences that we have to advocate for ourselves, and if we're not happy with the response from the doctor, we need to get a second opinion. We only have one body to take the best care of we possibly can. Jackson, being a minor, wasn't sure about what the doctors were telling him, but he didn't know enough to push back. His character's particular struggle was more emotional when learning that Anna Sortino went through a very similar experience and received the same diagnosis as Jackson. 

I liked Ellie and Jackson's relationship. Ellie was a little harsh with him initially because she wasn't sure he was genuine. I like how Jackson was open to learning to sign to better communicate with Ellie. I didn't feel Ellie was as judgemental or pushy about forcing him to do so as the characters Anna Sortino wrote in Give Me a Sign. These two used text and other methods to communicate. Jackson was willing to learn, but Ellie allowed him to learn organically and didn't expect him to pick up an entire language within a ridiculous period, especially given the physical challenges he was dealing with. 

I was happy that Ellie found a family in her friends and a community that would support her. They helped her have a productive and needed conversation with her parents, which helped rebuild some of the damage their toxic relationship patterns were causing. But I also felt like Ellie was harsh with her family here. It's hard to say without being in the situation myself. Ellie does say there was a lack of effort on both parts but that she wasn't inclined to change it. Well, you can't expect someone else to do something you're not willing to do yourself. If you want your parents or anyone, to make an effort for you, you have to be willing to make an effort for them.

Overall, I enjoyed On the Bright Side more than Anna Sortino's previous book, Give Me a Sign. Ellie was still a little bit of a struggle for me. She still had a victim mindset in a lot of ways, and her relationship with her parents was just as much her fault as her parents. They certainly shouldn't be let off the hook. Jackson was the redeeming factor. He had his physical life-altering events going on, which I think allowed Ellie not to push him unrealistically on learning sign language. He was the bright side for me in this book. On the Bright Side gets 4 Stars. Have you read On the Bright Side? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Tiny Goes to the Library

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.

Tiny Goes to the Library

By: Cari Meister

Publication: July 1, 2000 by Penguin Young Readers

32 pages

Genre: Children's, First Readers

Source: Personal 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--Tiny likes to go places with his best friend. But when they go to the library, Tiny has to wait outside. Soon it's time to bring the books home. Tiny is a very big help! Not since Clifford has a big dog been so appealing!

As I've discussed, my son, who is 6 years old, is a reluctant reader. He doesn't love it. He melts down over how long books are. Yet he's doing a great job at actually reading.

Tiny Goes to the Library wasn't a book that he was excited about reading. They can't all be books that we're excited about, right? At least at this stage the books are all short and easy to read. He's doing really well. I didn't notice as much repetition in phonetic sounds or specific words in this book as I have with some other early readers. He did get to read "Tiny" and "library" over and over. So those were two words that he gained some familiarity with.

In the end, I think Tiny Goes to the Library gets 3 Stars. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't blown away by the story or the vocabulary building/phonetic skills. This was just an okay addition to our early reader library. Have you read Tiny Goes to the Library? What did you think? Let me know!

June 2024 EOM Wrap Up

I read 4 books (not including children's books). *These qualify for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
The Lady Glass by Anneka R Walker
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (The Bridgertons, # 4) by Julia Quinn
The Wild Robot (The Wild Robot, # 1) by Peter Brown
A Game of Hearts (The Cartwells, # 1) by Joanna Barker

I have reviewed 4 books (not including mini reviews of children's books). *These qualify for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
To Love the Brooding Baron (Games in a Ballroom, # 2) by Jentry Flint
Trial of the Sun Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos, # 1) by Nisha J Tuli
Highcliffe House by Megan Walker
Going Rogue (Stephanie Plum, # 29) by Janet Evanovich

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 06/02/24
Sunday Post - 06/16/24
Sunday Post - 06/23/24
Sunday Post - 06/30/24
Top Ten Summer 2024 TBR List
Can't Wait for Lady Anna's Favor by Karen Tuft
Can't Wait for No Match for Love by Karen Thornell
Can't Wait for A Dawn of Gods and Fury (Fate & Flame, # 4) by KA Tucker
2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - June Wrap Up
Homeschool Friday - I Can Help
Homeschool Friday - No Kisses, Please!
Homeschool Friday - Oops! I Made a Mistake
Homeschool Friday - Pup and Hound

Goals:
I'm a few days ahead on my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 42 out of 52 books (not including children's books).
I've read 2 out of 5-10 series enders.

Sunday Post - 06/30/24

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.

You guys, last Saturday night the kids got hit with a stomach bug. They were still suffering a little Sunday. Monday the kids felt better but Husband and I got hit. He was in bed all day Monday. I got hit worse on Tuesday. Thankfully, my dad came to get the kids from us, and I slept almost all day. Wednesday, we were feeling better but still weak. So we had a pretty slow week. We didn't try to walk because temperatures were 100 degrees this week. We did swim a lot. Thursday night Big Boy went to martial arts. Big Girl will start back this week now that softball is officially over.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Going Rogue (Stephanie Plum, # 29) by Janet Evanovich (3 Stars)
Tuesday: 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - June Wrap Up
Wednesday: Can't Wait for A Dawn of Gods and Fury (Fate & Flame, # 4) by KA Tucker
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Pup and Hound

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: June 2024 EOM Wrap Up
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Tiny Goes to the Library

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign 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!

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!