August 2024 EOM Wrap Up

I read 6 books (not including children's books). *These qualify for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
Serpent Sea (Spice Road, # 2) by Maiya Ibrahim
The Court that Bleeds Gold (The Gold Weaver, # 1) by Zara Storm
Lady Anna's Favor by Karen Tuft
Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry
The Courting of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 1) by Mary E Pearson
So True a Love by Joanna Barker

I have reviewed 5 books (not including mini reviews of children's books). *These qualify for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
Fate of the Sun King (Artefacts of Ouranos, # 3) by Nisha J Tuli
Fairest of Heart (Texas Ever After, # 1) by Karen Witemeyer
Haunted Ever After (Boneyard Key, # 1) by Jen DeLuca
A Proper Facade (Proper Scandal, # 4) by Esther Hatch
The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 08/04/24
Sunday Post - 08/11/24
Sunday Post - 08/25/24
Top Ten Favorite Books in a Series
Can't Wait for What's It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella
Can't Wait for Tale of the Heart Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos, # 4) by Nisha J Tuli
Can't Wait for The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain
2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - August Wrap Up
Homeschool Friday - Things That Go Bump in the Day
Homeschool Friday - This Is My Treehouse
Homeschool Friday - Brave Heroes and Bold Defenders
Homeschool Friday - Me Too, Woody!
Homeschool Friday - Say Cheese!
July 2024 EOM Wrap Up

Goals:
I'm a few days ahead on my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 78 out of 65 books (not including children's books).
I've read 3 out of 5-10 series enders.

Homeschool Friday - Say Cheese!

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.

Say Cheese!

By: Nancy Smiler Levinson

Publication: March 17, 2000 by Random House Books for Young Readers

32 pages

Genre: Children's, My First Reader, Early Reading, Level 1 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--A monkey keeps trying to take a photograph of a giraffe couple, but the other animals insist on pushing their way into the picture.

Me Too, Woody! is one that my son picked out from our stack of level-1 readers. In some ways the phonics principles in this book had a few that we haven't covered yet, like "ies." On the other hand, the sentences were really short in this book. I believe 2- word or 3-word sentences. My son, of course, liked that this was a shorter book. He didn't even stumble on any of the words I was worried about. Me Too, Woody! had some sneaky-E practice which my son needed.

Me Too, Woody! has repetitive words which helps build fluency, but I'm not sure if it is sinking in long term or if my son just noted them at the moment as being the same word. This book isn't a rhyming book which I can take or leave. I love being able to use characters he's familiar with in level-1 readers like this to reinforce that learning and reading can be fun. Me Too, Woody! gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read Me Too, Woody!? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Slowest Burn

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 Slowest Burn

By: Sarah Chamberlain

Expected Publication: September 24, 2024 by St. Martin's Griffin

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Love could be a recipe for disaster, or the best thing they ever cooked up...

Kieran O'Neill should be on top of the world. He's just won a cooking reality TV show, he's on track to open his own restaurant before he turns thirty, and he's even got a high-paying cookbook deal. Still he can't impress his stuck-up family, his ADHD makes planning ahead impossible and, worst of all, his ghostwriter is the most uptight, humourless woman he's ever met. But to be seen as a serious chef like he's always wanted, he needs to finish this book...

Ellie Wasserman is barely holding it together. She's a thirty-year-old widow living with her needy in-laws, her little brother won't adult without her help, and instead of working on her own cookbook, she's ghostwriting one for the chaotic, impulsive Kieran O'Neill. Or would be, if he'd ever answer her emails. But to own her own home like she's always dreamed of, she needs to finish this book...

As their deadline gets closer and the heat between them builds, can these two driven, lonely people let go of their past hurts and make something truly sweet together? Or will their fragile new love go up in smoke?

The ultimate will-they-won't-they, enemies-to-lovers romance that readers everywhere are falling in love with!

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

The Book Swap - Review

The Book Swap

By: Tessa Bickers

Publication: September 3, 2024 by Graydon House

336 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--Still reeling from a recent tragedy, Erin Connolly knows she needs to start living, but has no idea how. When she accidentally donates her favorite book—a heavily annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird containing a memento she can’t be without—to a local Little Free Library, she’s devastated. But then the book turns up a week later, back in the library with fresh notes in the margins, along with an invitation in a copy of Great Expectations to meet her newfound pen pal.

A life-changing conversation, written only in the margins of beloved classic books, begins between Erin and her Mystery Man. Following each other through the pages of their favorite novels as the book exchange continues, they both begin to open up, falling into a friendship…and maybe something more.

But Erin and her pen pal have a shared history that neither of them has guessed. Faced with painful reminders of the past—and the one person she swore never to forgive—Erin finds herself at a crossroads. One that could change her life forever.

A book-lovers dream! References to the following classics can be found in The Book Swap.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
WUTHERING HEIGHTS
MANSFIELD PARK
THE GREAT GATSBY
MIDDLEMARCH
BELOVED
ON THE ROAD
THE BELL JAR

Tessa Bickers is a debut author. I don't always take risks on debut authors. Over the years of reading time decreasing, I have started sticking to authors that I'm familiar with and know what to expect from them. Yet, every now and then a description will pull me in enough to entice me to branch out. 

I love books that are dedicated to honoring other books and the love of reading. I've read a few books over the last few years that have shown off a love for reading and writing in such a way that I can't help but fall in love with them. I haven't read all the books that Erin and James swapped back and forth, But it wasn't necessary. After the first few, the books weren't even discussed in detail because that would have taken the plot away from Erin and James.

Erin is stuck in a job she hates. Her best friend died about 3 years ago from cancer. She's still struggling with her grief. As a matter of fact, she sees Bonnie and has conversations with her and everything. Erin is suffering from abandonment trauma. It goes back to her mom having an affair and leaving her family. Erin suffers a betrayal from one of her closest friends. And then Bonnie dies. So a lot of her conflict has to do with these issues. Her sister Georgia and new friend Cassie make a great support system for her when she can allow herself to let them. 

James's father was a singer. His band was a one-hit wonder. That's not because they weren't talented but because his father fell in love with his mother and stepped away from that lifestyle. James's mother has bipolar disorder I guess. I don't remember it specifically saying her diagnosis, but she swung from healthy and "normal" to manic and obsessive. James blames himself for where his parents are. His mother once let it slip that she wasn't like this before he was born. James feels his dad deserves the opportunity to pursue his dreams but can't due to taking care of his mom.

This story was deep. It went much deeper than I expected. The characters were multifaceted and experiencing challenges on all sides. Their struggles felt realistic. They went back to past traumas, as well as affected their futures. Besides the love of books, reading, writing, and teaching, a major theme was following your dreams. Of course, it's wonderful to have a job that you love and find fulfillment in. Yet the boring, dirty, or just unromantic jobs also have to be done by someone, and sometimes dreams don't pay the bills. I will say that I loved James's dad's perspective on his life. 

Favorite quotes:

-Sometimes redemption isn't just about saying sorry, it's about how you recover from the mistakes you make. Bettering yourself is the best kind of apology you can make.

-Books teach us, and I want to make sure I'm learning everything they're offering.

-"Don't waste your heart's calling on saying yes to something, just because you know you can do it. The straightforward route isn't always the best one."

-"At some point you're going to break the cycle. Respond in a new way. Today is that day."

-"Of course you were afraid," she says. "None of us know how to handle something we've never been through before. All we can do is learn from it. Use it to better ourselves."

I don't even feel I can properly discuss this book because it had so many pieces moving simultaneously. There weren't a lot of characters, but when you look at the issues each character was facing, the review starts to get quite lengthy. There was an LGBTQ couple, but I didn't feel like the author was trying to force an agenda on me as sometimes happens in these situations. 

Before I can conclude this review, I have to mention that the romance is a long game. If you're expecting to read about a couple that has to overcome a little history but spends most of the book together, that is not the case. Wondering how things would work out between Erin and James kept me reading, but I am glad that most books I read don't follow this same pattern. Even still, I can't see it being done any other way between these two.

Overall, I was impressed with The Book Swap. It was better than I expected. The characters were multilayered and wonderful. A few plot twists even surprised me which I love. Tessa Bickers's appreciation for books is evident, and avid readers will relate to her love even if they haven't read the same books referenced in this story. The Book Swap gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Book Swap? What did you think? Let me know! 

2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - August 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 Auguest giveaway runs from August 25th - September 25th. On September 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

Sunday Post - 08/25/24

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.

I really can't remember much about the week before this past week. We have officially started fall ball, and we're trying to balance that and martial arts until belt testing again. I hate that the two overlap at all, but that's okay. I'm regretting signing up for fall ball already, but maybe the season will impress me, and I'll change my mind. Tuesday the 13th the boys had haircuts. We went to the park before the appointment. We haven't been to the park at all this summer. It's really just been too hot. We got groceries after that. Then Wednesday the 14th we had a play date at a homeschool friend's house for a back to school party. The kids swam and they did a tie dye shirt. Thursday the 15th we spent at my parent's house. Saturday the 17th we had a women's devotion at my mom's house. I led and it went well. Sunday the 18th we had fellowship meal and a wedding shower for Holly's son & my nephew, Caleb, and his fiance. This past week we really started juggling the two extracurriculars full-on. Our days were pretty normal. The kids have been swimming after lunch and after school work is finished. I have been pulling weeds and tending to yard work that has been a little overdue and neglected. I've also been working in our garage in my spare time. Thursday, we spent the day with my parents. This coming week our co-op starts so we'll be adjusting to not spending Thursdays with my parents. Friday husband was off work for a volunteer day. He was able to drop Littlest Boy off at school and pick him up which he loved. That allowed me to work with the big kids to the point where we only had one small thing left to do after lunch. Saturday, we went to a birthday party for Big Girl's friend at the YMCA pool. The kids had a blast.

THE PAST TWO WEEKS

Monday 8/12: Review of Haunted Ever After (Boneyard Key, # 1) by Jen DeLuca (3.5 Stars)
Wednesday 8/14: Can't Wait for What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella
Friday 8/16: Homeschool Friday - Brave Heroes & Bold Defenders
Monday 8/19: Review of A Proper Facade (A Proper Scandal, # 4) by Esther Hatch (4 Stars)
Wednesday 8/21: Can't Wait for Tale of the Heart Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos, # 4) by Nisha J Tuli
Friday 8/23: Homeschool Friday - Me Too, Woody!

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Say Cheese!

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:

A Fire in the Sky

By: Sophie Jordan

Expected Publication: September 24, 2024 by Avon

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Dragons

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 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.

The Courting of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 1)

By: Mary E Pearson

Expected Publication: November 12, 2024 by Flatiron Books

560 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!) - Audiobook version

( 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 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Mary E. Pearson comes a thrilling romantic fantasy full of dangerous fae, dark secrets, and addictive romance

After losing both their parents, Bristol Keats and her sisters struggle to stay afloat in their small, quiet town of Bowskeep. When Bristol begins to receive letters from an “aunt” she’s never heard of who promises she can help, she reluctantly agrees to meet—and discovers that everything she thought she knew about her family is a lie. Even her father might still be alive, not killed but kidnapped by terrifying creatures to a whole other realm—the one he is from.

Desperate to save her father and find the truth, Bristol journeys to a land of gods and fae and monsters. Pulled into a dangerous world of magic and intrigue, she makes a deadly bargain with the fae king, Tyghan. But what she doesn't know is that he's the one who drove her parents to live a life on the run. And he is just as determined as she is to find her father—dead or alive.

After Life

By: Gayle Forman

Expected Publication: January 7, 2025 by Quill Tree Books

272 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

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--"After Life is a masterful tale about a family coping with loss, showing the way grief affects us and people we don't even know in ways we don't see. Once I met Amber and her family, I didn't want to let them go." -—Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times bestselling author of Carving Shadows into Stone

"Forman is a master at making her readers fall in love—with a girl whose life is over, with a community of people in a small town who are barely surviving her loss, and with the incredible, surprising way everyone's stories knit together into a heartbreaking and hopeful whole." —E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars and Genuine Fraud

One spring afternoon after school, Amber arrives home on her bike. It’s just another perfectly normal day. But when Amber’s mom sees her, she screams.

Because Amber died seven years ago, hit by a car while on the very same bicycle she’s inexplicably riding now.

This return doesn’t only impact Amber. Her sister, Melissa, now seven years older, must be a new kind of sibling to Amber. Amber’s estranged parents are battling over her. And the changes ripple farther and farther Amber’s friends, boyfriend, and even people she met only once have been deeply affected by her life and death. In the midst of everyone’s turmoil, Amber is struggling with herself. What kind of person was she? How and why was she given this second chance?

This magnificent tour de force by acclaimed author Gayle Forman brilliantly explores the porous veil between life and death, examines the impact that one person can have on the world, and celebrates life in all its beautiful complexity.

Cross My Heart

By: Megan Collins

Expected Publication: January 14, 2025 by Atria Books

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Mystery, Thriller

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--She has his dead wife’s heart; the one she wants is his. The author of The Family Plot brings her signature prose to a twisty novel about a heart transplant patient who becomes romantically obsessed with her donor’s husband.

Rosie Lachlan wants nothing more than to find The One.

A year after she was dumped in her wedding dress, she’s working at her parents’ bridal salon, anxious for a happy ending that can’t come soon enough. After receiving a life-saving heart transplant, Rosie knows her health is precious and precarious. She suspects her heart donor is Daphne Thorne, the wife of local celebrity author Morgan Thorne, who she begins messaging via an anonymous service called DonorConnect, ostensibly to learn more about Daphne. But Rosie has a secret: She’s convinced that now that she has his wife’s heart, she and Morgan are meant to be together.

As she and Morgan correspond, the pretense of avoiding personal details soon disappears, even if Rosie’s keeping some cards close to her chest. But as she digs deeper into Morgan’s previous marriage, she discovers disturbing rumors about the man she’s falling for. Could Morgan have had something to do with his late wife’s death? And can Rosie’s heart sustain another break—or is she next?

The Rose Bargain

By: Sasha Peyton Smith

Expected Publication: February 4, 2025 by HarperCollins

400 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

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--The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen.

High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.

But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.

Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart—and at the center of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything Ivy knows.

Sweepingly romantic and deceptively enchanting, this alternate history romantasy will enthrall readers of Holly Black, Stephanie Garber, and Adalyn Grace.

Nothing Like the Movies (Better Than the Movies, # 2)

By: Lynn Painter

Expected Publication: September 24, 2024 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

448 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

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--In this highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling Better than the Movies, Wes and Liz struggle to balance their feelings for each other with the growing pains of being a college student.

For a few beautiful months, Wes had his dream girl: strong-willed girl-next-door Liz. But right as the two were about to set off to UCLA to start their freshman year together, tragedy struck. Wes was left dealing with the fallout, which ultimately meant losing Liz in the process.

Flash forward months and months later and Wes and Liz find themselves in college, together. In a healthier place now, Wes knows he broke Liz’s heart when he ended things, but he is determined to make her fall back in love with him.

Wes knows Liz better than anyone, and he has a foolproof plan to win her back with the rom-com worthy big gestures she loves. Only…Liz will have none of it. Wes has to scheme like a rom-com hero to figure out how to see her. Even worse, Liz has a new friend…a guy friend.

Still, Wes won’t give up, adapting his clever plans and going hard to get Liz’s attention and win back her affection. But after his best efforts get him nowhere, Wes is left wondering if their relationship is really over for good.

The Art of Us

By: Julie Wright

Expected Publication: November 5, 2024 by Shadow Mountain

272 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

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--Falling in love is complicated when you’re both keeping secrets.

On the surface, everything seems perfect for high school senior Ireland Raine. She’s intelligent and artistically talented, and her natural beauty and quiet charm are enviable. However, Ireland harbors a secret she’ll guard at any cost—she’s homeless.

When her crush, Kal Ellis, invites her on a date, she seizes the opportunity. Ireland has never had a boyfriend before, and Kal is not just a guitarist for the local band, he’s also an artist. Their connection is instantaneous, and he suggests they collaborate on the school mural. Working and laughing alongside Kal, Ireland can momentarily forget her problems.

However, when someone exposes her secret, Ireland ends up in a foster home alongside her most despised adversary, Mara Washington. To make matters worse, Ireland discovers it was Kal who revealed her secret.

Furious, Ireland must decide if she has the strength to forgive the boy who stole her heart or if she is better off alone.

Lady Anna's Favor

By: Karen Tuft

Expected Publication: November 26, 2024 by Shadow Mountain

272 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

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--London, England, 1814

Lady Anna Clifton will stop at nothing to find her missing brother—even if it means working alongside the dashingly handsome but sometimes infuriating Mr. Jennings, who just might steal her heart.

Lady Anna Clifton has arrived in London with a purpose known only to a few. Her soldier brother has been reported wounded and missing in France, and if he is dead, his title and their family’s estate will go to a horrible distant cousin, and Lady Anna will be homeless. Desperate to find her brother alive, she contacts old family friends, the Bledsoes, who vow to help her in any way they can. However, Lord Bledsoe’s efforts come up empty, except from the Duke of Aylesham, who offers his yacht to carry her to France when Anna decides she must look for her brother there herself.

James cannot board the Duke of Aylesham’s yacht to take him to France fast enough. After his sister’s rushed marriage to the duke himself, James wants nothing more than to enjoy a relaxing journey back to Paris before rejoining England’s diplomatic war efforts against Napoleon. When he boards the ship, he cannot deny his instant attraction to the strikingly beautiful young woman who will be joining him across the sea. But when he receives only a cold reception from her, James dismisses her outright—until he learns the tragic reason she has set out on such a perilous journey. As infuriating as Lady Anna’s brash behavior and indifference to him is, her search seems much too dangerous for a young lady of the ton to undertake alone, so James reluctantly offers to assist her in her quest.

Together, they embark on a search that will take them across the sea and through France to uncover the truth all while trying to reconcile their differences and the preconceived notions they have about each other. With every step, they come closer to solving the mystery surrounding Lady Anna’s brother’s disappearance—but each step also pushes their hearts closer together.

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 - Me Too, Woody!

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.

Me Too, Woody!

By: Walt Disney Company & Heidi Kilgras

Publication: January 22, 2002 by RH/Disney

32 pages

Genre: Children's, My First Reader, Early Reading, Level 1 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--When Jessie tries to join in the fun and games with Woody and Buzz, she finds out that some games are simply meant for two . . . until the gang rounds up a game that everyone can play—including Jessie! In super-brief, super-simple text, this book promotes the power of inclusion.

Me Too, Woody! is one that my son picked out from our stack of level-1 readers. In some ways the phonics principles in this book had a few that we haven't covered yet, like "ies." On the other hand, the sentences were really short in this book. I believe 2- word or 3-word sentences. My son, of course, liked that this was a shorter book. He didn't even stumble on any of the words I was worried about. Me Too, Woody! had some sneaky-E practice which my son needed.

Me Too, Woody! has repetitive words which helps build fluency, but I'm not sure if it is sinking in long term or if my son just noted them at the moment as being the same word. This book isn't a rhyming book which I can take or leave. I love being able to use characters he's familiar with in level-1 readers like this to reinforce that learning and reading can be fun. Me Too, Woody! gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read Me Too, Woody!? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Tale of the Heart Queen

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.

Tale of the Heart Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos, # 4)

By: Nisha J Tuli

Expected Publication: November 26, 2024 by Forever

672 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--After Lor makes the biggest mistake of her life, she finds herself on the run from the Aurora King and decides it's time to end this, once and for all. But when a new enemy emerges to claim her freedom, the entire fate of Ouranos comes to rest on her shoulders.

As the land continues to rebel, Lor must admit she is the key to saving the continent, whether she likes it or not. To fight for Nadir, she must lie, steal, and do whatever it takes to hunt down the remaining arks. Growing more and more desperate, she worries her actions are turning her into something she doesn't recognize, dooming her to repeat her grandmother's mistakes.

When the Aurora King finally comes for her, Lor ventures into the Underworld's shadowy depths, where, once again, she finds herself at the heart of another deadly test. Only this time, she’s competing for everyone's future, not just a crown.

The only thing Lor ever wanted was to be free, but she may soon find she was always destined for a cage.

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

A Proper Facade - Review

A Proper Facade (Proper Scandal, # 4)

By: Esther Hatch

Expected Publication: August 20, 2024 by Covenant Communications

248 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Mercy Rothschild has always been granted an unusually long tether by her parents, who have never pushed her to marry until she’s ready. She assumes that when the right man comes along, she will marry for love. However, even her long-suffering parents have their limits. As she embarks on her third Season, they begin to pressure her to find a match. And the Duke of Harrington is the perfect candidate.

Nicholas Kendrick, Duke of Harrington, follows the rules of the ton meticulously. When he determines that Mercy is the ideal candidate for a wife, he marches dutifully toward her along the courtship path. Desperate to extricate herself from Harrington’s advances, Mercy concludes that there is only one course of action: she must push her intended into the arms of another woman. But when Mercy becomes acquainted with the man behind the proper facade, her plans come crashing down as she realizes that stiff and proper Harrington might be the very man she’s been waiting for. If only she hadn’t been so successful in her plot to thwart her chances with him.

I have been awaiting another Esther Hatch book for what feels like years. In truth back in September, I read a novella she released in 2023. So it hasn't been that long. But for this series, Proper Scandals, the last release was back in 2021. And I wasn't sure there would be any other books in the series. I never saw anywhere that stated how many books were expected. She did seem to indicate in her author's note that A Proper Facade would be the last book in this series.

Mercy has witnessed love. Her parents were a love match. Her elder sister had a love match even to the point of marrying slightly below her rank. And she has always expected to have a love match. Her parents always gave her the impression that she could take as long as she wanted to find her match. But for some reason, this season her parents have begun to push her towards marriage. She is resistant, to say the least.

Nicholas's family has a history of philandering. His grandfather and great-grandfather were known to be philanderers. But Nicholas's father worked extra hard to turn the family name around. Nicholas once disappointed his father before he died, and now he works extra hard to remain above reproach to make up for it. 

I kept wondering if I'd read Mercy's sister's story in a previous book. Mercy talked about her sister and her love match in a way that made me feel like I should remember reading about it. At first, I thought I was misremembering A Proper Scandal, but then I thought I might have been getting confused with Promised by Leah Garriott. But then I realized that Rosiland's story hasn't been written that I'm aware of. 

Mercy always imagined when her time came that the man of her dreams would sneak her into some hidden alcoves to steal a few kisses because he couldn't help himself. She imagined passion. She basically romanticized her expectations to the point of being a little unrealistic. Sure those things could have happened, but she could just as easily be taken advantage of. Nicholas once acted outside the bounds of society in the name of love, and he only ended up with shame and regret over the experience. He is determined to treat Mercy and her reputation with the utmost respect. And thus he can come off as unfeeling or uninterested in her as a person. These two had a little bit to work out.

A few years ago, I felt like I could not read a book with a romance without one partner sacrificing themselves to the point of hurting both parties in the name of saving or helping their loved one. I got so annoyed with this trend. Self-sacrificing is good when it isn't misguided or easily overcome with a simple conversation. I felt A Proper Facade heading down that path for a bit and worried this course of action would reduce my overall enjoyment of the book that I had been appreciating. Thankfully, I wasn't forced to endure this for too long. 

Favorite quotes:

-"There is no room for enjoyment in perfection."

-"Am I certain I love you? No, but I'm certain you are the only woman I'm going to love for the rest of my life."

That quote continues for quite a while, but I felt like the rest was spoilers so I decided not to include it.

-"I'll play your game today. And then, when you are ready, I hope you will join me in being serious."

A Proper Facade was a good ending to this series. Although, I'm sad to see it go and could easily find a few side characters that I wouldn't mind having a story about. A Proper Facade gets 4 Stars. Mercy and Nicholas didn't have a typical romance, and I liked that they didn't rush into the "I love yous". Have you read A Proper Facade? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Brave Heroes and Bold Defenders

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.

Brave Heroes and Bold Defenders: 50 True Stories of Daring Men of God

By: Shirley Raye Redmond

Publication: October 6, 2020 by Harvest Kids

112 pages

Genre: Children's, Biography, Non-fiction, Christian, History

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--Men of Fearless Faith

Meet men who have used their God-given talents to live out their faith to the fullest. They come from a variety of backgrounds, eras, and ethnicities, but each one has answered the Lord’s call on their life in bold and innovative ways.

Children of all ages will be inspired by the stories of These and the 45 other defenders of the faith featured in this book have made a profound impact on the world around them, and in many cases changed the course of history. Strong, smart, and sometimes outspoken, these men are tremendous examples of God’s love in action.

These inspiring profiles will captivate kids’ imaginations and encourage them to discover their own gifts and how they can use them to glorify God.

Brave Heroes and Bold Defenders showcases 50 men throughout history (some still alive today) who have done amazing things in their lives, careers, missions, and the world for Christ. I liked that this list included historical figures that are quite well-known--a few of these people we studied about over this past school year. But I also liked that modern-day people still alive were featured as well because it reminds us all that you don't have to be dead to have been great. Or you might have the misconception that these things don't happen today. These stories remind us that anyone can be a hero. 

Each person has a bio description of their past and their deeds for Christ and an illustrated portrait. I do wish for a photograph versus illustrations because I think that would have added to the idea that these were/are real people. But I suppose photographs would have been more difficult to achieve a unified look for the overall book aesthetic. Also, some of these people may never have been photographed. 

I don't remember needing to edit any theology, but I really can't remember. We did finish this book months before writing this review. I only thought to review it after picking up the female version, Courageous World Changers. 

Brave Heroes and Bold Defenders is a great book to provide a summary of the lives of men who throughout history have made big differences for Christ all over the world. This book will help inspire many that it's possible to make a difference for Christ today. Brave Heroes and Bold Defenders gets 5 Stars. Have you read Brave Heroes and Bold Defenders? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for What Does It Feel Like?

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.

What Does It Feel Like?

By: Sophie Kinsella

Expected Publication: October 8, 2024 by The Dial Press

144 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Novella

( 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 bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, an unforgettable story—by turns heartbreaking and life-affirming—of a renowned novelist facing a devastating diagnosis and learning to live and love anew.

“The bravest book you’ll read all year.”—Jodi Picoult

“What Does It Feel Like? is fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date. Eve’s story is my story.”—Sophie Kinsella

Eve is a successful novelist who wakes up one day in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. Her husband, never far from her side, explains that she has had an operation to remove the large, malignant tumor growing in her brain.

As Eve learns to walk, talk, and write again—and as she wrestles with her diagnosis, and how and when to explain it to her beloved children—she begins to recall what’s most important to her: long walks with her husband’s hand clasped firmly around her own, family game nights, and always buying that dress when she sees it.

Recounted in brief anecdotes, each one is an attempt to answer the type of impossible questions recognizable to anyone navigating the labyrinth of grief. This short, extraordinary novel is a celebration of life, shot through with warmth and humor—it will both break your heart and put it back together again.

“Why did I write such a personal book? I have always processed my life through writing. Hiding behind my fictional characters, I have always turned my own life into a narrative. It is my version of therapy, maybe. Writing is my happy place, and writing this book, although tough going at times, was immensely satisfying and therapeutic for me.”—Sophie Kinsella

“I laughed. And I cried. And then I thought about the meaning of life. It’s a little jewel of a book.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Jojo Moyes

“A beautiful love story, and a glowing beacon of hope in the midst of terrible darkness.”—Bestselling author Jenny Colgan

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

Haunted Ever After - Review

Haunted Ever After (Boneyard Key, # 1)

By: Jen DeLuca

Publication: August 13, 2024 by Berkley

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal

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--It's love at first haunting in a seaside town that raises everyone’s spirits in this new series from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.

Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn’t have to run air-conditioning.

Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there’s something unusual with her new home (her laptop won’t charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn’t read “WRONG” and “MY HOUSE” when she put them up), she’s charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she's catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order.

As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don't get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie's worried she’s in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing…and Nick's afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good.

I really enjoyed Jen DeLuca's book Well Met, and I was disappointed to be denied review copies for the other books in the series. That being said, I saw Haunted Ever After, and I got excited about a new book by her. Unfortunately, I struggle a little with magical realism as a genre. So I firmly placed Haunted Ever After in the fantasy column in my mind, which I don't have any issues reading. This might not make sense to anyone else, but that's what works for me.

Cassie buys a house in Boneyard Key, Florida, because she works remotely. The price for a recently renovated beachside condo was too good to pass up, and she realized the cost was likely due to some unseen issues associated with the house. Likely a ghost. Boneyard Key is a town where ghosts stick around instead of passing on when they die. Cassie thought this was a tourist attraction, but she learned it was real. 

Nick grew up in Boneyard Key. His family is one of the original families in the town. And well, he knows the ghosts are real because he lives with one. He owns the coffee shop Hallowed Grounds, which Cassie often comes to plug in her dead laptop. They get to know each other, and of course, there is attraction.

The drama comes when Cassie learns that her house is haunted. She didn't grow up with ghosts, and she's unsure if she wants to continue to share her home with a ghost. Nick has been hurt by others leaving him in the past, so he's worried about getting too close to Cassie only for her to leave. I have to say I didn't get why Cassie and Nick were "in love." Attraction, sure. But I didn't feel they shared enough to have reached the love stage. 

One thing I wasn't expecting to like as much as I did was the subtle lesson about seasons in life. Cassie used to fit into her friend group before she moved. But now, most of her friends are in a different season of life. They're married and have kids now. Everyone can relate to friendships growing apart. People are often only in our lives for a season. We grieve when the season is over, but trying to force the season to stay usually does more damage than moving forward. It doesn't work any better than trying to hold onto summer as the weather transitions into fall and then winter. 

Haunted Ever After was entertaining once I placed it in the fantasy genre in my mind. I wasn't surprised by the "twists." I did find Haunted Ever After a little predictable. But in this case, I didn't mind. Cassie and Nick had a quick relationship for me that went a little too fast, but I rooted for them all the same. I liked the history Jen DeLuca gave to the town and its residents and ghosts. Haunted Ever After gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Haunted Ever After? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 08/11/24

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.

It was my full intention to do a bunch of nothing Monday and Tuesday. School started back on Wednesday, so I wanted to soak the remainder of my summer vacation up. Wednesday went well. Little Boy started Pre-K3 at a Mother's Day Out program that is 3 days a week, half a day. The big kids are officially 1st and 3rd grades! Although, in typical homeschool style, grade levels are a bit subjective. We had a good first day. Thursday, we went to orientation for a co-op we're joining this semester. I don't necessarily see co-op as being a long-term part of our homeschool, but we are specifically trying to find other families to spend time with on a more frequent and regular basis to form connections with. After orientation, we went to my parent's house to hang out. The kids did end up doing a good bit of sibling fighting that left me exhausted by the end of the day. Friday went a little smoother, but I was still emotionally spent from the day before. Little Boy is already sickly. Granted, he started school with a runny nose, but it has progressed to a cough. Saturday, I went to see It Ends With Us with my friend Lacy. I normally would expect to go see it with Holly but timing just didn't work out. I did finish one book this week, but I haven't gotten any new ones in a for a couple of weeks now--which is actually a good thing since I'm a little behind on reviews.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Fate of the Sun King (Artefacts of Ouranos, # 3) by Nisha J Tuli (3.5 Stars)
Tuesday: Top Ten(ish) Favorite Books in a Series
Thursday: Review of Fairest of Heart (Texas Ever After, # 1) by Karen Witemeyer (3 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - This Is My Treehouse

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Haunted Ever After (Boneyard Key, # 1) by Jen DeLuca
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Brave Heroes and Bold Defenders

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!

Homeschool Friday - This Is My Treehouse

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.

This Is My Treehouse

By: Guillaume Gueraud & Alfred

Publication: September 3, 2024

36 pages

Genre: Children's, Juvenile Fiction / Imagination & Play

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.

Edelweiss description--Discover a secret hideaway built from dreams and imagination in this stunning and special book that will leave readers longing for a treehouse of their own.

Sitting high in the branches of a tall tree in the forest, there is a den made from bits of wood, and rope, and Grandma's old parasol. But for one child it is much, much more – it's a castle, a pirate ship, an igloo, a plane. A place to dream.

Joyful and lyrical, This is My Treehouse observes the endless adventures our imaginations can take us on, and the sanctuary offered by a space to call our own.

With tender text from award-winning author Guillaume Gueraud, and stunning visuals from graphic novel artist Alfred, this evocative story celebrates the playful wonder of childhood.

This Is My Treehouse is a book about...a treehouse. The book covers all the imaginative ways that the child plays in the treehouse. The child imagines kingdoms and pirates. The weather changes from season to season and weather changes, the treehouse provides sanctuary and imaginative play. The illustrations are beautiful. The colors are bold and change through the seasons, weather, and imaginings. The pictures are loose enough that a child can imagine however much or however little they want to make things their own. I can't picture a child reading this book and not immediately wanting to go out and build their own treehouse where they can have the same experiences as what is described here in This Is My Treehouse. This Is My Treehouse gets 4 Stars. Have you read This Is My Treehouse? What did you think? Let me know!

Fairest of Heart - Review

Fairest of Heart (Texas Ever After, # 1)

By: Karen Witemeyer

Publication: June 6, 2023 by Bethany House Publishers

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

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--Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters--and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young woman found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope's acting troupe. The evidence points to her guilt, but Titus's heart divines a different truth--one that might just get Penelope killed.

An enchanting Western take on the classic Snow White fairy tale, Fairest of Heart will sweep you away from once upon a time to happily ever after.

I have a love-hate relationship with retellings. Sometimes I love to see how my favorite parts of a story will be retold in the new story. And other times I find I dread knowing what will come next. Stories like Cinderella are retold so many times that I don't really find them as enjoyable as other retellings. (Although, I did enjoy Cinder by Marissa Meyer.) Retellings that aren't done as often, like Gilded also by Marissa Meyer, that retells Rumplestilkskin is more unique. But with Fairest of Heart I found myself not looking forward to the pieces of the story that I knew must come to keep in step with retelling Snow White.

Penelope has had a rough life so far. She was orphaned and left at a girl's school who took her in. She was mostly raised by the cook who loved her and taught her everything she could, but Edith wasn't affectionate. She got a job as a maid for a wealthy family in Chicago, but the son takes a liking to her. And despite her efforts to avoid him, he ends up costing her her job as well as some of her reputation. She hires on to work on Madame LaBelle as a lady's maid, but LaBelle is not pleasant to work for and essentially kicks her out with the intent for her to be left to die. Yet even through all of this, she maintains the sweetest disposition.

Titus is a Texas Ranger who has been assigned to a case of chain theft. He has baggage around beautiful manipulative women, and he isn't sure about Penelope at first. Yet when he meets Madam Labelle, his intuition immediately flares over her manipulations. I had a few issues with how quickly Titus and Penelope develop feelings for each other. Compared to Snow White, they were much better off than a random Prince stumbling upon a sleeping woman in the woods and ta-da. Love at first kiss! I can at least appreciate that Penelope and Titus saw character traits within each other that they found attractive.

I struggled with the slow start to this story, and to be truthful, it took me until about 50% to feel invested in the characters and their story. I do like retellings, but I have found a few originals that I don't love retellings of, and I guess Snow White is one of those I'd rather not relive. The last 30% felt redeeming to me.

Favorite quotes:

-Mercy did not negate correction. In fact, mercy often demanded correction.

Fairest of Heart took me so long to read. I am so relieved to have it finished. Penelope was the sweetest character. Titus was easy to root for. And Labelle was easy to hate. I probably won't seek out Snow White retellings in the future. That being said, Fairest of Heart gets 3 Stars. Have you read Fairest of Heart? What did you think? Let me know!

Top Ten Favorite Books in a Series

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 Favorite Books in a Series

1. A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, # 2) by Sarah J Maas
2. Return to Satterwaithe Court (Somerset Stories, # 3) by Mimi Matthews
3. The Belle of Bellgrave Square (Belles on London, # 2) by Mimi Matthews
4. A Proper Scoundrel (Proper Scandals, # 3) by Esther Hatch *current on sale
5. Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, # 5) by Sarah J Maas
6. Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, # 7) by Sarah J Maas
7. The Kiss of Deception (Remnant Chronicles, # 1) by Mary E Pearson
8. Seventh Grave and No Body (Charley Davidson, # 7) by Darynda Jones
9. The Trouble with Twelfth Grave (Charley Davidson, # 12) by Darynda Jones
10. Morning Star (Red Rising, # 3) by Pierce Brown
11. Blood of My Blood (I Hunt Killers, # 3) by Barry Lyga
12. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, # 3) by Richelle Mead
13. Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy, # 6) by Richelle Mead
14. The Dead-Tossed Waves (The Forst of Hand and Teeth, # 2) by Carrie Ryan
15. Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassins, # 3) by Robin LaFevers
16. Slammed (Slammed, # 1) by Colleen Hoover
17. Hopeless (Hopeless, # 1) by Colleen Hoover

Which books are your favorites from your favorite series? Let me know!