Homeschool Friday - The Close Shave

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

The Close Shave

By: W. Awdry

Illustrated By: Richard Courtney

Publication: May 27, 2008 by Random House Books for Young Readers

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Level-1 Readers, Step-1 Readers, My First Reader

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.

Description--THOMAS’ FRIEND DUCK likes to be Really Useful and Right on Time. One day, some Troublesome Trucks start pushing and they will not stop, and a station is just ahead! Duck works himself into a lather trying to brake in time, but ends up crashing into the station’s barber shop.

The Close Shave is an obvious choice for early readers who are fans of Thomas the Train. The hardest word in the book is "troublesome" which is only used once. Readers get to see how three troublemakers cause problems for Thomas, an engine named Duck, and a barber shop. So there's a little moral to the story which I always appreciate. The Troublesome Trucks are mean and cause problems. Duck is a hero and saves the day by thinking of others.

My seven-year-old isn't a Thomas fan exactly, but he did enjoy this book and read it willingly without any fuss. He did stumble on the word "troublesome" as I mentioned above. I do wish it had been used more than once to build up mastery and recognition. The main repetitive words were names, and so there weren't any repetitive phrases. Sometimes I appreciate repetitive phrases so that the child really begins to recognize and memorize those words. Other times, it's really nice from an adult reader perspective not to have the same phrases sprinkled throughout the book.

The Close Shave gets 4.5 Stars for being a good early reader, but also having a moral to the short story. Have you read The Close Shave? What did you think? Let me know!

The Perfect Rom-Com - Review

The Perfect Rom-Com

By: Melissa Ferguson

Expected Publication: February 11, 2025 by Thomas Nelson

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--She's written dozens of smash hit novels as a ghostwriter. Too bad no one knows it.

Aspiring author Bryony Page attends her first writers conference bursting with optimism and ready to sell her manuscript with long-shot dreams of raising awareness for The Bridge, her grandmother's financially-struggling organization where she teaches ESL full-time. But after a disastrous pitching session, she stumbles into correcting another author's work in a last-ditch attempt to make a good impression with the agent. And she, as it turns out, is spot on.

No one is more surprised than Bryony when the agent offers her the opportunity to be a ghostwriter for Amelia Benedict, popular rom-com novelist. Bryony agrees on one she'll write books for this vain, demanding woman just as long as Jack Sterling, literary agent of the legendary Foundry Literary Agency, works to sell her own book too.

What nobody predicted, however, was that Bryony's books would turn Amelia Benedict into the Amelia Benedict, household name and bestselling author with millions of copies sold around the world.

And just like that, the Foundry Agency can't let her go.

But on a personal note, Jack is realizing he can't either.

The Perfect Rom-Com is the fifth book I've read by Melissa Ferguson. I won't say it was my favorite, but I have found that I've enjoyed the books where her characters are part of the publishing industry the best. 

Bryony is an aspiring author. She's been working as an ESL (English Second Language) teacher at a facility her grandmother founded. She's fallen in love with the people who come through her classes. But the facility is losing its funding, and Bryony wants to publish the book she's written about the facility and her grandmother to support it financially and raise awareness about it. The only problem is that Bryony keeps getting turned down by agents. She needs representation to get her book in front of different publishers.

After a disastrous meeting with agent Jack Sterling, Bryony leaves, not realizing that she left her manuscript on the table. Jack sees enough promise in her from reading what she left that he hunts her down to get her opinion on a new book being ghostwritten under a famous name. Jack convinces Bryony to sign on as a ghostwriter for Amelia in exchange for representation. 

The romance was SLOW building. So slow that tension wasn't even there until about 65% or more. Usually, that would bother me, but truthfully, I was enjoying the story just fine without a heavy romantic push. Bryony's struggle with writing for someone else was the heart of the story. And it's not even that she couldn't get credit for her work; the real issue was how resentful Amelia was toward Bryony, who was literally saving her. At the same time, Bryony is struggling to wait for her own book, continuing in limbo. Plus, there's the added pressure of the center she works for rapidly running out of funds and nearing closure. 

The big conflict resolution was entertaining but highly improbable in the real world. 

I didn't highlight much, but this quote does a good job of showing Bryony's struggles. 

-But the fact is, these books are meaningful to me. They’re meaningful to readers. And I sit by my computer, day in and day out, living on crumbs of news about my own story. When on earth will it be my turn to write under my name? When on earth will I get the chance to reach readers with words only influenced by my mind and not dampened by Amelia’s input?

Most of all, I enjoyed another look into publishing, writing, and all of the aspects of the industry that Melissa Ferguson highlighted. I find the whole industry so fascinating. And man, I know the waiting and not hearing back would drive me crazy. 

I also want to mention that I appreciated how the ESL topic was handled. She could have gone completely political over this topic. Even the funding being lost was handled well. I applaud this because most authors, when touching on subjects like this, can't help but be divisive. Good job, Melissa and the editors.

Also, on that note, this was a clean book. There's no on-page spice at all. And I don't remember any language used. Proof that those things are not necessary to write a good book. 

I read The Perfect Rom-Com quickly, especially given that I've been in a little reading slump. I liked the romance even though it wasn't at the forefront of the entire book. I loved the view inside the industry. And so much more. The Perfect Rom-Com gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Perfect Rom-Com ? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Threaded Lies

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.

Threaded Lies (Tangled Hearts, # 2)

By: K. Bromberg

Expected Publication: October 14, 2025 by Bramble

352 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--Holden
I let my guard down.
And got screwed over by a woman without even knowing why.
But it won’t happen again.
Because the only thing I care about is burning this whole place down.

Rowan
Two can play this game.
I gave my heart to a man who set out from the get-go to destroy it.
Now I’m more than ready to show him just who he messed with.
You wanted a war, Holden Knight.
You’ve got one.

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

Sunday Post - 05/25/25

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.

This was our first full week of no school for summer. You'd think the adjustment wouldn't be too bad since we homeschool, and we're home anyway. There's been a lot of sibling fussing and whatnot. I don't remember much of Monday. Tuesday, the kids had the dentist. All is well there. Big Boy has 2 loose teeth. Big Girl had one molar that is getting loose. We went straight from there to grocery pickup. Wednesday, Big Boy had batting practice. He was struggling. His coach gave him one tip that he began overcorrecting, and they spent the entire lesson working to undo his overcorrection. Thursday, Big Girl had pitching lessons. We also pinpointed something that she needs to tweak in her starting position, and so her entire lessons was focused around that tweak. We have been walking more around the neighborhood. I miss doing that. Since we started homeschooling, I have strugglged to find a way to work walking into my daily schedule. Up until the year before this past year, I've been walking daily for years! At least ten years or more. So I'm missing my daily walks. Friday afternoon, we met a friend at the splash pad. I was so disappointed because we didn't go last year and they've removed some of the water pieces. It's much more babyish than it used to be. My kids were over it in less than 10 minutes to be honest. I forced them to stay until our friend came, and once she was bored, we let them change and go to the playground which was right beside the splash pad. We then moved it to Burger King to let the kids play and eat dinner. Burger King is one of the only fast food restuarants here that has a playplace. Our Chickfila has one, but it is for really little kids. We got home later than I intended, and I felt terrible because Husband was running a fever. It was probably good that we were gone so he could sleep uninterrupted. Saturday, we had our quarterly women's devotion with church. That went well. My sister-in-law, niece, and her kids came over to swim and eat lunch with us. After they left, I helped Husband burn tree limbs from where we had the tree guy come a couple of weeks ago.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, # 1) by Callie Hart (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for A Gentleman's Reckoning by Jennie Goutet
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Cooking with the Cat (3.5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: No Blog Post - US Memorial Day
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Thursday: Review of The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson
Friday: Homeschool Friday - The Close Shave

NEW BOOKS:

Fallen City (Fallen City Duology, # 1)

By: Adrienne Young

Expected Publication: November 4, 2025 by Saturday Books

416 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology

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--In the great walled city of Isara, political turmoil ignites a rebellion one hundred years in the making. But when a legionnaire falls in love with a Magistrate's daughter, their love will threaten the fate of the city and the will of the gods.

Luca Matius has one purpose—to carry on the family name, maintaining its presence in the Forum once his powerful and cruel uncle dies. But his noviceship with the city's Philosopher places him in the middle of a catastrophe that will alter the destiny of his people.

Maris Casoeria was raised amidst the strategic maneuvers of the Citadel's inner workings, and she knows what her future holds—a lifetime of service to a corrupt city. But her years of serving as a novice to the last Priestess who possesses the stolen magic of the Old War has made her envision a different kind of future for the city. When she meets Luca, a fated chain of events is set into motion that will divinely entangle their lives.

As a secret comes to light and throws the city into chaos, Luca and Maris hatch a plot to create a calculated alliance that could tip the scales of power. But when an execution forces Luca to become the symbol of rebellion, he and Maris are thrown onto opposite sides of a holy war. As their fates diverge, they learn they are at the center of a story the gods are writing. And even if they can find their way back to each other, there may be nothing left.

Sanskari Sweetheart

By: Ananya Devarajan

Expected Publication: May 20, 2025 by HarperCollins

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--Raina needs to win the National Bollywood Dance Circuit Scholarship. That will show her mother that dance can be a financially stable career and prove to her boyfriend and co-captain, Aditya, that they’re still the perfect couple, even if all they seem to do these days is fight. There’s only one problem—Aditya breaks up with her, their Nationals choreography crumbles on stage, and Raina, as well as her hopes of winning the scholarship, is taken right down with it.

All Raina wants is a do-over, so when she wakes up the next morning to a miracle—another chance at Nationals with Aditya by her side—she couldn’t be happier. But as the events of the day start repeating, Raina realizes she’s stuck in a time loop, cursed to humiliate herself at Nationals and then get dumped—over and over again.

Raina is certain that if she follows all the right steps, she can break out of the time loop, win Nationals, and earn back the heart of her one true love in the process. But what if perfection isn’t enough?

Drive Me Crazy

By: Lizzy Dent

Expected Publication: January 6, 2026 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

368 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--Can they navigate the twists and turns of love without crashing and burning?

As one of the first female team principles in Formula 1, Chloe Coleman is determined to prove herself and transform her failing team from underdogs to champions. Nothing can ruin her strategy—except maybe the surprising new addition of a cocky, top-tier driver who’s lost his edge. And he just so happens to be her estranged childhood crush who still sends her heart racing.

Matt Warner needs a comeback. A former champion, he hasn’t won a race since the disastrous crash that landed his best friend and teammate in the hospital. If there’s a silver lining to this scandalous demotion, it’s his fierce and familiar new boss, Chloe. But as the competition heats up, so does an unexpected spark that turns dangerously and passionately hot. With the world watching and pressures of the season mounting, will their chemistry lead them to victory, or spin them out of control?

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 - Cooking with the Cat

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

The Cat in the Hat the Movie!: Cooking with the Cat

By: Bonnie Worth

Illustrated By: Christopher Moroney

Publication: October 14, 2003 by Random House Books for Young Readers

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Level-1 Readers, Step-1 Readers, My First Reader

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.

Description--Look! Look! The Cat wants to cook!

Told with simple rhymes and rhythms, this jaunty illustrated tale gives very young readers a taste of the Cat in the Hat’s flamboyant cooking skills as he slaps on a Chef’s hat and whips up purple cupcakes using some truly odd ingredients! A cat-terrific spin-off based on Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat movie.

I hated The Cat in the Hat when I was a kid. I'm typically a rules-follower. Plus I don't like a mess. So these alien-looking creeps with no fingers terrorizing my house while my mother is gone sounds like a nightmare to me. That being said, Cooking with the Cat didn't make the little girl in me cringe.

Cooking with the Cat is 32 pages of rhyming and repetitive words and phrases. There's not much to it, and I'd say it falls on the easier side of level-1 readers. My son did like some of the nonsense that is typical of Dr. Seuss, but there's nothing too crazy.

Cooking with the Cat is a fine level-1 reader. It's fun for kids and anything that makes reading enjoyable is a win in my book. Cooking with the Cat gets 3.5 Stars. Has your early reader read Cooking with the Cat? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for A Gentleman's Reckoning

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 Gentleman's Reckoning

By: Jennie Goutet

Expected Publication: May 28, 2025 by Millefeuille Press

304 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--A Scandalous Past. A Secret Identity. A Love That Could Ruin Everything.

Once the most charming rake in London, John Aubin lost everything when he overheard a powerful earl’s fraudulent dealings. Branded a liar and cast out of society, he now lives under an assumed name, working in the very orphanage the earl owns. But Aubin’s purpose isn’t charity—it’s revenge. Sober and focused for the first time in his life, he plans to expose the earl’s corruption and reclaim his good name. Nothing will stand in his way—until he meets her.

Lady Eugenia Stanich has never truly known a father’s love. The Earl of Goodwin may be a revered figure in society, but to Geny, he is a distant shadow, more invested in power than in family. The Foundling Asylum that bears her father’s name is the one place where Geny feels a connection to the mother she lost years ago. If she marries, it would be to a man who shares her devotion to the children, but London’s gentlemen see charity as a pastime, not a calling. Then the new supervisor arrives, and Geny dares to hope she has met someone different.

As John and Geny grow closer, desire sparks and hearts entwine, but the truth looms between them. If Lady Eugeniadiscovers that John is not who he claims to be—and worse, that he is using the asylum to destroy her father—he will lose not only his chance at redemption. He will lose the only woman who has ever inspired him to be a better man.
* This book is closed door, no spice, clean and wholesome Regency romance. No matter how you prefer to word it, the content is suitable for anyone from young teens to a ripe old age.

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

Quicksilver - Review

Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, # 1)

By: Callie Hart

Publication: September 10, 2024 by Forever

624 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Vampires, Magic, Fae

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--The global phenomenon by Callie Hart--a highly addicting enemies-to-lovers Romantasy with razor-sharp banter, heart-stopping action, and blistering hot romance--now has an embossed cover, silver foiling, and an updated interior design.

Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate.

Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen’s reservoirs for as long as she can remember. In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn’t much a girl wouldn’t do for a glass of water. But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone.

When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares…but it turns out they’re real, and Saeris has landed right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed.

The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist’s magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him… or her. Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he’s the only way Saeris is going to make it home.

Be careful of the deals you make, dear child. The devil is in the details...

The description is a little bit confusing. "Don't touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate." You might think those are rules that Saeris lives by. Or rules of the kingdom she lives in. But they are only things that come up in one instance. Also, when it says that no one knows of the strange powers she possesses, well that's true. Except Saeris herself barely knows about them as well. She only knows that metal vibrates around her. So it isn't like Saeris is keeping this big secret. What could she tell people about metal vibrating anyway?

I did like the idea of what people would do if water were rationed as it is in this book. And I love how when Saeris was transported to a realm where snow was falling from the sky, she was amazed at how easily accessible water was compared to where she lived. Saeris hasn't completely given her body over in all possible ways in order to get water. But she has stolen and bartered and fought for her survival and her brother's every single day.

Saeris doesn't exactly come face to face with Death in that Fisher isn't "Death". He does come to deliver a death blow the day she meets him. And while she is dying she believes that to be who he is. Saeris comes to learn that she opened a portal between the realms that has been closed for many years. And now she learns that she's not who she thought she was. And she has a part to play in changing the worlds for the better.

Saeris and Kingfisher have what's supposed to be an enemies-to-lovers trope. But it wasn't a true enemies-to-lovers situation. Fisher has information that Saeris doesn't have. And while he doesn't necessarily want a relationship with her from the beginning, I don't think he was a true enemy to her. Of course, he wasn't very nice either. There is on-page spicy scenes. And some of the dirty talk and descriptions were a little much for me. But I have a lower tolerance than I think most romantacy readers do. And while I'm mentioning things that might hinder readers from picking up the series, there was language. So many f-bombs to the point of being excessive in my mind.

Fisher himself has a bit of a tragic background. He's been through a lot. I really felt bad for him. He's nearly crazy from the effects of the quicksilver and essential torture that he's endured over the years. That's not to say that Saeris's history was squeaky clean or peachy. Because it most certainly wasn't. The histories make the characters real in a way that makes you hurt for them and connect to them.

Favorite quotes:

-"I hit him..." He thought about it. "Once. Maybe twice. That only qualifies as a light beating. And what's a light beating between friends?"

-"I never met a rule I didn't wanna break, Sunshine."

-Hayden refused to do what was asked of him, never paid attention, and then typically went and did the one thing you begged him not to.

Hey! I know someone just like that!

-The silence vibrated in my ears--an uncanny, unsettling feeling, like the moments after a scream, when the terrible sound tears the air in two, and for a split second afterward, the memory of it hangs there, determined to still be heard. I found myself straining, listening as hard as I could, searching for a voice that wasn't there.

-Rumors are next-door neighbors to gossip, and gossip always breaks bread with lies.

-Saeris Fane was twenty-four years of age when she died. Honestly, she should have died a lot sooner, but the girl never did know when to give up.

-"My concern is that a tool pushed to its limit is a tool that will probably break. And to be blunt, Saeris, you're a tool none of us can afford to let Fisher break."

-"Amazing isn't it? People prefer to acquiesce to a request rather than being forced to follow a command. Who'd have known?"

-I hated him, I did. But you couldn't hate something without caring about it just a little, too.

-"I'm not the type of person who keeps throwing herself at the things that hurt her."

-"I was wrong, y'know. You are a good thief." "What have I stolen?" But he smiled a small, sad smile, slowly shaking his head.

-"There are two kind of forever, Alchemist. One is heaven. The other is hell."

I do wish we could have had less on-page scenes and description and less cursing. Those things just aren't necessary to make a "good book." Good books come from plot and character development in my opinion. And Quicksilver had both of those in so much abundance. I do look forward to continuing the series, but I have to mention these things at the same time. My heart hurt for both Fisher and Saeris at different times, and I liked them as a couple. Qiuicksilver gets 4 Stars. Have you read Quicksilver? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 05/18/25

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 night we took Husband's mom out to dinner for Mother's Day. Little Boy started feeling a sore throat coming on, and sure enough, he started coughing during the night. We decided to skip going to my parent's house on Tuesday so we didn't risk getting my dad sick. He's been struggling with unexplicable shortness of breath, plus he's hoping to have hip surgery before too long. We rested and piddled. Plus it rained off and on most of the week. Wednesday I kept Little Boy home from school. He never ran fever. But then of course, it started to spread to the other kiddos. Big Boy had batting practice Wednesday afternoon. Big Girl had pitching practice Thursday afternoon. Friday was our last day of school. We are officially out for summer. We are all so ready for a break. Saturday, Big Boy had a team party for his baseball team. And today we have a wedding shower after church.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Into the Rapids by Ann Braden (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Throns & Fire (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 2) by Helen Scheuerer
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Biscuit and the Little Pup (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, # 1) by Callie Hart
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Cooking with the Cat

NEW BOOKS:

The Seventh Champion

By: Sylvia Mercedes

Expected Publication: November 11, 2025 by Ace

464 pages

Genre: 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--A dragon princess joins forces with a scarred prince to escape a competition for her hand in marriage, unaware he is hiding dark secrets of his own in the first of a new romantasy duology from the author of Bride of the Shadow King.

Swept from her quiet life as an apothecary’s apprentice to the treacherous court of the High King, Rosie Harpwood is shocked to discover she is the long-lost daughter of the demonic Dragon Queen. Reawakening her dormant magic is the kingdom's only hope for salvation, but the journey is perilous, and she'll need a champion to guide her. So the High King hosts a series of trials to determine which prince is worthy of the honor — as well as claiming Rosie's hand in marriage.

Rosie, however, has other ideas.

A talented healer and lover of small, fluffy creatures, Rosie wants nothing to do with demon queens or saving the world. Determined to escape this fate, she joins forces with one of the champions to plot her getaway. Prince Valtar may be enigmatic and a little bit terrifying, but something about him makes her blood burn in ways that have nothing to do with her dragon heritage.

Trained from youth to serve the Dragon Queen, Valtar has proven himself a ruthless assassin. Posing as a suitor to get close enough to his target shouldn't be a problem. But Valtar wasn’t planning on his target being Rosie, the girl he failed to assassinate years ago . . . who has haunted his dreams ever since.

Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy, # 1)

By: Lauren Roberts

Expected Publication: November 7, 2023 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

523 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

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--She is the very thing he’s spent his whole life hunting.
He is the very thing she’s spent her whole live pretending to be.

Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya—the exceptional, the empowered, the Elites. The powers these Elites have possessed for decades were graciously gifted to them by the Plague, though not all were fortunate enough to both survive the sickness and reap the reward. Those born Ordinary are just that—ordinary. And when the king decreed that all Ordinaries be banished to preserve his Elite society, lacking an ability suddenly became a crime—making Paedyn Gray a felon by fate and a thief by necessity.

Surviving in the slums as an Ordinary is no simple task, and Paedyn knows this better than most. Having been trained by her father to be keenly observant since she was a child, Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the crowded city, blending in with the Elites as best she can to stay alive and out of trouble…easier said than done.

When Paeydn unsuspectingly saves one of Ilya’s princes, she finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. The brutal competition exists to showcase the Elites’ powers—the very thing Paedyn lacks. If the Trials and the opponents within them don’t kill her, the prince she’s fighting feelings for certainly will if he discovers what she is…completely Ordinary.

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 - Biscuit and the Little Pup

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

Biscuit and the Little Pup

By: Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Illustrated By: Pat Schories

Publication: December 26, 2007 by HarperCollins

29 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Level-1 Readers, Step-1 Readers, My First Reader

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.

Description--When Biscuit finds a little pup in the park, he wants the pup to play with him. But the little pup won't come over to look at Biscuit's ball or to chew on a bone. In fact, he won't come out of his cozy hideaway at all! Is the little pup lost?

How will Biscuit get the little pup to come out? Can he help his new friend's owner find the little pup too?

Biscuit continues to charm the hearts of friends old and new in this, his twelfth adventure for the youngest of readers.

Biscuit and the Little Pup is a sweet level-1 reader about Biscuit meeting and playing with a new little puppy. The dogs end up playing together. I struggle with what to say about this one. It doesn't rhyme which is nice because I don't love for every early reader to rhyme. None of the words were particularly challenging, yet my reader probably needs to move from level 1 to level 2 readers. Biscuit and the Little Pup would be an excellent choice for beginners. I'm rating it 4 Stars. Have you read Biscuit and the Little Pup? If so, what did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Thorns & Fire

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.

Thorns & Fire (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 2)

By: Helen Scheuerer

Expected Publication: July 31, 2025 by Alchemy

? pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic, 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--Perfect for romantasy fans, Helen Scheuerer’s spellbinding sequel to Iron & Embers, Thorns & Fire, delivers heart-wrenching choices, a found family to root for and a love that defies the odds.

A golden thread joined them, a bond that went deeper than love – and it had nearly destroyed them.

Wren Embervale and Torj Elderbrock share a dark and bloody history. With Thezmarr on the brink of another war, and overwhelmed by the force of their feelings for one another, Torj discovers there is far more to their bond than mere passion. The legendary Warsword is determined to protect Wren at all costs, even if it means lying to her . . . Even if it means losing her forever.

Meanwhile, Wren is struggling to find her place in the world – both as an advanced student of alchemy at the ancient academy of Drevenor, and as one of the heirs to a lost kingdom. With the midrealms once again facing destruction, Wren must decide: loyalty or liberation? Legacy or love?

As new political players emerge, Wren discovers that her gift for alchemy is more powerful than she ever imagined – and that it could tear the kingdoms apart.

Will she and Torj find their way back to each other, or will the ancient magic that binds them become their undoing?

From the author of the bestselling The Legends of Thezmarr series, Thorns & Fire by Helen Scheuerer is the second book in The Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy.

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

Into the Rapids - Review

Into the Rapids

By: Ann Braden

Publication: May 13, 2025 by Nancy Paulsen Books

165 pages

Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic 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--Sometimes even a girl who likes to rely only on herself needs to be brave enough to ask for help.

When a superstorm hits Addy’s remote mountain town, knocking out their bridge and cutting them off, she worries that she won’t be able to get to the Survival Camp she’s been looking forward to (the irony!) It’s the camp where her parents met, and she’s eager to hone her skills and honor their legacy. But now there’s no power, and it’s also like a light has been switched off in her mom, who’s triggered by the raging river and memories of Addy’s dad dying in a similar storm.

Addy and her mom have always prided themselves on their self-reliance, so now they feel especially stranded since they’ve never bothered to befriend any neighbors. On the hill where she goes to get cell service, she keeps running into her classmate Caleb. He’s frantic about a missing neighbor, and she’s amazed at how he connects with folks to get help. Then he offers to try to get her to camp—but can she trust him? She’s always thought of him as an enemy. The storm has brought so many questions about her beliefs swirling to the surface, and maybe it’s time to take some leaps of faith. The remarkable string of events that follows includes the greatest survival test Addy has ever faced and the realization that she’s not in this adventure of life alone.

I have been looking into more middle-grade books since my kids are starting to read this range. But what I'm looking for is pretty specific. 

Addy's father died in an accident involving some flooding. Her mom is still struggling to cope, even though Addy was pretty young when it happened. Addy and her mother are pretty secluded from others, even though they have next door neighbors with a kid Addy's age. Caleb gave Addy a nickname that has stuck with her throughout elementary school. Addy blames him for making her a laughing stock among her classmates. 

When a tropical storm causes the river to flood and the community to lose power, Addy fears that she won't be able to make it to survival camp. But only twelve-year-olds are allowed to go. So this is Addy's only shot. Most of all, she wants to beat her father's time so she can sign her name beside his at the wet fire competition. 

Added to Addy's issues is her mother's struggles with coping. Addy has definitely taken more of a parenting role than she needs to. But Addy realized that maybe she and her mom are isolated due to their own choices and not others. Caleb helps Addy realize that she can depend on others and maybe make friends. 

I liked Addy a lot. I liked her survival spirit. She faced adversity with an attitude of figuring out what she could do to improve her situation. Those are the lessons I want my kids to be exposed to.

I will say that there were no messages of anti-God, even though the absence of God during such a disaster scenario was glaringly obvious to me. 

Favorite quotes:

-Grief is funny like that. In lots of books, when someone dies, everyone's just sad. But in real life, there's a lot of anger, too.

-Like how there's a space between every stimulus and response, and in that space is our freedom to choose how we want to respond.

-And why do I avoid other people? Because I'm fine without them? Or worried they won't like me?

Into the Rapids was a good read that had a lot of good messages. I can easily see myself recommending this book to my kids. Into the Rapids gets 4 Stars. Have you read Into the Rapids? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 05/11/25

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 night we had closing ceremonies for baseball and softball. We grabbed blizzards at DQ afterwards as a treat for their hardwork. Also there was a food truck selling shaved ices at the ballpark with a line a mile long. So instead of dealing with that we got ice cream instead. Tuesday, my dad woke up feeling off, so we decided not to spend the day at their house. I made a quick change of plans and met up with some friends at the park. These are twins in my youngest's pre-school class. They are considering homeschool so I've been looking for a time when their mom and I could get together to talk. Wednesday was a normal day. Thursday was Husband and I's 16th wedding anniversary. It was the first day of no co-op for summer. We did a switcharoo and did school in the morning so we could go visit with my aunt and uncle at my parent's house for a little bit. Big Girl had her first softball pitching lesson. It was harder than she expected, and she hasn't practiced at all at home since. So I don't know if she has the desire to work hard for this. Time will tell. Friday was another normal day. Saturday it rained all morning, and then we had a wedding to go to so it ended up being a late night. Of course, today is Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers!

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of A Wager with the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match, # 3) by Jody Hedlund (3 Stars)
Tuesday: Ten Authors from Alabama
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Cookies (5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Into the Rapids by Ann Braden
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Cooking with the Cat

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 - Cookies

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons

By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Illustrated By: Jane Dyer

Publication: May 2, 2006 by HarperCollins

40 pages

Genre: Children, Picture Book, Parenting, Education

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.

Description--Everyone knows cookies taste good, but these cookies also have something good to say. Open this delectable book to any page and you will find out something about life.

Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons is a new kind of dictionary, one that defines mysteries such as "fair" and "unfair" and what it really means to "cooperate."

The book is by turns clever, honest, inspirational, and whimsical. Go ahead, take a bite!

I've been doing a "unit study" on manners in our homeschool. Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons was recommended (although I can't remember where) to me. And my husband purchased it for me for Christmas. Guys! I was so impressed by this book. It packs such a punch in such a small package. This book tackles so many character traits, qualities, and good lessons in a way that children can easily understand. And hey, who doesn't want to read all about cookies? We've got: cooperate, patient, proud, modest, respect, trustworthy, fair, unfair, compassionate, greedy. generous, pessimistic, optimistic, polite, honest, courageous, envy, loyal, open-minded, regret, content, and wise. All of these things are defined using situations that involve cookies. For example: 

-Cooperate means, "How about you add the chips while I stir?

and 

-Respect means offering the very first cookie to your grandmother.

The last page of the book has a cookie recipe. We haven't tried it yet. But it's a wonderful opportunity to put some of these lessons into practice: take turns and cooperate, wait patiently for them to bake, offer the first cookie to the person most deserving of our respect, everyone gets the same number of cookies, sharing our cookies with others, viewing the amount we have as enough, being honest about how many cookies we've had, and not envying someone else's cookie that might look better than the ones we have, and we're not going to eat more than we should. 

I highly recommend Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons. You don't even have to be intentionally teaching your children about manners. Everyone needs to learn these lessons. And we can all relate to cookies, I think. Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons gets 5 Stars. Have you read Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons? What did you think? Let me know!

Ten Authors From Alabama

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 Ten Authors From Alabama

1. Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
2. Fannie Flag - Fried Green Tomatoes
3. Daniel Wallace - Big Fish
4. Kathryn Tucker Windham - 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey
5. Winston Groom - Forest Gump
6. John Green - The Fault in Our Stars
7. Rachel Hawkins - Hex Hall
8. Helen Keller - The Story of My Life
9. Carl Carmer - Stars Fell on Alabama
10. Abbi Glines - Rosemary Beach series

Which authors are from where you live? Let me know!

A Wager with the Matchmaker - Review

A Wager with the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match, # 3)

By: Jody Hedlund

Publication: May 6, 2025 by Bethany House Publishers

352 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--After her brother's entanglement with an Irish gang threatens their family's safety, Alannah Darragh flees St. Louis and her troubled past, seeking refuge as a maid for the affluent Shanahan family. Alannah's resolve to avoid romance is tested by the undeniable attraction she feels for Kiernan Shanahan. Determined to maintain her position and the safety it provides, she vows to resist the pull of her heart despite the growing bond between them and their undeniable chemistry.

In the wake of a devastating fire, Kiernan Shanahan sees a shrewd opportunity to invest in a clay mine and brickyard to aid the city's rebuilding. To secure his venture, he seeks a wealthy bride with a substantial dowry. However, the matchmaker he consults has different plans. As danger looms and Alannah fights to keep her brother safe, Kiernan's protective instincts draw them closer together, but a future with him seems too far out of reach. It will take a miracle--or a wager with the wily matchmaker--to bring the unlikely couple together.

Be swept away in a tale of love, danger, and destiny in this captivating historical romance from bestselling author Jody Hedlund.

So I've read 12 books by Jody Hedlund. After a while, you start to get a feel for an author. Some of her books I've rated 4 Stars and some 3 Stars. I don't think I've had a 5-star book from her yet, but she's been consistent. One of the things I like about her is that her books are clean, often Christian fiction, yet they don't deny physical attraction and longing. She can bring some yearning into her books. At the same time, the last three I've read by her (including this one), felt almost like a formula. They each felt either lacking in an area that I couldn't describe, or they felt rushed. I did miss the second book in the A Shanahan Match series. I hope to come back to read it eventually. 

Basically, Alannah is being sheltered at Kieran's sister's house as a maid. Her brother got entangled in an Irish gang upon arriving in St. Louis. Unfortunately, that means his loved ones are in danger from the backlash of his trying to get away from this gang. Kieran is attracted to Alannah and wants to see her settled and protected. Of course, he doesn't immediately consider himself as an option for protecting her, even though he takes on the responsibility of finding her suitable work. Sometimes I'm all about forbidden love stories, and other times I'm frustrated with the characters for making poor choices. I found that I was unhappy with the characters choosing to spend time together alone in what would have been a compromising position had they been discovered. Yet. I wanted to root for them at the same time. 

Favorite quotes:

-"The only sure thing about luck is that it will change."

-"You never miss the water till the well has run dry."

-"We cannot be blaming the problems we create on God."

-"God could turn His nose up at us for all the times we think we know best and go our own way. But He doesn't. Instead, He's there offering to help clean up our problems and walk with us through them."

-"Maybe you're expecting God to answer your prayers the way you think He should when He's actually answering the way He knows is best."

-"Doncha be prodding me along without telling me where you're pushing me."

All of that being said, A Wager with the Matchmaker was not my favorite Jody Hedlund book. They can't all be the best. I have been a little frustrated with the last three books that I've read by her, yet I still plan to read more because I've read enough of her books to know what she's capable of writing. A Wager with the Matchmaker gets 3 Stars. I'm looking forward to Bellamy & Zaira's story. Have you read A Wager with the Matchmaker? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 05/04/25

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, I had to drop Scout (our dog) off at the vet for a wellness check and grooming. Then we had normal school. I had to go back and get him in the afternoon. Big Girl and Little Boy had ball games. Big Girl hit her first home run ever! I'm so proud of her. She's really been loving the game more and more. Tuesday, we had family from Georgia that we don't get to see often here to visit. We met up with them on a field trip, and then we headed back to Grammy's house to let the kids swim. Big Girl did have play practice in the mix so I had to run her back and forth to that. Both big kids had ball games. It was the last game of the season for Big Girl. Wednesday was a normal day for the most part. Thursday, we had co-op. It was our last co-op for the spring semester. We had a pizza lunch after, and Big Girl stayed for play practice. Big Boy and I did some school work. Then I went to pick her up from practice. We had a quick dinner and then went back for the play. The kids did wonderful. A few set malfunctions were the only issues and the kids totally rolled with it. I was so proud of them. It came together so nicely. Then Friday we had school and the boys had their last ball games of the season. Big Boy got him a home run. Granted, it was from errors in the field, but we'll take it. He's not had the best batting this season so that was an awesome end to his season. He also caught a pop-up foul ball at catcher. He's gone after a few other ones this season but this was the first he caught. Saturday, it rained in the morning and afternoon. We had a brief couple of hours with no rain around noon. I did some piddling cleaning. Mostly, I worked on cleaning our school desks and notebooks. There's always stuff we have to get rid of to make room for incoming curriculum. I did have to make a Walmart run this afternoon too. I've not been reading much lately. I guess I'm in a slump. I'm relistening to the Charley Davidson series to hopefully help me get out of my slump.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of The Rules of Matrimony (Matchmaking Mamas, # 4) by Anneka R Walker (4 Stars)
Thursday: April 2025 EOM Wrap Up
Friday: Homeschool Friday - He is Here! (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of A Wager with the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match, # 3) by Jody Hedlund
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Cookies

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 - He Is Here

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

He is Here!: 25 Days Of Christmas Devotions

By: Browning Montgomery Wood

Publication: August 1, 2022 by Christian Faith Publishing, Inc

80 pages

Genre: Holiday, Christmas, Seasonal, Christian, Devotion

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.

Description--This story would change the world like no other. An unknown woman, in an unknown village would give birth to a seemingly unknown and insignificant son, but this event would interrupt time like nothing has before it and nothing has since. After 21 centuries His name is still known around the world. His influence is unmatched, and the writings surrounding his birth, his life and his message fill libraries around the world! His birth and the message that came with it is a point of dispute to this day. This is certain though, prophets, priests, and kings for thousands of years and hundreds of generations have longed to see this day arrive. It is Christmas, and He is Here!

I've been reading devotions to my children at bedtime for a few years. But I've never done a Christmas-focused one and the timing looked like it was going to work out for me to be able to do He's Here! with my children during the Christmas season. Right off the bad, I knew we wouldn't finish the book within the 25 days because my husband puts them to bed every other night. At first, I thought I would double up and read two devotions a night to finish by Christmas, but I soon realized that would not work for my middle child who struggles with his attention span. 

The cover of He's Here! pulled me in, but I also immediately thought "children's devotion." Granted, I could have been projecting because that was what I was looking for. But I can't find anywhere that specifically states the target audience age for this devotion. That being said, I did think a few of the devotions were above my children's level. So maybe this is for older children or adults. I'm unsure since I haven't seen anything on Goodreads, Amazon, or Edelweiss that specifically states an age range.

I did enjoy He's Here! as a devotion. The introduction says the author, Browning Montgomery Wood, wants the reader to look at Christmas in a new way. I can't say that I did that. I can't say that there were any new revelations for me within this devotion. My children didn't have any questions, and no questions were included for me to prompt them. (I'm not great about asking questions to provoke thinking.) Although, I did highlight a few quotes that I particularly liked.

Favorite quote:

-She will nurse God at her breast--He who has always brought forth the bounty of earth's supply (Psalm 145). She will clothe God--He who is robed in the stars and the sun (Psalm 104). She will change God's linens--He who has cleaned up after the sin and filth of mankind and His people for ages past (2 Chronicles 7:14). She will sing to God--the Lord who sings over us, the song of salvation (Zephaniah 3:17). Yes, indeed, grace has come to Mary...she is about to be the mother of God.

My favorite devotions were: "He's Popping Up Everywhere!" and "Wonderful Counselor." 

Now, I did have one big issue with this devotion, and that's the last one "Be Born in Me!" Browning Montgomery Wood spends the entire day's devotion leading up to telling the reader how to be saved, how to be "born again". And she falls short. She does a great job laying things out. She explains Jesus's purpose: to save, not condemn (John 3:17). She lays out the problem: "We are all spiritually dead because of our sin and trespasses" (Ephesians 2:1). She includes passages. John 10:10 highlights that Jesus came to give abundant life. She rightly shows that Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again (John 3:3). She directs the reader to Romans to walk through the understanding of how to be born again. Romans 3:23 rightly shows us that everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 rightly shows us that the price of sin is death--which is separation from God. Romans 5:8 shows that Christ paid the debt for us which we couldn't do for ourselves because we're sinners. And here's the problem. She skips over the rest of Romans chapter 6 which talks about being buried with Christ through baptism into His death and being raised from dead by the glory of the Father, so that we should also walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4). She skipped all of that and jumped over to Romans 10:9-10 which talks about confessing Jesus. Scripture must harmonize. You can't pick and choose verses to apply and ones that do not. You can't skip verses like Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21 and say that all you have to do is believe and confess. The "accept Jesus into your heart as your personal savior"...the "just pray this prayer and you're saved" gospel falls short. It doesn't harmonize the entirety of Scripture to give someone a full understanding. Thus, I had to edit while reading this one to my kids--which wasn't too hard to do. But it breaks my heart that some readers out there don't know Scripture enough to know that. It's misleading. I'm not trying to judge her heart. At the same time, it's imperative to read Scripture for yourself and not trust the word of an individual. It's up to each person to work out their own salvation (Philippians 2:12) meaning each person is responsible for their own salvation and can't blame someone else for teaching them false doctrine. 

In the end He's Here wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I'd hoped to have a Christmas-focused devotion for my children ages 7-9. Some of the devotions were a little over their understanding. And I felt discouraged that the last day's devotion short-changed the truth of Scripture and excluded baptism from the steps necessary for salvation. Because of that, I'm giving He's Here!: 25 Days of Christmas Devotions 4 Stars. Have you read He's Here!? What did you think? Let me know! 

April 2025 EOM Wrap Up