Can't Wait for Splendor of the Land

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.

Splendor of the Land (The King's Men, # 3)

By: Connilyn Cossette

Expected Publication: August 5, 2025 by Bethany House Publishers

400 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian 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--Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan--son of King Saul--dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel's finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior forces Yonatan to present him with an ultimatum, Gavriel is sent on a mission to persuade a distant tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites.

Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father's legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her talent, unmatched and unrecognized, is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a love that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they're tangled together in a way no one could have imagined. As they navigate through unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose his love forever.

Set against the backdrop of ancient Israel, bestselling author Connilyn Cossette breathes life into the Old Testament era with this exhilarating tale of redemption, courage, and sacrifice.

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

Top Ten Summer 2025 TBR List

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 Summer 2025 TBR List

1. The Folklore of Forever (Moonville, # 2) by Sarah Hogle - I enjoyed book 1 in this series more than I expected, but I've been putting this one off for some reason.
2. Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao - I actually forgot that I had this book for review. I need to knock it out soon.
3. Rules for Ruin (The Chrinoline Academy, # 1) by Mimi Matthews - I have loved Mimi Matthews, but this one has been one that I've struggled to get into. I'll read it eventually, but I'm struggling a little with the beginning.
4. Heart Marks the Spot by Libby Hubscher - A newly acquired book.
5. The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar - I never read Holes, but I'm familiar with the author. I thought I would check this one out.
6. A Kingdom to Claim by Sian Ann Bessey - Eesh, I've had this book way too long. I feel sure I'll enjoy it, but I've just not been in the mood for this yet.
7. Nothing Like the Movies (Better Than the Movies, # 2) by Lynn Painter - Ok, so I didn't research enough to figure out that this was book 2 in a series and I haven't read book 1 yet.
8. Til Heist Do Us Part (Simi Chopra, # 2) by Sara Desai - Same as the previous. I knew this was the 2nd in the series for this one, but I still haven't read book 1, so I keep putting this off.
9. A Touch of Shadows (The Lost Queen, # 1) by Jessica Thorne - I need to get around to this one. I keep seeing book 2 available for review request, but I feel unsure about requesting it since I've been putting this book off as well.
10. The Notorious Virtues (The Notorious Virtues, # 1 ) by Alwyn Hamilton - I really enjoyed Alwyn Hamilton's previous series, and this one was on my radar for a long time. I need to knock this out.

Which books are on your summer TBR list? Let me know!

Risking It All - Review

Risking It All (Pushing the Limits: The Next Generation, # 1)

By: Katie McGarry

Publication: October 21, 2024 by Katie McGarry LLC

271 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

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--From Award Winning, Critically Acclaimed Author Katie McGarry comes the Next Generation of Pushing the Limits characters.

Her life has been shattered. His life was never whole. Can one summer change everything?

After a violent carjacking left her bleeding in the street, Macie Hutchins fears she’ll never be the same. She’s not the girl she once was—even if she puts up a good front.

Head down, she tries to survive the sweltering summer—and group therapy sessions—with secrets intact and scars hidden. Both those on the outside and inside.

But Relic Aslanov has always been trouble. Complicated trouble. Dangerous trouble. And his presence in therapy is making Macie’s plan to lie low and cope on her own trickier than her life has already become.

She can’t seem to hide from him, though. And he can’t seem to stay away from her—even when the long-standing rivalry between their families should keep them apart.

But as the summer simmers on, so do the looks, the touches—and the kisses that were never supposed to happen.

As things heat up between Macie and Relic, her white-picket-fence world collides with his wrong-side-of-the-tracks hell, and the truth about the carjacking bubbles to the surface.

When the dust settles and the truth is revealed, will the risk they took be worth it? Or have their pasts already doomed their future?

Katie McGarry sucked me in with her Pushing the Limits series many moons ago. I've been keeping my eyes out for more of her books, so when I saw a release featuring Noah & Echo's daughter as the FMC, I knew I wanted to get my hands on it. I didn't see it on NetGalley or Edelweiss, so I bought this with some Christmas gift cards that I got. 

Macie is Noah & Echo's daughter. And she has suffered a tragedy. She was carjacked and shot. Now she's in trauma group therapy, where no one wants to talk. As a matter of fact, Macie can't talk. Every time she tries to talk about the "accident," she triggers a panic attack. Since the attack, Macie hasn't been able to drive either. Being in the car triggers panic attacks as well. She only has two friends that she still talks to. One is her best friend, who lives next door, Isaiah and Rachel's daughter--Ariel. And Gianna is the other. Ariel spends most of the book out of the country otherwise, the story wouldn't have the conflict it needed in some areas. 

The MMC, Relic, is doing court-ordered group therapy as part of a plea deal after he got caught stealing money from a car. Relic has it rough. His mom left after he was born. His dad has just gotten out of prison. But he is right back in the clutches of a local drug dealer and gangster boss who happens to have ties to the previous series of books — specifically Chasing Impossible. Relic has an older sister who isn't all that reliable. And he has a younger sister that he's trying to protect at all costs. 

Group therapy is where we meet most of the side characters from this story. They are all in therapy because of the trauma they are trying to overcome, process, and deal with. I don't want to spoil their stories, but I will say that I was frustrated with the bisexual(?) character. Basically, a boy who likes to wear girls' clothes. I liked Lev, and I felt terrible for the situation he was in. Yet, I can't say that I support his decisions or choices either. You can disagree with someone without hating them. And you can feel the same about a book character, also. I wish this weren't included in the story, but I'm mentioning it in case it affects other readers' desire to pick up this book. 

Favorite quotes:

-"I'm not honest. I'm a survivalist. Those are two different traits. But here, tonight, I have no reason to lie."

-"You apologize for things that aren't your fault. Don't." "I'm not apologizing, I'm saying that I hurt for you."

Macie and Relic faced an incredibly difficult situation. I was thankful that Relic was as open with Macie as he was. So often, the MMC would try to hide everything he was going through if it were of the nature that Relic was. It was fun to see the old Pushing the Limits crew as adults and parents. 

Risking It All gets 4 Stars from me. I wasn't surprised by the pieces that were intended to be surprises. I liked Macie and Relic. They had a sweet relationship. I enjoyed seeing the old characters from the previous series as adults and parents. And even though I didn't enjoy the pro-LGBT included, I still liked the side characters. I'm curious if we'll get to read more of the children from the original series. Ariel, perhaps. Have you read Risking It All? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 06/15/25

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.

I missed last week's Sunday Post because last Saturday I took the kids to the beach and forgot to prep my post. I really can't remember much of the week before that. That Saturday we loaded up early and left the house before 7 am to head to Panama City Beach, Florida. We were meeting Holly, my niece, my niece's husband, and their two children there. About an hour and a half into our trip two out of my three kids were dealing with car sickness. Car sickness is a thing we deal with fairly regularly on long trips so I have a kit in my car just in case. Thankfully, when Little Boy threw up the first time, being prepared meant that we didn't have a huge mess on our hands. He wanted to keep going and said he felt better. Both kids took a short nap and that helped. Little Boy ended up throwing up again, but we were already in Panama City at that point so turning around made less sense than just continuing to the beach. We got there almost an hour later than I had planned due to stopping and traffic. Thankfully, the area we went only had single red flags as the regular side of the beach had double red flags. We go to the jetty side of St. Andrew's state park which is actually more of a tidal pool than a regular beach area. The kids had a blast. They played so well in the water and didn't go too far. I didn't even have to get in which is great as I'm not a fan of that kind of water anymore. We stayed until a little after 4 pm. At which point we rinsed off, changed clothes, and went out to dinner before heading home. I listened to Iron Flame as a re-read on the way there and back.

Sunday was a normal day. Monday as well. The kids started back martial arts this week. Tuesday, we spent the day with my parents, and then did grocery pickup. The kids did martial arts. Tuesday I started feeling a little sick. Honestly, I'd felt a little something on the way to the beach, but it didn't come on until a few days later. Wednesday, I had haircuts scheduled for the boys, and then we met some friends at the park for a playdate. It was a decent day, but I remember why we usually skip the park during the summer. The kids didn't play nearly as long as normal. I grabbed Chickfila for lunch for us on the way home. Big Boy's batting practice got switched to Thursday. The kids and I went for a walk on Thursday and then went swimming. Husband took Big Boy to his batting practice, and I took Big Girl to pitching practice. Friday was a nice day. We walked and swam as well. Saturday, I pressure washed the concrete around our pool. I try to do that every couple of years. I finished Iron Flame and tried to start another book but didn't really make it past the trigger warnings for that one. I'm so far behind on writing book reviews that it isn't funny. Like I'm talking 17 books. I used to have a 2 book rule. I'm really frustarted with myself. Even if I have a span of knocking out 5 or so book reviews at a time I can't seem to get caught up. I'm reading far faster than the time I spend on a computer these days, and creating a review from my phone is frustrating. Happy Father's Day!

THE PAST TWO WEEKS

Monday 6/2: Review of Fate & Furies (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 3) by Helen Scheuerer (4.5 Stars)
Wednesday 6/4: Can't Wait for A Secret Infatuation by Jennie Goutet
Friday 6/6: Homeschool Friday - Bears (4 Stars)
Monday 6/9: Review of Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, # 3) by Rebecca Yarros (4 Stars)
Wednesday 6/11: Can't Wait for Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber
Friday 6/13: Homeschool Friday - Be Polite and Kind (4.5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Risking It All (Pushing the Limits: The Next Generation, # 1) by Katie McGarry
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Feet Are Not for Kicking

NEW BOOKS:

On Wings of Blood (Bloodwing Academy, # 1)

By: Briar Boleyn

Publication: October 25, 2024 by Starwater Press (Indie)

523 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Dragons, Vampires

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--I didn't sign up for this.

A half-fae in a school of highblood vampires? That's a recipe for torment.

I'm Medra Pendragon—last of the dragon riders, or so they tell me. Funny thing is, there are no dragons left. Not a single one. But somehow, that hasn't stopped the vampires from deciding I'm worth capturing. Now I'm stuck at Bloodwing Academy, where the highbloods run everything and blightborn like me? We're just blood in their veins, pawns in their games.

But that's not even the worst part. Enter Blake Drakharrow. Cold, arrogant, and way too gorgeous for his own good. He's been tormenting me since the moment we met, and now, thanks to some ancient ritual, we're betrothed. He acts like he owns me, but I'm not going down without a fight.

Bloodwing isn't just a school—it's a battlefield. Highbloods fight for power, and if you're weak? You're dead.

Between deadly competitions, lies that could get me executed, and a dragon-shaped secret looming over my head, all I have to do is survive. Easy, right? Except I'm starting to think the real danger isn't the academy—it's what I'm becoming in this twisted game of power.

And Blake? He might just be the one who pushes me over the edge.

They think they can control me. They think they can use me.

But they have no idea what they've awakened.

The Ever Queen (The Ever Seas, # 2)

By: LJ Andrews

Expected Publication: September 16, 2025 by Ace

512 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae, Romance, Pirates

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--The Songbird:
Captive. Challenger. Queen.

Enemies took her from the man who holds her heart. They might see her as weak, as a pawn in wicked games, but they’re no match for the first Ever Queen.

Let them think they’ve won. Her heart belongs to a beautiful monster, and she will never stop fighting until she’s back in his arms.

The Serpent:
Captor. Villain. King.

His enemies stole the woman who claimed his soul. They betrayed him out of greed and desire for the crown, but they won't die for that betrayal. No.

They’ll die for touching her.

His heart belongs to a stunning little bird. He will never stop searching for her light across the skies. Not until the blood of his enemies spills at her feet, and his queen wears their bones around her neck.

Welcome back to the world of the Ever Kingdom where pirates collide with Vikings in passionate romance, brutal battles, and an unforgettable dark fantasy world. This book concludes the love story between Erik and Livia, but new, standalone romances with other favorite characters will continue to build the world. Readers are encouraged to check the TW inside the book for their reading comfort.

The Mist Thief (The Ever Seas, # 3)

By: LJ Andrews

Expected Publication: October 14, 2025 by Ace

528 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae, Pirates, Romance

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 tried to kill him, so he made her his wife.

Skadi first met her husband-to-be with blades in hand on the opposite side of a battle. She lost, and he claimed his prize.

To her horror, the king of the shadow elven agrees to marry her off to Jonas, a prince in the fae realms, as a way to unite their kingdoms against a shared enemy—the light elves. Skadi knows the marriage is nothing but a political game. Feelings won’t come into play.

Except her new husband makes not falling in love . . . challenging.

When new threats arise, Skadi must decide to either love her enemy, or keep him alive by betraying him to another.

Welcome to another installment in the Ever Seas world where pirates, fae, and elves collide with Vikings in a dark fantasy romance between a morally gray cinnamon roll and the broken princess who steals his heart.

*This book is a standalone with a guaranteed HEA, and can be read before The Ever King/Queen, but to see the full impact of their story, it’s recommended to read that duet first. This series is set in the same world as the bestselling Broken Kingdoms series, but can be read independently, and readers are encouraged to read the list of triggers inside.*

Secret Nights and Northern Lights

By: Megan Oliver

Expected Publication: November 18, 2025 by Berkley

384 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--Childhood best friends and first loves are reunited on a make-or-break work trip to Iceland, with old feelings coming to the surface in this charming romance from debut author Megan Oliver.

Mona Miller lives her life by she’s just fine, thanks; all good; not a problem! Everything is right as rain—even if it’s all a lie. Everyone at the travel magazine where she works knows her as a team player (in other words, the one who won’t complain about the endless fluff pieces pushed her way). But, feeling snubbed after being passed over for a promotion, Mona jumps at an international assignment to Iceland, even though she’s woefully unprepared.

She’s determined to prove her worth, though, and her can-do attitude will scale any glacier. But the freelance photographer paired with her is none other than Benjamin Carter. Ben, her childhood best friend who understood her even when her family didn’t. Ben, her first love—first everything. And Ben, the boy who ghosted her fourteen years ago and left her brokenhearted.

There is a decade’s worth of resentment Mona needs to ignore if she wants to make it through this trip. She’ll put on her “No worries!” façade and hold Ben at a distance. But the more time they spend together, the more the ice around her heart melts. And as those old feelings spark back to life, Mona must decide if she’s willing to go on the biggest adventure of all.

Heart Marks the Spot

By: Libby Hubscher

Expected Publication: July 22, 2025 by Berkley

384 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--A treasure hunter and the bestselling adventure novelist who broke her heart after one successful expedition reunite for a summer to search for lost riches.

Treasure hunter Stella Moore dreams of having it all—wealth, love, and a flourishing career—but knows she’ll never be that lucky. Every summer she and her childhood friends travel to search for hidden treasure, but she can barely manage her bills, let alone a relationship. Then, a chance encounter with alluring novelist Huck Sullivan during an expedition in Iceland has Stella thinking maybe her fortune has changed.

After his last book bombed, Huck hasn’t written a word. Joining Stella and her crew on an adventure seems like the perfect distraction from his problems, and when the crew finally uncovers hidden treasure, he is certain that he’s found more than just inspiration for his next novel. Huck and Stella’s undeniable connection gives way to an unforgettable night on a black sand beach.

After Huck disappears without a goodbye, Stella vows to put the heartbreak behind her—but that’s easier said than done when, a year later, every bookstore has a life-size cutout of her ex-lover next to stacks of his latest record-breaking bestseller. Good thing it’s time for another summer treasure hunt. Stella throws herself into mapping the path to a shipwreck off Key West, but the last thing she expects is an extra crew member showing up in search of material for a sequel and a second chance.

Stella and Huck are prepared for storms, sharks, sea sickness, even a tentative truce. But facing the feelings they buried and confronting the devastating truth about why Huck left is the only way to find what their hearts have been searching for all along.

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 - Be Polite & Kind

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.

Be Polite & Kind

By: Cheri J. Meiners

Illustrated By: Meredith Johnson

Publication: December 15, 2003 by Free Spirit Publishing

40 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Manners

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--When children are kind, courteous, and respectful, people enjoy being around them and reciprocate with the same behavior. This book helps kids understand the importance of showing politeness, speaking kindly, using basic courtesies ("please," "thank you," "excuse me"), and respecting the feelings of others. Scenarios and role-play activities help adults reinforce the book's lessons.

We have been studying manners in our homeschool. So when I saw Be Polite & Kind for review, I grabbed it. Our family can get into a habit of using our words negatively with a negative tone. I feel like I've been harping on "be kind," "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." And "speak the truth with love." I'm guilty of it too. The content in this book is best suited for smaller children, but no one is too old for a reminder on polite behavior.

Be Polite & Kind sprinkles instruction, situational awareness, and the reason why we are polite and kind throughout in a cyclical manner. It starts out with how our words show others that they are important to us. Then there is a focus on the word "please" and a few situations where using "please" is polite and kind. There's a sprinkle of information: "Being polite means people will often want to help." Then, "thank you" is introduced with a few situations where the phrase could be used. I liked the attention being brought to the reader to make a point to notice things you can be thankful for and verbalize that to others. Help others. And then when others thank you, say "you're welcome." There were a few situations with "excuse me" and "I'm sorry". And then the reader is reminded to think before speaking. "No, thank you" is shown as an option for saying how you feel politely. And then again, the reason we do these things is shown. "Respect others because that is how we each like to be treated." And "people enjoy being around others who are polite and kind." All in all, I think Be Polite & Kind gets 4.5 Stars. Have you or your child read Be Polite & Kind? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Alchemy of Secrets

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.

Alchemy of Secrets

By: Stephanie Garber

Expected Publication: October 7, 2025 by Flatiron Books

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, 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--The HOTLY ANTICIPATED adult debut novel by the beloved, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author of the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series

It starts with a class in an old movie theater.

Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor. Most students believe the Professor’s stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real. When she tracks down a local legend named the Watch Man, who can supposedly tell you when you’ll die, the world finally makes sense. Except that the Watch Man tells her she will die at midnight tomorrow unless she finds an ancient object called the Alchemical Heart.

With the clock ticking, Holland is pulled deeper into this magical world in the heart of Los Angeles—and into the path of a magnetic stranger. Everything about him feels like a bad idea, but he promises Holland that her sister sent him to protect her. As they chase clues and stories that take them closer to the Alchemical Heart, Holland realizes everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can’t figure out whom to trust, not even the Alchemical Heart will save her.

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

Onyx Storm - Review

Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, # 3)

By: Rebecca Yarros

Publication: January 21, 2025 by Entangled: Red Tower Books

779 pages

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Dragons

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 STORM IS COMING . . .

Get ready to fly or die in the breathtaking follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.

After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons.
No more time for uncertainty.
Because the battle has truly begun; and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust.
Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre.
The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves - her dragons, her family, her home, and him.
Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything.
They need an army.
They need power.
They need magic.
And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth.
But a storm is coming... and not everyone can survive its wrath.

Onyx Storm was one of my most anticipated releases for 2025. We all waited for over a year between Iron Flame, which had a killer cliffhanger, and Onyx Storm so there was a ton of build-up when it comes to expectations. I tried to stay away from podcasts, reels, shorts, or content that would speculate about Onyx Storm, the plot, the characters, etc. And I did fairly well with that. But all that to say, expectations were high. And unfortunately, I find when expectations are super-high, it's hard for any book to live up to the hype. Onyx Storm fell a little flat for me initially. Let me explain why. 

Iron Flame ends with that mega cliffhanger that I already mentioned. If you don't know what the cliffhanger is, you probably don't want to keep reading because there will be spoilers for the prior books included in this review. Xaden has drawn from the earth which has started the process of turning him venin. Because we didn't know much about the process of someone turning, we (I) falsely assumed that one pull and he'd be straight venin. Apparently, that's not how things work. But when a book ends in a negative cliffhanger (where a major event happens that leaves the characters in a negative place), I almost dread reading the next book because I know there are going to be more bad events to come before we can get to the good. And well, that's also to be expected from the 3rd book in a 5-book series. And of course, that is true for Onyx Storm. Thankfully, things weren't as bad as I worried they would be simply because Xaden isn't immediately evil.

Onyx Storm keeps you in perpetual fear of wondering if Xaden is going to draw power again, and if he does, at what point will he have crossed the line into too far gone. I guess this is probably a good thing because Violet is in the same place. No matter how much faith she has that Xaden would never hurt her, she can't say that he wouldn't channel again. And so you remain in the same anxious place as Violet. This creates the desire to keep reading.

A large portion of Onyx Storm's plot is the "Quest Squad" traveling to various islands south of "The Continent" in hopes of discovering Andarna's kin and the 7th dragon breed. I found this whole quest a little frustrating. I wasn't excited about any of the islands they visited. Too much time was spent trying to show how each island is different from each other. And yeah. I kept reading simply from a pressing desire to know what was going to happen, but if I look back on this portion of the book, I find it boring. And if I were re-reading the series, I would dread getting to this section. 

I found myself feeling like I was missing information a couple of times. Sometimes I wondered if that was because I hadn't re-read the previous two books before jumping into this one. Sometimes, I wondered if Rebecca Yarros was being mysterious intentionally. Sometimes I flat asked myself what in the world she was talking about. And sometimes I felt like I understood what was being said, but it didn't make any sense. More than anything, the more I've thought about Onyx Storm the more I've realized that Rebecca Yarros is writing much deeper than I realized, and she's one of those authors where nothing is said or done meaninglessly. So now, I need to go back and re-read all three books to see what foreshadowing I've missed*. Some authors aren't capable of making every detail mean something. I'm realizing she is one of the authors who can.

Many of the things I highlighted were only to help me write my book review. When I went back to re-read some of my highlights, I think I inadvertently highlighted some very important parts that will play into the future. I weeded through all of my highlights to find my favorite quotes:

I loved the dedication.

-To the ones who don't run with the popular crowd, the ones who get caught reading under their desks, the ones who feel like they never get invited, included, or represented. Get your leathers. We have dragons to ride.

Now for the book content:

-The only thing stronger than the power prowling within me is the resolve stiffening my spine.

-"But do not mistake my unflinching support of you, my mate, and Andarna for any form of faith in him."

-"Pain isn't a competition," I assure him. "There's always enough to go around."

-"Do not dehydrate on my account," he lectures.

-"Do you really think this is the only room where I've felt tormented? Pain isn't new to me, Jack. She's an old friend I spend most of my days with, so I don't mind if she sings to you. Honestly doesn't even look like the same chamber with how you've redecorated. It's a little monochromatic for me."

-"We live by the Codex--" I try again. "I live by you." ... "I am yours and you are mine, and there's no law or rule in this world or the next that will change that."

-"He didn't love me, not the way I deserved to be loved, and no amount of power is worth staying with someone who doesn't love you."

-"My loyalty is to Violet first above everything, everyone else," Xaden says. "Then Tyrrendor. Then Navarre in the moments it's worthy--usually when Violet is in residence."

-Do not mistake a dragon's bond for fealty. If you expect a dragon to choose their rider over the well-being of their own kind, prepare for two things: disappointment and death.

-"Don't barter it away," I beg as he stares at the sea, and the words spill out of me faster and faster as his eyes harden and he resurrects the defenses it took me a year to break past. "The pain. The mess. Give it to me. I'll hold it. I know that sounds ludicrous, but I'll find a way." I lace our fingers. "I will hold everything you don't want to feel because I love every part of you."

-"The best leaders are the ones who never want the job. This is your mission because Andarna chose you. Tairn chose you."

-"You're not a trigger. You're the only thing I can't fathom losing. Wielding to protect you has always been an instinct, but now it's...uncontrollable."

-"If he hurts me, then he's not him anymore."

-"Your inability to follow simple orders will get her killed, and I will not lose her as I did the one who came before!"

-"Am I not everything you wanted me to be? Am I not as fierce and courageous as he is? Is this not what I am supposed to do? Sharpen my claws on the scales of the enemy?

-"I love you and I want you to feel complete"...

-"I was whole and now I'm not"...

-"You've been breathing, and that's enough for me."

-"Acknowledging your fear for the lightning wielder does not compromise you." Feirge calls me out just like always. "Ignoring it does. Accept the emotion and move on."

-"You have been the gift of my life"...

I can't include any more quotes because even if I'm being vague, there's just too much to spoil. 

It's been 3 days between finishing Onyx Storm and writing this review. And the more time I have to sit with the events, the more my feelings on the book have changed. I still feel like not much happened to advance the overall plot of the book until the last 100 pages. A few key pieces here and there. And I still feel like (highlight for spoiler) the cliffhanger for Iron Flame is basically the same cliffhanger as Onyx Storm but with a few missing dragon riders, dragons, and eggs. But I'm beginning to see that this story is so much more complex than I ever gave credit, and I need to apologize to Rebecca Yarros for taking three books to realize how in-depth her writing really is. My initial rating might have fallen around the 3.5 Star range, but the more I think about it, Onyx Storm gets 4 Stars. Have you read Onyx Storm? What did you think? Let me know!

*Since writing this review, I have re-read Fourth Wing and may have an Upon Further Review post coming from that in the future. I also plan to re-read Iron Flame, but first-time reads have to come before re-reads.

**Also, I've accidentally plunged head-first into the world of theories for the remainder of the series. The sheer amount of videos dedicated to fan theories are insane and on a level I've never seen before. Just the fact that there is enough space for all of these videos means this series is deep and on another level. This would not be possible for just any series.

Homeschool Friday - Bears

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.

Bears

By: Dona Herweck Rice

Publication: December 2, 2024 by Shell Education Pub

20 pages

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

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.

Amazon Description--You can tell a bear by what it has. You can tell a bear by what it does, too! Bears teaches young learners all about these majestic, furry creatures.

With full-page photographs and simple text, this engaging nonfiction book is sure to capture readers’ attention and spark their curiosity about the animal kingdom.

Bears is a Step-1/Level-1, early reader book. Each page opening has one sentence, each of very simple words. The sentences focus on the attributes of bears, including their eyes, claws, teeth, tails, and more. Each page has a zoomed-out picture and a zoomed-in picture of the topic of that page. Various bear types are used, from the commonly known polar, brown, and panda, but also some of the less commonly known bears, such as the sloth, are included.

If your child has any interest in bears, then this is the early reader book for them. I love finding books that fit my children's interests and reading level. It makes getting them to read easier and is more enjoyable for everyone.

Bears is a 4-Star Level-1 reader. There shouldn't be any words that your early reader would stumble over. There are repeated words as each sentence takes on the same pattern: A bear has... Have you or your child read Bears? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for A Secret Infatuation

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 Secret Infatuation (The Earl's Sisters, # 2)

By: Jennie Goutet

Expected Publication: October 15, 2025 by Millefeuille Press

? 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--She never forgot the man who defended her. He never imagined she would remember.

Lady Sophia Rowlandson has spent years mastering the art of quiet composure, and in her entire life, the façade was breached only once. When attending a country ball at the young age of sixteen, she overheard a gentleman call her a lackwit. Mortified beyond reason—and fearing it was only all too true—she was saved by an unexpected champion, and Mr. Harewood’s gallant words lingered long after he left for the Peninsula. Now he has finally returned, but the boy who defended her is a man changed by war, and Julia is determined to prove that some things are worth fighting for.

Felix Harewood never expected to return to England at all, much less to a life of elegant drawing rooms and whispered speculation. He has neither fortune nor title, only the weight of battle on his shoulders. Lady Sophia should be above his touch, yet she is warm, lovely, and entirely too kind to him. The thought that she might care for him is a dangerous hope—one he dares not indulge.

But society is watching, and so are the men who would claim Lady Sophia’s hand. As nightmares from his past haunt even his days, Felix must retreat into the shadows, or risk everything for the one woman who has always seen him clearly?

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

Fate & Furies - Review

Fate & Furies (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 3) 2

By: Helen Scheuerer

Publication: February 22, 2024 by Alchemy

466 Pages

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--“I always knew you would be the end of me.” With darkness cursing the world around her, Althea Zoltaire is desperate for vengeance. But as she hunts Wilder Hawthorne across the kingdoms, brutal secrets begin to unravel. Not knowing what – or who – to trust, Thea and her companions find themselves entwined with a destiny far greater than one man. Together, they must navigate the haunting revelations that could shatter the very foundations of the midrealms. Yet it’s not only the world at stake, but Thea’s heart too. As everything teeters on the verge of destruction, her fate collides once more with Wilder’s. Will their reunion ignite the fiery passion between them amidst the ashes of betrayal? Or will it end in a heartbreaking, deadly showdown? In a journey fraught with danger, where the lines between enemies and allies blur, Thea must decide where her loyalties lie, and who will stand at her side against the looming evil. Get ready for an epic adventure brimming with steamy romance, and a sprawling world of magic and monsters. Fate & Furies is the penultimate book in the spellbinding epic romantic fantasy series, The Legends of Thezmarr and is perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, The Bridge Kingdom, and The Witcher.

Oh man! The cliffhanger ending for book 2, Vows and Ruin, was killer! And because I just had to know what was going to happen, I devoured Fate and Furies. I had to know if that cliffhanger was just a misunderstanding or if there was more to the story that met the eye. Of course, I could make assumptions, but I had to know.

***This is all the warning you will get that there will be spoilers ahead for the previous two books in this series.***

Thea is reeling from Wilder's betrayal. She is hunting him to bring justice to him for his traitorous actions. But mostly for revenge. Yet since that day, she hasn't been able to access her magic either. Kip and Cal are with her, hunting him. Wilder has been throwing one creature after another at them. And he always seems to stay just out of reach. Yet, Thea learns that there's much going on in the midrealms that she doesn't know about or understand. 

I appreciated that Thea and Wilder's reunion wasn't a smooth transition. Thea captures Wilder, and he wants an opportunity to talk to her. Yet she isn't quite up for listening. Her heart is broken from his betrayal. And even though he has been working behind the scenes for Thea's good, even when she couldn't see that, Wilder is hurt, too. He thinks Thea should have trusted him and what they had together. His reasoning was a bit of a cop-out to me. Out of the previous two books, where they had worked together on many different scenarios, I think he would have been open with her about what he believed might be going on. That's the entirety of many book plots. Two characters have minimal information but work together to discover the truth. But if he'd done that, then there would have been no conflict.  I do appreciate that these two had things to work through. Because that's real life. We all have baggage and trauma that we bring into relationships. And those things hurt our partners more often than not. We have to work to overcome them. And we have to overcome the idea that our love is so big that we could never hurt each other. Everyone hurts the people they love. Most of the time, unintentionally. But we are all imperfect people. Learning how to forgive each other and work through all of those feelings is real. And I appreciated it being included. 

I do like the build-up that I'm beginning to see of Torj and Wren, and I can't wait to check out their spin-off series. Wren is a force in her own right. 

Too many of my favorite quotes:

-The unrelenting sadness came in those quieter moments, with the scent of leather in the wind, with the sight of Hawthorne's tin of peppermint tea sticking out of her saddlebag. Cursing colourfully, she untied the horses. All the midrealms were in uproar over his betrayal, even twelve months later, and though she wore the same mask of anger day in, day out, the sorrow beneath that surface grew taut. Sorrow for what she had lost, including the flicker of hope she'd had for the future.

-With more vigour than she intended, she unbuckled and unlaced the outer layers of her armour, hating that he'd been the one to give it to her. Every time she put it on, she was plagued with the memory of him kneeling before her, his touch skimming across her body as he strapped her into it. A small part of her had considered getting rid of the set for that reason alone, but it was too fine a make, too good a fit, and she'd never find a decent replacement on the road. So every day, she wore it with resentment, and every time it saved her from bodily harm, she cursed Wilder Hawthorne anew.

-He had been content once, slaying monsters, across the midrealms and answering to no one. But now he mourned a different taste of life. True happiness had found him for a brief pocket of time. Flashes of memory assaulted him, snatching the air from his lungs.

-The noise hauled him back to reality, the one in which Thea wasn't his, and he was only hers in the sense that he was her enemy.

-"I don't want you," she told him, knees buckling. "I don't believe you." He closed the small gap between them, still clutching her hand. "My shirt smells like you," he murmured, the sound a low rumble in the shell of her ear. "I still have your marks on my back from our last night together. You claimed me long ago, Thea. You don't get to say I'm not yours now."

-It had taken him years to accept what he knew about the shadow-touched folk, years to pull these pieces into place about what had been transpiring in the midrealsms for all this time. But what he could not accept was that Thea didn't believe him. He had thought they were stronger than that, that she understood what he felt for her, that it was more powerful than any darkness descending upon them.

-"He loves you. That was never in any doubt. Not to us. I'll wager that everything he does is for you."

-"I told myself that it was enough," he murmured into her hair, his voice hoarse. "That I should be grateful for the time we had. It was more love than most people get in a lifetime. But the truth is, Thea... A thousand lifetimes with you wouldn't be enough."

-"You didn't trust me with the truth," ... "You didn't trust me, full stop."

-"No more questions?" he prompted. Thea seemed to consider this before she spoke again. "I have endless questions," she told him slowly. "But I feel as though I no longer have the right to ask them..."

-"Who do you want to be, then?" she asked, pushing her plate away, unable to eat another morsel. "Someone worthy," Wilder replied...

-"What measure of time is enough to be life-changing?"

-"...the smallest blade can make the biggest difference."

-"When I stand against the gods at the end of my days," he told her fiercely, "I will regret nothing. Not the lies I've told, nor the lives I've claimed or the rivers of blood I've spilt. I do not regret a single moment, because every one of them led me to you."

-"You have my word as a Warsword, sire; justice will be served."

Even though I hate doing this for review purposes, I went straight into book 4 without sitting down to write my review of Fate and Furies. When I do that, it makes it hard to separate the events of each book. I'm so thankful to be able to highlight on my Kindle so that keeps me straight. 

Fate and Furies was a fast read for me. The cliffhanger from the previous book drove me to keep reading. I needed to know if the characters I loved would find forgiveness or if they would be forever enemies. And I dove right into the next book in the series as soon as I finished this one. Language and on-page description are high for me, but the plot makes those things I'm willing to skim or skip over for the most part. Fate and Furies gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read Fate and Furies? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 06/01/25

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.

The kids spent a few nights with my parent's Sunday through Wednesday. We got a dumpster delivered for my birthday/Mother's Day/anniversary present. We had things that were just too big to go into our normal trash can. So we spent Monday through Wednesday cleaning up junk that had accumulated in the yard, the garage, the storage building, and throughout the house. I also took two loads of donations off as well. Tuesday, I also got groceries, and husband and I had a date dinner. I got the kids from my parents on Wednesday. Big Boy had a batting practice. And then Thursday, Big Girl had pitching practice. Friday I nearly sent everyone to their rooms for the day, but they brought it around and the day ended up going pretty well. This was the first Saturday in a while that we haven't had plans. I try to soak up those days. I did finish one book this week, but it was 700+ pages so there's that.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: No Blog Posts - US Memorial Day
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Threaded Lies (Tangled Hearts, # 2) by K. Bromberg
Thursday: Review of The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson (4 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - The Close Shave (4.5 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Fate & Furies (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 3) by Helen Scheuerer
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Bears

NEW BOOKS:

Gilded in Vengeance

By: Lyssa Mia Smith

Expected Publication: November 4, 2025 by Storytide

384 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--Revenge meets The Gilded Age in this thrilling YA fantasy set among the glittering magical elite of late-1800s New York society, from Revelle author Lyssa Mia Smith.

Two girls attended a magical ball, but one was never seen again.

At least that’s what those who betrayed her believed.

Two years after being framed for fraud by the Society of the Charmed, an exclusive club of New York’s wealthiest—and most magical—citizens, Emmy Vallillo wastes away in prison, utterly alone.

Until her cell wall explodes, revealing Jack Fontaine, one of the Society’s favorite sons, now imprisoned for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. They make a deal: He’ll help Emmy escape if she helps destroy those who’ve wronged them.

Using Emmy’s magic to transform their appearances, the two break free and, unrecognized, soon become the Society’s new darlings. Now their enemies want to dine with them. Attend lavish balls with them. Marry them. But ruining lives requires Emmy to trust Jack with hers, despite his dark secrets—and the infuriating attraction between them.

When another betrayal brings their enemies to their doorstep, Emmy must choose: complete their revenge, or give up the money, the magic, and her safety in this cutthroat world for the most treacherous thing of all—love.

The Magician of Tiger Castle

By: Louis Sachar

Expected Publication: August 5, 2025 by Ace

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, 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--The beloved author of Holes presents his first adult novel, a modern fantasy classic of forbidden love, a crumbling kingdom, and the unexpected magic all around us.

Long ago and far away (and somewhere south of France) lies the kingdom of Esquaveta. There, Princess Tullia is in nearly as much peril as her struggling kingdom. Esquaveta desperately needs to forge an alliance, and to that end, Tullia's father has arranged a marriage between her and an odious prince. However, one month before the "wedding of the century," Tullia falls in love with a lowly apprentice scribe.

The king turns to Anatole, his much-maligned magician. Seventeen years earlier, when Anatole first came to the castle, he was regarded as something of a prodigy. But after a long series of failures—the latest being an attempt to transform sand into gold—he has become the object of contempt and ridicule. The only one who still believes in him is the princess.

When the king orders Anatole to brew a potion that will ensure Tullia agrees to the wedding, Anatole is faced with an impossible choice. With one chance to save the marriage, the kingdom, and, of most importance to him, his reputation, will he betray the princess—or risk ruin?

We Who Will Die (Empire of Blood, # 1)

By: Stacia Stark

Expected Publication: January 20, 2026 by Avon

432 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Vampires, Magic, 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--From the bestselling author of the Kingdom of Lies series comes a slow-burn romantasy set in a Roman-inspired world ruled by merciless vampires. Filled with breathtaking combat, vengeful gods, and magical creatures, We Who Will Die is the epic first installment in an enthralling new series perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent, Jasmine Mas, and Rebecca Yarros.

Life in the perilous Thorn district is a constant battle for Arvelle and her younger brothers. And the vampire standing on her doorstep is about to turn their world upside down.

Faced with an unthinkable choice, Arvelle makes a magically binding vow to do the impossible: kill the emperor, an ancient vampire created by the god Umbros. But first, she must enter the Sundering—an arena where only the fastest, strongest, and deadliest survive long enough to be selected for the emperor’s elite guard.

She quickly draws the ire of the Primus, the powerful figure charged with protecting the emperor. But the vampire under the armor is the last person Arvelle expects to encounter in the emperor’s court.

With her brothers’ lives in the balance, Arvelle has no choice but to ally with the man who once shattered her heart… and with the emperor’s sadistic son, Rorrik—two vampires whose motives are impossible to pin down. Rorrik holds the key to understanding the powers Arvelle is developing—abilities that would put a price on her head if discovered by the emperor.

To survive the arena and complete her mission, Arvelle must get to the bottom of a conspiracy that will change everything she thought she knew about herself—and the two vampires who are deeply entwined with her destiny…

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 - 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!