First and Forever - Review

First and Forever

By: Lynn Painter

Expected Publication: May 12, 2026 by Berkley

320 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 football star and a diehard fan entangled in a PR stunt—that only one side knows is fake—might be the right play in this new romantic comedy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lynn Painter.

Duffy Distefano loves three things: her dad, the family cat, and Minneapolis Coyotes football. So when she gets booed out of a game and becomes the internet’s villain, she is distraught—and disgruntled. All she did was shove Coyote Carl away when he made a move on her, but everyone else just saw a woman attacking their team’s beloved mascot. Eager to clear the air, Duffy agrees to an interview on a hit morning show. She doesn’t expect a co-guest to join her—especially not the Coyotes’ star tight end.

When MVP Connor Cunningham gets tasked with damage control to help his team out of their PR nightmare, he thought that meant saying a few words on the team’s behalf. Instead, he finds himself in a highly amusing verbal sparring match with a recently wronged fan on live TV. Duffy pelts him with fiery jabs but is also clearly diehard about the Coyotes—color him intrigued…and attracted.

The interview instantly goes viral, and the public is obsessed with them. A strong push from the Coyotes’ PR team to ride the wave results in Connor asking Duffy out. Despite his distaste for PR stunts, he’s surprised to discover being with Duffy is much easier than he thought, and somehow it doesn’t feel fake to him. Harboring this secret can only blow up, but all he knows is that if he messes things up with Duffy, it’ll be the greatest fumble of his life.

First and Forever feels like it's inspired by T. Swift and T. Kelce. I'm not a fan of either by the way. And I will say that I liked First and Forever more than what I know of the other two. For one, Duffy is just a football fan, not a celebrity. Yet she has an incident with the team mascot that makes her a viral celebrity. Connor is a football player celebrity. The two have a brief encounter on a talk show and have a flirty banter. Connor and his team's PR people push him to ask Duffy out on a date. He does. And he finds that he's enjoying himself.

Duffy is a non-celebrity, and she is intimidated by the negative attention she's gotten from the mascot incident. And so she is hesitant to accept a first date with Connor. Yet she goes and does enjoy herself as well. The two keep getting deterred from a second date. And I have to say that I never understood the point of the fake dating for her father's sake, given they were already headed in the direction of real dating. It was just an unnecessary plot point if you ask me.

First and Forever was a fun book that didn't feel high-stakes to me. Most of the spicy action was off-page, which I did appreciate. Language, however, was very much on-page. So many unnecessary f-bombs. I just don't understand why this is present.

First and Forever was a sweet read without much required from me in the form of investment. It was fine. I read it quickly. But I don't think it'll be a book I remember very well in the coming months. First and Forever gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read First and Forever? What did you think? Let me know!

Fallen City - Review

Fallen City (Fallen City Duology, # 1)

By: Adrienne Young

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.

Fallen City took a little longer for me to get hooked into the story than I wanted. The back and forth in chronology with "Then" and "Now" chapters is one of my least favorite ways to experience a book. I do recognize that there are pros to telling a story this way, but I hate being pulled out of what is happening in either time to be thrust back and forth into the other period.

At the beginning of Fallen City the depth of the relationship between the FMC and MMC is really unknown. Obviously, that is for a reason. But if these two had the debth of the relationship that is described as the story continues, it would make sense that the reader might pick up on some of that beyond this seemingly random boy or girl that the other is concerned about. It felt to me like they had this connection with the other but that it wasn't all that deep. Obviously, the reader is supposed to discover that over the course of the book, but again, this is one of my least favorite methods of storytelling.

All of that being said, once I did get invested in Fallen City, I wanted to keep reading. I am never as fully invested in the political manuevering of any particular fictional world as I am the romantic storylines. And I won't say that the politics took over, but I was always looking for more interaction between the main characters.

Fallen City does end in a slight ciffhanger and there is planned a second book, Chosen Son, that releases in fall 2026. That being said, I will probably read book 2, but I can't say that I'm dying to get my hands on it either. Fallen City gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Fallen City? What did you think? Let me know!

A Deal with a Debutante - Review

A Deal with a Debutante (London's Most Eligible, # 1)

By: Chelsea Bobulski

Publication: April 7, 2026 by Haven

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--She’s running from London’s marriage mart. He’s running out of time to save his estate. Neither planned on falling in love—but their hearts have other plans.

American heiress Calliope Hart is thrust into London’s high society against her will, all because her mother is determined to marry her off to an aristocrat. Despite being named “the debutante of the season” back in New York, Calliope wants nothing more than to avoid becoming another pawn in the social game.

Edward Chase, the Earl of Hayward, is on the brink of financial ruin. To save his estate, he must marry, and Calliope Hart is his last hope. When he boldly declares his intentions, she swiftly rejects him, making it clear she has no interest in marrying for convenience. Undeterred, Edward offers a deal: He will escort Calliope to all the best sights of London that she’s been dying to see if she agrees to visit his estate and consider what they could accomplish together.

What begins as a business arrangement soon sparks something much more complicated—an undeniable chemistry neither can ignore. But as their hearts begin to soften, both must confront their fears: Can Calliope trust Edward with her heart, and can Edward truly win her love when she’s convinced he only wants her fortune?

Calliope is an American debutante from a "new rich" family. Her family has everything they need to move around the social structure of New York. Except that Calliope's mother wants to be invited into the Knickerbocker's club, and Calliope needs to hail from a well-known family or marry into one. Thus, her mother's desire for Calliope to marry an English aristocrat. Calliope, for her part, wants nothing more than to return to New York, where she can resume time spent with her friends as well as the work of writing articles she hopes to later compile into a book about historical sites. Calliope loved New York, but unlike another book I recently DNF'd where the character acted like every other place in the world could never compare with New York and therefore ridiculed those places, I appreciated that Calliope had a love for her home while also being able to see the beauty and history of other places.

Edward hoped that by being direct with Calliope on what he had to offer and what he hoped to gain in return, she would appreciate him. Unfortunately, he sounded a little too much like those who had mocked her and the other American debutantes who were in the marriage mart in England to snag titled husbands. Edward had to work to backtrack and prove himself. He made a deal to take Calliope to tour historical locations in London as well as show her his home estate, which needed her dowry to sustain it and the families dependant upon it for survival.

Calliope and Edward spend a lot of time together, but how can she ever trust the feelings building between them when he needs her for something? Those questions were exacerbated by a long-time friend who travels to England to ask Calliope for her hand in marriage, which offers her a chance to return to New York and her friends and family, as well as her work.

I will say that I don't usually love this period in history when it comes to novels. I can't remember seeing a specific date included, but the inclusion of the motorcar leads me to believe it's Edwardian. The rules of society are closely related to the Regency and Victorian, but more modern. I am no expert, but The Gilded Age is one I tend to steer clear of for various reasons. That being said, I wasn't too put off by the period, and I would consider reading other books in this series should there be more published.

I read A Deal with a Debutante quickly. It was easy to root for the characters, but I found myself skimming some passages of description that didn't always suit my reading preferences. I want to be so immersed in the story that I'm neither looking to skip ahead nor wanting to slow things down. I didn't quite feel like the pacing of A Deal with a Debutante was exactly right. Or maybe some extra stuff could have been trimmed a little. I'm giving A Deal with a Debutante 3.5 Stars. Have you read A Deal with a Debutante? What did you think? Let me know!

Bloodsinger - Review

Bloodsinger (The Fire That Binds, # 2)

By: Juliette Cross

Narrated By: Blair Dade; Kale Williams

Publication: April 7, 2026 by Macmillan Audio

400 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Dragons

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--A spellbinding gift...

A plea answered by the gods...

An unforgiving world where dragons rule Rome.

Lela Bihari’s village was invaded on her wedding night, her betrothed murdered right in front of her. While her sisters were either dragged away or escaped, Lela was sold to Valerius, a consul of Rome.

When she tried to kill Valerius her first night as his slave, her bloodsinger gift manifested… and she was punished for it. Now she’s paraded in front of the other senators for their amusement.

But Trajan Tiberius, the newly elected tribune to the senate, is different. He has no love for the brutality around him. When he frees Lela from enslavement and hides her, Lela is set on a path of vengeance, and using her gift puts her in more danger than ever before.

Now trapped inside the walls of Rome while deathriders circle the skies, how can she possibly trust a Roman dragon? Especially when it is clear Trajan has ulterior schemes of his own? As her powers grow stronger, danger draws closer, and Lela realizes it isn't just her life at stake, but also her heart.

Bloodsinger is a fantasy with some dark themes, including elements of master/slave relationship, attempted sexual assault, and dubious consent—none of which is between the MCs. There is also a scene with self-injury. Listeners who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note.

I listened to the audio version of Bloodsinger which means that spelling or names and places is hard to get right. Also, I don't have any quotes to share or notes to refer back to. I enjoyed the dual narrators. They both did a good job and most of all enhanced the story and didn't take away from it at all.

Lela is Malina's sister that we met in Firebird. She was on the cusp of her wedding when her village was attacked, and her betrothed was killed in front of her. As the description states, she was sold as a slave to Valerius who tortured and abused her and made her wear a muzzle after her attempt to kill him with her bloodsinger gift. With one taste of anyone's blood she can command them to do what she wishes. But she has been abused and mistreated to the point of not having much faith in herself.

Trajan is invivted to Valerius's house often. After Julian's betrayal, Trajan has to stay close to the leaders to prove himself even though doubt is immediately thrust upon him simply because he used to be under Julian's command. And it's true, he has been plotting with Julian to take down Inniculus and the other vile dragon shifters that would take his place. He does everything he can to help Lela escape. Although, he knows Malina, he has no idea that Lela is her sister.

Trajan was sweet and took his time building his relationship with Lela given everything she's been through. Of course, there is on-page action which I usually skim over. And there's cursing which I also prefer to skip. It's more annoying to me in audiobooks because my eyes can jump over it while reading, but hearing it aloud is harder to ignore. Another frustration is that the endearments I complained about in the first book are the same used in this book even though the characters are different. Sure endearments can be cultural, but this is one of my pet peeves and an easy way to distinguish unique voices from character to character.

Bloodsinger was good. I listened to it quickly, and I did hate to have to put it down. I felt slightly less connection to the characters as well as the frustrations I mentioned above with the endearments having the lead characters sounding too simular to the characters from the previous book. I am excited about the sneak peek given into the next book in the series, and I look forward to continuing to unravel this world. Bloodsinger gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read or listened to Bloodsinger? If so, what did you think? Let me know!

The Proposition of the Season - Review

The Proposition of the Season (Fairfax Sisters, # 3)

By: Michelle Kenney

Publication: February 6, 2026 by One More Chapter

285 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--'How I love a story of sisters, and Michelle Kenney has conjured up four sparky modern-minded Fairfax girls. The dialogue is quick-fire, plot complex and satisfying, the men heroic and rich' Jane Dunn, Sunday Times bestselling author Perfect for Bridgerton and Jane Austen fans! Fall in love with your favourite new Regency series, with this third installment from the Fairfax family…

‘And you’ve come here today to read me a lecture in all my deplorable habits?’

‘No…’ she stalled, wracking her brain for inspiration and failing, ‘I’ve come here to ask you to marry me!’

After three disastrous seasons, bookish Josephine Fairfax believes that she is long past the age of finding her perfect fictional hero. But when her brother’s loathsome Monstrous Marriage Masterplan results in her youngest sister Matilda’s engagement to the vastly unsuitable Lord Huntingly, even she must draw the line.

Josephine may be the bluestocking sister, but she is still a Fairfax who will sacrifice anything for family, even proposing marriage to a man who may be the most dangerous gentleman in the ton…

Each book in the Fairfax Sisters series can be read as a standalone.

The Proposition of the Season started out a little slow for me. It wasn't long before the main character was writing in her journal to a fictional character, Fitzwilliam (Darcy one would presume since she loves Jane Austen). I just find this a little juvenile. Obviously, writing in a journal is one thing. And the point was to show how deeply affected Josephine is by the fictional stories that she's read and what she is looking for in a match. But I felt it was a little unrealistic given her age. Just a little annoyance.

I haven't read the previous books in this series. The previous two have featured Josephine's older sisters, Sophie and Phoebe. So I did feel like I was missing a little information. But what's most important to know is that Josephine's oldest brother, Sir Thomas, is determined to marry his sisters off as quickly as possible. He seems to be only concerned with money, even though the estate was never mentioned to be struggling exactly. He just seems to be obsessed with how much money his sisters are costing him and how he can't wait to marry them off. Even going so far as to engage their youngest sister, Matilda, to a man whose reputation has been damaged by scandal--scandal that paints him as a potential murderer.

Josephine is so determined to rescue her younger sister from this fate, that she reaches out to Lord Huntingly to offer herself as an alternative to Matilda since it is the family name he is seeking in the match. Huntingly is so awed by Josephine that he agrees. Josephine then spends the rest of the book bouncing back and forth between being drawn to Huntingly and being scared she's going to be married to a murderer.

Instead of asking him any direct questions, she makes assumptions and then spends a large amount of time going behind his back to ask all kinds of questions from everyone but him. I mean sure he might not be truthful with her, but at least ask the man what he knows and what happened before judging him one way or the other. Sheesh. I get that this is part of the period culture. People rarely spoke directly it seems.

In the meantime, Josephine has somewhat idealized her brother Fred's friend, Sir Francis. He is well read and seems to value Josephine's mind despite many considering her a spinster bluestocking. Yet he hasn't made any offers or any indication that he thinks of her beyond his friend's sister. We do come to learn more about Sir Francis. **Highlight for spoiler: I do wish he hadn't been involved in the situation with Huntingly's father and Eliza. I felt that was a little too on the nose. Having him be a rogue and womanizer was enough in my book. I didn't feel like him being connected to the downfall of Huntingly himself was necessary. End spoiler.

Also, I was annoyed with Fred. Why did he have be included in the admiration that everyone apparently feels for Sir Francis? Things were subtle which I do appreciate, but I'm also so sick of this being pushed on us in nearly every book. And I often choose historical regency fiction so that I can avoid this topic.

I'm unsure whether I will continue this series. I'm vaguely interested in Matilda's story. She is a bit of a wild child so her story could go in so many directions. And I do wonder if the series will eventually follow any of the brothers. I would obviously skip Fred's if he's ever given one. But it is called "Fairfax Sisters," so likely not.

Favorite quote:

-"I trust the flavour is to your liking, sir?" ..."Indeed," he replied, taking a drink with dancing eyes, "the flavour is very much to my liking. A small wedding, no objection to restoration work, and a skilled hostess--you are in danger of making me like the flavour a great deal, Miss Fairfax."

All of that being said, once I got passed the beginning and a few things that annoyed me slightly, I really did enjoy the overall story. The FMC & MMC didn't have a ton of on-page interactions, which I would have preferred more of, but I still read it fairly quickly. The rate I read and my desire to keep reading has me wanting to rate this around 4 Stars, however, the issues I had with the characters and overall plot brought The Proposition of the Season down to 3.5 Stars. Have you read The Proposition of the Season? What did you think? Let me know!

Nothing Like the Movies - Review

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

By: Lynn Painter

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

448 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

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

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

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

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

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

I requested Nothing Like the Movies for review without really realizing that it was the second book in a series. It took me way too long to get my hands on the first book, but I finally got it read and reviewed (Better Than the Movies). So I finally got around to reading Nothing Like the Movies.

Wes and Liz actually start Nothing Like the Movies broken up. The reader doesn't really know what happened between them. Honestly, Liz doesn't even know why Wes broke up with her. But it's been about two years since they first came to college together. We do know that Wes's dad died, and he returned home to help out for a while. But lo and behold he shows back up at UCLA and a party that Liz's roommates are hosting. Liz panics and tells him that she's dating Clark, her current best friend. Clark goes along with Liz because he has her back.

Not only is Liz still majorly into music, but she's also developed a love of photography and, more specifically, sports photography. She currently has an internship with a great mentor who has her working closely with the baseball team, for which Wes is a pitcher. This puts them in close proximity. Not to mention that Wes is determined to win Liz back, even though he likes Clark. He just doesn't see them as having chemistry, and he knows that Liz is the one for him.

Personally, I thought there was a little unnecessary drama in this book. It fits the typical book patterns that I'm used to. There's a conflict, one character decides to self-sacrifice to save the other character, but only ends up hurting themselves and the other character worse. The truth ends up coming out. I appreciated that Liz didn't just let this slide, and I liked her real-world response in wondering if this behavior would repeat itself should another conflict arise in the future. Yet, I also think that people just aren't this self-sacrificing in real life. We very often don't break up with someone else for their good. A breakup might ultimately benefit the other person, but there has to be a benefit to us as well to actually end a relationship. At least, that's been my experience in observing human nature.

Believe it or not, I didn't highlight hardly anything. This might be due to the fact that I kept switching back and forth between reading this book and listening to it on audio. Both are equally good. I will say that I was negatively impressed with the amount of cursing in Nothing Like the Movies. I don't remember there being as much of this in Better Than the Movies. Maybe that is because the characters are supposed to be older, or maybe I blocked it out in my reading of the first book. Either way, it stood out negatively to me in this book. I tend to skim over language unless it's excessive.

Nothing Like the Movies was a decent wrap-up to Wes and Liz's story. I felt like some of the conflict was forced. I mean, if there was going to be a second book, there would have to be additional conflict. But I didn't exactly find all of it to be plausible, even if I devoured the book. In the end, I'm giving Nothing Like the Movies 3.5 Stars. Have you read Nothing Like the Movies? What did you think? Let me know!

We Who Will Die - Review

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…

Arvelle has been left with her brothers to care for. One of her brothers was injured in an accident that caused damage to his lungs. He needs help that she just can't provide. One night, he is so sick she thinks he is going to die. It just so happens that a vampire has been waiting to use this to trap her into an agreement. He will cure her brother and take both of her brothers under his protection (or captivity, depending on how you look at it) if she will compete in the Sundering--which is a gladiator-style competition where the victors are allowed entrance into emporer's elite gaurd. Ultimately, her agreement with the vampire is that she will kill the emperor.

Arvelle has lost so much, she's barely living. She is only surviving to keep her brothers alive and well. Nearly everyone in the Sundering has magic of some kind. Arvelle is "sigilmarked," and she does have a "gold crown," but her magic is small. Either way, vampires are the rulers of this world. The Primus and Arvelle have a history. It takes her a while to realize who he is. The reader definitely understands before she does.

Arvelle's mother was addicted to glister, but that isn't the only substance in this world that is addictive. Vampire blood/bite is as well. Many of the quotes I highlighted had to do with addiction.

Favorite quote:

-There's no worse feeling than watching someone you love die. The helplessness slices you into pieces. And grief sets those pieces on fire. Until you're nothing but ash.

-"I'm not going to kill you. That would be far too easy. Almost...boring. I'm going to take everything you love, everything you remotely care about, and I'm going to ruin it." ... "Why?" I ask, and Rorrick's eyes glint with amusement. "Because I can."

-Loving an addict is like being an addict yourself. Only you're addicted to hope. You constantly tell yourself that this time will be different. Things will get better. And always, always, you know that one day, when they're dead and cold, after their addiction has sucked the breath from their lungs...you'll still wonder if you could have done more. If you could have been more--even though their addiction was sucking the breath from your lungs too.

-When you love an addict, you know their addiction isn't their fault, even as you resent everything about them that made them fall prey to it.

I do wonder if Rorrik is going to turn out to be a Damon Salvatore if you catch my drift. Right now, he seems crazy, but you can also tell that there's more to his story than has been revealed.

I'm torn on wanting to continue the series. Overall, I felt like We Who Will Die was "okay." Pieces of it had me hooked. And pieces still have me curious as to what will come. The language was high, and there were some spicy scenes if you'd rather skip over those. We Who Will Die gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read We Who Will Die? What did you think? Let me know!

Room to Breathe - Review

Room to Breathe

By: Kasie West

Expected Publication: January 6, 2026 by Delacorte Romance

272 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--From the critically acclaimed author of Sunkissed comes a new swoony YA romance. Indy and Beau’s friendship is shattered, but getting accidentally locked in a bathroom together just might be what's needed to reconnect.

When the walls close in, the truth comes out.

When Indy’s life came crashing down, she made a no one could know. To the world, she’s still the same Indy—cool, calm, unshaken. But behind the scenes? It’s chaos.

Her tight-knit crew—Beau, Caroline, and Ava—were once her everything. Now they’re strangers she can’t seem to reach—especially Beau. And the only person she talks to these days is Cody, a skater-boy she used to think was so not her type. Funny how everything changes when your world flips upside down.

And then, as if things couldn’t get weirder, Indy finds herself literally stuck in a school bathroom with Beau. After months of silence, and there’s no escape. If they want out, they’ll have to face the messy truth about what happened between them and find a way back to what they once had. Or maybe even more . . .

Kasie West is an auto-read author for me. I've read nearly all, if not all, of her published books, and I find her to be a consistent author which is nothing to sneeze at. Most of her books are YA with clean romance. That's what genre Room to Breathe is categorized as well.

Room to Breathe is told by a then/now method. I don't always love books written in this method. Although, I do understand why they are done. I didn't love or hate it in Room to Breathe. You might find that you enjoy it more than I did if this isn't something that typically bothers you.

Here's the crux...Indy has had a falling out with her friends. And she find herself locked in a teacher's bathroom at school one afternoon. And she just happens to have gotten locked in with her ex-best friend, Beau. Slight spoilers, but Indy's dad was being investigated when his job noticed some iffy things. I can't remember if Kasie West spells it out for us, but I think it's embezzlement. Because he is being investigated in a criminal case, her parents and the officers have stressed that this isn't something that Indy is allowed to talk about with her friends. No one can know what's going on until the investigation is complete. It even gets to the point where Indy begins to question her own father and stress is building in her household between her parents and generally, everything. This is a lot on a kid. I remember two specific instances where my parents instructed me as a kid to keep quiet about two different situations. And I ended up feeling like I was going to burst. In one instance, I did talk to an acquaintance. We weren't fairly close but she knew my family, and it ended up okay, but apparently she did talk to her dad who then ran into my dad and it was made known that I blabbed. The other instance, I ended up talking to a teacher, and as far as I know it didn't go any further. But secrets like that are hard for anyone to keep. And if it was causing the stress that it was on their family, of course, that stress would leak out to her friends.

Indy wasn't allowed to talk to her friends about what was going on with her. She did begin to make some questionable decisions which didn't help matters. But her friends could have put some weight into their history and given her the benefit of the doubt as well.

As I said, Kasie West is a consistent author. And one thing I find is that while I enjoy her stories, I never put too much weight into them. Like I don't overanalyze them or deconstruct them. I don't say this to put them down because I really enjoy them. But I enjoy them as they are for me, which is almost like a palate cleanser. I love reading them in between heavier books. They are usually light books that you know will have a happily ever after.

Favorite quote:

-But I also could no longer deny, without the distance we’d forced ourselves into over the past two months, that I missed him so much. More than I realized. But missing him wouldn’t fix anything. It was easier to be mad. Because the alternative was sad. And I was worried sad might destroy me. I’d been holding back that feeling for a long time. I’d been holding back a lot of feelings for a long time. The only one I had let flourish over the past several months was anger. And it had flourished. It had blossomed and bloomed and become beautiful.

Room to Breathe was another good book by Kasie West. I enjoyed it. I read it quickly. I can count on her to give me characters that I can like and root for, and Indy and Beau were just that. Room to Breathe gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Room to Breathe? What did you think? Let me know!

A Presumptuous Hope - Review

A Presumptuous Hope (Daughters of the Gentry, # 3)

By: Jennie Goutet

Publication: September 12, 2024 by Millefeuille Press

272 pages

Genre: Adult, Regency, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance

Source: Listened to for free from the author's YouTube channel (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--Who declared that every lady of a certain age must of a certainty wish for marriage? Who said a handsome man of fortune might command any woman he pleases for the role of wife?

In the quiet countryside of Lincolnshire, Christine Grey is perfectly content with her life of spinsterhood, finding solace in the companionship of her beloved animals. In the tranquil routine of her days, she spends time with her married friends and puts up with her brother who would try the patience of a saint. Content in her independence, she asks for nothing more.

Alexander Thorne arrives in Horncastle a newly minted knight and owner of the long-dormant Ashbourne—an estate, which borders the Greys'. His aspirations to prove his worthiness lead him to pursue the life and sport of a country gentleman, and through it a clash with his pretty neighbor. His arrival stirs whispers among the locals, and skepticism in Christine’s heart.

When circumstances force them into a compromising situation, they have no choice but to face the necessity to wed. To their surprise, the connection between them deepens even as doubts continue to linger. Christine wonders if her hopes for a happy marriage are too presumptuous, particularly for a woman of her station. Alexander must grapple with his own insecurities as he strives to be husband to a woman as worthy as Christine.

A Presumptuous Hope is a companion book in a series. I think it's probably 3rd in the series (Daughters of the Gentry), but Goodreads didn't list it as part of a series, so it was hard for me to determine it's exact location within the series. I am only using the relationship statuses from side characters that have their own books which take place prior to this book as a guide to determine the order. But I didn't know any of that before starting A Presumptuous Hope.

Christine lives with her brother. She handles his household business as if she is the mistress of the house. Yet she also enjoys getting her hands dirty with things like cleaning, gardening, etc. She also has a love for animals--specifically dogs. When she and her dogs are almost run over by a man gallopping through the woods, she's immediately put off by someone who would endanger her beloved dogs.

Alex is new to the area and has recently taken up residence in the neighboring estate to Christine and her brother. Alex and Christine have a handful of awkward and perhaps off-putting experiences. I found this to be a fun twist on enemies-to-lovers. They aren't enemies exactly, but there's definitely a level of dislike or at the very least awkwardness between them.

Alex and Christine find themselves in an abandoned hut one night when on the way to a country ball or event of some kind (I can't remember the details). They arrive seperately, but Christine nearly drowned in the process of escaping the rising floodwaters. Alex cannot abandon her. Unfortunately, they are compromised simply from being alone together. Circumstances push Alex to propose, yet Christine doesn't want to force anyone to marry her. I appreciated her stance, especially given their initial interactions. Yet I also liked the view of how even the friends and family of the two parties involved suffered the mistreatment of others as a result of her decision to refuse Alex's proposal.

I listened to A Presumptuous Hope on audio, so I don't have any quotes to share with you. This was a quick and fun story--exactly the type of book that I enjoy breaking up some heavier or longer books with a change in genre and tone. A Presumptuous Hope gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) A Presumptuous Hope? What did you think? Let me know!

The Governess and the Rogue - Review

The Governess and the Rogue (Somerset Stories, # 6)

By: Mimi Matthews

Publication: August 5, 2025 by Perfectly Proper Press

pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

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--A down-on-her-luck Victorian governess and an unrepentant rogue enter into a fake engagement during a lengthy voyage at sea in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s sixth book in her acclaimed Somerset Stories series.

Stranded in India after being dismissed without a reference, governess Beatrice Layton exchanges her freedom for passage home to England, taking a position with the only family that will hire her. But Bea hasn’t reckoned for just how dreadful her new employers will be. Stuck with them at sea in increasingly desperate circumstances, she finds an unlikely champion in the injured ex-soldier traveling aboard their ship.

Colonel Jack Beresford has spent the last fourteen years serving in Her Majesty’s Army. Though time has lent him maturity, it hasn’t dulled the roguish impulses of his youth. When he’s confronted with the tantalizing prospect of a damsel in distress, he naturally steps in to rescue her. His solution? An engagement of convenience, of course. One that will last only as long as their voyage.

But once back on land, Jack and Bea’s simple arrangement is beset by complication after complication. There are Bea’s horrid employers to contend with, and the growing gossip in Somerset society. Most complicated of all, there’s Jack’s family—his parents, siblings, and precocious nieces and nephews—all of whom seem to think that Bea might be perfect for him. Jack is beginning to think so too. All that remains is to convince bold, beguiling Bea that he’s perfect for her.

I've read 20 books by Mimi Matthews at this point. Some have been favorites. Some I just haven't enjoyed as much. But overall, I find her to be a consistent writer with characters and stories that I love. The Governess and the Rogue falls somewhere in the middle.

Jack is the last of the Beresford boys to find love. He's been avoiding entrapment, and he's finally on his way home after serving in the military. However, he runs into Bea one night on deck after she's nearly assalted. The two have a conversation that leads to some closeness that might not have been present given other circumstances. Jack ultimately concocts a plan for a fake engagement. It will offer Bea protection against her employer and unwanted attention. And he will be unavailable to any other unmarried women and their matchmaking mamas who also happen to be on board the ship.

The only real issue is what to do after they arrive back in England with Bea. They need to travel a certain distance together both for safety and for their story. Only Jack's brother and his wife end up picking them up from the train station. And now, family is involved.

Mimi Matthews essentially said in her acknowledgements that this book was fan service. The cross over to her Parish Orphans of Devon series was defintely fan service, and I'm here for it. But The Governess and the Rogue felt rushed or not as thoroughly written as some of her other books. I don't know. Something I find hard to put my finger on made it feel a little more unpolished than I'm used to from her.

Favorite quote:

-“Mama says we mustn’t remark on people’s appearances,” Agatha said. “Except to compliment them.”

If only people enforced this rule today. I might start quoting this to others when I overhear unkind words concerning people's appearances.

The Governess and the Rogue was a fine book to wrap up the Somerset Stories series. It was much more than I ever expected to get out of the series. And I'm thankful that each member of the Beresford series got their happily ever after. I do enjoy a fake engagement as well. At the same time, this book felt more like fan service than a regular novel if that makes any sense at all. I'm giving The Governess and the Rogue 3.5 Stars. Have you read The Governess and the Rogue? What did you think? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review - A Scar in the Bone

A Scar in the Bone (A Fire in the Sky, # 2)

By: Sophie Jordan

Expected Publication: October 14, 2025 by Avon

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Dragons

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--MAGIC AWAKENS.

DARKNESS SWELLS.

AND A HERO RISES.

It’s been a year since Tamsyn transformed from the enemy in Fell’s bed to the wife he sacrificed himself to save. From an ordinary girl to Penterra’s best hope to keep magic from disappearing forever.

With Fell torn from her side in the dangerous swirling mists of the Crags, Tamsyn is alone among the dragon pride. An outsider learning to survive in her new home, she trains until her muscles burn and her blood spills. And slowly, a warrior emerges.

But is Fell truly beyond Tamsyn’s reach? Their bond pulls at her, as does the fierce drive to protect both humans and dragonkind from a relentless enemy determined to destroy her – and all magic.

Magic stirs in the darkness, strengthening all who believe in it. But will it be enough to save the pride, the kingdom, and a love fated to endure for centuries?

In this explosive sequel to the Sunday Times bestselling A Fire in the Sky, the fate of magic rests on one warrior’s shoulders – but it could cost her everything …

🔥Fated mates

🔥Magic, dragons, and witches

🔥Spice

I don't want to spoil anything. Let's just discuss where A Fire in the Sky left off. Tamsyn had just revealed her dragon form to Stig when he freaked out, and Fell had to step in to save her. In doing so, they discover that he's a dragon also. The two fly off, and if I remember correctly, have a brief fight with skelm dragons. They find their way to a cave in the Crags, and all of a sudden a group shows up with a man claiming to be Fell's brother. A Scar in the Bone starts with Fell and Vetr's mother's perspective when she dies. Then it switches to Tamsyn, and the reader is quite confused because Fell is not with her. It almost seems as if the reader is supposed to understand why. I think this is a poor writing trick. It just caused me to stop reading and have to go back searching through the end of the previous book to make sure I'd missed something. And any time I'm pulled out of a story that much is not a good thing.

Tamsyn and Fell are separated, and for all she knows, he's dead. I only reveal this because pretty much that is revealed in the book description. Tamsyn is alone in the dragon pride. She has to learn to survive. She's told the bond will fade with time, but it's been over a year and Tamsyn still feels his presence. She regularly questions if he's still alive, but it repeatedly told it isn't possible.

I was almost as frustrated as Tamsyn. Dragon terms were used as if the reader is aware of the definition of those terms. This is so annoying. I get that the pride had trouble accepting Tamsyn as one of them since she was raised by humans, but then Tamsyn (or Sophie Jordan) treats the reader in the same manner as Tamsyn and doesn't define some of these terms that are being thrown around. It's a lot annoying.

Who we are rooting for and who we are rooting against isn't quite clear-cut in this book. Obviously, we're rooting for Fell and Tamsyn, but are we rooting against Vetr and the other members of the pride? Are they evil or do they simple misunderstand the humans as much as the humans misunderstand them? Obviously, Stig has crossed into evil territory. I get that he was obsessed with finding Tamsyn and destroying her. He too felt betrayed by her in a way. But his level of depravity felt at odds with his character in the previous book even though his father was a creepy dude. I suppose he was hiding his true nature is the gist of the message we're supposed to get. But it just felt jarring that he's transformed into evil overlord so completely. Especially, when Alise while not claiming to be happy didn't disparage him. How could she be so wholly blind to who he had become?

Where are things going from here? I'm not quite sure. I will say this book had almost no spice compared to the other book. I don't mind that myself. I don't need spice and have a lower tolerance for it than most. I find it odd given it is advertised in the description though.

I only highlighted one quote where an agenda that doesn't make sense was included. I only mention this vaguely because it didn't fit with the story (given the need for "breeders"). It's one of those woke agenda things. And again, I'm being vague on purpose because Amazon will flag me for being specific.

A Scar in the Bone was decent. I wasn't blown away. I didn't have the issues with story pacing that I had in the first book since I knew this was part of a series. But I did have issues with the lack of information being shared or the way information was being shared. It's also hard to know who exactly we're rooting against and who we're rooting for with some characters. A Scar in the Bone still gets 3.5 Stars from me since it wasn't without issues. I want more romance in the next book (doesn't have to equal to spice, but togetherness...relationship). Have you read A Scar in the Bone? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

Winterset - Review

Winterset

By: Tiffany Odekirk

Expected Publication: October 7, 2025 by Shadow Mountain

272 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

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 hidden past. A house with secrets. And one chance for two wounded hearts to find love together.

Northern England, Late Fall, 1820

Katherine Lockwood is hiding for her life in the most unlikely of places: the forgotten priest holes in the abandoned Winterset Grange manor house. When Kate learns that Winterset’s long-absent owner, Mr. Oliver Jennings, is about to return, she is desperate to find a way to make him leave, even if it means “haunting” him from behind her protective walls.

After a grand tour of the Continent, Oliver returns home to England determined to make the most of his inheritance. But from the moment he arrives, nothing is as he expected. His manor is in disrepair, the steward hired to care for his estate is a thief, and to top it all off, Winterset is haunted. Undeterred, Oliver resolves to reclaim his life, piece by piece.

When Oliver discovers the hidden rooms, he’s shocked and pleased that his “ghost” is actually a beautiful young woman. Captivated by Kate and her story, he invites her to stay at Winterset under his protection.

Yet, danger persists as the man who threatens Kate’s safety learns of her ruse and attempts to exact his revenge. Kate and Oliver find themselves ensnared in a perilous game of cat and mouse against a powerful opponent while also trying to untangle their blossoming feelings in this enthralling gothic Regency romance.

I loved Summerhaven. And I have been looking for a new release from Tiffany Odekirk since. It's been over three years since Summerhaven. And I wasn't even sure if this would be connected to the previous book or not, but it is. Oliver was a front and center character in Summerhaven. He's finally decided to settle down and take care of the estate he's received through his inheritance. The only issue is that it's in disrepair. And he's been paying a man to be the steward over the estate for two years, only to find out that he's been swindled, and the man was simply taking his money and not fixing Winterset at all.

Katherine was a tenant of Winterset when her father passed away. She has reasons for hiding out at the estate, and the two remaining servants are determined to do whatever they can to protect her. She is determined that all she needs to do is convince Mr. Jennings that the estate is haunted, and that will scare him away. Then she can return to living in peace.

I thought I would like this part of the story more than I did. But I guess I kept getting frustrated with Katherine's antics, and I knew Oliver would be a gentleman with her. So I found myself frustrated more often than not in the beginning. I did appreciate seeing Damon, Hannah, and their family briefly towards the end.

Some pieces of Winterset felt too over the top to me, but those pieces are spoilers, considering much of this story is shrouded in mystery. I don't want to reveal too much.

The only sentence I highlighted had to do with my predictions of a piece of the mystery, so I won't reveal those.

I'm glad that Oliver finally got his story. And I'm looking forward to more from Tiffany Odekirk. I wouldn't mind a little less mystery, but that's a personal preference for me. Winterset gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Winterset? What did you think? Let me know!

City of Gods and Monsters - Review

City of Gods and Monsters (House of Devils, # 1)

By: Kayla Edwards

Publication: January 25, 2022 by Independently Published

762 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romantasy

Source: Amazon Prime Reading

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Welcome to the city of Angelthene. We hope you survive.

Loren Calla has only ever been ordinary. As a human struggling to survive in a city that caters to the needs of vampires, werewolves, witches, and other supernatural creatures, she always assumed her life would remain simple, predictable, and as safe as her world would allow.

Until she barely escapes abduction at the hands of Darkslayers—supernatural bounty hunters that possess the Sight, a magical tracking ability that allows them to see a person’s aura—and one of her friends is taken in her place. The abductors are demanding a ransom: Loren's life in exchange for her friend's safe return. Loren will do whatever it takes to get her friend back—even if it means accepting help from Darien Cassel, the leader of the Seven Devils, the most feared Darkslaying circle in the city.

Darien specializes in tracking down demons and criminals that are better off dead than alive, so when he takes a job to track down Loren and finds out she is human—and couldn't hurt a fly if her life depended on it—he decides to protect her instead of turn her in for a reward. As much as Loren doesn't want to admit it, Darien is her best and only chance at finding her friend alive, if she can somehow manage to get along with him—and not fall head-over-heels in love with him in the process, which is far easier said than done.

When more women start disappearing, and some of them slowly turn up dead, Loren and Darien's search for answers takes them deep into Angelthene's corrupt underbelly, where they discover a dark secret that threatens to unravel their world. And when tragedy strikes, Loren learns that love can make an ordinary person do extraordinary things.

From the author of Dreams of Ice and Iron comes a new fantasy romance perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas, Ilona Andrews, and Cassandra Clare.

Please note: This book contains explicit content, including violence, mature language, drug abuse, and sexual assault. It is not intended for anyone under the age of 18.

Let me be honest. I read City of Gods and Monsters because someone I saw on Instagram said this was their top favorite book boyfriend of all time. That was high praise. I don't even follow this girl to know if we really have the same tastes in books. I finished this book on May 29, 2025, but I didn't write my review until September 17, 2025. So I won't have the most comprehensive review. I knew it would probably be a while before I wrote my full-length review so I wrote what I called a series of "rapid fire" reviews for books that I was behind on reviewing. This is what I wrote:

- FMC is annoying. MMC is a big softie that is supposed to be a big bad. The baddest group around, but the whole lot of them are softies. The twists kind of surprised me and kind of didn't. The will-they-won't-they drove the book but also drove me crazy. I'm not 100% sure why some rate the MMC as their top book boyfriend. Maybe I need to finish the series to find out. But they are so stinking long.

I'll do my best to write a little more in-depth from there.

Loren is friends with two other girls at her magic school. They were out partying one night and ended up walking home after dark. Apparently, in this fantasy world, being out after dark is extremely dangerous. All mythical creatures seem to be open to this fantasy world. But someone has put a target on Loren's back. Instead of kidnapping Loren, some bad guys kidnap her friend instead. Loren feels terrible that her friend has been taken instead of her. Loren is supposed to be a completely normal human in a world of supernatural beings. She can't understand why anyone would want to kidnap her.

Darien gets the target request. He typically hunts down criminals, but he quickly realizes Loren isn't that. He reluctantly decides to protect her and help her find her friend instead. Darien is supposed to be this big scary boss of a big scary gang, as I mentioned above. But I just didn't see it at all. He wasn't scary, and neither was his gang. I don't doubt they could put a hurting on some bad guys, but they're supposed to also be some of the bad guys. This wasn't a situation where the bad guys happen to do something good but are still bad. This was one of those cases where they are good all along but just supposed to look bad. Convenient.

As for the trigger warnings, I don't really remember much of any of them being included in the book. I definitely remember that the scenes weren't as frequent as I expected give the title, the trigger warnings, and the build up of this big bad gang. All of the things mentioned in the trigger warning were included, except I don't remember much about the SA mentioned. They just weren't the pieces I remember. I have a good ability to block that stuff out as I tend to skim it while reading anyway.

I don't remember too much of the twists and turns. I remember being somewhat surprised and somewhat not. I mostly remember that this book was so stinking long. I know fantasy books often need extra pages for world-building. I remember some pieces felt conveniently handled and not the best writing or plotting. I am intrigued about what will happen next, but I'm also not dying to know, especially given that book two is 778 pages. I am in no rush to pick up book 2, and at this point, I can't even say that I ever will. All of that being said City of Gods and Monsters gets 3.5 Stars from me. Maybe my expectations were too high going into it? Have you read City of Gods and Monsters? What did you think? Let me know!

The Little Wild Library: Elder - Review

The Little Wild Library: Elder: Simple things to do with the plants around you.

By: Clare Gogerty

Publication: September 16, 2025 by David & Charles

128 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Plants, Nature, Science

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--A favourite of foragers, the Elder tree is the very essence of summer, with frothy blooms emerging in the late spring and filling the hedges and pathways with a glorious fragrance. As the seasons turn, the elderberry comes into its own, a delicious food for humans and animals alike, bursting with vitality and an excellent source of vitamin c.

In The Little Wild Elder, discover how to make the most of this beautiful tree, with recipes and makes to try throughout the year. Once you’ve found your favourite elder, come back as the seasons change and find new things to do with your foraged treasure – from edible treats to useful tinctures. Beginner-friendly, the elder is the perfect plant for those new to foraging to get to know – with easy-to-follow recipes for favourite makes such as the delicate and romantic elderflower champagne.

Learn how to identify the elder amidst its hedgerow friends from the comprehensive botanical information included, and take this pocket-sized book out on foraging adventures to help spot the elder blossom bursting forth in the spring sunshine – though you’ll be sure to catch its heavenly scent before you see it! As fall arrives, return to your favourite elder and gather the elderberries that shine brightly from its branches. Through the book, learn about the history of the elder, and discover some of the myths, legends, and folklore attached to this beautiful plant.

The perfect beginner's guide to foraging, in a handy pocket-sized format, The Little Wild Elder will reveal the secrets of the hedgerow and inspire those new to foraging to experiment and explore the beautiful plants around them.

I don't know exactly what I was expecting from this book. I was thrown off by the inclusion of folklore. I suppose it was interesting tidbits. Mostly, I'm interested in the elderberry cough syrup. This book didn't include a specific recipe labeled cough syrup. But there were two recipes listed with uses as cough remedies. I wasn't expecting to find elderberry facial balm or elder flower facial steam recipes. But I'm here for them.

I haven't had a chance to use any of these recipes yet, so I can't really include that in my review. We have elderberries planted on our property, and it is now September. Perhaps I will be able to harvest and make something soon. That's one of the reasons I wanted to get this book for review.

I will say that this wasn't formatted very well for my Kindle. It was probably the egalley version that I got. Hopefully, all of that will be cleaned up for the actual Kindle release.

The Little Wild Library: Elder was a quick read. It's easy to reference the recipes listed. I liked that the book wasn't overdone with recipes. Like, this isn't an extensive list of elderberry recipes. I'm giving this a 3.5 Star rating. My rating might increase after I try a recipe or two. The formatting wasn't great, and the folklore included threw me off. Have you read The Little Wild Library: Elder? If so, what did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Noses Are Not for Picking

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.

Noses Are Not for Picking

By: Elizabeth Verdick

Illustrated By: Marieka Heinlen

Publication: September 12, 2014 by Free Spirit Publishing

24 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Manners, Parenting

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--We’ve all seen it—the nose-picking habit starts as early as the toddler years, and no child is the exception. Young children pick their noses for a variety of reasons, from colds to allergies to curiosity or boredom. This board book for toddlers and preschoolers is the answer to the age-old question “How can I get my child not to pick, especially not in public?”

With gentle humor and kid-friendly support, this board book for toddlers and preschoolers helps guide little ones away from nose picking toward healthier habits, like using a tissue and washing their hands. Catchy words help children remember what to do; vibrant full-color illustrations bring the words to life. Throughout, the positive message shines through: noses are for breathing, sniffing, smelling . . . but not for picking!

Noses Are Not for Picking does have a rhyming scheme. The book starts with asking the question what are noses for. And a few options are given--breathing and smelling. Then instruction was given that noses are not for picking and fingers are not for licking. It goes on to give instructions for getting a tissue just in case the child did pick their noses because germs can make you sick. That's smart since kids will go ahead and pick their noses even if instructed not to. The phrase "wipe, toss, wash, dry" is repeated. Repetition helps solidify concepts for the child's brain. 

This is a quick and simple book. It spends more time talking about using a tissue for different tissue needs than focusing on simply not picking. The content is for younger children--probably under the age of four. 

Noses Are Not for Picking gets 3.5 Stars. Have you or your child read Noses Are Not for Picking? What did you think? Let me know!

Powerless - Review

Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy, # 1)

By: Lauren Roberts

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.

I've heard conflicting reviews on Instagram about Powerless. Some loved it. Others didn't understand the hype. My niece, who is only recently becoming a reader, recommended this book to me at about the same time as my hold with the library became available. 

Paedyn is an Ordinary living in the slums. She's been pretending to be a Psychic since she was little. She's been trained by her father to notice all the tiny details about people that can give her a means of convincing them that she knows things she can't possibly know until he died 5 years ago. Ordinaries are considered to be diseased or cause disease among the Elites. So they've been outlawed. All known Ordinaries have been banished or killed. So Paedyn's secret is a matter of life and death. Living in the slums, thievery is her main source of income. Using the skills her father taught her, it's easy for her to choose a mark and then use her pretend gift to distract them. Only Paedyn accidentally steals from a prince. This prince is on track to be the next king's Enforcer. 

Prince Kai (short for Malakai) has the skill of taking on anyone else's skill around himself. He finds it odd that he can't feel Paedyn's skill. Prince Kai isn't the heir. That's his brother, Prince Kitt. Kai and Kitt have been raised differently. Kai's mother died, and their father is now married to Kitt's mother. Kai has basically been abused in the name of training. His father has forced him to injure himself and then turn around and heal himself using the abilities of a healer. He's been forced to be exposed to his greatest fear, heights, over and over until he, at the very least, showed no outward signs of fear. He's been made to kill others in the name of the king. And essentially, that's what his job will be when Kitt becomes king. But Paedyn intrigues him from their first meeting. He's drawn to her. The problem is that they are both thrown into a set of trials, and there can only be one winner. 

The trials were a little confusing. On the one hand, there can only be one winner. On the other hand, I couldn't figure out if all of the other candidates are supposed to die during the trials or just some do and some don't. It wasn't fleshed out. It did seem that Paedyn took her involvement in the trials to be a death sentence. The first trial was a little brutal compared to the other two. And I don't think I could have come up with a series of games that was better or more entertaining, yet I felt like this area might have been underutilized in the writing process.

Some things that didn't make sense: Kai is said to be the future Enforcer when his brother becomes king. Yet no mention is made of a current Enforcer. The way Kitt and Kai handled both being attracted to the same girl was so odd to me. The brothers seem extremely close. They both discuss Paedyn. Yet there's no discussion between them about staking a claim or feeling jealousy. Kai, obviously, feels jealous of Kitt's partnering Paedyn for all of the balls. And Kai seems to address it with Paedyn herself, but not with Kitt, which I found odd. Paedyn has a role to play in getting Kitt to open up a door for her, but I would have thought she would have been more cautious. Paedyn's joining of the rebellion happened so fast. And I just felt like the character all of a sudden became thoughtless in areas that didn't make sense, except to fill in a plot hole or to force the plot to go where it "needed" to go.

Things end with my least favorite type of cliffhanger. I like cliffhangers that have potential. When it feels like everything has gone to pot and all of the characters I like are either in danger or in terrible places, sometimes I don't even want to carry on with the series, or I feel no issue putting the series down and not coming back to it for a while. Unfortunately, I think that's what I might do with The Powerless Trilogy. This type of cliffhanger isn't making me want to come back to this series and finish it. Especially when mixed with the reviews I've heard about the series. (Hopeful cliffhangers do not have this effect on me.)

I read Powerless really quickly which is always a plus for me. I was rooting for Paedyn and Kai. Yet now that I've finished it, I find that it doesn't hold up to close analysis. And guys, I'm barely touching the surface with this review because it's been two weeks between finishing it and writing my review. Once I've looked at everything, I have to give Powerless 3.5 Stars due to things that didn't make sense to me and the cliffhanger ending. Have you read Powerless? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Sharing Time

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.

Sharing Time

By: Elizabeth Verdick

Illustrated By: Marieka Heinlen

Publication: August 1, 2009 by Free Spirit Publishing

24 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Manners, Parenting

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--Sometimes it’s fun to share, and sometimes it’s hard. This book offers toddlers simple choices (take turns, use the toy together, wait for another time) to make sharing easier, and shows them where to turn for help when sharing is difficult. Little ones learn that sharing can mean double the fun—and sharing a while can make someone smile! Includes tips for parents and caregivers.

I'm a little torn on Sharing Time. I like that it starts with sharing things like smiles, hugs, and laughs. And then it touches on some reasons we might find it hard to share. Worrying about others taking our things or worrying about others breaking them are two reasons. I like that the book acknowledges that some things are hard to share. I also like the focus on using sharing words like "may I play with that?" or "can I have a turn?". At the same time, the book does offer that sometimes the child will hear a no answer. Hearing a no answer isn't easy for children, and the younger they are, the harder it is to hear and accept. This is something that has to be taught repeatedly. In my experience, daily. The book tells the children to seek the help of an adult when someone refuses to share. Yet I didn't love the solutions the adult came up with. Well, I liked two out of the three. While some children might respond well to a timer, I don't think that's a feasible option to get the child accustomed to. I feel like that encourages the children to continue to involve the adult in their negotiation. At least until the child understands the concept of time. The book doesn't exactly support forced sharing, but setting a timer kind of is forced sharing. I encourage my children to ask if they may play with the object when the first child is finished. And then the rule in our house is that the answer is always "Yes." There's no reason why a sibling can't play with a toy when the other is finished with it.

The parent notes were almost more effective, in my opinion, than the book itself. The book is written for small children--0 to 3 years of age. So, lengthy books with elaborate situations aren't appropriate, but I also felt like much was left out of the book itself. I specifically liked the idea of parents setting up games or opportunities to either share with the child first. Regularly showing the child that if I hold something of yours and then return it everything is fine. And setting the example of sharing your food or items with the child is helpful as well. Children learn so much from simply watching their parents.

My children are 9, 7, and 4, but they still struggle with sharing. My oldest is worried about the younger two breaking her toys. My middle child tries to repossess toys that he's aged out of and hasn't cared about in many years. And my youngest feels like everything is his. So even though this book is written to younger children, it's a great lesson to constantly be re-exposing your children. Sharing Time gets 3.5 Stars. Have you or your child read Sharing Time? What did you think? Let me know!

Sanskari Sweetheart - Review

Sanskari Sweetheart

By: Ananya Devarajan

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?

I've been on an adult romantasy kick for a while. So I needed a change of pace, and that usually means changing genres. I decided to pick up Sanskari Sweetheart. The description tells pretty much everything you need to know. But I will say some things were confusing or needed more fleshing out for me. I felt the author understood the missing pieces, but they were never fully spelled out to the reader. One of those things is Raina's mom being so kind of a prophetess. That was never explained. Mentioned in passing as though the reader should understand or accept it as fact and move on.

Raina starts the book showing up at Nationals with her mother, whom she just dropped the bomb on that she wants to pursue dance as a career. She doesn't really give her mother a chance to discuss things with her as she drops the bomb and rolls out of the car at the same time. As she's running away, she basically declares that if she wins the scholarship offered at Nationals, then she will choose dance. 

Raina and Aditya have been dating for four years. They're madly in love. Yet they fight all the time. Raina is obsessed with being the perfect girlfriend for him, but she refuses to have any conversation with him about any important topics. The initial breakup felt jarring. I suppose it was supposed to feel that way. The couple went from "we're so in love" to "we should break up" in 0 to 60. Only after exploring many of the loop days do you begin to piece together what's missing in their relationship. I guess that was because Raina needed to figure it out, and as the narrator, it would only be frustrating for the reader to fully understand the issues while Raina continually repeats the same day and the same mistakes over and over again.

Raina does change things up. It isn't like she can't change the day she experiences. But it doesn't matter. Every time she gets to the end of the day she and Aditya break up. Then the day starts over. 

I liked that these two have such an innocent relationship. There is passion between them, but things don't progress physically, and I respect that. It is counter-cultural (American culture at least). And I'm all about that. They have found their person so early in life, which also isn't normal. I can respect that as well. 

I did appreciate the lessons that Raina and even Aditya learned along the way. I don't think I would want to read many books that follow this same format, but overall, I enjoyed Sanskari Sweetheart. A few things were confusing, like Raina's mother's prophecies, why Raina had an obsession with being the perfect girlfriend, and a few other things. But overall, I read this book quickly and wanted to keep reading when I needed to stop. Sanskari Sweetheart gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Sanskari Sweetheart? What did you think? 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!