Homeschool Friday - Facts About Sharks and Whales

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

Facts About Sharks and Whales

By: Sue Stuever

Publication: January 1, 2023 by The Good and the Beautiful

58 pages

Genre: Children's, Animals, Level-2, Early Reader, Non-fiction, Science

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | The Good and the Beautiful )

*Note: The above link to The Good and the Beautiful is NOT an affiliate link.

Goodreads description--Young readers will dive into the underwater world of fascinating sharks and wondrous whales in this high-interest book. Real photos of these ocean animals in their natural habitats will excite early readers as they discover new information about life in the sea.

The Good and the Beautiful ranks Facts About Sharks & Whales as a Level-2A. Level 2 starts to get into some longer books, but 58 pages is still longer than a lot of the other level-2 books that we own. I think stretching the child to longer books is a good idea. So I like that this isn't a 30-page book like the level-1s and early level-2 books we own.

As the name suggests, this book is all about various facts concerning sharks and whales. It also includes rays and dolphins. What they eat, how they breathe, their physical bodies, their teeth, whether they lay eggs or have live babies. All of these are facts that are presented in this book. If your child is reading, why not enjoy some books that will teach them some fun topics. I don't know anyone who isn't at least mildly fascinated by sharks and whales.

Facts About Sharks and Whales is a great addition to your level-2 library or reading list. The information is factual. The photographs are beautiful. It's a win-win to work on reading fluency and learn about some of God's amazing creatures at the same time. Facts About Sharks and Whales gets 4.5 Stars. Have you or your child read Facts About Sharks & Whales? What did you think? Let me know!

An Accidental Marriage - Review

An Accidental Marriage (The Gentlemen's Gamble, # ?)

By: Deborah M. Hathaway

Expected Publication: March 19, 2026 by Draft Horse Publishing

232 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--He expected a quick visit. He left with a wife instead.

He expected a quick visit. He left with a wife instead.

Charles Shepherd is in no rush to marry. With good looks, a comfortable fortune, and considerable charm, he’s certain love will find him eventually. Unfortunately, his mother has other plans.

Returning home for a short visit, Charles reluctantly agrees to meet Miss Marie Oakley—a woman as fortunate as he in both looks and manners. What is meant to be a simple introduction, however, ends in a sudden marriage, and Charles, who values his freedom above all else, is livid.

Mercifully, Marie is as uninterested in the marriage as he is. After a disastrous first day together, they strike a mutual bargain: do whatever it takes to end the marriage as quickly as possible. Charles is determined to reclaim his independence and find love on his own terms. But as forced proximity turns into reluctant understanding, he must face an unsettling possibility—what if the woman he’s trying to leave is the very one he can’t live without?

***The Gentlemen's Gamble is a series about seven men racing to the altar in order to avoid losing a wager. Starting January, the books will release in surprise order so as not to give away who the final bachelor and loser of the wager is.***

Now this was a fun book to read! I've never read Deborah M Hathaway before, but I definitely will now.

Charles and his 6 friends (including his twin brother) made a wager in the heat of a moment several years ago when they all thought they might very well die. Charles's friend Thomas has written to let the group know that he has now married and is ready to collect on their wager. The last gentleman to marry will owe the other six 100 pounds each. Not to mention that Charles's other friend, Andrew, is now married too. Meaning, two down and five to go. To make matters worse, Charles's mother is constantly trying to marry him off. She has been writing him for about two years about marrying a neighbor, Marie Oakley. Charles responds to his mother in letter form, dripping in sarcasm. The trouble is: sarcasm is hard to detect in written form, particularly if the reader is unfamiliar with the author.

Marie has no intentions of trapping anyone in a marriage. It's simply that she is of an age where suitors are less and less likely. She believes that Charles has decided to enter into a marriage of convenience willingly. She doesn't know that his mother has tricked him. And now her reputation may be on the line. At least before, marriage to someone else was possible. But now, her reputation likely won't survive being spurned. Marie feels she has no choice but to proceed. Yet she is willing to annul the marriage if that is what Charles wants.

These two go on their honeymoon to a secluded cottage. They do have servants with them, but even I knew there would be no way to annul the marriage without Marie's reputation suffering from it. Yet they find that maybe they don't want to annul the marriage afterall.

I tell you. I enjoyed this book much more than I was expecting to. And it's possible that this might end up being my favorite of the series, even though we are only two books in.

Favorite quotes:

-“Actions reveal far more.” “Cannot actions be feigned, as well?” he countered. “Not for long. In the end, a person always reveals who he or she is on the inside by their actions.”

-“Sooner or later,” she replied, “as the night wears on and propriety and politeness wane, the drink becomes stronger and the tired eyes become weaker, a person reveals his true character. How he treats others during those late hours is very telling.”

-“Why would I ever reveal to you who I truly am if you are simply to reject that version of me, too?”

-Childish Charlie had met his match in Immovable Marie.

The banter was fun. The fountain scene was delicious. And I just thoroughly enjoyed this entire book. An Accidental Marriage gets 4.5 Stars. I can't wait to continue the series, as well as delve deeper into Deborah M Hathaway's other books. Have you read An Accidental Marriage? What did you think? Let me know!

Stranger Things Have Happened - Review

Stranger Things Have Happened

By: Kasie West

Publication: April 14, 2026 by Saturday Books

352 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--Can fake dating lead to real love? In Kasie West's next sexy adult romcom two people must decide where the lie ends and the chemistry begins.

Sutton knows she needs therapy. After all, she’s managing her newly opened restaurant remotely while taking care of her ungrateful sick mother. Plus, her boyfriend of two years just dumped her over the phone. But does therapy with a handsome stranger, who she has to pretend to be engaged to, in order to help her friend’s struggling relationship count? Probably not. Then why did she just agree to go? Because she’s had a few too many drinks? Because this stranger, Elijah, is smug and annoying and really, really handsome? Because she feels guilty that she abandoned her best friend, Tara, after high school and this might just make up for it? Whatever the reason, she has committed to this unhinged plan.

What [...] is Sutton doing?

Helping Tara prove a point: a good therapist can tell the difference between real love and fake love. That’s what she’s doing. But as they attend their sessions, Sutton and Elijah only seem to be proving one thing—the lines between pretend desire and real desire are very blurry. This true connection forming between them is threatening to unravel everything Sutton thought she knew about family, friendship, and her own heart.

Kasie West has been a mostly auto-read author for me. Up until this year, she has written only for young adults. But within the last year, she's released two adult novels, and I'm here for it.

Sutton starts off the novel on her way to meet her boyfriend for a date since she's been out of town taking care of her mom. But her boyfriend decides to dump her over the phone instead. On top of that, she's recently opened a new restaurant with a friend and business partner that isn't getting great reviews from critics. She's not in the best place, but she's keeping it together. She runs into her high school best friend, who is engaged, the fiancé, and his brother.

Tara is trying to talk her fiancé into doing premarital counseling before the wedding, but he thinks therapy is pointless. Sutton gets pulled into a bet of sorts that a therapist couldn't even tell if two random strangers were actually in a relationship or not. But Sutton and Elijah (fiancé's brother) are the only strangers who could attempt this for Tara and fiance. Of course, Sutton and Elijah are forced to spend some time together and have some homework given to them by the therapist. They agree to do the homework to the best of their abilities to ensure they don't need to lie in their sessions and remain as truthful as possible to see if the therapist can figure things out. And of course, feelings begin to develop.

Elijah and Sutton were great. Everything about their relationship was enjoyable. Even though things kept getting thwarted. They were easy to root for. There is a little on-page spice, but there are not too many scenes if that's an issue for you.

What was a struggle was DB fiance who I haven't dignified with even a name in this review. He was easy to root against. And then Sutton's mom was so difficult as well. She was often downright mean to Sutton. I suppose there's resentment towards Sutton and thoughts that her husband wouldn't have left, but she was just so awful to her that it was hard to read. Caregiving is hard work, but compound that with trying to care for someone who degrades you, and that's what she was facing.

Overall, Stranger Things Have Happened was a fun, fast read for me. I am actually giving Stranger Things Have Happened 4.5 Stars because of how real and connected I felt to the story. Have you read Stranger Things Have Happened? What did you think? Let me know!

The Duke's Sacred Vow - Review

The Duke's Sacred Vow (Brides of the Regency, # 1)

By: Isabel Jacobs

Publication: September 25, 2025 by Grace Romance

262 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--Betrayed by her betrothed, she flees to a stranger. Haunted by his past, he offers salvation. Can two wounded souls find healing in each other?A wronged debutante and a disillusioned duke enter into a marriage of convenience—only to discover that trust, grace, and healing can grow even from the ashes of betrayal.

She needs to escape …
When Miss Annabel Ridley learns of her fiancé’s shocking betrayal, she knows she cannot proceed with the match—even if it means defying her father’s wishes and igniting scandal. Trapped between duty and danger, she flees to the one man powerful enough to help her—the Duke of Halmesbury, a stranger with a formidable reputation … and a surprising offer.

He needs to make amends …
Philip Markham, Duke of Halmesbury, has spent years hiding from heartache and mistakes he cannot undo. When a determined young woman arrives on his doorstep, desperate and brave, he sees an opportunity to do one thing right. He proposes a marriage of convenience to protect her—but as they draw closer, he finds himself yearning for more.

Can two hearts bound by necessity learn to love—and find peace in the providence neither dared to hope for?

As old wounds resurface and secrets come to light, Annabel and Philip must learn to trust one another—and to believe that sometimes, the most unexpected unions are those most touched by grace.

The Duke’s Sacred Vow is the moving first novel in the Brides of the Regency series by Isabel Jacobs. If you enjoy noble heroes, courageous heroines, and stories of romance woven with faith and emotional depth, then you will be captivated by this heartfelt tale of love, trust, and quiet redemption.

If I remember correctly, I got The Duke's Sacred Vow as a freebie. Sometimes, I don't expect a lot out of freebies, but I've been in the mood for historical fiction to get me out of my fantasy rut. So I decided to take a chance on The Duke's Sacred Vow, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Annabel is engaged to a man that she's known for a long time. They've been friends. Richard was a close friend of her brother's, but as she got older, Richard became a confidant for Annabel. She thinks they have a love match, but one day, Annabel stumbles upon Richard and her maid in the stables. After that, Annabel is determined to get out of the marriage. Yet Richard plans to move forward with the wedding, and Annabel's father won't hear of ending the engagement either. Annabel seeks out Richard's cousin who lives fairly close by in hopes that he will talk sense into Richard. He is heralded as an honorable man, and he is a duke. Well Annabel is surprised to find that Phillip's solution to her problem is to marry her himself.

Phillip is a widower. He needs to remarry to ensure his duty to produce and heir. Yet he dreads the idea of the marriage mart. And his previous marriage was a struggle between two ill-suited people. He doesn't want that. Annabel surprises him by showing up at his house. However, he is immediately impressed by her. He makes an impulsive offer, but it will solve two problems at once. He can rescue her from his roguish cousin, and he can secure himself a wife. They both know they wouldn't be marrying for love, but Annabel is satisfied with an honest marriage with mutual admiration.

The two do get married within a week of meeting each other. They both have pasts that need to be worked through. Phillip never really grieved his previous wife nor the falling apart of his relationship with his cousin which he has just made more complicated by stealing his cousin's bride. Annabel falls first and she isn't sure whether Phillip married her because he was trying to get revenge against his cousin. Plus she and her brother are estranged, and she has no idea why.

I was hooked into this story early. And I never had any complaints with the writing style or pacing. I will say that I was so impressed with the prayer life and personal relationships of Annabel and Phillip. I feel this is probably more of a reflection upon Isabel Jacobs (the author) than the characters themselves. The frequency that these characters spoke to God was so impressive. This is a situation where many might find it idealistic, but I find it inspiring. And I wish more literature showed the world as it could be rather than as it is. I will be reading more of her books just to see if this is as common with her other characters as it was with these two. But it helps to remind me to be as constantly in conversation with God throughout my day.

Favorite quotes:

-“You must pray over this, child. If the Lord opens a door, it’s ours to walk through, but you must be certain it’s not one you’ve forced open yourself.”

-God is so kind, she thought, pausing at the door. He does not always answer in the way we expect, but He never forgets us.

-“But I would rather stand before God having erred on the side of mercy than having hardened my heart.”

-“You see, the world turns something holy into something coarse. But Scripture speaks of marriage as a picture of Christ and the Church. Tender, patient, honoring. A true husband waits for his bride, honors her hesitations, and sees intimacy as a gift, not a demand.”

The Duke's Sacred Vow gets 4.5 Stars. It's one of my favorite tropes--marriages of convenience. I loved the personal relationship the two main characters had with God. My one critique is that Phillip nearly had to fight himself to figure out that he loved Annabel, yet he pulls the "I've loved you since the first day" thing. If not for that, I might have given this one 5 Stars. Have you read The Duke's Sacred Vow? What did you think? Let me know!

Next Level Love - Review

Next Level Love

By: Shameez Patel

Narrated By: Shahjehan Khan; Jensen Olaya

Publication: January 20, 2026 by Forever

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Multicultural

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--When your favorite player turns out to be your very real boss, the rules are a lot more complicated.

Elizabeth Gordon-Bettencourt is rebuilding her life on her own terms, starting with a new internship, a shot at her dream job as a civil engineer, and a whole lot of distance from her family’s drama. With her life full of change, the one constant is @theanswerisno, a charming gamer who seems to just . . . get her. Even if he has no interest in meeting her in real life.

Elizabeth would feel a lot more confident about her job if her new boss wasn’t so hard to read. Lincoln Carden is quiet, demanding, and adamant about avoiding small talk—especially in the office. What she doesn’t know is that online, he’s someone else entirely: quick, confident, and a little bit flirty. And his favorite player to team up with is @pancakesareelite, the one person who never makes him feel like he has to try so hard. As their two worlds start to collide, Elizabeth and Lincoln start to wonder: with their careers on the line and their online friendship at risk, is a romance IRL worth it?

I listened to Next Level Love when my family was hit with a fever virus. Everyone was down for the count, including me. Having something to listen to helped me pass the time when I felt like I didn't want to move and didn't have the energy to watch TV or hold my Kindle. Of course, I find that my enjoyment of a story tends to go up the faster I finish it. That being said, I finished Next Level Love in one day.

Lincoln is an engineer and gamer. His dad died when he was young, about eight, I think, when he was hit by a car as he was walking down the road. The road had no sidewalks. So, Lincoln has focused his engineering career on roads. He also has ADHD, so he struggles with distractions and has developed coping mechanisms to help him through his work. But he's always struggled to connect with other people. He has a group of friends, but he has always felt a little bit like an outsider with them. His mother is remarrying and moving out of his childhood home. She is expecting him to pack his father's office. Lincoln is being offered a trial run as a supervisor at his company, but he has to figure out how to manage people, specifically an intern.

Elizabeth is the stepdaughter of a famous guy. Yet she's escaped him and his influence and is trying to make her way in the engineering field. She's landed an internship that she's not sure she earned. Everyone treats her a specific way due to her last name (her stepfather's name). In her free time, she loves to play online games. Only she's beginning to suspect that the Link she's been chatting with online for years might actually be her boss.

I really appreciated that Next Level Love didn't have any on-page spice. Things "fade to black," so to speak. I can't remember any cursing, but if there was any, it would have been minimal. To be fair, I wasn't in my top brain while listening, so I might have missed it. But I love it when a story can prove that those things aren't needed to make a good and enjoyable book.

My eight-year-old son has, I believe, undiagnosed ADHD, so seeing an adult character with a rewarding and complicated career, with a friend group, and a love life. It helps my mama heart to see that some of the struggles we are having now might be able to be overcome because some days it feels hopeless, which I know isn't true.

The dual narrators, Shahjehan Khan and Jensen Olaya, did a great job. I felt their performances, and they never pulled me out of the story. That's the note of a good narration job.

Next Level Love was a really enjoyable book for me. I liked the ADHD representation. You could tell that Lincoln isn't white, but his race wasn't harped on, which I also appreciated. The relationship and all of the side pieces of the story came together very well, and every piece of the puzzle popped off the page feeling real and well-rounded. Next Level Love gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) Next Level Love? What did you think? Let me know!

The Last Wish of Bristol Keats - Review

The Last Wish of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 2)

By: Mary E Pearson

Publication: November 13, 2025 by Tor

480 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae

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--Everyone needs something to hold onto, even if it’s a lie.

After Bristol Keats nearly loses her beloved King Tyghan to the monsters her mother had unleashed, their love deepens to a whole new level. Together, Bristol and Tyghan work to understand and reconcile their differences, moving forward with their common goal of saving Elphame. But when a daring rescue attempt turns into a disaster, and a beloved knight dies, Bristol is forced to confront the fact that her mother is more powerful than she could have ever imagined—and more dangerous. Meanwhile, Tyghan’s heart is laid bare when he encounters his former best friend and betrayer again, Bristol's own father, and must wrestle with a new secret that throws everything he thought he knew about his past into question.

Bristol is Elphame’s last chance for survival, but where do her loyalties truly lie? If she fully embraces the magic that has always been her birthright, she could become a different kind of monster from her mother. Is she willing to risk losing the people she loves most, if it means keeping them safe?

Brimming with dark secrets, lush world-building, and addictive romance, The Last Wish of Bristol Keats is the unforgettable conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Mary E. Pearson's first adult series.

The Courting of Bristol Keats was such an enjoyable book for me in 2024. I feel like it has been overlooked because I don't remember hearing anything about it when it released or at all this past year. But Mary E Pearson has written some really great books, in my opinion. I knew I would want to continue the series.

Bristol has been through a lot. In the previous book, almost everyone in her life has lied to her and betrayed her. Her parents have kept so many secrets from her. For one, her mother is fae. And considered evil among the fae. Her father betrayed his best friend for his wife. They escaped to the mortal world and have been bouncing around in hiding ever since, constantly looking over their shoulders. Bristol's mother and father both returned to the fae world separately. I can't remember exactly why she did, probably got caught somehow by the bad guy who has been using her. And Bristol's father left to search for her. The girls, Bristol and her sisters, thought he was dead. Bristol is apparently half fae. Why the other two sisters aren't also is beyond me. I guess they didn't inherit any power, even if they are technically half fae. Bristol goes to the fae world searching for her father, but meets Tyghan and his kingdom. She falls in love with Tyghan, but he's been keeping some secrets from her, too. He needs her help to close a portal, oh, and he's the best friend that her father betrayed. Side note, the guy she was sleeping with/dating back in the mortal world who also kind of ghosted her is a bad dude trying to take over the fae world, also controlling her mother, and also probably has or did sleep with her mother. Gross!

So to say that Bristol isn't in the best place is an understatement. Especially because she recovers fairly well in this book. She and Tyghan decide that what they have is worth fighting for. And they decide to put in the work. I really appreciated their relationship because it showed that, on one hand, relationships take a lot to make them work, forgiveness being key, but on the other hand, it showed that sometimes we just have to decide that we're going to stay and work it out with the one we love.

Bristol has even more going on. Her parents placed a magical parasite on her to dampen her powers when she was very young. And it's kept her powers in check, but it's been there for so long that removing it might kill her. Yet she will never be able to close the portal she needs to do with it still there.

There were many side stories woven together perfectly. Mary E Pearson did a wonderful job tying all the loose ends up nicely. I had a few questions about things and a few pieces I didn't absolutely love about the ending, but in the end, I was happy with how everything worked out.

I listened to The Last Wish of Bristol Keats on audio so that means I don't have any quotes saved to share with you. The narrator, Brittany Pressley, did a wonderful job. I never got pulled out of the story due to narration, and that's huge for me.

The Last Wish of Bristol Keats was very well done, and I hope to see it on more lists and recommendations through the upcoming year. I'll be giving it 4.5 Stars. Have you read or listened to The Last Wish of Bristol Keats? What did you think? Let me know!

PS, I wouldn't mind a spin off since I enjoyed this world so much and many of the side characters would make delicious options to delve more into.

We Met Like This - Review

We Met Like This

By: Kasie West

Publication: September 16, 2025 by Saturday Books

368 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Beloved author Kasie West's sparkling adult rom-com debut about a hopeless romantic falling for the one man she never expected

Can a swipe right turn into swept away?

Margot Hart is a hopeless romantic. That’s why she wants to be a literary agent—to help bring romance books to the world. It’s also why she hates dating apps with all her romance loving soul. She wants her own love story to be just as much fun as the books she reads—a mixed up coffee order, a mistaken identity. She’s not going to tell the story that she swiped right on future husband’s shirtless pic for the rest of her life.

The problem is that her most consistent relationship over the last several years is with Oliver, a guy she keeps rematching with on the apps. They’ve only been on one date and it was a disaster…well, until the make out session in the car before parting ways. But, she keeps reminding herself, a make out session does not a relationship make. And so there will not be a date two regardless of how witty their app banter is.

When Margot gets fired from her job on the same day she meets Oliver again, her life becomes a veritable shit show. Her dream career is dying right before her eyes, and Oliver thinks she’s interested in only one a repeat of the hot make out session they had three years ago so she can get him out of her system. And maybe that is all she wants from him, because she and Oliver are definitely not compatible—he doesn’t hit the snooze button, he runs five miles every morning, he reads nonfiction, and worst of all, she didn’t meet him in cute way! But in her scramble to keep her dream career alive, by opening her own agency, Oliver is there with his golden retriever energy, more steady and helpful than any man she’s ever dated. Just when she thinks she’s overcome her app bias, she realizes that maybe it’s not her who’s holding back, but him. And his reasons are more than she bargained for.

Kasie West's romantic adult debut is full of witty banter, meet cutes gone awry and, ultimately, true love.

We Met Like This is Kasie West's first adult book. She usually writes YA books with happily ever afters. I find her to be a consistent author, but when I heard she wrote an adult book, I knew I wanted to check it out. And I am so glad that I did.

I will say that We Met Like This definitely starts out with some spice and shows the reader early that this isn't the young adult they might be expecting from Kasie West. Now, I can do without spice, but I do appreciate adult characters with adult storylines. There weren't too many scenes even if there were innuendos and comments throughout the book. The language was definitely more than you will find in one of her other books. But again, I suppose this is to be expected.

Margot works as an assistant/junior literary agent. She's been at this job for over three years without moving up despite being very good at her job, working beyond the scope of her title, and being verbally promised by her boss that she will advance. She's also been looking for love in all the wrong places. She keeps settling and getting disappointed. She's looking for a meet cute, but she keeps using dating apps to try to meet people. She feels a little bit like a failure compared to her sister who has what Margot considers the perfect life. But Margot is just her own person.

Oliver and Margot start off the book in her car making out after a terrible first date. The date went wrong, but the making out is on point. Oliver wants to slow down and get to know one another, but Margot has already written him off. She decides to leave instead. Through the next three years they match on the dating apps off and on and chat a few times laughing it off that they had such a terrible first date.

For Oliver's part, he was fresh off of a break where his girlfriend cheated on him when he went on that date with Margot. Apparently that girlfriend wasn't the only one to cheat on him either, and that's created some trust issues. I could relate to Oliver in that way. He works for himself in tech. I think software engineer, coder, and maybe some other titles were mentions which could all be quite different. But in my experience, a lot of techy people are pretty well-rounded even if not all of them know how to code. (I can do some coding in the old COBOL and DYL280 languages which were way old even when I was using them. They are pretty much obsolete nowadays. And of course, I use HTML and JavaScript with my blog.) But I'm nowhere on par with my techy brother who has worked his entire career in the field in various positions.

I loved Margot and Oliver's relationship development. I did feel like the secret that was kept was pretty obvious and it was also a little annoying that this was used in the climax of the plot for the thing the characters needed to resolve. Things did resolve fairly easily, so at least there's that.

I thought Kasie West did a wonderful job with all of the side characters. From Sloane, Margot's roommate, to Audrey, Margot's sister, Margot's parents, Sloane's boyfriend, Margot's boss, and even some of her co-workers. They all seemed to be pop-off-the-page characters even when they didn't have much page time.

Favorite quote:

-“Your friends are so lucky to have you,”

We Met Like This was exactly what I needed when I read it. I was having trouble getting into a story before I picked this one up. Margot and Oliver were so fun to read. I really appreciated that the guy was almost more interested in a real relationship than the girl at first. We Met Like This gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read We Met Like This? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - The Magical Yet

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

The Magical Yet

By: Angela DiTerlizzi

Illustrated By: Lorena Álvarez

Publication: April 14, 2020 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

40 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Book, Inspirational, Growth Mindset

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--This Yet finds a way, even when you don't,
And, Yet knows you will, when you think you won't.

Each of us, from the day we're born, is accompanied by a special companion--the Yet. Can't tie your shoes? Yet! Can't ride a bike? Yet! Can't play the bassoon? Don't worry, Yet is there to help you out.

Told in tight rhyme reminiscent of the great Dr. Seuss himself, this rollicking, inspirational picturebook is perfect for every kid who is frustrated by what they can't do . . . YET!

The Magical Yet is pretty much what you expect it to be. This is a book all about teaching children that just because you can't do something now doesn't mean you won't be able to in the future. If we change our attitudes from "I can't" to "I can't yet" we open up a whole new world of possibilities. And we don't just give up trying to learn something new.

I don't fully love the idea of "The Magical Yet" being an entity. But I did like the idea of showing children all of the things they've already gone from being unable to do to able (ex: walking). I like how hard work and practice, mixed with perseverance and determination, are what is highlighted in this book.

There is a rhyming scheme. Usually ABCB. Sometimes rhyming schemes mess me up when I'm reading aloud because they aren't always the words I'm expecting to come next.

The Magical Yet is a 4.5 Star book for me. The messaging is good. I just don't like that "yet" is a being. I don't know why this feels like such a big deal to me. But keeping on keeping on, trying again and again...all of those messages are ones that I want to reiterate to my children. Have you or your child read The Magical Yet? What did you think? Let me know!

I Want to Trust You But I Don't - Review

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

By: Lysa TerKeurst

Publication: October 8, 2024 by Thomas Nelson

256 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Christian

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

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

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

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

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

I've read several books by Lysa TerKeurst, but I've not read them all. The last one I read was Forgiving What You Can't Forget which was about the healing and restoration of her marriage. I don't follow her so I was surprised when I dove into this book to find out that her marriage didn't survive afterall. I hate it for her. This book was written from a place where her hurt and trauma could be felt. I felt so bad for her, while also being able to relate on some levels. Of course, none of us have experienced exactly the same hurts and betrayals.

I have to say that while I have come a long way from a lot of my own truama and personal betrayals, I still find myself struggling to trust at times. And I still find myself trying to control all the things I have no business trying to control. This book brought some of those experiences back to the forefront of my mind, which I didn't want. I do want to move forward, truly forgive fullly, and move on. So bringing some of these memories back to the surface was a painful experience for me. And I had to proceed slowly through this book. I couldn't just plow through it. I ended up putting it down for quite a long time before returning and finishing it.

If you have been betrayed and you hope to regain some of the trust that was lost, I would recommend this book as a resource for you. I think Lysa has some good tips. It's always helpful to know that we aren't alone and that we haven't experienced something that no one else in the world has experienced. So comisserating and seeing how someone else processed their pain can be helpful. I appreciate her attempts to always be learning from God during her life no matter if that's from pain or joy. I strive to do the same in my own.

I always appreciate that Lysa often narrates her own books. I switched back and forth between listening to this on audio and reading it. Both are equally good. I didn't find myself rating this as 5 Stars probably for a couple of reasons 1) my trauma and betrayal isn't new and these aren't feelings I'm actively working through, 2) I had to put this book down for a long time and having a big gap in the reading experience caused continuity issues for me. This is solely my fault and no fault of the book itself, but it does affect my experience reading it. Either way, I'm giving I Want to Trust You But I Don't 4.5 Stars. Have you read or listened to I Want to Trust You But I Don't? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Go and Do Likewise

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.

Go and Do Likewise

By: John Hendrix

Publication: February 2, 2021 by Abrams Books for Young Readers

40 pages

Genre: Children, Picture Books, Christian

Source: Own/Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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Goodreads description--The parables and teachings of Jesus are brought to life in this stunning picture book from award-winning author and illustrator John Hendrix

But Jesus was going somewhere.
His journey to find those most in need of him began anew each morning.
Jesus walked . . . and ever since, people have followed him.

Through parables of the good Samaritan and the prodigal son, the lost sheep and the beatitudes, Jesus taught his disciples the redeeming power of sacrificial love and showed mercy to everyone around him—especially the sick, the poor, and the downtrodden.

In this inspirational and richly illustrated book, John Hendrix brings to life the wisdom of Jesus. Interweaving hand lettering with his signature, award-winning art style, Hendrix captures the spirit of Jesus’s timeless message that will resonate with readers of any Christian faith.

First off, the illustrations of Go and Do Likewise aren't my favorite. Well, some of the pages I really like, and others I don't like at all. This isn't my preferred art style. I do like words being incorporated into art. I find it hard to describe the things I don't like. I'm not an artist at all, so I don't have the vocabulary to describe what I dislike.

This book is about the parables that Jesus taught. Of course, it doesn't cover all of the parables, only a few. He includes the good Samaritan, the Sermon on the Mount, the wise & foolish builder, the shepherd who left the 99, and the prodigal son, to name a few.

I appreciated the author's note at the end that told why the author loves parables so much and his personal connection between the parables of Jesus and his art. I also appreciated the section at the end on "retelling vs. translating." It should be noted (and is in this section) that this book isn't exactly a translation but a retelling. Retellings allow the author to use poetic license to adjust or add to the story to fit a modern reader or situational adjustments. These have been created for young audiences. I don't like the recommendation to read The Message as a translation. I'm not a fan of it and prefer to read one of the more literal translations of the Bible myself.

All in, Go and Do Likewise is another way of getting Biblical content in front of our children. Whether you're a believer or not, there's no teaching of Jesus that would harm your life. You can use all of His teachings to become better people for yourself and those around you. And I appreciate picture books that reinforce His teachings for my children. Go and Do Likewise gets 4.5 Stars from me. Have you or your child read Go and Do Likewise? What did you think? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review - House of Earth and Blood

House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, # 1)

By: Sarah J Maas

Publication: March 3rd 2020 by Bloomsbury Publishing

648 pages

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy

Source: Borrowed from the e-Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

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Goodreads description--Half-Fae, half-human Bryce Quinlan loves her life. By day, she works for an antiquities dealer, selling barely legal magical artifacts, and by night, she parties with her friends, savouring every pleasure Lunathion—otherwise known as Crescent City— has to offer. But it all comes crumbling down when a ruthless murder shakes the very foundations of the city—and Bryce’s world.

Two years later, her job has become a dead end, and she now seeks only blissful oblivion in the city’s most notorious nightclubs. But when the murderer attacks again, Bryce finds herself dragged into the investigation and paired with an infamous Fallen angel whose own brutal past haunts his every step.

Hunt Athalar, personal assassin for the Archangels, wants nothing to do with Bryce Quinlan, despite being ordered to protect her. She stands for everything he once rebelled against and seems more interested in partying than solving the murder, no matter how close to home it might hit. But Hunt soon realizes there’s far more to Bryce than meets the eye—and that he’s going to have to find a way to work with her if they want to solve this case.

As Bryce and Hunt race to untangle the mystery, they have no way of knowing the threads they tug ripple through the underbelly of the city, across warring continents, and down to the darkest levels of Hel, where things that have been sleeping for millennia are beginning to stir...

I picked up House of Earth and Blood twice before, and I had the hardest time getting into the story. Bryce and Danica start off the book as party girls. I don't support drug use. Clubbing has never been on my agenda. Relating to these characters was difficult. People said to keep pressing on, but sheesh...at 800+ pages, you have to press on a LONG time before action picks up. So much of this book is world building. And world-building takes a long time. Thankfully, I got this on audio from the library. I can tell you that is the only way I made it through this story. That being said, I can see myself re-reading this book and actually reading it instead of listening to it. Now that I know what happens, I think I could dive deeper into it. But I just had to experience it in as quick of a method as possible to begin with.

So much happens! The gist is that a pack of wolves is slaughtered. Bryce is friends with all of these wolves. One was her best friend. And one was a guy she was dancing around the idea of dating. Bryce is a shell of herself for about two years after it happened. But then someone else in the city is murdered in the same way. And Bryce is enlisted to help backtrack her friend's last steps in the week leading up to her death to see if she can help find who the real killer is.

Hunt is an angel who was part of the rebellion that failed. As such, he's now a slave. The city's governor, Micah--an archangel--owns him and uses him to assassinate his enemies. Hunt hates being a slave, but he's offered a deal that will bring his debt to next to nothing. All he has to do is solve the murder of Bryce's friend and who is doing the killings now. Hunt was a police officer of sorts who was part of the investigation into the original murder. He and his superior, Isaiah, were first on the scene.

Hunt and Bryce start out antagonistic. They aren't really enemies to lovers, but they don't fully get along at first. It takes a while for each one to see beneath the surface level that the other is trying to portray. Of course, they grow closer as they work together. But can each of them really be trusted, or are they both keeping secrets?

The biggest side character is Rhune, Bryce's half-brother. Bryce is half human, half fae. Rhune is all fae and in line to the throne. Their father is the Autumn King. However, Bryce hasn't been claimed--both because she's only half fae and because she has little magic. There are also witches, sprites, chimeras, and other species. Rhune and Bryce used to be closer, but they have drifted apart from each other after a fight of sorts. Both hate their father. The Autumn King has specific designs and plans for Rhune as his successor. But Rhune's fortune told him that his path isn't what his father hopes it will be. Rhune is keeping that fortune a secret.

Honestly, there is so so much that happens, and I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. Not to mention that I won't really know what all pieces will connect until I continue the series. But Sarah J Maas is a master of plot and weaving all of the little pieces into bigger details over the long haul. I will definitely continue the series. Since I listened to this on audio, I don't have any quotes to share with you.

House of Earth and Blood gets 4.5 Stars. Language and some spice is present, but I think more innuendo is used than actual scenes in this book as the relationships are so new. Poor Bryce has been through so much. Have you read House of Earth and Blood? 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.

Shadow & Storms - Review

Shadow & Storms (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 4)

By: Helen Scheuerer

Publication: June 20, 2024 by Alchemy

420 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic

( 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 was ready to shed blood, ready to take back what was hers.”

The time has come to make one last stand against the forces of cursed men and monsters. But Thea’s enemies are only getting stronger. With allies divided and an outnumbered army, she must race against her own fate to secure the future of the midrealms – or die trying.

A prophecy is looming, and Thea’s life is in the balance. Does she have the power to cheat death itself?

Love and loyalty will be tested. Bonds will fracture forever. But all must fight for a better world.

In the final war for survival, will Thea and Wilder emerge victorious? Or will the shadows consume them at last?

Fans of Fourth Wing, The Witcher and The Bridge Kingdom, brace yourselves for sizzling romance, found family and heart-pounding battles in Shadow & Storms, the epic finale to The Legends of Thezmarr.

Shadow & Storms was literally the first book I read in 2025. Yet, the last day of May is when I finally sat down to write my review of it. Needless to say, this won't be my best work. I have forgotten so much. I vaguely remember that Fate & Furies also ended in a small cliffhanger. This was nothing compared to the cliffhanger of Vows & Ruins.

***This is the last warning you will have that spoilers for the previous three books in the series are ahead. Proceed at your own risk.***

Thea is now a Warsword. Wilder has been taken captive by Artos. War is looming. Thankfully, Thea goes to rescue Wilder pretty early in the book. I would have hated for the book to drag on with them being separated after the time they spent apart in Fate & Furies.

Thea, Wilder, Wren, Kipp, Cal, Torj, Talemir, Drue, Anya, and all of the others are mapping out the war. Who are the real enemies? Is Artos working alone? Who will we lose in battle? What about Thea's fate stone? The year on her stone is fast approaching. Will she have to say goodbye to everyone she loves after all? Will she have to say goodbye to Wilder again?

I will say that I liked the way that Helen Scheuerer worked the fate stone. I agreed with the approaching goodbye that Wilder and Thea were facing. I've felt that way before--missing someone before they're even gone. I'm sure many can relate. I liked the build-up between Torj and Wren. And I'd like to say that I'm eager to delve into their story. If I'd been writing this book review back in January when I finished this book, I could easily have said exactly that. Except, I've already read the first book in their series. And I want more.

Favorite quotes:

-‘If they discover who you’re after, they’ll know it was you. No doubt Artos already suspects your loyalty lies elsewhere. And if you use too much storm magic, any remaining cover you have will be blown. They’ll know that the heir of Delmira and Althea Zoltaire are one and the same. The world will know exactly who you are, and who’s important to you.’ ... ‘Then the world will know that if they hurt him, I’ll burn them all to the ground.’ Talemir nodded. ‘So be it.’

-She broke away, panting. ‘I love you,’ she gasped, refusing to tear her eyes away from him. ‘I love you so much I can hardly breathe. I’ve wanted to say it for so long—’...‘I’ll tell you every day until my last,’ she murmured.

-‘You’re dead anyway,’ she promised. ‘But touch him again, I dare you.’

-‘I am the storm,’

-‘You never need to thank me,’ Wilder told her. ‘I will always fight for you. And it’s my honour to do so.’

-‘Who would have thought Thezmarr’s most useless shieldbearer would be here planning our fights for us.’ ‘You were always slow off the mark,’ Kipp said casually.

-‘Promise me never again. Whatever we do from here on out, we do together.’ ‘I don’t think Kipp’s battle plans—’ ‘Not on the battlefield. In life,’ he said. ‘Where you go, I go, from now on.’

-But to anticipate the grief so intensely… It meant he loved just as hard, just as fiercely. Wilder knew he was lucky to have experienced a love so great, however quickly it would be ripped from him.

-Thea patted him on the shoulder. ‘You’ll slowly learn that of the three Embervale sisters, Wren is the one to fear the most.’

-‘It’s yours. The Laughing Fox is mine, or will be one day. And I don’t mean to see it overrun by shadow any time soon. I will not go quietly into the [...] darkness… Will you?’

-‘If this is to be our final stand, let us make it worthy of legend!’

-‘We are all daughters of darkness, Thea. We were born into a world of it, a place that would dictate the way in which we defend ourselves, the way we live our lives. No more. That world is no longer. And the next one will be what we make it.’

-‘You can do this. You were forged with blood and steel, with lightning and thunder… You were made for this war, made to end it, and you will, for all of us. When I first saw you spying on the Warsword meeting atop the cliffs, I sensed it in you even then.’ Tears lined Thea’s eyes. ‘What?’ ‘Greatness,’ he told her.

-For the first time in a long time, he realised that beneath the festering darkness, the world had been beautiful, and it would be again.

I had a couple of other quotes, but they were spoilers.

Ultimately, Shadow & Storms was a great ending to a great series. I'm giving Shadow & Storms 4.5 Stars. Thea and Wilder's relationship ranks with some of my favorites (Xaden & Violet, Rhysand & Feyre, Aelin & Rowan, etc). Language and on-page spice is always a little much for me, but the plot makes skipping and skimming totally worth it for me. Have you read Shadow & Storm? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Booger the Bigfoot

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.

Booger the Bigfoot

By: Beau Bryan

Publication: February 14, 2022 by Beau Collins

30 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books

Source: Personal Library

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Description--The forest is full of fun and adventure...until Kip loses his way. Luckily, Booger the Bigfoot befriends him and shows him the way home. A story full of excitement, friendship, and lots of silly animals.

When my son was five years old, he went through a bigfoot phase. We got this book for his birthday that year, but this was the first time that he read it for himself. It isn't a popular book, and I wasn't able to verify what the reading level actually is. But my son wanted to read this book, and I try to never turn him down when he's requesting to read since he's such a reluctant reader.

Kip and his dog, Beasty, were bored and sitting around. They decide to go play in the woods. They saw many animals and were having fun. But they weren't paying attention to the sun setting as they got deeper and deeper into the woods. Kip suddenly realizes they're lost and it's dark. He remembers that his dad taught him how to be prepared. Then he realizes the forest is too quiet. Suddenly, a bigfoot appears and indicates that he's going to help Kip and Beasty get back home. The bigfoot returns Kip and Beasty back home, and Kip names him Booger.

My kids love trying to spot Booger throughout the book as he's on each opening hiding in the background as he watches Kip and Beasty play and explore.

My son needed some help with a few words, but I was impressed with how well he did. I guess the idea of letting the kids pick out what interests them is really true. He did much better with trying to read the harder words as well as not getting flustered with this book that he wanted to read rather than me forcing him to read one that I've picked.

Booger the Bigfoot gets 4.5 Stars. My son volunteered to read this which is a huge step for him. My kids all love finding Booger on each page. And there's a good moral about not judging what you see, being prepared, but most of all about being kind. Have you or your child read Booger The Bigfoot? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Have Courage

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.

Have Courage!

By: Cheri J. Meiners

Illustrated By: Elizabeth Allen

Publication: May 21, 2014 by Free Spirit Publishing

40 pages

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

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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Description--Counsels children how to develop the assertiveness skills that will help them do what they believe is right, sharing advice for distinguishing between helpful and harmful things that others say while taking reasonable risks and speaking out.

Have Courage starts by telling children that even though they are small they can still stand tall. And then there's a short definition of courage: doing what's right even when it's hard or the child feels afraid. A contrast is shown between needing courage to say yes to something (like a vaccination) or needing courage to say no to something (like climbing up a slide). The author uses the term "dare" in a positive way. Children often want to follow through on dares. So I think this is a smart way to show courage. Speaking up for oneself to show what one likes and daring to be oneself. Sometimes courage is being brave to stand up in front of the classroom to share something. When a child speaks up to talk to a child they don't know, the end result could be making a new friend. And bravery can rub off on others. Focusing on what we want instead of what we're afraid of helps us not be held back by fear and miss out on experiences and adventures. Another definition of courage is given: doing important things that one didn't know they could do. And then a couple more reasons for why having courage is helpful.

Have Courage has a section for parents to reinforce the ideas found in the book, some questions to ask to provoke thinking, and even some activities and games to do with kids to help them build courage.

The illustrations perfectly matched the words so that the ideas are presented in a visual form as great examples that kids can relate to.

Have Courage is a great option for building up your child's character. These are the types of books that I really seek out. The book is written for children probably younger than 4, but all children can benefit from the same ideas. Have Courage gets 4.5 Stars. Have you or your child read Have Courage? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Be Honest and Tell the Truth

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 Honest & Tell the Truth

By: Cheri J. Meiners

Illustrated By: Meredith Johnson

Publication: August 25, 2007 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--It's never too soon to learn the difference between what's true and what isn't. Words and pictures help young children discover that being honest in words and actions builds trust and self-confidence. They also learn that telling the truth sometimes takes courage and tact. Includes discussion questions, skits, scenarios, and games that reinforce the ideas being taught.

I have one child who particularly struggles with telling the truth. As usual, Be Honest and Tell the Truth begins with why being honest is a benefit for the child. The child can feel good about his or her choices and behavior. Treating others the way that we each want to be treated. I love that being honest is discussed as a decision to be made ahead of time. We can decide to always be honest. Thinking about how others will feel about the words we plan to use, yet still choosing to find kind words that are true. It can be respectful to keep some words and thoughts to yourself. But you can talk to a trusted adult whenever you're unsure what to do. Letting others know when we're joking is important, and also, stopping the jokes when not everyone is having fun is a good idea. Telling the truth sometimes takes courage, but we can do that. Don't blame others. Doing one's own work. And being honest even when no one sees is important. Keeping our promises is something we can do when we do what we say we will. When we keep our word, people can depend on us. We can show respect to others by not touching their things without permission. And if we find something that doesn't belong to us, we can try to find the owner. Being honest is worth more than having an item that doesn't belong to us. And the book ends with repeating the benefits of being honest to the child, when we treat others fairly, they can believe and trust us. And beyond that, we can feel good about ourselves.

Like the others in this series that I've reviewed, Be Honest and Tell the Truth is packed full of great information to help a child see the benefits of being honest and telling the truth. There are extra instructions for the parents at the end. These types of books spark communication with your kids on what you both expect from common situations. I like how things are worded "I can..." because it's subconsciously planted in the child that they are capable of these ideas without being confrontational.

Be Honest and Tell the Truth is a great book that all parents can add to their collections of books on manners. (Surely all parents have multiple books about manners for young children, right?) It presents information in a way that helps the child feel empowered to know that they are capable of being honest in situations. I'm giving it 4.5 Stars. Have you or your child read Be Honest and Tell the Truth? What did you think? 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!

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!

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!