Is She Really Going Out With Him? - Review

Is She Really Going Out with Him?

By: Sophie Cousens

Publication: November 19, 2024 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

368 pages

Genre: 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--A hilarious love story about a disillusioned divorcée who agrees to let her children play matchmaker.

Columnist Anna Appleby has left her love life behind after a painful divorce. Who needs a man when she has two kids, a cat, and uncontested control of the TV remote? Besides, she’d rather be single than subject herself to the hell of online dating. But her office rival is vying for her column, and no column means no stable source of income. In a desperate attempt to keep her job, Anna finds herself pitching a unique angle: seven dates, all found offline, chosen by her children.

From awkward encounters to unexpected connections, Anna gamely begins to put herself out there, asking out waiters, the mailman, and even her celebrity crush. But when a romantic connection appears where she least expected it, will she be brave enough to take another chance on love?

Anna is struggling with the fallout from her divorce. She's hurt, angry, and bitter. She's putting all her energy into her kids to ensure they're okay. She is a columnist at a struggling magazine, and her column has been lacking in personal connection. But Will, her work nemesis, has been gunning for her column. And she can't figure out why he keeps trying to steal her spot or one-up her.

The magazine gets bought and new management is looking to see who to keep and who to let go. Anna has to prove her worth to the column because losing her job is the last thing she needs. The idea of a 10-edition column co-written by Anna and Will on dating will be the test for the two writers. Anna must date people she meets in real life, namely men her children pick out, and Will must find his dates online--such a fun concept. 

Anna has no interest in dating for real, but she can go on a few dates to keep her job, and she doesn't have to get her heart involved. Her column goes from distinctly impersonal and devoid of real emotion to funny and eventually deeply moving. 

Anna's kids seem so realistic as a mother. Her son is about the same age as my oldest two kids and her daughter is slightly older. Seeing them navigate the challenges of their parent's divorce and their dad's subsequent new girlfriend to even more changes feels realistic. And I think because divorce has become so common, people can blow over the trauma that kids experience as a result. I know that some divorces really are for the best, but as a Christian, I hate to see how commonplace it has become. And regardless of faith, I didn't love the story behind Anna's divorce. It was realistic, but also depressing at the lack of effort put in between the two. Her ex-husband was a punk even though I did enjoy seeing a glimpse of some good in him. He wasn't an evil character even though he was the source of much pain for Anna. Just an imperfect person for the most part. 

Anna has a range of experiences on her dates. She goes out with a dad from one of her kids' friends at school. He was also bitter about his divorce and seemed to need some anger management therapy. There was a much younger guy who Anna spent a very crazy night with. Thankfully, nothing too traumatic happened on that date. There's a guy whose world is Jane Austen--even to the point of dressing in period costume daily. There's a famous actor that she manages to score a date with and pretty much the only date she abandons early. There's a grumpy neighbor that she has been feuding with since before her divorce. The dates caused a range of emotions in Anna. I enjoyed seeing Anna find more and more of herself through the book. 

Of course, we can't leave out Will. Because Will seems to be constantly one-upping her at work, Anna is antagonistic towards him. He responds with banter, and you can tell that he has no animosity towards her so I don't know if Is She Really Going Out With Him? can be classified as enemies to lovers. Will's backstory was so well planned out. He was just such a good guy despite her initial estimation of him. 

Is She Really Going Out With Him? was surprisingly good to me. I've never read a book by Sophie Cousens before, but I would check out her other books based on this one. I am trying so hard not to spoil anything even though I wouldn't say there are huge twists. I liked that everything felt realistic like this story could really and truly have been written about real people. Is She Really Going Out With Him? gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read Is She Really Going Out With Him?? What did you think? Let me know!

The Art of Us - Review

The Art of Us

By: Julie Wright

Publication: November 5, 2024 by Shadow Mountain

272 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

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

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

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

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

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

I have been seeing the cover for The Art of Us for months. And every time I passed it I wondered if I should pick it up. Well, I was going through NetGalley and Edelweiss requesting books one day, and I decided to finally check it out.

Ireland has had a rough childhood. Her mother left when she was little, and her father raised her. Except, he hasn't done much besides provide a roof over her head and feed her intermittently. They've moved around often because he was always scamming people and running. Well, he finally scammed someone and fled but didn't take Ireland with him. Because they've moved so frequently, Ireland never worked to make friends. Thus she has no support system. She has nowhere to go. So she ends up living in a public, but not often used, bathroom. She doesn't want to leave the school she's in because she's been making decent grades for the first time. She finally decides to start trying to talk to people and make friends. And that also includes talking to Kal who sits next to her in first period. 

Kal sings in a band that plays at a local pizza restaurant. Ireland has noticed that she can slip in and grab some leftover pizza unnoticed, or so she thought. Turns out that Kal has noticed her snagging pizza. He realizes there must be a reason behind her hunger. Kal follows her one night and sees her grab a bag she stashed in a tree. He watches her go into the bathroom and lock the door. He doesn't know what to do. Ireland has only just started talking to him and he can tell she's skittish. But he also knows he can't let her stay there. He decides to speak to his art teacher who has been a good adult mentor for him. 

Ireland is confronted by the school and told a family is willing to let her live with them until she turns 18 so that she doesn't have to get put into the system. She isn't happy about the situation at first but does begin to see the benefits and gets attached to the family. Only there's stuff going on with Mara who Ireland doesn't get along with initially. And Kal ends up spilling the beans again. Only word gets out of his involvement in both situations and many people get hurt. 

I liked Ireland and Kal's story. They were both good for each other. And both are just kids trying their best. But I felt like the description built up their relationship like they have an epic love story when it just isn't to that level--yet. Mara might have been the character I ended up feeling for the most. 

Favorite quotes:

-For the first time in weeks, Ireland let herself feel her feelings. It was okay to miss him. It was okay to hope he was okay. It was okay to be mad at him. It was okay to feel betrayed. It was all okay. And maybe it was all going to be okay.

-And for the first time ever, she felt grateful to have had her own experiences because she suspected that savagery lurked in her as well.

-"Keep howling until your voice can find a different melody."

The Art of Us was good. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting. That's the tricky thing about expectations. I did like Mara, Ireland, Kal, and the Washington family. The Art of Us gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Art of Us? What did you think? Let me know!

The Muse of Maiden Lane - Review

The Muse of Maiden Lane (Belles of London, # 4)

By: Mimi Matthews

Publication: November 19, 2024 by Berkley

384 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--A silver-haired equestrienne and a charismatic artist turn a scandalous bargain into a vibrant portrait of love.

Stella Hobhouse is a brilliant rider, stalwart friend, skilled sketch artist—and completely overlooked. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society. Combined with her brother’s pious restrictions and her dwindling inheritance, Stella is on the verge of a lifetime marooned in Derbyshire as a spinster. Unless she does something drastic…like posing for a daring new style of portrait by the only man who’s ever really seen her.

Aspiring painter Edward “Teddy” Hayes knows true beauty when he sees it. He would never ask Stella to risk her reputation as an artist’s model but in the five years since a virulent bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, Teddy has learned to heed good fortune when he finds it. He’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him, even if he must offer her a marriage of convenience.

After all, though Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their chance meeting, her heart is what he truly aches to capture….

I read the first chapter of The Muse of Maiden Lane at the end of The Lily of Ludgate Hill, and immediately, I felt secondhand embarrassment on behalf of Stella. She has naturally silver hair and has decided to dye it for a house party she's going to with Anne. No one there hardly knows her so she isn't worried about them knowing her hair is dyed. I wasn't aware it was culturally taboo to dye one's hair, but it makes sense that the only ones who would do so during this period would be people of questionable morals. But Stella is hoping for a connection that might turn into a marriage. And so it's obvious that she didn't quite think this through. Because even if she does find someone she connects with at the party, and she fools them into thinking she's someone who doesn't have silver hair, eventually dyes wash out. Thus she would be faced with either coming clean about her hair or attempting to maintain the ruse the rest of her life. Quite impossible. 

Stella, in fact, quickly runs into Teddy who already knows she has silver hair. Teddy is a crossover character from Mimi Matthew's Parish Orphans of Devon series. And I love that she's crossed these series. There is so much fan service. Tom Finchley already appears nearly every time she needs a solicitor. But now we have Archer and Laura crossing over with Teddy as is necessary. Teddy is now wheelchair-bound after having a bad case of scarlet fever when he was younger. He's an artist. Art is what has sustained and driven him through his challenges in life. And now he's met Stella. He feels a drive that he can't even explain to paint her. Another scandalous thing. Models in those days were usually loved ones, mistresses, or again, women of questionable morals. 

Because of Stella's choice to dye her hair, she spends time hiding from the other guests at the house party. And, she stumbles upon a drawing room that the host has allowed Teddy to use as his personal art studio during the stay. Stella and Teddy spend much of the book here getting to know one another. And Teddy spends much of that time begging her to let him paint her. 

Favoriote quotes:

-Of all the offensive masculine qualities that ladies detested, eagerness was one of the worst.

I can attest to this one. It's so offputting. 

-"Your face is the only reason I'd consider keeping it," he said frankly. "But  I don't need to." He tapped his forefinger to his temple. "You're etched up here, more indelibly than a pencil drawing. I won't easily forget you."

The Muse of Maiden Lane was probably my second favorite in the series. It's a hard tie for second place though. I had a clear favorite of the series and a clear least favorite. Stella and Teddy were both characters that I could feel for and root for a happily ever after. They had a non-traditional courtship and journey. And sometimes I balk when characters do things intentionally against the norms, but I didn't mind it in this book. It fits the characters and the story. I loved the crossovers from Mimi Matthew's previous series. I can always appreciate fan service. The Muse of Maiden Lane gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Muse of Maiden Lane? What did you think? Let me know!

Beneath a Crescent Shadow - Review

Beneath a Crescent Shadow (The Balkan Legends, # 1)

By: A.L. Sowards

Publication: June 4, 2024 by Shadow Mountain

351 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--After an arranged marriage, Konstantin and Suzana must find a way to meet the demands of a conquering Ottoman sultan amid a torrent of setbacks and dangers much closer to their Balkan home.

The Balkans, 1373

A devastating battle claimed the lives of Konstantin's father, uncle, and most of their Serb army, leaving him to rule as a vassal of the Ottoman sultan, a role he is wholly unprepared for. Between war, famine, and a persistent band of brigands, Konstantin is nearly bankrupt. He will need to find a wealthy bride to marry if he is to have any hope of saving his lands and securing his future.

A betrothal to Suzana, the daughter of a prosperous merchant, is soon arranged, and upon meeting her, Konstantin immediately feels hope that their marriage could someday grow into love. Yet, from the moment of Konstantin and Suzana's betrothal, enemies threaten their lives, outlaws prey on their lands, and the terrors of Suzana's abusive past haunt their fragile new relationship. As this onslaught of threats closes in, the two face challenges that will test their love, their faith, and their hope to save their people and win their freedom from the heavy weight of Ottoman oppression.

I've gotten interested in historical fiction, but I've stuck to mostly one period while reading. I have watched a few TV shows that are historical fiction not in the same period. So that encouraged me to branch out and try reading about the Ottoman Empire and The Balkans as this book is set in 1373. I did struggle in the beginning with the language because there's so much I don't know or understand about what things are called. The clothes they wore. Their armor. It's an entire language on its own. I've learned much about Regency England through many many books, so I tried to give myself grace with all the new to me terms.

One thing I have no issues getting hooked into is arranged marriages or marriages of convenience. Konstantin needs to marry for money. He needs the dowry that a wife can bring to him to protect his lands and his people. Suzana doesn't necessarily need to marry, but she wants to get out of her father's household. At the same time, her relationship with her father hasn't set her up for much knowledge about how a healthy relationship should be between a husband and wife. Her father is a wealthy merchant, so providing a dowry for her isn't difficult. But Suzana has a secret that might keep away prospective husbands. 

Suzana is a timid mouse. She's not been treated well and finds it hard to trust Konstantin. Konstantin can't figure out why she is so scared of him. But they haven't even returned to Konstantin's home before Suzana is attacked. Konstantin is being attacked on all sides. Someone is out to get him. That much is obvious. 

Favorite quotes:

-...tragedy does not make happiness impossible.

-"As much as I want to, I can't take away your fear. You have to ask God if He can take it from you or help you bear it."

-Sometimes life was like that. Compromise. Balancing different wants and needs into something that would work, even if it wasn't perfect for anyone.

-"Death is not better than hardship."

-"Hope doesn't have to be practical in order to be real, in order to be just. The timing is not right, not now. Maybe not for years. But that doesn't mean we stop dreaming of it."

-"You do not have to be invincible to have my love. And you don't have to be without sin to have God's forgiveness."

-"I know what it is to be haunted by the past, but, Kostya, the past doesn't have to hold hostage your future."

I ended up really enjoying Beneath a Crescent Shadow. The Christian elements were so enjoyable. I love seeing characters that are real and that struggle. And I love it when books don't shy away from the hard questions or the difficult subjects. Sometimes we just don't have all the answers. Beneath a Crescent Shadow was so much better than I was expecting it to be. I loved the characters, main and secondary. And I can't wait to see what happens with Ivan's story next. Beneath a Crescent Shadow gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read Beneath a Crescent Shadow? What did you think? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review - Once Upon a Broken Heart

Once Upon a Broken Heart (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 1)

By: Stephanie Garber

Publication: September 28, 2021 by Flatiron Books

408 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

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--How far would you go for happily ever after?

For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings... until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.

Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic but wicked Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.

But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game—and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after or the most exquisite tragedy...

Another book it's been a month before writing the book review for. Unfortunately, that means, I've forgotten some of the finer details. 

Evangeline is sure that her first love has been spelled into marrying her stepsister. She's so sure of this that she makes a deal with the Prince of Hearts despite knowing that his deals are often twisted and the requestor ends up regretting the deal almost always. There's a hint of a connection between Jacks and Evangeline upon meeting and their deal. The deal is that Jack will stop the wedding in exchange for 3 kisses of his choosing from Evangeline. Without spoiling things too much, he stops the wedding by turning everyone into stone. 

Evangeline immediately regrets her decision because she didn't want anyone turned to stone. Not Luc (the guy she's been in love with for a long time), not Marisol (her step-sister), and definitely not all the wedding guests either. Evangeline does what is necessary to right the wrong (I'm not going to tell you how), but that results in a good bit of time passing in her life and the characters, essentially, do their best to move on with their lives. Yet Evangeline still has to fulfill her part of the bargain. 

Since I finished this book just shy of two months before writing my review of it, I'm forgetting some of the details. I don't remember exactly how Evangeline got the invitation to go to this other kingdom in an attempt to wed their prince so that he could become king. But regardless, Evangeline realizes that her life is stuck as is and this is an opportunity, however small, for her to find love. Evangeline tries so hard to fall in love with Prince Apollo that she ignores common sense. She ignores that he's pretty much been spelled to like her the same way Luc was spelled to like Marisol. She has no history to back up any relationship or trust with Marisol. But I will say that I waffled back and forth on whether I thought Marisol was an ally or an enemy. 

I wondered based on the description if Jacks would call in the kisses for himself at strategic times, but apparently, his kiss is fatal to anyone who isn't his true love. Maybe this is backstory given through the Carvel series so people who have read it would have already known, but I haven't read it so I was unaware, and thus disappointed to find out Evangeline was supposed to kiss others, even though I still assumed that Jacks would end up being the male love interest. Evangeline has to process how she feels about Apollo, Luc, and yes Jacks so far into the story. 

The cliffhanger ending has me dying to get my hands on book 2, The Ballad of Never After, but my cheap self has to wait for that to go on sale since I have so many other books that I'm behind on reading. In the end, I feel like Once Upon a Broken Heart deserves 4 Stars. It was a solid start to a series that I'm looking forward to finding out more about. Jacks was probably my favorite part of the story. Have you read Once Upon a Broken Heart? If so, what do you think? Let me know!

*Sorry for the scattered review. That tends to happen when I get backed up on book reviews.

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

All Things Halloween Review - Knight of the Goddess - Review

Knight of the Goddess (Blood of a Fae, # 4)

By: Briar Boleyn

Publication: March 31, 2024 by Starwater Press

410 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--The fourth and final book in the bestselling Blood of a Fae series…

“I see forever with you by my side. Because long after these scars have faded away to nothing, I'll still be standing beside you. You and I? We're eternal.”

Beware the dread curse of Three…

In the aftermath of the war between Pendrath and its neighbors, peace has finally come to Camelot. But for Morgan Le Fay and her friends, the calm is short-lived. A storm grows on the horizon. As a terrible evil that has been waiting hundreds of years begins to sweep through the land, Morgan and Draven must race to the aid of their allies, leaving their youngest and most vulnerable new family member in the care of trusted friends.

The sword, the spear, the grail’s mystery…

As the tide of war takes them across kingdoms and into greater peril, Morgan and Draven embark on a quest to destroy the three objects of untold power–the grail, the sword, and the spear. Together, the pair will find answers to questions lost in the mists of time. Answers to questions so terrible, they never even thought to ask.

Blood calls to blood, the dark shall rise,

Forged by the gods under sacred skies.

For the love between these bonded mates is not just an everlasting one forged in blood.

You might even call it divine.

I said in my review of Empress of Fae that so much felt wrapped up to me with the storyline of the overall series. Of course, Morgan still needs to deal with her father. Like many other fantasy series, the evil villain has increased in might and severity with each book. And maybe that was the problem. Morgan's brother was built up as the big bad for most of the series, and he was dealt with in book 3, now we have to deal with Morgan's father. And he's an even bigger big bad than her brother was. Actually, her brother was nothing compared to her father. Sometimes series that follow this path can be frustrating. 

Knight of the Goddess starts off with a battle with Morgan's blood siblings that seems like all hope is lost. Automatically losing a battle with no hope of winning mixed with feeling a sense of completion after the previous book left me struggling to feel invested in Knight of the Goddess. And I kept putting it down in favor of reading other things. But of course, there must be hope. There's no point in a book with zero hope. Once things began to turn around, I was finally invested enough to want to finish this book.

-But an Ursidaur mates for a purpose, and when that purpose is over, they are solitary once more. We prefer it that way.”

How exactly does mating work with a they/them non-binary bear creature?

The inclusion of Morgan's niece narrating, Medra, was okay. I had a feeling where it was all leading to in the end. She's a confused kid who grew up way too quickly with the people she needed most not able to be close by her. But if they'd been there, the outcome likely wouldn't have gone as it did.

-"You should hate me." "But I don't," she snapped. "Stop trying to make me. It won't work." I looked away. "It worked with everyone else." "Is that what you think? That you succeeded?" I wouldn't face her. "They left, didn't they?" "Your aunt? Draven? They left to save you, Medra. Not because they didn't care."

-"You don't have to consider me your family," Odessa said quietly. If she was hurt, I couldn't tell. "I can still consider you mine."

One of the biggest pet peeves that I had with Knight of the Goddess was the transformations that Morgan goes through without the reader being aware of it. She's keeping some secrets from Draven, so we know there's something up. But it felt so jarring. I can't discuss it in detail because it would be spoilers, but who Morgan ends up being, and her relation to her father and sisters were confusing, didn't feel like it was planned out the entire series but felt like it was a convenient direction to conclude what had come to be a mess. Pull in the entire system of gods in this world and it just didn't add up to me the way it was supposed to. 

-I prayed that they would suffer no further losses along the way to Camelot.

Prayed to who? Morgan didn't believe in or respect the gods in this world. And yet not greater beings were ever offered as a true God. 

Ultimately, I found that I was a little disappointed with Knight of the Goddess. I would have been completely fine if the series had stopped after book 3. The entire book felt a little forced to me. I still liked the main characters, Draven and Morgan. But the rest of the cast of characters checked too many diversity boxes to be real. As a matter of fact, more of the secondary characters fall into the LGBT boxes than not. And I don't like to feel like plot, characters, religion, politics, or anything is being forced upon me as a reader. In the end, Knight of the Goddess gets 3.5 Stars. Not terrible, but not great either. Have you read Knight of the Goddess? 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.

All Things Halloween Review - The Courting of Bristol Keats

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

By: Mary E Pearson

Expected Publication: November 12, 2024 by Flatiron Books

560 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae

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

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

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

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

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

Brittany Pressley has one of those voices that sounds like every audiobook narrator--familiar and smooth. I don't speak French but her French sounded immaculate to me. She has enough voice deviation to tell different characters but not as much as someone like Lorelai King. 

Bristol and her family have always been on the run, traveling from city to city. She and her sisters always knew her parents were keeping secrets from them. But they finally settled in one place after the youngest, Harper, begged them not to leave. However, everything began to fall apart. First, their mother leaves them and then dies. Then their father also dies in a car accident. Bristol isn't the oldest, but somehow she stepped up to take on the burden of providing and leading the other sisters. Now, a mysterious financial offer from an aunt the sisters have never heard of changes everything. When Bristol learns that her father might not be dead after all, she has to take the chance and try to find him.

Tyghan and his crew of fae have information about Bristol and her family that she and her sisters don't have. But they need Bristol's help to close a portal before the choosing ceremony. They're not even sure if she can do it. She shows no sign of magic. But if they share the information with her she'll never help them. What Tyghan didn't count on was coming to care for Bristol. 

Bristol is so sick and tired of being lied to. Her parents lied to her and her siblings all her life. Many people in Bowskeep turn out to be fae. A guy she was hooking up with ghosts her. The secrets of her parents have slowly been trickling out since she met her mysterious aunt, but the biggest secrets are still hidden from her. And much more. So it was obvious to the reader (listener) that when she finds out what her parents and Tyghan have been keeping from her she would feel betrayed. But I couldn't stop myself from barreling forward hoping every minute to get to the big reveal.

Tyghan has been betrayed by his best friend who was as close as a brother. And he isn't over it either. Every decision is viewed through the lens of potential betrayal. Understandably, he keeps information from Bristol. At first, he doesn't know her well enough to trust her. But even when he does...

I don't have any quotes to share with you since I was listening to the audiobook. But I'm sure I would have highlighted quite a bit if I'd been reading a Kindle version.

The Courting of Bristol Keats was better than I was expecting it to be. I shouldn't have been surprised as I've enjoyed Mary E Pearson before. The Courting of Bristol Keats easily gets 4.5 Stars. I absolutely can not wait until I get my hands on book 2. Have you read (or listened to) The Courting of Bristol Keats ? What did you think? Let me know.

P.S. From what I remember there was minimal language (including a few f-bombs) and two on-page scenes although not terribly descriptive. 

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

All Things Halloween Review - Empress of Fae

Empress of Fae (Blood of a Fae, # 3)

By: Briar Boleyn

Publication: October 25, 2023 by Starwater Press

407 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Divided by Oceans but Eternally Bonded

Morgan Pendragon has another name now: Morgan Le Fay. As her true heritage slowly emerges from the mists of the past, Morgan renounces one possible future as the new ruler of the fierce Siabra fae and the wife of the Prince of Claws and vanishes through a portal–returning to Camelot and the Rose Court where her friends and younger brother lie in mortal peril from Arthur's cruel wiles.

But back in the Court of Claws, Kairos Draven won't allow his beloved to disappear from his life so easily. His bond with Morgan goes beyond blood, love, life, and even time itself and neither one of them can relinquish its power or its pull.

Yet Morgan is no ordinary woman. Not only is she beginning to manifest remarkable abilities, but the powers of the gods themselves run through her veins, bestowing her with an unimaginable power and an unthinkable claim over all of Aercanum and beyond...

A claim which some will stop at nothing to put a halt to.

Morgan learns of the bond with Draven and decides to go drastic. She returns to Camelot via a portal which she in turn destroys. She always intended to return so that she could protect her younger brother. And now that she's back she is going to do whatever it takes to set things right in Pendrath. 

Draven isn't going to stand by and do nothing. Just because Morgan left doesn't mean he's going to sit back and wait for her to return. Draven puts someone else in charge while he and Morgan are gone, and he brings as much of an army as he can to Pendrath. 

While Morgan and Draven are separated, they find that they can meet in their dreams as long as both are asleep at the same time. This allows them to repair their relationship and plan and keep the other informed as much as possible.

There are a few twists that I didn't see coming. Nothing particularly blew me away though. Morgan can't hide her fae side anymore. She doesn't know how to glamor herself, and she doesn't have time to contact someone who can create a glamor for her. But that still doesn't mean others know how powerful she has become now that she isn't taking the tonic she used to take. They are also unaware she's acquired some extra titles and alliances since she left. She has to play the character that she used to be as much as possible.

Obviously, this book is largely set up for the big bad of Morgan's biological father, the faerie king. But it felt like enough of a wrap-up that I am struggling to move on to book 4, Knight of the Goddess. 

Favorite quotes:

-"Shattered or whole. Kneeling or standing. I'll get to her, and I won't ever leave. This time, I'll make her understand what we are, together."

-Bargaining with a devil may grant one many things, but peace was never one of them.

-"You redeemed my life with your own, but you could never take my heart. Love...love must be freely given."

Empress of Fae was a good book. I read quickly and didn't want to put it down when I had to. I liked the growth and development between Morgan and Draven. Some twists caught me by surprise but not too much. In the end, I felt settled enough with things that I struggled to get into the final book, Knight of the Goddess. Empress of Fae gets 4 Stars. Have you read Empress of Fae? 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.

All Things Halloween Review - Vows and Ruins

Vows & Ruins (The Legends of Thezmarr, # ) 2

By: Helen Scheuerer

Publication: September 21, 2023 by Alchemy

536 Pages

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy

Source: Personal Library (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--Against all odds, Althea Zoltaire emerged from her trials as a champion. Now, she must train even harder and prepare herself to become a true warrior of Thezmarr.

But Thea’s world is turned upside down as she struggles to navigate her newfound magic and uncover the secrets of her past. Slowly, she begins to untangle the truth about her family, her powers and the evil that threatens to engulf the kingdom.

When Wilder Hawthorne returns to be her official mentor, everything changes. Dark forces are gathering, and he will stop at nothing to prepare her for the challenges to come, even if it means breaking her.

As war looms and their quest for answers leads master and apprentice deeper into danger, the undeniable connection between them intensifies – defying all odds, but also threatening to tear them apart.

With secrets unravelling and evil closing in, Thea and Wilder fight to save the world, and each other. The fate of the realms rests in their hands – will they emerge victorious, or will the darkness consume them both?

Full of action, adventure and steamy romance, Vows & Ruins is the second book in the spellbinding epic romantic fantasy series, The Legends of Thezmarr and is perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom, From Blood and Ash and The Witcher.

Whew guys! I don't even know what I'm going to say about this one.

I got Blood & Steel on audiobook for review and really enjoyed it. It ended with a little bit of a cliffhanger. But I knew I had to wait a while for the audiobook to release for Vows and Ruins or I would probably get the print version. Well surprise me, but not much time went by when nearly the entire series was released in print and the audiobook version for book 2 was released as well. When my birthday came up, I snagged the audiobook version as it wasn't that expensive at the time. Mollie Stark & Sebastian Grove narrate the same as Blood and Steel; they do an outstanding job. (*Side note: I often wonder what male audiobook narrators think of the books they're narrating.)

Vows and Ruins picks up with Thea training to be a Warrior of Thezmarr. But Wilder is MIA. She's still training, but she is angry. And she isn't taking good care of herself. She's recently discovered a significant piece of information about herself, and she isn't coping very well with the stress of it all. Wilder shows up just in time to help her get back into a more balanced headspace of self-care and training. He decides that they need to take their training on the road because that is where all Legends learn most of their training.

Wilder and Thea do this dance back and forth between trying to maintain a professional relationship and getting it on. They do good, and then they cave. The back and forth was a little much for me. But what was really much for me was the frequency and description they ended up together. If readers were missing this action from the previous book, Vow and Ruins ought to have made up for it. For my personal reading level, the on-page sex was a bit excessive. This was probably made worse for me by having the audio version where skimming ahead isn't as easy as the print version. Also, there was something about hearing these scenes out loud instead of reading or skimming them that gave me second-hand embarrassment. 

As far as plot goes, Vows and Ruins had multiple plot twists. One plot twist was pretty obvious. And I think Helen Scheuerer was pulling a sleight-of-hand trick where she was keeping our attention on this flashy, in-your-face, twist all while sneaking a major blindside from behind our backs. Maybe other readers/listeners caught this plot twist, but I missed it. And I felt the emotions all the more because of it. 

Vows and Ruins was really good. I wanted to keep listening until I finished it. I got a good bit of crocheting done during this one, and of course, dishes washed and meals cooked, as well. Wilder and Thea were a bit of a roller coaster. Their back and forth was a bit much at times. The on-page sexual scenes exceeded my preferences, but it's the plot that keeps me coming back for more. Yet again, we have a pretty major (even bigger than before) cliffhanger at the end of this book. I will be continuing this series to find out what happens next. Vows and Ruins gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) Vows and Ruins? 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.

All Things Halloween Review - The Kingdom Cold

Kingdom Cold (Kingdom Cold, # 1)

By: Brittni Chenelle

Publication: January 25, 2021 by Brittni Chenelle

276 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Attempted murder , that's how sixteen-year-old Princess Charlotte's engagement starts.

It seems like the only thing she has in common with Prince Young of Vires is their mutual discontent.

When her kingdom's attacked, Charlotte's parents renegotiate her hand in marriage to a handsome stranger with a sinister plan. With the people Charlotte loves dying around her, and her kingdom's future at stake, the only person she can turn to is the prince she betrayed. But, should she save her kingdom or her heart? One must fall. Diverse Fantasy, YA Fantasy Romance, Enemies-To-Lovers, Multi-POV

BRITTNI CHENELLE is a USA Today Bestselling Author who specializes in angsty multicultural fantasy romances. She loves the enemies-to-lovers trope and her favorite genres to read and write are Young Adult Fantasy Romance, New Adult Urban Fantasy, Fairytale Retellings , Steamy Paranormal Romance, and African American Paranormal Romance with plenty of Black Girl Magic. She's very passionate about equal representation and makes a point to include characters from different backgrounds and cultures in her fantasy stories.

I listened to Kingdom Cold on audiobook through YouTube Audiobooks for free. I find that books I might find long or frustrating in print aren't as difficult for me in audio for some reason. I think a large part of this is the ability to multitask while listening to the book. I can wash the dishes, cook dinner, clean the house, fold clothes--all tasks I would have to do anyway--while listening to a book. And since I'm not using "valuable reading time" to do so I find that I don't get as annoyed if a book is slower to hook my attention or overall not one that might qualify for that coveted reading time. So I say all that to say that I think listening to this book helped me enjoy it more. There are three narrators: Lessa Lamb, Matthew H. Longoria, & Jake McAskill. These three did a good job narrating, and I appreciated being able to easily detect which character POV I was listening to.

Princess Charlotte is sixteen years old. Her parents inform her that it is time for her to marry. She thinks she's too young and wants to wait a few more years, but their country is nearing war and a political marriage will be a stabilizing factor. Charlotte begins quite selfishly. All she can think about is herself. She's not opposed to marriage, but she doesn't want to marry now. She also has never wanted to rule her country. When Prince Young arrives, she shoots an arrow at him. Thankfully, she misses, but it doesn't start things off on the right foot. It doesn't help that when she gets her first close-up she mistakes Prince Young for his older brother Prince Minseo. She showed obvious attraction to Prince Minseo in that first meeting. And I was secondhand embarrassed while listening to this scene.

Prince Young remembers meeting Charlotte previously and he was intrigued by her then--granted intrigued by her appearance alone it seemed. But at least he was somewhat hopeful going into this political marriage. I don't think he expected Charlotte to be thrilled with marrying a stranger, but he didn't expect the level of animosity or direct opposition he would receive from her. 

The kingdom of Besmium (I'm unsure about the spelling since I listened to the audiobook) was attacked on what was supposed to be Charlotte and Young's wedding day. Young helps Charlotte and her maid/friend Millie escape and that helps to tip him into the ally category. Charlotte and Young have many twists and turns to endure through this book. And I can understand if the book faces criticism due to there being too many. Characters are thought to be dead yet repeatedly aren't. Characters you think are good are actually bad, oh wait, just kidding they're still good. Characters that are supposed to be morally upright, represent faith, and believe in things bigger than themselves (like fate or God) end up being the weakest moral characters in the book. I think Emmett was supposed to be a narcissist. And if so, I thought that was decently done even though he is a despicable character. There's betrayal from those who are loved most. There are political alliances some gone wrong, and others not. This book just tried to squeeze a little too much in. Mostly, I see these things in hindsight, in the analysis of the book, and not as much while I was listening to it.

At this point, I do think I'll check out book 2 on audio as well. If I were reading this in print I probably wouldn't dedicate the time to finishing the series. But audiobooks are not as serious for me as print versions. I think Prince Young was the best thing about this book, and I did enjoy Charlotte's transformation from spoiled princess to well...I'll leave that for you to find out if you decide to read (or listen to) this book. Have you read (or listened to) Kingdom Cold? I'm giving it 3.5 Stars. 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.

Homeschool Friday - Julia Rothman's Farm Anatomy Activity Book

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.

Julia Rothman's Farm Anatomy Activity Book

By: Julia Rothman

Expected Publication: September 24, 2024 by Storey Publishing, LLC

64 pages

Genre: Match-ups, Word Puzzles, Quizzes, Mazes, Projects, Secret Codes

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--Julia Rothman, bestselling author and illustrator of Farm Anatomy, presents a companion activity book for kids aged 8 and up, with pages of creative learning activities, including matching challenges, mazes, ID and drawing exercises, word puzzles, and observational challenges.

The author invites you to try your hand at identifying, drawing, and learning the parts and pieces of life on a farm. Loaded with Rothman's original illustrations, this interactive format features fun challenges on every page, including labeling the parts of a rabbit, buzzing though a pollinator's maze, figuring out a secret farm code, identifying tools and equipment, and learning to draw a sheep and a horse. Rothman's lively collection of on-the-page quizzes, puzzles, and activities will intrigue and entertain you, whether you live on a farm or not.

I'm having a hard time figuring out how to review this book. The art work and illustrations are beautiful. The activities look fun, engaging, and informative for children. Yet, I couldn't actually get my kids to look at it or try any of the activities out as I received a digital version of this book, and printing wasn't allowed for understandable reasons.

Julia Rothman's Farm Anatomy Activity Book has a mixture of learning, activities, games, riddles, drawing, puzzles, etc. If you have a child interested in farming, gardening, or farm animals, or if you're doing a unit study in your homeschool on farming, this book would be a great resource. I don't know how this might work for you if you have multiple kids. I guess you would need to purchase a copy per child--no different than purchasing a coloring book or activity book per kid for something else. If a digital version is available where you can print off multiple copies of the activities you need per how many children you have, you'd still run into instances where an entire page has a colored background which is beautiful to look at but is costly to print at home. This book is one of the few instances where having a physical review book would have been helpful to see what the real size and layout would have been like to review this properly.

Julia Rothman's Farm Anatomy Activity Book gets 4 Stars. I couldn't try out any of the activities or worksheets with my kids because I couldn't print them, but I can easily see how this would be a great resource. Have you read or used Julia Rothman's Farm Anatomy Activity Book? What did you think? Let me know!

To Charm a Lady - Review

To Charm a Lady (The Cartwells, # 2)

By: Joanna Barker

Publication: June 6, 2024 by Rose Petal Press

294 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance, Regency

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--Cora Atherton wants nothing more than to finally fall in love—real love, not the unrequited sort. When she is invited to attend a house party without her disapproving, overbearing mother, Cora leaps at the chance, desperate to make a match of her own. That is, until she finds that Oliver Cartwell is also attending the party. Oliver, the boy she has loved since she was a girl and the man she is determined to forget.

A house party in the country is just what Oliver needs to distract himself from the shadows of his past. When he discovers that Cora, his sister’s best friend, is in need of a little matchmaking, he resolves to help her in her search for a husband. He quickly learns that no man is good enough for her, least of all himself. Why, then, does he find himself fighting his attraction to gentle, beautiful Cora at every step?

As the two draw closer together, Cora is forced to confront the feelings that have tortured her for years. With her future on the line and a deadline fast approaching, can she trust that flirtatious Oliver has changed for the better—or will he leave her heart in pieces once again?

Cora and Oliver's story was setup in A Game of Hearts. Oliver was in a flirtatious relationship with Cora and Marigold's friend, Sylvia, until she chose not to support Marigold when her reputation suffered a small blow before she and Tristan got engaged. Sylvia never did choose to reconcile with Marigold. Thus Oliver and Cora both cut ties with her. Oliver has been a party boy, not taking life or his responsibilities too seriously. 

Cora has loved Oliver since she was about ten. But her mother is overbearing and refuses to say anything nice about Oliver. She doesn't view him as a serious young man and assumes he will make a terrible husband no matter who he marries. When Cora's mother injures her leg and cannot attend a house party as Cora's chaperone, Cora jumps at the chance for Lady Englefield to play chaperone for her. Cora wants so badly to find love from without the heavy burden of her mother's disapproval. 

I think what I liked most about this book was that there were few truly awful characters. Of course, there's Oliver's friend and the married lady continually hitting on Oliver, but other than that, all of the other characters just felt normal and human and mostly "good". Oliver's parents, although loving, still said something hurtful that he overheard, and has affected him deeply. Cora unintentionally leads on Lord Stanton. Lord Stanton and Oliver have a history from their school days, but even now, he seems to have matured and doesn't take offense to plenty of things he could have. Oliver has made poor choices in his youth but finally sees his need to change. Lady Englefield wasn't as attentive of a chaperone as she should have been, but her overall goodness shines through. Cora's mother is only tainted by her own experiences and hurts and mostly wants her daughter not to be hurt by an irresponsible rake. I could go on, but I think I've made my point. The characters were not perfect, but you could see goodness shining through most of the time.

The only quote I highlighted:

-"You are too easily deceived, Cora," Mother said. "You know so little of this world, of what people can truly be like." "Perhaps," I said. "But I do not think I will ever regret being generous with my good opinion. I would much rather be kind than indifferent."

I barely touched on Cora and Oliver's relationship or their journey to each other. I haven't even touched on what each must overcome. But I will tell you that it was worth the journey. It was enjoyable every step of the way. Most of us can relate to having unrequited feelings for someone else at some point. And that makes this story one that anyone can relate to. To Charm a Lady gets 4 Stars. I can't wait to see who gets a story next. Have you read To Charm a Lady? What did you think? Let me know!

A Bad Day for Sunshine - Review & Giveaway

A Bad Day for Sunshine (Sunshine Vicram, # 1)

By: Darynda Jones

Expected Publication: April 7th 2020 by St. Martin's Press

400 pages

Genre: Adult, Mystery

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones is back with the brand-new snarky, sassy, wickedly fun Sunshine Vicram series!

Sheriff Sunshine Vicram finds her cup o’ joe more than half full when the small village of Del Sol, New Mexico, becomes the center of national attention for a kidnapper on the loose.

Del Sol, New Mexico is known for three things: its fry-an-egg-on-the-cement summers, its strong cups of coffee—and a nationwide manhunt? Del Sol native Sunshine Vicram has returned to town as the elected sheriff--an election her adorably meddlesome parents entered her in--and she expects her biggest crime wave to involve an elderly flasher named Doug. But a teenage girl is missing, a kidnapper is on the loose, and all of it's reminding Sunny why she left Del Sol in the first place. Add to that trouble at her daughter’s new school and a kidnapped prized rooster named Puff Daddy, and Sunshine has her hands full.

Enter sexy almost-old-flame Levi Ravinder and a hunky US Marshall, both elevens on a scale of one to blazing inferno, and the normally savvy sheriff is quickly in over her head. Now it’s up to Sunshine to juggle a few good hunky men, a not-so-nice kidnapping miscreant, and Doug the ever-pesky flasher. And they said coming home would be drama-free.

I was worried how much I would enjoy the Sunshine Vicram series because chances were slim that it could live up to how much I enjoyed the Charley Davidson series. But you guys, Darynda Jones started the Sunshine Vicram series off with a bang. Darynda Jones has written these characters and this story in a similar enough way to the Charley Davidson series to follow it's success yet distinct enough to be able to stand on its own.

I need to spend a little time breaking down the similarities and differences between these two series so far and then I'll circle back to some general thoughts about this book alone.

Sunshine has snark and wit but in a different way than Charley. She's a sheriff, so she's in law enforcement and solves crimes, which is similar to Charley. But Charley wasn't limited to the red tape as a PI. And she also had that advantage of being able to see and talk to the dead to help her. Sunshine simply has to follow the evidence.

Auri is similar to Amber. She's a little older. And she's more involved. She's a problem solver and almost seems like she can't help discovering secrets and putting pieces together that others would keep from her. At times, I liked Auri's story and pieces better than Sunshine's. (But not always.) And unlike Amber, Auri is also a narrator whereas we only had Charley's POV in the other series.

Quincy would be Sunshine's Cookie. Best friend extraordinaire. Partner in crime-solving. Unlike Cookie and Charley, Sunshine and Quincy go back to elementary school. Quincy also envelopes some Garrett-like qualities. I pretty much loved everything about him.

Levi would be the equivalent of Reyes in this story. Reyes started out not only in prison but also in a coma. Levi is very much awake, moving around, and involved in this installment, but the reader isn't supposed to feel 100% sure where he stands. Is he good or bad? Savior or attacker? Very similar to the Reyes set up, but his character is still different even if there are many similarities.

And again, similar to the Charley Davidson series Sunshine has multiple mysteries to solve within one book. Some take a bigger role than others. Some are only hinted at in an attempt to set up for the future of the series. And her multitasking was on point with Charley's.

And now that I've utterly compared the two series, I have to say that my desire for a Beep spin-off is so strong that I was trying my hardest to twist this series into that. I was searching each clue, in the beginning, to find out if this would end up being just that or if the two series would cross at any point. And I'm happy to report that there was definitely a nod to Charley at one point which means that the two series potentially exist within the same world. And if this is true, then I NEED Charley to make a cameo at some point within the future books of this series.

Now other bits...

Sunshine has an intense history and I feel like we were exposed to a good portion of it within this first book. I feel like I know her quite well already which says a lot about Darynda Jones' writing skills. Past, present, and future potential were all addressed. I'm so excited about the potential of the books in this series. (Does anyone know how many there will be?)

Auri and Cruz filled the biggest romantic relationship of this book even though there's both history and future potential with Sunshine and Levi. I just love Cruz (maybe more than sweet Quinton of Charley Davidson). He can handle himself. He doesn't scare easily or flinch at the things going on in Auri's life. At times, Auri was a bit much for me both in her emotions and in her involvement in the actual case that Sunshine was working. However, I'm stretching to complain about this.

My one legit complaint is that at times the information was coming at me too quickly that I felt like information was missing or not spelled out enough. I had moments (multiple but each quickly resolved) where I thought "wait, what just happened?" Or "did I skip a page?" Maybe I was so caught up in what was happening that I misread but when I re-read each time I didn't miss anything, I just had to keep reading and put the context clues together. The narration switch was also something that I kept having to back up and figure out if we'd swapped narrators because the switch wasn't always obvious. Granted, maybe this is on purpose since the narration does merge in one small part.

Ultimately, I absolutely loved the first installment of the Sunshine Vicram series. Because of my history reading Darynda Jones'other work, I feel confident in the excitement for the upcoming books, whereas someone who might be new to Darynda Jones might need more (future books in the series) to be able to feel the same level of excitement. Either way, I'm dying for the next book, and I am so thankful that I was able to binge the Charley Davidson series. I hope this series will be longer than 3 books but not quite 13 books long. Darynda Jones took all of the successful parts of the Charley Davidson series and used them in a similar but different enough way to feel like a unique entity as it should. A Bad Day for Sunshine gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read A Bad Day for Sunshine? What did you think? Let me know!

I actually won a copy of A Bad Day for Sunshine from Goodreads at the same time I received my approval for my review request. I will be giving away the paperback copy that Goodreads sent me. Just enter the giveaway form below to participate.

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The Radius of Us - Review

The Radius of Us

By: Marie Marquardt

Expected Publication: January 17th 2017 by St. Martin's Griffin

304 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--What happens when you fall in love with someone everyone seems determined to fear?

Ninety seconds can change a life — not just daily routine, but who you are as a person. Gretchen Asher knows this, because that’s how long a stranger held her body to the ground. When a car sped toward them and Gretchen’s attacker told her to run, she recognized a surprising terror in his eyes. And now she doesn’t even recognize herself.

Ninety seconds can change a life — not just the place you live, but the person others think you are. Phoenix Flores-Flores knows this, because months after setting off toward the U.S. / Mexico border in search of safety for his brother, he finally walked out of detention. But Phoenix didn’t just trade a perilous barrio in El Salvador for a leafy suburb in Atlanta. He became that person — the one his new neighbors crossed the street to avoid.

Ninety seconds can change a life — so how will the ninety seconds of Gretchen and Phoenix’s first encounter change theirs?

Told in alternating first person points of view, The Radius of Us is a story of love, sacrifice, and the journey from victim to survivor. It offers an intimate glimpse into the causes and devastating impact of Latino gang violence, both in the U.S. and in Central America, and explores the risks that victims take when they try to start over. Most importantly, Marie Marquardt's The Radius of Us shows how people struggling to overcome trauma can find healing in love.

I was drawn to The Radius of Us because of how much I enjoyed Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles. These two books both deal with Latino gang violence, and I guess that's what initially drew me in. One of the things I found so interesting about Perfect Chemistry was how Simone Elkeles incorporated the realities of being in a gang with a character that you just couldn't bring yourself to hate like you would expect. And that's essentially what I expected to find and enjoy with The Radius of Us. But the problem with having a book that I enjoyed so much that touches on a similar subject is that I was a little let down at first that The Radius of Us wasn't Perfect Chemistry. That, combined with some misconceptions I had from reading the book description wrong (Phoenix was not Gretchen's attacker), had me feeling disappointed at the beginning of The Radius of Us. However, I came to appreciate The Radius of Us as a completely separate entity as Perfect Chemistry which is only fair since the two books aren't really connected beyond involving a Latino gang. Once I got past this, I was able to open up and enjoy The Radius of Us.

The Radius of Us isn't Marie Marquardt's debut novel, but based on the writing, I assumed that it was. On the one hand, I became entranced with the story, and I was determined to keep reading until I got to the end. However, I had a few complaints. In the first part of the novel, I felt like there was a bit too much description. There was a small inconsistency where Gretchen states that "Adam gets it. He understands that, these days, I can't even think about another body against mine." and then later "Adam is so completely out of touch with my reality that I feel like crying." This wasn't a huge issue, but it pulled me out of the story and left me furrowing my eyebrows. Also, Phoenix references soccer a couple of times and football once, but soccer is futbol in El Salvador. Again, this is something that perhaps Phoenix knows the difference between "soccer" and "football" for Americans since he's worked closely with missionaries in the past, but one would assume he'd use his native references to such. It's not inconceivable, but the references made me stop and think rather than being able to just continue reading.

However, my favorite quote from The Radius of Us is:

-"My American Dream's way more simple than that. I just wanna be able to go for a walk in the woods alone--get on one of those little trails in the forest and walk for hours. That would be so awesome. Or maybe head over to a friend's place after dinner to watch a football match on TV, and not have to look behind my back every five seconds, not to have to worry about whether I'll make it home alive."

The Radius of Us was one of those books that just rang so clearly of truth. Obviously, Marie Marquardt got inspiration for this story and these characters from real life. Somethings just can't be made up, and somehow the truth of The Radius of Us (specifically the events of Phoenix's life) came right off the pages. And after reading the acknowledgements, I feel this is definitely the case. It breaks your heart that people experience events in their lives like Gretchen and Phoenix experienced, but that is the world we live in.

Marie Marquardt touches on many aspects of loss and trauma. The physical effects of being assaulted. The psychological consequences of witnessing torture and death. The aftermath in our relationships when someone we love (or we ourselves) experience life changing events. She did a wonderful job touching on so many pieces of this puzzle.

The Radius of Us was better than I expected while also not being perfect. I wanted to know more and to keep reading. I actually read The Radius of Us very quickly. Yet, I felt like Marie Marquardt's writing could have used a bit more polishing. It wasn't bad at all, but a few more tweaks would have made reading this flawless for me. I was invested in the characters, their story, and if/how things would work out in the end. The Radius of Us gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read The Radius of Us? Let me know!

Like a River Glorious - Review

Like a River Glorious (The Gold Seer Trilogy, # 2)

By: Rae Carson

Published: September 27th 2016 by Greenwillow

432 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--After a harrowing journey across the country, Leah Westfall and her friends have finally arrived in California and are ready to make their fortunes in the Gold Rush. Lee has a special advantage over the other new arrivals in California—she has the ability to sense gold, a secret known only by her handsome best friend Jefferson and her murdering uncle Hiram.

Lee and her friends have the chance to be the most prosperous settlers in California, but Hiram hasn’t given up trying to control Lee and her power. Sabotage and kidnapping are the least of what he’ll do to make sure Lee is his own. His mine is the deepest and darkest in the territory, and there Lee learns the full extent of her magical gift, the worst of her uncle, and the true strength of her friendships. To save everyone, she vows to destroy her uncle and the empire he is building—even at the cost of her own freedom.

The second epic historical fantasy in the Gold Seer trilogy by Rae Carson, the acclaimed author of The Girl of Fire and Thorns.

I put off reading Like a River Glorious because even though I enjoyed Walk on Earth a Stranger, I found it to be slow, and slow is the last thing I want to read when I have very limited time to read. I knew I wanted to continue the series, but I just dreaded picking up a book that was going to bog me down. Also, since reading the first five books of the Throne of Glass series, I was a bit fantasied out and really craved to read some contemporary. However, I finally picked up Like a River Glorious and unfortunately it was slow--at least in the beginning. I believe I was right at 50% finished before I really felt invested in the events and that the plot was picking up speed and intensity. And I feel like I need to say up front that most of what I have to mention in my review surrounds things I took issue with which means this review might sound more negative than I really felt.

Leah and company finally find a good place to settle in California that's rich with gold due to Leah's witchy gold sense (her words). But word travels fast that Leah's friends and family are making money and becoming prosperous. So it doesn't take long for Leah's Uncle Hiram to find her and as the description says, he won't stop at much to get Leah under his control so he can use her gold finding skills to make himself rich.

One of the downfalls of Walk on Earth a Stranger for me was the amount of characters mentioned. The group in the wagon train was just too vast for me to feel a connection to many of the characters (Leah, Jefferson, Major, and Becky aside). Even though we've lost many of the original characters along the way, Like a River Glorious still began with too many characters that I found myself emotionally unattached to. That means that certain events take place that should have had me feeling something, but I just didn't. The newer characters we meet in Like a River Glorious (Wilhelm and Mary, even Muskrat) were more likable for me and perhaps because of the amount of page time they each get, I was able to connect to each better than many of the original characters from the series.

Normally my favorite part of a book is the romance. And truth be told, the potential of a relationship blossoming between Leah and Jefferson was one of the biggest pros for my desire to continue the series after Walk on Earth a Stranger. But I really struggled with Leah's aversion to marriage. I can see today's women feeling the same way that Leah does. Men (one man in particular) have stripped her of everything she holds dear in life, but I found her thought process to be a struggle.

I also felt torn on the language of Like a River Glorious. Rae Carson did a great job of making the dialect feel appropriate for the time period. I'm sure she studied that and made her choices on purpose. I appreciate the authenticity this lends to the book. However, I also felt like there were a few too many "for sure and certain" phrases used.

Favorite quotes:

-Gold comes hard but goes easy, Mama always said.

-"I'm going to change your mind about marriage, Leah Elizabeth Westfall. Just you wait."

-"Trouble doesn't need our help to make itself."

-Frank never thought up a dumb joke he didn't want to say at least twice.

-Everyone has a breaking point. You think you can endure anything, you can take just one more day, and then suddenly you can't.

Totally not a fault of Rae Carson or her writing, but Historical Fiction is often hit or miss for me. There are certain time periods that I seem to enjoy reading about and some that I don't. I've never read any other books that take place during the gold rush, but I don't think this is one of those time periods that I'm really excited to read about. This is just a personal preference I've come to realize about myself.

Again, I'm sure this review comes off a bit more negatively than I intend, but that's just because the issues that I do have with Like a River Glorious were so obvious to me. I found myself more attached to the characters of Like a River Glorious than I did with Walk on Earth a Stranger. And even though I did have some issues, I'm definitely intrigued to see how the trilogy is going to end. Like a River Glorious gets 3.5 Stars from me. Have you read Like a River Glorious? What did you think? Let me know!

An Uncommon Courtship - Review

An Uncommon Courtship (Hawthorne House, # 3)

By: Kristi Ann Hunter

Expected Publication: January 3rd 2017 by Bethany House Publishers

352 pages

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--When her mother's ill-conceived marriage trap goes awry, Lady Adelaide Bell unwittingly finds herself bound to a stranger who ignores her. Lord Trent Hawthorne, who had grand plans to marry for love, is even less pleased with the match. Can they set aside their first impressions before any chance of love is lost?

That description doesn't give you much to go on, does it? Here's what you need to know: Adelaide and Trent get literally stuck in a situation that causes them to spend the entire night together unchaperoned. As this is a potentially reputation ruining event, Trent does the honorable thing and proposes to Adelaide. Without much choice but to accept him, the two find themselves married when the book opens, but both are pretty much in shock. Trent's family is notorious for marrying for love rather than convenience or position, and he always imagined that when the time came he would do the same. But now it's done. He's married without the slightest feelings of affection toward his wife. Adelaide's parents have spent so much time and attention on their older daughter, Helena, that Adelaide was overlooked on almost every situation. She's never even had a Season in London. And now she's married without having any of the experiences of courting. Both are completely unhappy in their situation, and neither know how to fix it.

An Uncommon Courtship is told from both points of view. Adelaide is hopelessly naive and clumsy. As all of her mother's attention was spent on her older sister, Adelaide has no idea how to run a household, how to interact with her new husband, how to redecorate her new house, what is expected of her, how to be a lady...pretty much any of it. But she desperately wants to make her marriage work. Yet when Trent doesn't show up in her room on their wedding night or any night after she begins to despair that even their marriage won't even be a normal sham like so many who marry for position and convenience. She was easy to like as she tries so hard to be pleasing without having a clue how to be so.

I particularly liked that even though Adelaide wasn't in love with her husband, she still expected him to perform his husbandly physical duties. And when he didn't she found herself disappointed and relieved all at the same time. On the one hand, she doesn't want to be physical with him anymore than he appears to want to be with her, yet the rejection she feels at not even being found acceptable for this aspect of their marriage is one I appreciated. I don't particularly want to read about characters having a physical relationship just because they're expected to, yet I find it hard to believe that in the real world that wouldn't have been the case. So I accept this compromise.

Trent was slightly more of a struggle for me. Even though idealistically his desire to marry for love is commendable and should make him more likeable. Yet his actions in avoiding Adelaide and how he handles the early part of their marriage was a little frustrating. I wanted him to have a bit more fortitude I suppose. It felt like it took perhaps too much of the book for these two to even make the slightest progress in the right direction. And even closing in towards the end of the book I felt like they should have been further along.

I appreciated the many times where Trent sought out the Godly counsel of his older brother and friends. Yet I felt like it was a bit of a missed opportunity for Trent to maybe find his solutions through his own study of the Word. And because most of the Biblical parts of this book came from his friends, I can see where some readers might find those friends a bit "preachy." As a Christian myself, it didn't bother me too much though.

Favorite quotes:

-"They're lovely." Adelaide pushed the stack of cards back at him. "When you have a wife, I'm sure she'll be happy to use them."

-How was it that all of these women were more clever with words than she would ever be? She struggled just to say what she meant, never mind layering it into a conversation in such a way that it either portrayed an unsaid second meaning or unearthed answers no one was willing to ask for.

In the end, An Uncommon Courtship was a refreshing change of pace from my normal reads. Even if things progressed a bit slower than I would have liked, it didn't tamper my excitement to continue reading every chance that I had. I would definitely recommend An Uncommon Courtship to historical fiction fans, Christian fiction fans, or those looking to try out something a little different from their normal reads as well. An Uncommon Courtship easily gets 4 Stars from me. Have you read An Uncommon Courtship? What did you think? Let me know!