Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 02/09/20

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Finally a normal week with very little to report. We did get outside Monday and Tuesday, and those were lovely days. By Wednesday the rain was back with a vengeance, and on Thursday we had tornado watches. Thankfully there were no tornadoes near us and I was able to go to the chiropractor while Grammy stayed with the kids for a bit. I'm in a little reading slump. I'm not to the point where I'm not reading at all, but I have had a stretch of books that were just "meh" and "okay." I'd much prefer a stretch of great books. Oh well, they can't all be winners.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Promised by Leah Garriott (4.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Love's Mountain Quest (Heart of Montana, # 2) by Misty M Beller
Thursday: Review of The Winter Companion (Parish Orphans of Devon, # 4) by Mimi Matthews (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Number of Love (The Codebreakers, # 1) by Roseanna M White
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Review of On Wings of Devotion (The Codebreakers, # 2) by Roseanna M White

Don’t forget to link up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2020 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

In Five Years

By: Rebecca Serle

Expected Publication: March 10th 2020 by Atria Books

272 pages

Genre: 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--Perfect for fans of Me Before You and One Day—a striking, powerful, and moving love story following an ambitious lawyer who experiences an astonishing vision that could change her life forever.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

When Type-A Manhattan lawyer Dannie Cohan is asked this question at the most important interview of her career, she has a meticulously crafted answer at the ready. Later, after nailing her interview and accepting her boyfriend’s marriage proposal, Dannie goes to sleep knowing she is right on track to achieve her five-year plan.

But when she wakes up, she’s suddenly in a different apartment, with a different ring on her finger, and beside a very different man. The television news is on in the background, and she can just make out the scrolling date. It’s the same night—December 15—but 2025, five years in the future.

After a very intense, shocking hour, Dannie wakes again, at the brink of midnight, back in 2020. She can’t shake what has happened. It certainly felt much more than merely a dream, but she isn’t the kind of person who believes in visions. That nonsense is only charming coming from free-spirited types, like her lifelong best friend, Bella. Determined to ignore the odd experience, she files it away in the back of her mind.

That is, until four-and-a-half years later, when by chance Dannie meets the very same man from her long-ago vision.

Brimming with joy and heartbreak, In Five Years is an unforgettable love story that reminds us of the power of loyalty, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of destiny.

Four Days of You and Me

By: Miranda Kenneally

Expected Publication: May 5th 2020 by Sourcebooks Fire

352 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--A new swoon-worthy romance following a couple's love story on the same date over four years.

Every May 7, the students at Coffee County High School take a class trip. And every year, Lulu’s relationship with Alex Rouvelis gets a little more complicated. Freshman year, they went from sworn enemies to more than friends after a close encounter in an escape room. It’s been hard for Lulu to quit Alex ever since.

Through breakups, make ups, and dating other people, each year’s class trip brings the pair back together and forces them to confront their undeniable connection. From the science museum to an amusement park, from New York City to London, Lulu learns one thing is for sure: love is the biggest trip of all.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

The Winter Companion - Review

The Winter Companion (Parish Orphans of Devon, # 4)

By: Mimi Matthews

Expected Publication: February 11th 2020 by Perfectly Proper Press

? pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--A winter reunion for the orphans brings romance for Neville Cross in Book 4 of Mimi Matthews' USA Today bestselling Parish Orphans of Devon series.

She Needed to be Seen...

As a lady’s companion, Clara Hartwright never receives much attention from anyone. And that’s precisely how she likes it. With a stormy past, and an unconventional plan for her future, it’s far safer to remain invisible. But when her new employer is invited to a month-long holiday at a remote coastal abbey, Clara discovers that she may not be as invisible as she'd hoped. At least, not as far as one gentleman is concerned.

He Wanted to be Heard...

Neville Cross has always been more comfortable with animals than people. An accident in his youth has left him with a brain injury that affects his speech. Forming the words to speak to his childhood friends is difficult enough. Finding the right things to say to a lovely young lady’s companion seems downright impossible. But Miss Hartwright is no ordinary companion. In fact, there may not be anything ordinary about her at all.

During a bleak Devon winter, two sensitive souls forge an unexpected friendship. But when Clara needs him most, will Neville find the courage to face his fears? Or is saying goodbye to her the most heroic thing he can do?

I wasn't sure what direction Mimi Matthews would go in The Winter Companion. I liked Neville's character what little we see of him in the prior books of the series. I almost felt protective of him in a weird way. So I found myself nervous about his story. Yet it was just right for him.

Neville was injured in a fall and near-drowning incident when he was a child. The resulting head injury affected his speech most of all. While he could still speak, long sentences are difficult and interacting with strangers is partially flustering to him. I just loved his character so much. He's a gentle giant. Strong and large physically, but tender and caring emotionally. Every decision Mimi Matthews made in regards to him made sense to me.

*Side note: I hate that we live in a world where an author of a fictional story has to write a note at the end explaining that all people who have injuries or disabilities respond differently and apologize to some who she might have offended with the language used by the character or about the character. This just makes me sad. But I suppose I understand why she would write this note. I certainly don't fault her for it because I assume she will still end up receiving negative feedback from someone out there concerning this exact thing.

Clara is the perfect compliment to Neville. She is sweet and gentle herself. And I admire her desire to learn, her work ethic to help herself and her brother, as well as the things she's gone through. There was a point in my life when I couldn't have understood how someone could get you to question an experience you went through together, but I have experienced enough to know that this can 100% happen. And I felt for her to not feel confident in how she was reading a given situation.

Mimi Matthews doesn't always shy away from physical relationships with her characters even though she isn't exactly descriptive of physical scenes. But The Winter Companion was about as tame as they come. Yet this was totally in line with the characters and not at all a complaint on my end.

I'm excited to see more come from this world as she mentions wrapping up some loose ends with Teddy and potentially following the children of the 4 orphans in the future. At this point, I feel certain that I will check out all of Mimi Matthews's future work.

Favorite quotes:

-one’s infirmities weren’t any easier to tolerate simply because some other poor chap had it worse.

-Words only had value if they were honest and true.

The Winter Companion was a perfect wrap to this series as Neville and Clara couldn't have been more deserving of each other and this happily ever after. The Winter Companion gets 4 Stars. I can't wait to read more by Mimi Matthews. Have you read The Winter Companion? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Love's Mountain Quest

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Love's Mountain Quest (Hearts of Montana, # 2)

By: Misty M Beller

Expected Publication: June 30th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

( 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--Young widow Joanna Watson is struggling to make a new home for her five-year-old son, Samuel, in the little mountain town of Settler's Fort. When she returns home from work to find Samuel and the woman watching him missing, with no lawman in town, she enlists a man she prays has enough experience in this rugged country to help.

Isaac Bowen wants nothing more than a quiet, invisible life in these mountains, far away from the bad decisions of his past. But he has a strong suspicion of who's behind the kidnapping, and if he's right, he knows all too well the evil they're chasing.

As they press on against the elements, Joanna fights to hold on to hope, while Isaac knows a reckoning is coming. They find encouragement in the tentative trust that grows between them, but whether it can withstand the danger and coming confrontation is far from certain in this wild, unpredictable land.

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

Promised - Review

Promised

By: Leah Garriott

Expected Publication: February 18th 2020 by Shadow Mountain

368 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

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--Margaret Brinton keeps her promises, and the one she is most determined to keep is the promise to protect her heart.

Warwickshire, England, 1812

Fooled by love once before, Margaret vows never to be played the fool again. To keep her vow, she attends a notorious matchmaking party intent on securing the perfect marital match: a union of convenience to someone who could never affect her heart. She discovers a man who exceeds all her hopes in the handsome and obliging rake Mr. Northam.

There’s only one problem. His meddling cousin, Lord Williams, won’t leave Margaret alone. Condescending and high-handed, Lord Williams lectures and insults her. When she refuses to give heed to his counsel, he single-handedly ruins Margaret’s chances for making a good match—to his cousin or anyone else. With no reason to remain at the party, Margaret returns home to discover her father has promised her hand in marriage—to Lord Williams.

Under no condition will Margaret consent to marrying such an odious man. Yet as Lord Williams inserts himself into her everyday life, interrupting her family games and following her on morning walks, winning the good opinion of her siblings and proving himself intelligent and even kind, Margaret is forced to realize that Lord Williams is exactly the type of man she’d hoped to marry before she’d learned how much love hurt. When paths diverge and her time with Lord Williams ends, Margaret is faced with her ultimate choice: keep the promises that protect her or break free of them for one more chance at love. Either way, she fears her heart will lose.

Promised is absolutely everything I need in a book. I mean I'm not sure this book could have been much better for me.

I could relate to Margaret deeply. I've been burned in my past and I had to question if opening my heart again was worth it. I found her choice of men to focus on a bit confusing. I mean her previous fiance Edward had a mistress which was the cause of her breaking their engagement. So she sets her sights on someone else who will certainly have a mistress as well simply because she knows to expect it from him and therefore won't be caught off guard by his betrayal? I find that a little hard to believe. But I didn't want to question it too deeply because I was enjoying the rest of the story so much.

Margaret is honest to a fault. She rarely hides what she is feeling for the sake of decorum when she can speak plainly and ensure she is not misunderstood. Despite her frank manner, she seems to be regularly pursued by not one but at least two men who ignore her adamant refusal.

I loved how each piece of the story between Margaret and Gregory played out. From the way Margaret immediately dismisses Gregory due to her initial twinge upon meeting him. I want to mention each individual little thing that I appreciated connecting each piece of the puzzle together, but those pieces are spoilers.

I have to give Gregory props for his continued pursuit of Margaret after being repeatedly turned down in often a very harsh manner. He could, as Margaret criticized, at times be arrogant. But I didn't mind it so much.

The banter between these two was perfect. Readers who particularly enjoy hate-to-love relationships will eat Promised up. I know I did.

Promised was so good I stayed up late reading which I just don't do anymore since having kids. That's one of my top signs of showing how much I'm enjoying a book. Margaret was so easy to like and her journey is not easy. The side characters all pop off the page no matter how short of a role they may have had to play in the overall story. And the hate-to-love banter and flirting was so good. Promised gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read Promised? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 02/02/20

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

On the one hand, I can't believe it's already February. On the other hand, didn't January seem extra long this year? Finally, a normal and uneventful week. We've not done anything out of the ordinary for the most part. Tuesday I was able to take the kids for a walk, but we had to wait for the temperature to heat up that it was later in the day and we weren't able to follow it up with playing outside. Thursday, we did get to walk and play outside. As I was pushing the kids on our swing (which is hanging from a tree in our backyard), an old, dead limb fell from higher up and almost impaled my children. That was probably the most terrified I've been as a mom so far. Thankfully, neither of them were hurt. Friday night we took my Mom out to dinner for her birthday.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Colors of Truth (Carnton, # 2) by Tamera Alexander
Thursday: Review of A Convenient Fiction (Parish Orphans of Devon, # 3) by Mimi Matthews (4 Stars)
Friday: January 2020 EOM Wrap Up

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Promised by Leah Garriott
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Review of The Winter Companion (Parish Orphans of Devon, # 4) by Mimi Matthews

Don’t forget to link up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2020 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Selah (The Sugar Baron's Daughter, # 3)

By: Lisa T Bergren

Expected Publication: March 3rd 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

352 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

( 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--Selah Banning has come of age on the West Indies island of Nevis, shaped by experiences far beyond the typical upbringing of a young British lady in 1777. She never anticipated that the most tumultuous time of her life might await her in the year ahead.

Jedediah Reed, a young Methodist preacher with a call to serve the slaves of Nevis, has settled at Selah's family's plantation, the Double T. As Selah's heart is drawn to the same people, their shared purpose brings them together--despite her guardians' concern with a romance that promises little security for the future.

As Jedediah's faith and Selah's abolitionist leanings lead to changes on the plantation, the Revolutionary War continues to build in the States. With the threat of starvation and the conflict with island mogul Angus Shubert growing ever stronger, the future of the Double T and its people hangs in the balance.

The Runaway Bride (The Bride Ships, # 2)

By: Jody Hedlund

Expected Publication: March 3rd 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

384 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

( 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--Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.

Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.

As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need—a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!