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!

Can't Wait for The Perfect Rom-Com

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.

The Perfect Rom-Com

By: Melissa Ferguson

Expected Publication: February 11, 2025 by Thomas Nelson

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--She's written dozens of smash hit novels as a ghostwriter. Too bad no one knows it.

Aspiring author Bryony Page attends her first writers conference bursting with optimism and ready to sell her manuscript with long-shot dreams of raising awareness for The Bridge, her grandmother's financially-struggling organization where she teaches ESL full-time. But after a disastrous pitching session, she stumbles into correcting another author's work in a last-ditch attempt to make a good impression with the agent. And she, as it turns out, is spot on.

No one is more surprised than Bryony when the agent offers her the opportunity to be a ghostwriter for Amelia Benedict, popular rom-com novelist. Bryony agrees on one she'll write books for this vain, demanding woman just as long as Jack Sterling, literary agent of the legendary Foundry Literary Agency, works to sell her own book too.

What nobody predicted, however, was that Bryony's books would turn Amelia Benedict into the Amelia Benedict, household name and bestselling author with millions of copies sold around the world.

And just like that, the Foundry Agency can't let her go.

But on a personal note, Jack is realizing he can't either.

What are you guys waiting on this week? 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!

Sunday Post - 11/17/24

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.

This was an odd week. Monday we didn't have school for Veteran's Day. I took the kids to the park for a playdate with one of Big Girl's friends we haven't seen in a while. Then we went to Burger King because it's one of the only places around here with a playplace. Tuesday, we had grocery pickup. Normally we would spend the day with my parents, but they were on vacation. Wednesday was our first normal school day of the week. Our 2nd quarter seems to be a lot of disruptions, but thankfully, I planned for most of them. Thursday our co-op didn't have classes. Husband took the day off, and we went to the Alabama Safari Park with some gift certificates that Holly gave the kids last Christmas and I'm just now getting around to using. We had a good time. Friday, Husband's work computer crashed so he unexpectedly had the day off. He's been focused on some house projects that have been put off, and I'm so happy to have these done. Saturday, we went for a walk. The kids went to Grammy's a little earlier than normal so I got a good bit of cleaning done. I'm in a fall cleaning mood to clean all the things that don't get cleaned more regularly. I've got one more week before Husband's friend comes to visit so I'm trying to get everything done before then. I have gotten a good bit of reading done this week, too.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Twisted Knight (Tangled Hearts, # 1) by K. Bromberg (3 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Variation by Rebecca Yarros
Thursday: Review of Lady Anna's Favor by Karen Tuft (3 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Biscuit Meets the Class Pet

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Muse of Maiden Lane (Belles of London, # 4) by Mimi Matthews
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Thursday: Review of The Art of Us by Julie Wright
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Ice Cream Everywhere!

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign 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!

NEW BOOKS:

Let's Call a Truce

By: Amy Buchanan

Publication: January 14, 2025 by St. Martin's Griffin

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

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--LET’S CALL A TRUCE is a sexy contemporary romance about second chances at life and love, bursting with humor and a touch of angst from debut author, Amy Buchanan.

After Juliana Ryan's husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her with two grieving kids and a stunted career from years as a stay-at-home mom, she has no choice but to make it work all on her own. But her confidence crashes around her when she overhears her condescending but infuriatingly attractive new colleague, Ben Thomas, talking about how her kids and inexperience are a liability the company can’t afford. This sets off a feud between the two, as Juliana vows to prove him wrong.

Two years later, their feud rages on, but it may be charged with something they aren't willing to admit. When they are forced onto a career-making project together, Juliana has no choice but to call a truce. As their lives become more intertwined in and out of the office, Juliana finds it hard to ignore Ben’s perpetual smile and charming determination. What started as a truce grows into more, as boardroom-clearing arguments turn to desk-clearing kisses. Could the man she deemed her nemesis understand her life–her stress and responsibilities–better than anyone?

But just when Juliana decides to open her heart again, Ben’s past threatens their newfound bliss, and she has to figure out whether this second chance at love is worth it after 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!

Homeschool Friday - Biscuit Meets the Class Pet

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.

Biscuit Meets the Class Pet

By: Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Illustrated By: Pat Schories

Publication: December 22, 2009 by HarperCollins

32 pages

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

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--For fans of Clifford and Spot, welcome everybody’s favorite little yellow puppy, Biscuit, in an I Can Read adventure! Hop, hop! There's someone new at Biscuit's house--Nibbles, the class pet, has come for a visit. Nibbles likes exploring Biscuit's home and wants to play with all of Biscuit's toys. Biscuit isn't sure if he is ready to share with Nibbles, but soon Biscuit realizes that he likes having a visitor after all! Biscuit Meets the Class Pet , a My First I Can Read book, is carefully crafted using basic language, word repetition, sight words, and sweet illustrations—which means it's perfect for shared reading with emergent readers.

I feel like I'm running out of things to say for these level 1 readers. Biscuit Meets the Class Pet carries on with the character, Biscuit, which is a dog. In this story, the little girl gets to bring her class pet, a bunny named Nibbles, home for a visit. As Nibbles explores Biscuit's home, he finds all of Biscuit's belongings. Eventually, Nibbles goes missing and Biscuit must find him. It kind of amazes me how much story can come from a 32 page book with level 1 words.

Biscuit Meets the Class Pet doesn't rhyme, which is fine by me. It does use repetitive words and phrases to build fluency. There was a section of 6 pages where the same 2 words were used in various combinations. This was a little too much repetition for me, but my son didn't seem to mind.

Biscuit Meets the Class Pet uses repetitive words to build vocabulary fluency and mastery. This was a sweet, short story that any animal loving level-1 reader will enjoy. Biscuit Meets the Class Pet gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read Biscuit Meets the Class Pet? What did you think? Let me know!