The Book Date – Celebrating Books and Reading

Lavender Hill. Alissa Callen

January 29, 2026 Kathryn

Published: Harlequin Australia
Date: January 28th 2026
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

When horticulturalist Rylea Laurent lost both her brother and the boy she loved, she fled rural Tasmania and found refuge among the lavender fields of France. After nine years, her father’s poor health brings her home, but to her dismay she’s not the only one back in town.

Kane Ashford has returned to Windamere in search of answers. Despite his success as a grain trader, the past still haunts him. What really happened to his brother and best mate, Rylea’s brother, on that long-ago camping trip? As for Rylea, the girl he was forced to leave behind to protect his family secret, he’s never forgotten her either.

Determined not to fall for Kane again, Rylea tries to keep her distance. But when the two are thrown together to unravel their family tragedies, old feelings resurface – along with a new threat to Rylea’s lavender farm.

As matchmaking whispers spread and Rylea and Kane become the small town’s most watched couple, will the not-so-subtle efforts of the Windamere Gardening Girls be enough to help them risk their hearts and claim a long-overdue second chance?

Alissa Callen begins a new series with Lavender Hill. Set in rural Tasmania in Australia Alissa brings all the flora and fauna of that area. Throughout the book there are a number of wild and domesticated creatures. Some of them so cute. When Kane returns and bonds with an an animal he had to leave behind, I found myself swallowing tears.

Evidently Kane and Rylea had a thing for each other when they were younger, now they are back and they are obviously meant for each other, but Rylea is hurt at Kane’s previous unexplained leaving of Windamere. Added to that they each lost a brother to sad and unexplained circumstances. And Kane seems to shoulder burdens that just seem to make it impossible for him to form a romantic relationship.

There is a wide ranging number of characters who populate this small rural area, and so we can expect their stories to eventuate further in the series.

I found it a little slow paced and over detailed at times, however eventually things happen that lead them to solve a mystery. Plus Rylea and Kane both grow as people – Rylea becomes bolder and Kane learns to open up. I’d say that bodes well for their future.

I think those who enjoy Australian rural romance will find enough in the book to be entertained.

Top Ten Tuesday

Bookish Discoveries made in 2025

January 27, 2026 Kathryn

1. I found I quite enjoyed Elin Hildebrand with her book with her daughter, The Academy. I listened to it, and while it was a bit dramatic I enjoyed it and want to read the next one.

2. I finally read Deborah Harkness with her Discovery of Witches and I want to read on.

3. I read a debut novel by Australian author Mette Menzies – The Watervale Ladies’ Writing and Firefighting Society. Really liked it and would read whatever the pair work together on in the future.

4. I read some Cosy Fantasy which I don’t think I had read before and I enjoyed it. Thinking of TJ Klune and Evie Woods.

5. I was reacquainted with the Troubleshooters series by Suzanne Brockmann with her new book Jules Cassidy P.I. It made me want to reread the series.

6. I read Jess Kidd and her Murders at Gulls Nest. Nora Breen is the protagonist and I rather liked her investigation. A new story out in June 2026.

7. Alissa Callen is another Australian author that I read for the first time. I enjoy her small town rural romance.

8. I used Storygraph for the first time but fell by the way. I have restarted it in 2026.

9. I bought a Kobo so that I can borrow from Libby. (Kindle not able to be used for that here). Also the Kobo site has books that are sometimes cheaper for me to buy than Amazon.

10. I used Audible.au for the first time. Prices are much better for me there as we are closer to the Australian dollar. However I kept my USA Audible account as well, although I took a 3 month holiday from it which helped me catch up on books already bought there. The three month break from getting credits was useful.

#IMWAYR

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 Kathryn

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

Another Monday to take a look at our reading. I am doing well with audio but a little behind with actual books. WordPress chose to tip me up this week on posts and now I just have to use blocks and no longer the classic editor as I can only work in a window with it and it’s unsatisfactory.

I lost a post I was doing while learning it, but have since discovered while writing another post that command z would return work that suddenly deleted. Oh well now I know.

We have had rainy weather, not too bad where I live but awful conditions and loss of life further north. It seems huge rain dumps come across at this time of the year. Climate change in real terms.

What I read last week:

What I am reading now.

And listening to…

Last Week’s Posts

Reading Goals 2026

Life as Planned. Amanda Prowse. Review.

Turns of Fate. Anne Bishop. Review.

Up Next.

Not sure yet. Feel like it will be a “what do I feel like, rather than what I might plan”.

Review

Fantasy Review: Turns of Fate. Anne Bishop

January 25, 2026 Kathryn

Turns of Fate. Published by Ace 2025 (link goes to Goodreads.)
Source: Hardback copy from the library.
Pages 511

Why did I read this book?

I really liked The Others, a previous series by Anne Bishop.

The Isle of Wyrd is something totally different to The Others, yet has a somewhat similar strangeness and feel. Wyrd is weird for sure and a very odd world. The Arcana who live there are like humans but are not humans. Actual humans who visit Wyrd need to be very careful about choices and intentions and really what is in their hearts. If they have evil or bad intentions and choices they are very unlikely to fare well. Most likely to fare badly indeed. But if you are in need of care and escape from those who are evil then help is offered. This helps to balance out the horror filled events. And most likely the reason I liked the book.

Beth Fahy is a young detective who comes to live across from Wyrd and soon finds herself involved with some detective work involving the island. In fact Lucas the Arcana in charge seems to share more with her than any other detective. Soon she is far more involved in ways she could never imagine.

This is Book 1, I hope we come across Lucas, Jack Frost his brother, Beth and so many of the others as the series develops. However there are many places on Wyrd so maybe it will be set in a new place.

A few days later I was still thinking about this book and I came to the conclusion that this book fits into the Dark Fantasy slot. The humans who are punished by the Arcana have horrible and often cruel fates. There is nothing grey and no place for redemption. Yes these humans are cruel themselves, greedy or just far too addicted to curiosity. It just didn’t pay to visualise too much because of the horror filled outcomes. So I am going to label this book Dark Fantasy. It’s as dark as I want to go anyway!

Dark Fantasy.

Review

Review: Life as Planned. Amanda Prowse.

January 23, 2026 Kathryn

book cover

Published: Brilliance Audio
Date: January 6th. 2026
Narrator: Amanda Prowse
Length: 12hrs 7 min
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

For identical twins Remy and Ashleigh, everything changes with one childhood decision. A simple act of love that unwittingly alters the paths they will both walk—an act of love that will echo through decades…

As the years unfold, their lives take dramatically different courses. Ashleigh soars through a glittering London career with the perfect house and family, but beneath her success lies a gnawing her whole life is built on a lie. Meanwhile, Remy stays close to home, finding joy in simple pleasures, yet forever feeling the weight of being ‘the other twin’—the one who didn’t shine.

Both sisters long for the uncomplicated closeness they once shared, but can they find their way back to each other? And after a lifetime shaped by that single childhood choice, is it too late to become the people they were meant to be?

The story of twins – two from the same egg. For so long they were so close, until a choice that seemed to split them apart. We journey with them from about age eleven into their eighties. Every so often we jump ahead in their lives, as one thing ends and another stage begins. A single choice made when young colours their whole lives. How it all pans out would make a wonderful book club choice as all aspects are thought about and discussed.

It was so sad to see Remy and Ashleigh so close, gradually shift and change. Remy experiences a very stressful experience that will haunt her for a lot of her life, Ashleigh experiences challenges that might be a little more her fault but nevertheless have huge impact.

I liked both Remy and Ashleigh, possibly Remy a little more, her life seemed more normal and her values I liked. Yet both their stories touched my heart and I felt sad by the end, not for the end but the beauty of family and love and life and loss.

Amanda Prowse narrates the story herself and she does it so well. She brought the characters alive, and infused her story with emotion. I didn’t know how the story would end – I don’t cheat and look at the end when I am listening to a book. Suffice it to say it ended beautifully yet tinged with a very real picture of life as it is.

Top Ten Tuesday

Reading Goals 2026

January 20, 2026 Kathryn

Linking to that artsy reader girl.

Acquiring Reading Books

Limit NetGalley books to 25 requested for 2026 (I already have 11.)
New buys about 30. Print or ebook.
Reread about 30
Borrow about 25 from the library
Listen to about 60 audiobooks. Buy or library or for review.
From shelf I already own at end of 2025. 20. Either print/ebook/audiobook.

This adds to close to 200, if I go over in one area I will adjust other areas. None of the above are set in concrete.

Participation in Reading Challenges

Read NF 12 for Non Fiction Challenge at Book’d Out.
Read 12 Science Fiction/Fantasy for the Speccy Fiction Challenge at Book’d Out
Take part in Emilie Richards’ Reading Challenge on Facebook.

General

Keep up a slow read book most of the time
Take up the Hidden Legacy Series by Ilona Andrews, reread the first one and continue on.
Start a couple of new series to see if I want to continue.
Continue with series I enjoy.
Using a random generator pick out a book from my Goodreads TBR to read in that month. If it is a book not yet published, spin again.

#IMWAYR

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

January 19, 2026 Kathryn

Line break

I didn’t get too much reading done this week. One day away travelling and then one day with family and meeting two of the latest cute additions – two boys. Cousins and only weeks apart so I guess they will be close growing up.

Our weather hasn’t been much, rain and wind that just doesn’t give up. I am about to go on a Monday morning walk into a stiff wind. But if I stayed home for every strong wind I’d never get out!

What I read last week:

Two review books, first one on Kindle and the second on audiobook.

What I am reading now:

This one came in from the library.

book cover

I have a couple hours still to go on this audiobook as I walk or don’t!

book cover

Just beginning on audio

book cover

Up next:

book cover

Last Week’s Posts

Most Anticipated Books Publishing in first half of 2026

Falling Apart & Other Gifts from the Universe. Catherine Ryan Hyde. Review.

Line break

Review

Falling Apart & Other Gifts From the Universe

January 15, 2026 Kathryn

book cover

Published: Lake Union Publishing
Date: November 11th 2025
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

An army veteran with a career as a beat cop behind her, security guard Addie Finch is tough—on the outside. Internally, she’s in crisis mode. She’s lonely, introverted, struggling through AA, estranged from her son, and, at sixty-two years old, questioning her role as a protector. She also has a soft spot for the underdog that’s about to change her life.

Addie finds Jonathan, a homeless teenager abandoned by his mother, holed up in a warehouse and vulnerable to the elements and to predators. Touched by the boy’s gentle nature and a wisdom beyond his years, Addie offers him temporary shelter in her garden shed in exchange for maintaining the sprawling property. It’s an act of kindness and purpose that means the world to Jonathan. But when Addie faces a situation that sends her internal world tumbling, the emotional connection with Jonathan, once the unlikeliest of strangers, becomes her lifeline as well.

As both process past traumas, Addie and Jonathan forge a surrogate grandmother-grandson bond—a chosen family that could restore trust and heal hearts they thought were broken forever.

There is no doubt about it. Catherine Ryan Hyde writes a great story. Falling Apart and Other Gifts From the Universe is no exception. It is full of wisdom and insight.

Addi is a wonderful character, what a life she has had. Like all of us it goes right back to childhood and she has had it tougher than many. Now at sixty two she is at a crisis point. Her saving I think is taking on a new sponsor in AA who really stands by her and helps her to confront her present issues.

Jonathon too has been affected by his childhood, and now is in the worst of circumstances and on the streets. And that is through no fault of his own. Addie reaches out to him and is just amazing with him. Gradually through ups and downs for Addie things begin to move upwards and she learns so much. She is not a hugger but she has a heart. Jonathon has heart too and they make a terrific adopted grandmother/grandson.

I loved the story and I’d reread this book again just for its wisdom.

Top Ten Tuesday

Most Anticipated Books Releasing in first half of 2026

January 13, 2026 Kathryn

book banner
The first part of the year seems to have books publishing that I want to read. I may have missed some but I hope I catch up with them. Maybe I will find more as I travel around other posts with this theme.

Remember That Day Mary Balogh. Published 5th January. Pre-ordered and read. Historical romance.

Anne of a Different Island. Virginia Kantra. Published January 20th. Just keeping my eye on it. Contemporary romance.

The Astral Library. Kate Quinn. Published February 17th. Maybe audio listen. Historical. Magical realism.

And the Crowd Went Wild. Susan Elizabeth Phillips. February 10th. Pre-ordered hardcover. Contemporary romance.

The Night We Met. Abby Jimenez March 31st Will buy this in either print or audio book. Contemporary romance.

Family Lies. Karen Rose. March 31st. Definite read. Romantic Suspense/Mystery.

Acrimonious. Marie Force. February 19th. Definite read. New series involving a lawyer family. Remington Family Law #1.

A Body at the Irish Book Club. Lucy Connelly. April 21st. Definite read. Ongoing Cozy Mystery series.

The Shippers. Katherine Center. May 26th. Definite read. Can’t miss it out. Romance.

The Final Target. Nora Roberts. Romance/Mystery/Thriller. May 26th Definite read.

Dolly all the Time. Annabel Monaghan. May 26th. May 26th. Contemporary romance. Definite read

Archangel’s Eternity. Nalini Singh. Guild Hunter #18 Paranormal Urban Fantasy. May 5th Will pre-order.

Curse of Beasts Magic. Jeannine Frost. Beautiful and Beastly #1. May 26th Urban fantasy. Would like to read.

Moonlight Murder Uzma Jalaluddin. Detective Aunty Investigates #2. Cozy mystery. May 5th. Only learned of this one from another blog yesterday.

#IMWAYR

It’s Monday! What are you Reading?

January 12, 2026 Kathryn

Line break

Well past week was very nice. We had summer weather but with quite a bit of wind. The east side of NZ seems to get the hot weather and we get it a lot milder and lots of wind. But I did walk beside the seaside each day. On Friday as I walked along I could hear bagpipe music, and eventually I spied a piper standing on the bank piping away. I guess good place to go so as not to annoy the family and neighbours. My Dad was a piper in his younger days so I know all about that.

What I read last week:

A good reading week. Three of these are audiobooks. I don’t listen all day but when I go for a walk or when I have a bit of a rest after lunch. The time adds up. Enjoyed them all. My Friends was outstanding.

What I am reading now:

A book for review.

book cover

Listening to

Another review book but audio.

book cover

This one came from my Goodreads ‘to read’ list when I chose a random number to read. It had heaps of top reviews from those I follow. A YA book I think. Fantasy.

book cover