The Book Date – Celebrating Books and Reading

What Tomorrow Will Be. Julianne MacLean

February 13, 2026 Kathryn

Published by: Lake Union
Date: February 3rd 2026
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

At nineteen, Sienna MacKay believed she had it all—a promising career ahead of her and a young love destined to last forever. But a tragic accident shatters that idyllic existence, leaving her with a heartbreaking loss.

Years later, Sienna has rebuilt her life. She’s a successful designer, a devoted mother, and a woman who has dared to love again—with Nate, a passionate, rising-star chef. But as Nate drifts further into ambition, cracks surface in their once-bright marriage. A stormy confrontation ends in disaster, and Sienna becomes caught between two worlds—her near-perfect past and her more complicated present—where she must ask herself: What is the price of true love…and is she willing to pay?

What Tomorrow Will Be was a story that kept me engrossed for the telling of the story. It starts with Sienna being young and very much in love with a guy and a dog. And then the unthinkable happens.

We jump ahead in time to where Sienna has met Nate and she encourages him to make a stand and do what he wants to do in life instead of following with what his unbending father wants him to do.

Then we jump ahead in time to where Sienna and Nate are married and have two lovely children. Nate has his restaurant, but somehow things are going awry. And then something again happens that tips everything upside down again. From this experience both Sienna and Nate learn valuable insights that are sure to help them move ahead.

The book is set in Nova Scotia, Canada. The characters are likeable, yet some flaws of course. Who is without them. The dogs are delightful and were very much part of the family and their owners.

The characters are able to action what they come to value and it ends on a very hopeful note. Some of the wisdom that was imparted was inspiring and worth reflecting upon. I enjoyed my time with the characters and the story.

Romance Books I Look Forward to Reading in 2026

February 10, 2026 Kathryn

Romance Books I want to read this year.

The Shippers Katherine Center.
The Night We Met. Abby Jimenez
And the crowd went wild. Susan Elizabeth Phillips
One Golden Summer Carley Fortune
Lead Me Home. Catherine Bybee

How Simi Got Her Groom Back. Sonali Dev
Rumour Has It. Karly Lane
All Together for Christmas Sarah Morgan
The Romance Revival. Christina Lauren
Dolly All The Time. Annabel Monaghan

Linking up with ThatArtsyReaderGirl

#IMWAYR

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

February 9, 2026February 8, 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.

A quietish week. I have been trying to ignore starting any new quilt and instead concentrating on finishing about twelve other projects. Quilts are like books – very tempting! I have been putting in some time doing that, and then a walk, some grocery shopping, some TV – oh and some reading too of course. And then it seems the day is over! Rinse and repeat.

What Tomorrow Will Be is a book coming up for review. Just One Look was an audio that went on forever. It was set in New Zealand, and the setting was very true, but I found the plot tedious and far too drawn out. Death is Not Enough was on audio too and caught me up with a backlist book. I enjoyed it but so much blood and guts!

What I read last week:

What I am reading now:

About a third of the way through. Not quite my style or to my taste but persevering … so far.

And listening to…

Vera Wong is my walking audiobook, When Light Breaks is one that has lurked in my Library and I am going back through finding ones I haven’t listened to.

Up next:

From the library.

Last Week’s Posts

January Reading Wrap: Ratings and Goals Update

Two Non Fiction Book Reviews

Reading challenge, Review

Exploring Non-Fiction: Gloriavale’s Truth and Habit-Building Insights

February 6, 2026 Kathryn

My Non Fiction reads from January

Unveiled by Theophilia Pratt won’t mean much to anyone outside New Zealand. Gloriavale is a supposedly Christian commune on the west coast of the South Island, here in NZ. It is rife with cruelty and sexual abuse and non information about the outside world.

Theophila Pratt has done an excellent piece of writing in describing her life through Gloriavale into real freedom. I have nothing but admiration for her. I hope she is enjoying life now in her new home. I think the final part of her book has excellent suggestions for the general public on how to deal with Gloriavale. Of course since the book was published the school has just closed and hopefully the young people will get the opportunity to go to a school outside the compound. Meant to be a Christian community but is an anti-christian cult community, (my opinion.) And in it like many religious communities a disdain for women. I was especially shocked by the treatment of the elderly. We always focus on the young but the elderly suffer too.

Atomic Habits by James Clear, says it is an easy & proven way to to build good habits and break bad ones.

I think on the whole that is true. I took away some useful ideas. For example one was don’t expect results overnight. It’s going to take time for change. So if you don’t lose weight quickly or build muscle in a week that’s okay. Small steps each day towards it will make a difference.

Another idea was to make it easy. Last year I just lost interest in updating Storygraph and just kept with Goodreads. This year after reading the book I put the Storygraph icon link right next to my Goodreads link on my homepage. Now that has really made it easy for me to update both. Seems small and easy but its helping me keep with Storygraph for the year.

Or trying to get rid of a habit? Make it difficult. I scroll too much on Facebook, so when I got rid of all my cookies I did not log in again to Facebook on my computer. It’s a bit of a nuisance to log in so while I am on my computer I don’t go to there. It’s on my iPad and I guess if I removed the app it would be even harder! Not going there yet!

There is a workbook also published, I have it but will wait a little while before I go through that, it looks like it will be helpful in refreshing the ideas I found in this one.

Non Fiction Nibbler Memoir. 1/6.

Non Fiction Grazer 1/12

Month in Review

January Reading Wrap-Up: Book Ratings & Goals

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 Kathryn

Total books read this month: 16

Book Ratings

State of Preservation. Kindle – own. 4.25 stars
The Heir Apparent. Print. – own but will give away. 1.75 stars
The Heiress’s Daughter. Kindle – own. 4.25 stars
Unveiled. A Story of Surviving Gloriavale – library. 4.75 stars
Yours for the Season. Kindle – own 4.75 stars
My Friends. Audiobook. 4.75 stars
Remember That Day. Print – own. 4 stars
The Gift At Sugar Sand Inn. Audible Plus. 3.75 stars
Lavender Hill. Review-Kindle. 3.75 stars
Graceling. Audiobook – own. 4.75 stars
Life as Planned. Review-audiobook. 4.5 stars
Turns of Fate. Library hardback. 4.5 stars
The Secret Daughter. audiobook. 4.25stars
What You are Looking For is in the Library. Audiobook. 4.25 stars
Every Summer After. My paperback. 4 stars
Beach House Rules. 4.25 stars

New to me authors:

Rebecca Armitage.
Theophila Pratt
Leigh Duncan
Kristin Cashore*
Carley Fortune*
Michiko Aoyama*
Carley Fortune*

Will read again*

Settings

USA 4
England 5
New Zealand 1
Sweden 1
Tasmania, Australia. 1
Fantasy World 2
Japan 1
Canada 1

Genres

Contemporary Suspense/Romance 1
Contemporary Romance 3
Contemporary Fiction 3
Mix Historical/Contemporary 1
Memoir 1
Historical romance 3
Fantasy. 2
Short Stories 1

2026 Reading Goals check. Running Total.

Acquiring Reading Books

Limit NetGalley books to 20 requested 2026. 12/20 already requested
New buys about 30. Print or ebook. 5/30
Reread about 20. 1/20
Borrow about 25 from the library. 2/25
Listen to about 60 audiobooks. Buy or library 5/30
From shelf I already own at end of 2025. Either print/ebook. 1/20.

This adds to close to 175, if I go over in one area I will adjust other areas if I need. But I have left room to expand in some areas. Nothing in this section set in concrete.

Participation in Reading Challenges

Read NF 12 for Non Fiction Challenge. 1/6. plus 0/12
Read 12 Science Fiction/Fantasy for the Speccy Fiction Challenge 2/12
Emilie Richards’ Reading Challenge. January – a short story or novella. I read What You are. Looking for is in the Library which has five short stories. 1/12

General

Keep up a slow read book most of the time. One completed.
Take up the Hidden Legacy Series by Ilona Andrews, reread the first one and continue on. 1st one reread.
Start a couple of new series. Turns of Fate is a 1st in a series. So is Graceling
Continue with series I enjoy. Completed Anne Gracie series. Read latest in Mary Balogh series. Latest from Marie Force series.
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. Much of my TBR there is like a wish list. January book. Graceling. Written in 2008 and fantasy by new to me author Kristin Cashore. it has a lot of 5 stars from people I follow. Bought the audiobook and listened to it. Enjoyed it.

Review

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 Kathryn

And now we have February! The past week went by quickly for me. Here I am retired and yet I fill my day and don’t do half of what I should – like gardening and housework!

I have been thinking how in the book blogging world we get to know each other through what we read. Recently I have heard of a few people who are dealing with health issues for themselves or loved ones. Sometimes someone disappears and we don’t know why or what has happened. We are concerned. Our hearts go out to all these wonderful people.

I use Goodreads and I always look to see who has read a book I am thinking about reading. Sometimes it’s someone who has given up blogging or someone who has passed on but their reading record is there. I love to see what they thought of the book and it makes me also remember them and appreciate them.

What I read last week:

What I am reading now:

And listening to…

I need to remind myself I will not get annoyed by the narrator of Just One Look who won’t be able to voice a NZ accent!

Up next:

Last Week’s Posts

Bookish Discoveries made in 2025

Lavender Hill. ALISSA CALLEN – review

Recent Book haul

Book Haul

Monthly Book Tracking: My Reading Life

February 1, 2026 Kathryn

I am starting to keep my book acquiring separate from my end of month wrap as it helps me keep an eye on what I have and still need to read.

Remember that Day. Mary Balogh Read
Every Summer After Carley Fortune Read
One Golden Summer Carley Fortune To read
Divine Rivals. Rebecca Ross To read

Audiobooks

Graceling. Kristin Cashore Finished
What You are Looking For is in the Library Finished
Beach House Rules. Kristy Woodson Harvey. Finished

Library

Turns of Fate. Anne Bishop. Read

For Review

Lead Me Home. Catherine Bybee
The Drowning. Fiona Lowe
The Library of Amorlin. Kalyn Josephson

Review

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

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.