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Only Knives: Book 2 of The Valerian Lore
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April 24, 2025
ARC Review: Only Knives by Jenni Peck
Publication Date: May 15, 2025
Thank you to Jenni Peck for a free early copy of Only Knives.
Only Knives has been a long anticipated ARC read of mine after I finished Borrowed Spoons in August of last year, and it did not disappoint. As with Borrowed Spoons, I loved this story and Jenn's writing. I stayed up too late and fell asleep with my kindle in hand on more than one occassion because I just needed to keep reading.
Complex, layered, gritty, emotional, angsty (on my part because Jenni puts these characters through it) - This is a story about resilience and enduring hardship. About pushing a love to the limits of space and time. A story of how much a person can endure and the beautiful, visceral fight for family and for a great love.
Billed as a Sci-Fi romance, Only Knives (much like it's debut sister Borrowed Spoons) defies genre. Jenni's writing is beautiful and gripping. The story makes you keep turning the page with worry and hope in your heart. The story grips you and compels you to keep reading so you can find out what fate has in store for the Sideris family. Make sure to read Borrowed Spoons first because it is necessary to set up the events in Only Knives. And now, I will begin the countdown to eagarly await Spilled Sugar. The Valerian Lore (and its author) has my whole heart.
Publication Date: May 15, 2025
Thank you to Jenni Peck for a free early copy of Only Knives.
Only Knives has been a long anticipated ARC read of mine after I finished Borrowed Spoons in August of last year, and it did not disappoint. As with Borrowed Spoons, I loved this story and Jenn's writing. I stayed up too late and fell asleep with my kindle in hand on more than one occassion because I just needed to keep reading.
Complex, layered, gritty, emotional, angsty (on my part because Jenni puts these characters through it) - This is a story about resilience and enduring hardship. About pushing a love to the limits of space and time. A story of how much a person can endure and the beautiful, visceral fight for family and for a great love.
Billed as a Sci-Fi romance, Only Knives (much like it's debut sister Borrowed Spoons) defies genre. Jenni's writing is beautiful and gripping. The story makes you keep turning the page with worry and hope in your heart. The story grips you and compels you to keep reading so you can find out what fate has in store for the Sideris family. Make sure to read Borrowed Spoons first because it is necessary to set up the events in Only Knives. And now, I will begin the countdown to eagarly await Spilled Sugar. The Valerian Lore (and its author) has my whole heart.
April 21, 2025
I have been eagerly and impatiently waiting for this ARC since last fall. I
I’ve gone as far as infiltrating Jenni’s online life and forcing her to be my Aries buddy. All as a means to get my hands on this book as soon as possible. Conclusion: it was all worth it, Only Knives is fantastic!
This is not a cookie cutter romance, there are high speed spaceship battles, high stakes hair braiding, ever expanding apartments, and cosmic paths made from trail mix. Everything is seeped in meaning and foreshadowing and easter eggs. It’s a sci-fi mystery romance and it’s never boring.
All the previous characters are new more developed versions of themselves. They’ve had more experiences and developed new traits. We also get a whole slew of new characters that are impossible not to become attached to.
Our main characters have also changed and grown. Their interactions feel real and still have the mature communication and emotional intelligence that I fell in love with in the first book.
I can’t say much more without getting into spoilers. If you liked the first one this one is just as good. I highly suggest reading them in order to get the whole experience.
There is some spice. It isn’t hidden but it’s also not prevalent or the focus of the book and the characters relationships.
I’ve gone as far as infiltrating Jenni’s online life and forcing her to be my Aries buddy. All as a means to get my hands on this book as soon as possible. Conclusion: it was all worth it, Only Knives is fantastic!
This is not a cookie cutter romance, there are high speed spaceship battles, high stakes hair braiding, ever expanding apartments, and cosmic paths made from trail mix. Everything is seeped in meaning and foreshadowing and easter eggs. It’s a sci-fi mystery romance and it’s never boring.
All the previous characters are new more developed versions of themselves. They’ve had more experiences and developed new traits. We also get a whole slew of new characters that are impossible not to become attached to.
Our main characters have also changed and grown. Their interactions feel real and still have the mature communication and emotional intelligence that I fell in love with in the first book.
I can’t say much more without getting into spoilers. If you liked the first one this one is just as good. I highly suggest reading them in order to get the whole experience.
There is some spice. It isn’t hidden but it’s also not prevalent or the focus of the book and the characters relationships.
July 8, 2025
Elle Sidaris made a decision a lifetime ago that sent her love back to the stars and her children to places she could not follow. But she had done it out of love and now faces the consequences with an ache in her heart that is impossible to mend. In galaxies far from home, Mack Sidaris spirals, caught between finding the life he lost and making one from the life he now found himself. But every chance he has, is spent combing Earth for his heart. Fate unwoven to protect them, could it be woven again to bring them back together?
Jenni Peck’s “Only Knives” is the second installment in the Valerian Lore Series. And, after “Borrowed Spoons” shattered my heart into millions of tiny glass shards last year, I was terrified to even open this book. I received it as an ARC and kept opening and closing that first page. The truth of the matter was I was rooting for Elle and Mack and any version of the story where they weren't together wasn't one I could endure. I turned every page hoping that the story in their stars could write them back together again.
Following the events of book one, the novel circles back to each of the characters we met in the first novel. We get to watch as the timeline diverges from what it once was. More characters enter the fray as war continues with the parasitic hosts that threatened the initial timeline. But above all, we see what if play out in a heartbreaking way that leaves you simultaneously anxious and anticipating the next chapter.
Once I got over my initial fear, I positively devoured this book. I finished it in less than 24 hours with plenty of commentary to Jenni Peck. It was a joy to see hope, fear, love, and grief play out in these characters' lives. I laughed, cried, and threw my phone down more times than I could count. Reading this book felt like a return home and I think I'm ready to face the next novel when it hits the shelves.
Jenni Peck’s “Only Knives” is the second installment in the Valerian Lore Series. And, after “Borrowed Spoons” shattered my heart into millions of tiny glass shards last year, I was terrified to even open this book. I received it as an ARC and kept opening and closing that first page. The truth of the matter was I was rooting for Elle and Mack and any version of the story where they weren't together wasn't one I could endure. I turned every page hoping that the story in their stars could write them back together again.
Following the events of book one, the novel circles back to each of the characters we met in the first novel. We get to watch as the timeline diverges from what it once was. More characters enter the fray as war continues with the parasitic hosts that threatened the initial timeline. But above all, we see what if play out in a heartbreaking way that leaves you simultaneously anxious and anticipating the next chapter.
Once I got over my initial fear, I positively devoured this book. I finished it in less than 24 hours with plenty of commentary to Jenni Peck. It was a joy to see hope, fear, love, and grief play out in these characters' lives. I laughed, cried, and threw my phone down more times than I could count. Reading this book felt like a return home and I think I'm ready to face the next novel when it hits the shelves.
April 19, 2025
This book is all the green flags. As someone who is a consistent red flag dark romance lover- That’s fun for a fling, that’s hot and quick that’s a summer fling that will never go anywhere… But if you want RELATIONSHIP, you desire everlasting!! If you want to see how the world could/should be, how everyone should be treated and treat others. WITHOUT IT BEING PREACHED OR SHOVED DOWN YOUR THROAT. this book is wholesome it makes you yearn for solid relationships, It’s also action and suspenseful and raw. It’s strong female characters and men who empower others. It’s equality. Damn I love these books!
Things I LOVE:
•The sibling banter and ease of which they all discuss normal every day facts of life!
•The love and devotion that Elle and Mack have for one another.
•The way the parents LOVE THEIR KIDS and their kids partners.
•How much respect and awareness each family member has and how their independent thoughts make their family bond that much stronger.
•That the “cupcake phase” of Ellie and Mac’s relationship with their desire never faded.
•That it’s spicy but isn’t ONLY spice, it has such a realistic balance!
Things I don’t love:
Gosh why do the Mrav have to be THAT type of creature?! (I am able to overcome my reactions, but my body’s natural response is..*I’m about to retch*)
Things I LOVE:
•The sibling banter and ease of which they all discuss normal every day facts of life!
•The love and devotion that Elle and Mack have for one another.
•The way the parents LOVE THEIR KIDS and their kids partners.
•How much respect and awareness each family member has and how their independent thoughts make their family bond that much stronger.
•That the “cupcake phase” of Ellie and Mac’s relationship with their desire never faded.
•That it’s spicy but isn’t ONLY spice, it has such a realistic balance!
Things I don’t love:
Gosh why do the Mrav have to be THAT type of creature?! (I am able to overcome my reactions, but my body’s natural response is..*I’m about to retch*)
April 22, 2025
Review:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
You know that feeling, when you're drinking something so good, that you just want to the little sips and make it last as long as possible?
This book was that feeling.
I was shattered at the end of
Borrowed Spoons (book #1 in The Valerian Lore series).
My heart was broken.
It made me so nervous for Only Knives (book #2).
But Only Knives was that warm, healing drink I didn't know I needed.
The continuation of the Sideris's story is nothing short of phenomenal. The way Jenni wove together timelines and fit pieces together like the world's greatest puzzler was breathtaking.
The number of times I shrieked. the number of times I cried. The number of times I thought, "This line of the story better be the plot of the next book..." Innumerable.
This is romance on a visceral level.
This is marriage, this is kids, this is losing everything.
But it’s finding the small joys and putting everything back together.
This is resilience and not giving up.
My heart has been imprinted with this book.
My brain chemicals have been remixed.
I am forever a stan.
Only Knives wrapped up so well, I feel 100% ready for book 3 and will be a salivating fiend until it arrives! 😘
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
You know that feeling, when you're drinking something so good, that you just want to the little sips and make it last as long as possible?
This book was that feeling.
I was shattered at the end of
Borrowed Spoons (book #1 in The Valerian Lore series).
My heart was broken.
It made me so nervous for Only Knives (book #2).
But Only Knives was that warm, healing drink I didn't know I needed.
The continuation of the Sideris's story is nothing short of phenomenal. The way Jenni wove together timelines and fit pieces together like the world's greatest puzzler was breathtaking.
The number of times I shrieked. the number of times I cried. The number of times I thought, "This line of the story better be the plot of the next book..." Innumerable.
This is romance on a visceral level.
This is marriage, this is kids, this is losing everything.
But it’s finding the small joys and putting everything back together.
This is resilience and not giving up.
My heart has been imprinted with this book.
My brain chemicals have been remixed.
I am forever a stan.
Only Knives wrapped up so well, I feel 100% ready for book 3 and will be a salivating fiend until it arrives! 😘
April 19, 2025
I love it I love it I love it! I have no words to explain how much I loved this book!
Jenni Peck is such an incredible author!
Only Knives is the beautiful conclusion of Elle and Mack’s epic love story. It is also an incredible tale of resilience, hope, pain, healing, and determination.
Jenni’s writing is beyond-words beautiful. She has made me cry and gasp and giggle and grin so many times while reading this book. She’s also made me contemplate the cosmos and the ripple effects of my very existence.
Her world feels so real to me, so much so that her characters live in my heart as my friends, with their pain feeling like my pain, and their joy equally mine.
If you’re looking for a book that will make you question the universe while falling in love - read Only Knives.
A MILLION STARS!
Also, I still call dibs on Theo (and I'm sharing custody with Rhiannon over a certain broody Commander General)
Jenni Peck is such an incredible author!
Only Knives is the beautiful conclusion of Elle and Mack’s epic love story. It is also an incredible tale of resilience, hope, pain, healing, and determination.
Jenni’s writing is beyond-words beautiful. She has made me cry and gasp and giggle and grin so many times while reading this book. She’s also made me contemplate the cosmos and the ripple effects of my very existence.
Her world feels so real to me, so much so that her characters live in my heart as my friends, with their pain feeling like my pain, and their joy equally mine.
If you’re looking for a book that will make you question the universe while falling in love - read Only Knives.
A MILLION STARS!
Also, I still call dibs on Theo (and I'm sharing custody with Rhiannon over a certain broody Commander General)
May 17, 2025
When night came with its blanket of still darkness, it was so hard to tell if the rest of the world was sleeping or if it too had abandoned her.
—
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 1/5
POV: Multiple 3rd
This book closes the chapter on Elle and Mack’s story, so make sure to read book 1, Borrowed Spoons, first. With that out of the way, just imagine me lying on the floor just staring at the ceiling after finishing the book.
The pain Jenni put me through until chapter 12 came along? Oh, she sure knows about it.
This was an epic love story that checked a lot of boxes when it comes to sci-fi romance, without ever making it too much about the alien wars. You need to read it to understand. Besides the main couple, I just fell in love with the kids and the side characters. They provided the lightness and humour needed to distract me from my heartache.
I just have one major issue though: Jenni forgot to edit me in to mend Ivan’s heart, hmmpf…
AND IVAN WHAT DEAL DID YOU MAKE?!
—
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 1/5
POV: Multiple 3rd
This book closes the chapter on Elle and Mack’s story, so make sure to read book 1, Borrowed Spoons, first. With that out of the way, just imagine me lying on the floor just staring at the ceiling after finishing the book.
The pain Jenni put me through until chapter 12 came along? Oh, she sure knows about it.
This was an epic love story that checked a lot of boxes when it comes to sci-fi romance, without ever making it too much about the alien wars. You need to read it to understand. Besides the main couple, I just fell in love with the kids and the side characters. They provided the lightness and humour needed to distract me from my heartache.
I just have one major issue though: Jenni forgot to edit me in to mend Ivan’s heart, hmmpf…
AND IVAN WHAT DEAL DID YOU MAKE?!
April 26, 2025
There are so many positive things I could say about this book and it still wouldn't express my love for it enough!
The characters are absolutely amazing - their personalities have developed so much since the first book. The relationships have become more complex and the new characters that have been introduced really add another layer to the story. I am still IN LOVE with Mack and all of the green flag spacemen.
The plot MY GOODNESS. So many twists and turns. I was laughing (a lot), crying, and gasping out loud. I flew through the book and thought it was super well-paced.
Jenni's writing is amazing, as always. Her descriptions are wonderful and she makes the plot easy to follow (even for people like me who struggle with SciFi).
I was very lucky to receive an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest review.
The characters are absolutely amazing - their personalities have developed so much since the first book. The relationships have become more complex and the new characters that have been introduced really add another layer to the story. I am still IN LOVE with Mack and all of the green flag spacemen.
The plot MY GOODNESS. So many twists and turns. I was laughing (a lot), crying, and gasping out loud. I flew through the book and thought it was super well-paced.
Jenni's writing is amazing, as always. Her descriptions are wonderful and she makes the plot easy to follow (even for people like me who struggle with SciFi).
I was very lucky to receive an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest review.
May 13, 2025
Elle Sideris world is never going to be the same again. After she threw herself through time to save her loved ones, she's not sure if she'll ever see her family again.
Trapped in a too quiet life, she's determined to make it right, but it's not that easy.
Across space, Macalister Sideris is fighting a war he never wanted. Searching for his family every chance he gets. With the years passing, he feels them slipping through his finger, but fate once again has a plan for the Sideris family.
Oh dear good godess This duology is amazing. Full of action, emotions and characters willing to fight for their lives ones with everything they've got. With everything at stake they don't hesitate to jump into danger to save the world from a dangerous enemy.
No spoons left. Only Knives.
Trapped in a too quiet life, she's determined to make it right, but it's not that easy.
Across space, Macalister Sideris is fighting a war he never wanted. Searching for his family every chance he gets. With the years passing, he feels them slipping through his finger, but fate once again has a plan for the Sideris family.
Oh dear good godess This duology is amazing. Full of action, emotions and characters willing to fight for their lives ones with everything they've got. With everything at stake they don't hesitate to jump into danger to save the world from a dangerous enemy.
No spoons left. Only Knives.
May 7, 2025
I can wholeheartedly say I have never come across a story quite like this one.
It's an intense, epic love story that quite literally defies fate!
Book 1 broke my heart, and book 2 takes you on an intense journey through heartache to healing. There are incredible space battles, meddling gods, and a broken family who find their way back to each other piece by piece.
On top of the original family, we also get to see some beloved characters from the first book and meet some fantastic new ones as well!
While Elle and Macks' story wraps up in this duology, there will be more to come featuring the other characters, and I can't wait to see how their stories unfold.
It's an intense, epic love story that quite literally defies fate!
Book 1 broke my heart, and book 2 takes you on an intense journey through heartache to healing. There are incredible space battles, meddling gods, and a broken family who find their way back to each other piece by piece.
On top of the original family, we also get to see some beloved characters from the first book and meet some fantastic new ones as well!
While Elle and Macks' story wraps up in this duology, there will be more to come featuring the other characters, and I can't wait to see how their stories unfold.
May 21, 2025
I'm not sure I have the words to describe what this book did to me, but I'll try.
Reading this story was kind of bittersweet, because I'll never be able to read it again for the first time. These characters altered my brain chemistry and I'll forever be obsessed with them.
Jenni, you made me laugh, swoon, and cry (a lot 😭). Just trying to write this review has me in tears. From Elle and Mack, our literal star-crossed lovers who suffered through so many hardships to finally be able to get their family back together, to the wonderful found family they accumulated along the way; this story will just tug at your heart in every way possible.
And I cannot review this book without talking about the Trevino brothers who played such a significant role in this story. The little snippets of memories with Nick were the best and Ivan, ughh, the man of the hour, he deserves everything 🥹🥹
Only Knives is available now, go read this beautiful story!
𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯.
Reading this story was kind of bittersweet, because I'll never be able to read it again for the first time. These characters altered my brain chemistry and I'll forever be obsessed with them.
Jenni, you made me laugh, swoon, and cry (a lot 😭). Just trying to write this review has me in tears. From Elle and Mack, our literal star-crossed lovers who suffered through so many hardships to finally be able to get their family back together, to the wonderful found family they accumulated along the way; this story will just tug at your heart in every way possible.
And I cannot review this book without talking about the Trevino brothers who played such a significant role in this story. The little snippets of memories with Nick were the best and Ivan, ughh, the man of the hour, he deserves everything 🥹🥹
Only Knives is available now, go read this beautiful story!
𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯.
May 29, 2025
AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!! If Borrowed Spoons was one of my absolute favorite books ever this one is also one of my absolute favorite books too! Grab the tissues for this one because Jenni will absolutely wreck you before putting everything back together again with a big beautiful bow on top! I was crying on the dedication page! I am head over heels in love with all of the characters and can picture them vividly in my mind! Jenni does an amazing job of developing these characters and continuing the amazing world she created with Borrowed Spoons! This is one of those book that you will not want to put down once you pick it up, and you will surely stay up way too late reading!
April 24, 2025
ARC review:
I've been looking forward to this book since I read Borrowed Spoons, and it didn't disappoint! I felt all the feels while following Elle's (and her family's) journey back to each other. 🥹 I'd love to read more about this amazing group of (found) family. 😁
So much praise for Jenni and the world building she's done (a planet that protects their women, but is led by them as well, count me in - when can I move there?) - thank you for allowing me to be an early reader of your book baby!!
I've been looking forward to this book since I read Borrowed Spoons, and it didn't disappoint! I felt all the feels while following Elle's (and her family's) journey back to each other. 🥹 I'd love to read more about this amazing group of (found) family. 😁
So much praise for Jenni and the world building she's done (a planet that protects their women, but is led by them as well, count me in - when can I move there?) - thank you for allowing me to be an early reader of your book baby!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2025
Pause, please.... still searching for the missing shards of my heart. This book gave me butterflies and the prehistoric, much scarier version of butterflies. I love this series so much, it's not even funny. Jenni has a way of pulling you in to her worlds and doesn't let go. You'll love (or ruthlessly despise) every character and you'll root for Mack and Elle's love the entire time. Run, don't walk, to read this series.
April 17, 2025
I just finished the arc and I’m overwhelmed by how much I loved this book.
I’ll come back and write a full review once I have time to process all of my emotions.
For now, this was everything that I hoped it would be. It was complex, and heartbreaking, and so deeply beautiful. This is a series that should not be slept on.
I’ll come back and write a full review once I have time to process all of my emotions.
For now, this was everything that I hoped it would be. It was complex, and heartbreaking, and so deeply beautiful. This is a series that should not be slept on.
May 14, 2025
Honestly y'all...
This duet had me walking around my house with a box of tissues the whole time, for good and for sad.
🥹🥺
It's sci-fi and aliens (humanoid aliens for MMC) and multiple love stories and family and friendships and actions and anxiety and ugh. So much.
This duet had me walking around my house with a box of tissues the whole time, for good and for sad.
🥹🥺
It's sci-fi and aliens (humanoid aliens for MMC) and multiple love stories and family and friendships and actions and anxiety and ugh. So much.
May 19, 2025
where to start with this book? it will rip your heart out, stuff it back in, sew you up and then kiss it to make it better. this sci-fi romance was everything I needed it to be- sci-fi AND spice. that little hidden cliff hanger that was thrown in there? need more STAT.
May 15, 2025
As per usual Jenni hit it out of the park with this one. I absolutely love getting lost in her worlds. The dynamic between Mack and Elle makes me swoon. This is a MUST READ SERIES
April 28, 2025
Unputdownable. What a great story! Highly recommend this duology.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews