Fiona’s Comments (group member since Apr 01, 2023)

Fiona’s comments from the Bookish Challenges group.

Book/Author: With Him, Always: A Slow-Burn, Second Chance at Love Romance by Olivia Jane
Date read: January 27
Task: b
How it fits: FMC is from the UK, MMC from the US

10 points for completing 20 tasks
Richard
Cats
Anastasia
Jasmine
Nadine
Aya
Fiona

5 points for completing 10 tasks
Anastasia
Cats
Fiona
Nistha
Richard
Jasmine
Nadine
Aya

Participants

Anastasia 20/20
Aya 20/20
Cats 20/20
Fiona 20/20
Jasmine 20/20
Nadine 20/20
Nistha 18/20
Richard 1 Richard 2 Richard 3 20/20
Runenmädchen 2/20
Tori 1/20

Please copy the template and add it as a comment below.

Roses
1. Read a book with roses on the cover.
2. Read a book where flowers play an important role in the story.

Hearts
1. Read a book with "heart" in the title.
2. Read a book with a heart on the cover.

Cupid
1. Read a book featuring matchmaking or a character trying to set someone up.
2. Read a book with a cherubic or winged figure on the cover.

Chocolate
1. Read a book where the main character works in a café or bakery.
2. Read a book with any food or dessert mentioned in the title.

Love Letters
1. Read a book that includes letters, emails, or text messages as part of the narrative.
2. Read a book with handwriting or paper shown on the cover.

Valentine's Day Cards
1. Read a book published in February of any year.
2. Read a book with a card or envelope on the cover.

Romantic Dinners
1. Read a book where a dinner scene plays a key role in the plot.
2. Read a book with food or drinks on the cover.

Jewelry
1. Read a book where a ring or necklace is significant to the story.
2. Read a book with a piece of jewelry on the cover.

Teddy Bears
1. Read a book with a stuffed animal or toy on the cover.
2. Read a book with a child as a main character.

Perfume
1. Read a book with a scent-related word in the title (e.g., "scent," "perfume," "aroma").
2. Read a book where a character's scent is described.

Proposals
1. Read a book where a marriage proposal occurs.
2. Read a book with the word "yes" or "ring" in the title.

Red and Pink Colors
1. Read a book with a predominantly red or pink cover.
2. Read a book with "red" or "pink" in the title.

Love Songs
1. Read a book with MPG Music.
2. Read a book with a title inspired by a song or containing a musical term.

Couples' Getaways
1. Read a book set somewhere you want to go for a vacation.
2. Read a book where the main characters go on a trip together.

Gift Baskets
1. Read a book where a character receives a meaningful gift.
2. Read a book with multiple objects shown on the cover.

Balloon Bouquets
1. Read a book with balloons or party decorations on the cover.
2. Read a book where a party or celebration is part of the story.

Date Nights
1. Read a book where the main characters go on a date.
2. Read a book with "night" in the title.

Hugs and Kisses
1. Read a book with the word "kiss" or "hug" in the title.
2. Read a book with a kiss scene.

Flower Arrangements
1. Read a book with more than one flower on the cover.
2. Read a book where a garden or florist plays a role in the story.

Sweet Treats
1. Read a book with "sweet" or "treat" in the title.
2. Read a book featuring a baking or dessert-related subplot.

Valentine's Day


Sign-ups are open until February 28th.
The challenge is open-ended.

The Challenge

1. Please copy the list of tasks in the below message and post it in this thread. No new thread will be created.

2. This challenge is for 20 books, one for each item on the list. Each has 2 tasks and you need to read for one of the two tasks. You can read in any order. You will receive one point for each completed task. Additionally, you will receive 5 points for completing 10 books and 10 points for all 20 books.

3. Skips:
You have 1 free skip available. In the Q&A thread, let me know which item you would like to use it for, and read a book that meets the general guidelines instead.
For more skips:
Spend 2 points to skip an item and read one of the remaining 38 tasks instead. Example: You want to skip Roses, so you read both tasks of Hearts (one to complete Hearts, one to complete Roses).
Spend 5 points to skip an item and read a book that meets the general guidelines instead.

4. Put the completion post below each book completed in your message

Title:
Author:
Date Completed:
Task:
How it fits:

5. If you don't have a personal point account thread yet, request one here.

6. Only books completed from February 01, 2025, will be accepted.

7. Sign-ups will close on February 28th, so hurry!!

a - 1
b - 21
c - 16

✅

Catch the Killer!
Now is your time to reveal the culprit.
If you have a good feeling about who did it, please send me a DM with the name. Please do not post your answer in this thread.
If you'd like an extra clue, please let me know which of the following you'd like to buy. Please make sure you have enough points in your point account to buy the clue. I will send the clue via DM.

Extra Clues
- Diary Entry (encoded): 10 points
- Logic Grid Puzzle: 15 points
- Sudoku: 20 points
- Security Camera Footage: 30 points

Investigation - Maxwell Carter

Daniel: (Studying him) “Mr. Carter, I’ve been told you and James had a heated argument the night he was killed. Care to explain?”

Maxwell: (Smirking slightly) “Business disagreements, Mr. Hunt. They happen all the time. James and I were passionate about what we built together. Arguments were just part of the process.”

Daniel: (Coolly) “Passionate? According to the staff, your voices were loud enough to carry down the hall. That sounds a bit more intense than a standard business debate.”

Maxwell: (Shrugs) “What can I say? James was stubborn. He had a way of pushing my buttons, but it never went beyond words.”

Daniel: (Leaning back slightly, his eyes narrowing) “And what exactly were you arguing about?”

Maxwell: (Pauses, choosing his words carefully) “He was making decisions I didn’t agree with. Risky moves, let’s just say. I told him he needed to slow down, reassess. He didn’t take it well.”

Daniel: “Risky moves? Like cutting you out of a deal, perhaps?”

Maxwell: (Laughs, though there’s a tightness to it) “You’ve got quite the imagination, Mr. Hunt. James and I may have had our differences, but he valued me. He wasn’t about to push me out.”

Daniel: (Pointedly) “You sound confident about that. But business partnerships can be complicated. You didn’t feel he was holding you back, maybe looking to end things?”

Maxwell: (His tone sharpens slightly) “James and I had a dynamic that worked, even if it wasn’t always smooth sailing. If you’re implying I had something to gain from his death, you’re wasting your time.”

Daniel: (Slowly) “Perhaps. But I can’t ignore the fact that tensions were high, and James had confided in others about trust issues with you.”

Maxwell: (Feigning surprise) “Oh, James confided in everyone, didn’t he? Always quick to cast doubt, but never willing to confront the real problems. Let me guess—Sarah mentioned something, didn’t she? Or maybe Clara, stirring the pot as usual?”

Daniel: (Unfazed) “Let’s stick to you and James. After your argument, where did you go?”

Maxwell: (Leaning back, his composure returning) “To my room. I needed space to cool off, and James needed to sulk. We were supposed to talk it out the next morning, but… well, here we are.”

Daniel: (Watching him carefully) “Convenient that you didn’t see him again. Do you often leave things unresolved like that?”

Maxwell: (Smirks) “Not usually, but with James? It was better to let him stew. He’d come around eventually—he always did.”

Daniel: “And now he won’t.”

Maxwell: (Leaning forward, his tone suddenly firm) “Look, Mr. Hunt, I had nothing to do with James’s death. Argue with him? Sure. But murder? That’s not who I am. If you want the truth, maybe you should dig deeper into this family. James had more enemies under this roof than business rivals outside of it.”

Daniel: (Nods slowly, his gaze lingering) “I’ll be doing just that, Mr. Carter. Don’t stray too far.”

Maxwell: (Standing, smoothing his suit) “I have no intention of leaving, Mr. Hunt. After all, I have nothing to hide.”


Read a book that meets the general guidelines.

Sarah Donovan



Sarah Donovan is James’s opposite—lively, rebellious, and fiercely independent. She left the estate years ago to make her own way in the city. She’s only returned for her mother’s sake, and it’s clear she has little respect for the Donovan legacy. Her contempt for James’s way of life is obvious, and the siblings clash at every opportunity.

Task 1: Read a book with a strong, independent female lead.
Task 2: Read a book where a character rejects their family’s traditions.
Task 3: Read a book where city and country life are in conflict.

Your last song of this era:

Robin


Tasks:
1: Read a book with a character named Robin.
2: Read a book with a nature theme.
3: Read a book where a character acts as a sidekick or loyal friend.

✅

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2 points!

Congrats, you completed the Video Game Challenge! You receive an additional 10 points and your Video Game Book Award :)

I Hate It Here


Tasks:
1: Read a book where the protagonist is unhappy in their current situation.
2: Read a dystopian or post-apocalyptic novel.
3: Read a book with a title that expresses a strong emotion.