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

Fiona’s comments from the Bookish Challenges group.

Finally got the time to give my review, I rated it 3 stars

(view spoiler)[I'd say I liked the book, but it definitely wasn't amazing. I didn't like Canon and how he behaved in many moments.
There were parts of the story that were very well written, like the part when she was very sick. Other parts, like the whole thing with her sister, I didn't like so much.
Dessi Blue's story I didn't care much for, apart from the singing in the audiobook, which happened once more, that was beautiful.
Overall, I'd say it's a solid book, but for sure not the best one ever written. (hide spoiler)]

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January - New Beginnings


Level 1
✅1. A book by an author you've never read before.
✅2. A book that starts a new series.
✅3. A book by a debut author.

Level 2
1. A book published in 2025.
✅2. A book about personal growth or change.
✅3. A book with "new," "begin," or "start" in the title.

Level 3
✅1. A book set during the start of a new year or a new season.
✅2. A book set in the future or involving a fresh start.
✅3. A book recommended by someone else to "start your year right."

Yearly Challenge 2025


Sign-ups are open throughout 2025.
The challenge will end on December 31, 2025.

The Challenge

1. Comment here to sign up and I will create a challenge thread for you. You can sign up at any point during the year but only for the months that are left. Example: If you join in January, you will be able to participate in the months January-December. If you join in March, you will be able to participate in the months March-December.

2. Each month, I will post prompts surrounding a specific theme to your thread. There will be 9 prompts each month, divided into 3 levels. For the completion of a level 1 prompt, you will receive 1 point. For level 2, you will receive 2 points and for level 3 it will be 3 points.
To receive each month's Book Award, please complete one prompt in each level. You can complete as many prompts as you want and are able to and in any order. Note that only books completed in the respective months will be accepted.

3. You have 3 free skips throughout the challenge but you can only use one free skip each month. To skip a prompt, please read a book that meets the general guidelines.
If you are out of free skips or want to use another skip in that month, you can either:
- spend 2 points to complete a prompt from a previous month,
- spend 3 points to complete a prompt from the current month twice or
- spend 5 points to read a book that meets the general guidelines.

4. Please make a completion post in your thread using this template:

Book:
Author:
Date completed:
Task:
How it fits:

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

James Donovan



James Donovan, Victoria’s eldest son, is a man weighed down by responsibility. He inherited the family fortune but has struggled to manage it. His strained relationship with his younger sister, Sarah, is evident, and though he rarely speaks, his presence is a dark cloud over the gathering.

Task 1: Read a book where inheritance causes tension.
Task 2: Read a book where a character is burdened by expectations.
Task 3: Read a book where siblings are at odds.

✅

Lydia Blackwood



Lydia Blackwood steps into the grand hall with the grace of someone accustomed to being in control. Once engaged to James Donovan, Lydia was cast aside when James decided to break off their engagement for reasons she has never fully understood. Her return is not entirely unexpected, but her calm demeanor hides a simmering resentment. While she claims she’s here to pay her respects, there’s an underlying tension between her and the Donovan family, and it’s clear she harbors old wounds.

Task 1: Read a book where a past romance ends in betrayal.
Task 2: Read a book where an ex-fiancée returns seeking closure—or revenge.
Task 3: Read a book where unrequited love plays a key role in the story.

Lydia Blackwood



Lydia Blackwood steps into the grand hall with the grace of someone accustomed to being in control. Once engaged to James Donovan, Lydia was cast aside when James decided to break off their engagement for reasons she has never fully understood. Her return is not entirely unexpected, but her calm demeanor hides a simmering resentment. While she claims she’s here to pay her respects, there’s an underlying tension between her and the Donovan family, and it’s clear she harbors old wounds.

Task 1: Read a book where a past romance ends in betrayal.
Task 2: Read a book where an ex-fiancée returns seeking closure—or revenge.
Task 3: Read a book where unrequited love plays a key role in the story.

Book/Author: The Darkest Temptation by Danielle Lori
Date read: January 14
Task: c
How it fits: author initials DL

✅

18. Bonus - Carnival
German Karneval or Carneval is a blast – it's like Mardi Gras but with a dash of German flair! Picture vibrant parades, outrageous outfits, and endless fun fueled by beer and liquor. It's the ultimate excuse to unleash your inner party animal and celebrate in true German fashion!
a. Read a book featuring a parade.
b. Read a book with a colorful cover.
c. Read a book set in February.

Death By A Thousand Cuts


Tasks:
1: Read a book with the word "death" in the title or text.
2: Read a book with a cover featuring a knife or sharp object.
3: Read a book about overcoming numerous small challenges.

✅

Dear Reader


Tasks:
1: Read a book with the word “reader” in the text (provide short passage and page number).
2: Read a book with a 4 in the page number.
3: Read a book in which a big secret is unveiled.

✅

✅

✅

Literary Launch - End


Read a book that meets the general guidelines to complete this challenge.

Anti-Hero


Tasks:
1: Read a book in which the MC is an anti-hero.
2: Read a book with both author initials in ANTI-HERO.
3: Read a book featuring a ghost.