Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2012)

Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Original Message 121

LISA'S POSTS FOR BOM BONUS

DAY 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 4 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 5 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Great! Keep reading everyone. 😁

Don't worry, Emma, Ariel and Vicky, it will all work once we start playing.

You really just have to note down all food items once we start. And maybe how many pages in the book you're reading. And we can combine different ingredients from different players to make complete meals. As it was two years ago we played, I'll probably have to refresh the rules too. You'll have fun, I promise!

Congratulations Tina on your new home. Hope things settle down for you soon.

And thanks to the Mods for our bubbling crumble picture. Anyone good with words who wants to write our Team Blurb, go right ahead!

Thanks Karolyn! All you Captains have done a magnificent job keeping us all in line. 😊 And a great team, it makes it so much more fun when everyone participates fully.

Here's to an amazing finish!

Hi Vicky,

I played last time and we just entered our finished books/meals on the provided spreadsheet. It seems complicated at first but once you've done it a few times it all falls into place.

Once TT9 is over I'm sure we can all chat more about how we want to do recording for this one. And some of the more tech savvy gals who played before might have some input about
tracking sheets. It's going to be a lot of fun. 😁

DQs Day 5: Ch 29-End

18. Stealing a quote from day 4: ‘Sometimes, even when you start with the last page and you think you know everything, a books finds a way to surprise you.’ Did this book surprise you? If it did, was it in a good or a bad way?

Didn't surprise me, no. But I thought the ending worked pretty well regardless.

19. Libby’s big secret surprised Nora. Was it what you expected? What are your thoughts on her keeping it secret and using the list to try to win Nora over?

No, but I knew the divorce was a red herring and mirroring Nora's insecurities about life. But as everyone has mentioned if they had just been up front about their feelings it would have saved a lot of angst.

20. What about Nadine and the cat? Did you appreciate this side story? How did you feel about how it played out in the novel?
I thought this was underdeveloped and actually went nowhere. Maybe I missed something..

22. I loved Nora’s interaction with Clint, what about you? Do you think she overstepped? Do you think it influenced the ending?

Just as well she did or Charlie and Nora probably would still be separated.

23. The ending. It is very much a Happily Ever After. Nora gets almost everything. Was it too HEA or just right and did you like it?

I liked it. But this sort of book isn't really my thing but well written for the genre. 3.5 stars.

LISA'S POSTS FOR BOM BONUS

DAY 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 4 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 5 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 4 - Aug 5
Chapters 21 - 28

14.) One of the most prevalent plot devices in romance books is misunderstandings being a primary driver in the conflict between MCs. I hate it because most of the issues could be resolved with one 15 minute conversation. Does this plot device annoy anyone else? Did you find it refreshing then that Nora cleared the air a bit in the library with Charles? At least before the grabby-hands started ;)

That's a coincidence, I was thinking when I finished this section that for two sisters who love each other there is zero honest communication. At least Nora spilled to Charlie so that's a plus.

15.) Were you surprised at anything revealed by Nora and Charles during their tent conversation? Did the tension with Shepard make even more sense with some backstory?
Charlie's parentage was a bit of a surprise although there were hints I think from their physical descriptions. And I think both Clint and Shepard were described as being very blond and athletic. I can see how there would have been tension between the two especially if Charlie felt he didn't measure up in the biology stakes.

16.) Any guesses on why Libby needed a lawyer's number? Do you think it's a divorce? I'm hoping that's a red herring and it's something with their dad or a basic need like wills for her and Brendan.

Yes, I'm thinking red herring here to emphasize lack of communication and Nora's insecurities.

17.) Any guesses as to what Nora will do about the editor job? Do you think Charlie will stay in his hometown, or will he make it back to NYC?

Surely it's got to end up in a HEA with both of them blissfully in the same place?

I'll finish all my books on the spreadsheet and will work out how many extra and what categories I can do over the weekend.

Day 3 Questions Chapter 14-20

10. Charlie and Nora make a bet that Nora can finish everything on the list but Nora is a tad doubtful but she's determined to push through for her sister. Have you ever made a bet where you're bound and determined to win but knowing deep down inside that you may be doomed from the start? (For example: If I took a bet where I had to do a tower of doom thingy at an amusement park, I'm going to need a blindfold, some alcohol, and some prayers, and not necessarily in that order!)
Nuh, not in my nature to make a bet I knew I couldn't deliver on. Interesting question, though.


11. We are starting to learn more about Frigid but I still want to know what the book is really about. Why do you think the cat has to stay?

That is the 64 million dollar question. I'm thinking the book is going to segue way into what an admirable person Nora is once you get to the heart of her. Not sure about the cat though.


12. Libby is a little bit of a hot/cold person. She can turn her emotions quickly and I'm not sure if all of that is due to the pregnancy. Any ideas on what has her so upset at times and why she needs to distant herself?

It's hinting at marriage problems but I think this might be a red herring. I think maybe Nora is projecting her own insecurities in this one.


13. Finally, we end this section with Nora and Charlie in Charlie's childhood bedroom. This is a two part question. One, do y'all still have bedrooms at your childhood home? Mine got repurposed after I graduated college but I always think it's interesting who still has one and who doesn't. Second, Charlie immediately sensed something had happened when he saw Nora in the room. What do you think of the progression of their friendship and do you think Nora will start to open up and lean on him more?

Wow, it's 37 years since I left my childhood home, so it's long gone. But my daughter moved out 5 years ago and her old room is still full of her stuff, LOL.
This is a classic enemies to lovers theme, their initial snarky rapport was a huge hint that they would end up as soulmates. The author is doing a good job of showing how they get there.

And nice questions, so no worries!

Original at message 132.

LISA'S POSTS FOR BOM CREDITS

DAY 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 2 DQUS
DAY 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 4 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 5 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Day 2: chapters 6 - 13

6. So, "Frigid", the book within a book being written by Dusty and edited by Charlie. Fan fiction or a brutal hatchet piece?

I hope it's fan fiction. It would be horrible after all these years working with Nora if Dusty was writing a revenge piece. 😒

7. We get more of the backstory of Nora's life. Does this history give you hope for her future as well as explain her current attitude towards love?

The backstory gives a big hint as to why Nora is so protective of Libby and controlling about life. We don't actually know what happened to her mother but it hints it was tragic and has impacted her daughters greatly. Like everyone Nora has her good and not so good points. But she makes entertaining reading.

8. Libby is at too much of a loose end - setting up a fake dating profile for Nora & everything!? What do you think this says about the sisters and their relationship?
I think someone mentioned co-dependent and this seems spot on. They need to give each other permission to be who they are as individuals but still loving each other as sisters.

9. So we've seen the failing business to be saved, been on a date to a karaoke night - are you enjoying seeing the Small-Town Romance cliches (and I loved that the song mutilated was the theme for that classic Small-Town, Second Chance Romance, Sweet Home Alabama!) being subverted?

Yes, it seems that Charlie and Nora will fall in love in spite of the small town cliches. The blind date was excruciating, as a long time married person I really feel for people who feel they have to put themselves through this. But I guess everyone always lives in hope they will find their special someone. 💕

Thanks everyone. I'll sign us up now. 😍

Brittany
26686 books | 3008 friends
see comment historyDAY 1 QUESTIONS!!! prologue – 5 21%

1. The book opens up with the quote: When books are your life-or in my case, your job- you get pretty good at guessing where a story is going." Where do you think this story is going? Is this your first Emily Henry Book? Do you think it will be like any of the others if you have read them before?

This is my first Emily Henry. Quite enjoying it although I guess it's pretty predictable that Nora and Charlie will get together in classic enemies to lovers trope.

2. Nora feels like she is losing Libby. She begins to notice all that they no longer know about each other, from Libby getting her ex's name wrong to the moments she has missed in the children's lives. Have you ever felt this way with a family member or friend? Did you ever do anything crazy to try to force the relationship back to what it used to be? How far do you think she will go to get this back with Libby?

I think this does happen to good friends and even sisters when you are at different places in your lives. If there is truly love between the sisters or friends you'll work it out. As I'm sure LIbby and Nora will after they go through some crazy sh**.

3. Have you ever visited a place after reading about it in a book? If so, was it as you expected it to be? If you could visit any real place from a book, where would you go?

One of my favourite things to do is visit author's historic homes or do tours of book sites. I've been to many including Alnwick Castle aka Hogwarts, Midhope aka Lallybrock from Outlander and Dubrovnik, Kings Landing from GOT's. But my absolute favourite was going to the Bronte Parsonage in Haworth and seeing the moors of Wuthering Heights. ❤️

4. I loved the list so much and the banter between the sister over it. What is your favorite item on the list? What would you do to fulfill it?

I love the relationship between the sisters and the list is pretty funny. I enjoyed the hair cuts and colours and watching the old movies.

5. My favorite scene so far has been when Nora sends the message " What about Bigfoot erotica? .... As soon as I hit send, I snap to my senses. Why of all the words available to me is this what I said?” What’s your favorite scene so far?

I like the banter between Nora and Charlie. And I LOL when she fell in the deer poo! Bigfoot erotica... has this author been stalking the Backroom BOM.. We've read Dino Island and Alien smut .. big foot must be next, LOL.

Thanks everyone. When CB checks in with thoughts on the name we'll go ahead and register our team. Start getting into the groove of looking for those food and drink items... but anyone who played before probably never got out of the habit..😁

Great. That's our team sorted.

CB - 20 books 21653598-cb
Emma 30 books 8575414-emma
Lisa - 13 books - 3741108-lisa---aussie-girl
Vicky - 10 books 2044729-vicky
Ariel - 20 books 7271131-ariel
Kaley - 10 books. - 7919012-kaley

Does anyone have any other suggestions for the name? Or are you happy with Bubble ,Bubble, Boil and Crumble aka The Scottish Cafe?

Kaley wrote: "Hi friends! I am also looking for a team. I read about 10 books a month but can read more if needed.

I'm decent enough with spreadsheets and last year it was my personal joy to figure out assigni..."

Kaley, would you like to complete our team. So far we've got five.. but a complete team of 6 would rock!

CB - 20 books 21653598-cb
Emma 30 books 8575414-emma
Lisa - 13 books - 3741108-lisa---aussie-girl
Vicky - 10 books 2044729-vicky
Ariel - 20 books 7271131-ariel

Ariel wrote: "I'm all for joining you guys if you'll have me! :)"

Lovely. Now we have to come up with a team name. Suggestions?

Here's mine - Team Bubble, Bubble, Boil and Crumble (aka The Scottish Cafe)