Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - The Page Turners (3)
Week 3 - Completion Post
Week # 3
Book: Bring on the Heat by Katie Rose
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I found myself wanting to give this book 2 stars simply because I didn't like either of the characters. I had to stop myself doing that because really, what this was telling me was that the author did a great job of making them believable enough that I could have such strong feelings about them.
I found both Darcy's inability to tell the truth just as frustrating as Chase's questionable motivations for dating her in the first place. I did however, like the way the story wrapped up. The support characters were a little light but wouldn't stop me picking up the next one in the series since I'm pretty sure their characters would be filled out in their own stories.
Week #3 Completion Post
Blitzing EmilyRating 4 stars
Review: Cute story. I did have to shake my head at the whiplash while reading as the engagement went from fake to a real relationship. I liked the story. It wasn't the overdone kind. It wasn't exactly realistic, but a fun read.
Yes, ladies, I finished this one before my Week 2 read. Had my Nook with me, but not the book...lol. :-) Elaine
Week 3 completion reportPlay with Me
4 stars. This was my first Kristen Proby. Overall it was a solid story. The writing style was a little distracting in places but, not too bad. I liked Will and Megan together and thought their chemistry was good. I liked that she wasn't impressed with his fame. I'll probably read more by this author.
Week 3 Completion report
Another 2.5, if I could give .5's.
This was a super fast read that felt like it was rushed. You barely get to know the 2 MC's as teenagers in high school and suddenly they are 20's and being reunited. I wanted more of their story. I felt like we glossed over them and focused more on their future careers rather than on their relationship. I never had time to like either of them and then the book was over and blah.
That's how this left me, feeling blah...the sex was well written and I think the guys were too but it was tough to tell. From the get go I felt rushed reading it and dates/times/details weren't adding up in my head which kept taking me out of the story.
Wish I liked it more...
Week # 2, 3. No people on the cover
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
743 pages
How the book qualifies - no people on cover
Finished 9/30/2015
3 stars
I know I'm in serious minority with my rating and opinion about this highly praised series, but this second book was just kind of boring and too long for me.
Most of the story was about the war and politics which are two subjects I don't care about at all.
It felt like the story about Claire and Jamie that kept me turning pages in first book, was lost in historical topics in this book. It took me forever to finish and this is never a good sign.
Week 2 Completion Post
Dangerous CreaturesRating: 3 stars
Review: This starts off good. It is easy to pick up even if you read the Beautiful Creatures series a while back, like I had. However, then it gets somewhat redundant and I got to the point where I really didn't care and wasn't interested any longer. I persevered and finished the book. I'm glad I did, as you learn so much more in the last 25% about the character of a couple of the main players in this book. The ending of a cliffhanger, of course, like all the others have been. I'm debating on Dangerous Deception, so we'll see if I read more of this spin-off series.
Shew! All caught up. Bring on the next theme... I'm ready.:-) Elaine
I think we all deserve a 5 star book this week :-)
Week 3 Completion Post
Title:Mounting Danger by Karis Walsh
Rating: 4 Stars
Review
I enjoyed this book and really liked the chemistry between Rachel and Cal. I also liked Lieutenant Hargrove and Billie and hope to see them in future books in the series.
Week 4Option 1:
13. Main page genre 'comedy', 'humor' or 'funny' (must be on the main page)
Option 2 key date: 27 March 2015
Week #4 Selection Post
The Law of Attraction240 pages per Amazon
How it qualifies: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... (book #1)
Week 4 Selection Post
Title:Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid
Pages: 394
How it fits: main page genre is comedy humor and funny
Week 4 Selection Post
Title: Overruled by Emma Chase
Pages: 272
How it fits: main page genre is humor --> funny
Week 4 Selection Post
by Christina Lauren416 pgs.
How it fits: main page genre is humor/funny: Humorous Stories About Relationships #119
Week 4 selection postSeduction and Snacks
By Tara Sivec
260 pages
How it fits:main page genre is humor
#3 on Funny as Hell! list. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Medavis66 wrote: "Week 4Option 1:
13. Main page genre 'comedy', 'humor' or 'funny' (must be on the main page)
Option 2 key date: 27 March 2015"
Thank you for posting the announcement in our area.
Week 4 - Selection Post
Book: The Deal by Elle Kennedy
No. of Pages: 358
How it Qualifies: Humor on the main page - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Week 4 - Selection PostOption 2 : key date 27 March 2015
Elias by Sabrina Paige
Pages: 330/GR
Teammate Amy, 3*, Read September 5, 2015
Week 4 - Completion Post
Week # 4
Book: The Deal by Ella Kennedy
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Wow. This was a fantastic book. I did have to double check that it qualified for this week's theme though since some of the subjects that Ella Kennedy tackled in this book were anything but humorous. Garrett and Hannah have great chemistry and their relationship develops slowly from strangers to friends to partners. Ella Kennedy does a great job of not rushing through this development so that when Hannah and Garrett finally acknowledge their feelings for one another it doesn't feel forced or fake.
I also thought the author did a wonderful job weaving in the heavy storylines of the character's pasts. It was done with sensitivity. The stress points in the relationship were also done well, with their resolution occurring in a way you'd believe.
The story wrapped up nicely with just enough lose threads for their to be a sequel or for it to develop in to a series.
Heather wrote: "Week 4 - Selection PostOption 2 : key date 27 March 2015
Elias by Sabrina Paige
Pages: 330/GR
Teammate Amy, 3*, Read September 5, 2015"
Hi Heather - I hope you enjoy this book. I really like the characters but felt the book lacked the right pace. I'm keen to hear what you thought.
Week 4
Title: Overruled by Emma Chase
Pages: 272
How it fits: main page genre is humor --> funny
Finished 10/4/2015
3 stars
Emma Chase writes a great smoothly flowing and witty romance. I loved her Tangled series and I would have enjoyed this book immensely if the main character Stanton Shaw would not have been a giant ass.
What kind of man keeps his baby mama on standby in their small hometown in Mississippi, claims to love her forever and at the same time lives as a big shot lawyer in DC sleeping around as he pleases with his colleague?
I generally don't mind a spicy love triangle but this was just nasty and offensive.
I did not see Stanton as a positive hero and a good guy. He acted like a stupid self centered ass that he was.
Not that the female characters were brilliant either, tolerating this cheating idiot wrapping them around his finger or whatever.
Week 4 Completion Post
The Law of AttractionRating: 4 stars
Review: Good time read. The cases are funny and I enjoyed their little discussions. I bet being a public defender is never dull. Braden was yummy adorable. Gabrielle had more sass than most which made her adorable, too. The negotiations through the dinner napkin were a hoot. Gotta love the way they think! The families are great on both sides. Recommended for a quick, fun time.
Wow ladies! You are all over the completions this week
Week 4 Completion Post 5 Stars
Actual rating between 4 and 4.5 and it's only because, somewhere in the middle of this book I got lost, in a good way, and for that the stars are lit up.
I went into this book expecting to not like it. I'm not a huge normal romantic story fan, I enjoy the messy books more and surprisingly this story is messy. Let's break it down a little.
The beginning: I found all the girls to be very girly to start and was tempted to give up on them early but as the book progressed we see a bit more and they grew on me, some. I will say that Mia grew on me as she grew throughout the book. Her friends, I get that they are all close but I need to know more about them before I can decide.
The middle: Interesting. You knew what was going to happen but I was surprised Mia did it. The Mia we had met so far wouldn't have gone to Paris.
The end: Ouch, what a mess but it all made sense.
I enjoyed Ansel and Mia's relationship, although it was obvious he was hiding something and it pissed me off. The sex scenes were fun, although the games became a little much. I think what I enjoyed the most was all the flaws of these 2 and their acceptance of those flaws. Getting people to love flawed characters can be tough, I surprisingly enjoyed reading about their journey, their flaws and their growth.
I will for sure check out book 2.
Completion Post - Week #4
Elias by Sabrina Paige
Rating: 4*
Review: I was excited to read this book. I LOVED Prick, Tool and Cannon so much. It was obvious I think Sabrina Paige writes great characters but those three books are all Stepbrother books. Similar. I wanted to see if I enjoyed her as much writing something different. I definitely did enjoy it! It was a good story. The characters were awesome. I am happy this is the first in a series because I didn't want it to be over.
I haven't finshed my week 4 book yet but hope to finish it within the next day or 2.
Week 4 completion postSeduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
260 pages
5 stars
I LOVED this book. I literally laughed out loud several times. The story focuses on Claire and Carter who meet (drunkenly) at a college party. They hook up and Claire sneaks out the next morning before they exchange contact info. They meet up again 5 years later and surprise, she had a kid as a result of their hook up. The book is super funny and I loved the characters. I will read more by this author.
Wow - going great guns here :)
Week 5 Selection post
Title: Tangled by Emma Chase
Pages: 254
How it qualifies:Best Second Chance Romance #218
Week 5 - Selection Post
Book: Where I Belong by J. Daniels
No. of Pages: 226
How it Qualifies: Best Second Chance Romance #249
Week 5 Selection PostBook: The Sweetest Thing
By: Jill Shalvis
No. of pages: 348
How it Qualifies: Best Second Chance Romance #107(https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...)
Week 5 Selection Post
Return to You384 pages
How it qualifies: Best Second Chance Romance
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... #259
Heather wrote: "Week 5 Selection Post
Kaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras
Pages: 295
How it fits: #9 "
Hi Heather - This sounds like it will be a great story. I'm looking forward to hearing what you thought of it.
Amy wrote: "Heather wrote: "Week 5 Selection PostKaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras
Pages: 295
How it fits: #9 "
Hi Heather - T..."
I've had it for awhile so I'm happy to finally get to it. I read another book by the author called There is No Light in Darkness. THAT was a great story!
Week 5 
by Karina Halle287 pages
#283 Best Second Chance Romance
4 stars
I liked this book a lot. Karina Halle writes good contemporary romance. About friendship and falling in love with your best friend. About making choices and doing the right thing. About insecurities and white lies.
I found the characters very real and situations relatable to real life.
Week 5 Completion Post
Return to YouRating: 5 stars
Review: I'm a sucker for a good romance. Throw in a second chance at love and I'm done for. This one served up both on a lovely platter! I didn't like why their relationship had come to an end the first time. It wasn't their choice. I was relieved they got a second chance (and third, if you are counting correctly). I loved James, but he was proud and stubborn and got in his own way. Selena was definitely just as bull-headed and her heart and brain fought a lot. I was so happy reading this. It made me smile a lot.
Week 5 Completion PostThe Mighty Storm
2 Stars
This quickly became another forced read due to the challenge, which is a terrible reason to finish a book. I just couldn't like the 2 main characters. I felt nothing but annoyance towards them. You have Tru who can't make a decision to save her life, she was so wishy-washy I wanted to cry. Then you have Jake who I didn't believe as a rock star or a producer, he came off as a jerk and I like jerks, if they are more than that. I didn't see more than that.
I wonder if I would have like them if this story was told from someone else point of view? Being inside Tru was, was not fun.
Huge miss for me and I love rock stars.
I'm chomping at the bit for this week's challenge theme! Hoping for something good.:-)
Week 4 completion post
Title: Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid
Date Read: October 14
Rating: 4 stars
Review
I really enjoyed this book and connected right away with Janie. I loved the way her mind worked. The chemistry between Janie and Quinn was great. I also loved the friendship between the members of the knitting club. I can't wait to continue on with this series especially Elizabeth's book.
Week 5 completion postThe Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis
5 stars
This was my first Jill Shalvis book and I really liked it! Tara and Ford had an intense summer fling 28 years ago that ended painfully. Tara left town only to return 6 months ago. So the book follows their reunion. I loved Ford. I will read more by this author.
Week 6 selection post
Title:The Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold by Francesca Lia Block
Pages: 240
How it fits: The best Fairytales and Retellings #85
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Transcendence (other topics)Road of No Return: Hounds of Valhalla MC (other topics)
The Sea of Tranquility (other topics)
Rush Too Far (other topics)
The Sea of Tranquility (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Katja Millay (other topics)Abbi Glines (other topics)
Emma Chase (other topics)
Emma Chase (other topics)
Linda Kage (other topics)
More...
496 pages
How it fits theme: MC is a football player