Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Tangled In Pages (3)
SELECTION POST: Week #5Option 1: Published in October
My Choice: Red Dirt Heart 3
Pages: 287
How it Qualifies: Published October 16, 2014
[*book:Red Dirt Heart 3|23155382]
Completion Post Week #5
Let It Go
Rating: 3,5 stars
Review:
A heartbreaking story, full of tragedy and pain.
The two rodeo cowboys Eli and Creed had a feud since they competed for the first time at the age of 17 and 18. Each time they met on the circuit or on the road, they got into a fight, Eli always the one who threw the first fist. Now, after almost ten years of this behavior a judge had enough and forced them under house arrest together. Either they would learn how to cohabitate or kill each other.
What followed was not a lovely enemies to lovers romance, it was the portrait of two broken men. There was a lot of physical and sexual abuse, starting when the MCs were 12 and 13 years old.
I think that Eli and Creed were perfect for each other, that they really loved each other, could have helped each other to heal and had a realistic chance of a HEA.
Unfortunately the book didn't deliver enough to let me feel their HEA. After all the horror they had to endure, the way they still reacted to the abuse, even when they were far in their twenties, showed how deeply they were damaged. There was no way that they would just flip a switch and be happy.
I think I needed much more shared happy moments and healing time, maybe some words about counseling.
Selection PostWeek 3
Option 1: Beach read
Book: Hanging Loose
Read: 10/11/16
Rating: ****
Review: If you're looking for a nice read. This is it.
The story is about two people that meet on the beach. they become friends, share their lives, families, and fall in love. I really enjoy learning about their lives and the everyday "day to day" normalness. Not a lot of drama or angst. Just life...
Week 5: Off CourseRating: ★★★★
Review:
I really enjoyed this! I loved Gideon so much. e was just so freaking lovable and all he wanted was to be loved and appreciated. I hate how is former pack treated him. Miller was just so perfect for him. He was solid and he was committed. This is pretty much insta-love but it really worked for me. It felt natural. I liked the mythology of the pack and how they'd lost their ability. I loved Miller's mom, and my heart broke for Roman. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Initial selection post Option 1Week # 5
Bookcover/link :
Page numbers : 262
How the book qualifies - Published October 14th 2014
[*bookcover:Wild About Her Wingman|26462713]
Week #4Bookcover/link :
Rating (1-5) : 4
Review:
An interesting book on finances for those who have started earning. Simple concepts explained through small parables set in Babylon. In a nutshell - save 10% , invest 10% with the advice of knowledgeable advisers, use 20% to pay debts. Use the remaining 60% for living expenses.
Week #5Bookcover/link :
Rating (1-5) : 3
Review:
The third book in the Secret Wishes series.After a bet, Troy becomes Erin's wingman and helps her to find a date.They start going out and become friends. Erin doesn't trust men and Troy has vowed to himself not to fall in love with an adventurous woman again. It was fun watching them fall in love against their judgement. A sweet and fun book with a swoon-worthy hero.
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 5
Red Dirt Heart 3
Read: 10/13/16
Rating: *****
Review: I love this series. By the time you get to book 3, you Know and love everyone. The story continues with their everyday lives. With that comes challenges, surprises, heartache, and set backs. N.R. Walker brings the written word to life with every turn of the page. She keeps the reader on edge, so you can continue to read and find out more. I am anxious to read the next book in the series.
Ack. guys the new category is up but my internet is out so I can't post it here.
Trying to post from phone......be patient with me lol
Week 6 - Theme Announcement17. Disney was a shy, self-deprecating and insecure man in private - read a book from the nerds/geeks lists:
Books With Nerdy, Geeky or Genius Heroes and Heroines
Brainy Genius Romantic Heroes
Nerdgasms
Best Gay Romance with Bookish Nerdy Geeky Characters
Nerdy Geeky Heroines of Romance Novels
These are compulsory lists. If you select this option, your book must be on one of these lists and you must link to the list and note which page/which number it is on that list.
Option 2
Key date: 13 April 2016
Ok think i got them copied but let me know if the links don't work right
Week 6: Geeky A Cup of Tea and a Few Broken Rules
113 pages
Qualifies: T-125 on Best Gay Romance with Bookish Nerdy Geeky Characters
Week 6: Selection Post Tell Me It's Real by T.J. Klune 350 pgs/ GR
[*book:Tell Me It's Real|17194490]
Qualifies: #25 on Best Gay Romance w/Bookish Nerdy Geeky Characters
SELECTION POSTWeek #6
Option 1: Nerds/Geeks
My Choice: Making Promises
Pages: 376
How it Qualifies: #27 on Best Gay Romance with Bookish/Nerdy/Geeky Characters
[*book:Making Promises|8578296]
Krissy wrote: "SELECTION POSTWeek #6
Option 1: Nerds/Geeks
My Choice: Making Promises
Pages: 376
How it Qualifies: #27 on Best Gay Romance with Bookish/Nerdy/Geeky Characters
..."
Ooohhh ~ I really liked that series! Hope you enjoy it
~Melissa~ wrote: "Ooohhh ~ I really liked that series! Hope you enjoy it "I've had the audiobook in my audible library forever. I just never got around to listening to it.
those are both great picks!Making Promises is actually my favorite in that series, I had major issues with the first book, but MP is pretty swooninducing.
TMIR is so great, very sparkly and smile making.
Well ~ I enjoyed the Bear Otter and Kid series so I'm hoping this one is as good. I was able to borrow it through my library's hoopla program so that was another plus :)I enjoyed the whole Promises series but they are kind of angsty...and long
Selection Post Week #6
Option 1: Nerds/Geeks
Trouble & the Wallflower
by Kade BoehmePages: 200
How it qualifies: # 55 on Best Gay Romance with Bookish Nerdy Geeky Characters
[*book:Trouble & the Wallflower|20645398]
SELECTION POSTWEEK 6
Option 1: Nerds / Geeks
Book: Screwdrivered
Pages: 256
Qualifies: #61 Nerdgasms
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
[*book:Screwdrivered|18759748]
Completion Post ~ Week 6Tell Me It's Real by T.J. Klune 350 pgs/ GR
Rating: 4♥
Review: so first off I have to say that humor is very much up to the individual but I thought this book was hilarious. OMG I kept giggling to myself while reading. Paul's parents??? OMG who has parents like that???!! I was dying laughing most of the time when they were on. Paul and Vince together were sweet. Helena - wow girl ....get your bitch on. Yes, there were times the book was OTT and there were a few times I may have skimmed ahead - it could have been a little shorter IMO. I have to read Helena - Sandy's book soon to see how she ends up with Darren.
COMPLETION POSTWeek #6
Making Promises
Rating: ★★★★
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Even more than book 1. I loved Mikhail and his OTT dramatics. And Shane was just a great character and perfect for Mikhail. My only complaint is that I felt the ending dragged a bit. The story could have wrapped up much sooner than it did.
Yay - glad you enjoyed it Krissy! How was the narrator?
~Melissa~ wrote: "Yay - glad you enjoyed it Krissy! How was the narrator?"Good. I'd rate the narration about 3 stars. I've listened to this narrator many times before but I always forget until the next time I hear him again. That should tell you how memorable he is. So he is good but not great.
Krissy wrote: "~Melissa~ wrote: "Yay - glad you enjoyed it Krissy! How was the narrator?"Good. I'd rate the narration about 3 stars. I've listened to this narrator many times before but I always forget until the next time I hear him again. That should tell you how memorable he is. So he is good but not great. "
LOL - that's funny....what's even funnier - I listened to this one on audio and totally forgot :)
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 6
Option 1: Nerds / Geeks
Book: Screwdrivered
Read: 10/19/16 Rating: ****
Review: This was good
What a romantic build up... to the end. Vivian and Clark...
I knew it would happen, but loved reading the instant they connected. There were a few laughs along the way.
Sunshine wrote: "SELECTION POSTWEEK 6
Option 1: Nerds / Geeks
Book: Screwdrivered
Read: 10/19/16 Rating: ****
Review: This was good
What a romantic build up... to the end. Vivian and Clark...
I kn..."
Completion post, not selection =)
Week 6: A Cup of Tea and a Few Broken RulesRating: ★★★★★
Review:
I really really loved this. I really needed something to just make me smile, though it did make tears appear towards the end. I loved Caden, and Bailey, and Caden and Bailey together. Caden was such a smart ass jerk but without actual malice intended. Bailey is extremely shy and private and just baffled by why he keeps sleeping with Caden who he hates and who picks on him constantly. The slut shaming of Caden was hard to read, Bailey needed a severe talking to about that. I do love the flip of the "relationship orientated" guy being the one who runs away because of fear. I hated the "break up" I thought Bailey was extremely immature and a bit of a jerk. Caden was 100% correct in his summation and shouldn't have apologized for the content of his statement, I could've lived with a "tone" apology. I enjoyed the reconciliation though. It was very well done, I felt invested and I WANTED them to work it out. I loved how emotional it was. It was touching and romantic and I loved the epilogue with Bailey relaxing but not suddenly becoming a different person.
Completion PostWeek #6
Trouble & the WallflowerRating: 3,5 stars
Review:
A sweet opposites-attract story.
I enjoyed reading how shy, socially awkward "Wallflower" Davy and outgoing bad boy "Trouble" Gavin found together. How they learned to lean on each other and grew stronger.
Davy was such a sweet, easy to love character, while it took some time to get a glimpse behind Gavin's bad boy façade and find the loveable, hurt young man.
Initial selection post Option 1Week # 6
Bookcover/link :
Page numbers : 371
How the book qualifies - #43 in Brainy/Genius Romantic Heroes
[*bookcover:Like No Other Lover|3164070]
Week #6Bookcover/link :
Rating (1-5) : 3
Review:It was set in a house party for a duration of two weeks. Though the writing was good, it was a very slow book. The heroine was not a likable character. She was greedy mean and calculating. There were some really funny scenes like the shooting game and the card game.
Week 7Option 1
1. Disneyland: The Happiest Homecoming on Earth - read a book with a child/children as a central character (NOT main character)
Best Gay Books Dealing With Children
Single Fathers of Romance / Great Family Men
Children in Romance
Best Romance with Children Characters/a>
Historical Romance with Children in the Plot
Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy books with Kids (NOT YA)
These are compulsory lists. If you select this option, your book must be on one of these lists and you must link to the list and note which page/which number it is on that list.
Option 2
Key date: 20 April 2016
Week 7 (Child Character)The Good Fight
200 Pages
Qualifies: #292 On Best Gay Books Dealing With Children
SELECTION POST: Week #7Option 2
Key date: 20 April 2016
Through These Eyes
Pages: 218
Qualifies: Caipi read - 9/16/16
[*book:Through These Eyes|17569368]
Selection Post: Week #7Option 2
Key date: April 20, 2016
In the Middle of Somewhere by Roan Parrish
Pgs: 350
Qualifies: Calila read 4/28/16 and rated 4♥
[*book:In the Middle of Somewhere|25687508]
Poongothai wrote: "Week #4Bookcover/link :
Rating (1-5) : 4
Review:
An interesting book on finances for those who have started earning. Simple concepts explained through ..."
I like your simple summary Poongothai :) Now I don't need to read the book! :D
All up to date! Great work :D
Selection Post Week 7
Option 1:Child Character
The Guy From Glamour
Pages: 246
How it qualifies: #135 on Best Gay Books Dealing With Children
[*book:The Guy From Glamour|19373304]
Completion Post: Week #7Option 2
Key date: April 20, 2016
In the Middle of Somewhere by Roan Parrish
Qualifies: Calila read 4/28/16 and rated 4♥
Pgs: 350
Finished 10/23/16
Rated: 4♥
Review: this was my first Roan Parrish book. It will not be my last. I really enjoyed it but I can't lie there were parts were it dragged a bit for me. Plus both MC's were hot and cold. I loved all the secondary characters. Ginger is a hoot. Will is never gonna get rid of Leo, lol. Also, Colin pegged it early on so was not surprised at the funeral. I'm looking forward to his book and I hope he and Daniel clear the air so all the brothers can realize Daniel's not an ass.
SELECTION POSTWeek #7
Option 1: Child Character
My Choice: Shaking the Sugar Tree
Pages: 304
How it Qualifies: #45 on Best Gay Books Dealing With Children
[*book:Shaking the Sugar Tree|20528976]
Completion PostWeek 7
The Guy From Glamour
Rating: 3,5stars
Review:
Military man Dean Pierce left his job as a Night Stalker and rushed to Glamour to see to his niece after his sister's death. There he met Anthony Carrino, the middle school guidance counselor.
The two were the total opposite. Dean was a tight-lipped loner, who had a hard time opening his heart and accepting love. Anthony was candid, full of love and part of a big, loud family.
This was a nice story about finding one's home and had some emotional moments which I really enjoyed reading but it couldn't always hold my attention.
COMPLETION POSTWeek #7
Shaking the Sugar Tree
Rating: ★
Review: Unfortunately this book did not work for me. At all. First this audiobook narrator was not good. I should have abandoned the audiobook early on and continued with the ebook. But honestly I don't think it would have changed my rating any. There are so many reasons why I disliked this book. Here are just a few:
(view spoiler)
The only good thing about this book was Noah.
Initial selection post Option 1Week # 7
Bookcover/link :
Page numbers : 302
How the book qualifies - #97 in Children In Romance
[*bookcover:Not Quite Mine|16154866]
Krissy wrote: "COMPLETION POSTWeek #7
Shaking the Sugar Tree
Rating: ★
Review: Unfortunately this book did not work for me. At all. First this audiobo..."
sorry you didn't enjoy your book ~ hopefully you've started something better!
~Melissa~ wrote: "sorry you didn't enjoy your book ~ hopefully you've started something better! "Yea I was totally disappointed. That book has been on my radar forever. So many people loved it so that confuses me.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Week #5
It Was Always You
Rating: ★★★★
Review: What a great group of authors. I enjoyed most of the stories in this anthology. Favorite was Dare You To by Riley Hart. Even though there was an editing error where one of the MCs was called by the wrong last name. Least favorite was probably Unexpected Turn by Ella Frank or Please Don't Go by Felice Stevens. I would probably rate this more 3 stars than 4 but since the proceeds are going to charity I added a star.