Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Caption Cooks (1)
Week 9 - completion post Book:
Read: 3 November
Rating: 5⭐️
Review: I could not put this book down! This is the story of princess Adeline of England and how she longs for freedom from the confines of her title and family. She meets Josh Jameson an American Actor and Hollywood God who challenges her and breaks down all her walls. She knows he will not be deemed suitable by her family but through the telling of this story we find out what she will risk for love and freedom.
Week 8 Completion
Date Read: 11/2
Rating: ★★★½
This was a cute book. Calvin and Holland may have done things out of order but their relationship was fun to watch as it developed. Holland's stalking of him for several months before even meeting him was a little creepy though. There were a couple of situations at the end that I wish had been handled differently. The banter and humor made it an entertaining read overall.
Week 9 - Theme 1 – Option 1 Due 8th NovemberBook:
Pippa's Cornish Dream by Debbie JohnsonPage numbers: 208
How the book qualifies: Is a romance set in Cornwall in the UK
Week 8 - Completion Post -- Option 1Call: 3. Read a book with an MC who plays or writes music (composer, musician, singer etc) ~ from one of the following lists
Book: Hillbilly Rockstar - Lorelei James
How it fits: #5 on Opry: Romance Novels with Country Music Artists
Pages: 405
Date Read: 11.04
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed this author. It's always fun to be on the road with rockstars - I guess as romance readers we always like to see the Rogue character finally fall for the girl he didn't know he always wanted. This one didn't disappoint. I enjoyed watching the MCs accept each other and become friends as well as lovers. The angst level was low but there was still tension and conflict in the story due to the threats against Devin. I also like how even though the couple had to go through the inevitable break up near the end, the author didn't draw it out. We got to our reunited/happy ending couple pretty quickly. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
Week #8 completion Post ~ Option 1Call: Read a book with an MC who plays or writes music (composer, musician, singer etc)
How does it fit: # 7 on the Notes: Musicians in Historical romance list
Completed: 11/4
His Every Kiss By Laura Lee Guhrke
Pages: 388 ( Kindle)
Rated: 5 stars
Review: I thought this story was Amazing! I loved it. This is book 2 in the guilty pleasures series. In the beginning of the story we meet Dylan Moore who is a famous music composer. Due to a carriage accident. He hears constant ringing in his head and the lyrics don't come easy to as they did before the accident. On the brink of suicide he meets Grace who manages to bring back from going over the edge of the cliff...so to speak. I loved this story. I took my time with reading this because this is the type of story that you don't want to end. I thought the plot was Amazing. I love the pairing of Grace and Dylan. I love the slow burn romance between them. I like how at the end that it was no longer about the music for them....that they loved each other genuinely. I didn't think I like the plot, where Dylan has an unknown daughter.....but I think it tide in nicely with the story. Great story!!!
Completion Post - Week 9 - Theme 1 – Option 1 Posted /11/18Book:
Pippa's Cornish Dream by Debbie JohnsonFinished: 07/11/18
Rating: 4★s
Review: I really enjoyed this sweet little story - there wasn't a lot of angst - but what there was made my heart go out to Ben and Pippa. Sometimes life can be quite a trial but you can't always tell someone is having a drama. Like when you see a duck serenely moving across the water - what you don't see is its little feet paddling furiously to keep the smooth journey going. Well Ben and Pippa had a lot of paddling to do to look like their lives were normal.
I hope everybody's reading is going better than mine! I am NOT enjoying my book but am stuck with it because I have it slated for several challenges (and I can't be bothered to find new ones) and it's the only UK book I have on my radar right now.... so I'm slogging through it... woe is me, right!Raine - still need a selection post from you for this week. If I missed it, please let me know. Also want to check in on how you are doing for week 8 completion?
Happy Reading all!
Week 9 Completion
Date Read: 11/4
Rating: ★★★
I loved that this story was based on A Christmas Carol. The idea of a town that celebrates Christmas all year is fun too. I did not really like Benjamin's character until the end, but Noelle's character was great. The story itself seemed to move slow, even for a shorter book. I usually enjoy Erica Ridley's historicals, but I don't think this one was her best.
LaurLa wrote: "I hope everybody's reading is going better than mine! I am NOT enjoying my book but am stuck with it because I have it slated for several challenges (and I can't be bothered to find new ones) and i..."Laurla your book had a lot of pages too. What’s your other challenge criteria can we help you find a different book?
LaurLa wrote: "I hope everybody's reading is going better than mine! I am NOT enjoying my book but am stuck with it because I have it slated for several challenges (and I can't be bothered to find new ones) and i..."I am lucky, touch wood, so far I have liked all of mine - at the very least didn't struggle. Which is unknown for me in a challenge as you read what fits tasks and not always do you have a book on hand that is perfect :)
Hazel wrote: "LaurLa wrote: "I hope everybody's reading is going better than mine! I am NOT enjoying my book but am stuck with it because I have it slated for several challenges (and I can't be bothered to find ..."I'm resigned to it... when I say a lot of other challenges, I mean a lot. I chose it for several year long challenges based on different criteria but mostly that it is a classic and published prior to 2000. I'll get through it and I'll feel really virtuous when I do ;-)
What's sad is that I like the premise and now that I've read a bit more into it, I kind of like the characters. It's just the language and writing is old world and mostly just convoluted. There are sentences that are paragraphs long that are pages long! By the time you get to the end of the thought, you can't remember where it started. Oye!
Week #8 - COMPLETIONOption 1: (Read a book with an MC who plays or writes music)
Book:
by Colleen Hoover Pages: 385
How the book qualifies: In Rock Star Romance list
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
The story was pretty good, but I guess I'm not a fan of cheating or a love triangle so I only gave it 4 stars.
Week #9 - SELECTIONOption 1: (Read a book set in the UK)
Book:
by Amy Daws Pages: 332
How the book qualifies: Set in England
My book is longer then i thought so I will try to have it done before next friday.
WEEK 10Option 1
6. Read a book with a building on the cover.
Please post the bookcover in your selection post.
Option 2
Key date: 9 May 2018
This is the second to last week... keep that in mind as you make your selections. It will need to be completed by next Friday in preparation for the final round. It is up to you all if you want to try to compete for the win. If we do, we need to be prepared to select and read our final book probably on Friday evening. Most winning teams seem to finish their all their books within a few hours of the call.It doesn't matter to me either way - I like to win but the fun of this challenge for me is the challenge itself, not necessarily the chance to win :-) But I won't argue if we want to try!!!
LaurLa wrote: "This is the second to last week... keep that in mind as you make your selections. It will need to be completed by next Friday in preparation for the final round. It is up to you all if you want to ..."I’m up for trying. I only have one call that would potentially slow me down.
Week 10 - Selection - option 1Call 6 Read a book with a building on the cover
Book:
Pages: 228
Week 9 - Selection/Completion Post -- Option 1Call: 1. Read a book set in the UK.
Book: A Civil Contract - Georgette Heyer
How it fits: set in England
Pages: 432
Date Read: 11.09
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I can honestly say I am glad that is over! A difficult book to review because parts of it were so difficult to read with a lot of extraneous detail stuff I didn't care about (like the military tactics of the Napoleonic wars that had very little to do with the story, especially the DETAIL!). Yet, I enjoyed the characters and the overall story. The MCs married for convenience, so you knew they would eventually fall in love. Adam married to restore his fortunes and save his family estate and Jenny married for the title. It was painful because he was in love with someone else and he gave up hopes with her to save the family and Jenny was already half in love with him but knew his heart belonged to Julia. There was no high angst or drama, it was lovely to watch the shift of Adam's feelings go from the boyish love of his youth to the mature and deeper love for his wife. Lots if interesting quirky characters made for some chuckles as well. I wish it was a smoother read but I'm more glad than not that I took the time to read it.
Week #10 selection PostCall: Read a book with a building on the cover
Sheikh's Secret Love-Child By Caitlin Cruise
Pages: 217
How does it fit: Couple is standing in front of Palace.
I have no problem reading and finishing my book within a couple of hours. But I get home from work on Fridays until 10pm that night.
Just heading for bed. Will post mine tomorrow - the one I had earmarked I’ve already read - had it down twice as two different editions. I’m sure a romance with a house won’t be a problem for me :)
Week 10 - Theme 6 – Option 1 Due 16th NovemberBook:
A Love so True by Caroline Mickelson Page numbers: 223
How the book qualifies: There is a house on the cover
Week 10 - Selection Post -- Option 1Call: 6. Read a book with a building on the cover
Book: Desire After Dark - Marie Force
How it fits: lighthouse on the cover
Pages: 283
Week 10 - Completion Post -- Option 1Call: 6. Read a book with a building on the cover
Book: Desire After Dark - Marie Force
How it fits: lighthouse on the cover
Pages: 283
Date Read: 11.10
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I loved this!! I really like this series even though sometimes the author gets a bit pollyanna-ish with her story/characters. But I don't care because I love the sense of family and community she has created with the series. However, this book had some great LOL moments in it! There were several scenes with the hilarious antics that small children/toddlers bring to family gatherings and they were truly LOL worthy! I think because they were so real... I could so see it happening in real life. Anyway, back to the story - the main couple in this book were really sweet. They had great banter which was also fun to read. Erin seemed so fragile in earlier books and even in parts of this one, but I liked that she was finally able to find the strength and courage to open up to new people in her life and to being loved. Good story!
Week # 10 Completion Post ~ Option 1Call: Read a book with a building on the cover
Completed: 11/12
]Sheikh's Secret Love-Child by Caitlin Crews
Pages: 217
Rated: 3 stars
Review: This is the fourth book in the Bound by the Dessert King series. Shona had a one night stand with Malak on her birthday, he ended up leaving the next morning not knowing that he left her pregnant. 4 years later, Malak brother abdicated his throne leaving Malak next in line to take over as ruler. Finding out that Shona his son...he basically kidnaps her and is forcing her to become his Queen. There are some parts of this story that I did like, but for the most part I was disappointed. The character of Malak was a jerk throughout the story. Honestly, I was not sure how Shona was able to fall in love with him. I did like the character of Shona....I like how she stood up to Malak and was not afraid to say what she thinks. Some of the messaging of the story was not thrilling me either. Not everyone is going to be rich or end up marrying a powerful man. There is nothing wrong with being a poor or earning a living. In some of the scenes, I felt like Shona was being shamed for being a single mother and earning a living as a waitress. And you can't raise a child properly on that type of salary. which for me was annoying, people do it all the time and their kids turn out to be well rounded people.
Week # 9 Completion ~ Option OneCall: Read a book set in the UK.
Completed: 11/12
Kiss Me at Christmas By Valerie Bowman
Pages: 299 (Kindle)
Rated: 5 Stars
Review: Kiss me at Christmas is book #10 in the playful brides series. This my first time reading this series. Despite not reading the earlier i was able to catch on quickly. I loved this story and definitely going to start reading the series. Lady Regina who has been on the shelf so to speak is being forced to marry a man she doesn't love. In one last desperate act of Independence she makes and indecent proposal to bow street runner Daffin Oakleaf...she wants him to relieve her of her virginity. Daffin is tempted by her offer, but turns her down. Leaving Regina wounded and humiliated. Regina has bigger problems because someone wants her and dead and its up to Daffin to protect her and capture the perp. Which causes it own set of problems. I thought the characters were all written. I love the pairing of Daffin/Regina. I thought the plot as a whole was playful and fun. The mystery of who wanted Regina was kind of predictable, but I enjoyed reading it. Overall, great book. I highly recommend it.
Completion Post - Week 10 - Theme 1 – Option 1 Book:
A Love so True by Caroline MickelsonFinished: 13/11/18
Rating: 4★s
Review: This was such a sweet read – but from the first page there is an edge to the sweet. Set in WWII England, Emma is unmarried and has a newborn baby that she is hiding from the father. Gradually we learn that the father means harm – to both Emma and baby Patrick. Emma escapes from London to a safe place and meets a Dutch man and they fall in love. But there is danger in safety and there is an edge of the seat chapter where you think that maybe there isn’t going to be a happy every after!!!
Week #10 - SELECTIONOption 1: (Read a book with a building on the cover)
Book:
Maid for Love by Marie Force Pages: 260
How the book qualifies: There is a house on the cover
Week 10 Completion post Book:
Read: 14 November 2018
Rating: 2⭐️
Review: I really struggled with this book both the story and the writing style. Twins Henrietta and Joanna identical except for a birthmark that Joanna has on her breast travel from India to England with their cousin Brook following the death of Henriettas fiancé. One night after their arrival upon learning of the death of Henrietta and Joanna’s father and brother Brook mistakes Joanna for Henrietta. He confesses his love for Joanna and pleads with whom he assumes to be Henrietta to keep it a secret. Joanna later finds she is pregnant. Henrietta and Joanna devise a scheme to swap identities and Joanna as Henrietta travels to France to have the baby. Henrietta as Joanna finds a suitable man to marry and Brook and Joanna as Henrietta travel back to England to witness the wedding and the secrets are revealed allowing Brook and Joanna to be together.
LaurLa ~I have to work till 10 on Friday evening. I don't see how that is going to work, given how fast it goes on last round. I want to give this team a chance to win, so I'm going to bow out of this.
Rachel wrote: "LaurLa ~I have to work till 10 on Friday evening. I don't see how that is going to work, given how fast it goes on last round. I want to give this team a chance to win, so I'm going to bow out of t..."Don't feel the need to do that! It was truly just a question to see where everyone was with it, I don't want my question to make you feel pressured! No matter who finishes reading first during round 11, we've all had a great challenge and are winners. Please don't feel like you have to bow out.
Rachel wrote: "LaurLa ~I have to work till 10 on Friday evening. I don't see how that is going to work, given how fast it goes on last round. I want to give this team a chance to win, so I'm going to bow out of t..."Listen to LaurLa - no pressure - we need you to stay and be with us for round 11 so we can party at the finish line no matter when we cross it :)
Rachel wrote: "LaurLa ~I have to work till 10 on Friday evening. I don't see how that is going to work, given how fast it goes on last round. I want to give this team a chance to win, so I'm going to bow out of t..."I'm just going to throw my two cents in here. I think only once or twice has a team finished within hours and they were in the early rounds. Most are around 24 hours, a little before a little after. One round even took days to finish! So you never know how it is going to go!
With every team having at least one international player, it isn't likely to be super fast this time.
I think I will stick around the last round. I remember how it was last time. I just didn't want to be the one to cause the team not to win because I got my book in later. Thanks for the encouragement :)
Rachel wrote: "I think I will stick around the last round. I remember how it was last time. I just didn't want to be the one to cause the team not to win because I got my book in later. Thanks for the encourageme..."That was lucky!! I was just about to disallow your removal!! :D
Every team has overseas members and if they are in Europe, some don't get the call until midnight their time. All teams have a disadvantage :)
Rachel it’s usually between 11pm and midnight my time when the call is made I’m lucky if I can stay awake until 1am so hoping it’s a call that I have a shorter book for! Please stay x
You are all talking another language! Calls coming? What calls? I thought you just read the last book by the last date.
Sally906 wrote: "You are all talking another language! Calls coming? What calls? I thought you just read the last book by the last date."When the theme is announced on the Friday is what I meant Sally. 😀
Aaah. Well it IS Friday for me 😂😂Friday evening
Here's what I have - please tell me if I've missed a post!Week 9: completion from Raine
Week 10: completion from Raine and Amanda
I"m staying :) Temporary panic mode. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and making me feel better about it.
Week 10 Completion
Date Read: 11/16
Rating: ★★★★
That ending was a wild ride! I loved Bell and Dario together, but he was definitely an alpha. He is a powerful casino magnate in Las Vegas who gets what he wants, and he wants her. I had my suspicions the ending would go down like it did when that last scene started unfolding, but it still kept me intrigued. I am glad that the sequel is already released so I can jump in and find out how everything is resolved.
Week 11 - Selection post - option 1Call 13 Read a book where authors first and last name start with the same letter.
Book:
Author: M. Malone
Pages: 152
Week 11 completion post Book:
Read: 16 November
Rating: 3⭐️
Review: Andre Levin runs a fashion company but something is missing in his life. When he dresses and pretends to be a normal guy the ‘what’ he was missing bumps into him. Running into Casey again in a bar and having one night with her is not enough but she has disappeared by the morning leaving only her purple unicorn underwear. 2 months later attending a meeting he sees her working as a receptionist. Casey is mortified as she doesn’t want to jeapordise her job. This book is told from Andres POV and is an introduction to the next book in the series. It was a good intro to the characters and the 3 star rating is only because it was short and introductory.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Shock and Awesome (other topics)Enemies at the Altar (other topics)
Shock and Awesome (other topics)
Bedfellows (other topics)
Enemies at the Altar (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
M. Malone (other topics)Caroline Mickelson (other topics)
Caroline Mickelson (other topics)
Debbie Johnson (other topics)
Debbie Johnson (other topics)
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Call: Read a book that takes place in UK
Kiss Me at Christmas by Valerie Bowman
Pages: 299 ( Kindle)
How does it fit: Takes place in London