R10: Team Double the Pleasure ~ Double the Fun (2) **Winning Team**

[Steph Ann]

Completion Post - Spot 101

by Kelley Armstrong

#1 in Rockton
403 pages

Read: 12/4/18
Rating: 3.5 stars

Review

This one was a bit up and down. It started out slow, and I had a hard time connecting to Casey at first because she seemed very disconnected from what had happened in her past, and it was really hard to get a good read on her. Once she gets to Rockton and the main mystery plot starts up, things get more interesting, and I started feeling more connected to her and what was going on. The ending seemed to wrap up fast, and I was left feeling a bit dissatisfied, not that it was bad or sloppy, but it just seemed to wrap up too quickly, if that makes any sense. All in all, I still enjoyed it, but it's not my favorite Armstrong book by any means.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

FINAL WEEK
COMPLETION POST for Week 11, Spot 101

Book: My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Pages: 240
Qualification: Standalone (0)
Read: 12/4
Rating & Review: ❤❤❤½
I went into this book expecting to laugh or at least get some chuckles. I mean, look at the title! But from the very first page, any notions of a humorous/satirical novel was quickly dispelled.

The book starts off with sister Korede cleaning up a room after her sister Ayoola stabbed the boyfriend for yelling at her. One stab to the heart, two more to ensure he didn’t get. While Korede, the nurse, was cleaning and talking to Ayoola, it was clear that this has happened before.

What resonated with me (as a Nigerian) was the expectation that you protect family above all. So Korede is protecting her sister even though she’s simultaneously aiding and abetting a murderer and disposing a body and tampering with a crime season.
I also smiled at the descriptions of the Lagos, from hailing a taxi, to the calling of the trunk of the car “boot”.

Oyinkan Braithwaite’s debut novel captures the way sisters are treated and pitted against each other unknowingly in the descriptions of their beauty and value.
Korede KNOWS her sister Ayoola is more beautiful and valued. Korede resents that her needs and desires take a back seat but she’s come to accept the role until it’s tested when Ayoola sets her sight on the doctor that Korede has been in love with. Korede struggles with protecting the doctor by letting him know to avoid her sister or loyalty to blood.

Honestly, this audiobook wasn’t the smoothest I’ve heard. The story should have had an epilogue or a better explanation at the ending. I struggled to understand Ayoola who never seemed to feel bad for killing her beaus. No remorse other than the feigned emotions when the family of her victims asked if she knew anything about their whereabouts.
What I liked was the way the author captured the culture and her descriptions gave me visual memories of Nigeria. That connection is what I related to and what I loved. Overall, the story was okay. But just be aware, it’s not funny. It’s a straight up crime story.

[LaurLa]

I will have my book finished and review posted but it will be very late. It's been a hectic week and I haven't been able to read as much as I'd like.

[LaurLa]

LaurLa wrote: "I will have my book finished and review posted but it will be very late. It's been a hectic week and I haven't been able to read as much as I'd like."

Wait - I did read another #1 earlier this week - I can repost my selection post and use that, can't I?

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

As long as that book was started after the roll, you can use it, no problem.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Did we all finish? Did we win?

[Paula]

I'll finish tonight when I get home

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Ezinwanyi wrote: "Did we all finish? Did we win?"

Patience! :D Once LaurLa and Paula have their reviews up you can do your victory dance. ;)

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Okay then I’ll just warm up

[LaurLa]

Updated selection post in msg 337

[LaurLa]

Week 11 - Completion Post
Roll/Spot: Roll 5 + 4; Spot 101


Task: Series 1, standalone; Cover Item: Building
Book: Dirty Little Secrets - Julie Leto
How it fits: #1 in Dirty series
Pages: 352
Date Read: 12.01
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I enjoyed this heroine a lot. Both MCs were almost anti-heroes. They worked from a personal moral compass which wasn't always what was ethically or legally right. The MC was rough around the edges but I really liked how Marisela could take care of herself and even though she partnered with a big bad alpha male, she more than held her own, physically and otherwise. There were no putting herself in stupid situations so she had to be rescued situations and in fact she ended up being the rescuer for her big bad alpha! It was an interesting start to a series but unfortunately I've already finished the rest of the series and it's left in sort of hiatus, so now I'm disappointed. I would like to read more about this girl and couple but the author doesn't have any updates when the series might be continued. :-(

[Sam]

If Paula gets her review completed within the next 7 hours, then we win the game.

[Paula]

Completion Post ~ Week 11

Spot: 101
Task: Series 1, standalone; Cover Item: Building
Book: El Abanico de Seda by Lisa See
Finished: 12/06/18
# of pgs: 317
How it fits: standalone
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I loved this one. It was highly recommended by some friends and I have to agree that it's a great read and a page turner.
It tells the story of a Chinese woman, since her childhood till the end of her days, the good, the bad, the ugly and the super ugly.
The main storyline is her friendship with her laotong, her soulmate and female best friend, with whom she communicates using the nu shu writing. Their friendship is beautiful and it has to overcome some serious stuff.
This story is human, like so much like real life, with misunderstandings and suffering and joy too.

I loved it, even at its sad parts (and there are incredibly sad parts in this book).

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

[Sam]

Team 2: Double the Pleasure ~ Double the Fun
Week 11: Spot 101
Series #: 1, 101, standalone
Alternate: Cover Item: Building

Sam: Moon Awakening- Lucy Monroe- Children of the Moon #1- REVIEW
LaurLa: Dirty Little Secrets- Julie Leto- Marisela Morales/Dirty #1- REVIEW
Steph Ann: City of the Lost- Kelley Armstrong- Rockton #1- REVIEW
~Melissa~: Unwritten Law- Eden Finley- Steele Brothers #1- REVIEW
Ezi: My Sister, the Serial Killer- Oyinkan Braithwaite- standalone- REVIEW
Shan ~A~: Drunk Dial- Penelope Ward- standalone- REVIEW
Paula: El abanico de seda- Lisa See- standalone- REVIEW

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Congrats on the win! :D

[Sam]

Thanks, Denise. And thanks for running the game.

[Paula]

I liked this challenge, reading one book a week is difficult for me, so I'm really happy that I made it, and thar our team won!
Congratulations everyone =)

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

I want to thank you all for a fun round. Good job to all of you and thank you Denise.
You were definitely Boss

[Shan ~A~]

I had a great time. Thank you!

[Steph Ann]

I had a great time! :)

[LaurLa]

YAY!!! I've never been on a winning team!!! Woohoo - thanks for being such a great team!!

[~Melissa~]

Woohoo!!! Ezi as always I love your gifs!!! They are so entertaining and spot on!!!

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

~Melissa~ wrote: "Woohoo!!! Ezi as always I love your gifs!!! They are so entertaining and spot on!!!"

Lol. I got done series under my belt. I really tried to hit my FWYS series

[Sam]

It was a pleasure playing with you ladies, and I hope to play with you again in the future. I hope I did okay as your captain.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Sam wrote: "It was a pleasure playing with you ladies, and I hope to play with you again in the future. I hope I did okay as your captain."

You did great and thank you Sam for stepping up to lead and do the work