Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Nellie Bly Did It Faster (10)
Week #9 Selection PostOption 1 - Friends
Starstruck by L.A. WittPages: 254
How it qualifies: "Remaining just friends is the only thing to do, as both the studio and Levi’s disapproving, dysfunctional family keep reminding them."
[*book:Starstruck|22468702]
Week #9 Completion Post
StarstruckRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
Lovely romance!
Carter Samuels, a young guy, out and proud, a leading actor of the popular TV series 'Wolf’s Landing', had a crush on action star Levi Pritchard since his teenage years.....
Levi, close to forty, already retired to escape everything that is Hollywood. When he gets offered a dream role in 'Wolf’s Landing', he's considering his comeback.....
The first time they lock eyes at the set, the sparks start to fly! But Levi is still in the closet, has his life dictated by the bosses he hates and a family who drives him insane. And Carter refuses to be his dirty secret.
So remaining just friends is the only way to go, right?!
I couldn't comprehend why Levi even still was in the closet when he got offered this dream job. After all he already had retired from the showbiz and his crap family definitely wasn't worth to lead a miserable life. But this aside I enjoyed this love story and the sweet ending absolutely outweighed the frustrating moments.
Completion Post ~~ Week 9Option 1
Task: 15. Read a book where the word 'friend' or 'friends' is included in the GR book's summary/precis.
Book: The Accidental Vampire ~ Lynsay Sands
How it fits: She knows there's more to being undead than what she saw in Dracula, but she can't very well ask her mortal friends about proper biting etiquette.
Pages: 382 pp
Date Read: 05.07
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
As always, fun and a little different for a vampire book :-) I did get a little frustrated with Victor's inability to say what he meant and clear up the misunderstandings about Elvi's status, but then realized that's the result of his finding lifemate so was okay with it. Elvi was fun, the other characters of Port Henry were funny too. I really liked that this was free of doom and gloom - just a fun couple of vamps getting together!
Week 8 CompletionYours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros
337 pages
Qualification: #22 on Servant Heroes/Heroines in Romance
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: Holy wow. I really loved this one and I definitely recommend it for anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast inspired books and/or slow burn romances. Both the hero and heroine felt mature and I so enjoyed seeing them grow as people, as they adjust to the decisions they've made in life: Gabriel with his injury and Samantha with her mistakes from the past.
I'll have a review posted sometime on Thursday
Completion Post ~~ Week 8Option 1
Task: 2. Read a book with a 'servant' as the MC from one of the following lists
Book: Again the Magic ~ Lisa Kleypas
How it fits: #2 on Servant Heroes/Heroines In Romance listopia
Pages: 421 pp
Date Read: 05.08
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
For some reason I keep putting of reading this one. I'm not sure why, something about the blurb held me back. I think because of the hero wanting to come back an exact revenge on the heroine. Those tropes something bother me. Anyway, I've heard such good things about this series that I finally made myself read it. I'm so glad. It wasn't nearly as angsty as I expected, though the hero's attitude did anger me a couple of times. But in the end, he was the one who showed the most courage and acceptance, though Aline did have more to risk and fear. The side romance was also enjoyable. Looking forward to the next one, or actually, #1 in the series.
Week 9 - Friend in Blurb Completion Post
by Quinn Anderson300 pages
How it Qualifies: "As best friends, they’ve shared so much over the years..."
Finished 5/8, 4 Stars
An absolutely lovely friends to lovers story, Quinn Anderson crafts this one perfectly. Watching these two besties recognize their attraction, and then slowly come together is so compelling... just wonderful.
As Quinn Anderson fans can attest, she writes a fantastic love scene and these two guys are great together (gah, that first scene in the car is so hot!).
There's way more to The Long Way Around than just friends to lovers, we get a deeply personal look at both men and the issues they're facing. Between family stresses and other problems, this is a novel which will touch your heart.
I'm not sure I ever posted my week 7 completion, so I'll put it in the next post - it's really long so I'm going to use spoiler tags to keep our thread shorter.
Week 7 Option 1completion post
Book: Witchbane by Morgan Brice
Length: 246 pages
How it Fits: Added March 31, 2019, 20 days ago
Read on April 29
4 Stars
(view spoiler)
Week 9: Friend In Blurb Savor MeRating: ★★
Review:
*Received A Copy To Review From The Author*
I have to admit, I don't know if it was my mood or the story, but this wasn't my favorite of the series. I struggled with one of the main characters a lot, and shocker it wasn't Xander. I really found Damon extremely irksome. He was mired in self-pity and doubt. I normally have some compassion for that, especially given his struggles with alcohol and his daddy issues but for some reason, I just didn't have that much sympathy. And the little I was trying to work up for him evaporated when he pulled his stunt and abandoned Xander when he needed him most. Xander didn't even do anything to warrant it, the conversation they had...which wasn't a fight, seemed fine to me. I didn't catch anything disrespectful or even bad. So when Xander started apologizing and acting like he did something wrong I was baffled. I also don't like how it's resolved...I wish Xander had made Damon earn his trust back. There are some positives. I liked how open they were before that happens, they were pretty honest and upfront with their issues and boundaries. I do think they work pretty well with each other in general. Just...I don't know. I wish I liked it more.
Caipi wrote: " StarstruckRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
Lovely romance!
Carter Samuels, a young guy, out and proud, a leading actor of the popular TV series 'Wolf’s Landin..."
I need you to add which week this is for
Week 9Hungry, Hungry, Hoodoo by Liz Schulte
Read: (5/8)
Rating: ★★★½
I struggled going into this one because I knew the love triangle idea was coming up and I just don't really enjoy those very much. So I very much put off diving into the reading of this. I'd read a chapter and put it away, read a chapter put it away, and I knew it wasn't that long of a book. Finally I got about halfway in and the story picked up and I was able to just read through.
I didn't like this one as much as the first, but it was still a decent story. This tied up a few of the those loose ends and moved the story into a new place. As always the side characters here are great. I like Sebastian and Sy a lot. I'm glad this story ultimately takes the path it does. I felt bad for Jaron, a bit and wished his storyline could have been different. Still I walked away ok with where things ended up.
Calila wrote: "Caipi wrote: " StarstruckRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
Lovely romance!
Carter Samuels, a young guy, out and proud, a leading actor of the popular TV series ..."
Edited post #203. 👍
Week 10Option 1
11. Read a book with two 1s in the publication date. Eg Oct 1, 2017. (Do not convert the month to numbers.)
To show how it qualifies, please specify the publication date.
Option 2
Book chosen from a team member's shelf that was read on the date below or more recently and rated at least 3 stars.
Key Date: November 2, 2018
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.
Hi Calila - have you posted your completion for week 3 (Ravensong)? I have there being an issue with your completion post, but your tracking posts (page 1) shows you haven't finished it...?
Jane (PS) wrote: "Hi Calila - have you posted your completion for week 3 (Ravensong)? I have there being an issue with your completion post, but your tracking posts (page 1) shows you haven't finished it...?"No, I haven't posted that one yet.
Week 10 - Two 1's in Publication Dateselection post
Stable Hill by Jodi Payne
215 pages
Qualification: publication date: May 21, 2019
Calila wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Hi Calila - have you posted your completion for week 3 (Ravensong)? I have there being an issue with your completion post, but your tracking posts (page 1) shows you haven't finis..."OK - my stuff up on colour :) Thanks!
Jane (PS) wrote: "Calila wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Hi Calila - have you posted your completion for week 3 (Ravensong)? I have there being an issue with your completion post, but your tracking posts (page 1) shows yo..."It's my fault for being so being that a week 3 book is still an issue!! LOL
But hey I just finished my other "behind" book (ha!) so I'm catching up!
Week 8: Servant/Slave MC ReleaseRating: ★★★★
Review:
Interesting read. Pretty dark and twisted. But I still fell into the story. The world is pretty typical for a dystopia. The characters were interesting, I loved Misha. He goes through it in this story though, but he doesn't lose the core of himself. Ayo breaks my heart....everything involving him was hard to read through. Donato was complicated. He's pretty much a monster, but I still believed his love for Misha which is probably messed up of me. I don't know why I put this off for so long, but I'm interested in reading the follow-up. I wanna know how Misha ends up.
Guys, don't forget the broken link please!
Week 10 CompletionThe Countess by Lynsay Sands
371 pages
Qualification: Published January 25, 2011
Rating: ★★
Review: This was easily one of the strangest historical romances because it has a Weekend at Bernie's plot setup. Literally. There's a dead body. There's also a case of insta-lust. If this weren't for it being my book club pick this month, I probably would have never picked it up because 1) historical romances aren't my favorite subgenre, 2) the plot was just too bonkers, and 3) I didn't have the energy to suspend my disbelief. At least it was quick.
Selection Post ~~ Week 10Option 1
Task: 11. Read a book with two 1s in the publication date.
Book: Getting Worked Up ~ Erin Nicholas
How it fits: published on July 15, 2014
Pages: 268 pp
[*book:Getting Worked Up|22694473]
Completion Post ~~ Week 10Option 1
Task: 11. Read a book with two 1s in the publication date.
Book: Getting Worked Up ~ Erin Nicholas
How it fits: published on July 15, 2014
Pages: 268 pp
Date Read: 05.10
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. I read the first in the series over a year ago and I don't remember liking it as well. But the depth of characters and plot line was more than I anticipated, making it more enjoyable. Both MCs had a lot of conflicting feelings about what they wanted in a mate but their chemistry was off the charts and was very well done the author - in other words, the smexy times were very good! and steamy! and fun! Definitely looking forward to seeing if the 3rd books meet my new expectations on the series.
Amanda, did I miss your completion post for week 9?
Calila wrote: "Amanda, did I miss your completion post for week 9?"Nope, that's the only one I have left open.
Amanda wrote: "Calila wrote: "Amanda, did I miss your completion post for week 9?"Nope, that's the only one I have left open."
Okay just wanted to check. =)
Week 10: Cowboys Don't SambaRating: ★★★★
Review:
*Received A Copy To Review From The Author*
So I really mostly like this romance. I have a few quibbles. I really liked Maury...he was kind of stuck between a rock and hard place, but I get why he didn't really stand up sooner. Though I wish he had. And I wish his family issues were more resolved. He takes a stand. Ties are cut. But it felt a bit incomplete to me. I think I wanted more definitive answers about his brother who died. Also, just as a general since I'm talking about his family, but really both MCs families...I am a bit uncomfortable with the way the cutural aspects are handled. Some of the ways Latinxs were portrayed just left me cringing. Raging homicidal homophobes, drunks, controlling etc etc. Very cliched IMO. Tristao was a great character, like Maury he was struggling with family expectations vs who he wants to be. I really liked that they came from similar backgrounds so they had the same struggle and outlook, it was nice they had that understanding and lack of judgement of each other. I wish more of his personal resolutions with his family happened on page and from his POV. I also wish the romance had developed more or faster or something. I feel like Maury/Tris (as Maury calls him) didn't actually have that much on page time together. I don't know if that's factual or just how I feel but it's where I am. But those quibbles aside, I found the time Maury and Tris did spend together really sweet and nice. I loved Maury's relationship with Antonio, his brother, again I wish more had been on page. I loved seeing the guys from the previous books again. I was happy with Maury and Tris' happily ever after, which is really all you can ask for.
Woohoo....only one book left to catch up on before our final week!
Week 10Option 1
Book: Heat Wave
Page numbers: 253
How Fits: Publication Date: July 31, 2017
[*book:Heat Wave|32673616]
Week #10 Selection PostOption 1
The Lion and the Crow by Eli EastonPages: 146
How it qualifies: pub. January 19th 2015
[*book:The Lion and the Crow|24572160]
Week 10 - Two 1's in Publication Datecompletion post
Stable Hill by Jodi Payne
215 pages
Qualification: publication date: May 21, 2019
finished 5/13
3.5 stars
There wasn't anything wrong with this one, but it never really clicked for me. The characters were *meh* and the plot was way too predictable. It was very soothing though, so a nice little romance...
Week #10 Completion Post
The Lion and the CrowRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
Despite the fact that historical isn't one of my favorite genres, I quite enjoyed this story set in medieval England.
It's a period were homosexuality is not tolerated, so the Lion, Sir William Corbett, has never allowed himself to act upon his desire for men. When he's on the way to rescue his sister from her abusive husband, he asks for help on this quest. He finds this help and so much more in the Crow, Sir Christian Brandon, a beautiful young man, pure temptation, who's determined to get them a future together.
Oh and the epilogue, so sweet and sad it brought me to tears. I loved it and I hated it!
*Reminder: Tomorrow is the final category, the first team to complete wins the challengeI'm reading my last outstanding book now, I should have it complete and posted in time or at least around the time the final theme is announced.
Week 10Heat Wave by Elyse Springer
Read: (5/13)
Rating: ★★★½
I think this is probably my least favorite of the series. A lot of the relationship between Sara and Laura felt like it was rushed and came out of nowhere. Also how little either of them talked to the other left me frustrated for most of the book. I liked Sara's plan to help her show Laura what she could have, but a lot of the issues between these two were of their own making. I actually liked the side characters (those we'd met before and those we hadn't) more than the couple here.
Individually, I liked Sara, she had a lot going for her and really just needed a push to realize how much more she could offer. But I really didn't understand her draw to Laura, especially as someone who had always seen herself as straight. Having Laura being her first and really only attraction to another woman, didn't feel strong enough for Sara. I didn't follow her path to falling in love with Laura, it was more I was told she was. Still I liked her as an individual a lot.
Altogether I'm looking forward to the final book in the series the most. There's some great hints in this story for the next and it has me very interested in moving on. :)
Completion PostWeek 3: Foreign Language Edition Available Ravensong
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
TJK can do no wrong really. Even if I have issues with a story, I still love it. And I do have issues with a lot of the characters. I so feel Gordo's hurt and anger at being abandoned that it's hard for me to forgive the "pack". Especially since they're SO incredibly dismissive of his feelings about it. Newsflash: actions speak louder than words. And their actions sent a message that he didn't matter and wasn't pack, whatever their intentions were, that was the message. I hate that for the entire book he's basically just told to get over it. Maybe he would if y'all would acknowledge it and quit acting like he's unreasonable. UGH. But that's also not to say that Gordo wasn't frustrating himself. Pack or not? It's been decades. You're a grown man. No halfsies. Quit being a jerk about it. Make a choice and live with it. They're so angsty over what was essentially just the "promise" of something, so I wish Mark and Gordo had had more time together. Overall, I still found myself drawn to the characters and into the story. And I need to bump the follow up up my list ASAP.
Now we're just needing one book posted and then we'll be all ready for the new category today.
Trio wrote: "I'm caught up though, right Calila?"As far as I know! (Unless I messed up somewhere and marked you complete when you weren't. But I think you're good.) =)
Calila wrote: "Week 3: Foreign Language Edition Available RavensongRating: ★★★★★
Review:
TJK can do no wrong really. Even if I have issues with a story, I still love it. And I do have issues wi..."
You need to type Completion post Calila on your post for week 3!!
I just have Amanda outstanding with a book from week 9.
Jane (PS) wrote: "Calila wrote: "Week 3: Foreign Language Edition Available RavensongRating: ★★★★★
Review:
TJK can do no wrong really. Even if I have issues with a story, I still love it. And I do..."
That's required? I don't think I have that on any of my posts.
Jane (PS) wrote: "I just have Amanda outstanding with a book from week 9."Matches my records.
Week 11 FINAL CALL!!Option 1
6. Read a book involving mistaken identity or working undercover from one of the following lists:
Mistaken/hidden identity romance
Hide in plain sight romance
Gay romance with MC undercover
Best gay assassins/spies
Spy romance
Princess in Disguise
If you use this option, you must select your book from a shelf included above.
To show how it qualifies include a link to the list in your selection post.
Option 2
In this final week, if you use Option 2 you must select your book from a member in the team below yours in the following list:
Key Date: November 9, 2018
2 Fogg Off
5 The Traveling Bookworms
4 Traveling Page Turners
3 Reading on the Rails
10 Nellie Bly Did It Faster
1 Reading is Dreaming
6 Le Tour du Romance
11 Full of Hot Air
8 Read, Play, Love
9 Tome-Toting Travelers
12 66 Books in 80 Days
7 Lucky 7
13 Around the World in 13 Books
Please select your book from a member in the team immediately below you on the list. Eg Team 2 selects option 2 books from Team 5. And Team 13 selects option 2 books from Team 2.
You cannot use a pass this week.
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.
Week #11 Selection PostOption 1
Corruption by Eden WintersPages: 226
How it qualifies: #76 on Gay romance with MC undercover
[*book:Corruption|18896791]
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Ravensong (other topics)Ravensong (other topics)
Illuminate the Shadows (other topics)
Illuminate the Shadows (other topics)
Corruption (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Maya Banks (other topics)Eden Winters (other topics)
Elyse Springer (other topics)
Eli Easton (other topics)
Liz Schulte (other topics)
More...
Option 1
Task: 15. Read a book where the word 'friend' or 'friends' is included in the GR book's summary/precis.
Book: The Accidental Vampire ~ Lynsay Sands
How it fits: She knows there's more to being undead than what she saw in Dracula, but she can't very well ask her mortal friends about proper biting etiquette.
Pages: 382 pp
[*book:The Accidental Vampire|8307340]