PtP - Team Chewbooka (11)

[Shinnie]

CB wrote: "Shinnie read on 10/9/2020 and rated 4 stars "

I hope you enjoy it as much as I was! I am totally hooked on that series now. <3

[LaurLa]

Week 8 CALL


Option 1:
4. 10 million users subscribed to Disney+ on its first day of operation.
*Read a book with over 10,000 ratings


Option 2:
Key date - 22 April 2020
A book on your team mates 'read' list AND rated at least 3 stars and read on or after the key date.


Option 3: NOT AVAILABLE to us
Pass
This can only be used once each 5 weeks. Only one team mate can use this option each week.

[Logan]

Selection Post - Week 8
Option 1


Devil in Winter
Pages: 384 Kindle 1st ed
How it fits: Has 58,362 ratings

[[deleted user]]

Selection Post - Week 8
Option 1


Anything You Can Do by R.S. Grey
Pages: 277 (Kindle)
How it fits: 16,536 ratings

[*book:Anything You Can Do|34044126]

[CB]

Completion Post - Week 7



Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Date Read: 10/23/2020
Rating: 5⭐️

I first read this book when it came out in 2013, and it blew me away then, and it has lost none of the magic now. It has such a fresh and unique premise, with wonderfully written characters, I just don’t get tired of re-reading it. It’s been a few years since I have done so, and even though I knew the particulars of what was going to happen in the story, I was still riveted to every page. And I know with the coming books the story will just continue to expand and get even better. This is simply one of my favorite fantasy series, and it’s a pleasure to read such a beautifully crafted work by this author.

[LaurLa]

I forgot to post my completion yesterday! Here goes...

[LaurLa]

Completion Post ~~ Week 7
Option 1


Call: 3. A week later, the Disney+ service was expanded to Australia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico.
Task: Read a book set in Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico or in the broader Caribbean region
Book: Fighting Redemption
Pages: 348 (GR kindle)
How it fits: #16 Romance in Australia/New Zealand (and/or) Australian/New Zealander Heroes and Heroines
Date Read: 10.23 ★★★★★
Review:
I was reluctant to read this because I knew it was going to be angsty and full of heartache... and I just don't do those well. But I needed it for the challenge because it's set in Australia. I'm glad I made myself read it. It was angsty and full of heartache, but the author didn't belabor it nor did she take it over the top. When I could sense the bad coming, I did get anxious but because the author did well up to that point, I trusted her and we got through it without tears! This was a beautiful story of deeply felt emotion, self-sacrifice and a journey of self-love, or at least the beginning of that self-love and self-redemption. I have a feeling I'll be looking for more from this author.

[LaurLa]

Selection ~~ Week 8
Option 1


Call: 4. 10 million users subscribed to Disney+ on its first day of operation.
Task: Read a book with over 10,000 ratings
Book: Bear Meets Girl
Pages: 417 (GR kindle)
How it fits: 11,875 ratings

[*book:Bear Meets Girl|13054525]

[CB]

Selection Post - Week 8
Option 1: Read a book with over 10,000 ratings


Changeless by Gail Carriger
[*book:Changeless|7996689]
Pages: 336 (GR)
How it qualifies: Currently has 41,153 ratings on GR

[Shinnie]

Selection Post - Week 8
Option 1


Book: Etched in Bone
[*book:Etched in Bone|30841792]
Pages: ebook, 416 pages
How it qualifies: 18,746 ratings

[CB]

Completion Post - Week 8


Changeless by Gail Carriger
Date Completed: 10/24/2020
Rating: 3.5⭐️

This is such a creative fantasy series, and the two main characters, Alexia and Conall, are so intriguing and such fun. The core mystery of the supernaturals in London and Scotland suddenly experiencing humanization overall was pretty good, but my reason for taking away rating stars really has to do with some of the incredibly annoying side characters that are assumed to be humorous and are most definitely not. The less we see of the awful Ivy Hisselpenny in future books the better, but she is not the only one who needs to be scaled back a bit. These side characters actually detracted away from my overall enjoyment of this book, which is bit unfortunate. The ending of this book was an incredible cliffhanger however and extremely well done, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens with Alexia and Conall. 3.5 stars.

[LaurLa]

Completion Post ~~ Week 8
Option 1

Bear Meets Girl
Call: 4. 10 million users subscribed to Disney+ on its first day of operation.
Task: Read a book with over 10,000 ratings
Book: Bear Meets Girl
Pages: 417 (GR kindle)
How it fits: 11,875 ratings
Date Read: 10.24 ★★★★
Review:
As always, the silly over the top antics of these shifters made me laugh. There's some creepy, gruesome stuff going on in the background but it's still an easy-going read. I loved Crush's inner dialogue, especially at the beginning when he was attracted to Cella but also repelled by her chaos. Fun read and I'll be looking for the next one shortly.

[Logan]

Completion Post Week 8
Option 1


Devil in Winter
Pages: 384 Kindle 1st ed
Date Finished: 10/25/20
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I really appreciated how different this one felt from the previous 2. Evie’s situation is desperate, yes, but she is able to take full control herself. She is in the driver’s seat and it was refreshing to see her save herself from her family. I’m also a sucker for the gaming club setting so I was all in for this story! Since I read the first Hathaways book before this series I got a nice reverse intro to Cam as well. This one had great action, good banter, steamy scenes - can’t ask for more than that.

[Shinnie]

Completion Post - Week 8
Option 1


Book: Etched in Bone
[*book:Etched in Bone|30841792]
Pages: ebook, 416 pages
How it qualifies: 18,746 ratings
Date Finished: 27/10/2020
Rating: 4⭐️
Review: Alrighty, how do I unpack this one? As always, Anne Bishop managed to maintain the tension in this book without escalating it into the bizarre and ridiculous. Not only that, but the stakes were made even more personal in this one.

This book made me actually cry at the end. I won't reveal why because I think not knowing would lessen the emotional impact. I like books that make me feel things. This is one of them. And while I enjoy reading steamy scenes between love interests, I am glad that Bishop didn't shoehorn a sex-scene between Meg and Simon, because it would've been more than jarring.

The journey was well worth in the end and I like the hopeful open ending of the season. As always, you can read my full review here, if you're interested. All in all, I recommend not just this book but the entire series.

[[deleted user]]

Completion Post Week 8
Option 1


Anything You Can Do by R.S. Grey
Pages: 277 (KINDLE)
Date Finished: October 26th, 2020
Rating: 3 stars

Review:
I am usually a fan of R.S. Grey's work, but this one will not end up as a favorite. I really, really disliked the main character Daisy. She was so childish. This was a grown woman, who is now an MD and seems to be resorting to childish actions to 'one up' her old neighbor. The two of them never really got along, but it turns out (surprise!) that Lucas was in love with her the whole time (eye roll).

It did have some funny bits and it got very steamy but overall, not the author's best work.

[LaurLa]

Well Done, team! We're all caught up for the week!!

[LaurLa]

Week 9 CALL


Option 1:
9. Due to COVID-19, 'Hamilton' (the musical film) has skipped the cinematic release scheduled for October 15, 2021 and instead had a digital worldwide release on July 3, 2020 on Disney+. More than a year early!

*Read a book on one of the following 'Can't Wait' romance lists:
Can't Wait MM Romance of 2019
Can't Wait MM Romance of 2020
Can't Wait Sci-Fi Fantasy of 2020
Can't Wait Best New Romances for 2018
Can't Wait Best New Romances for 2017
Random Christian (and just clean fun) Books I Am Excited to Read

If you use Option 1, your book must be selected from one of these lists. Please QUOTE THE LIST and PLACE NUMBER on that list for qualification - a link is preferred but otherwise just type out the name.


Option 2:
Key date - 29 April 2020
A book on your team mates 'read' list AND rated at least 3 stars and read on or after the key date.


Option 3: NOT AVAILABLE to us
Pass
This can only be used once each 5 weeks. Only one team mate can use this option each week.

[LaurLa]

Selection Post ~~ Week 9
Option 1


Call: 9. Due to COVID-19, 'Hamilton' (the musical film) has skipped the cinematic release scheduled for October 15, 2021 and instead had a digital worldwide release on July 3, 2020 on Disney+. More than a year early!
Task: Read a book on one of the following 'Can't Wait' romance lists
Book: Deal with the Devil
Pages: 336 (GR kindle)
How it fits: #104 (pg 2) on Can't Wait Sci-Fi/Fantasy of 2020

[*book:Deal with the Devil|45157148]

[[deleted user]]

Selection Post ~~ Week 9
Option 1


Task: Read a book on one of the following 'Can't Wait' romance lists
Book: Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
Pages: 433 (Kindle)
How it fits: #27 Can't Wait Best New Romances 2018

[*book:Love and Other Words|36228521]

[CB]

Selection Post - Week 9
Option 1: Read a book on one of the listed 'Can't Wait' romance lists


A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane
[*book:A Heart of Blood and Ashes|46021762]
Pages: 555 (GR)
How it qualifies: #413 on the Can’t Wait Sci-Fi/Fantasy of 2020

[Shinnie]

Selection Post - Week 9
Option 1


Book: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
[*book:The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue|51029834]
Pages: Kindle Edition, 448 pages
How it qualifies: #34 on Can't Wait Sci-Fi Fantasy of 2020

[CB]

Completion Post - Week 9



A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane
Date Completed: 11/2/2020
Rating: 4.5⭐️

I had been really excited to read this book, loving a really good fantasy romance, and I thought this one lived up to expectations. Yvenne had had a horrible life, surrounded by the most treacherous and evil of family members, and she took the opportunity she saw to change her life and that of her people to strike an alliance with Maddek, whom her family had grossly betrayed in the worst way. This was most definitely an enemies to lovers romance, but I thought a well-crafted one, and I enjoyed seeing how the perception of Maddek and his Dragon warriors changed the more they got to know Yvenne, who was stronger than any of them knew, including herself. I loved how it became clear the two of them could become this incredible partnership, with Maddek’s great strength and fierce loyalty and Yvenne’s cunning and brilliant mind. Good world building by the author, with this being the launch of the new series, and a good one at that. 4.5 stars.

[[deleted user]]

Completion Post - Week 9


Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
Date Completed: November 2nd, 2020
Rating: 3.5 Stars

Review:
I am a huge fan of Christina Lauren's work and I was really excited about getting to this one because everyone I know who has read it, loved it.

Unfortunately, this one just missed the mark for me. There was some emotional cheating (which I don't like in books), but that wasn't what made me drop the star rating. For me it was the relationship between Macy and Elliot.

I just didn't feel it. There was definitely a friendship there, no doubt about that, but a romantic relationship? Nope, sorry. I don't buy it. The fact that the day the meet back up after 11 years, he 'feels something' and breaks it off with his girlfriend of 5 years? Who does that? People change A LOT in 11 years, the person you think you are still in love with now, may not be the person you knew all those years ago.

What I did enjoy was the story being told in a duel timeline. I loved seeing their friendship grow from when they were young, and the scene where were learn what happened to Macy's dad broke my heart.

Over all, it was ok. Not my favorite by these authors.

[LaurLa]

Hope everyone is having a good week!


@Logan - just checking if you have made a selection for this week yet?

[Logan]

LaurLa wrote: "Hope everyone is having a good week!


@Logan - just checking if you have made a selection for this week yet?"

I keep going back and forth deciding! But I think I’m leaning toward Eve Dallas so I will post a selection.

[Logan]

Selection Post - Week 9
Option 2


Salvation in Death
Pages: 369 Kindle 1st ed
How it fits: Per series rule, Brotherhood in Death read by LaurLa on 9/27/20 and rated 4 stars

[Shinnie]

Completion Post - Week 9
Option 1


Book: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
[*book:The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue|51029834]
Pages: Kindle Edition, 448 pages
How it qualifies: #34 on Can't Wait Sci-Fi Fantasy of 2020
Rating: 5⭐️
Review: Stupid book. With it's stupid ending. I'm not crying. You're crying! SHUDDAP!!!

This is the first book by V.E. Schwab I read. It hit home. It hit hard. So hard. The pacing is amazing. The main protagonist is introduced slowly and bit by bit, giving you so much time to get to know her and start caring about her. Never does it feel like boring exposition. Not once did I find myself skimming paragraphs just to get on with it. The prose is beautiful. The writing flows and with it the reading. You blink and you are half way through the book. You blink again and you have spent two sleepless nights because you just couldn't put it down.

It had me crying hard too. And not just a pretty little tear here and there. No, it had me ugly crying. Especially by the end. I put the book away and I rolled around in my bed and bawled my eyes out. Thank you Schwab, I think I needed that.

Full spoiler-free review can be found here. It's a beautiful book and I will make sure to get a special edition hardcover for my bookshelf of favorites. The book is so good that it set a new standard for the books to come and I have to keep myself from going back and downgrading a whole bunch of other books.

[Logan]

Shinnie wrote: "
Completion Post - Week 9

Option 1


Book: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
[*book:The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue|510298..."

I really want to read this. Great review!

[Shinnie]

Logan wrote: "I really want to read this. Great review!"

I can't recommend it enough. It really lives up to the hype. Depending on the other books, Schwab may become one of my favorite writers.

[LaurLa]

I'm running a bit behind with reading this week - I should catch up this weekend though.

Next week (week 11) is the last week - if we want to try and go for the win, we'll need to be all caught up with week 10 (all) books and be prepared to read quickly for week 11 - the last week is basically a speed reading contest ;-) I am good either way - I just enjoy the challenge, but I like to win too, so if we want to try to go for the win, I can do that! If not, that's cool too.

[LaurLa]

Week 10 CALL


Option 1:
14. Naturally, watching the TV, you need snacks and drinks ~ treats and things that may be bad for you!

*Read a book from one of the following lists:
Naughty Husbands
"Give Me Some of That Awesomeness" Romances
SugarKink BDSM
Sexy Curves
Yummy Adult Paranormal Romances
MM Romance Comfort Reads
MM Hot Stuff Corner
Yummiest College New Adult MM

If you use Option 1, your book must be selected from one of these lists. Please QUOTE THE LIST and PLACE NUMBER on that list for qualification - a link is preferred but otherwise just type out the name.


Option 2:
Key date - 6 May 2020
A book on your team mates 'read' list AND rated at least 3 stars and read on or after the key date.


Option 3: NOT AVAILABLE to us
Pass
This can only be used once each 5 weeks. Only one team mate can use this option each week.

[Logan]

Selection Post Week 10
Option 2


[*book:Scandal in Spring|6621307]
Pages: 384 Kindle 1st ed
How it fits: Read by Shinnie on 7/25/20 and rated 3 stars Review

[LaurLa]

Selection Post ~~ Week 10
Option 1


Call: 14. Naturally, watching the TV, you need snacks and drinks ~ treats and things that may be bad for you!
Task: Read a book from one of the following lists
Book: Christening
Pages: 142 pp (GR kindle)
How it fits: #23 on Naughty Husbands

[*book:Christening|18402041]

[[deleted user]]

Selection Post Week 10
Option 2


Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis
Pages: 388 (KINDLE)
How it fits: Read by LaurLa on July 15th, 2020 - Rated 4 Stars

[*book:Hot Winter Nights|37775581]

[Shinnie]

Selection Post - Week 10
Option 1


Book: Fantastical
[*book:Fantastical|21582277]
Pages: ebook, 438 pages
How it qualifies: #7 on Yummy Adult Paranormal Romances

I picked it because I liked the cover (compared to the other books). Let's see how it reads...

[Shinnie]

Completion Post - Week 10
Option 1


Book: Fantastical
[*book:Fantastical|21582277]
Pages: ebook, 438 pages
How it qualifies: #7 on Yummy Adult Paranormal Romances
Date Completed: 10/11/2020
Rating: 1⭐️
Review: I hate the name of the series. I hate the title. I don't hate the book with the same passion I hated the bodice-ripper the other day, but I didn't like any of the people in this book. They are all despicable. Cora is hysterical and too occupied with how yummy the guy is. The guy is abusive and then made her apologize for his abusive behavior because it was apparently justified and therefore she should just be happy that he is nice to her now. No regret, no apology, no nothing. Their love-making is him repeatedly demanding that she tells him that he owns her, which just reminded me of how horrible he treated her and that he showed zero regret about it. Heck, he was even physically abusive. But even that he twisted into being justified. Him being dismayed about her being afraid of him was supposed to be a cute moment where it is shown that he feels bad about what he had done but, nope, it's ruined. But honestly it just read as "how dare you be upset about me turning violent for a justified reason and making me feel bad about it when it was you who absolutely deserve this treatment because of all the horrible things I say you did but have zero proof for".

The rest of my review can be read here. Meh. An angry meh, but still just meh.

[[deleted user]]

Completion Post - Week 10
Option 2


Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis
Pages: 388 Kindle
Date Completed: November 10th, 2020
Rating: 4.5 Stars

Review:
Every time I read a book in this series, I think, this one is my favorite but I truly think this one was my favorite. Two damaged main characters (both physically and mentally) who find each other, as well as old lady elves (who knit and are sassy), a bad Santa and great friendships.

This series is so much fun!

[LaurLa]

Completion Post ~~ Week 9
Option 1


Call: 9. Due to COVID-19, 'Hamilton' (the musical film) has skipped the cinematic release scheduled for October 15, 2021 and instead had a digital worldwide release on July 3, 2020 on Disney+. More than a year early!
Task: Read a book on one of the following 'Can't Wait' romance lists
Book: Deal with the Devil
Pages: 336 (GR kindle)
How it fits: #104 (pg 2) on Can't Wait Sci-Fi/Fantasy of 2020
Date Read: 11.09 ★★★★
Review:
I absolutely loved this book. I should really change my rating to 5 stars I think. Why didn't I initially? Maybe because I felt too much like a gushing fangirl? But the more I let the book resonate, the more I want to change the rating. The authors were perfectly able to create a character in Nina who was both idealistic and realistic. And Knox. a perfect tortured hero if ever there was one. At the beginning, I was a little worried about getting lost in the world building. But there wasn't a need to have perfect understanding of the dystopian world in order to connect with the characters or care about what was happening. There was enough detail that the characters' actions made sense for the world they live in but not so much detail as to get distracted from the story. The love story and character love interests might be a bit predictable but there were some twists in the plot that kept things exciting and not predictable. I can't wait for the 2nd book! Oh, and there was a teeny tiny nod to the Beyond series if you're a fan of that series!

[LaurLa]

Sarah {The Bookish Knitter} wrote: "Completion Post - Week 10
Option 2


Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis
Pages: 388 Kindle
Date Completed: November 10th, 2020
Rat..."

I loved this one too! Jill Shalvis knows how to write poignant with humor!

[LaurLa]

Hi everyone!! Hope your week is going well! I've finally caught up with week 9... still need to read for week 10, though. It's a short one so should be easy to catch up.

@Logan - how is your week 9 reading going? In Death books can be long! But I always love them!

@CB - do have a selection for this week (week 10)?

[Logan]

I’m over halfway on my Week 9 and should be all caught up by Friday. My week 10 book will go quickly.

[Logan]

Completion Post - Week 9
Option 2


[ book:Salvation in Death|8349079]
Pages: 369 Kindle 1st ed
How it fits: Per series rule, Brotherhood in Death read by LaurLa on 9/27/20 and rated 4 stars
Date Read: 11/11/20
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This one lacked that spark. It all felt a bit tired and flat. The case was interesting but we had no real character advancement or exciting take-downs. But considering I’ve only felt blah about maybe one other in the 27 books to this point, I’ll forgive and forget.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Yep - just need to make sure CB posts before the final week's theme is announced :)

[CB]

Selection Post - Week 10
Option 1


Shards of Frost by Suzanne Wright
[*book:Shards of Frost|51036585]
Pages: 267 (GR)
How it qualifies: #80 on the Yummy Adult Paranormal Romance List

[LaurLa]

Completion Post ~~ Week 10
Option 1


Call: 14. Naturally, watching the TV, you need snacks and drinks ~ treats and things that may be bad for you!
Task: Read a book from one of the following lists
Book: Christening
Pages: 142 pp (GR kindle)
How it fits: #23 on Naughty Husbands
Date Read: 11.12 ★★★
Review:
This was a sweet little follow-up to the original. It's been years since I read it but I didn't need to remember specifics to be able to enjoy the dynamics in this book. I will say I kept waiting for something really awful to happen but in the end it was a book about a woman re-learning her identity beyond being mother and wife. The emotion was angsty but the actions were not. If that makes sense. It's was an affirming story if not life-changing.

[LaurLa]

We look good! Just need to finish up round 10 reading in preparation for Round 11 call... last week. Hopefully we get an easy call :-)

[CB]

Hi LaurLa - so Week 11 is the final week? So remind me, is this upcoming call then where we’re supposed to try to pick and read our books as quickly as we can in order to try to win?

[Logan]

Completion Post Week 10
Option 2


[*book:Scandal in Spring|6621307]
Pages: 384 Kindle 1st ed
How it fits: Read by Shinnie on 7/25/20 and rated 3 stars Review
Date Read: 11/12/20
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Lovely end to the series. The Bowmans are always entertaining and I loved the suitor with a secret. Matthew was so adorable and I loved them together. Was it all a little easy? Sure. Was it a little convenient that our hero has eluded his secret for 20 years and only now must face his reckoning? Absolutely. But the characters all feel like old friends and it was such a joy to go on this journey with them.

[Logan]

Woohoo! All caught up and ready for tomorrow!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

CB wrote: "Hi LaurLa - so Week 11 is the final week? So remind me, is this upcoming call then where we’re supposed to try to pick and read our books as quickly as we can in order to try to win?"

Yes - assuming all your other books are completed :) If not, then those need to be completed as well.