2021 January Pick-It-For-Me Challenge

[Nancy H]

Hi Leena,
Thank you for your patience. Here is your list, and if you see any you don't like or already read or any that there is a problem with, please let me know, because I could recommend a ton more for you - lol! I enjoyed picking for you after you did such a good job for me last month! Thank you.

Labrador Retriever: Lots of family issues - The Tarrant Rose; Second chances on several levels and really good book! - Honeysuckle Season

German Shepherd: Military - Midnight Rescue and Code Name: Bikini (I have read this whole series and loved it, and I read them all out of order and it didn't really matter. If you like to read them in order, though, feel free to start with the first one.)


French Bulldog: Set in cities and both really good - The Hating Game and Simply Irresistible


Newfoundland: Dog on cover, but big lovesick moose in the story (Hilarious, fun, and different) - The Tourist Attraction; Another with dog on cover - Puppy Kisses


Poodle: Wealthy characters, both really good - The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie and Flirting With Danger (This is one of my all-time favorite fun romance series)


Cocker Spaniel: Humor - Catch of the Day; Eyes on cover (really good and fast read!) - Deadly Cool


Vizsla: Sports character - Parental Guidance; Atheltic-looking person on cover - The Stars in the Sky


Mixed Breed: Multiple romance sub-genres - The House by the Sea; One of my all-time favorites, funny, touching, just an excellent book - Julia's Chocolates


Happy Reading!

[Romanticbookworm]

Fran wrote: "Romanticbookworm wrote: "Thanks Fran these look great. I might not read the Christmas ones but sure I will find something 🙂."

I added an alternate choice to each of the two holiday titles :)"
Thanks Fran 😁

[LaurLa]

Hi Taylor!! Here are your picks! I hope you find something new you like :-)

Happy Reading and Happy New Year!!

1. Labrador Retriever
🐶TBR: The Family Journal ~ friends, family, friends to lovers
🐶NEW: Barefoot Season ~ family


2. German Shepherd Dog
🐶TBR: Secondborn ~ (forced) military
🐶NEW: Fighting Redemption ~ military


3. French Bulldog
🐶TBR: Yours to Keep ~ cityscape
🐶NEW: Naked in Death ~ set in city, a series worth starting!


4. Newfoundland
🐶TBR: Magic Bites ~ large animal
🐶NEW: Fated ~ child


5. Poodle
🐶TBR: Devil in Winter ~ elegantly dressed
🐶NEW: Better Homes and Hauntings ~ wealthy ch


6. Cocker Spaniel
🐶TBR: Outmatched ~ humor
🐶NEW: Sweet Little Lies ~ tagged humor, great series!


7. Vizsla
🐶TBR: Tacker ~ sports
🐶NEW: Sweatpants Season ~ athletic character


8. Mixed Breed
🐶TBR: Out of Love ~ new adult, romantic suspense, mystery, contemporary
🐶NEW: Bet Me ~ all time favorite

[KaysieLynne]

Louise, here’s your picks! You’ve got two options for each category, one from your list and one from my read list. Hopefully you’ll knock out some you’ve been wanting to read or may discover some new things for the future.

1. Labrador Retriever: A Turn in the Road An ex requesting another chance and a road trip with her daughter and mother-in-law.
The Darkest Hour featuring the story of an ex-Navy SEAL searching for his kidnapped wife while hoping for a second chance with her.

2. German Shepherd Dog: Last Bus to Woodstock featuring a member of law enforcement
Triptych the first in a gripping series featuring a grumpy police detective.

3. French Bulldog: The Leaving of Liverpool featuring Liverpool and New York.
Brooklyn featuring the story of a young lady who sets out for a new life in New York all alone.

4. Newfoundland: The Secret Children a story of two young girls
The Librarian of Auschwitz featuring the story of a young lady who takes on the responsibility of the secret library inside the famous death camp. Based on a true story.

5. Poodle: The Marrying Game featuring a bride & groom on the cover. Can’t get much more elegant than that.
Bared to You featuring a sinfully sexy billionaire.

6. Cocker Spaniel: The Crocodile Bird featuring eyes on the cover.
Memoirs of a Geisha featuring eyes on the cover.

7. Vizsla: The Summer I Dared featuring a story the lives left behind a boating accident. I struggled with your list on this category, but I figured boating was close enough to a sport.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda another sport theme I struggled with. Ultimately I chose this from read list because the love interest is a soccer player.

8. Mixed Breed: The Time Traveler's Wife featuring one of my all time favorites.
Me Before You featuring another all time favorite of mine.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi Sonja! I haven't forgotten you - I'm working on your picks and will get them up as soon as I can. 😊

[Mony]

M wrote: "Hi Mony! It looked liked we had quite a few books in common - that we've read and on our tbr shelves. Here are the ones I choose for you for January! Hope they work out, if not I can repick for you..."

Many thanks M!
Some great books here...I've had my eye on Shallow River and Runaway Road for a while. Very thoughtful...thanks again!

[Mony]

Mony wrote: "M wrote: "Hi Mony! It looked liked we had quite a few books in common - that we've read and on our tbr shelves. Here are the ones I choose for you for January! Hope they work out, if not I can repi..."

oh, and Freestyle too! :)

[Suzanne]

Hi ~KarenH~! Here are your picks for this month! Enjoy!

1. Labrador Retriever: Recommend a book featuring close friends or family, or with a friends to lovers or second chance theme.
a. Close Friends: Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr
b. Friends to Lovers/Second Chance: Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams


2. German Shepherd Dog: Recommend a book featuring a character that is current or former military or law enforcement or that has a tattoo on the cover.
a. Military/Law Enforcement: Judgement in Death by J.D. Robb
b. Tattoo on Cover: Reaper by Larissa Ione


3. French Bulldog: Recommend a book set in a city, or with a cityscape or interior of a building on the cover.
a. City Setting: Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan - **NEW**
b. Cityscape or Interior Building on Cover: City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab - **NEW**


4. Newfoundland: Recommend a book with a child in the storyline, or with a large animal on the cover (how you define large is up to you!).
a. Child in Storyline: The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
b. Large Animal on Cover: Feliz Naughty Dog by Roxanne St. Claire


5. Poodle: Recommend a book with a wealthy or aristocratic character, or with an elegantly dressed character on the cover.
a. Aristocrat Character: My Last Duchess by Eloisa James
b. Elegantly Dressed: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig - **NEW**


6. Cocker Spaniel: Recommend a book tagged as humor or funny, or with eyes on the cover.
a. Humor/Funny: Ain't He Precious? by Sawyer Bennett
b. Eyes on Cover: Unchained by Shayne Silvers - **NEW**


7. Vizsla: Recommend a sports romance or a book with an athletic character, or an athletic looking cover model.
a. Sports Romance: Dominik by Sawyer Bennett
b. Athletic Model: A Royal Christmas Cruise by Max Walker


8. Mixed Breed: Recommend a book that fits into multiple romance sub-genres, or a book that is one of your all-time favorites.
a. Multiple Romance Sub-Genres: Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione
b. All Time Favorite: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi Sonja, here are your picks. I hope they were worth the wait!!

1. Labrador Retriever:
NEW: In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks - I thought this trilogy got better with every book!
TBR: The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss - Looks cute!

2. German Shepherd Dog:
NEW: Surrender** by Pamela Clare - Seriously one of the BEST books, not just HR but all books I've read! It is amazingly written and fabulously narrated too!
TBR: Ain't She a Peach by Molly Harper - I enjoy her work!

3. French Bulldog:
NEW: Bed of Roses* by Nora Roberts - I adore NR's linked stories! This was a wonderful quartet and you liked the first one!
TBR: In Another Time by Jillian Cantor - Sounds intriguing!

4. Newfoundland:
NEW: Dance Away with Me* by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - So sweet!
TBR: The Guy on the Left by Kate Stewart - Looks good!

5. Poodle:
NEW: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie* by Jennifer Ashley - The beginning of a wonderful family series! This one is a bit different, but so good!
TBR: Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler - Sounds fun!

6. Cocker Spaniel:
NEW: Repeat* by Kylie Scott - This one just worked for me!
TBR: California Girls by Susan Mallery - I've liked other books by her!

7. Vizsla:
NEW: Royally Screwed* by Emma Chase - Probably my favorite series of hers!
TBR: Grinder by Samantha Whiskey - Looks good!

8. Mixed Breed:
NEW: Dirty Letters* by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward - This grabbed me and wouldn't let go!
TBR: Glory in Death* by J.D. Robb - Had to include this one!

I can't remember if you listen to books or not (I can't remember much of anything these days!), so I marked the books I especially enjoyed in audio just in case.

[M]

Mony wrote: "M wrote: "Hi Mony! It looked liked we had quite a few books in common - that we've read and on our tbr shelves. Here are the ones I choose for you for January! Hope they work out, if not I can repi..."

Yay, I'm glad you like the picks for you! Shallow River was one of my favorites of 2020 - Here's to some great reads in 2021 :)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Aiswrya wrote: "Hi Kat! Here are my picks for you. I tried to mix up the genres and tropes, but let me know if you need re-picks!

1. Labrador Retriever:
TBR - [book:Barry the Lonely Reindeer & His Bashful Elf|3..."

Thank you Aiswrya for the great picks! I see several I am looking forward to reading, some I might even start before the month begins - oops! 😂 There are several of the new picks that sound very intriguing too - I see my TBR growing!

[Kecha]

M I really hope you like the list I have put together for you. I used some of yours (4) and a few of mine(4). Please enjoy.

1. Labrador Retriever
S.M. Soto Chasing the Moon (Friends to Lover)

2. German Shepherd Dog
J.A. Huss Bully King (Tattoo on the cover)

3. Newfoundland
Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti Beautiful Carnage (Set in the City)

4.Newfoundland
Brittainy Cherry The Gravity of Us (Child inovled) new

5. Poodle
Kate Canterbary Boss in the Bedsheets (elegant character) new

6. Cocker Spaniel
Victoria Snow My Best Friend's Boyfriend (Funny or humor) new

7. Vizsla
Sara Ney Jock Rule (Sports romance)

8. Mixed Breed
B.B. Hamel Possessive Daddy (A favorite) new

[Louise]

LaurLa I’ll have your picks done today 😀

[Riya]

looker by Laura sims

[Leena]

Carrie wrote: "Cats: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list..."
Hey Carrie,
Sorry I took extra time to post your picks. You have one exhaustive, interesting list and going through it all was an exercise in discipline. ( I had to stop myself from getting onto some of them instantly).🤭

Here goes:
1. Lab
TBR : Lobizona
Me : The Scotsman Who Saved Me

2. German Shepherd.
TBR: The Crimson Campaign
Me: Forbidden Gold

3. French Bulldog
TBR: Meet Me in Bombay
Me:Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating

4.Newfoundland
TBR: A Girl's Guide to Life
Me : To Win Her Love

5. Poodle.
TBR: A Countess by Chance
Me: Delivering His Gifts

6. CockerSpaniel
TBR: The Stone Golem
Me: You Lucky Dog

7. Vizsla
TBR: The Golden Wizard
Me: Rock Bottom Girl

8. Mixed
TBR; Revenge of the Sluts
Me: No Time for Goodbye
I hope you njoy this list.

Wishing you and all your near and dear ones a very happy new year.

[KaysieLynne]

☘KathyD☘ wrote: "KaysieLynne...here are your picks to kick off 2021! I hope you find some great reads in this group. I’ve read and loved all the authors...most of the new choices are 5-star reads for me...I’ve also..."

Thanks for the picks KathyD! Looking forward to exploring your recommendations & taking a few off my TBR.

[Stefi]

Hi Suzanne! Here are your picks. Happy reading!

1. close friends or family, or with a friends to lovers or second chance theme.

New: The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan (friends to lovers)

2 current or former military or law enforcement or tattoo.
New: The Change Up by Melanie Harlow (tattoo on cover)

3. set in a city, or with a cityscape or interior of a building on the cover.
TBR: Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan (building on the cover)

4. a child in the storyline, or with a large animal on the cover.
TBR: Flirtasaurus by Erin Mallon (large animal)

5. a wealthy or aristocratic character, or with an elegantly dressed character on the cover.
TBR: Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

6. a book tagged as humor or funny, or with eyes on the cover.
TBR: Rock Chick Renegade by Kristen Ashley (tagged humor)

7. a sports romance or a book with an athletic character, or an athletic looking cover model.
New: From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata

8. fits into multiple romance sub-genres, or a book that is one of your all-time favorites
New: Fantasy of Frost by Kelly St. Claire (all time favorite series!)

[Louise]

LaurLa your picks.

1. Labrador Retriever:
NEW: When Girlfriends Break Hearts - close friends
TBR: Flirting with Disaster - family

2. German Shepherd Dog:
NEW: The Law Is a Lady - heroine is a Sheriff
TBR: Hard Fall - MC is Law enforcement

3. French Bulldog:
NEW: Mad Love - set in London
TBR: Dry Adultery, Wet Ambition - cityscape

4. Newfoundland:
NEW: Rosie Meadows regrets... - child
TBR: Charmed by the Wolf - animal

5. Poodle:
NEW: Breathless In Love - billionaire
TBR: You Belong with Me - elegant dress

6. Cocker Spaniel:
NEW: A Winter Hope - eyes
TBR: Count on Me - eyes

7. Vizsla:
NEW: Settling the Score - sports romance
TBR: Beneath a Texas Star - that body definitely works out :)

8. Mixed Breed:
NEW: Unmasking Miss Appleby - multi romance
TBR: Echoes in Death - favorite series.


We have quite similar tastes which made choosing something that you hadn't read that little bit harder. ;)

[Louise]

KaysieLynne wrote: "Louise, here’s your picks! You’ve got two options for each category, one from your list and one from my read list. Hopefully you’ll knock out some you’ve been wanting to read or may discover some n..."

Thanks KaysieLynne,

Can I get repicks for Memoirs of a Geisha and Me Before You please. I have already read these.

[M]

Kecha wrote: "M I really hope you like the list I have put together for you. I used some of yours (4) and a few of mine(4). Please enjoy.

1. Labrador Retriever
S.M. Soto Chasing the Moon (Friend..."

Thanks so much Kecha!! Love your picks. The Gravity of Us sounds SO good!

[☘KathyD☘]

Romanticbookworm wrote: "January PIFM Challenge

Hi Kathy D please find below your picks for the month. Need any repicks let me know😁.


1. Labrador Retriever:
🐶 Recommend a book featuring close friends or family, or wit..."

thanks Romanticbookworm! these look great! Merry (belated) Christmas and Happy New Year!

[Sonja]

Nancy H wrote: "Hi Sonja,
These look WONDERFUL and I can't wait to get started. Of course, I have some of my family here for a bit so I can't browse them all yet, but I can tell you it will be difficult deciding..."

Glad you like your picks Nancy! Hope you enjoyed a great holiday!

[Sonja]

MountainKat wrote: "Hi Sonja, here are your picks. I hope they were worth the wait!!

1. Labrador Retriever:
NEW: In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks - I thought this trilogy got better with every bo..."

These are great, MKat thank you so much! I have several on my TBR list now! I've actually read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie but I'm not sure why it doesn't show as read. Anyway, no need for a repick, I've got plenty on my plate! LOL!
Thank you so much!

[Aminko]

Hi Aiswrya

Apologies for the delay in getting these suggestions to you. I have very limited knowledge of MM romance so hopefully at least one of the "new to you" suggestions takes your fancy. Enjoy all the reading you do in January!

1. Labrador Retriever:
🐶 Recommend a book featuring close friends or family, or with a friends to lovers or second chance theme.
TBR:
NEW:

2. German Shepherd Dog:
🐶 Recommend a book featuring a character that is current or former military or law enforcement or that has a tattoo on the cover.
TBR:
NEW:

3. French Bulldog:
🐶Recommend a book set in a city, or with a cityscape or interior of a building on the cover.
TBR:
NEW:

4. Newfoundland:
🐶Recommend a book with a child in the storyline, or with a large animal on the cover (how you define large is up to you!).
TBR:
NEW:

5. Poodle:
🐶Recommend a book with a wealthy or aristocratic character, or with an elegantly dressed character on the cover.
TBR:
NEW:

6. Cocker Spaniel:
🐶Recommend a book tagged as humor or funny, or with eyes on the cover.
TBR:
NEW:

7. Vizsla:
🐶Recommend a sports romance or a book with an athletic character, or an athletic looking cover model.
TBR:
NEW:

8. Mixed Breed:
🐶Recommend a book that fits into multiple romance sub-genres, or a book that is one of your all-time favorites.
TBR:
NEW:

[Carrie]

Carina,

Hi Sorry for taking so long. Here are your Jan. picks, I hope something sounds good to you.

1. Labrador Retriever

TBR:Tangled Up in Texas
New:The Sweet Gum Tree



2. German Shepherd Dog

TBR:Wild Hearts
New:The Darkest Hour



3. French Bulldog

TBR:Unexpected
New:Where Are You Now?



4. Newfoundland

TBR:Any Day Now
New:When You're Ready



5. Poodle

TBR:Coming Out
New:The Billionaire Bachelor



6. Cocker Spaniel

TBR: Cadillac Beach
New:Twenties Girl



7. Vizsla

TBR:Back in the Game
New:Instant Attraction



8. Mixed Breed

TBR:Ten Days Gone
New: Anne of Green Gables (all time favorite)


Happy Reading

[Carrie]

Leena wrote: "Carrie wrote: "Cats: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list..."
Hey Carrie,
Sorry I took extra time to post your picks. You have one exhaust..."

Thank you Leena, a few are standing out to me.

[Romanticbookworm]

No problem Kathy D glad you like them. Happy new year when it comes 🙂.

[Aiswrya]

Aminko wrote: "Hi Aiswrya

Apologies for the delay in getting these suggestions to you. I have very limited knowledge of MM romance so hopefully at least one of the "new to you" suggestions takes your fancy. Enjo..."

Thank you, Aminko! Lots of great choices here. Can’t wait to get started!

Happy new year!

[LaurLa]

Louise wrote: "LaurLa your picks."


These are great! Looking forward to diving in!

[KaysieLynne]

Louise wrote: "KaysieLynne wrote: "Louise, here’s your picks! You’ve got two options for each category, one from your list and one from my read list. Hopefully you’ll knock out some you’ve been wanting to read or..."

Let’s replace Geisha with

And replace Me Before You with

I didn’t see these on your read list, so hopefully these will work for you.

[Fran, Moderator]

Mony wrote: "Hi Fran,
Hope some of these books will catch your fancy!
Happy holidays!

1. Recommend a book a second chance theme.
NEW- Rainy Day Friends by Jill Shalvis
- not the usual Shalvis ..."

Hi Mony!

I finished (that's the one I was up to in the series) and from you new to me picks. I loved Boss Man Bridegroom! I laughed so hard at the Pictionary scene. Thanks again for the great recs :)

[Louise]

KaysieLynne wrote: "Louise wrote: "KaysieLynne wrote: "Louise, here’s your picks! You’ve got two options for each category, one from your list and one from my read list. Hopefully you’ll knock out some you’ve been wan..."

I finished that was so good.

[M]

Kecha wrote: "M I really hope you like the list I have put together for you. I used some of yours (4) and a few of mine(4). Please enjoy.

1. Labrador Retriever
S.M. Soto Chasing the Moon (Friend..."

I've read so far and enjoyed it!! I hope to get another one read before the month is over. Thanks again for the great options!!

[Nancy H]

Hi Sonja,
Thank you for the great picks this month! I was able to get five of them read and hope to do more, although I won't have them done by the end of the month.

I really enjoyed the ones I read. I loved A Million Little Things and Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions (which was really fun and quirky with an outrageously lovable MC).

Since this challenge allows us to read whichever book we are at in a series, I read three more that were not the exact ones you picked for me, but were the ones in the series that I needed to read next. All of them were very good: A Catered Thanksgiving , Iced Chiffon (really liked this one because my son lives in Savannah, GA and I recognized the places in this book from having been in that city many times), and finally Murder on Astor Place (really good historical fiction with a MC who is a midwife in a time before that was acceptable!).

Thank you for such a good reading experience this month!

[KaysieLynne]

Louise wrote: "KaysieLynne wrote: "Louise wrote: "KaysieLynne wrote: "Louise, here’s your picks! You’ve got two options for each category, one from your list and one from my read list. Hopefully you’ll knock out ..."

Oh goody! I'm glad you enjoyed it. My library had it on audiobook, and I just loved it.

[Louise]

Finished , I'm glad I finally read this. Although I have it on paperback I listened to it on audio and despite a slow start it turned into a 5-star read for me.

:)

[Carrie]

Leena, I finished Lobizona and I really liked it, and look forward to book 2. Thank you

[Mony]

Fran wrote: "Mony wrote: "Hi Fran,
Hope some of these books will catch your fancy!
Happy holidays!

1. Recommend a book a second chance theme.
NEW- Rainy Day Friends by Jill Shalvis
- not the u..."

Fran, good to hear you had a match with Boss Man Bridegroom...I also loved that one! :)

[Leena]

Carrie. Im.glad you've enjoyed.

[Leena]

Nancy, I finished Flirting with Danger and enjoyed it thoroughly. Couldn't get my ands on Rachel Gibson and Im fervently searching for her books

[Mony]

Hi M,

I finally was able to read these books!
Mr. Match- the last of a 5-book series- really good. 5★
Rock Chick Rescue - love love Rock Chicks!5★
The Villain - just 2★- I found the H. more of a psychological mess that a hot guy
Bet Me - a good little retro read :) 3★
The Not-Outcast 4★ - unique aspects with the h. having mild FADS 4★
Captive of the Horde King - not well written but wanted to know wht the buzz was all about :) 3★
The Simple Wild- I actually read this one way back...so special 5★+
Stay (WAGs, #2) by Sarina Bowen- Again, read this one before...great minds think alike! 5★

Still want to read: Shallow River & Freestyle...

Thanks!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi Aiswrya! I was able to finish 7 of my picks, albeit 2 of them in December. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I enjoyed them all, especially the last one!!

The Christmas Deal by Keira Andrews (read in December) 12.29.2020
Barry the Lonely Reindeer & His Bashful Elf by Candi Kay (read in December) 12.31.2020
Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb 1.2.2021
My Last Duchess by Eloisa James 1.7.2021
Dylan the Bad Boy Reindeer & His Virtuous Mate by Candi Kay 1.16.2021
My Sinful Nights by Lauren Blakely 1.18.2021
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune 1.24.2021 ❤️❤️

[Aiswrya]

MountainKat wrote: "Hi Aiswrya! I was able to finish 7 of my picks, albeit 2 of them in December. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I enjoyed them all, especially the last one!!

The Christmas Deal by Keira Andrews (read in Decem..."

Yay! I'm glad :)

[Aiswrya]

Aminko wrote: "Hi Aiswrya

Apologies for the delay in getting these suggestions to you. I have very limited knowledge of MM romance so hopefully at least one of the "new to you" suggestions takes your fancy. Enjo..."

Aminko, I read Up for Heir (4 stars), Tough Guy (this book didn't work for me at all :( ) and Robbie (3.5 stars and will definitely read the rest of the series!)

I was hoping to get through a few more but I couldn't make them work with the bachelor challenge haha! Thanks again for the awesome recs!