Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
The Amazing Race Archive
>
TART Challenge - Round 3 - Buns on the Run (13)
Completion Post - Task 12Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books of the same sub-genre, but by different authors.
Try Me by Neve Wilder
Completed: 04/23
Rating: ★★★★☆
Pages: 390 | Kindle First Edition
i really loved the first book in this series and i was really looking forward to reading the second book. chet and mark have a very love/hate kind of relationship going on, and i'm a sucker for that enemies to lovers vibe.
there were some parts of the book that felt like they were dragging on too long and at times it felt right on the cusp of being boring. there were a few times i had that 'ugh, i don't wanna read' feeling and that's a complete 180 from the first book in the series, which i read in one sitting.
but, the chemistry was great and despite my initial reservations with them being lawyers, it seemed to be researched and written pretty well.
excited to start on the third book in the series now :)
Completion Post - Task 12Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books of the same sub-genre, but by different authors.
Shelby: 368 | Completion Post
AnnMarie: 336 | Completion Post
Danielle: 283 | Completion Post
Ryland: 390 | Completion Post
Total: 1377 pages
Shelby wrote: "Completion PostTask: 12 - 70. Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books of the same sub-genre, but by different authors.
Book/cover link: School of Fish
[bookcover:School of Fish|555..."
I want audios of these!! I love this series, but I'm putting off continuing with my fingers crossed. 🤞🏼🤞🏼
Here is your next task!Task 13 - 80. Read 4 books initially published in different decades.
For this task make sure you use the initial publication date. If there is a date listed at the top of the editions page use it, otherwise I will be looking for the earliest dated English language edition regardless of format for the qualification. Please include the decade you are reading from in your completion posts.
I'm guessing we would use:1980 - 1989
1990 - 1999
2000 - 2009
2010 - 2019
2020 - 2029
I can do either 1980 - 1989 or 2010 - 2019 or 2020 - 2029
I can do 2000-2009, 2010-2019 or 2020-2029
I can take the 90's. I have one book on my current TBR that will fit that decade. And really we wouldn't have to the 80's if we only need 4 decades if we're reading something from 2020's on.
So if Shelby takes 1990-1999, I take 2000-2009, Danielle can pick either 2010-2019 or 2020-2029 and Ryland can take the other. Sound like a plan?
Works for me - Ryland do you have a preference? I will start a book written in 2020 since that gives you more choices (2010 - 2019) unless I hear otherwise from you.
Completion PostTask: 13 - 80. Read 4 books initially published in different decades.
Book/cover link: Fat Tuesday
Page numbers with source: 484pgs per GR
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Published - 1997
Date Completed: (4/26)
Rating: ★★★
I read a lot of Sandra Brown books back when I was a kid in high school. But it's been years since I've really picked up anything by her. I remember liking her stuff a lot, but I have to say this story didn't meet my remembrance. How much of that is being older, and how much is just this particular book I don't know. There is really no romance to this story as all. There's absolutely zero reason for these two people to suddenly decide they're in love. There's no effort put into the development of their feelings for each other. Burke kidnaps Remy and a day later essentially they're in love with no real interaction between them.
I didn't love the plot all that much either. This was based on vengeance not justice and even though Pinky Duvall was absolutely reprehensible I wasn't really on Burke's side based on his methods. This wraps everything up in a tidy bow, but doesn't really go through all the steps to get you there. That being said there is a good quality to the writing, and the story moved along nicely. I just personally didn't enjoy a lot of the characters decisions, which left me enjoying the story less than I would have liked.
I finished my book but I’m on my phone so I’ll post later.
Completion PostTask 13: 80 Read 4 books initially published in different decades
book: Home for a Cowboy by Amy Aislin
Pages: 195/GR
Date Read: 4/25
How it Fits: Published in 2020
Rating: 3 Stars
Review: This was a slow burn friends to lovers romance and I really did enjoy it but the pacing was a bit slow at times. The scenery described was breathtaking and I enjoyed reading about it. Both MCs were likable but nothing really stood out for me in this book.
Completion Post - Task #:13Read 4 books initially published in different decades
Zero at the Bone by Jane Seville
308 pages (GR)
(I picked 2000-2009), this was published April 6th 2009
4/27
★★★★★ - This was a re-read. It was a book I very much enjoyed but hadn't re-read since my initial read because I wanted a sequel and it is unlikely to ever happen at this point. I very much enjoyed this story, I love D and Jack and how their relationship developed. The story had lots of action and suspense, liked the story a lot. Hopefully we'll get the sequel at some point!
Danielle Gypsy Soul wrote: "Works for me - Ryland do you have a preference? I will start a book written in 2020 since that gives you more choices (2010 - 2019) unless I hear otherwise from you."i'm almost done with mine. will probably finish in the next hour or so and get it updated.
Completion Post - Task 13Read 4 books initially published in different decades.
Rising Beauty by Meraki P. Lyhne
Completed: 04/27
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Pages: 333 | Kindle First Edition
Qualifier | Published in 2017
this series has evolved in a way i didn't expect. it's been interesting to see new aspects of their culture as Daniel's life with Seldon evolves and what that means for him in the future.
as with a lot of series that do this, it's starting to feel a little bit predictable. i really don't like it much when a perfectly flawed character grows into some absolutely flawless, perfect, one-in-a-million, most-powerful-monarch type of person and i'm starting to get that from Daniel.
there were a LOT of unexpected changes in this one and at times it almost felt like an entirely different series. i think the writer's style changed a lot between the second and third books. maybe that's part of what's got me feeling this way.
currently unsure if i'm going to continue reading the series...
Team Completion Post - Task 13Read 4 books initially published in different decades.
Shelby: 1990 - 1999 | Completion Post
Danielle: 2020 - 2029| Completion Post
AnnMarie: 2000 - 2009 | Completion Post
Ryland: 2010 - 2019 | Completion Post
AnnMarie wrote: "Completion Post - Task #:13Read 4 books initially published in different decades
Zero at the Bone by Jane Seville
308 pages (G..."
You make me want to re-read this one too! It was one of the first MM books I read and I haven't been back to it since. Might have to add it back to the plans again.
Here is your next task!Task 14 - 115 Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
Books selected for this task need to have an average rating of 4.0 or higher AND a minimum of 250 reviews (not ratings) on GR. You can find this info on the main book page under the title. You can also have the average rating as a sort feature on your shelves. Please include the average rating and the number of reviews in your completion posts.
Should be finished with mine by tomorrow :)
I've got one but it won't be done until the 1st - I have to finish the one I'm in the middle of first and I won't be home to read on Friday :)
I am listening to The Capital now, should be done later tonight or tomorrow AM then I plan on going right into The Border so that's 2/8 :)
Completion Post - Task #14:Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
The Capital by A.H. Lee
222 pages (GR)
How the book qualifies: Average rating 4.06, 1864 ratings
4/30
★★★★☆ - I am going to go with 4 stars for now until I finish the rest of the series but I can totally see me going back and bumping this to 5 stars. Really enjoyed the world building and the take on magic, really good fantasy which is not too common. I listened to the book and excellent narration by Kirt Graves which is not surprising. Be warned there is a cliffhanger which would normally make me rage but I am immediately starting book 2 tomorrow so I am okay with it.
Completion Post - Task 14Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs
Pages: 368/GR
How the book qualifies: Average Rating 4.59, 1,267 Reviews
Date Read: 5/1
Rating: 5 Star
Review: This book had me captivated and on the edge of my seat for parts of it. I've always loved Charles and Anna (maybe even a little more than Mercy and Adam) and they have such a strong relationship. In fact, this book made me want to go back and re-read the short story and their first book again.
Charles, Anna and Tag on an adventure were great. Their were some very intense moments but also some very lighthearted moments (especially between Anna and Tag). Anytime the Black Witches come into play you know their are going to be some dark moments along the way - they are scary! I loved that the author took us back to Anna's history so that we really saw just how strong she is now. It's been years since I read the first books and this really put in perspective how much Anna has grown (or maybe just gotten back - since I think she was strong before tragedy beat her down). It also had some very emotional moments for Charles/Brother Wolf which I truly enjoyed.
The surprising hero of this book however was Leah. She is an interesting character that has been written so that she isn't likable. However, in this book we learn about her past, see how strong she truly is and end up feeling bad for her. It doesn't paint Bran in a very good light although I can't help but still like him and maybe even understand a little bit of where he was coming from. I hope that we get to see him work on fixing what he broke. In this book we see how much she has gone through and yet she has incredible strength and sacrifices a lot in the end.
This book didn't necessarily leave me feeling happy - especially with that epilogue. It leaves us on a bit of a sad note for multiple characters and some big changes. While it isn't exactly a cliffhanger it does have me chopping at the bit for the next book!
The audio was really good. I loved both Bran's and Charles/Brother Wolf's voices. Tad's was a bit odd but it says in the book he has a high voice so it fit. There was plenty of nuances and emotion to the book and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it.
AnnMarie wrote: "Completion Post - Task #14:Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
The Capital by A.H. Lee
222 pages ..."
AnnMarie this book doesn't work - the requirement is over 250 REVIEWS not ratings. This book only has 240 reviews.
Danielle Gypsy Soul wrote: "AnnMarie wrote: "Completion Post - Task #14:Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
The Capital by [author:A.H. Lee|170..."
Ugh totally mis-read that. Time to look for an old favorite!
I've finished my first book, need to write up the review. Might not be till tomorrow afternoon though after my shift at work.
I finished my second book but need to write up a review on that as well. I'll start a 3rd one
Completion Post - Task #14:Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
How to Be a Normal Person by T.J. Klune
290 pages (GR)
How the book qualifies: Average rating 4.34, 1012 reviews
5/2
★★★★★ - This was a re-read because I fail at reading comprehension. I absolutely adore this book, the quirky characters and my favorite TJ Klune creation, Gustavo Tiberious, I love Grumpy Gus so much. The secondary characters are wonderful as well, unique, quirky and hilarious. Although I loved Gus and Casey together my favorite parts of the book are the flashbacks to when Pastor Tommy was still alive. So much love for this book :)
Completion PostTask: 14 - 115 Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
Book/cover link: Seduction in Death
Page numbers with source: 384pgs per GR
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Rating - 4.33 Stars & Reviews - 816
Date Completed: (5/1)
Rating: ★★★★★
This case was a hard one for Eve, it reminds her of her past and her awful childhood. Any sexual assault case throws Eve for a loop. Her past isn't an easy one. And the bastards she's after this time are pretty dang awful. But this story was also great in showing some of the growth in Eve and Roarke's relationship. They are really learning how to be a strength for each other and for both of them to understand that going it alone isn't always best. I liked seeing Eve lean a little by choice and not always be force.
Yay! Full on awesome Scooby gang, Team Eve action in this one. I liked seeing how all of her friends work together and getting a little more Peabody and McNabb action. McNabb's feelings are so apparent, even if he doesn't really recognize them for himself.
I love this series and can't wait to read the next case.
I'm off tomorrow and have a dental appointment in the morning for the next step with my implant. I'm not exactly sure what they're going to do, but I'm planning on a quiet day so I will focus on knocking out one more then. :)
Completion Post - Task #14:Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
How to Be a Movie Star by T.J. Klune
350 pages (GR)
How the book qualifies: Average rating 4.47, 361 reviews
5/3
★★★★★ - This was a re-read because I couldn't read the first and not read the second again! This is the perfect follow-up to HTBANP, this time focusing on Josy and Quincy. The story heads back to Abby, OR so they can film a movie and we get to revisit with Gus, Casey and the crazy characters from book 1. My favorite thing about this book was the friendship between Josy & Gus. This was moving, funny, heart-felt, all of the most wonderful things and I have so much love for this book too :)
Hey guys I finished CrY Wolf by Patricia Briggs but I’m in the hospital so doing a completion post would be very hard. If someone can do it for me that would be great. I’m on morphine so in and out of it.
Completion Post for Danielle Gypsy Soul - Task #14:Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
321 pages (GR)
How the book qualifies: Average rating 4.11, 4024 reviews
5/4
TBD
Danielle Gypsy Soul wrote: "Hey guys I finished CrY Wolf by Patricia Briggs but I’m in the hospital so doing a completion post would be very hard. If someone can do it for me that would be great. I’m on morphine so in and out..."Feel better soon!
I am listening to a looooong book but need to finish today since my Hoopla borrow ends so I'll have a third done if needed and I made sure it qualified: 4.09 · 1,324 reviews /facepalm
COMPLETION POST - Task #14Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
321 Pages/GR
How the book qualifies: Average Rating: 4.11 Reviews: 4,024
Date Read: 5/3
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: After finishing Wild Sign I really wanted to go back and read the beginning of Charles and Anna again so I started with the short story Alpha & Omega and then this one. I had forgotten so much since it's been a very long time since I read these books and I enjoyed them just as much if not more the second time around. I've always loved Charles and hurt a bit for the life he has to live in order to be his father's enforcer so it's wonderful that he has a mate that helps him with this burden. I'm glad Briggs takes her time growing their relationship and even though they know they are mates there are still a lot of issues and feelings to work through. Anna starts to really become strong again and is learning that Charles makes her feel safe. Charles is learning to let someone in and showing her a different side then anyone else gets to see. I liked that while Charles is very strong he isn't invincible and that gives this story a bit more edge since the black witch is stronger than him. A great story and now I need to read the next one.
Completion Post - Task #14Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 and over 250 reviews
Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
308 Pages/GR
How the book qualifies: Average Rating: 4.26, 2,275 reviews
Date Read: 5/4
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: This is my second reading of this book and I still love it and this series! Charles, Anna, and Bran are fantastic characters and I love them and this world. Anna is really starting to figure out who she is as an omega and gaining self confidence. Her bond with Charles is growing although they still haven't completely opened up to each other in this book. Charles is a force to be reckoned with and Brother Wolf is just so cool. This one keeps you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out who is hiring the vampires and trying to get to Anna and Charles. I didn't remember who it was from the first time I read this book and so I enjoyed being surprised. This is definitely a fun series and one I can binge read more than once.
Book: How to Elude a Vampire by Alice Winters
336 Pages/GR
Date Read: 5/2
How it Fits: Average Rating: 4.32, 285 Reviews
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: I admit I have to be in the right mood for Alice Winters because her humor can verge on slapstick and OTT but I love the snark of her characters. I wanted a light hearted, fun and entertaining book that would make me smile and this one definitely did that. It took me a bit to remember the first book and get back into these characters but once I did I remembered why I enjoyed them the first time. They are just likable and fun. The secondary characters are entertaining and I admit I didn't see the bad guy until shortly before the reveal. Looking forward to more from this series
I had my mom bring me my laptop - I'm hoping to get out of the hospital tomorrow if I continue to improve!I think this gives us 7 books so all we need is one from Ryland and we will be done with this task.
I've got another finished as well. Just haven't written up my review. I'll post it just in case, but hopefully we'll here from Ryland soon. :)Danielle hope you keep getting better! Fingers crossed you're home soon.
Completion PostTask: 14 - 115 Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
Book/cover link: Burn for Me
Page numbers with source: 406pgs per GR
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Rating - 4.31 Stars & Reviews - 4,366
Date Completed: (5/4)
Rating: ★★★★★
It's interesting to read this story after having read all of the Magic Bites series as this feels like a similar world in some ways. It's in a different city, but some of the elements of the way the city is divided up and how control works have similar connotations to Magic Bites. But this story is all magic based. As always I've enjoyed the quality of the writing in Ilona Andrew's books. This was a solid story with interesting characters that I want to know more about. I'm not totally sold on Mad Rogan yet, but he's certainly caught my attention. I do really like Nevada though. She's awesome. I love her devotion to her family, her ability to just suck it up and move forward, and her determination to not lose herself and her integrity to those around her. I even like her obliviousness to her own power, cause of course she's got a lot more to discover there.
This was a fun story with a lot of action as Nevada's quickly pulled into a situation that's way over her head. Still she's determined to come out on top no matter what. She's strong and interesting from the get go. I enjoyed the way she stood up to the men around her and was never going to let them have control.
I definitely want to check out more in this world. I liked that this was really a slow introduction to the relationship that's bound to develop between Mad Rogan and Nevada. She's not going to go easily especially with how intimidating of a presence he can be. He's got a lot of humanity to learn to be worthy of her as well. Looking forward to the next book.
Ryland can use the pass if a book for this isn't finished. I believe we only have a couple more days in this challenge.
COMPLETION POSTTask 14 - Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
Danielle: Completion Post
Anne Marie: Completion Post
Shelby: Completion Post
Anne Marie: Completion Post
Danielle: Completion Post
Danielle: Completion Post
Danielle: Completion Post
Shelby: Completion Post
Shelby wrote: "Completion PostTask: 14 - 115 Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
Book/cover link: Seduction in Death
Page num..."
Please correct to the first edition Kindle page count (384). Thanks.
Shelby wrote: "Completion PostTask: 14 - 115 Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 250 reviews.
Book/cover link: Burn for Me
Page numbers with ..."
Please correct to the first edition Kindle page count (406). Thanks.
I hope all is well with Ryland. There doesn't appear to be any activity on his account since his last comment here. I will put down a pass for him for this task, but if he doesn't show up before the challenge ends, I will still consider the task complete if you three complete a book for it. 😊Continuing to read for more books for the last task will help in a tie-breaker situation - I'm not sure if that affects you or not. 🤷🏻♀️
I hope you are doing well too Danielle!!
Here is your last task!Task 15 - LAST TASK - Read a book with a 9 in the initial publication date.
Books selected for this task need to have a 9 in the initial publication date - date or year, do not convert month to a number. For example, an initial publication date of November 19, 2020 or May 15, 2019 would work, but September 5, 2020 would not. Make sure you use the initial publication date for this task. If there is a date listed at the top of the editions page use it, otherwise I will be looking for the earliest dated English language edition regardless of format. Please include the initial publication date in your completion posts.
There is no need to post completion of this task in the Q&A thread, I will be checking all the team threads at the end of the challenge. 😊
Completion Post - Task #15:Read a book with a 9 in the initial publication date.
The Shooting Season by Isobel Starling
175 pages (GR)
Published November 22nd 2019
5/10
★★★★☆ - Enjoyable novella, took a bit to get into it and figure out where it was going but I liked it at the end. Normally I need Cornell Collins to read historical novels to me but it appears Gary Furlong can as well :) Would have been 3 stars but the narration bumps it up to 4 stars, Will definitely continue with the sequel as well.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Sidelined (other topics)Afterglow (other topics)
The Shooting Season (other topics)
Sidelined (other topics)
Afterglow (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Mercy Celeste (other topics)Isobel Starling (other topics)
Alice Winters (other topics)
Patricia Briggs (other topics)
Patricia Briggs (other topics)
More...
How many pages is your book? We need another 213 pages so if yours is shorter than that one of us can read another book - if it's that long then we don't need to."
Mine was 390. Finished yesterday night. I'll get the review posted this morning.