Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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PtP - Spring into a Good Book (1)

Week #2: Option 1: 8. Spring - a geometric surface in the shape of a helically coiled tube

Remedial Rocket Science
Summary of the book: Opposites attract when a computer geek meets billionaire bad boy.
The last thing Melody expects when she accepts a dream job offer is to run into her college one-night stand again. Not only does the hunky blast from her past work at the same aerospace company where she's just started in the IT department, but he's also the CEO's son.
Jeremy's got a girlfriend and a reputation as a bad boy, so Melody resolves to keep her distance and focus on building a new life for herself in Los Angeles. But despite her good intentions, she can't seem to stay away from the heavenly-smelling paragon of hotness.
As the two begin to forge an unlikely friendship, Melody's attraction to Jeremy grows deeper than she's ready to admit. Can the woman who always plays it safe take a risk on the man who's all wrong for her in all the right ways?
# of pages: 262 kindle edition
# 89 at Rombklove 2020 - Women in STEM 1

Week #2: Option 1: 8. Spring - a geometric surface in the shape of a helically coiled tube

Remedial Rocket Science
Summary of the book: Opposites attract when a computer geek meets billionaire bad boy.
The last thing Melody expects when she accepts a dream job offer is to run into her college one-night stand again. Not only does the hunky blast from her past work at the same aerospace company where she's just started in the IT department, but he's also the CEO's son.
Jeremy's got a girlfriend and a reputation as a bad boy, so Melody resolves to keep her distance and focus on building a new life for herself in Los Angeles. But despite her good intentions, she can't seem to stay away from the heavenly-smelling paragon of hotness.
As the two begin to forge an unlikely friendship, Melody's attraction to Jeremy grows deeper than she's ready to admit. Can the woman who always plays it safe take a risk on the man who's all wrong for her in all the right ways?
# of pages: 262 kindle edition
# 89 at Rombklove 2020 - Women in STEM 1
Review 4 🌟
Melody & Jeremy's relationship is an adorable one. I love their meet-cute and how comfortable Melody feels around Jeremy. Remedial Rocket Science is a charming contemporary romance. The female main character is the nerd, and it is very innovative.
While the romance is charming and satisfying, I liked Melody so much I would have wanted to read about her journey even if she didn't get the guy in the end. I also really appreciated that while the conflicts are actual and drive the story along fast, the conflicts weren't created by jerk characters quickly scrapped to get the main characters together--the problems seemed genuine. All of the characters were good people I wanted to spend time with.
Well, I think that I will continue the series. In the second book, the male main character is a side character we meet for a tiny part in "Remedial Rocket Science."
I was listening to the audiobook while reading on my kindle. The narrator, Caitlin Kelly, performed the voices of the characters very well.

Here I'll chose option 2. .... So
Can any of you recomand me a book, which you read in last 6 month, has 3+stars and has
Either - tagged magic
Or - someone dies in the story
Preferably with romance
And please, no love triangles, hexagon or any shapes. MM is OK to, but some light MM (I didn't read much MM and I don't want to be scared, no menage, or bdsm🙈). And please don't book with 400+pages
Thanks ❤️
*I know, I'm too picky 😆

Mr. Impossible
Pages: 320
How it qualifies: #49 on Romance Novels with STEM Heroines
[*bookcover:Mr. Impossible|132606]

Well, I can suggest you

I hope you would like it, otherwise if any of our teammates have another suggestion go for it.



Goal Lines & First Times by Eden Finley
Rating: 4 stars
I swear that this series just gets better and better with each book!!! I absolutely love Cohen and Seth in this book and their romance is BEYOND sweet. Plus demi rep!! Yay! And I am always here for a good epistolary romance, this one started online.

Week #2

The Tycoon's Pregnant Mistress
Page numbers: 192
How it qualifies: Read by UnusualChild{beppy}, on Sep 16, 2021, 3 stars

Option 1
Spell Cat
201 pages
How it qualifies: When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But Killian can’t pursue a physics professor—or a human.
Date read: 11/21/21
4 stars
I am a sucker for cat familiars. Aloysius, 'Al' made this book for me. He was a cat and could only speak cat yet he managed to convey his thoughts through his actions.
an ok story about witches and true love.

Week #2
Bookcover/link:

Rating (1-5): 4
Review
This was a quick fun read. It was nice to read about someone so young creating a computer app that made him rich. I liked that he didn't let it go to his head. Neither did his best friend. She didn't go around asking him to buy her things.
Overall, I found this fun to read even though it was a bit unbelievable. I liked that both the main characters had basically the same first name - Oliver and Olivia. I liked that both character were quirky. It was just a lot of fun.

Week #2: Option 1: 8. Spring - a geometric surface in the shape of a helically coiled tube

[book: Re..."
Please update this to COMPLETION post :)

Week #2: Option 1: 8. Spring - a geometric surface in the shape of a helically coiled tube

Review 4 🌟Read September 19, 2021
Melody & Jeremy's relationship is an adorable one. I love their meet-cute and how comfortable Melody feels around Jeremy. Remedial Rocket Science is a charming contemporary romance. The female main character is the nerd, and it is very innovative.
While the romance is charming and satisfying, I liked Melody so much I would have wanted to read about her journey even if she didn't get the guy in the end. I also really appreciated that while the conflicts are actual and drive the story along fast, the conflicts weren't created by jerk characters quickly scrapped to get the main characters together--the problems seemed genuine. All of the characters were good people I wanted to spend time with.
Well, I think that I will continue the series. In the second book, the male main character is a side character we meet for a tiny part in "Remedial Rocket Science."
I was listening to the audiobook while reading on my kindle. The narrator, Caitlin Kelly, performed the voices of the characters very well.

Week #2: Option 1: 8. Spring - a geometric surface in the shape of a helically coiled tube

Review 4..."
LOL - Hi Avigail - this still says 'Selection' but I'm sure it is your Completion...

Week #2: Option 1: 8. Spring - a geometric surface in the shape of a helically coiled tube

Review 4 🌟Read September 19, 2021
Melody & Jeremy's relationship is an adorable one. I love their meet-cute and how comfortable Melody feels around Jeremy. Remedial Rocket Science is a charming contemporary romance. The female main character is the nerd, and it is very innovative.
While the romance is charming and satisfying, I liked Melody so much I would have wanted to read about her journey even if she didn't get the guy in the end. I also really appreciated that while the conflicts are actual and drive the story along fast, the conflicts weren't created by jerk characters quickly scrapped to get the main characters together--the problems seemed genuine. All of the characters were good people I wanted to spend time with.
Well, I think that I will continue the series. In the second book, the male main character is a side character we meet for a tiny part in "Remedial Rocket Science."
I was listening to the audiobook while reading on my kindle. The narrator, Caitlin Kelly, performed the voices of the characters very well.
Sorry


Week #2
Bookcover:

Rating (1-5): 2
Review: I'm finally over with this book, and by finally, i mean that it literally took me 4 days to finish it (which is a lot of time for a 200 pages kind of book to me)
It wasn't that bad but it wasn't great, very predictable, not that sweet, it was just simply okay.
I gave up on reading the book quickly and moved to the audiobook and listened to it while I was doing something else.
Both the main characters were quite boring to me, didn't have any character development or anything special that kept me entertained.
Anyway it was not that bad, probably just too predictable to me and reminded me of the romance Christmas movies that i watch on tv lol.
Anyways I'll probably give another chance to another book in the series, because i liked the first one a lot more.

Option 1
12. There are also locations/places called 'Spring' in Germany, Romania, the Philippines, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (according to Wikipedia)
* Read a book set in Europe, Asia or Africa.
Qualification must show location link to the MPG setting, shelf tag or list
Option 2
Key date: 19 March 2021
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Option 3
Pass
A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - including a pass
Refer msg 3 for formatting of options 1 & 2. This format is also in msg 3 of your team threads.

Week #3: Option 1: 12. There are also locations/places called 'Spring' in Germany, Romania, the Philippines, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates (according to Wikipedia)
* Read a book set in Europe, Asia, or Africa.

The Sculptress
Summary of the book: May 1917 The elegant streets of Boston are thousands of miles away from the carnage of the Western Front. Yet, amid the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and automobiles, it is impossible to ignore the war raging across Europe. Emma Lewis Swan's husband, Tom, has gone to France, eager to do his duty as a surgeon. Emma, a sculptress, has stayed behind, pursuing her art despite being dismissed by male critics. On the bustling sidewalk, she spies a returned soldier. His brutally scarred face inspires first pity, and then something more--a determination to use her skill to make masks for disfigured soldiers.
Leaving Boston for France also means leaving behind Linton Bower, a fiery, gifted artist determined to win her. Emma's union with Tom has been steady yet passionless, marred by guilt over a choice she made long ago. In Paris, she crafts intricate, lifelike masks to restore these wounded men to the world. But in the course of her new career, she will encounter one man who compels her to confront the secret she's never revealed, not even to Tom. Only by casting off the facade she has worn for so long can she pursue a path through heartbreak and turmoil toward her unexpected future
# of pages: Kindle Edition, 378 pages
How it qualifies: The book cover has the Eiffel Tower, and the summary says it takes place in France.


The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter
Page numbers: 384 pgs
How it Qualifies: Per summary, takes place in Budapest, Hungary


Aka: The Tycoon's Pregnant Mistress
Rating: 4 ⭐
Review
It was a light book, a fast read the start of the story it took me by surprise. I haven't read the sinopsis, I started reading it to see what is happening, and I didn't excepted that event. But then the book become To become predictable, I already suspected who was to blame and how the book ended. But overall, I liked it.

Week #3
Bookcover/link: The Girl Who Gave Him the Moon by Ji Soo Lee
Page numbers: 325
How the book qualifies - Book states in description the the girl moves to Seoul to study dancing. The book is also on the Kdrama books list.

Yes Avigail - I'm happy to go back and check given there aren't that many books in each week's set of posts (unlike the ones that Kat manages ;)

Week #3
Bookcover/link: Tokyo Ever After
Page numbers: 336
How the book qualifies - Book is set in Tokyo, and is on the Japan books list.


The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter
Rating: 5 stars
This year I seem to be revisiting a lot of my old favorites and really rediscovering why I loved them so much. The Lords of the Underworld made the tragic mistake of opening Pandora’s Box and were cursed with carrying the demons forever. Maddox carries the demon Violence and also the added joy of dying every night for his role in Pandora’s death. Along comes Ashlyn to shake up everything Maddox has ever known. I love the world-building in this book and the different Lords and how they are cursed. Yup, diving back into this series after so long was a joy.

Week #3

Prince of Midnight
Page numbers: 173
How the book qualifies:
- in precis: "... Juliet Jochs travels to the Carpathians to investigate a mysterious and unnaturally beautiful prince... "
-in setting: Carpathian Mountains; Berlin (Germany); Romania (all in Europe)

Week #3
Bookcover/link:

Rating (1-5): 4
Review
I really like this author. I have read some of the other series written and have had a good time all of them. I think what I like about them the most is the difference in culture. Sure, I like reading about the K-pop industry also. I just love how things are explained in the books.
Overall, this is a series that I will definitely keep reading.

Week #3

Prince of Midnight by Ana Calin
Rating: 5⭐ (4,75)
Review:
I enjoyed this book. It's been a while since I read avampire-romance book. I didn't expect to like it, but the story caught me. And because I am from the country where the vampires "come" I liked the trip in the country (but certain descriptions I honestly didn't like). I'm curious if the author did visit the country or just investigate for writing this book.
The romance was too fast. Because she was in love with her boss and suddenly is in love with the vampire... I'm planing to read other book in this series.

Week #3: Option 1: 12. There are also locations/places called 'Spring' in Germany, Romania, the Philippines, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates (according to Wikipedia)
* Read a book set in Europe, Asia, or Africa.
book The Sculptress by V.S. Alexander

Summary of the book: May 1917 The elegant streets of Boston are thousands of miles away from the carnage of the Western Front. Yet, it is impossible to ignore the war raging across Europe amid the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and automobiles. Emma Lewis Swan's husband, Tom, has gone to France, eager to do his duty as a surgeon. Emma, a sculptress, has stayed behind, pursuing her art despite being dismissed by male critics. On the bustling sidewalk, she spies a returned soldier. His brutally scarred face inspires first pity, and then something more--a determination to use her skill to make masks for disfigured soldiers.
Leaving Boston for France also means leaving behind Linton Bower, a fiery, gifted artist determined to win her. Emma's union with Tom has been steady yet passionless, marred by guilt over a choice she made long ago. In Paris, she crafts intricate, lifelike masks to restore these wounded men to the world. But in the course of her new career, she will encounter one man who compels her to confront the secret she's never revealed, not even to Tom. Only by casting off the facade she has worn for so long can she pursue a path through heartbreak and turmoil toward her unexpected future
# of pages: Kindle Edition, 378 pages
How it qualifies: The book cover has the Eiffel Tower, and the summary says it takes place in France.
Rating: 2.⭐️
Review: I got in the mail that e-book of The Sculptress for cheap I picked it up. I picked this book because I read The Taster by the same author at the beginning of the year. Well, the summary was also compelling. One of the prompts of the reading challenges that I am taking part in is to read a book set in Europe, Africa, or Asia.
I read Madame Bovary in high school, and I was not too fond of every minute of it. Only at the end, I connected that The Sculptress is a retailing of Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert Well, I despise The Sculptress, but I felt dragging as when I read the original. Only at the end, I understand why Emma, our main character reads Madame Bovery a couple of times.
The idea of rebuilding masks for the disfigured soldiers who got their injuries during WWI is an exciting concept. It's too bad that this book didn't dwell more on that endeavor.

Week #3

Bookcover: Tokyo Ever After
Rating (1-5): 4
Review: I really enjoyed this book, i started reading it without having any idea what it was actually about and ended up being surprised in a good way.
This book is about izumi who discovered one day that she is the daughter of the crown prince of Japan, and she then travels to meet him and discover where she is from.
I loved this book, it was adorable and I loved reading about the Japanese culture.
The romance was sweet, probably not my favorite part of the book because it was kind of the insta-love trope, which I'm not a big fan of, but still extremely sweet and adorable.
I liked Izumi's character so much, it was so fun to read her thoughts, and she definitely was a great main character.

Ánh Sáng
Pages: 120
How it qualifies: takes place in Vietnam
[*bookcover:Ánh Sáng|39693907]


Set in Europe
Just a Bit Unhealthy
193 pages
Date read: 9/30/21
3 stars
How it qualifies: Tagged UK x3 on 2nd page

Task 5
Completion Post
Just a Bit Unhealthy
193 pages
Date read: 9/30/21
3 stars
Wasn't too impressed with this book. I usually love GFY but this just didnt do it for me. I thought Jared was too soft and let Gabe walk all over him.

Unfortunately the challenge has started. I think the next round will be May 22. There will be a sign up thread opened closer to the time

Mr. Impossible
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Daphne finds out that her brother has been kidnapped, but no one seems to take her seriously. However, in order to appease her, the consulate allows her to get someone out of jail to help protect her as she goes looking for answers. Rupert is the son of an Earl, but trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes. When he is rescued from the prison, he agrees to provide the muscle to Daphne's brain in order to rescue her brother.
Daphne has been burned by men who don't like how smart she is, so she hides it and lets people think that her brother is the person who is interested in archaeology. Her deceased husband always made remarks about how unattractive it was, and Daphne is determined to not let another man close enough to get to know her. Unfortunately for her, Rupert isn't as dim as she thinks he is, and he figures out quite quickly that Daphne is more than she presents herself as. However, he admires Daphne and her brain, so the two of them work together. Watching Daphne come to trust that Rupert admires her, no matter how smart she is, was fun.
Rupert was harder to get to know, even though we have his POV as well as Daphne's. He initially comes across as kind of a careless buffoon, and although he isn't, he never really gets rid of that impression entirely. Rupert appreciates Daphne wholly, and supports her. As they get deeper into the adventure, they get to know one another better, and reluctantly develop feelings for each other.

Ánh Sáng
Pages: 120
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
Minh is left to look after his mother when his father takes a job for the French further north. His uncle, who is his father's brother, shows no mercy and keeps raising the rent on the property that they live on, so Minh has to search for food so that he and his mother don't starve. While he is wandering the city on one of the days that he has to pay his uncle, Minh meets Thao.
Throughout the years, Minh and Thao meet up sporadically, and Minh's feelings for the other boy grows as they do. However, they have to deal with French occupation, a war that is taking place on the other side of the world, and a time that doesn't accept who they love.
I really, really liked the atmosphere, and what felt like authentic representation of time and place. However, I just never really clicked with Minh, and since he was the sole narrator, it was hard to get interested in his story. Minh and Thao have some page time together, although a lot of it is inferred, or referred to as having happened in the past, so although I could believe lust, I'm not sure I bought love. I'm not sure how the ending could have been different and remained true to the time period and the events happening, but it's also not necessarily a happy ending. All in all, the writing impressed me, but I would have liked to feel more for both Minh and Thao.


The Mastermind by Amy Lane
Page number: 266 pgs
How it Qualifies: read by Lisa on 7/18/21, rated 5 stars

Week 4 - Option 1

Pucked
Page number: 380 pgs
How it Qualifies: on my tbr since Apr 13, 2021

Week #4
Bookcover/link: Cardinal's Rule by Tymber Dalton
Page numbers: 289
How the book qualifies - This book is #18 when I set my want to read list up from oldest on the list to newest.

Option 2:
Book: Fifteen Minutes of Fame by Jennifer Luxe

# of pages: 300 pages
How the Book Qualifies: Liza read it 9/13/21 and rated it 4 ⭐. Liza's Reviews - Fifteen Minutes of Fame.

Option 1
Rain
100 pages
date read: 10/2/21
3 stars
For me this book seemed half finished. There were several stories which were started but never came to the conclusion. Probably could have done with 100 more pages to properly finish the story.
On tbr since 7/31/13
Lisa's TBR

Option 2:
Book: Fifteen Minutes of Fame by Jennifer Luxe

# of pages: 300 pages
How the Book Qualifies: Liza read it 9/13/21 and rated it 4 ⭐. Liza's Reviews - Fifteen Minutes of Fame.
Date read: 10/3/21
Rating: 4 ⭐
Review: The truth is, I am pretty new to this sub-genre of romance. Maybe I have read two or three MM romance. Jennifer Luxe wrote a beautiful story that many heterosexual romances haven't manage to give me the feels. I also like the diversity of the couples is very renovating.
I was pulled in with the relationship and romance between Taric and Michael; their meet-cute is also very unexpected and aesthetically pleasing.
Fifteen Minutes of Fame has depth, it has sugar, and boy did it have spice, it has heart, it will make you laugh, and it will make you cry. It's about family, friends, and most importantly, it's about finding that one person we can't live without and fighting for a HEA no matter what obstacles are in our way.
Yes, Michael has so many opportunities about the conflict at the 50% mark (I don't want to spoil, you should read the book.) That is the reason I gave it 4-stars.
The second installment of the series is about Kade, Michael's brother, and how Fifteen Minutes of Fame ends; I know that I will pick up the second book, and every other book Jennifer Luxe will write in the future. For a debut, she did an outstanding job.

Week #4
Bookcover/link:

Date Read: 10/03/21
Rating (1-5): 3
Review
Part of me liked this book and part of me didn't. I liked the characters by themselves. I didn't always like how they interacted. I though the revenge went a little over-the-top. I liked the main storyline of Tilly getting her life back and becoming stronger. I liked that she was able to move on from Chris. I also liked Landon. Sometimes he could be a bit evil.
Overall, the book was okay. I've liked many others Tymber has written a lot more. This one dealt too much with the revenge. That was the biggest thing that lost it a star for me. I'll keep reading the series though.

Option 1:

Book: Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson
# of pages: 483 pages
How the Book Qualifies: #18 in my 1-tbr-romance exclusive TBR list. Date added: Oct 23, 2016 (but will disappear from this list when I'll add to the "Currently Reading" list (Was between The Bargain by Mary Jo Putney (Oct 09, 2016) and The Gift by Cecelia Ahern (Nov 26, 2017)


The Mastermind by Amy Lane
Read: Oct-5
Rating: 5 stars
Part "Leverage," part “Ocean’s Eleven,” this was a wonderful and intriguing story of grifters, con men, found family, and second chances. Felix and Danny’s story is beautifully told between flashbacks and current events dealing with the con they’re running to even a score. All of the characters were interesting and the long con itself was a joy to see come together.

Week #4: Pucked
Bookcover:

Rating (1-5): 2.5 stars.
Review:
I really didn't enjoy this book as much as i wanted to. When i started it, all i knew is that it was a hockey romance so i had high hopes for it.
I had so many problems with this book. First of all, the romance wasn't that great, no emotional connection, nothing special or original about it, extremely plain and expected. Secondly, the main character Violet, was extremely annoying, i really couldn't get attached to it at all. Also, there was a lot of slut shaming in this book which i didn't like at all, the way all the characters talk about girls was so annoying.
I found some parts of it funny which is why I'm giving 2.5 stars. Alex wasn't that bad, but the story and romance were just way too much for me.
But overall this was very boring, way too long for what it was. I'm sure a lot of people might like it of they're looking for a funny and smutty read but it just wasn't for me i guess.

See Jane Score
Pages: 363
How it qualifies: #2 on my romance shelf
[*bookcover:See Jane Score|60223]
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Week 2, Option 1
Bookcover/link: To the Stars and Back
Page numbers: 231
How the book qualifies - MC is a rocket scientist, #1 in Rombklove 2020 - Women in STEM 1