Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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TART Challenge - Round 4 - Have Book...Can Travel (3)
Task 16:
- 107. Read 8 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. Team selects teammate.The Secret to Hummingbird Cake by Celeste Fletcher McHale
Pages: 299
How it fits:The book is published February 9, 2016
Date completed: October 22, 2021
Rating: 5 ⭐
Review: Well, The Secret to Hummingbird Cake may seem a sweet book, but it is a book that hits you into the guts. Grab your Kleenex box and get comfy because once you start reading this, you won't put it down. The best thing, in my opinion, is that this book is accurate and relevant. It is a heartwarming story of a friendship, including the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Celeste Fletcher McHale presents strong characters who are likable and easy to identify.
I just loved this book!! I laughed, laughed some more, cried, laughed again, cried, and repeated the process all over again. Never once wanting to put it down, even at the end.
Looking to read more works from Celeste Fletcher McHale
☘KathyD☘ wrote: "dang...we are all finding some sub par reads lately...at least they are making our tbr lists a bit shorter. ;)"Kathy, that's hard. I think for every book I read, I managed to buy two. Also, the emails with the deals don't help with the option and the suggestions.
Task 16: - 107. Read 8 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. Team selects teammate.Book:
Pages: 302
Read: 22 October
Rating: 3.5⭐️
How it qualifies: Published February 2020. February is when Sassafrass was born
Review: This was a fun romance. Nessa Night is a radio DJ giving advice on love when she has never been in a relationship. She starts to fall for a regular caller and then realises it’s her brothers best friend Rhys. As she has kept her DJ identity a secret he has no idea that he has called and divulged his secrets to her. Nessa is a curvy girl and a bit self conscious and doesn’t feel worthy of the attention.
I liked the banter between the two MCs. I hated Nessa’s Grannie for most of the book and it got a wee bit annoying how much Nessa’s weight was mentioned. Other than that it was a good read.
Book:
Pages: 218
Read: 22 October
Rating: 4⭐️
How it qualifies: Published February 2021. February is the month Sassafrass was born
Review: Phoebe loses her husband, 5 year old son and her unborn child in the one night. Following a year of grieving she goes to Cornwall for some space and uses a pseudonym. She comes across a man who has been shot and presumes he is a smuggler and she nurses him back to health. The smuggler is actually the Duke of Windham. On the day he is going to propose Phoebe receives news that her sister is unwell and leaves to go and be with her. The Duke returns to find her gone and searches for her.
This was a nice historical romance and I liked Phoebe and Andrew. I am intrigued about the other ‘bad dukes’ as they are known, that are friends of Andrew’s and seem like rogues. I can’t wait to read their stories.
Kathy are you ok to post the completion post once you have finished as it’s just after midnight for me? I’m up to take my son to play a football match and need to leave at 7.30 in the morning so need to get some sleep. I hate early morning matches at the weekend!!! I have put both my complete books in the one post and count 7 done.
Have a great game, Hazel! My daughter has a basketball tournament tomorrow and Sunday. But I hope to have lots of listening time with all the travel and sitting around.
Task 16—read 8 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate’s birth – February (Sassafrass’ birth month)
Wolf Hunted, Sadie Moss – 10/22/21 – ✮✮✮✮✰
Kindle first-edition ➔ 264 pages
How the Book Qualifies ➔ initially published February 21, 2019
Review — This was a good book to start a new series. It’s a different spin on the shifter storyline, but it has a lot of potential. I enjoyed getting to know Alexis and the boys. There is a lot going on in this book, but it seems to be the foundation for the rest of the series. I’m looking forward to uncovering the secrets that are only alluded to in this installment.
Task 16 Completion PostAvigail
Avigail
Hazel (both books listed in this post)
KathyD
KathyD
Sassafrass
Sassafrass
we are all checked in for Task 16! =)
Sass, & Hazel, good luck with the kiddo's games. Kathy, thanks for checking us in, and looking forward to our new task.
Thanks Avigail. Alasdair had a good game. It was a 2-2 draw which was a fair reflection of the game play. Sassafrass hope your daughter enjoys her basketball game.
Here is your next task!Task 17 - 94. Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years.
Books for this task need to be initially published in sequential years, for example 2010-2011-2012-2013-2014-2015. Teams decide which years to use. Please include the selected years in your completion posts along with which year your book was published. Remember to 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.
Ok six books. Sequential years. Are we going to 2021 back? That would be 2016-2021.
We had said 2018-2021 but that would only count for 4 of the books. We need to do 2016-2021.I can do 2016 I have a few on my list for the MnG challenge that I can cross off. Happy to do another year as well.
I’ve got 2017 and can do a second as well.
Ok why don’t we start on 2016 and 2017 then Kathy and Avigail can choose what year they want out of 2018-2021 then I can do another one or 2 from the years left.
If I could be fussy and ask if I could do my 2nd book using 2021 that would be great as it’s an ARC that needs to be read by 26th. If Kathy or Avigail really want 2021 I’ll still manage to fit it in 😂
I don't need to read a 2021 book...I'll find something from 18-20...Avigail, let me know if you have a preference.
Ok, then I can take whatever is left over!
Kathy, I can do 2019 0r 2018. I have books for those years, and if needed, I can read a second as soon as I finish my first one.
Posting this so I know what I picked for each year left over:2018: Bro Code
2019: Saving Thea
2020: A Little Bit of Karma
Avigail...I have books for those two years also, so just let me know your choice...=)
Avigail wrote: "Kathy, I can do 2019 0r 2018. I have books for those years, and if needed, I can read a second as soon as I finish my first one."☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Avigail...I have books for those two years also, so just let me know your choice...=)"
Everyone on this team is just so accommodating. I LOVE IT! WE ARE THE BEST! seriously!!!
But there is also 2020. So Kathy if you have something for that than you can have it and I can take what's left over. It will give me something to do so I don't have to talk to the basketball moms!! HAHAHA
Sassafrass wrote: "Avigail wrote: "Kathy, I can do 2019 0r 2018. I have books for those years, and if needed, I can read a second as soon as I finish my first one."☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Avigail...I have books for those ..."
Sass, I think all of us have a lot of books from 2020. It is an easy year.
The truth is if I take the 2018 book, I will also finish the PTP reading challenge.
Avigail wrote: "The truth is if I take the 2018 book, I will also finish the PTP reading challenge."ok You take 2018 Avigail!
I'll take 2020. I'm just about done with my 2017 book.
Sassafrass wrote: "I'll take 2020. I'm just about done with my 2017 book."Wow, Sass, that was fast.
Avigail wrote: "Sassafrass wrote: "I'll take 2020. I'm just about done with my 2017 book."Wow, Sass, that was fast."
I know! But it's less than 200 pages AND I've got nothing to do while I'm waiting for these kids to play their game. We are at the tournament but their game isn't until later. And if I don't look busy, I have to socialize and seriously these moms take this game way too seriously for me. I know my kid's not going to play professionally but it gets her exercise and she loves to play. I really don't want to get into all the drama these other moms bring!
Task 17:
Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years: 2016-2021
Breaking His CodePages: 190/GR
How it fits: First published July 24th, 2017
Date completed: 10/23/21
Rating: *3.5 STARS*
I enjoyed this one. I only wish that it had been a little longer. Hopefully we'll see more of this couple in later books but there was so much that was left unresolved.
Loved the female computer specialist. I thought that the author did a great job with portraying what can happen after people come back from war. She showed Cam and West surviving although not always in the best or most healthy light. But they were doing their best to keep themselves above water. I had a lot of respect for them.
This is my first book by this author and I'm looking forward to continuing with the series.
Task 17: Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years: 2016-2021Book:
Pages: 364
Read: 24 October
Rating: 4.5⭐️
How it qualifies: First published December 2016
Review: I loved this book. It’s totally different from the other Jay Crownover books I have read. Leo and her friend go on a wilderness retreat to help Leo get her groove back after a bad relationship. The Warner cowboy’s are all hot I don’t know which one I would choose. Leo and Cy strike up a hostile but heated relationship which turns into a holiday fling. The adventure is not lacking on their trail as the group encounter a group growing drugs who want them away from their goods. Bullets fly, people are injured physically and mentally and Leo and Cy have to say goodbye to deal with the fallout of the situation. Both realise they can’t live without the other.
This book had so many interesting characters aside from the main characters and I can’t wait to see if their stories are told in the continuing series. I’m really looking forward to book 2 and what happens back in Wyoming.
Ok I’m starting my 2nd book now but won’t get much more read before going to sleep.
We can't get a new task until Monday, so you're good!
Task 17:
Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years: 2016-2021
The Reinvention of the RosePages: 191/GR
How it fits: First published June 22th, 2020
Date completed: 10/24/21
Rating: *4 STARS*
I really liked this one. It had some over-the-top drama but I liked the story. Tempest getting a chance to reclaim her life was amazing. I loved watching her grow into the person she wanted to become.
My only issue was that I felt there was a lot of backstory I was missing - about Tempest's time being a rose and what the garden really was and who the other people from her life before were.
I feel like if the story was long more of that could be fleshed out. And I always felt like I was missing something. It wasn't enough to make me want to stop the story and honestly, I loved Tristan and Tempest. I just wanted that other part too.
excited because I had two good ones this time! Woot!Off to today's game. I hope everyone has a great Sunday!
Task 17:
- 94. Read 6 bOn a Cold Dark Seaooks published in sequential years, teams decide years:- 2016-2021On a Cold Dark Sea by Elizabeth Blackwell
Pages: 277
How it fits:The book is Published April 10th 2018
Date completed: October 24, 2021
Rating: 3.5 ⭐
Review: Everyone I know loved the movie "Titanic," to tell the truth I wasn't fond of the film. When I saw at Kindle Unlimited the book, I was hesitant to read it. Due to reading challenges, I took part in the book that fitted my tasks, so I picked it up. The truth for me is 3.5-stars.
On a Cold Dark Sea has such a great premise, but with a very lackluster climax that only hits at the end of the book. The three women: Anna, Esme, and Charlotte, are defined by the men in their lives and make believable decisions and spend the book regretting some of their choices, but I feel like the author glossed over them.
I felt a lot of the book was summarised, which helped explain the characters at the start and let us into their motivations; I never really felt as though I knew the characters. The ending felt very open like there will be a sequel to the story.
Sorry it took so long to post the completion. I was at work and today is my brother's birthday, and we had an early family dinner. We will celebrate his birthday again when my father returns from his business trip.I am not fond of fanfiction based the Titanic. I finished another book on my TBR in March 2021.
Task 17—read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Vengeance, Rebecca Zanetti – 10/24/21 – ✮✮✮✮✰
Kindle first-edition ➔ 167 pages
How the Book Qualifies ➔ initially published March 19, 2019
Review — This was another fun installment in the Dark Protectors series. Only two of the “known” characters make an appearance, but we are introduced to some new players that could have a part to play moving forward. I really liked Noah. He is like a grumpy 421-year-old male who doesn’t want to be stuck in an anger management group. Abby is another good female character for this world. Even though she’s been beaten down, literally and figuratively, she finds her strength to start rebuilding her life. My only issue with this book is that it was over too soon. The ending was abrupt and I wanted to know more about the characters. I do hope to see these two down the road...if only to check in with them.
Task 17—read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021Book:
Pages: No page limit on GR for kindle edition but it is 369 as per Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perks-Loving...
Read: 24 October
Rating: 3⭐️
How it qualifies: Published October 2021
Review: I recently read the prequel to this series and found it a bit all over the place and a bit strange. This is book 2 which I received as an Arc and it was better and more structured. The Wynchester’s were all orphans taken in by a Baron and they run a detective type business. Tommy (Thomasina) Wynchester’s role in the business is to find out information by disguising herself as others. She has had a crush on Philippa York but cant bring herself to talk to her as herself so disguised herself as Horace Wynchester, Baron Vanderbean. She tells Philippa the truth quite quickly and they agree a pretend courtship to help with the case the Wynchesters are working on and to placate Philippa’s parents in their hopes of getting a suitor for her.
The book series is not one of my favourites by the author but I definitely enjoyed this one more than the prequel. It also covers a female / non binary relationship which is not my usual go to but I felt this was brave and well written especially in the historical time setting. The book also has a feminist take in terms of the case being an advocate for women getting recognition for their achievements rather than a man.
I’ve checked us in! Sassafrass how was the basketball?
Avigail hope your brother has a great birthday?
What did you get up to Kathy?
I went to a fancy dress shop as hubby and I are going to a Halloween party at a friends house next week so needed costumes. I’m going as Harley Quinn (if the costume fits not tried it yet) and he is going as joker. About to stand and iron sons school uniforms for the week 😬.
Avigail wrote: "Sorry it took so long to post the completion. I was at work and today is my brother's birthday, and we had an early family dinner. We will celebrate his birthday again when my father returns from h..."Happy Birthday to your brother, Avigail!
I don't think I've ever read a book based on the Titanic. I think I would always be thinking of Jack and Rose. :)
Basketball was heartbreaking. They lost by a shot at the buzzer. I think it's easier to lose by a lot than to lose like that!Hazel, your costumes sound great! We don't usually do anything for Halloween. It's my husband's birthday and he's traumatized by having to share his birthday every year growing up. So, now that the kids are teens we don't do anything.
We haven’t done anything for years. I think about 15 years ago we went to a friends Halloween party. That’s rotten about the basketball to be that close is heartbreaking for the kids.
I loved Leonardo Dicaprio and had pictures of him all over my walls. I saw Titanic when I was 13/14 on our last day in Florida. We went to the airport straight after watching it and I cried the whole way home. Ugly hyperventilating crying 😂 I said I could never watch another Leo film as he was always dying and it was too upsetting. Such a drama queen! I’ve never read a book about the titanic though.
Hazel wrote: "Task 17: Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years: 2016-2021Book:
Pages: 364
Read: 24 October
Rating: 4.5⭐️
How it qualifies: First published D..."
I really liked this one too!!!
Sassafrass wrote: "Task 17:
Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years: 2016-2021
The Reinvention of the RosePages: 192/GR
H..."
Likely a typo, but please correct to the first edition Kindle page count (191). Thanks!
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that's true!