TART Challenge - Round 4 - Fast like Molasses (4)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I have you complete and will assign your next task tomorrow. 😊

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 7 - 14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG.

Contemporary and Romance do not have to be combined and may be combined with other words, MM Romance for example, but BOTH must be MPG (Main Page Genre)! Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count.

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Well, this is an easy one! Divided evenly that's 250 pages per person, but my book is well over that so it gives some leeway if anyone wants to read a shorter book. I'm reading and it's 384 pages.

[Chan]

Great idea, Karen. I should have posted how many pages my book has.

I'm reading

It has 320 pages.

384 (Karen) + 320 (Chan) = 704

1000 - 704 = 296 pages.

Courtney and Liz, you both only need to read the minimum page count for the challenge.

[Courtney]

👍 I'll take a look and see what I've got. I swear there's a secret billionaire series I haven't finished yet. 🤣

[Elizabeth]

My book has 350 pages

[Chan]

#7 | 14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG
Book: The Bride Test
Pages: 320
Rating: 🛵🛵🛵
Completed: October 4, 2021
Qualifies: MPG Romance > Contemporary Romance

[Chan]

i had so many mixed feelings about this book. it's good, but in the end Esme's actions and thoughts were never redeemed. She actually looked worse because she waited until the very end of the book to share her secret. A HUGE secret. That's not something that should be accepted and swept under the rug without questions.

[Chan]

I had to come back and laugh at myself.
I can get so worked up over injustices 😂
Breathe, Chan. It's only fiction.

[Elizabeth]

I remember having similar frustration with that book. I think this was my least favorite written by Helen Hoang.

[Courtney]

Ugh that's one of my biggest pet peeves, when there's something that should be a big deal, but everyone's over it in a minute. I don't know of I hate it more or less than when there's a stupid secret that the draw out forever and it's totally nothing anyone would actually be upset about.

I decided to do because I liked the first two books in the series, but this book is just odd. It has a total different feel. Not a light and fun romance. I honestly can't even follow what's going on. Some tech guy became a park ranger and some reporter thinks he runs some Twitter account that spills political secrets or something. I'm really not sure. I feel like I got dropped off in the middle of a different series. It's weird.

[Chan]

Thanks, Liz and Courtney. I'm glad I'm not alone. I sometimes feel my intense emotions about books with acute inequality are singular. And with this one I really felt it because the male mc is autistic. High functioning, but still a developmental disorder.

[Elizabeth]

#7 | 14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG
Book:
Pages: 350
Rating: 🤗🤗🤗🤗
Completed: October 4, 2021
Qualifies: MPG Romance > Contemporary Romance

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Task #7 - 14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG.

Book: When Stars Collide
Page Count: 384
Rating: 4 stars
Completed: Oct 4, 2021
Qualification: MPG Romance > Contemporary Romance

[Courtney]

Completion Post - Task #7

14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG.


Personal Disaster

Pages: 152
Completed: 10/5
How it Qualifies: MPG Contemporary Romance

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Review:



I'm just so confused by this book. First of all, this feels totally unrelated to the first two books in the series. It was like getting dropped into the middle of a completely different set of books, and I just couldn't understand what was going on.

This one starts with a reporter named Poppy trying to figure out the secret identity of someone running a rogue Twitter account. Seriously, is that even a thing?



Regardless of whether rogue Twitter accounts exist, this intrepid reporter is hunting a story about secrets regarding the national parks department. So either way, it's completely ridiculous. Seriously, the "big story" according to Marcus is that the national parks are no longer hiring seasonal workers, so people in the town are out of work, and the government is planning to raise prices to enter the parks.



I'm not sure on what planet that would be news. But considering how big of a deal it is to Marcus, why does he continue to keep his park ranger position if he's a freaking BILLIONAIRE?! He's worried about guys being out of work, and he hogs one of the few positions even though he doesn't need a job?



And then there's everything with him stalking alt-right forums and his buddy creating some bluetooth device so people can't track you and Poppy taking self-defense lessons because reporters are being attack, but it's honestly all so ridiculous and makes no sense that I'm not even sure how to explain what is happening.

I'm not sure what the author was going for with this one, but it didn't work for me. I really liked the first two books, but now I'm not really interested in reading any more. This was really just a random bunch of pseudo-suspense plot points with no reason for them. I just don't get it.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

You are the list for a new task in the morning! 📚

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here you go!

Task 8 - 34. Read 6 books first published between 2000 and 2010.

Books selected for this task need to have been initially published between 1.1.2000 and 12.31.2010. If there is a date listed at the top of the editions page, use that one. Otherwise I will be looking for the earliest dated English language edition regardless of format for the qualification. Please include the initial publication date in your completion posts.

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

I can definitely plan on 2 if needed. I'm starting with first published July 3rd 2007. After that I'll read first published April 28th 2009. Both are M&G books (and books I have specifically planned for this month), so no big deal if the 2nd one isn't needed for this task...I need to read it this month either way.

[Courtney]

This is going to be tough 🤣. I think all my books are after 2010! Let me check my shelves!

[Courtney]

Ok, I found one! I was thinking about doing my next one in the Play by Play series, but I'm so far in it that series that the next book is 2012 🤪. But Game for Anything was on the side as a suggested read, and it looks cute, so I'm going to do that one. Initial publication date July 22nd, 2008 👍

[Chan]

#8 | 34. Read 6 books first published between 2000 and 2010
Book: Bed of Roses
Pages: 370
Rating: 💐💐💐💐
Completed: October 6, 2021
Qualifies: Initially published October 26, 2009

[Chan]

I'm planning to start this one tomorrow...well, later today, but I don't see a kindle date. Can i still use it? the kindle page counts are the same, but neither have a date.

[Courtney]

I always mess up these date ones, but I'm pretty sure for this the Kindle edition date doesn't matter. Just as long as the first edition fits then you're fine.

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Chan wrote: "I'm planning to start this one tomorrow...well, later today, but I don't see a kindle date. Can i still use it? the kindle page counts are the same, but neither have a date.

[bookcover:Lost Dogs a..."

Chan, I can add the date to the current kindle edition (from Amazon) then you can use that one.

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Actually, the current edition already has a date...it's way down the list, but it's the only English kindle edition with a date so it works...

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Courtney wrote: "I always mess up these date ones, but I'm pretty sure for this the Kindle edition date doesn't matter. Just as long as the first edition fits then you're fine."

Yeah, it can be confusing. Pretty much anytime a date is included in a specific task (like this current one) it's going to be the initial publication date, regardless of format. The first English language Kindle edition is always needed for the page count, though.

[Chan]

~KarenH~ wrote: "Chan wrote: "I'm planning to start this one tomorrow...well, later today, but I don't see a kindle date. Can i still use it? the kindle page counts are the same, but neither have a date.

[bookcove..."

Thanks, Karen. I didn't realize there was a page 2. It was the second book at the top, on the second page.

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Chan wrote: "~KarenH~ wrote: "Chan wrote: "I'm planning to start this one tomorrow...well, later today, but I don't see a kindle date. Can i still use it? the kindle page counts are the same, but neither have a..."

Something you may already know, but I just discovered after over 10 years on GR. At the top of the editions page (right under the first published date) is a dropdown that allows you to filter by format. Makes it so much easier to find the appropriate kindle edition when there are a lot of different editions!

[Chan]

Nuh uh. you are kidding me. i gotta check this out

[Chan]

OMGosh. That is wild. I have been doing ctrl + f, to search for kindle editions. I can search for the format and then sort by date.

I have learned two new features during this challenge. The first one allows me to combine my shelf and someone else's and search shelves. And now this one. Both are super useful for challenges.

Thank you so much for sharing, Karen!

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

No problem! I wish I'd thought to mention it sooner, but when I discover something like that I tend to somehow just assume everyone else already knows about it!

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

And actually, I'd never thought to sort by date after filtering for edition (although I did know the option was there), I think mostly because once it's filtered it's usually a short enough list that it's not necessary. It would be really helpful if you were reading something like one of the classics that has many hundreds (or even thousands) of editions though!

[Chan]

The animals in this book are AMAZING! who doesn't like well written animals in books, but some of the other stuff 🤔

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Task #8 - 34. Read 6 books first published between 2000 and 2010.

Book 1:
Book: Here Kitty, Kitty!
Page Count: 336
Rating: 4 stars
Completed: Oct 5, 2021
Qualification: First published July 3rd 2007

Book 2:
Book: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
Pages: 315
Rating: 4 stars
Completed: Oct 6, 2021
Qualification: First published April 28th 2009

[Elizabeth]

#8 | 34. Read 6 books first published between 2000 and 2010
Book:
Pages: 292
Rating: 🏝🏝🏝
Completed: October 6, 2021
Qualifies: Initially published May 5, 2009

[Elizabeth]

Do I need to read a second book or do we have enough?

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Elizabeth wrote: "Do I need to read a second book or do we have enough?"

We should be fine...Chan is reading a second one, so that's 6.

[Chan]

I'm almost done with book 2. another hour or two and i should be able to post my completion

[Chan]

#8 | 34. Read 6 books first published between 2000 and 2010 | Book 2
Book: Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts
Pages: 448
Rating: 🐶🐶🐶
Completed: October 6, 2021
Qualifies: Initially published 2009

[Courtney]

I've got about 50 pages left in mine, so I'll finish up tonight. It's pretty cute, but there is a little low-key slut shaming that bugs me. I don't know why authors always have the heroine so judgey of other ladies when its the dude who's sleeping with anything that walks 🙄.

[Courtney]

Completion Post - Task #8

34. Read 6 books first published between 2000 and 2010


Game for Anything

Pages: 306, Kindle edition: Game for Anything
Completed: 10/7
How it Qualifies: Original publication date, July 22nd 2008

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:

This was a pretty cute read. I really liked the MCs, Ty and Julie. They went to the same high school, and Julie always had a crush on the hot football star, Ty. They end up hooking up on graduation night, but the next day doesn't go so well. Ten years later, Julie is working as an image consultant, and she gets hired to clean up Ty's bad boy ways.

I thought the story worked well; I'm usually a sucker for a good second-chance romance, and I liked that part of it. My biggest issue is that a lot of the plot points weren't really strong enough in here. For example, in the first scene with Ty, he has a bunch of inner monologue about how he always looks for Julie in the crowd and that he doesn't want to leave his team because he works in the same state Julie's in and that he regrets walking away from her after their one night together, but when they finally reconnect, he acts like he's only interested in a short-term thing and is shocked when he realizes he actually likes her. You're shocked you have actual feelings for a woman who you've been hung up on for ten years?



Also, the catalysts for both of their "break-ups" were super weak. When we finally learn what Ty did the morning after their big night, it just felt like "That's it?" I really don't understand why Julie went all nutso and told him that she hated him. He really didn't say anything that awful. And the second split was just as bad. I don't get why either of them got so upset with the other person or why Ty couldn't just tell Julie what he said to Jack. It was just bizarre.

And the ending with the stuff with the owner and agent really came out of left field. I'm still scratching my head over why that was necessary.

I think there is a good romance in here - good relationship building and good characters. I just wish the plot had been a bit tighter with the drama a bit more believable.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 9 - 20. Read 4 books 300 pages or longer.

Pretty self explanatory. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count!

[Chan]

This will be a breeze for Karen and me 😂
All of our books are usually 300 pages or longer

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Chan wrote: "This will be a breeze for Karen and me 😂
All of our books are usually 300 pages or longer"

Well, I actually have several this M&G round that are under 300 pages, but still probably 2/3 of the books on the list are over. Yeah, it's an easy one for me!

I'm actually getting a little nervous. So far all of the tasks have been really easy...not necessarily in general but for me personally. Sooner or later I'm going to pay, I just know it! 🤣🤣🤣

[Courtney]

Oh darn. I was going to read the next Game for Anything book, but it's only 272 😭.

[Chan]

#9 | 20. Read 4 books 300 pages or longer
Book: Third Grave Dead Ahead
Pages: 336
Rating: 👮‍♀️👮‍♀️👮‍♀️👮‍♀️
Completed: October 8, 2021
Qualifies: more than 300 pages

[Chan]

~KarenH~ wrote: "Chan wrote: "This will be a breeze for Karen and me 😂
All of our books are usually 300 pages or longer"

Well, I actually have several this M&G round that are under 300 pages, but still probably 2/..."

Same for me, Karen. all of the tasks have been easy for me to find something to read. Don't wanna jinx it though. Kat might read this and create task 301 - read a western without cowboys 😁

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Chan wrote: "Don't wanna jinx it though. Kat might read this and create task 301 - read a western without cowboys 😁"

Shhhhh! Don't give her any ideas! 😂

[Courtney]

Oh my gosh Chan, you're so fast! I'm about a third through mine. It's by an author I like, but it's kind of military-esque, so mot my favorite sub-genre, and it's fine....but that's all.

[Chan]

Courtney wrote: "Oh my gosh Chan, you're so fast! I'm about a third through mine. It's by an author I like, but it's kind of military-esque, so mot my favorite sub-genre, and it's fine....but that's all."

really? I started listening to that book yesterday morning and it took me all day to finish. I completed it around 2am.

I like this series a lot, but there were some things in this one that had me uneasy. I had to see how the author was going to finish it up. I couldn't go to bed with it on my mind. I had to know 😁