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R13: SS Team 8 - Reading 8 Days a Week
message 51:
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Katelyn
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Jan 27, 2022 08:24PM
I believe that all of the completions are in now!
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Maddie I am unable to see your review
Week 1 - Spot #4 Completion PostErin - Rock Paper Scissors
Review: This was an interesting read and I have kind of split thoughts on it. The first half or so was interesting, but I found it left me with a lot of questions but it didn't seem to be dropping even small hints to get you to start guessing which was a little frustrating. But the dual timeline being told through normal POVs and the letters was interesting and I was definitely intrigued enough to easily keep reading.
The second half picked up a lot as it finally felt like the audience was given information to start trying to piece things together. And the twists were a nice mix of things I had sort of worked out and things I hadn't even begun to guess that the end of this book definitely had me on the edge of my seat finishing it
Shelby - Bitter Falls
Review: I do enjoy this series, but as it moves on I'd love to see Gwen and her family find a little bit of stability somewhere, find more than one or two people who believe in them and don't hate her for her past that's not her fault.
This story has ties to the previous in a lovely way. It didn't feel like a stretch which was nice. I like seeing Gwen employed and working as a PI. She's tenacious and has a good heart. She wants to do right by those wronged. This case though puts more of her family in danger. I felt for Gwen when she got pulled into things and everything spun out of control. I knew she would fight tooth and nail to save everyone though.
I liked seeing Sam and Gwen's relationship developing into something strong and stable though. And Connor calling Sam dad at times was so sweet. Lanny and Connor always capture my attention as they're such great kids who've been through so much. I look forward to seeing how things develop.
Maddie - Dreams Lie Beneath
Ariel - Live to Tell
Review: I had read a D.D. Warren book a while back (and for all I know, it could have been this one) but I do remember not really liking D.D. as a character. I love other Lisa Gardner books though so I thought that I would give it another shot because the actual synopsis of the storyline intrigued me. I will say that I am happy that I gave it another shot because it immediately hooked me in with the changing of the characters and the suspense of needing to know what happened and what the heck was going on. Once I was a couple chapters in, the book quickly became a 'do not put down, Ariel - I need to know what is going on' book.
Jade - A Cosy Christmas at Bridget’s Bicycle Bakery
Review: Newly widowed mother of three, has no option but to sell their family home. Without money or many savings she decides to move the family back to her home town for a fresh start. Her in-laws have a beach house that they offer her the use of. Even thought it needs some work, left without much of a choice Bridget, the children and their dog Henry move in just before Christmas.
Mulberry on Sea sounds like such a beautiful and tranquil place. As soon as the family step foot into the beach house Bridget hopes she has made the right decision. She starts to feels like it is the right fresh start for them, as the children delight in the new adventure with sledging and snowball fights right on the beach. And Bridget starts making friends, and manages to make a living for herself by delivering her delicious sourdough bread to the locals.
This is a lovely book which I read in one sitting, about how to carry on after bereavement and never giving up hope of a second chance. Filled with lots of heartache but also lots of friendship, love and humour. It took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I also loved the Christmas backdrop it added lots of charm. Whilst we read about Bridget busily cooking in the kitchen making bread and mince pies on the old Aga, with the fire crackling whilst waves crash outside. It all sounds perfect!
I will definitely be looking out for this author in the future. It is the first book of hers I have read but it won't be the last.
Katelyn - To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Review: This is my seventh time rereading this book! I have a lot of love for this series and Lara Jean. Escaping into her life is always a good time. I'm looking forward to rereading the next book since my favorite character is John Ambrose McClaren! Towards the end of the book, Lara Jean's dad gets her and her sisters a puppy for Christmas that Lara Jean's younger sister has been wanting throughout the entire book.
Couldn't figure out how to add hyperlinks so this is what I have :) I can roll after I get Maddie's review.
Mod
I believe we have a how-to for adding hyperlinks somewhere in the help section, though I'm on the app (and in the middle of work) right now so I can't link it for you... oh, the irony. XD
I promise I'll be more helpful once I'm home and using a proper computer!
Week 1 - Spot #4 Completion Post Erin - Rock Paper Scissors Review
Shelby - Bitter Falls Review
Maddie - Dreams Lie Beneath Review
Ariel - Live to Tell Review
Jade - A Cosy Christmas at Bridget’s Bicycle Bakery Review
Katelyn - To All the Boys I've Loved Before Review
Team 8 - Reading 8 Days a WeekWeek 1 Review Links
Week: 2
Previous Spot: 4
Roll: 6 +1 = 7
Spot: 11
Options: #1 in a series, #11 in a series, Author 'N'
Free Pass Earned
Week #2 Choice: Dare You to Lie by Amber Lynn Natusch How it Fits: #1 in Hometown Antihero series and Author 'N'
Week 2 Pick:Book: The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
How it fits: #1 in the Feminine Pursuits series
Author N, does that mean there just needs to be an N in the author's name? Or does the first name or second name need to start with N?
i believe their first middle or last name needs to start with N!
Week 2 (Option 2) Selection
How it fits: Neal - N author
Pages: 384
Thanks for checking us in. Will see what I have on my kindle
Week 2Spot 11
Hunting Season by Shelly Laurenston
How Fits: #1 in The Gathering
Read: (1/30)
Rating: ★★★★
I do like this side of Shelly Laurenston's shifter/mythology world. Neecy and Will are actually a really fun couple. I love Will's determination and patience with the flighty Neecy. She's not ready to open up to allowing someone close to her, not sure she even deserves it. The Crows are a feisty bunch, always ready for a party and Neecy has her hands full trying to wrangle her sisters.
The crossover with the shifter world in New York works well for me. I like these two groups so much. Of course theirs a nasty evil out to get them all backed by Hella. Neecy goes through quite a lot in this one. I appreciated how much Will cared and was willing to fight to stay by her side while still allowing her to be the kickass Crow that she is.
I hope at some point more books are added to this series. I feel like I've just gotten the tease in the story. I liked Neecy and her sisters and definitely want to see some more stories with these girls and Will's Ravens.
I've started Roxy! Should take me 2-3 days
How does a DNFed book count? I made it to page 150/381. I don't want to keep reading it. Do I need to pick up something else to fit the prompt?
Completion:Book: The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics
Date Read: 2/1
How it fits: #1 in the Feminine Pursuits series
Rating: 3/5 stars
Review:
The atmosphere and setting really worked for me in this book. I loved the women in science trying to make their way during an era that didn't really want them. It reminded me a lot of the setting in my favorite fantasy series, The Memoirs of Lady Trent.
I enjoyed the characters well enough. And I did ultimately think they made a good couple. However my problem came in the author's choice to have them get to together so early in the book. In romance books my personal preference is for the main couple do not get together until sometime after the half way point. I like to read romances for "the chase" and not as much for the after and I think having the main couple get together when they did really undermined the story in some ways. They hadn't been given enough time to develop feelings and tension with each other and thus hadn't yet won me over to root for them yet. The beginning of that chemistry was certainly there because shortly before they got together I was like "okay I'm starting to feel this, I'm read for some pining" and then we skipped all the pining. Which also made the middle chunk of this book a little more on the boring side.
My secondary problem was I found the conflict to be entirely too melodramatic.
The ending of this book however was EXCELLENT and I adored it. And is responsible for that bump back up to being rounded to a 4 star read.
Maddie wrote: "How does a DNFed book count? I made it to page 150/381. I don't want to keep reading it. Do I need to pick up something else to fit the prompt?"I think you would need to pick up something else
SELECTION POSTWeek 2
Spot 11
Book: Hallow Heathens
Pages: 471
How it Fits: (Tales of Weeping Hollow #1)
Maddie wrote: "How does a DNFed book count? I made it to page 150/381. I don't want to keep reading it. Do I need to pick up something else to fit the prompt?"No it has to be a completed book I believe. Maybe see if you can pick up something short, still a few days to log in the read.
Mod
It does need to be a completed book. Minimum page count is 140 pages and you still have plenty of time left, so I'm sure you can find something that works for you. :)
Yeah I've found two that work :) Just got a poll up right now haha, Challenger Deep or Falling
Week 2 (Option 2) Re-Selection
How it fits: Neal - N author
Pages: 314
i’ll have my completion post up later tonight and i’ll roll if everyone has their posts and reviews in by then!
Week 2 Completion: Book: Dare You to Lie - Amber Lynn Natusch
How it Fits: Natush - N Author and #1 in Hometown Antihero Series
Date started - finished: 1/31/2022 - 2/3/2022
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Week 2 - Spot #11 Completion PostErin - The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics Review
Shelby - Hunting Season Review
Maddie - Challenger Deep Review
Ariel - Dare You to Lie Review
Jade - Hollow Heathens: Book of Blackwell Review
Katelyn - Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood Review
I will update when Maddie, Jade, and I have our posts in! Mine will be up some time tonight I just have 40 more pages to read after I finish an essay for school :)
I have a couple more chapters to read too. Trust me to pick a book with over 400 pages
Week 2 - Roll 2Spot 11
Book:
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
How it Fits:
Read: 1/29 - 2/4
Rating: ★★★
Review:
My favorite part of this book was learning about South Africa because I knew so little about Africa and had only read one book set in it before. I found some of the authors views in this book problematic and I didn’t really enjoy the order the book was told in since it wasn’t chronological which is fine but it was also confusing! however this was an enjoyable read and I’m glad I read it :)
No worries! I will roll tomorrow when the rest of the reviews are up :) Hope you're at least enjoying your book!
Week 2 - Roll 2Spot 11
Book: Hollow Heathens: Book of Blackwell
How it Fits: (Tales of Weeping Hollow #1)
Read: 4th Feb
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This is one of those books where I really don't know how to feel about it or how to write a review. I think I need a few days to go away and think about it.
I really enjoyed the dark paranormal romance angle, but felt that the writing in places just didn't fit the book. The subject matter and thinks that were happened to me personally were spoilt by the writing as I kept feeling like I was stuck in a YA book, yet they were dealing with death, sex, bullying. Not sure I agree with the new adult tag. Also the book dragged, it was 471 pages and I felt them all, the book got repetitive in places which is a shame. But having said that I was rooting for Fallon and Julian from the outset and the rest of the Hallow Heathens.
I'M ZOOMING TO THE FINISH NOW! It should take an hour or so. I hope I'm not too late! I had a surprise family dinner last night
no worries maddie! i have class at 2 so if your review is up before then i can roll!
How far away is that? It's 9.45am Saturday for me now. I never remember what time deadline is
Sorry! I have class in an hour but the deadline is in 9 hours :)
Oh wow okay so I have a long time haha great! I'll sit down and finish now though.
Week 2 (Option 2) Re-Selection
How it fits: Neal - N author
Pages: 314
Date read: 5/2/2022
Rating: 1 star
Review: Safe to say the only reason I finished this is for this challenge. It's another Shusterman I can't relate to, I'll definitely be sticking to his fantasy from now on. His contemporary doesn't seem to be me. I might try the odd one, but I won't have high expectations.
Team 8 - Reading 8 Days a WeekWeek 2 Review Links
Week: 3
Previous Spot: 11
Roll: 6 + 4 = 10
Spot: 21
Options: #2 in a series, #1 in a series, #21 in a series, Favorite Author
Free Pass Earned
Bonus Points Earned: 1
✸ 2 in 1
Oh great! the book I literally just started is a #1 in series!Week Three (Option One) Selection
Pages: 321
How it fits: #1
wait ignore that selection haha turns out it's a standalone not first oops! I cant delete on my phone either
I'm pretty sure you can do standalones for #1 or #0! Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
Mod
Selection:
How it fits: #2 in the Young Elites series
@Erin: I hope you love that! I really enjoyed that series
Week 3:
- Midnight for Charlie BoneHow it Fits: #1 in the Children of the Red King series
Week Three (Option One) Completion
Description: Standalone
Pages: 321
Date read: 6/2/22
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review/Status Updates: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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