Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
The Amazing Race Archive
>
TART Challenge - Round 5 - Have Book...Can Travel (2)
Completion Task 16: The last person on your team alphabetically selects a book or a book series and everyone reads that book or a book in the selected series. IN DEATH SERIESSassafrass
Avigail
Hazel
☘KathyD☘
Here is your next task!Task 17 - 50. Read 6 books set in the same location, teams decide the location.
As a team select a location and read 6 books set in the selected location. If you choose a big city it is easy enough, but you are free to use the state if within the US or the country if outside the US. Remember to let me know how you know your book qualifies, be it title, precis, book details, tags or lists - I need to know where to look to confirm your books. Please include any necessary links or other information in your completion posts.
Task 17:
Read 6 books set in the same location, teams decide the location. NEW YORK 
Faithless in DeathPages: 383/GR
How it fits: New York City, New York is setting on Main Page
Date completed: 5/14/22
Rating: *5 STARS*
I'm not sure what to say about this one. The way the whole thing unfolded. The whole cult aspect took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting that when the story started. It's funny because I was trying to figure out how the title fit but it became very clear by the end.
Eve is a badass. Nothing to say other than that. She just is! And she's letting Peabody's badassery come out as well, and I love that!
I love the fact that even after all these books, this author can surprise me and intrigue me. I felt Eve and Peabody's abhorrence when they went to the headquarters. And I could totally see how they got there. Just look at where we are today.
Roarke of course was Roarke so what's not to love. And I was totally in awe of the way he was able to bring in his own history to help those who needed it.
I'm so looking forward to continuing this series. I don't care if it goes to 100 books. I'm there!
Task 17:
Read 6 books set in the same location, teams decide the location. NEW YORK 
Sure ShotPages: 307/GR
How it fits: from précis: A big, tall, ripped hunk of hockey player who’s just been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers is not a part of that plan.
Date completed: 5/14/22
Rating: *4 STARS*
This was sweet and it dealt with a real issue that people don't like to talk about...infertility. I thought it was great to bring that to light. Loved the backstory between Bess and Tank but loved how they interacted with a few years under their belt even better.
I thought it was interesting once things came out but I knew that Bess and Tank would get their dream. I did feel for Bess with how cautious she was in regards to dating a player and of course the woman is bearing most of that burden.
Even though I never watch hockey I love these books. The Brooklyn Bruisers gang is just so fun and amazing. I love the way they've created this family for themselves.
Completion post Task 17: Read 6 books set in the same location, teams decide the location. NEW YORK
Book:
Pages: 170 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 15 May
Rating: 2.5⭐️
How it qualifies: From précis ‘The richest guy in New York is looking for a secretary, and lucky for me, he’s young and as hot as sin.’
Review: Firstly this is not a complete book. I wouldn’t say it’s a cliff hanger, more it just ends and I wasn’t aware of that before reading the book. Secondly, the hero is a bit of a prat and the heroine just doesn’t resonate with me at all. Stephanie is curvy and meets Jeremiah in a nightclub and doesn’t realise he’s the rich guy she has applied to be the secretary of. She ends up with the job even though he is an idiot and the sexual chemistry is off the charts. They have one moment in the office which was disturbed. The ex secretary appears and tells Stephanie she needs to watch her back or else - and the book ends. Pointless in my opinion. Sorry for ruining it 😂
I have about 30 mins left of my 2nd book.
Completion Post:-
Task #17 - 50. Read 6 books set in the same location, teams decide the location. - NEW YORK
Book: What Happens in New York by Kristina Adams
How it fits the task:The title tells us that the book is set in New York
Page count: 360 pages.
Date completed: May 15, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐.75
Review:New York is one of the places I regularly visited when I was a flight attendant. When I picked up What Happens in New York, I had to read set in New York, and for some reason, I was nostalgic for Manhattan.
Well, I cannot say the same thing about this book; it has a lot of potentials, but at the same time, I had trouble with the pacing and the repetition of the same situation.
Unfortunately, the book has a happy conclusion. For now, you have to continue with the series to find out what will happen to the four main characters in the book. I'm not too fond of series/books that make you read the continuation.
Yes, I can say it has realistic elements of human behavior. Still, at the same time, the plot and the premise of the book are like an episode in a continuing television drama, the intention being to get you to buy the next book.
I will have to give this book 2.75 stars. If I continue with the series, it will take me a long time, and maybe if there is an audiobook to listen to.
Completion post Task 17: Read 6 books set in the same location, teams decide the location. NEW YORK
Book:
Pages: 169
Read: 15 May
Rating: 2⭐️
How it qualifies: MPG New York City, New York
Review: This was bearable. Chloe transferred to the London office from New York after her fiancé cheated on her. She’s meant to be a publicist and has 3 clients given to her when she starts - a band, an actress and a pro surfer. It seems the job of a publicist is to do not much at all as Chloe spends the majority of her time picking outfits out her wardrobe. The actress Julissa is so self centred you want to reach into the book and shake her. The surfer has a huge ego but not as annoying as the actress. One of the band members Jack is our hero in the story and actually lives in the same building as Chloe. They start a relationship however there’s a bit of misunderstanding around Chloe’s engagement status. It all works out in the end though.
I wasn’t particularly engaged with any of the characters and thought the book could have been slightly better developed in terms of the sun plot lines especially.
Task 17—read 6 books set in the same location, teams decide the location — New York
Fantasy in Death, J.D. Robb – 5/16/22 – ✮✮✮✮✰
first-edition Kindle ➔ 353 pages
How the Book Qualifies ➔ main page setting New York
Review — Another great installment in this series! While not a favorite, it includes all the elements that make up a great In Death book. Loved the gallows humor sprinkled throughout and still got lost in all the e-geek speak…which this book is packed with.
Once again, I am running out the door - not to play this time though. I will check completions later.Here is your next task!
Task 18 - 73. Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books by the same author, teams decide author.
As a team, select an author and read 1500 pages in book by the selected author. Please include the selected author in your completion posts. Pseudonyms are acceptable, but if used, please include a link to the author's page or website showing they are the same person. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count.
Completion Post:-
Task #18 - 73. Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books by the same author, teams decide author. - Lauren Blakely
Book: Big Rock by Lauren Blakely
How it fits the task:Lauren Blakely
Page count: 244 pages.
Date completed: May 16, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.75
Review:Big Rock is a spicy contemporary, friend to lovers & fake relationship book. Big Rock is refreshing and did nothing but make me smile, giggle, and FALL in LOVE with reading with the main characters, as well as the plot of the story.
The dynamic between those two is pure perfection, and the banter is hilarious and seamless. Lauren Blakely is a master at romantic comedies---humor and heat that soar through the pages in stories that are achingly addictive. This book is pure pleasure, a playful and mesmerizing masterpiece that pulls at your panties and tugs at your heart.
All of this is in Spencer's POV. The charm, sexiness, and plain enjoyable guy. We are there to see and anticipate all the changes we know will happen. I am looking forward to reading the following installments of the series.
Completion postTask #18 - 73. Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books by the same author, teams decide author. - Lauren Blakely
Book:
Pages: 324 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 16 May
Rating: 4⭐️
How it qualifies: Author is Lauren Blakely
Review: A really enjoyable friends to lovers/brothers best friend romance. Crosby and Nadia have been friends since they were young. When Crosby decides he’s off women and Nadia decides that she’s going to remain single, both decide to partner up for upcoming events they need to attend including Nadia’s brothers wedding where Crosby is the best man. Thinks start to heat up from there with a lot of flirty talk and behaviour. Soon both of them realise that they are not just friends or friends with benefits but there are feelings attached.
I liked Crosby and Nadia. Neither of them did anything particularly annoying or bad to each other which is usually what happens in these types of stories before they realise that they were meant to be.
Completion Post:-
Task #18 - 73. Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books by the same author, teams decide author. - Lauren Blakely
Book: Satisfaction Guaranteed by Lauren Blakely
How it fits the task: The author of the book is Lauren Blakely
Page count: 298pages.
Date completed: May 17, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
Lauren Blakely knows how to write smart from-coms
Once again, I enjoyed the second chance romance with a tidbit of forbidden love. Malone is the ideal boyfriend material.
Satisfaction Guaranteed has loveable characters, Sloane & Malone have a rare kind of magic together.
My suggestion to you is to listen to the audiobook. The narrator sings the songs and there are a couple of extra things that the ebook didn't have.
I like Lauren Blakely’s conflicts that have easy solutions without waiting days upon days for the reconciliation. Another thing I like in her books is you have glimpses of characters from other books and series. It is like a friend came to visit you.
I am looking forward to reading more stories by Lauren Blakely.
Task 18:
Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books by the same author, teams decide author LAUREN BLAKELY 
Scoring With HimPages: 424/GR
How it fits: by Lauren Blakely
Date completed: 5/17/22
Rating: *4.5 STARS*
First off let me just say I thought this was just about perfect until it ended on a freakin' cliffhanger. Be warned that this is a trilogy and you won't get full conclusion until the end. I didn't realize this until I was already invested but I digress.
Lauren Blakely and M/M romance do not go hand and hand for me but I gotta tell you, I adored this. It was hot, had good plot and made we want to give her other M/M stuff a shot! (see what I did there?)
Declan and Grant are enough to make me just want to dive into this trilogy and not come out of hibernation until the whole thing is done but I have to work and take care of my kids so it's just not possible, but know that I want to.
I loved the banter, the secondary characters, and just the feel of this story. And can I just say that Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton narrators. YUM. The only thing that could have made that better would have been a duet narration. *sigh* Thinking of those two in a sound booth narrating together....
And, before I go to far on the deep end, I must say that it's obvious that I will be continuing with this story because I surely haven't not gotten enough of Declan, Grant or their narrators yet!
Task 18—read a minimum of 1,500 pages in books by the same author, teams decide author — Lauren Blakely
Come Again, Lauren Blakely – 5/17/22 – ✮✮✮✰✰
first-edition Kindle ➔ 324 pages
How the Book Qualifies ➔ team chose Lauren Blakely
Review — This was a cute story, but not my favorite Lauren Blakely. The story felt a bit rushed and underdeveloped. I liked both characters enough, but had a hard time feeling they fell for each other. The banter back and forth was pure Blakely and made for a ton of laughs.
Task 18 Completion Posts: Have Book…Can TravelAvigail — 244 pages
Avigail — 298 pages
Hazel — 324 pages
Kathy — 324 pages
Sassafrass — 424 pages
Total = 1,614 pages
I've checked your books, but not updated your tracking. I will get caught up at some point. 🤞🏼Here is your next task!
Task 19 - 66. Read over 1000 pages in books with Mystery or Suspense as MPG.
Books selected for this task need to have 'Mystery' or 'Suspense' as a Main Page Genre. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count.
Task 19:
Read over 1000 pages in books with Mystery or Suspense as MPG. 
Forgotten In Death
Pages: 378/GR
How it fits: MPGs Mystery and Suspense
Date completed: 5/19/22
Rating: *5 STARS*
There's nothing I can say about this. Ok, well, I'm lying. There's plenty I can say about this book. It was fantastic. I was caught from the first line and the story was amazing. So original and just amazing and of course Eve being her dogged self getting justice for the people she sees as "hers."
The way the two seemingly different cases weaved into one another was amazing. I loved how Eve wasn't just content with solving Alva's murder, but getting complete justice for her.
I was amazed at the end when I thought we were going to get a different murderer than who I thought it was going to be. J.D. Robb really had me going.
But more than anything I loved the way that this series even after 53 books, even with some that I like more than others, has a way of still surprising me. I can't wait for #54!
Completion Post:-
66. Read over 1000 pages in books with Mystery or Suspense as MPG.
Book: Every Last Secret by A.R. Torre
How it fits the task: tagged mystery 194 times and suspense 88 times.
Page count: 291pages.
Date completed: May 19, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: A.R. Torre is an author that I heard good things about, and I was intrigued to read her books. Every Last Secret is a book that fits two reading challenges I am taking part in.
I liked A.R. Torre's writing; the book is a page-turner with all the unlikeable main characters. A.R. Torre's domestic thriller is a little like The Real Housewives of Silicon Valley meets the zaniest days of Melrose Place. (Gen-X peeps, remember that OG wackadoodle show?!) Some characters are rich, while some characters want to be more prosperous. But they ALL have skeletons in their closets next to the fashionable clothes and accessories.
This book is far from groundbreaking, as we have all read this story before. Two women fighting over a guy is hardly worth it, but two unreliable and unlikeable women are going for each other's jugular at every page turn. It's compelling as all get out. Just when you think they can stoop no lower, then BOOM! Oh no, she didn't become; oh yes, she did!
I have the first book from the Deanna Madden series, and I will soon read it.
Task 19—read over 1,000 pages in books with mystery or suspense as MPG
Indulgence in Death, J.D. Robb – 5/19/22 – ✮✮✮✮✰
first-edition Kindle ➔ 373 pages
How the Book Qualifies ➔ main page genre mystery and suspense
Review — Another great installment and bonus points that I could follow some of the throwbacks to previous investigations since I’m rereading this series at a pretty decent clip. I love how this story starts with murder…on vacation! Poor Eve can never catch a break, but thankfully she was able to enjoy her time off and celebrate her second year of marriage to Roarke.
Completion postTask 19—read over 1,000 pages in books with mystery or suspense as MPG
Book:
Pages: 319 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 20 May
Rating: 3⭐️
How it qualifies: MPG Suspense
Review: I really enjoyed the beginning of this book with the look back to Summers past and her relationship with Miles and how their relationship continued via letters for a time after the death of her parents. Then it switched to present day and Summer has been abused and has had to change her name because of witness protection. She is in New York starting University and begins a friendship which quickly turns into a relationship with Eli. Then it turns out Miles is there and her is her RA but even though he mentions she reminds him of a girl he used to know she has to deny it. This is all ok however, we then find out that there is a vigilante in the city and he is stopping bank robberies and other sorts of crimes. We find out that the man that hurt Summer/Sadie is sending people to find her and she has a couple of run ins but is saved by the vigilante. She starts to suspect everyone around her. It just becomes a bit unbelievable at this point and ruined what I think could have been a good story. It also ends on a cliffhanger.
Task 19 completion postread over 1,000 pages in books with mystery or suspense as MPG
Sassafrass
Avigail
Kathy
Hazel
Total pages read = 1361
Here is your next task!Task 20 - 90. Each member reads a book published in sequential months, i.e. June, July, August and September 2019. Teams decide which months. No pass for this task.
Books selected for this task need to be published in sequential months. The months can cross over from the end of one year to the beginning of the next. You will be using the initial publication date for this task. If there is a date 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 selected dates in your completion posts.
Task 20:
Each member reads a book published in sequential months, i.e. June, July, August and September 2019. Teams decide which months. No pass for this task. October 2019, November 2019. December 2019, and January 2020
Regretting You
Pages: 363/GR
How it fits: First published December 10, 2019
Date completed: 5/20/22
Rating: *5 STARS*
Just gut me why don't you. i knew I was in for it. When I read the description about a "terrible and questionable accident", I knew I was in for it.
But this story was wonderful and horrible and painful and sweet all in one. I was hopeful one minute and full of despair the next. I remember when I was like Clara but can identify so much more with Morgan now that I'm a mother of a teenaged girl.
That mother-daughter dynamic, that tenuous thing that can be so fraught during adolescence was pervasive here. And Morgan's experiences certainly colored that. But I think Clara's experiences did too.
I was in awe of Morgan and the way she wanted to protect Clara even at her own expense. Her world exploded in ways that Clara was too selfish to realize for a long time. But Morgan refused to taint Clara's view of those who she lost. I had a lot of respect for Morgan.
The dynamic with Clara and Miller and Morgan and Jonah was also very parallel in a lot of ways. It was interesting how wrong Clara got everything.
I was just so sucked in to this story. When we are first introduced to characters in the book it's young Morgan, Chris, Jenny and Jonah. And to be honest, I really didn't know where thngs were going. But Colleen Hoover brilliantly wove a story and I just fell in love with. And that ending...the film...wow!
With all the crying and roller coaster emotions I won't be able to read a Colleen Hoover book for a bit, but this was definitely worth it.
Completion Post:-
Task #20 - 90. Each member reads a book published in sequential months, i.e. June, July, August and September 2019. Teams decide which months. No pass for this task. October 2019, November 2019. December 2019, and January 2020
Book: Learn My Lesson by Katee Robert
How it fits the task: the book was first published October 22nd, 2019.
Page count: 253pages.
Date completed: May 21, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: It's been five months since I read a Katee Robert and a year and a half since I read the first installment of the 'Wicked Villains' series.
Katee Robert has a gift to say know (Disney) story, deconstruct it, and build it together in her own manipulative and erotic way.
Hades and Meg were drifting. She's been unhappy, and he's been shutting her out, afraid to be vulnerable with her. Hercules comes in to be the buffer that will soften their edges out. He was supposed to be temporary. In the end, our three main characters fall in love and want permanent.
There were times I felt like this story was a bit repetitive, and I started getting annoyed with the stubbornness of the characters toward the end, which is why I had to deduce a star.
I hope to pick up the next installment of the 'Wicked Villains' sooner than a year and a half.
Task 20—each member reads a book published in sequential months (i.e., June, July, August and September 2019), teams decide which months — October, November, and December 2019, and January 2020 — no pass for this task
Misadventures with a Twin, Elisabeth Hayley – 5/21/22 – ✮✮✮✮✰
first-edition Kindle ➔ 194 pages
How the Book Qualifies ➔ initially published November 12, 2019
Review — This was the first time I’ve read this author, but it won’t be my last. While the overall story was pretty predictable, I loved the characters and their interactions. They built a relationship without trying and helped each other conquer challenges they didn’t realize they faced. Also, there was some amazingly funny dialogue and situations throughout the book!
Completion postTask 20: Each member reads a book published in sequential months, i.e. June, July, August and September 2019. Teams decide which months. No pass for this task.
October 2019, November 2019. December 2019, and January 2020
Book:
Pages: 366 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 22 May
Rating: 4⭐️
How it qualifies: First published in January 2020
Review: Starting off quite light hearted and funny with Ireland contacting the CEO of her company because she was wrongly fired. A relationship develops between her and her CEO Grant and all seems to be progressing nicely until he tells her he never wants children.
The story is told in dual POV and covers that Grant was fostered and his parents also took in a girl called Lilly who eventually he marries. Lilly develops the same mental health condition her mum has and a horrific event happens with their baby leaving Grant feeling he unable to love. Ireland also has experienced traumatic incidents in her child hood.
The book covers some heavy topics relating to mental health and infant death but I thought it was written about very well by Vi Keeland.
Completion postTask 20: Each member reads a book published in sequential months, i.e. June, July, August and September 2019. Teams decide which months. No pass for this task.
Team chose - October 2019, November 2019. December 2019, and January 2020
Sassafrass
Avigail
Kathy
Hazel
I've not checked your completions, will do that probably tomorrow.Here is your next task!
Task 21 - 99. Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them.
Each teammate lists 5 of their favorite books in this thread. Then every player selects books from two different teammates and reads the two books. Series rule applies. For this task, each of you will read two books from two different teammate's list of 5 favorites. Please include a link to the favorites post of the selected teammate in your completion posts.
My list: I decided to do all series so that there were more choices. And I didn't put in death on there since we have those books slotted for a couple of challenges already!1. The Simple Wild
2. Magic Bites
3. Slave to Sensation
4. It Had to Be You
5. The Duke and I
Here is my list of favourites. They are also all first books in a series1. The Highwayman Kerrigan Byrne HR
2. Taming Him Kennedy Fox contemp - cowboys
3. The Siren Tiffany Reisz BDSM
4. Deliver Pam Godwin Dark Romance
5. A Court of Thorns and Roses Sarah J. Maas Fantasy romance
here are my five...all first in a series1. Angels’ Blood, Nalini Singh
2. Dark Lover, J.R. Ward
3. Naked in Death, J.D. Robb
4. Pleasure Unbound, Larissa Ione
5. Wait With Me, Amy Daws
Just to clarify this is one book from one player and one book from a different player. Not 4 books?For this task, each of you will read two books from two different teammate's list of 5 favorites.
My pics are the following: 1. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
2. The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
3. Work in Progress by B.J. Harvey or any other Cook Brothers books.
4 Sweet Talk by Cara Bastone or any other Cara Bastone books/audiobooks
5. The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
Completion Post:-
Task #21 - 999. Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them.
Book: Wait With Me by Amy Daws
How it fits the task: Kathy suggested the book in msg 285
Page count: 304 pages.
Date completed: May 22, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Thanks Kathy for the opportunity to read an Amy Daws book. Yes, it is my first time reading an Amy Daws book, and it won't be the last one. Wait With Me made me think about how much the plot is based on a true story and how much it is fiction. Read the acknowledgments after you read the book, please.
Kate is a great main character, intelligent and independent. Her antics are hilarious as she does whatever she has to keep her writing mojo flowing again after it comes to a halt following her breakup with her ex. Miles is perfect book-boyfriend material (if not without a bit of baggage of his own): hot and sweet and sexy and dirty all rolled into one.
But the truth is that this book has it all. It's Rom-Com; it has the sexiest sex scenes, the best secondary characters, a very original plot, and the perfect amount of drama.
We go from friend to friend with benefits to more, and the progression of their relationship is destined from the very beginning. Both these characters deserved their own happily ever after.
Task 21:
Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them. 
Work in Progress
Pages: 296/GR
How it fits: On Avigail's List
Date completed: 5/22/22
Rating: *4 STARS*
I thought this was cute. Jamie and April certainly had an interesting way of meeting. I was really fond of the way Jamie was all in. And the fact that the April was a single mom and a working on at that (she's a nurse) meant that he couldn't just play around with her and he knew that. Loved their banter.
But it was Axel, April's son who stole the show for me. So adorable! Jamie's brothers were funny too so I'm interesting in their books as well. I will definitely be continuing with this series!
Sassafrass wrote: "Task 21:
Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them.
Work in Progress
Pages: 296/GR
How..."
Axel is so cute.
Task 21—each teammate lists 5 favorite books; select books from 2 different teammates and read them
The Simple Wild, K.A. Tucker – 5/22/22 – ✮✮✮✮✮
first-edition Kindle ➔ 400 pages
How the Book Qualifies ➔ from Sassafrass’ list
Review — I know this author is great at pulling out all the feels, so if you need a book with ALL the feels, this one’s for you! There was so much feeling from page 1 and it didn’t stop until the end. Calla’s journey is difficult but so rewarding. The slow building of her relationships with her dad and Jonah really work and don’t drag the story on. My heart swelled with love as Calla discovered Alaska and her estranged father…it was furious with some of the challenges she had to face…it broke as she learned truths she wished she didn’t need to face. I won’t pull a star from my rating, but I will say there could have been a bit more description of Alaska through Calla’s eyes and I really would have liked to have Jonah’s perspective from time to time. However, I can’t wait to see what challenges and successes these two face in the next book!
Avigail wrote: "Completion Post:-
Task #21 - 999. Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them.
Book: [book: Wait With Me|393..."
This book was so awesome,, it definitely made me an Amy Daws fan. I never snorted out loud reading a book before! Glad you enjoyed it!
Completion Post:-
Task #21 - 999. Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them.
Book: Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
How it fits the task: Sassafrass suggested the book in msg 283
Page count: 418 pages.
Date completed: May 23, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Thanks Sassafrass for the opportunity to read another Bridgerton series book. Yes, I understand the love of the Bridgerton series, especially now with the Netflix series.
It's been a year since I read the third installment of the series; in my opinion, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton is long and repetitive in some parts of the story.
Colin, dear Colin. has everything in life he could ever want and still is searching for his place in the world. Penelope is one of my favorite heroines ever. Her transformation from the first book to her book is quality character development. I feel like her insecurities are something that all of us women deal with at one point or another in our lives, so Penelope is a highly relatable heroine. Plus, she starts gaining more confidence and standing up for herself.
So, there's a little bit of the ugly duckling-swan story. The ending to this book is particularly fabulous - and chaotic.
Completion Post:- Task #21 - 999. Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them.
Book:
Pages: 402 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 23 May
Rating: 5⭐️
How it qualifies: Sassafrass chose Magic Bites as one of her favourite books and this book is in the same series
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Review: Lots of action in this instalment. Hugh causes trouble between the people and the pack at a time when Curran is away. There is nearly a war between the 2 which Kate is in charge of managing. There is also some pack politics and a power struggle in the wolf clan. Kate eventually meets her father and her secret is no longer a secret. As usual a thrilling and enjoyable read!
Task 21:
Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them. 
Taming Him
Pages: 394/GR
How it fits: On Hazel's List
Date completed: 5/23/22
Rating: *4 STARS*
This was cute. I like family stories and the Bishop family is a hoot. I liked the way that River and Alex met. She definitely gave him a run for his money. I'm glad she didn't just fall at his feet like he was used to.
I wasn't a fan of Alex's mom when she first met River. Not cool. Also, I thought the scene with "Crazy Carly" was unnecessary.
Oh and was I the only one that thought Natalie was an alcoholic? Seriously, the girl didn't know her limits!
But overall, I thought it was enjoyable and fun. I probably will continue with this series at some point.
Completion postTask 21: Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them
Book:
Pages: 307 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 24 May
Rating: 4⭐️
How it qualifies: 3rd book in the Wait with Me series. Kathy has the first book in the series listed in her favourites https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Review: This book reminded me why I liked Wait With Me so much. I loved the relationship between Kate and Lynsey and their crazy antics and it was nice to be back in their world although there isn’t as much interaction in this one.
I was frustrated with the relationship between Lynsey and Josh. It was a bit like a enemies to lovers romance or an ongoing hate sex relationship for a while. Josh was grumpy and withdrawn and even though he wanted to look after Lynsey some of the ways in which he attempted to do this rubbed me the wrong way, as it did Lynsey.
Lynsey seemed too positive with everything that was going on around her and nothing seemed to faze her.
A lot of the story focused around the back and forward of the relationship or non relationship status of Lynsey and Josh and the elements he was hiding that impacted on his behaviour.
I liked that Lynsey broke down his barriers slowly and they managed to get a happy ending but I felt like a switch was pulled right at the end and I wasn’t feeling as though Josh was going to change his stance until the end. I also thought his reasons for holding back did not justify the response he had to the situation.
Overall this was a fun, funny story that I enjoyed.
Task 21—each teammate lists 5 favorite books; select books from 2 different teammates and read them
Call Me Maybe, Cara Barstone – 5/24/22 – ✮✮✮✮✮
first-edition Kindle ➔ 220 pages
How the Book Qualifies ➔ from Avigail list
Review — OMG! What a fun book from start to finish! While I know it is now available as an e-book, I really think you have to hear this story to completely fall in love with it. The narrators did a fantastic job bringing their characters to life and the sound effects added to the experience. The story line is predictable, but it is fresh and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time. I can’t wait to “read” more from this author.
Task 21 Completion Posts: Have Book…Can TravelAvigail
Avigail
Hazel
Hazel
Kathy
Kathy
Sassafrass
Sassafrass
☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Task 21—each teammate lists 5 favorite books; select books from 2 different teammates and read themCall Me Maybe, Cara Barstone – 5/24/22 – ✮✮✮✮..."
I listened the second of the series is Vera’s brother love story. There is a third book that I want to listen, the book is called Seatmate
.Haze, you need to listen it.
I can't wait...thanks for listing the series Avigail...and thank you Sass! Both were amazing books!
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Cupcakes and Cyanide (other topics)Superhero (other topics)
Pieces of Me (other topics)
Pieces of You (other topics)
Things Liars Hide (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
M. Robinson (other topics)Lauren Blakely (other topics)
R.J. Gray (other topics)
Kendall Ryan (other topics)
Alyssa Cole (other topics)
More...
Kindred in Death, J.D. Robb – 5/13/22 – ✮✮✮✮✮
first-edition Kindle ➔ 387 pages
How the Book Qualifies ➔ Sassafrass chose In Death
Review — This is such an action-packed installment! The extreme and brutal nature of the murders was still difficult to get through, but there were some well-timed moments of lightness also.