Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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TART Challenge - Round 5 - SHAFT (5)
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Ashley GR
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May 07, 2022 12:26PM
I'm almost done with Smoke in the Mirror - should finish tonight.
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Completion Post - Task 8 - 22. Read 4 books #5 or higher in a series.Thick & Thin: Includes Gummy Bears & Grenades 200pg
5/7/22
4 stars
I loved Ash.
Some sexy scenes.
I had forgotten about the changes happening in Dex.
It's been a long time.
I really need to continue this series. A wish there would be some more books released. I have a book left unread, but I'm still wondering how Dex's changes are going to effect him.
Loved the bachelor party.
It was a fun read.
I was ticked, the book I originally chose was a second edition and I didn't realize it. The 1st edition didn't have enough pages to qualify, so I had to try again.
Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ wrote: "I was ticked, the book I originally chose was a second edition and I didn't realize it. The 1st edition didn't have enough pages to qualify, so I had to try again."That stinks! My choice might be a good one for SH in the future for someone. I wasn't really keeping track, but it's worth a scan if it qualifies for future categories - not for me now obviously.
Completion Post - Task 8 - 22. Read 4 books #5 or higher in a series.Smoke in the Mirror by Aimee Nicole Walker
#5 in series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/2085...
Kindle Edition 238 pages
Finished: May 7, 2022
4 stars
In Smoke in the Mirror, we get to see Memphis' story unfold as he meets Lyric. It's instalove and while I usually prefer more a build up it definitely works for these two. There is also a fun little mystery with this book, which I enjoyed and was glad that all parties involved got their HEA.
I really like this series. I think all the characters are funny, all the books are pretty light, and the steam is super steamy.
Here is your next task!Task 9 - 9. Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task.
As a team, select a series listed on GR and everyone reads a book in that series. (Does not have to be a numbered series.) Please include the selected series in your completion posts. Teammates can read the same or different books for this task. No pass for this task.
Does any series line up for our SH books?
Not really.You and I are reading one book in common, but if we do that, it makes it so that Helke and F. couldn't read it in future months.
Oh good point. I’m open to anything then.
Oh wait...it's same series, not same book.So maybe.
Ashley and I are both reading Wilde Fire
So there is that series...that Helke and F. could read a different book in the series, so that can save the good point one for later.
Or
Helke and Ashley are both reading the Don't Judge series.
F. and I could try to find one that won't knock out a good point one for SH
or
Well...those are the only 2 series I see that anyone is reading in common for SH.
F. would you be more interested in a Nothing Special series book or a Forever Wilde series book...or neither appeal to you?I'm good with anything...but If I was to chose, I'd chose Nothing Special series....I can always squeese in another book, and if we read from this series, Helke and Ashley don't need to to find something new.
I already read the ones for nothing special for this month. I was saving #5 for another month.
But if I can do a reread that’s fine!
I only have 3 books left for sh this month so no prob to fit another book in. We can go for the wild series if you want. If we decide for nothing special I still have one of the series left for this month.
Happy with whatever, only playing SH for fun.
Cool. The Wilde Fire works great for me then.But I want to make sure F. is okay with it too.
She's like us, and pretty easy going about chosing a book...but I don't want her to be stuck with something she'd hate.
Same, I’m happy to reread a 1-4 from nothing special or anything else. I’m due for a reread of red dirt heart (one of my favs!) but totally ok with whatever.
Oh, F. already saw.So, something in the Forevery Wilde series?
We don't all have to read the same book, so any of them would work.
OK. I'll take a look which book I'll want to read from that series.
#3 is on my SH list so I'll read that one
I started # 5 or 6. It's called Wild love.
Task 9 - 9. Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task.Wilde Fire 314pg
Completed 5/9/22
3 stars
I liked the characters and we rooting for them.
The story is light hearted.
But it was also kinda annoying.
Why couldn't Walker be honest from the beginning?
Otto taking the fall? I still don't know how I feel about that one.
One part was yelling dumbass.
A little part was that's sweet, but don't do it.
Misunderstandings due to lack of communication is frustrating.
It was cute. And had enough fun moments that it was an enjoyable read.
Task 9 - 9. Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task.Wilde Fire
314 pages
Finished: May 10, 2022
4 stars
Series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/2133...
I am definitely in the minority on this one- I actually really liked this one and while I can totally see that the two make crazy sacrifices that seemed off and maybe even out of character, this is how I read it. LL wanted to tell Otto and Seth's story in a way that left zero doubt that these two were crazy in love from the day they met and that nothing would get in their way of being together. Not a crazy situation on a submarine, not the death of a brother, etc. So the conflict had to come from somewhere else. And I think the point of it all was to show that even during the conflict (when Seth was married, when Otto was willing to give up his career and spend time in jail, the risk of being disowned by your parents) they wouldn't let one more thing stop them from putting the other first, in their mind at least. Now were the letters at the beginning of the chapters a bit annoying in the end, yeah, but I felt that it just underlined the fact that they were not off each other's minds. Was the lack of communication a bit annoying, yeah, but I also thought the story was set up in a way that it did seem believable. Am I giving LL too much credit and totally reading into things when there isn't really anything there to read into - possibly.
What I didn't get though was why Seth's exwife was bitter about the divorce. Why would she want to stay in a marriage to someone for 10 years when they don't have feelings for her? I also didn't get why Otto took so long to share his story with Seth - maybe that was to show he didn't trust him fully yet after Seth left him suddenly.
Overall, I did like this and want to read the rest in the series.
completion post:9 - 9. Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task.Wilde Love by Lucy Lennox
pc: 275
read: 05/10/22
rated: 4 stars
How it fits: part of the Forever Wild series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/2133...
I only read one or two other books of this series prior to this one. I really liked the book. It spans a long time from the Vietnam war to nearly today. I like that you get to see the MCs in an old age too and that the book shows it is OK to have intimacy and sex even at the age of 80.
Ashley, Skye you need to add the series to your post. You can still add it as we haven´t asked for a new task yet so it will be there when Kat looks at the posts.
Helke wrote: "Ashley, Skye you need to add the series to your post. You can still add it as we haven´t asked for a new task yet so it will be there when Kat looks at the posts."Done :)
Completion post: Task 9 - 9. Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task.NautiCal by Lucy Lennox
Kindle Edition, 286 pages
Read 5 May 22
Rating: 4 stars
An enjoyable May-December read. The set-up was a bit unbelievable, I am sure a stowaway would be handed over to police pronto. But aside from this it was a light-hearted read that had me lolling a few times. A series I am quite happy to read out of sequence.
https://www.goodreads.com/series/2133...
F. wrote: "Posted completion to MK."Lets hope I can read a SH book for the next task.
Helke wrote: "F. wrote: "Posted completion to MK."Lets hope I can read a SH book for the next task."
🤞🏼
Here is your next task!Task 10 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award.
Books selected for this task need to have won or been nominated for an award that is listed under 'Literary Awards' in the book details on the main book page. Please include the award/nomination in your completion posts, if there are multiple awards you only need to list the first one.
Completion Post - Task 10 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award.Blueberry Boys by Vanessa North
165 pages, Kindle ed
Rating: 4 stars
Literary Awards - Lambda Literary Award Nominee for Gay Romance (2016)
A nice low angst story about Jed, a tenant farmer and Connor, a fashion photographer.
Jed is in the closet but when he meets Connor a spark ignites between them. Unfortunately Jed is the tenant farmer of the land left to Connor and his brother by their late uncle. Neither Connor or his brother want the farm so it is up for sale. Jed wants to work on the land but Connor is a city boy and can't see himself on a farm. Can they work it out?
Completion Post - Task 10 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award.Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera
Kindle edition 241 pages
Finished May 12, 2022
5 stars
Literary Award - Lambda Literary Award Nominee for Gay Romance (2021)
I loved everything about this book. It was seriously fantastic and I feel like I would have never read this if it weren't for this challenge because the cover is such a turn off for me. Illustrated covers (of the MCs) for MM romance is just a hard pass for me, and every time I see them I struggle to want to read the book, even if there are great reviews. This is a perfect example of why I need to move pass this hang up because the book was awesome. I realize this is my problem and not the authors.
Desta is just out of a two year relationship and finds himself in Ethiopia for a short term placement while he figures out his career path. Elias is closeted gay man who is strong, confident and tired of having to hide who he is in his homeland. He is also struggling with his own career path. As these two figure out their next steps, both professionally and personally, they have to decide if their futures include each other.
Completion Post - Task 10 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award.Crocus by Amy Lane
pc: 258
read: 05/12/22
rated: 4 stars
How it fits: Rainbow Award for Best Gay Contemporary Romance & Romantic Comedy (2019)
I loved this story. Larxs and the deputy are so good together and the author gives us a version of how life can be. I would very much like to get another book with these two MCs. We have a wedding to attend.
Completion Post - Task 10 - 69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award.Night Drop 200pg
How it qualifies
Lambda Literary Award for Gay Mystery (2018)
5 stars
I really enjoyed this one. Idk why it took me so long to read. I love Marshall Thorton.
Maybe it was just the video store in the blurb that pushed me away for so long.
Great group of friends.
No real romance, but hope for the future.
The ending wasn't a big surprise, but still had it's desired effect.
I was a little dubious about investing a death of someone you barely knew. They went on one date. There was no big connection pushing him to find out what happened. But, it still worked out well.
That's 4 we need 2 more.
I've got Blueberry Boys loaded up. Just don't know if I'll be able to complete it today or not. I'll try
Ashley wrote: "Totally missed the 6 books 🤦🏼♀️"Same here. Pretty busy today but will try a reread of Night Drop perhaps.
Have started Hush for SH but it is the type of book I read in chunks so probably quicker to read something else.
F. wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Totally missed the 6 books 🤦🏼♀️"Same here. Pretty busy today but will try a reread of Night Drop perhaps.
Have started Hush for SH but it is the ty..."
I'm finishing up a book but I can start Crashing Upwards or do a reread of The Ghost and Charlie Muir once I'm done.
F. wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Totally missed the 6 books 🤦🏼♀️"Same here. Pretty busy today but will try a reread of Night Drop perhaps.
Have started Hush for SH but it is the ty..."
Yeah, I've seen that book was good points. Just haven't been able to hype myself into reading it again. Def. didn't want to lock myself into that one, where I couldn't ditch it last minute.
I don't think graveyard counts though. I don't think they actually enter the cemetary.
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