Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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TART Challenge - Round 5 - Spicy Sprinters (6)
Completion PostTask 5: 6. Read 4 books with fewer than 500 reviews.
Read: 4/22
Pages: 321
Rating: 4
How it Fits: 59 Reviews
Here is your next task!Task 6 - 8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.
To qualify for this task, the book’s cover needs to clearly and obviously show a beach. Ideally, you would want to show sand/dirt and the edge of water on your covers. You can use any edition’s cover to qualify for this task. Please include the qualifying cover in your completion posts.
Completion Post Task 6 - 8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.
Honeymoon for One by Keira Andrews
read: 4/22
Rating: 4🧳
Pages: 288
Review: Loved Ethan from the start, there were times my heart was aching for him. Micheal, the man Ethan was supposed to marry and Ethan's supposed best Todd are jerks, but once I got past them I loved seeing Ethan discover more about himself on their honeymoon alone. Clay was sweet and understanding from the start. I enjoyed this one quite a bit.
Completion Post Task 6 - 8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.
Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie
read: 4/22
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Pages: 256
Review: I really enjoyed everything about this book until the ending. The setting was great, the characters were quirky and interesting, the mystery was intriguing with many possibilities….and then the big reveal ended up coming out of left field. But the rest was so great that it definitely gets 4 stars.
Task 6 - 8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.
The Crossing Places, Elly Griffiths
Page numbers with source: Kindle edition, 306 pages
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: The beach is on several covers.
Date completed: 23 April
Rating/Review: 4 stars
I really enjoyed this first volume in the Ruth Galloway mystery series. The author does a terrific job of setting up Ruth's character - I could almost imagine inhabiting her life in another lifetime. And Norfolk's saltmarshes are one of those memorable places that almost become a character in themselves.
I was disturbed by Ruth's fat-shaming of herself. After all, she's a university professor and renowned archaeologist. But she's 12.5 stone (175 lbs) and the first thing she thinks of when she thinks of herself is her size. :(
Completion PostTask 6: 8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.
Read: 4/24
Pages: 266
https://www.amazon.com/Chiefs-Second-...
Rating: 4
How it Fits: Beach on front cover
Here is your next task!Task 7 - 47. Read 6 books set in a major city.
The books you select can be in the same or different cities, but they need to be major cities like London, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc. The qualification can come from the book details, title, series, precis, tags or list. Remember to let me know how you know the book qualifies with links or other information as necessary.
I had your next task ready to go because it is easy to copy and paste on my phone if I’m ready. Not easy to check completions though. I will get to that tomorrow when I get on my computer.
Sounds like fun! Off to find a book.
So we are sticking with whoever finishes first starts another book. Since it says 6 books.
COMPLETION POSTTask 7 - 47. Read 6 books set in a major city
Mr. Smithfield, Louise Bay
Page numbers with source: Kindle edition, 303 pages
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: From the precis: "I’m a single father, a lawyer and some say the most serious man in London."
Date completed: 24 April
Rating/Review: 1.5 stars
Disappointing. Normally Louise Bay is good for an enjoyable read. Generally not exceptional, but just fine. However, "Mr Smithfield" just didn't work for me. Bay started their relationship too soon so I didn't get a chance to feel like there was any chemistry between them. And honestly, the first half of the book barely had a plot. And then... (view spoiler) Don't waste your time.
COMPLETION POSTTask 7 - 47. Read 6 books set in a major city
All Kinds of Tied Down by Mary Calmes
read: 3/24
How fits: MP location Chicago, Illinois
Rating: 4🚨
Pages: 290
Review: First time read from this author and I enjoyed the ride. The action, mystery, and romance made for a good story. Miro has been lusting after his partner Ian for a long time, only problem is they work together for the Marshall service and Ian is straight. When Ian gets called away for another deployment he comes back with a whole new outlook on things. I liked these two together they had a solid friendship with respect and trust in place already, so when Ian is finally ready to open up to Miro about his deepest desires he there for him and understanding. Looking forward to reading more about Miro and Ian in the future.
[b*ook:All Kinds of Tied Down|22402178]
I'm starting on a second book, to be finished tomorrow.
Completion PostTask 7: 47. Read 6 books set in a major city
Read: 4/25
Pages: 370
Rating: 4
How it Fits: Setting
Denver, Colorado (United States)
COMPLETION POSTTask 7 - 47. Read 6 books set in a major city
The Paris Apartment, Lucy Foley
Page numbers with source: Kindle edition, 363 pages
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: MP Setting: Paris (France)"
Date completed: 25 April
Rating/Review: 3.5 stars
From the very beginning, a creepy atmosphere permeates this tale surrounding a Parisian home and its inhabitants. It's a well-crafted mystery (sort of a continental twist on an English manor house mystery), but having just now sent it back to the library, I'm not sure if I can say I actually enjoyed it. All the many characters, excepting Jess and possibly Theo, were rather horrible. And so, even though the mystery was interesting, it was difficult to like because of all the nasty people involved.
I listened to this on audio (probably 95% of the books I read are audiobooks) and the large cast of narrators was excellent.
COMPLETION POSTTask 7 - 47. Read 6 books set in a major city
Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie
Page numbers with source: Kindle edition, 281
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Main Page Setting - London, England
Date completed: 25 April
Rating/Review: 4 ⭐️
This was a reread, but I had forgotten everything that happened, I enjoyed it more the second time, or I gave it 4 stars this time instead of my earlier 3 anyway. This was perfect Hercule Poirot. I did not guess the ending at all! I thought I had it figured out several times but was very wrong.
ETA page count
Heather wrote: "COMPLETION POSTTask 6 - 8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.
The Crossing Places, Elly Griffiths
Page numbers with source: Kindle edition, 306 pages
How book qualified, wit..."
Please correct to the first edition Kindle page count (303) and repost. Thanks.
Since I was here checking the completions for the last task, I went ahead and checked through here...Lynne, please add the first edition Kindle edition to your completion. Go ahead and use the 2001 edition with the page count of 281. 😊
Completion PostTask 7 - 47. Read 6 books set in a major city
Big Rock by Lauren Blakely
read: 4/25
Rating: 2.5
Pages: 244
How Fits: MP Setting New York City, New York (United States)
Review: This was just ok, I did not love it. Spencer is just so cocky and arrogant it got to be a bit much after a while for me, I was hoping to see a different side to him that I never really saw. He's so sure he knows what every woman wants while he's busy thinking up how to get laid by the next girl. I liked Charlotte to a point, she was spunky and not afraid to put Spencer in his place. The first epilogue was good and I probably could have done without the second.
[b*ook:Big Rock|26252659]
COMPLETION POST (Repost)Task 6 - 8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.
The Crossing Places, Elly Griffiths
Page numbers with source: Kindle edition, 303 pages
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: The beach is on several covers.
Date completed: 23 April
Rating/Review: 4 stars
I really enjoyed this first volume in the Ruth Galloway mystery series. The author does a terrific job of setting up Ruth's character - I could almost imagine inhabiting her life in another lifetime. And Norfolk's saltmarshes are one of those memorable places that almost become a character in themselves.
I was disturbed by Ruth's fat-shaming of herself. After all, she's a university professor and renowned archaeologist. But she's 12.5 stone (175 lbs) and the first thing she thinks of when she thinks of herself is her size. :(
Here is your next task - finally!Task 8 - 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones.
Books selected for this task can not be listed in any series on GR.
😄 That's exactly what I thought when I read it. I've got several books on my library shelf that work perfectly.
Completion PostTask 8 - 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Read: 4/26
Rating: 2 stars
Pages: 382
Review: I'm in the minority here, but I honestly didn't love this book. The story felt very predictable and there were parts I was just hoping I was at the end already, because I didn't feel the story was progressing. The big incident that happened two years ago that almost ended their 10 year, at the time, friendship was not really that big of a deal. Most of their issues would easily be resolved with some honesty and communication which they are best-friends so that should have been a given. After 12 years of dancing around their attraction when they finally get together it was anticlimactic. I found Poppy a bit annoying at times. There were a few spots of good humor that I found myself laughing out loud at. Overall it did not live up to the hype in my opinion.
[bo*ok:People We Meet on Vacation|54985743]
COMPLETION POSTTask 8 - 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones.
On a Night Like This, Lindsey Kelk
Page numbers with source: Kindle edition, 384 pages
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Stand alone book/not in a series
Date completed: 27 April
Rating/Review: 5 stars
Funny and sweet, this twist on Cinderella was the breath of fresh air I didn't know I needed.
Completion PostTask 8: 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones.
Read: 4/27
Pages: 280
Rating: 3
How it Fits: Stand alone
Completion Post Task 8: 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones.
The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling
Read: 4/27
Pages: 432 Kindle first edition
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: standalone
I'll be back in the morning with your next task!
Here is your next task!Task 9 - 40. Read 6 books with over 500 reviews.
Books selected for this task need to have over 500 reviews, not ratings. You can find the number of reviews on the main book page under the title. Please include the number of reviews in your completion post.
COMPLETION POSTTask 9 - 40. Read 6 books with over 500 reviews
The Duke Who Didn't, Courtney Milan
Page numbers with source: Kindle edition, 352 pages
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: 929 reviews
Date completed: 28 April
Rating/Review: 5 stars
"The Duke Who Didn't" is a love letter from Courtney Milan to her readers. It's a bit of her culture embedded in Victorian England and filled with all sorts of good things: a sweet, dorky hero, a stern heroine who thinks in lists, amazing food, and several great tropes. I especially liked the Only One Bed/Room in-joke. Reading it was like unwrapping an especially thoughtful gift. I'm sure this will become a favorite re-read in the future.
Completion PostTask 9 - 40. Read 6 books with over 500 reviews
Read: 4/29
Pages: 300
Rating: 3
How it Fits: 1,065 reviews
COMPLETION POSTTask 9 - 40. Read 6 books with over 500 reviews
By Any Other Name, Lauren Kate
Page numbers with source: Kindle edition, 301 pages
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: 909 reviews
Date completed: 29 April
Rating/Review: 3.5 stars
"A charming rom-com with a very slow burn. I felt like the ending was a bit too abrupt - I wanted more.
Completion PostTask 9 - 40. Read 6 books with over 500 reviews
Bossman by Vi Keeland
Read: 4/29
Rating: 2 star
Review: Another popular book that just didn't work for me. The story started out strong with the fake story and then her getting the job at his company. Nothing like her predicting there will be an issue, so the author creates just what our female lead fears will happen. Chase has a lot of trauma around his fiance's murder and is afraid to try again. The way he treated her after he gets news about the case are just terrible and the drama around that is what was the final nail in this story's coffin for me.
Pages: 319
how fits: 5,221 reviews
Completion PostTask 9 - 40. Read 6 books with over 500 reviews
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
Read: 4/29
Pages: 288
Rating: 5 ⭐️
How it Fits: 5,688 reviews
Completion PostTask 9 - 40. Read 6 books with over 500 reviews
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
Read: 4/29
Pages: 307 kindle edition
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
How it Fits: 5, 541 reviews
I ended up reading two - don’t have to count my second one if you don’t want, April. But thought I would post it anyway!
Lynne wrote: "I ended up reading two - don’t have to count my second one if you don’t want, April. But thought I would post it anyway!"No it's all good. Thank you for reading. I didn't see you read second one. Was in ER with daughter last night.
Naomi wrote: "Hope your daughter is ok!"Thank you. Yes she fell at work and hurt sciatic nerve. She's 18 and didn't want to go by self. Kids
Poor thing! I hope she'll be feeling better soon.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Task 5 - 6. Read 4 books with fewer than 500 reviews.
The Companion by E.E. Ottoman
Read: 4/21
How fits: 120 reviews https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Pages: 168