TART Challenge - Round 5 - Reading on Empty (11)

[M]

November works for me.. I'll pick something tonight after we get home from baseball.

[Maggie]

Before I say "Let's read" again ---

Is everyone okay with November?
Do you have books that look good to you in that month?

Kirsten - I'm a mood reader as well. I know how that goes. Do you have any books for November? Are other the other months looking better to you book wise?
Kira - why don't you check and make sure November works with things on your shelves as well.
M - you too. Do you have November books that look good to you?

I feel horrible about the last task and I don't want to put us through that again.

[Maggie]

My computer is slow - November it is!

With the option to change if we hate our first books.

[Kirsten]

Maggie, please don't feel bad. I feel like I sent us all down that road. I super really didn't want to read SF, and I was feeling guilty and trying to be flexible... and I ended up making us read a genre we weren't crazy about.

I am feeling really good, though. I read a lit fic, and that's one of the reasons I was excited for this challenge. And I super enjoyed Dark Space.

We should let it go.

[Kirsten]

And, I've had Paint Eater on my TBR forever, and looking for an excuse to read it.

[Maggie]

Kirsten wrote: "Maggie, please don't feel bad. I feel like I sent us all down that road. I super really didn't want to read SF, and I was feeling guilty and trying to be flexible... and I ended up making us read a..."

I will. I am. I'm exhausted for some reason today. The boy child has been fighting a cough for a week and I've been fighting to keep him in school. I think I'm just done with stress.

I've got some books I'm excited about in November - and like you they've been sitting on my TBR for a long time. So I'm excited to read them and clear them off

[Kirsten]

Task 19 - 107. Read 8 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. November! My birthday!
Completion Post

Paint Eater
Marina Vivancos
Completed 2 Jun
196 pages
Published 9 Nov 2020

3 stars
Felt a little flat.
Sweet boys, but I didn’t care
about their problems.

Steele My Heart
Tatum West
238 pages
Completed 3 June
Published 1 November 2018

2 stars
Hard to haiku such
a bad book. Clichéd AF.
Read for a challenge.
This was truly terrible but worth a ton of points in a category I needed for my Hunt challenge. So I kept reading… No excuse for the next one.

Straight
Seth King
181 pages
Completed 4 June
Published 22 November 2016

1 star
Stereotype much?
Like a train wreck, I couldn’t
look away. Should have.

The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings
Lily Morton
278 pages
Completed 5 June
Published 14 November 2019

4 stars
Okay, so I totally didn’t intend to read another book for this challenge, but I needed to revisit the series. And then, it’s worth hella crazy points in my hunt challenge, so I’m going to use it for my readers choice category. Win win.

[Maggie]

Hey all - I've hit a bit of a reading slump/slow down. Our son has been sick for about 2 weeks now. We've reached the point where he's not sleeping through the night. I'm still here, I'm still reading - I'm just SLOW. I'm 50% through Vines and have a few others to choose from as a second book.

I feel like I'm moving and thinking through mud. I'm going to try to take a day away from technology and just read. My husband is taking the boyo back to the hospital this afternoon for some more tests.

I'll log reads as soon as I finish them so I don't slow us down though. Sorry to be the reading slug.
I hate slumps. 😑

[Kirsten]

You know what, Maggie? You're the only thing that matters.

The challenge is almost over. We're not going to win. And none of us cares.

You clearly have a ton of stuff happening in your life. I can't imagine how scary it must be to have to worry about your son for 2 weeks straight, and to be logging multiple hospital visits?

So we don't complete this task? So what.

I've had a great time, read some surprisingly good or bad books, made some new friends, and cleaned off more of my TBR.

There will always be books and challenges.

Take care of yourself.

[Kira]

Kirsten wrote: "You know what, Maggie? You're the only thing that matters.

The challenge is almost over. We're not going to win. And none of us cares.

You clearly have a ton of stuff happening in your life. I c..."

Agreed!

But also.... I don't think we're close to last either. I'm pretty happy to be middle of the pack.

I just wanted some motivation to get stuff off my TBR. And more importantly to find some new reading buddies to chat with.

And we've accomplished that! I now think/worry about all of you and your families daily. 😂

So definitely take care of yourself and keep us updated Maggie!

I'm halfway through my first book as well. And have a short book lined up next. However, my boyfriend is coming to visit again. AS previously mentioned, he is a hindrance when it comes to reading. And it's a co-workers wedding tomorrow. I am excited for the reception - mostly the toonie bar (very Canadian, I know). So I will be competing for the title of reading slug!

[Kirsten]

Kira wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "You know what, Maggie? You're the only thing that matters.

The challenge is almost over. We're not going to win. And none of us cares.

You clearly have a ton of stuff happening i..."

Toonie bars!

And yes, we’re definitely not losing!

[Maggie]

Kirsten wrote: "You know what, Maggie? You're the only thing that matters.

The challenge is almost over. We're not going to win. And none of us cares.

You clearly have a ton of stuff happening in your life. I c..."

Thank you!

And no - We are definitely not losing. We're right in the middle of the pack.

[Maggie]

Kira wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "You know what, Maggie? You're the only thing that matters.

The challenge is almost over. We're not going to win. And none of us cares.

You clearly have a ton of stuff happening i..."

Enjoy! Boyfriend time and visit, the wedding and the toonie bar!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

[Maggie]

Completion Post
Task 19 - 107. Read 8 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. November! Kirsten's birthday month!

Vines by Brynne Asher
Qualifies: Published November 1st 2016
Pages: Kindle Edition, 316 pages
Read on: 6/4/2022
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:/b> This one was a lot better than thought it would be. A retired CIA assassin moving out to the Virginia countryside and being "bothered" by the neighboring vineyard had a plot twist I wasn't expecting. I also wasn't expecting Addy's own twist in her story line. The book is well written. A little predictable in parts, but with enough interest thrown into the base military romantic suspense that it kept the book reading smoothly. There was a bittersweet twist to Crew and Addy's HEA that I wasn't expecting. That one last thing stung at my heart a little as well. It's the first in a series as well as a spin off which I'm grateful for as the side characters took on a life of their own. I think Evan is a little too sweet and removed from the grit of Washington and it's grime to feature in his own book, but I hope we get to see his own relationship start to blossom in the rest of the series. I'm glad I read this one and knocked it off of my TBR.

[Kirsten]

Just fyi, I added to my original post and read 3 for this challenge.

[M]

I've read one book so far and will post my completion soon.
I feel like we've done pretty darn good with this challenge. We all read things off our tbrs, tried new to us authors or genres/tropes... Hello alien romance lol.

Kira - Enjoy your visit. That is more important than reading.
Maggie - I'm sorry that your kiddo is sick! Hope you get some answers soon.
Kirsten - Have a great weekend! I agree about the challenge. It's almost over and we've done great. Let's not push ourselves. Thanks for reading 3 books!

[M]

This was just posted in the Q&A thread

‼️ PLEASE TAKE NOTE! ‼️

With the challenge ending on Wednesday, June 8th, there will a minor change to the last task. Beginning on Monday, June 6th, when teams post their completions and get a new task, they will all get the same task. For this task, instead of just completing it, you will continue reading to add to the total number of books read for your team. There will be no passes for the last task and to complete it, every team member must complete a book for the task and contribute to the overall book count. So, the task is considered ‘completed’ when every team member has read one book for the task, but you can continue reading in order to increase your overall book count for the task in case that is needed for a tie breaker. In the event that two or more teams are tied based on the number of tasks completed, the team with the highest book count will win The Amazing Race Team Challenge!

**Remember if your completion posts are incomplete or have the wrong page count, your books will not count. So help each other out by checking the posts!**

‼️ If your page count comes from a Kindle edition published on the initial publication date on the editions page, it will count. If your page count comes from a Kindle edition labeled '1st edition', it will count. If your page count comes from the earliest dated English language Kindle edition, it will count. I am looking for one of those three things when confirming your books! As long the page count you list is correct, I will accept any link to the book. ‼️

[M]

Completion Post

Task 19 - 107. Read 8 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. November! Kirsten's birthday month!


Ryan Rule by Sadie Kincaid

Qualifies Pub date of November 5th
Page Count 276
Date completed 6/3/22
Rating 4
Review I am so flipping happy that I gave this new to me author a chance. This book was SO good!!
Irish mafia, 4 hot, over the top alpha brothers (a set of twins even!) and a feisty redhead that is going to give them a run for their money and their balls! This read was like the best of all my favorite tropes!

If you're in the mood for smut and a plot that's captivating then this is your jam. There is enough of a plot to string you along and keep you guessing and wanting more... but we all are here for those Ryan brothers, right!

Jessie happens to be at the wrong place and has now caught the eye of these dudes. Shane is broody and loves control, Conor loves to get his hands dirty and his needs met, then you have the twins, Liam and Mikey. They are the fun ones. Just want to a have a good time and have no reservations having a hot new plaything around. With her being an amazing computer hacker she's brought to where the Ryan's live and rule. She needs to prove herself and that she will.

The hotness in this book was so good. Like on steroids. So flipping hot!

Some let their guards down easier than the others and one is very adamant that she could very much be their downfall. Can these 4 brothers trust her despite the secrets and half truths? Start this one today... but we ready to downloaded book 2 cause you're gonna need it after that ending!!

[Kirsten]

I swear I’m not competitive,,, but I just started a spin-off The Sceptic from a series I finished over a year ago and need to go back to remind myself.

The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings was written in November.

[M]

Wow that's awesome!

Do we want to plan on this one being our last task for the challenge or try for one more? I have an arc to read so I'll wait to see what you guys want to do. No worries either way 😁

[Kirsten]

When I finish Blue tonight, we’ll be at 6, I think. I can knock another out if we need it. I’ve got a November reread I’ve been wanting to do.

[M]

I'm about 75% done with Little Lies and should have it done tomorrow morning.

[Kirsten]

M wrote: "Completion Post

Task 19 - 107. Read 8 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. November! Kirsten's birthday month!


Ryan Rule ..."

Whoa. I feel like I’ve got a contact buzz from the review.

[M]

Kirsten wrote: "M wrote: "Completion Post

Task 19 - 107. Read 8 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. November! Kirsten's birthday month!


[book:Ryan Rule|..."

Lol this series was so HOT!

[M]

Completion Post

Task 19 - 107. Read 8 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. November! Kirsten's birthday month!


Little Lies by Helena Hunting

Qualifies Pub date of November 16th
Page Count 333
Date completed 6/5/22
Rating 3.5/4 stars
Review This is Lavender and Kodiak's story. Gosh, I was so darn excited to dive into their story.
It was emotional, long and angsty. They went through so much together - from childhood until adulthood. They were a lifeline to one another. When one hurt the other felt it to the marrow
Their souls were tethered together, but a thread only the two of the them could feel, but everyone else could see just how much that had grown to need to be comforted by each other. Needing someone more than air could turn toxic at the drop of a hat.

After an incident they are pushed apart by their parents. Needing to find how to cope on their own.
Except, not everyone was told the real reason so hurt and bitterness entered in. What was once a solid and consuming relationship turned into emptiness and shattered hearts.

College brought them back into each other's life. Enemies with so much sexual tension it hurt.
Kodiak and Lav knew just how to push each other's buttons, knew what to say or do for a reaction. Hate and loathing was better than feeling nothing.

It took me a bit to fall for Kodiak. He was cruel at times and that made it difficult to fall for him. I wanted Lavender to be stronger and hold her own with him. That didn't happen much and understand why though.

This read has triggers so please be aware. There are some tough situations that will tug at your heart.

[Kirsten]

Hi, everyone!

I’m not going to finish our last book until tomorrow. And I think that’s good. We’ll get our final task, same as everyone else, and take it from there. This has been a fantastic couple of months together and I look forward to celebrating its end.

Maggie, I hope you and your family are feeling better every day.
M, I hope you like your ARC.
Kira, I hope you and your boyfriend had fun.

[Kira]

COMPLETION POST
Task 19 - 107. Read 8 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. November! Kirsten's birthday month!
The Ritual by Shantel Tessier


Page numbers: 489
How book qualified: First Published November
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: This was hot and kinky and super fun. I did feel there were some sections that dragged a little. And plot was sometimes neglected for spice. I liked Ryat a lot, but wished Blake had a little more personality and less whine at times. Ryat also had some weird exclamations in his inner monologue that seemed out of place.

[Kira]

COMPLETION POST- Team 11 Reading On Empty
Task 19 - 107. Read 8 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. November! Kirsten's birthday month!

Kirsten x 4: Msg 457
Maggie: Msg 464
M: Msg 468
M: Msg 475
Kira: Msg 477

*Posted in Q&A

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I can’t check your completions, I’m on my phone. I’ll check them later.

Here is your next task!

Task 20 - 109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. Teams decide.

As a team decide whether you are reading books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. Without facial hair would be clean shaven, with would include beards, mustaches or scruff. You can use any edition's cover to qualify for this task. Please include the teams decision and the qualifying cover in your completion posts.

[Kirsten]

Either works for me. Clean-shaven is probably easier.

[M]

I think clean shaven would be easier as well.

[Maggie]

Clean shaven works for me!
Sorry to be seeing this so late

[Kirsten]

Great! I have a book I’m in the middle of and then I’ll start. 3 of my scavenger hunt books have smooth men and none of them have beards, so this is perfect for me.

[Kira]

Works for me!

[Maggie]

Completion Post
Task 20 - 109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. Teams decide. Team Chose without facial hair (Clean Shaven)


Funny Business by Kayley Loring

Pages:Kindle Edition, 316 pages
Qualifies: See Cover above
Read On: 6/7/2022
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: This one was actually funnier reading it the second time around. I loved how there are cameos from all the characters from the Name In Lights guys in this book. What I loved the most about it though is that Frankie sounds like Kayley in my head. Every bit of Frankie dialogue in this book could be Kayley interacting with her readers in her readers group or be part of a podcast episode. I can't not hear her as I'm reading through Frankie smirking and wanting to smack Owen's face. Her being sarcastic and calling the world the better word for bottom holes. On top of that there are so many tiny comedy pop culture references through out the book, she has the Lazy Wingmen from the Name in Lights series and - this was the book I needed today. I need a laugh and a cry book. I needed a book that gave me all sorts of different accents in my head, which Kayley always does. She has the unique ability to write the sounds of Boston, Australia, Britain, Staten Island, Dublin. and so many other places around the globe. Her Southie game has gotten stronger since this book though. Kayley books never ever disappoint me. They have so many layers, Easter eggs and little things casually strewn into the stories that you just have to reread them. Not to mention the laughs. LOL LOL LOL
On to the third Brodie brother as Dylan had to go be all broody and scruffy and the like for his cover thus making him ineligible for this task. Owen is smirking and Miles is all eldest sibling superior right now. Dylan doesn't care though.

[Kirsten]

Task 20 - 109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. Teams decide. Team Chose without facial hair (Clean Shaven)
Completion Post


Wilde Fire
Lucy Lennox
Completed 7 June
314 pages

3 stars
Drama-free second
chance. Fervent, fast, facile, fun.
Interchangeable.

[M]

I'm almost done with my book. I should have it done by the morning. I haven't had much time to read. Life has been bonkers with baseball and school ending soon.

Will post asap once I'm done!

[M]

Completion Post

Task Task 20 - 109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. Teams decide. Team Chose without facial hair (Clean Shaven)


Beautiful Nightmare by Leila James

Qualifies Clean shaven model on cover.. see above
Page Count 239 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09...
Date completed 6/8/22
Rating 4
Review This enemies to lovers, college romance was so good. It's not very dark, but it does have some situations that could be triggering to some.

Lux is trying to start over and find herself after a traumatic experience in high school. She's at a new college and wants to put her past behind her. Unfortunately, she can't believe her eyes. She didn't just see who she thought... not right across the hall from her, in the coed dorms. Her mind must be playing tricks on her.

Hawk's life is going great. Sports, friends, parties and girls. What more could you ask for.
Now he sees that he has a new toy to play with and to try to break. She ruined everything and now he plans to ruin her. How could his luck be this good. She was almost literally just dropped into his lap.

This story was so much more than revenge, enemies and heartbreak. Parts of the story tugged at my heart and I wanted nothing but all the good in life for Lux. She deserved it. She was so brave and strong despite her life being in a constant state of chaos. So many twists and turns in this read! Many I didn't even see coming, but they totally brought the story to life.

[Maggie]

M wrote: "I'm almost done with my book. I should have it done by the morning. I haven't had much time to read. Life has been bonkers with baseball and school ending soon.

Will post asap once I'm done!"

No worries! I have the same thing going on here. I REALLY thought we had another week of school. High school finals started today. The middle school is done with curriculum so it's all the field trips they couldn't take for two years.

Then camp training for the daughter and soccer try outs for summer league and travel league for the boy.

I also thought today was Thursday, called my sister in a panic because I thought I was late to baby sit my niece and convinced my sister it was Thursday so she called her boss to apologize for missing a meeting...... needless to say - I'm in trouble with my OCD perfect child of a sister LOL

[Maggie]

Actually - looking at the post Kat left on the Q&A thread - we don't need a completion post for this task. We just need to post in here.
And we can read as many books as we'd like for this task and post up until Midnight EST today.

I'll go through and check the completion posts we have thus far to make sure that page counts and editions are noted properly so that our books count. Kat will be totaling pages read for this task.

[M]

Do we go ahead and start reading for last task or do we need to wait for Kira to post for task 20?

[Kirsten]

Task 20 - 109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. Teams decide. Team Chose without facial hair (Clean Shaven)
Completion Post


Always
Loren Leigh
Completed 8 June
321 pages

4 stars
Compelling but left
too much unsaid. Swoony,
sexy, smart. First true love.

[Kirsten]

I don't think that's true, unfortunately -- we need to finish this task before we get our final task. Everyone's is the same: Last Task. Read books with a 5 in the first edition Kindle page count. No pass for this task.

So, we still need to read 2 more books for this task and then we'll get the final one.

I'm going to read a SH challenge book with s clean-shaven cover model, so I can count it here if necessary.

[Maggie]

Ooohhh
I thought the clean shaven was the final
EEEEKKKKKK
Let me see what I can do for 5s

[Maggie]

We can start reading and posting for the 5s.
Once Kira posts for the clean shaven I can post the completion for that post.
Sorry that I missed which was the true last task

Either way - I’ve had a ton of fun this round and have loved reading and talking with you all so it’s a win in my book ❤️

[Maggie]

Completion Post
Task 20 - 109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. Teams decide. Team Chose without facial hair (Clean Shaven)

Uber Bossy by Marika Ray
Qualifies See cover above
Pages:Kindle Edition, 278 pages
Read on: 6/8/2022
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I may need to reread this book again. The plot and story are good. I think the author could have moved things along a bit faster or had more interaction between Nora and her parents. I got a kick out of Nora being a pastor's daughter and then Jay's business in town finally being revealed. I like the mystery of the skeezy mayor and some other dangling story threads. Other than that, after awhile I felt as though the story was repetitive. Jay comes into town - Nora is his Uber driver - they have great chemistry - there is tension - he goes home. Wash and repeat a week (or chapter later). Maybe I need to read the series before this one as well. There were a bunch of side characters that I would have loved to have seen more of. More interaction, more background, more build up. It's a small town and everyone has known everyone forever, yet they don't interact on the daily in the story. It's a solid 3 read due to the beginning of the book, the late mid plot of the book once Jay moves to Auburn Hills, and then the close of the plot (which was truly at 80% of the book). The author kept the story going for a few chapters too long after she resolved Jay's crazy ex, Jay opening his business and how Nora would be involved. We didn't need anymore.

[Maggie]

COMPLETION POST- Team 11 Reading On Empty
Task 20 - 109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. Teams decide. Team Chose without facial hair (Clean Shaven)

Maggie: Msg 485
Kirsten: Msg 486
M: Msg 488
Kirsten: Msg 492
Maggie: Msg 496
Maggie: Msg 498

*Posted in Q&A

[Maggie]

Completion Post
Task 20 - 109. Read 6 books with or without facial hair on a male cover model. Teams decide. Team Chose without facial hair (Clean Shaven)

The Nerd Next Door by Sylvie Stewart
Qualifies: Book Cover? It looked clean shaven at first. Now I'm not sure.
Pages: Kindle Edition, 162 pages
Read On: 6/8/2022
Rating: 4 stars

[Maggie]

Ladies - It has been so much fun playing this round with you. Thank you so much for going on the wild and crazy journey.

I hope we run into each other in other challenges in RRRC and possibly have a chance to race this race again.

I hope you all have wonderful, safe, fun summers!! ❤️

[Kirsten]

Hi, new friends --

This has been so much fun. I'm really glad I got scooped up into this challenge and asked to join your team. In every way, I feel like I won--new book buddies, more MF reads in the last six weeks than the last six months (or more), cleaned up TBR (so I could add more), and found things that connect us despite all the ways we're different.

Stay safe and well; be brave and kind, and thanks for a brilliant experience.