Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - The Dazzling Dazzle (3)
COMPLETION POST Week #5 - Option #1
Invitation to the Blues by Roan Parrish
Pages: 220/GR
How it Qualifies: #500 on Best Gay Romance with Bookish/Nerdy/Geeky Characters
Finished: 10/09
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Cute story with some darker themes every once in a while. I enjoyed these MCs together. Bringing home the piano for Jude was really sweet. I loved watching Jude's self confidence grow stronger under Faron's attention. Great book
Completion ➺ Week 5Option 1
Finished 12/10
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was really good and i liked that it was low on the angst
And the way they meet is just hilarious so all in all a good romance
Selection Post - Week 6
Cold Hard Cash
387 pages
Cover model has a suit and tie
[*book:Cold Hard Cash|51977245]
Completion PostWeek 6. Option 1
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
How Qualifies: man on cover in formal clothes, no black tie...but lace cravat and cuffs, 18th century formal ball clothes :->
Pages(Kindle 1st): 533
Finished Date: October 15, 2022
Review: This book was incredibly well performed and justified its Audie award nomination. The story features two, slightly 18th century (time period justified) repressed, young gay men as they adventure through their European grand tour before university. I failed at creating consubstantiality with the two lead young gay male characters. So it is a great book, which just did not work for me -> a low star rating ⭐️⭐️
Broken Link: [*book:The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue|29283884]
Happy Weekend All!!We are in good place so far but for week 5, we do have several outstanding completions:
LaurLa
Jane
Emeli
Krissy
JL
This is no problem, we just have to make sure to read at least one book for week 5 or week 6 before the call next Friday.
Also, may I please ask another favor of the team? Please DO NOT DELETE posts from the thread. If you need to make a new selection or completion post, please strikethrough the copy on your original post and then make a new post with some really BIG BOLD WORDS to alert me it's a new post 😁
Even if it isn't a selection/completion post, I ask you not delete it - it messes up the weekly tracking. Instead, if you posted something you really want to take back or make go away, just edit the post, delete what you typed and re-type something like "deleted post" or "entered in error", anything can go in there just so we can maintain the post.
I'm asking this now because I noticed some tracking link numbering that was off, so started checking the tracking links. I also found one or two selection links directing to completion posts. This could totally be my error (probably) but just want to remind everyone to not change a selection/completion post once done but to make a new one. And, well, please don't delete posts either... 😊
I already posted my completion in msg 152 for week 5
Krissy wrote: "I already posted my completion in msg 152 for week 5"Thanks Krissy! Sorry I missed that
My completion for week 5 is 143 and week 6 155.
One Sentence Audio wrote: "My completion for week 5 is 143 and week 6 155."Yep, got these! Thanks.
Selection Post ➺ Week 6Option 1
Call: 9. Black tie suit (formal wear)
Task: Read a book with a cover model in a suit or formal wear
Book: McAlistair's Fortune
Pages: 336 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits: you can see the formal cravat on the male model; female model is wearing a gown
[*book:McAlistair's Fortune|8880450]
Completion Post Week 5 - Option 1Book:
Pages: 293
How it Fit: #92 on Brainy/Genius Romantic Heroes
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I wasn't a fan of Layana at first and I didn't love Lee at first, especially because I loved Brent so much and thought he was being betrayed but then the "secret" came out. I was blindsided. Everything I thought you knew until that point was thrown out the window.
Mind totally blown! The "secret" was not something I ever could have imagined. I was imagining some pretty dark things. I loved how twisted and dark this story was. Standing ovation for Alessandra Torre!
[*book:Black Lies|22471294]
Selection Post - Week 6 Option 1Book:
Pages: 344
How it Fits: Couple on cover are in formal wear
[*book:The Kingmaker|45024651]
Completion Post ➺ Week 5Option 1
Call: 6. Chessboard
Task: Read a book with a smart MC from one of the lists
Book: The Deeds of the Disturber
Pages: 483 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits: #193 on Brainy/Genius Romantic Heroes
Date Read: 10.17 ★★★★
Review:
Ramses to the rescue! This was a change from the Egyptian pyramid settings for our Peabody/Emerson family but the story still centered around Egyptology. Amelia was her normal self: confident, brash and sarcastic but still a loving wife and mother - even if the notions of child-rearing are drastically different then and now (or maybe just England and America... who knows). Anyway, Ramses is still a source consternation for Amelia but adds some comedic affects to the story. As does the day to day interactions with Amelia and Emerson. I find I am enjoying the family dynamics more than the mystery stories with this series.
I'm a bit behind.It is a bit slow with my book and I'll check tomorrow to make a selection post for this week.
SELECTION POST Week #6 - Option #1
All Kidding Aside by Macy Blake
Pages: 302/GR
How it Qualifies: cover model is wearing a suit and tie
[*book:All Kidding Aside|54622491]
Selection PostWeek: # 6
Option: # 1 ► 9. Black tie suit (formal wear) 🤵♂️
* Read a book with a cover model in a suit or formal wear
Book:
Only a Date with a Billionaire by Ellie Hall Pages: 180
How the book qualifies: man on cover wearing a suit
[*book:Only a Date with a Billionaire|49205068]
*edited to add author
COMPLETION POST Week #6 - Option #1
All Kidding Aside by Macy Blake
Pages: 302/GR
How it Qualifies: cover model is wearing a suit and tie
Finished: 10/20
Rating: ★★★
Review: I felt like I was jumping right into the middle of a series even tho this is book #1. I found out that it's a spin off of another series. My personal opinion is even if it's a slin off, the series shoukd be able to stand alone. This one was a struggle at first. I just felt like I missed every thing. But after i got over that I enjoyed it okay. I now want to go back and read the first series
Completion PostWeek #: 5
Bookcover/link:
Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery 10/21-22Rating: ★★★
Page numbers: 250
How the book qualifies: # 49 on Nerdy Geeky Heroines of Romance Novels list
Review:
I really like Anne of Green Gables but this seemed to drag a bit.
There isn't a lot happening but it is quite cosy. Anne is of course not in as much trouble as when she was a kid now she is a teacher but the mischief is from 6 year old Davy who with his twin sister moves in with Anne and Marilla.
[*book:Anne of Avonlea|25844172]
Completion Post ➺ Week 6Option 1
Call: 9. Black tie suit (formal wear)
Task: Read a book with a cover model in a suit or formal wear
Book: McAlistair's Fortune
Pages: 336 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits: you can see the formal cravat on the male model; female model is wearing a gown.
Date Read: 10.20 ★★★★
Review:
For some reason this book has been on my up next TBR for literally a year and I never managed to get to it. Sometimes I'm leery of historical romances and tend to let them linger on my list to read. "Old skool" historical romances usually make me angry so that's the reason I'm sure. But more recently written historical romances don't have the same level of contrived angst or TSTL heroines, so I enjoy them much more. And this is one of those - the story was interesting and while a little predictable, the MCs didn't suffer from stupid BIG MISUNDERSTANDINGS and actually had a nice banter going on. I'm glad I finally read it and glad to move on to the next in the series.
Week 7 CallOption 1 ➺ 1. Opposites attract ⚤
*Read a book from one of the following lists:
Best enemies to lovers
Best gay enemies / rivals / opposites become lovers
Hate at first sight
YA star crossed /forbidden enemy love
Enemies to lover trope in fantasy / PNR
If you use Option 1, your selected book MUST be on one of the lists above. Please link/state the list in your post
Option 2
Key date: 15 April 2022
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Series rule applies:
That is, if the book is in a series but does not match where you are up to, you may read another book from that same series
Option 3
Pass
A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 for formatting of all 3 options. This format is also in msg 3 of your team threads.
Selection Post ➺ Week 7Option 1
Call: 1. Opposites attract ⚤
Task: Read a book from one of the lists
Book: Motorcycle Man
Pages: 522 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits: #79 on Best enemies to lovers list
[*book:Motorcycle Man|18078681]
Selection PostWeek 7.
Call ->Option 2 = read by teammate, = 3+, on or after 15 April 2022
Book Title/Author: Beach Read
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Pages: 380
How it Qualifies: read by teammate LauraLa on October 19, 2022 link=https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book Broken Link: : [*book:Beach Read|52195137]
Completion PostWeek #: 6
Bookcover/link:
Only a Date with a Billionaire by Ellie Hall 10/22-22Rating: ★★★★
Page numbers: 180
How the book qualifies: man on cover is wearing a suit
Review:
Sweet romance, though it was a bit too religious for me. I especially liked the male MC's Scottish parents. But the female MC was a bit too sweet.
[*book:Only a Date with a Billionaire|49205068]
Selection PostWeek: # 7
Option: # 1 ► 1. Opposites attract ⚤
*Read a book from one of the following lists:
Book:
Illusions of Grandeur by Kathryn Ann KingsleyPages: 258
How the book qualifies: # 135 on Enemies to lover trope in fantasy / PNR
[*book:Illusions of Grandeur|53250225]
Completion PostWeek 7.
Call ->Option 2 = read by teammate, = 3+, on or after 15 April 2022
Book Title/Author: Beach Read
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Pages: 380
How it Qualifies: read by teammate LauraLa on October 19, 2022 link=https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a good enemy to lovers book with a great narrator, Julia Whelan. Two writers, rivals since college, end up writing with deadlines looming, in beach homes that share a property line. Lots of book, author and publishing humor.
Broken Link: [*book:Beach Read|52195137]
SELECTION POST Week #7 - Option #1
Learning to Love by Felice Stevens
Pages: 230/GR
How it Qualifies: #723 on Best gay enemies / rivals / opposites become lovers
[*book:Learning to Love|30068688]
Completion - Week 6
Finished 21/10
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed this book altough it was very grafic and violent i really liked it so all in all a great mafia book
Selection week 7Option 1
Between Loathing and Love
200 pages
How it Qualifies: # 558 on Best gay enemies / rivals / opposites become lovers
[*book:Between Loathing and Love|26720590]
I have finished my book for last week, but I’m limited to my phone until Wednesday or Thursday. I’ll post a real completion then.And I’ll read Game On for this week, which I found on one of the lists. I’ll post a real selection post when I get a chance.
Completion Post - Week 6 Option 1Book:
Pages: 319
How it Fits: Couple on cover are in formal wear
Stars: 4
Review: I loved Lennix and Maxim! This couple had such an explosive sexy chemistry, yet careers and other circumstances kept them apart for a long time and when they are finally getting back to one another a new danger appears and we're left with way too many unanswered questions. This book ended on one heck of a cliff-hanger.
[*book:The Kingmaker|45024651]
Selection Post Week 7 - Option 1Book:
Pages: 232
How it Fits: #501 on the Best enemies to lovers list
[*book:The Hate Vow|56768419]
Completion Post - Week 6Task: Black tie suit (formal wear) 🤵♂️
*Read a book with a cover model in a suit or formal wear
Book:
Date Read: 10/23
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Formal dress on cover
Review: This one was fun palate cleanser. A bit of angst, a lot of heat, and not much thinking involved. I enjoyed it and will continue with the series.
[*book:Party Girl|60378060]
Selection Post - Week 7Book: Game On
Pages: 458
How it fits: #617 on Best Enemies to Lovers list
[*book:Game On|49206527]
Completion Post Week 7- Option 1Book:
Pages: 232
How it Fits: #501 on the Best enemies to lovers list
Stars: 2
Review: I love a good Alpha-hole as much as the next person, but unfortunately Ryder was just on the wrong side of a-hole for me. I did love that when he knew Penny was panicking, he could bring her back from that edge and I get why he was mad at her, but his tactics were just not cool. Penny, I get she's like a kicked dog, but she never tries to fight. I don't like completely weak heroines. The HEA was sweet, and I liked the story lines just wished the H had that soft side for his h and wish the h had a little bit of a spine.
[*book:The Hate Vow|56768419]
COMPLETION POST Week #7 - Option #1
Learning to Love by Felice Stevens
Pages: 230/GR
How it Qualifies: #723 on Best gay enemies / rivals / opposites become lovers
Finished: 10/25
Rating: ★★★
Review: My final rating is now like 2.5 stars. It was just okay. Entertaining enough but overall forgettable. Gideon annoyed me a lot. And I expected their past to be a little more tragic than it was. I thought Jonah was supposed to have been a bully. But that wasn't it at all. So I'm not sure why Gideon was so mean to him. Even tho i didn't love this book i still enjoy this author
[*book:Learning to Love|30068688]
Week 8(post 118 in announcements)
Option 1
4. Night sky 🌃
* Read a book with the night sky on the cover
Option 2
Key date: 22 April 2022
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Series rule applies:
That is, if the book is in a series but does not match where you are up to, you may read another book from that same series
Option 3
Pass
A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 for formatting of all 3 options. This format is also in msg 3 of your team threads.
Selection PostWeek: # 8
Option: # 1 ► 4. Night sky 🌃
Read a book with the night sky on the cover
Book:
Grim Tidings by Amanda M. LeePages: 234
How the book qualifies: moon on cover so it must be night
[*book:Grim Tidings|23015098]
SELECTIONWEEK 8
OPTION 1-> Night Sky on cover
BOOK: Fireflies & Family Ties
Fireflies and Family Ties by Rachel Hanna (South Carolina Sunsets #3 of 6)
HOW BOOK QUALIFIES: Night sky on cover
PAGES: 260
BROKEN LINK: [*book:Fireflies & Family Ties|58647830]
Thanks for posting the call this week, Jane. I've been sick this week and Friday I was completely out of it. I'm pretty sure I've caught up with the posts. See below and let me know if I've missed your post.
Still to read - Week 7
LaurLa
Jane
Emili
Laura
Still to post selection - Week 8
LaurLa
Emili
Krissy
Laura
JL.
We're in good shape, no one is too far behind. Great job all!
For Week 8, I'm just about to start Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. My library has this cover for the audio.
, but I can't find that cover in audio format on Goodreads. Can I still use it?If not, I will read
I should have my Week 8 book today, so let me know so I can do a proper selection post.
My Week 7 book will be first on my agenda next week.
Laura wrote: "For Week 8, I'm just about to start Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. My library has this cover for the audio. , but I can't find th..."I think I found a couple audio that match that cover... just looks weird in the editions listing
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
LaurLa wrote: "Laura wrote: "For Week 8, I'm just about to start Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. My library has this cover for the audio. , but I..."Question, if I've already marked it as Currently reading, How can I switch to these edition. I know how to do it from the "All Editions page", but not on an individual edition page.
It's the middle one you found. My narrator is Jim Dale.
Selection Post - Week 8Book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Pages: 652
How it fits: Night Sky on cover I'm reading
[*book:Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince|1]
LaurLa wrote: "Laura wrote: "For Week 8, I'm just about to start Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. My library has this cover for the audio. , but I..."Thanks LaurLa! I got it.
COMPLETIONWEEK 8
OPTION 1-> Night Sky on cover
BOOK: Fireflies & Family Ties
Fireflies and Family Ties by Rachel Hanna (South Carolina Sunsets #3 of 6)
HOW BOOK QUALIFIES: Night sky on cover
PAGES: 260
BROKEN LINK: [*book:Fireflies & Family Ties|58647830]
REVIEW: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ While this is #3 of the 6 book South Carolina saga and it works out of order, or as a stand alone, since the series follows the same set of family and friends, it is better read in order. This part of the saga primarily focuses on a 19 year old girl who returns home from her Paris semester pregnant by a professor.
Completion PostWeek # 8: 4. Night sky 🌃
Bookcover/link:
Grim Tidings by Amanda M. Lee 10/29-22Rating: ★★★
Page numbers: 234
How the book qualifies: Moon on cover
Review:
I really like the series Wicked witches of the Midwest by this author. This is also good with a lot of snark between Aisling, her best friend and her 4 protective older brothers (one is her twin, but still older).
[*book:Grim Tidings|23015098]
Completion Post - Week 8Task: Night sky on cover
Book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Date Read: 10/29
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: Night Sky on cover
Review: My heart breaks every time I read this one. There's so much heartache on the parts of the characters, and so much information they still need to learn to understand anything. But at least Harry is maturing, and getting over his whiny phase from the previous book!
Completion week 7Option 1
Finished 27/10
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was comfort reading i always know what to expect from Andrew grey and he did not disappoint me it was sweet with a little angst and i like enemies to lovers
Selection Post - Week 8
Fractured Fang: Alpha
190 pages
Night sky on the cover
[*book:Fractured Fang: Alpha|62819838]
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Week 6. Option 1
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
How Qualifies: man on cover in formal clothes, no black tie...but lace cravat and cuffs
Pages: 533 (Kindle 1st)
Broken Link:[*book:The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue|29283884]