Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Read 'Em and Sleep (3)
Selection Post - Option 1Week #3
Task: Read a book from on of the following medical romance lists:
Wrong286pgs
How the book qualifies: #2 on Doctor Medical Romance Heroes
[*book:Wrong|26850194]
Completion Post🔹Week 3Option 1
Call🔹5. Until recently, medical science was unable to consistently and fully explain why we sleep
Task🔹Read a book from on of the following medical romance lists
Book🔹How Much I Feel
Pages🔹299 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹#243 Doctor/Medical Romance Heroes
Date Read🔹 04.15 ★★★★
Review🔹
Per typical Marie Force, this was an easy, comfort read for me. It started off with some frenemy type sparks between the MCs, but those were quickly resolved (almost too quickly, easily) and we got to watch the couple fall in love. I didn't like how easily Carmen seemed give up or write off their relationship near the end, even after several people told her that's what she was doing. Jason totally came through for her and I didn't like that she never showed any willingness to compromise for him. As the series continues, it would be interesting to see if the author explores this any. The next books feature different main couples but the author often revisits established couples in her series, sometimes giving them a little real life to deal with. I'd like to see Carmen have to face the possibility of making a change she wasn't originally willing to do.
Week 3: SelectionOption 1
The Hookup Plan
[*book:The Hookup Plan|59843328]
Pages: 401/GR
How it fits: #67 in the Doctor/Medical Romance Heroines List
Week 3: CompletionOption 1
The Hookup Plan
[*book:The Hookup Plan|59843328]
Pages: 401/GR
How it fits: #67 in the Doctor/Medical Romance Heroines List
Date completed: 4/16/23
Rating: *4 STARS*
This was really cute! I loved the long-time enemies turned lovers after reconnecting. Drew and London were so perfect for each other it was disgusting. London certainly tried to fight it but the writing was definitely on the wall. And wow, talk about a power couple: a pediatric surgeon and millionaire hedge fund manager.
I was wondering how the big twist would turn out at the end but I loved that it was some big misunderstanding and that Drew was a man and told London what was going on! That was definitely refreshing.
This book is the third in a series but I didn't need to read the first two to enjoy this one as I got a bit of the background. I know that I will be going back to read the first two very soon though.
This is my first book by this author but I loved the story and characters, so it definitely won't be my last.
Selection Post - Week 3: Book: Blood Magick - 304pgs/GR
How Fits: #166 on Doctor/Medical Romance Heroines
[*book:Blood Magick|18754961]
Week 3 - Completion PostBlood Magick by Nora Roberts
Read: (4/18)
Rating: ★★★★★
I've slow played reading this series and this challenge was the perfect opportunity to finally just finish it. This may just be my favorite book in the series. Branna and Fin have clearly been in love with each other forever and while the reasoning for not being together makes sense...it's also well stupid. I enjoyed these two finally getting over all of the stupid and reaching for the happiness they have when they are together. They make a great couple and needed to get over the past. Fin's been home almost a year and they've been working together steadily to defeat Cabhan, it's nice to see them finally stop putting up artificial blocks to their relationship.
Sure this story is a lot of repeating actions, Cabhan's threatening someone and everyone getting together to discuss what happened with Branna cooking. But, they finally were getting somewhere and you knew it was building to the final confrontation. I like all the characters in this series and I appreciated that things were building to a conclusion. This wasn't just Branna and Fin's story, though they were the focus, this was everyone getting to finally put to rest the darkness that has hung over their family for generations. I like the magic in this story and the Irish setting. It's a simple story, but an enjoyable one.
COMPLETION POSTWeek #: 2
Bookcover/link: Barbarian Lover by Ruby Dixon
Pages: 336
How it Fits: 3rd in a series
Rating (1-5): ★★★
Review:
Only three books into the series and there's already something quite comforting about knowing exactly how the book is going to go. Human females stranded on the unforgiving ice planet and the big, blue alien man being their parasite-determined soulmate. And whilst it doesn't seem like something I'd typically go for I'm really enjoying these books. I like how the author is mixing things up within the series parameters she's set up. And I'm enjoy the cast of characters- human and alien alike. In Barbarian Lover we get to know Kira and Aehako. They're both more lighthearted than previous couples and a little more series too. There's a bit more overall plot regarding the alien people than the previous books but still plenty of page time devoted to the romance and steamier scenes. I didn't love the ending. I felt like I was satisfied with how things were going and then it just got tied up a little too neatly. Overall a good addition to the series.
Selection Post - Week 3: Book: When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
Pages: 372
How it Fits: From the "Doctor Medical Romance Heroes" list
Completion Post - Option 1Week #3
Wrong[*book:Wrong|26850194]
Rating: 5 ★★★★★
Review: This is seriously one of my favorite books. Can't even tell you why for sure other than I love it. This is probably my 10th time reading it.
I LOVE Sophie and Luke. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel the first time I read it because Sophie is 21 and Luke is 36. Sophie has her immature moments in the beginning, which I think she's entitled to, but when they get into a relationship, she's strong and mature. She doesn't back down to Luke's crazy ex Gina. In fact, it's Gina who acts immature and childish and she's Luke's age!!
Luke and Sophie just make a great couple. The banter they have back and forth is great. And I love when they are in her dorm and he's throwing cliche pickup lines at her.
Happy Friday!! Hope you all have better weather than the rain I've got!Outstanding posts:
Week 2 - LaurLa completion (should be this weekend)
Week 3 - Kate completion
We're in good shape for Week 4 call. I'll post as soon as I see it go up.
I'm almost finished my book. I have been loving it so much I wanted to spend some time with it and not power through. This might be my favourite historical romance I've ever read.
Selection Post - Option 1Week #4
Task: Read a book with an exposed human body on the cover.
Safeword333pgs
How the book qualifies: over 50% unclothed
[*book:Safeword|17569268]
WEEK 4 CallLink to Jane's message in Q&A/Announcement thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 1
7. Sleep regenerates both the mind and body.
Read a book with an exposed human body on the cover.
Cover model must be predominately unclothed with more than 50% of their skin showing.
Include the book cover in the qualification - Examples in Jane's post linked above
Option 2
Key date: 21 October 2022
*Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Series rule applies:
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.
Kate wrote: "I'm almost finished my book. I have been loving it so much I wanted to spend some time with it and not power through. This might be my favourite historical romance I've ever read."Unfortunately I'm not! Since this challenge doesn't have a hard hard deadline each week, my choice for Week 2 keeps getting pushed down the list! And I missed the window to change it. But I should be getting to it over the weekend, hopefully.
Week 4: SelectionOption 1
Bachelor Unleashed
[*book:Bachelor Unleashed|19180064]
Pages: 224/GR
How it fits: cover model without a shirt on
Week 4: CompletionOption 1
Bachelor Unleashed
[*book:Bachelor Unleashed|19180064]
Pages: 224/GR
How it fits: cover model without a shirt on
Date completed: 4/22/23
Rating: *3 STARS*
This was pretty typical Harlequin and Brenda Jackson and normal would be a *3.5 STAR* read for me, but the narrators pacing was off so it was hard for me to get into.
I was annoyed by Farrah more than a few times because if she said that her husband hurt her and she'd never trust a man again, I would just scream.
I was happy that they were able to work everything out together, even when their conflict was over in a blink.
I think I will consider reading other books in this series at some point. Especially when I want a nice easy romance.
Selection Post🔹Week 4Option 1
Call🔹7. Sleep regenerates both the mind and body
Task🔹Read a book with an exposed human body on the cover
Book🔹Dirty Rogue
Pages🔹284 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹lots of skin!
[*book:Dirty Rogue|31395178]
Selection Post - Week 4: Book: The Beast - 508pgs/GR
How Fits: Cover - Lots of skin!
[*book:The Beast|25293695]
Just an FYI I am going to be purposefully behind this week. NBRC's Tower Teams starts on Monday and I'm going to save the 500+pgs of this read to be able to qualify it for that challenge. :D
Shelby wrote: "Just an FYI I am going to be purposefully behind this week. NBRC's Tower Teams starts on Monday and I'm going to save the 500+pgs of this read to be able to qualify it for that challenge. :D"Sounds good! Can you change your selection post to say week 4?
Completion Post🔹Week 4Option 1
Call🔹7. Sleep regenerates both the mind and body
Task🔹Read a book with an exposed human body on the cover
Book🔹Dirty Rogue
Pages🔹284 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹lots of skin!
Date Read🔹 04.23 ★★★★
Review🔹
I'm probably generous giving this a 4 but I liked a bit more than a ho-hum 3. I think the author really wanted the big secret reveal to be a bigger surprise to the reader than it was, but she gave too many hints early on for that. What she did do well was allow us to get to know Christian and develop sympathy for him so that when the reveal did come, it was hard to muster the outrage that Quinn felt when she found out the secret. It took me really paying attention to her thoughts to understand why she'd feel so betrayed. I wish the ending was handled differently with Christian and Quinn talking out the situation and then using Quinn's expertise to handle the press, but instead the author went with the 'big gesture' which worked too.
COMPLETION POSTWeek #:3
Bookcover/link: When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
Pages: 372
How it Fits: From the "Doctor Medical Romance Heroes" list
Rating (1-5): ★★★★★
Review:
I'd seen this book around but not been overly drawn in by the blurb. And I'm so glad for this challenge because it gave me an opportunity to finally read it. And I loved it. The beauty and the beast concept was nicely done. It wasn't as overbearing and over the top as it is in some HR takes on it but it is there throughout. Some of the language used in the book felt too American for a story taking place in the United Kingdom. And there were things here and there which I wasn't sure felt entirely historically accurate. But none of that mattered because I was having so much fun reading this book. The characters are amusing. Not just the leads but all of them. From Linnet's father and aunt discussing her situation in the first couple of pages to the ornery butler keeping things in line at the castle - this book had me laughing from the start to finish. I liked the romance and the steamier scenes too. But what made this a five star read for me was the banter. So much so that I went and bought the rest of the series as soon as I finished reading this one.
LaurLa wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Just an FYI I am going to be purposefully behind this week. NBRC's Tower Teams starts on Monday and I'm going to save the 500+pgs of this read to be able to qualify it for that chall..."Done. :) Sorry, stupid copy and paste error.
Selection Post - Option 1Week #5
Task: Read a book with a plant on the cover.
Out of the Gate112pgs
How the book qualifies: Trees in the background on the cover
[*book:Out of the Gate|57516710]
WEEK 5 CallLink to Jane's message in Q&A/Announcement thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 1
13. In 1927 a French geophysicist discovered that plants generate their own internal time.
Read a book with a plant on the cover.
Trees, bushes, flowers, grass count.
Include the book cover in the qualification
Option 2
Key date: 28 October 2022
*Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Series rule applies:
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🔹Week 5Option 1
Call🔹13. In 1927 a French geophysicist discovered that plants generate their own internal time
Task🔹Read a book with a plant on the cover
Book🔹With Everything I Am
Pages🔹674 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹several trees
[*book:With Everything I Am|62357989]
Week 5: SelectionOption 1
The Marriage He Demands
[*book:The Marriage He Demands|55932772]
Pages: 224/GR
How it fits: grass on the cover
Week 5: CompletionOption 1
The Marriage He Demands
[*book:The Marriage He Demands|55932772]
Pages: 224/GR
How it fits: grass on the cover
Date Completed: 4/28/23
Rating: *3.5 STARS*
I liked this one but thought it needed to be longer. The relationship was way too rushed. The love was way too quick and it just made it all too unbelievable. I felt like the story was only half told. The previous book was different because the main characters had a long history together. And without that benefit, the instalove was just too unbelievable.
However, if I removed that piece of it, I liked the story and the characters. I will continue on with the series though. I would really like to see what the other brothers get up to. And I can't wait to see their father get what's coming to him!
Completion Post🔹Week 5Option 1
Call🔹13. In 1927 a French geophysicist discovered that plants generate their own internal time
Task🔹Read a book with a plant on the cover
Book🔹With Everything I Am
Pages🔹674 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹several trees
Date Read🔹 04.30 ★★★★
Review🔹
What can I say? Pretty typical KA and I can't not love it. She's my crack! The by-play between the MCs was the normal strong alpha male (literally this time as a werewolf) who expects his female to follow his commands unquestionably. This is always the dynamic and it didn't deviate. The female MC gave as good as she got and their relationship was interesting to watch unfold - there was more of his POV that was nice to see. And the death scenes were amazingly poignant. The overarching series storyline didn't get quite as much play until near the end but it everything happening to the MCs made sense at the end.
COMPLETION POSTWeek #:4
Bookcover/link: The Right Swipe by Amanda Horton
Pages: 225
How it Fits: Lots of Skin
Rating (1-5): ★★
Review:
I liked the premise but overall found the story to be a little disappointing. For such a short book in page length this book dragged a little. I found the characters to be a little one dimensional and I didn't connect with them. Which was sad because I did like the idea behind them. Joel and Veronica had the potential to be a brilliant couple but it just didn't work for me. Veronica was so angry without a real personal reason to be so. And this book could have done with some more editing. There were a few too many inconsistencies regarding small things but it did take me out of the story.
Selection Post - Week 5: Book: Half Faerie - 470pgs/GR
How Fits: Cover - Flowers & Grass
[*book:Half Faerie|36425816]
Completion Post🔹Week 2Option 1
Call🔹2. More than a third of adults fail to get enough sleep each night
Task🔹Read the third book in a series OR any book from a trilogy
Book🔹Heart of the Sea
Pages🔹388 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹3rd in Gallaghers of Ardmore which is technically a trilogy but there is a 3.5 novella, but since it's #3, it works either way!
Date Read🔹 05.04 ★★★★
Review🔹
As much as I normally love Nora Roberts and I liked the other two books in the series, the MCs in this one irritated me, especially Darcy. When she first met Trevor and thought he was a laborer, he was good enough to trifle with but that was all. Then she was irritated to find out he was the company owner then even more irritated when she convinced herself he was trifling with her and she wasn't good enough for him. But both MCs were determined not to have real feelings, until they did, and then didn't want to be the first to admit to them. Nothing knew there, common trope, but these 2 just irritated me. Still, it was a lovely ending and I don't think it's physically possible for me to not give NR a 4 - I'm such a romance sap!
Happy Friday! Heading into this week's announcement, here's what we have to complete. Please let me know if I've missed a post.Week 4 - Shelby, Jamie completions
Week 5 - Shelby, Jamie, Kate completions
We're okay as long as Shelby and Jamie post a completion before the call - we can only have 2 outstanding books. Unless we need to use a pass - just let me know.
Completion Post - Option 1Week #4
Safeword[*book:Safeword|17569268]
Rating: 5 ★★★★★
Review: I wasn't sure if I was going to love the second book as much as I did the first, but I did. Gavin and Ben have such a great story. This one had my heart breaking a couple of different times. These two have been through so much, but still have so much love for one another.
Great, Jamie!! Edit: I reread the rules to clarify for myself... we not should fall behind by more than 2 books but Jane doesn't take action until a person has 3 unread books at the time of the theme call. So we should be all good this week. Sorry for firedrill!
I'll have everything caught up shortly (week 5 and current). Sorry about that. Time got away from me.
Selection Post - Option 1Week #6
Task: Read a book that would 'comfort' or 'relax' you.
The Earl of London322pgs
How the book qualifies: Does NOT have a MPG of Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Action or Adventure
WEEK 6 CallLink to Jane's message in Q&A/Announcement thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 1
10. The author states that he would be delighted if you found yourself nodding off as you read his book
Read a book that would 'comfort' or 'relax' you. The book MUST NOT have a MPG of Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Action or Adventure!
Specify that the list of MPG do not use the above genres
Option 2
Key date: 4 November 2022
*Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Series rule applies:
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.
LaurLa wrote: "Great, Jamie!! @shelby - will you be able to post today or do you want to use a pass?
Edit: I reread the rules to clarify for myself... we not should fall behind by more than 2 books but Jane d..."
Oh thank god. That's what I thought and I got super scared reading this just now when I got home thinking I'd screwed us up. I'll have both mine caught up by the end of the weekend I should think.
Week 6: SelectionOption 1
Fall In Love Again
[*book:Fall In Love Again|24586150]
Pages: 428/GR
How it fits: no MPG of Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Action or Adventure
Week 6: CompletionOption 1
Fall In Love Again
[*book:Fall In Love Again|24586150]
Pages: 428/GR
How it fits: no MPG of Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Action or Adventure
Date Completed: 5/6/23
Rating: *4 STARS*
I love a second chance romance. This one was a little different. The heroine actually married someone else! That was hard for me. But, it was clearly a mistake. She needed to get her house in order though before she started anything up with Nixon. I was disappointed with that.
And, I thought that it was just going to be history repeating itself with the fact that Nixon and Charlie were still not talking to each other the way that they should. It worked out though. I just didn't like all the drama with Charlie's ex. Whew!
Anyway, I love this series featuring black romance with unapologetically black characters who own business and love each other fiercely. It's wonderful to see. I can't wait until the next one!
Selection Post🔹Week 6Option 1
Call🔹10. The author states that he would be delighted if you found yourself nodding off as you read his book
Task🔹Read a book that would 'comfort' or 'relax' you
Book🔹A Scandal in the Headlines
Pages🔹188 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹no MPG of Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Action or Adventure
[*book:A Scandal in the Headlines|18952593]
Completion Post🔹Week 6Option 1
Call🔹10. The author states that he would be delighted if you found yourself nodding off as you read his book
Task🔹Read a book that would 'comfort' or 'relax' you
Book🔹A Scandal in the Headlines
Pages🔹188 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹no MPG of Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Action or Adventure
Date Read🔹 05.06 ★★★
Review🔹
Not a bad category romance. The author created some nice chemistry and sexual tension between the MCs. I also really liked Alessandro's struggles with his darker emotional side, his struggle to do the right thing rather than the easy thing, in order to help his family put aside their feuding. I got a little bored with Elena's "I'm so undeserving/poor little poor me" musings, but that's kind of standard for a lot of Harlequin categories. I did like she finally stood up to Niccolo in the end.
Week 5 - Completion PostHalf Faerie by Heidi Garrett
Read: (5/7)
Rating: ★★★
I struggled through the first half of this book. I wasn't loving any of the characters and the story was frustrating me. I kept waiting for something to happen to really kick off the heart of the story. It took a lot time to get to that point. When things finally did pick up the story definitely got better and I was more interested in what was coming next.
I still don't really love any of the characters, but Melia is growing on me a bit. She still doesn't make the smartest decisions, but at least it feels like she's choosing to be an active participant in stopping things not just letting the world happen to her.
By the end of the story I was curious as to what happens next, so I'll probably try the next book in the series at some point.
Selection Post - Week 6: Book: The Hourglass Throne - 425pgs/GR
How Fits: No MPG of Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Action or Adventure
[*book:The Hourglass Throne|59365449]
Week 6 - Completion PostThe Hourglass Throne by K.D. Edwards
Read: (5/8)
Rating: ★★★★★
I am obsessed! This story was just sooooooo good! I love all these characters so much. This book makes you laugh and then goes to rip your heart out at the same time. The world is coming for Rune again and no matter how much he'd like to just have some down time to figure out the changes in his life, it's just not going to let him have that. So much of his past and buried secrets are revealed in this story. They're rock you to your core sort of secrets and I both hated knowing them and needed to know how everything came about.
(view spoiler)
While a lot was revealed and this arc of the series does come to a good place, it's clear there's so much more to be uncovered. More danger in their future and so much more to who Rune really is. I can't wait to see where things go from here. This is clearly going to be a series I have to reread each and every time a new book gets released. It's already on my favorites list.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
A Cowboy to Remember (other topics)Originally Human (other topics)
Mr. Right Now (other topics)
Stroke of Midnight (other topics)
Originally Human (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Eileen Wilks (other topics)Jill Shalvis (other topics)
Christina C. Jones (other topics)
Carly Phillips (other topics)
Jordan L. Hawk (other topics)
More...
Option 1
Call🔹5. Until recently, medical science was unable to consistently and fully explain why we sleep
Task🔹Read a book from on of the following medical romance lists
Book🔹How Much I Feel
Pages🔹299 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹#243 Doctor/Medical Romance Heroes
[*book:How Much I Feel|58299475]