PtP - Read 'Em and Sleep (3)

[Shelby]

Alright - that should have me only one behind and I should get that in the next day or so. :)

[Jamie]

Completion Post - Option 1

Week #5

Out of the Gate

[*book:Out of the Gate|57516710]

Rating: 4 ★★★★

Review: This would've been better for me had it been book #0.5. I already know what happens to these two characters so the story was a little ruined for me. It would've been good to read this before we read about everything that happened with Dermot and Ada in Off to the Races.

Don't get me wrong, it was a good story, but there was room to bring so much more to the story. I almost feel like because we already knew what happened, the story was cut way short.

Either way, it was a good novella overall.

[Kate]

COMPLETION POST
Week #:5
Bookcover/link: Just My Type by Falon Ballard
Pages: 368
How it Fits: Plants on the cover
Rating (1-5): ★★
Review:



I read firstly for characters with plot and everything else second. I did enjoy the plot of this book. IT was very much How to Lose a Guy in 10 days mashed up with a bunch of other romcom films popular in the early 2000s. We have Lana, a thirty year old woman who is a serial monogamist. She's been in long term relationships since she was 14 but somehow always choses the wrong guy. After a disastrous date where she thinks her boyfriend of four years is going to propose she gets dumped instead (very Legally Blonde-esque). Then her boss at the online newspaper where Lana has been the relationships writer for 8 years throws her a curveball. She can have the column she has wanted forever but she needs to beat a new writer to the team in a social media voted contest. And to make it all the more romcom-y the writer in question is the boy who broke Lana's heart all those years ago.

It's so very cliched which wouldn't be a problem except I didn't connect with Lana at all. She's very much the entitled princess and although other characters keep telling us how kind and great she is I saw very little evidence of it. I wanted for her to take an interest in someone other than herself but she never did. The supporting cast only existed to further her story and they didn't have anything of their own going on. I'm also uncertain why the leading male even liked her.

I did like the plot aspects. It was a fun read but not liking Lana at all made that hard to enjoy overly much.

[Kate]

Selection Post - Week : 6

Book: My Lady Marzipan by Sydney Jane Baily
Pages: 319
How it Fits: Option 1 - Does NOT have MPG of Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Action or Adventure!

[LaurLa]

Shelby wrote: "Alright - that should have me only one behind and I should get that in the next day or so. :)"

All good! Thanks!

[Shelby]

Week 4 - Completion Post
The Beast by J.R. Ward


Read: (5/10)

Rating: ★★★★★

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel returning to Mary and Rhage, especially as I worried this story was going to suddenly have them at odds with each other for some sort of over-inflated conflict. I don't know why I worried. I should have just known J.R. Ward would just plain have this. I put off reading this book for an eon for no reason.

This story does feel a little like a pause though. The only real battle with the lessers takes place right at the beginning of the story, and sure it's a doozy, but after that everyone gets some breathing room. Which of course means all the other little things in life can work there way in. And for Mary and Rhage that's coming to terms with what it means for them that Mary can't have children. All while she's also dealing with Bitty, the child she's been working with at the women's shelter, having her world come crashing down around her. I adored watching Rhage and Bitty get to know each other and discover how much they truly were happy interacting. It felt inevitable where this story was going to go, but each moment of the ride was lovely.

There are a lot of other great side stories in this one that tease of things to come, Layla and Xchor (still don't know how I feel about those two...), Assail is growing on me, and now he's got an interesting story in his house. So much going on and this story definitely has me back on the BDB train.

[Jamie]

Selection Post - Option 1


Week #7
Task: Read a book with the numbers 15 and 9 in the publication date and/or the page numbers.

Consent
350pgs
How the book qualifies: 350 pgs/published 9/30/2014

[*book:Consent|22676832]

[Shelby]

Selection Post - Week 7:

Book: Burn the Sky - 195pgs/GR
How Fits: Published - 1/11/2015 / Page Count: 195



[*bookcover:Burn the Sky|24487829]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Kate wrote: "Selection Post - Week :

Book: My Lady Marzipan by Sydney Jane Baily
Pages: 319
How it Fits: Option 1 - Does NOT have MPG of Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Action or Adventu..."

Hi Kate - you just need to add the week (6) to this post :)

[Sassafrass]

Week 7: Selection
Option 1


Bane
[*book:Bane|25625338]
Pages: 179/GR
How it fits: published date 11/19/15 (15 & 9 in date)

[Sassafrass]

Week 7: Completion
Option 1


Bane
[*book:Bane|25625338]
Pages: 179/GR
How it fits: published date 11/19/15 (15 & 9 in date)
Date Completed: 5/12/23
Rating: *3.5 STARS*

This was the last book in the Westmoreland series and I have skipped many books in between but that didn't deter me. It was very easy to pick up anything that happened in between. Everyone is married or getting married at this point except for Bane.

Bane is just home on leave. He's a Navy SEAL and he's coming off a mission gone wrong. He lost a good friend in the mission so he knows life is short. He makes the decision to go find the woman who's had his heart since he was in high school, Crystal.

Finding Crystal though is not the reunion that he was expecting. She's had some troubling incidents recently and she feels she may be in danger. She's right and instead of the loving reunion that Bane expected, he's got to protect Crystal at all costs.

Now of course, they had their "reunion" too. Past hurts are resolved and secretes are revealed. Ultilmately they get their HEA.

My issue is though that I feel like the book wrapped up way too quickly. This is the last book in a 30+ book series. I feel like it deserved more than that. But, that's just my opinion. Otherwise, I thought it was a fun one with suspense and adventure.

[Sassafrass]

Week 7

Option 1
14. In the absence of sunlight (days/nights) humans continue to maintain the circadian rhythm of roughly 15 hours awake and 9 hours asleep.
* Read a book with the numbers 15 and 9 in the publication date and/or the page numbers.
Eg - book published on 15 May 2005 paired with the same edition's page number 209.
Any edition can be used, but both 15 & 9 must be used in the date/page numbers of that same edition. The number 9 can be converted into the month September.


Option 2
Key date: 11 November 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 to msg 3 for formatting of all 3 options. This format is also in msg 3 of your team threads.

[LaurLa]

Thanks Sassafrass for putting up the call. Went to dinner last night for Mother's Day (we celebrated early because hubby works on Sunday). We got in late and I was a bit tipsy and totally forgot to check in here 😁

[LaurLa]

Jane made this update in the Q&A/Announcement thread if it helps anyone:


Hi everyone - I was going to hold the '15' to be that 1 & 5 are directly next to each other, however on review of some of my shelves, I've decided to make it easier and allow the combination to be a '1', '5' and '9' somewhere in the publication date and page numbers of a single edition of the book you select.

[LaurLa]

Selection Post🔹Week 7
Option 1


Call🔹14. In the absence of sunlight (days/nights) humans continue to maintain the circadian rhythm of roughly 15 hours awake and 9 hours asleep.
Task🔹Read a book with the numbers 15 and 9 in the publication date and/or the page numbers
Book🔹The Girls of Mischief Bay
Pages🔹409 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹published in February 24th 2015; 409 pp

[*book:The Girls of Mischief Bay|23666194]

[Sassafrass]

LaurLa wrote: "Thanks Sassafrass for putting up the call. Went to dinner last night for Mother's Day (we celebrated early because hubby works on Sunday). We got in late and I was a bit tipsy and totally forgot to..."

I hope you had a great time!

[Jamie]

LaurLa wrote: "Jane made this update in the Q&A/Announcement thread if it helps anyone:


Hi everyone - I was going to hold the '15' to be that 1 & 5 are directly next to each other, however on review of some of..."

I didn't even catch that the initial post had the 15 together. I'm glad it was changed because my book had them all separate lol

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Updated :)

[Shelby]

LaurLa wrote: "Jane made this update in the Q&A/Announcement thread if it helps anyone:


Hi everyone - I was going to hold the '15' to be that 1 & 5 are directly next to each other, however on review of some of..."

Now I'm extra proud I managed to find one that met the original criteria. I struggled looking for awhile there.

[Sassafrass]

Me too Shelby! It was a hard one!

And I tend to do a challenge within the challenge during PtP. Some extra rule that I do just for myself, like only reading new authors or on historical romance (as the categories allow).

this round I'm only doing black authors and African American Romance.

[Shelby]

Sassafrass wrote: "Me too Shelby! It was a hard one!

And I tend to do a challenge within the challenge during PtP. Some extra rule that I do just for myself, like only reading new authors or on historical romance (a..."

Rock on! That's awesome Sass!

[Shelby]

Week 7 - Completion Post
Burn the Sky by Jaye McKenna


Read: (5/14)

Rating: ★★★★

This book has been on the periphery of my awareness for a long time, and as much as I adore dragons somehow I kept avoiding it. Well boy, that was dumb. This is a lovely little fantasy tale, and there are DRAGONS!

The Wytch Kings may have to bow slightly to the Wytch Counsil, but their heirs must always manifest their wytch power. Prince Garrik is the presumptive heir to the throne, but he's getting older and past the age where his power should have manifested. Without that manifestation the council won't allow him to inherit, and his younger brother would die being forced to be king. But forcing the emergence of his gifts takes everyone to a dangerous place.

Wytch Master Ilya has lived an isolated existence since his powers manifested. He may have managed to tame the dragon within, but his long life hasn't been a joyous one. He exists, but does not truly live. Helping teach a entitled prince isn't something he expects to be successful given the nature of his talents, but yet maybe there is a little hope as well, maybe he doesn't have to be forever alone.

This was a little slow to develop. Really the first half of the book doesn't even have Garrik and Ilya meeting. But, once the two were finally put together to save Garrik and his people from himself, the story really blossomed for me. The world has me intrigued and certainly has me questioning the Wytch Council for the future. I look forward to reading more.

[Kate]

Selection Post - Week : 7

Book: The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristin Painter
Pages: 372
How it Fits: Option 2: Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars (LaurLa read this after 11 November 2022 (13 May 2023) and rated it 4 stars)

[Kate]

COMPLETION POST
Week #:6
Bookcover/link: My Lady Marzipan by Sydney Jane Baily
Pages: 319
How it Fits: Option 1 - Does NOT have MPG of Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Action or Adventure!
Rating (1-5): ★★★
Review:



After reading the previous book in the trilogy early in the this challenge I was excited to read Charlotte's story. I found her an interesting and engaging character to follow as she found her place. One of the things I liked most was how she wasn't just a debutante but she was an independent young woman who wanted to create something more for herself. She wasn't content to just sit back and let life pass her by but rather she actively went out to find more - be that with the family's shop or for herself in regards to not just being put on the shelf. I liked the challenges she faced with expanding the business and found her relationship to be rather sweet. The leading man, Charles, was a little bit lacklustre. I've only just finished the book and I was struggling to remember his name. He's a good match for Charlotte but he wasn't the big romantic hero I usually choose to read about. It's a fun story. It tied up the trilogy nicely.

[Jamie]

Completion Post - Option 1


Week #6

The Earl of London

[*book:The Earl of London|41462046]

Rating: 3 ★★★

Review: I wanted so badly to love this one, but I think this was my least favorite of the series. I absolutely hated how Logan kept talking about all the things he didn't usually go for with Darcy. If it was just once, it would've been fine. But this happened over and over. It was so annoying. Then you have Darcy being a complete rag over him wanting to start his own business in a town he also lives in. It didn't seem to match the personality she was supposed to have.

Then the conflict was just ridiculous. Logan is supposed to be a smart guy, but yet he doesn't realize he loves her? I don't know. I just know I wasn't as happy with this one.

[Kate]

COMPLETION POST
Week #:7
Bookcover/link: The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter
Pages: 372
How it Fits: Option 2: Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars (LaurLa read this after 11 November 2022 (13 May 2023) and rated it 4 stars)
Rating (1-5): ★★★ and a half
Review:



This book was a really fun and cute story about a woman who after seeing something she shouldn't hides out and somehow finds herself the potential bride of a 400 year old vampire. It's complete with cast of amusing side characters and an adorable little town who celebrates halloween every day of the year.

I liked a lot about this book. I enjoyed the chemistry between Delaney and Hugh. I also thought that they were wonderfully practical people - they didn't let misunderstandings last too long and were rather pragmatic no matter what was thrown at them.

But oh it's a pet peeve of mine for stories like this which have a such a short timeframe. (view spoiler)[It's only a week between meeting and them having turned Delaney. I do give a little more leeway for this in paranormal stories because if I can suspend my belief enough for the existence of supernatural creatures then I can believe almost anything. But for them to both lock down eternity after less than a week feels like a step too far (hide spoiler)]

[LaurLa]

Happy Friday! We are in good position! Almost everyone is caught up - just me and Jamie left to read for this week. Not sure I'll get to mine this weekend but I'm making my way to it soon!

[Jamie]

LaurLa wrote: "Happy Friday! We are in good position! Almost everyone is caught up - just me and Jamie left to read for this week. Not sure I'll get to mine this weekend but I'm making my way to it soon!"

I'm really trying to get through mine. I over extended myself in some challenges lol. I'll get it done though.

[LaurLa]

Jamie wrote: "LaurLa wrote: "Happy Friday! We are in good position! Almost everyone is caught up - just me and Jamie left to read for this week. Not sure I'll get to mine this weekend but I'm making my way to it..."

Ditto! 😁🤪

[Jamie]

Selection Post - Option 1


Week #8
Task: Read a book that was first published in the last 6 months.

Until I Saw You
316pgs
How the book qualifies: Published 1/24/23

[*book:Until I Saw You|60636244]

[Sassafrass]

Week 8 CALL

Option 1
15. About 40% of the population are Early Birds
Read a book that was first published in the last 6 months.
For the purpose of this challenge, it will be a book published on or after 1 October 2022.
Date of publication must be stated in the qualification

Option 2
Key date: 18 November 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 to msg 3 for formatting of all 3 options. This format is also in msg 3 of your team threads.

[Sassafrass]

Week 8: Selection
Option 1


GOAL
[*book:GOAL|75309794]
Pages: 228/GR
How it fits: first published December 16, 2022

[Sassafrass]

Week 8: Completion
Option 1


GOAL
[*book:GOAL|75309794]
Pages: 228/GR
How it fits: first published December 16, 2022
Date completed: 5/19/23
Rating: *5 STARS*

I adored this. Nuri and Maleek were so cute together. I loved how all in his was. I loved way he handled what had to be the shock of a lifetime.

There were some astonishing moments - the first time they had sex and what they did on their way to the grocery store just to name a couple. But their relationship flowed smoothly.

I love Jules and Junior. I felt horrible for them as their past traumas were revealed. I loved the way that Nori, Malik and the kids really helped each other heal. AND the story heavily featured therapy as a way to deal with past traumas. It normalized it and I loved that!

How about Maleek being a hockey star, on a black owned hockey team? That was a very interesting premise. Loved that Big South made a cameo. And even "Unc" Lee Chester! He was still crazy as hell. Malik's teammates were interesting so I hope they get books at some point.

All in all, this was a great read. I devoured it in one sitting and am left waiting for more!

[Kate]

You're so quick! I haven't picked my book yet and you've finished your review. Nice work!!

[Sassafrass]

Kate wrote: "You're so quick! I haven't picked my book yet and you've finished your review. Nice work!!"

ha, I couldn't put it down!

[LaurLa]

Sassafrass wrote: "Week 8 CALL

Option 1
15. About 40% of the population are Early Birds
Read a book that was first published in the last 6 months.
For the purpose of this challenge, it will be a book published on or..."

Thanks again! It was another dinner with my son :-) I'm usually not such a social butterfly that I'm out every Friday!

[LaurLa]

Selection Post🔹Week 8
Option 1


Call🔹15. About 40% of the population are Early Birds
Task🔹Read a book that was first published in the last 6 months (Oct 1 2022)
Book🔹Happy Place
Pages🔹395 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹First published April 25, 2023

[*book:Happy Place|61761938]

[Shelby]

Selection Post - Week 8:

Book: Rattling Bone - 206pgs/GR
How Fits: Published - March 17, 2023



[*bookcover:Rattling Bone|60818433]

[Shelby]

Week 8 - Completion Post
Rattling Bone by Jordan L. Hawk


Read: (5/21)

Rating: ★★★★

This was a nice paranormal romp through the dark. I enjoyed that this story tied back to Oscar's own history and he got to find out more about his family as these ghosts hit a little too close to home. He's had to suppress his mediumship because of how virulently his father was against it all his life. Now he's finally exploring what his psychic talents mean and he isn't going to hide that from his father while they're visiting. Finding out that there's more to the family history than even he expected sends him and his friends into full investigation mode, and the dangers more than a little personal this time.

This story was great. I enjoy these guys as a couple and the friends they keep around them. Nigel and Oscar work so well together, and while this story is lighter on the romance and more involved in the mystery and suspense, how much they care about each other still shines through. I loved seeing Oscar get to start to repair the relationship with his family as his father plays a big part in things.

Can't wait for more in this series.

[Jamie]

Completion Post - Option 1


Week #7

Consent

[*book:Consent|22676832]

Rating: 5 ★★★★★

Review: This was such an intense book. The trigger warnings are there for a reason, so if you are sensitive to any of it, be advised some parts of this book are indeed explicit.

I love Ben and Gavin. There relationship is so strong and seeing the love they have for one another is great. Ben really shined in this one. Well, they all did, but I loved seeing him in action more. I felt so much for Cole. Myah, there are just no words for heartbreaking it was for everything she went through. I've loved her since she became Gavin's partner in the first book. She's so strong and is always fighting for the right things.

Tears came in the epilogue. So sweet and just a wonderful ending. I want more of the happy with them.

[Jamie]

Completion Post - Option 1


Week #8

Until I Saw You

[*book:Until I Saw You|60636244]

Rating: 5 ★★★★★

Review: I loved this book! This book had me hooked from the first page.

Riley and Harper really needed each other in their lives. Riley doesn't seem to be handling life well since losing his sight. His ex-girlfriend was pretty awful so I'm sure that didn't help. Harper is coming off of an absolutely horribly abusive relationship. But he is seriously such a sweet person and is perfect for Riley. They both are constantly teaching each other new things.

Riley was a hoot throughout this book. He had me laughing and smiling. Harper had me sad at times because he thought so low of himself. But I loved how he pulled himself out of things.

LOVED the epilogue on this one. The only problem is that I still want more with these two. I'm not ready to give them up.

[LaurLa]

Completion Post🔹Week 8
Option 1


Call🔹15. About 40% of the population are Early Birds
Task🔹Read a book that was first published in the last 6 months (Oct 1 2022)
Book🔹Happy Place
Pages🔹395 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹First published April 25, 2023
Date Read🔹 05.23 ★★★★
Review🔹
This one leaves me with all the feels. I was sweet, nostalgic, sad, happy and tear-jerky. The MCs were so in love but also broken in their own way and had go through the brokenness to get back to each other. The circle of friends was beautiful and makes me wish I had tried harder in my life to hold on to friendships. I get what the author was doing but she did it almost too well. She created that angst in my heart, feeling what the main character felt, so mush so I wanted to get through it to the other side, because I knew it was coming, but then she (the author) would stretch it out with commentary in the MCs head about what she's feeling, about how everything around her made her feel and I just wanted to say... can't we move to the next step? It wasn't a bad thing. Just a measure of how the author brought me to where exactly she wanted me and let me hang for a bit!

[Kate]

Selection Post - Week : 8

Book: Queen Charlotte by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes
Pages: 352
How it Fits: first published 9th May 2023

[Kate]

COMPLETION POST
Week #:8
Bookcover/link: Queen Charlotte by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes
Pages: 352
How it Fits: first published 9th May 2023
Rating (1-5): ★★★
Review:



This was a bit of strange read for me. I am a huge fan of Julia Quinn's historical romances and I think I've read every one she's published to date. In many ways this one didn't feel the same. And that makes perfect sense as it was a collaboration between JQ and Shondra Rhimes. I did enjoy the book. But it definitely feels like the show was created first and the book was an afterthought. I liked how the book took things in a straight timeline showing events chronologically. It added a bit of difference from the show. I also liked how it differed from the show with regards to Agatha's story and the absence of the older characters.

It's a cute story but doesn't add to the Bridgerton stories (not surprising considering Queen Charlotte wasn't a figure in the original novel series) overly much. I think I would have enjoyed this one more had I not been reading it almost at the same time as I watched the netflix show. I loved that there was so many similarities (the dialogue is basically word for word) but it meant I had cheated myself out of something experiencing them both so closely together.

[Sassafrass]

Kate wrote: "COMPLETION POST
Week #:8
Bookcover/link: Queen Charlotte by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes
Pages: 352
How it Fits: first published 9th May 2023
Rating (1-5): ★★★
Review:

[bookc..."

I loved the netflix show so much, Kate (I binged it the same day it came out) so I've been holding out on the book. I think I'll wait even longer based on your review! Thanks!!

[LaurLa]

WEEK 9 Call


Link to Jane's message in Q&A/Announcement thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Option 1
12. The likelihood of breaking an Olympic record has been tied to the time of day, being at the maximal peak of the circadian rhythm in the early afternoon.
Read a book featuring an athletic MC or sport
Qualification may be from the precis, list or tag.

Option 2
Key date: 25 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.

[Sassafrass]

Week 9: Selection
Option 1


Snapped
[*book:Snapped|51207962]
Pages: 352/GR
How it fits: MPG Sports Romance

[Sassafrass]

Week 9: Completion
Option 1


Snapped
[*book:Snapped|51207962]
Pages: 352/GR
How it fits: MPG Sports Romance
Date completed: 5/26/23
Rating: *4 STARS*

I really liked this one. I can't imagine how it must be for a biracial person who may look black but has a whole other half to them that people can't or won't see. But at the same time, they also can be experiencing micro-aggressions from the people who are closest to them. I'm sure it could be a really hard space to navigate. Reading Elliot's story, which the author said resembles her own, really gave me a new perspective on that.

That being said, the magical world of the Denver Mustangs where Quinton was definitely more supported than what happened in real life was unrealistic. But it was a nice thing to see no matter if it would never happen that way for real.

I too was ignorant to the pension parity issue. This book really brought it to light. It's definitely something that I never even heard about before this book. I will have to look more into that.

I do wish there had a bit more sexy times in this one but honestly, I didn't realize how little there was until the book was over, so I guess that's saying something.

I've really enjoyed this series and I'm going to be sad to not have any more antics of the Lady Mustangs and their white board.

[Jamie]

Selection Post - Option 1


Week #9
Task: Read a book featuring an athletic MC or sport

Only One Kiss
262pgs
How the book qualifies: tagged sports on MPG

[*book:Only One Kiss|53413978]

[LaurLa]

Selection Post🔹Week 9
Option 1

Call🔹12. The likelihood of breaking an Olympic record has been tied to the time of day
Task🔹Read a book featuring an athletic MC or sport
Book🔹The Quilter and the Quarterback
Pages🔹117 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🔹mpg sports

[*book:The Quilter and the Quarterback|53037777]