Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Bean There, Read That (6)
Week 3Option 1
6. Green coffee beans must be roasted prior to consumption, which is when they turn brown
Read a book with green and brown on the cover. Both colors must be on the cover.
If you aren't sure, please post in the Q&A thread.
Option 2
Key date: 7 April 2023
State date your teammate read the book and their rating
Book from your teammate's shelf must have been read on or after this date, and rated at least 3 stars.)
Option 3
Pass
Allowed one person per team per week, and once every 4 weeks per person
Selection PostWeek 3: Option 1: Read a book with green and brown on the cover. Both colors must be on the cover
Bookcover/link: Alpha's Rejection by Blake R. Wolfe
Page numbers: 203 pgs/Goodreads
How the book qualifies: 2.6% Green & 1.2% Brown
[*bookcover:Alpha's Rejection|77782853]
Completion PostWeek 2, Option 1
Task: Read a book with a drawn cover
Book/Author: The One Night by Meghan Quinn
# of pgs: 200
How it fits: Drawn cover
Finished: 10/05
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I found the parts with Cooper and his parents to be hilarious. The rest was just meh. I thought Cooper was douche for his response after spending time with Nora. Then we get to an ending that is a cliffhanger.
There should be a warning somewhere that says this is a prequel to another book, which is evidently titled The Reunion. I didn't know that, but after reading, I immediately went to the reviews and luckily someone else pointed this out.
Hopefully in this other book Nora gives Cooper hell for what he did. There needs to be a lot of groveling from him.
[*book:The One Night|59492019]
Selection PostWeek 3, Option 1
Task: Read a book with green and brown on the cover. Both colors must be on the cover
Book/Author: Grin and Beard It by Penny Reid
# of pgs: 389
How it fits: Green (rose stem and ambersand) & Brown (beard, hair, frame) on cover
[*book:Grin and Beard It|23337863]
Selection PostWeek 3 Option 1
( ok'd by Jane)336 pages
Completion PostWeek 3: Option 1: Read a book with green and brown on the cover. Both colors must be on the cover
Bookcover/link: Alpha's Rejection by Blake R. Wolfe
Completion Date: 10/8
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: 3.5 stars. Overall, I did enjoy the book. There were some open plot holes, and the book could have used some good editing. If you are going to mention something, then explain it. For instances, Kael mentions that he used to have blackouts. Why? Was it because of what was done without his knowledge? It was never explained. Also, I wanted to see more on page sex. Chance has never been with a man & I wanted to see all his firsts. Kael at one-point states something along the lines "in the last eight months, I've had more sex than ever before", well I would have liked to have seen some of that. I will be continuing on with the series as I want to see the wedding & Leo get his HEA.
[*bookcover:Alpha's Rejection|77782853]
Completion PostWeek 2, Option 1
Task: Read a book with a drawn cover
by Patricia Briggs pgs: 342
Completion Date: 10/6/23
How it fits: cover is drawn
Rating: 5 of 5
Review: Things with the Fae and werewolves are coming to a head and on the verge of all-out war when after a troll attack Mercy declares their territory a safe harbor for anyone that asks, and they take in a fire touched child that the Fae desperately want to get their hands on.
Mercy and Adam are the perfect couple especially since Adam can handle anything Mercy (accidentally or not) gets them, and their pack into. I can't wait to see what comes next for Mercy after her declaration and treaty with the Fae.
[*book:Fire Touched|25776210]
Selection PostWeek 3, Option 1
Task: Read a book with green and brown on the cover. Both colors must be on the cover.
by Patricia BriggsPgs: 371
How it fits: Green (in the leaves of Flower Tatoo), Brown (in the feathers and hair bands)
[*book:Silence Fallen|30687916]
Mariana, please can you post your week 3 book choice before the call on Friday. Thanks
Completion PostWeek 3 Option 1
( ok'd by Jane)336 pages
Date read: 10/12/23
4 stars
I am glad I kept going with the series as not being so enamored with book 1.
This book seemed to have alot more story with interesting secondary characters and not so much sex.
Nick meets Evan when he is working at the club and Evan offers him a job of being his fake boyfriend for 6 months.
Of course, the 2 are bound to fall in love and have an HEA.
Sorry for the delay, I was very sick this week, probably covid or flu from one of my patients. I am better, I read my book and I am excited for the next call.
Selection PostWeek #3, Option 1
Read a book with green and brown on the cover. Both colors must be on the cover
Book: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Page numbers:296 pages per Goodreads
How the book qualifies: green body, brown clothes and background
[*book:Legends & Lattes|61242426]
Completion post:Week 3, Option 1
Book: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This was very appropriate to read this time a year. A cosy read, about a orc named Viv, she is tired of fighting, so she decides to leave her past behind and start a new chapter sealing coffee and lattes. Viv befriends a few of the locals and together they transform an old building in a successful coffeehouse. There is not much plot, but the characters are adorable, Tandri the love interest, Thimble, a genius baker; Cal the builder. I maybe wanted more from the love story between Viv and Tandri, but in the end this was a charming story that cheer me up.
Mariana wrote: "Sorry for the delay, I was very sick this week, probably covid or flu from one of my patients. I am better, I read my book and I am excited for the next call."Glad you're feeling better!
Week 4Option 1
8. Espresso - for the serious/straight coffee drinker, and unadulterated
Read a book from one of the following lists:
Hero & Heroine Both Virgin
The Gut Wrenchers
Starchy Hero Gets Un-Starched
Clean Romances with Witty Worthwhile Women
Taking the Veil - Heroine in Convent or Disguised in Habit
Gay Romance Going to the Chapel
Gay Romance with a Straight Hero
Option 2
Key date: 14 April 2023
State date your teammate read the book and their rating
Book from your teammate's shelf must have been read on or after this date, and rated at least 3 stars.)
Option 3
Pass
Allowed one person per team per week, and once every 4 weeks per person
Selection PostWeek 4: Option 1: Read a book from one of the specified lists
Bookcover/Link: The Omega King by Libby Clarke
Page numbers: 427 pgs/GR
How the book qualifies: #175 from Gay Romance Going to the Chapel
[*bookcover:The Omega King|39902225]
Selection PostWeek 4 Option 2
Hellhounds Never Lie. Read by Diane on 8/13/23 and rated 5 stars.
236 pages
Completion PostWeek 3, Option 1
Task: Read a book with green and brown on the cover. Both colors must be on the cover
Book/Author: Grin and Beard It by Penny Reid
# of pgs: 389
How it fits: Green (rose stem and ambersand) & Brown (beard, hair, frame) on cover
Finished: 10/13
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I love Jethro. All four stars are for him and a little bit for Cletus. Cause let's be honest, Cletus is a scene stealer.
I love that Jethro has been there for his friend's wife all these years, I love that he got his crap together after making past mistakes, and I love the way he shows his love to the people in his life.
He is just amazing IMO.
Now all that praise for Jethro didn't mean that I disliked Sienna. I liked her well enough, but I wanted her to stand up for herself more when it came to her sister, who is also her manager. I would start to like her more, then there would be a scene with the sister, and she would lose points.
[*book:Grin and Beard It|23337863]
Seletion PostWeek 4, Option 1
Task: Read a book from one of the following lists
Book/Author: Divergent by Veronica Roth
# of pgs: 487
How it fits: #24 on Hero and Heroine Both Virgin
Completion PostWeek 4 Option 2
Hellhounds Never Lie. Read by Diane on 8/13/23 and rated 5 stars.
236 pages
date read: 10/14/23
5 stars
I really liked this book. I guess if anything I thought it might be a little humorous. The attraction between Ash and Dillion was a little too insta for me and I wasn't really sure of the final confrontation with the wolves but that didn't stop me enjoying it.
Waiting for book 2.
Selection PostWeek #4, Option 1
Read a book from one of the following lists
Book: The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare
Page numbers: 389 pages per Goodreads
How the book qualifies: #347, page 4 on Starchy Hero Gets Un-Starched
[*book:The Duchess Deal|33259027]
Completion PostWeek 4: Option 1: Read a book from one of the specified lists
Bookcover/Link: The Omega King by Libby Clarke
Completion Date: 10/16
Rating: 4 stars
Review: The story starts off with some sadness, but as Adrian is reeling from not only the loss of his brother, but his king. And now Adrian is going to need to step up and rule. But since he’s an omega his aunt thinks that she can outmaneuver him and set her son up to rule. But Adrian is not your average omega, he is super smart and when he runs into his school crush, and overall pain in the butt, he hatches a plan. And it works out great. I can’t wait to start on the next book in the series.
[*bookcover:The Omega King|39902225]
Completion PostWeek 3, Option 1
Task: Read a book with green and brown on the cover. Both colors must be on the cover.
Book:
Pgs: 371
How it fits: Green (in the leaves of Flower Tatoo), Brown (in the feathers and hair bands)
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Almost killed while being kidnapped by the European vampires Mercedes is now somewhere in Europe wandering around trying to stay hidden until her mate, alpha Adam Hauptman, can find her after she escaped the vampires. Now she has vampires, ghosts and a golem on her literal tail. Thankfully she convinces the alpha of Prague to give her a safe place until Adam can come and collect her, but Mercedes never stays in the safe zone for long.
[*book:Silence Fallen|30687916]
Selection PostWeek #4, Option 1: Read a book from one of the following lists
by Julie CapuletPgs: 247
How it fits: #22 on Hero & Heroine Both Virgin list
[*book:Hopeless Romantic|49214439]
Completion Post Week #4, Option 1: Read a book from one of the following lists.
by Julie Capulet Pgs: 247
How it fits: #22 on Hero & Heroine Both Virgin list
Rating: 5 stars
Review: This was a sweet and steamy insta-love college romance.
Bo McCabe is captain of the football team and he's been saving himself for "The One". And it so happens he finds her on the jumbo Tron during the first game of the season.
Millie is just starting at college and the only thing she wants is to finish her second book. She has already published one and now is on a deadline to finish the second book and doesn't want any distractions, but she's about to get the biggest one of her life. Turns out She's caught the eye of the star quarterback and because of that, the whole college. After being mobbed by many adoring fans Bo whisks Millie to his home. From that first night, besides a small window of doubt on Millie's end, the two are inseparable. From there it's all uphill to a very sweet HEA.
[*book:Hopeless Romantic|49214439]
Week 5Option 1
Long Black - Double espresso with twice the water
Read a book longer than 300 pages.
Option 2
Key date: 21 April 2023
State date your teammate read the book and their rating
Book from your teammate's shelf must have been read on or after this date, and rated at least 3 stars. Please note all three pieces of information on your post - teamie, date & rating.
Option 3
Pass
Allowed one person per team per week, and once every 4 weeks per person
Selection PostWeek 5: Option 1: Read a book longer than 300 pages.
Bookcover/link: Cypress Ashes by Kai Butler
Page numbers: 534 pgs/Goodreads
How the book qualifies: >300 pgs
[*bookcover:Cypress Ashes|123020595]
Selection PostWeek #5, Option 1
Read a book longer than 300 pages
Book: Twisted Love by Ana Huang
Page numbers: 358 pages per Goodreads
How the book qualifies: 358 pages
Completion post:Week 4, Option 1
Book: The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:
I loved this book, it made me realize that it was a mistake to stop reading historical romance, there are so much fun. I love Tessa Dare, this is not my first book from her that I read. I adored the main two characters, Emma felt so real, a simple girl that had a difficult life but she didn't lose her joy and humanity and Ash - un imperfect hero, with such a dry sense of humor. Their romance was perfect and the chemistry was present . The only complaint is the fact that I read the translated version and maybe the fun banter was lost a bit in translation, so I need to reread the book in English in the future.
Completion PostWeek 4, Option 1
Task: Read a book from one of the following lists
Book/Author: Divergent by Veronica Roth
# of pgs: 487
How it fits: #24 on Hero and Heroine Both Virgin
Finished: 10/21
Rating: 3 stars
Review: The beginning was a bit slow for me. It just felt like I was reading about any teenage girl, in any other time, going about mundane things in her life.
Once Beatrice made her choice and moved to this new faction things started to get better, but it really didn't pick up and pull me in until the last part of this book.
I think if I had known more about the characters backgrounds or more about the factions from the beginning, I would have felt more invested in the story from the first, but that didn't happen here.
I also felt like things between her and Four was forced. It seemed like the author thought there should be a romantic relationship and decided these two would have that even though there was nothing to indicate (no chemistry) that there should be.
Week 5 Selection post - option 2
Scott Sapphire and the Emerald Orchid
201 pages
Read by Diane 9/25/23 and rated 4 stars
Selection PostWeek 5, Option 1
Task: Read a book longer than 300 pages.
Book/Author: The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes by Eva Leigh
# of pgs: 384
How it fits: Longer than 300 pgs
Selection PostWeek #5, Option 1: Read a book longer than 300 pages
by Kristen AshleyPages: 494
How it fits: Longer than 300 pgs.
[*book:Mystery Man|18819167]
Completion PostWeek 5, Option 1
Task: Read a book longer than 300 pages.
Book/Author: The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes by Eva Leigh
# of pgs: 384
How it fits: Longer than 300 pgs
Finished: 10/23
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Nothing makes me happier than seeing a 'good girl' let her inner 'bad girl' shine. That's exactly what happens when Celeste and Kieran come to terms on this deal for her to help with his reputation in society in order for him to find a respectable bride.
You see Kieran's father gives him and his brother's an ultimatum, get married to a respectable bride or lose their inheritance. In this day and age, they basically had to get their sh*t together according to their father's standards, try to find employment (which the aristocracy didn't do), or be penniless.
What's in it for Celeste? Well, she gets to experience the 'darker' side of London before she has to marry someone, she doesn't want to in order to help keep her family in good standing in the ton.
I wasn't expecting for things to be so spicy, but I enjoyed it. More than anything, I enjoyed the fact that Celeste was able to control what happened with her person in these outings. For once in her life, she got to make her own decisions and Kieran was very supportive in her endeavors.
Week 5 Completion post - option 2
Scott Sapphire and the Emerald Orchid
201 pages
Read by Diane 9/25/23 and rated 4 stars
date read: 10/24/23
4 stars
I imagined this could have been more of an Indiana Jones adventure. Scott is a thief who goes to the Amazon to claim the emerald orchid.
He is followed by bad guys and a man who is not who he says he is.
This book could have done with being a little longer to get more of the adventure as everything was easily solved, quicksand, gators, anacondas but it was a good yarn for an hour or 2.
Completion PostWeek 5: Option 1: Read a book longer than 300 pages.
Bookcover/link: Cypress Ashes by Kai Butler
Date Completed 10/26
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: Okay, I hate to say it, but this was my least favorite of the series. I felt like it should have been written in two parts. There was just way too much going on and they were just running all over the place. And it just seemed like nothing was going right. Plus, our boys get so little time together with them being interrupted. I will miss them & will be going back to the series in the future.
[*bookcover:Cypress Ashes|123020595]
Completion PostWeek 5, Option 1
Task: Read a book longer than 300 pages.
by Kristen AshleyRating 5 stars
Review: When Gwen's sister Ginger's troubles spill over into her life and put her in danger, Gwen's mystery man of over a year, Hawk, comes out into the light of day to protect her. But along the way she finds more guys who want to protect her. First is Detective Mitch Lawson Who has his own book coming up in the myster Man series (#3) and Tack who also has his own book too! So many amazing characters but Gwen and Hawk are amazing together.
I love all Kristen Ashley Books and this series is one of my faves.
[*book:Mystery Man|12299419]
Week 6Option 1
5. Coffee is a significant agricultural crop for many countries
Read a book with an MC who is a farmer
Best Gay Cowboys
A book from one of the 'MM Blue Collar 20xx" lists - EG MM Blue Collar Books 2021
Farmers in Romance
Buzzed: Bee Keeping in Romance
Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy
If you chose option 1, you must read a book from one of the above lists. Please note the list when showing how your book qualifies.
Option 2
Key date: 28 April 2023
State date your teammate read the book and their rating
Book from your teammate's shelf must have been read on or after this date, and rated at least 3 stars. Please note all three pieces of information on your post - teamie, date & rating.
Option 3
Pass
Allowed one person per team per week, and once every 4 weeks per person
Selection PostWeek 6, Option 1
Task: Read a book with an MC who is a farmer
Book/Author: High Country Bride
# of pgs: 435
How it fits: #103 from the Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy list
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5...
Selection PostWeek #6, Option 1
Read a book with an MC who is a farmer
Book: Buns by Alice Clayton
Page numbers: 336 pages per Goodreads
How the book qualifies: #20 from Farmers in Romance
Completion post:Week 5, Option 1
Book: Twisted Love by Ana Huang
Rating: 2.5 stars
Review:
This was not for me, I had high expectation because this book is everywhere, but I was disappointed. I didn't like the romance, Alex was a very stereotypical bad boy and Ava was a typical female protagonist, happy despite her mysterious and possible traumatic past. The reveal was mediocre, I liked the graveling part, that was nice, but in rest it was a very middle of the road book with mediocre characters and a stale romantic plot.
Selection PostWeek 6: Option 2: Key date: 28 April 2023
Bookcover/link: How to Hide Your Dragon Baby by Anna Wineheart
Page numbers: 210 pgs/Goodreads
How the book qualifies: Read by Lisa 10/24/2023 & rated 4 stars
[*bookcover:How to Hide Your Dragon Baby|198984768]
Selection Post: Week 6, Option 1Task: Read a book with an MC who is a farmer
by Kristen Ashleypgs: 487
How it qualifies: #24 on the Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy list
[*book:Play It Safe|13413762]
Completion PostWeek 6: Option 2: Key date: 28 April 2023
Bookcover/link: How to Hide Your Dragon Baby by Anna Wineheart
Date Completed: 10/29
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: The book was okay. Not real crazy about the prepping with vegetables, but that kind of the author's thing & usually it's not that big of a deal. I just wasn't in the mood for that. Sunnie was such a cute baby dragon and Elson really needed the help from Yaeger once he realizes that Yaeger is also a dragon. I love the sentient carts, that was kind of cool.
[*bookcover:How to Hide Your Dragon Baby|198984768]
Completion PostWeek 6, Option 1
Task: Read a book with an MC who is a farmer
by Kristen Ashleypgs: 487
Rating: 5
Review: One look at Grayson Cody across the bar and Ivey knows she needs to get out of town pronto, cause she knows he would be a staying factor and since her and her brother have been on the run and hustling since she was twelve, she knows it's not possible, but the two end up getting their chance and they burn fast and they burn hot!
Just as quickly as they are pulled together, they are torn apart in the dead of the night. Unknown to them it's the doing of a lifetime of jealousy and hatred. One little note stolen causes seven wasted years for the two. But in true KA fashion Destiny is inevitable and if they are meant to be they will be.
[*book:Play It Safe|13413762]
Week 6Completion post - option 2
Wolves Always Bite
324 pages
Read by Diane 10/18/23 and rated 5 stars
date read: 11/3/23
5 stars
So we have Jeremy's story. He is Ash's BFF and was blissfully unaware that Supes actually did exist although he keeps starting to write books about them.
Jeremy is caught up in the Supe world when his boss takes some stolen magical items and he meets Adrian, part of the team sent to retrieve the items.
I enjoyed the story, especially when Jeremy learns that Supes are real and that his BFF is one 2.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Week 2, Option 1
Task: Read a book with a drawn cover
Book/Author: The One Night by Meghan Quinn
# of pgs: 200
How it fits: Drawn cover
[*book:The One Night|59492019]