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Nikki the Sapphired Book Dragon wrote: "I am looking to have two completions done today and will post my most recent selection today as well"Thanks Nikki! I'll be online again later as well as tomorrow. Please feel free to reach out if you need anything.
Selection week 8Book:
Pages: 353
Task: Read an historical romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical (tagged historical romance)
Week 7: completion post
324 pages
Finished: 11/15/23
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I am really enjoying this new series. I like Luna as a character and i love that we are continuing Aisling and Izzie's stories as I really enjoy these characters. We got to learn more about Luna's abilities in this book and the main arc was also advanced a little bit two whilst tying in a smaller mystery. I really enjoy Luna and Jesse as a pairing so I am interested to see how it continues in the next book. Can't wait for the next book in this series.
Completion PostWeek 5 Option 1
As the Cookie Crumbles
Page numbers: 304 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Review: I enjoyed this latest instalment even if i did guess the culprit about halfway through the book. In this instalment, two of Stormy's former classmates go missing and its up to Stormy and her friends to find them before it's too late. This book was an easy read with story moving fast so i essentially able to finish it in one sitting. Whilst there was not a lot of forward advancement of the series arc, I like that we got some more outlines/background information in this book which I think will shape what's to come.
[*book:As the Cookie Crumbles|183819484]
Week 8 completion post:
206 pages
Finished: 11/15/23
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I enjoyed this story. It was a quick read. I loved the family and enjoyed meeting all the characters. Will read more in this series.
Completion Post Week 8
Give Me More
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: Every time I pick up a book in this series I think it can't get better than the last one...and I'm always proven wrong. This book was so well written. From all sides of the poly relationship and how it grew into being a poly relationship. I loved that they had one established but didn't recognize it, and they all needed to get over some mind sets, values, and societal norms that were ingrained in them. I also really adored the utter love on all levels that the characters had for each other so that when some actions were taken that would standardly destroy any other couple or poly - in this particular one the other partners understood where everyone was coming from, what they needed to work through, and why they needed certain things - even if they didn't agree with the way the person was going about it. I loved that it was a struggle for all of them to realize that they wanted a poly relationship. A true one. And that both Iz and Hunter gave Drake the space to realize on his own that he already had space in their lives and it wasn't "just because" it was purposeful and gifted space even before they added more to it. Sara just writes taboo in a way that really strips the taboo away and makes it all about the humans and takes away any room for judgement. It may be presented as a kink but you aren't reading about a kink. You're reading about people who are struggling and just wanting to be seen for who they are and loved as they are where they are. And she gives them that.
Hi Team, Here is what I have for were we are on selection and completion posts still needed/missing.
Nikki - Thank you so much for getting some posted!
Kat - I did see you had a question out on the Q&A thread, I'm just capturing my own notes here so I know where I left off.
With that --
Here is what I have that is still missing:
Week 6 still need:
🗒️Completion posts from Kat & Nikki
📆Due ASAP
Week 7 still need:
🗒️Completion posts from Kat & Ariel
📆Due ASAP
Week 8 still need:
🗒️Selection posts from Ariel
📆Due within this week - Kat has used the PASS for this week.
🗒️Completion posts from Ariel & Nikki
Completion Post: Week 7Book: Catch Her Death
Author: Melinda Leigh
Task Qualification: Setting is in New York Statehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Pages: 304
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This book truly reminded me why I love with Melinda Leigh's stories. Bree Taggert has truly become one of my favorite female characters - strong, confident, yet you know she has a story with weakness built in. To be quite honest, Leigh does such a good job with ALL of her characters. It makes you interested in even the side characters. I think the mystery was a bit lacking in this one but I wasn't really any less interested in reading it. Once open, the book stayed open. LOL
Week 8: SelectionOption 2
Don't Turn Around Caroline Mitchell
Read by: Kat on Oct 10 - rated 3 stars
Pages: 320
I will post my week 8 completion when I get home later today and am starting on my week 6 book shortly. Now to go select a week 9 book. Now to go select my week 9 book
⛈️Outstanding
Week 6 - Kat & Nikki
Week 7 - Kat
Week 8 - Ariel & Nikki
Getting under control :)
Week 9 has been announced Option 1
11. Flat White - a barista coffee originating from Australia or NZ (as usual, we both claim it ;)
Read a book written by an Australian or New Zealand author.
The book may also be set in Australia or NZ. Qualification may come from the GR main book page, author's page, lists and tags.
Option 2
Key date: 19 May 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
Week 9 selection Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
Pages: Will put when I find out pages
Task: Read a book written by an Australian or New Zealand author.
The book may also be set in Australia or NZ. Qualification may come from the GR main book page, author's page, lists and tags.
How it fits: Cath is from Australia
Selection Post - week 9Book:
Pages: 446
Task: Read a book written by an Australian or New Zealand author.
How it fits: Maria Lewis is Australian
Week 9: option 1 selection post
315 pages
How it fits: author is australian
Selection Post Week 9 Option 1
The Takeover
Page numbers: 477 pages, Kindle Edition
How the book qualifies: The author T.L. Swan is from New Zealand
[*book:The Takeover|52276459]
Completion Post Week 6
Option 2
It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
Pages: 332
Rating: 5 star
Review: This was such a sweet book especially the second half of the book. The things they’d say to each other I found myself reading out to my fiancé. And texting my best friend about it. I preferred this book to the first book and the way Alas was with everyone made me happy. I finished this book with a lot of love in my heart.
How it fits: Read by Nicki on July 15th
Week 8: Completion PostBook: Don't Turn Around
Author: Caroline Mitchell
Read: November 21-22
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
I wanted to enjoy this. It had a good premise - a paranormal detective work sounds like such a good storyline. I gave it three stars because once the story really got moving, I enjoyed the plot/the mystery but there was something off about the characters. I didn't really connect with any of them and only really finished the book so I could know what happened with the mystery. I didn't actually care about the characters and what went on with them. On another note, it's always fun to see how past and present connects in stories like this and I think that Caroline Mitchell did a good job with that.
Read by: Kat on Oct 10 - rated 3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Week 9: SelectionOption 2
Wildcat Rebecca Jenshak
Read by: Maggie in July 2023 - rated 5 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
I’ve decided to pull out as I’m just not reading as much atm, I’ve let Jane know,
Kat wrote: "I’ve decided to pull out as I’m just not reading as much atm, I’ve let Jane know,"That's okay Kat. Thanks so much for getting this far along with us all! I hope to see you around on the RRRC group in the future.
Week 10 has been announced!Week 10
Option 1
16. Instant Coffee - for when you are away from civilisation
Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location, or where at least one MC sleeps in a tent.
Words in tags such as 'remote', 'wilderness', 'camping', 'woods', 'forest'
Qualification may come from the GR main book page, lists and tags.
Option 2
Key date: 26 May 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 Post Week 10 Option 1
Hating the Player
Page numbers: 302 pages, Kindle Edition
How the book qualifies: From the precis Now we're accidentally on a camping trip together, but there's only one tent left.
[*book:Hating the Player|60863718]
🦃Outstanding:
Week 9 - everyone
Weeks 6 & 8 - Nikki
Nikki - you need to post a completion ASAP!! Sorry - because it is the second last week you can't pull out.
(Kat let me know via PM before I posted week 10 so she was able to pull out :)
Week 10: selection post option 2
300 pages
On ariel read list
Read 11/4/23
Rating 5 stars
Jane (PS) wrote: "🦃Outstanding:
Week 9 - everyone
Weeks 6 & 8 - Nikki
Nikki - you need to post a completion ASAP!! Sorry - because it is the second last week you can't pull out.
(Kat let me know via PM before I..."
Apologies - I’m in Melbourne at a dance competition but I will post it as soon as we are done tonight
Week 8: Completion PostBook:
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Read: 11/17/23
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Review: I am really enjoying this series and this book just increased my enjoyment. I am a big fan of time travel reads and this book is a really nice combination of modern and historic. I like the chemistry between Mallory and Duncan and the dynamics between all the main characters is fun. I loved the mystery and even through i kinda guessed the murderer early on, I still enjoyed the journey and everything else that went i in to the story . I can't wait to read more about the adventures of Mallory and Dr Gray.
Week 6: Completion PostBook:
Author: Robyn Carr
Read: 11/28/23
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I'd forgotten how much I enjoy this series and through I couldn't necessarily remember all the previous characters in this one, I still enjoyed the story. I found Tom a little judgmental and shallow at times but overall I really liked this pairing even if some of the romance felt a little quick. I liked how the author weaved a couple of stories into this one book and that we got to see some series favourites also. I will definitely be reading on in this series as this book has renewed my interest in the series as a whole
Completion Post Week 10 Option 1
Hating the Player
Read On: 29 November 2023
Rating:5 stars
Review: I'd forgotten how much I love these characters and Rebecca's over all writing style. I adored seeing my original book boyfriend from Rebecca's first series in this book as the now happily married basketball coach to Gavin, As she did with the first book in this series Rebecca focuses less on her characters persona and more on what makes them uniquely themselves. In this book both Violet and Gavin are at a constant state of tension of wanting each other but both of them fearful so saying so due to lifelong fears. I loved the support and understanding that both character received from both sides. The guys are all just jocks loading up on gym routines, classes and such. The other reason why this series stands out a bit is that the MMCs aren't what you would expect them to be from the roles they are playing for the campus due to their athletics. They want and need more - yet they aren't ever really given a chance to say that very often. And it almost cost Gavin and Violet everything. The friendship at the Wallflowers house is gorgeous example of what every true female friendship should have. The ability to be jealous, upset, and angry that you aren't something that another of your friends is - but allowing yourself space to settle and soak in your feelings before you go out and fully celebrate the woman you love as a sister. These are woman who will open themselves up to each other and even if they haven't gotten around to showing their most vulnerable or hidden parts of themselves, they give each other true space with just being there with them and not pushing for answers. They trust in the friendship enough to know that the story will come eventually. It's just somewhere so deep in hurt or distrust of others that they can't get it out yet. For Violet it was feeling so silly and so immensely drawn to Gavin that she felt like the worst cliche in the entire world. Her friends supported her but also encouraged her to let herself heal by listening to what he had to say. Now I just want to binge the rest of this series - but I can't yet LOL
[*book:Hating the Player|60863718]
Week 10 selections for Ariel and NikCompletions for everyone Week 9...
Week 9: CompletionOption 2
Book: Wildcat
Author: Rebecca Jenshak
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Oh my gosh, I totally understand why Maggie rated this 5 stars. This was such a good read that I read it all in one day (and procrastinated on writing a review - LOL). This is one of those books where I really enjoyed both of the protagonists. I loved that Scarlett was relatable and it was fun to see her fall in love because it relates to you wanting to fall in love - if that makes sense. :)
Read by: Maggie in July 2023 - 5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Week 10 SelectionHappy Trail Daisy Prescott
Task: Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location, or where at least one MC sleeps in a tent.
Qualification: #5 on the Nature Lovers - Romances With Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Backpacking, Mountain Climbing And More list
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Completion Post Week 9 Option 1
The Takeover
Read On: 1 December 2023
Rating:4 stars
Review: This book was one that took me longer to read, but once I got into the middle of the plot it really took off for me. It really started to run with me as Tristan began to have more of a relationship with Claire's boys. I loved watching how he fell in love with them as fiercely as he fell in love with her. I can understand now how this is some of my friend's favorite of the Miles series. The end scene with Tris and Jameson and Tris' parting words to his brother - THAT is just sob worthy. You need to read it for the full impact as you absoultely need the entire journey of the book for that line to hit the way TL wrote it to hit. I liked Claire. There were times I wanted to shake her, hate her, and at times I pitied her a bit. I understood her stubbornness and her determination. There is a young widow in my life who is raising her boys and I see a lot of Claire in my friend. Claire both hit home for me and yet....I wish TL had move her along a little faster in the process. Claire is smarter than some of her actions in the book would have allowed her to be. Not my book though. I'm just the reader. Overall I would recommend this book for both the steam factor but for a lot of other reasons. The blended family. The writing of the kiddos into the story. The full growth arc of Tristian himself. The way the boys were able to move from mini adults back into childhood because of Tristan. There is a lot of gorgeous writing and thought that went into this book and I'm sort of sorry it languished on my TBR for so long. My apoligies to it. It's a 4 star read only for the slow start and the making me want to DNF and come back to it ... before blowing me away with the real story it was hiding.
[*book:The Takeover|52276459]
Hey all, My house has been hit with COVID.
My husband seems to be the worse currently. The kids are asymptomatic thus far, but I've been experiencing little symptoms that are starting to build up. Notably I have a cough that is getting a little bit more than my inhaler can control and my migraines are daily right now.
I'll be online for a little bit to track what we have for completions.
Nikki - I believe I saw completions for weeks 6 and 8 as I was scrolling through - THANK YOU!
I'll get our main page updated as well.
I just need to get the house situated for food first. My parents are high risk and my dad has the gall to be heading to Boston to be with his brother for some medical testing. Which rules my siblings out as helpers as my mom needs them. I'm at the mercy of grocery drop off apps. LOL. Hopefully no one will care that we will be on canned goods for a week.
Week 11 has been called!Please note that this week and next week Option 3 (Passing) is not allowed as we are in the final two weeks of this challenge
Week 11
Option 1
17. Per capita, Europe has the highest coffee drinking nations
Read a book set in Europe (mainland plus British Isles). British Isles includes UK and Ireland.
Option 2
Key date: 2 June 2023
If you use this option, this week you must select your book from the team shelves immediately below your team in this list. The last team picks from the first team.
9 Got a Latte to Read
1 Brew HaHa!
2 Caffeinated Chapter Chasers
3 Livin' La Vida Mocha
8 Lattes & Lovers
6 Bean There, Read That
7 Plots-a-Percolating
5 Patronum Espresso
10 Books & Brews
4 Brewed Awakening
Book from this 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.
Please make sure the teammate you select your book from is CURRENTLY still playing the game. Players' shelves who have left at not available for this option.
Option 3
Not available this week
Selection Post Week 11 Option 1
Engagement Rate
Page numbers: 330 pages, Kindle Edition
How the book qualifies: From the precis ENGAGEMENT RATE is a steamy office romance with no cheating and a happily ever after. It's the first book in the CALLAGHAN GREEN SERIES, set in London, England.
[*book:Engagement Rate|42200398]
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Engagement Rate (other topics)The Takeover (other topics)
Happy Trail (other topics)
Wildcat (other topics)
Hating the Player (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Daisy Prescott (other topics)Rebecca Jenshak (other topics)
Robyn Carr (other topics)
Kelley Armstrong (other topics)
Rebecca Jenshak (other topics)
More...
Week 7
Devil in the Details: A Billionaire Reverse Age-Gap Workplace Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: I've found a new author that I love! This story was more than I expected from it based on the blurb. Both the MMC and the FMC were richly detailed and multilayered beyond what one would expect from the younger editor moonlighting as a dom in a water based adult club at night. There were a few themes that I wish the author had explored more. Lincoln the main character grapples with a load of self guilt and inner self worth issues that I believe probably rest with the bulk of kids who have matriculated out the of RC Catholic school systems in the US. I know that everything that the author included in the book hit right on the spot for my experiences. Complete with the into adulthood voices of those who judged us the harshest without questioning in our childhood. There was more there that the author could have added into the play of the MMCs relationship yet she kept in all internal for Linc. I understand it from a standard male role but....would have liked to have seen him have that final push of growth as well. I also liked that Elinora was able to finally have a wall smashed into her face by her friends and was forced to look beyond her own pain and past betrayals to understand that she HAD to listen to the other side occassionally. And understand that she isn't going to know everyone's side of the story just from one POV. Overall a great read. I would recommend it. I liked the side characters. I thought the older woman/younger man was written well as it wasn't a Mrs. Robinson like plot and the author highlighted very clearly that at some point shortly after leaving college, age can become just a number. It's more the maturity of what a person has lived and grown through that is the match and the power balance in a relationship in adulthood. Not what generation you are part of. Well, sometimes. but not all of the time. And not in this case.