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R15: SS Team 2 - Touch My Shelf
Krissy wrote: "NEW ROLL - WEEK #2Previous Spot: 4
Roll: 4+6= 10
New Spot: 14
●standalone
●1st in a series
●4th in a series
●14th in a series
●Alt: Title 'M'"
Awesome roll!!! =D
I think I'm going to try to get one of the bonus points:✸ 2 in 1: One point can be earned for reading a book that fits both the series number and the alternate for the spot you are on.
. This is the first in the series and the title starts with M.
I forgot about bonus points....Selection post change
by Cali MellePages 326
How it fit - 1st in the series and starts with "M"
Selection post - Week 2Spot 14
The Inconvenient Love by Briar Prescott
Pages: 266
How it fits: #4 in Better With You Series
Since we can only get that bonus point once, I decided to pull something else from my TBR. In The Lives Of Puppets by TJ Klune. It’s a different read for me, but so far so good. I’m enjoying it.
Week 2, Spot 14
Waking the Dreamer by K. Aten
Date Read: 2/24/24
How It Fits: Standalone
Pages: 311
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Gorgeously written but I always expect that from Aten. I liked this but it wasn't one of my favorites from her. I think the sci-fi elements were very intriguing but a lot of it felt like info dump and left my head spinning a bit.
I did like that it was an action packed read but what really worked for me was the romance. I loved the romance between Julia and Niko. Both women are absolute badasses and awesome characters and I thought they had great chemistry. I really like the way their relationship developed and they were wonderful together. This is one that I feel like I would enjoy even more upon a reread but as it is it's well paced, action packed with a lovely romance with two awesome leads.
SELECTION POSTWeek 2, Spot 14
My Choice: Everyone But Myself by Julie Chavez
Pages: 240
How it Fits: standalone
[*book:Everyone But Myself|123087979]
Completion post - Week 2Spot 14
The Inconvenient Love by Briar Prescott
Pages: 266
How it fits: #4 in Better With You Series
Rating: 3.5 Stars Rounded Up
Review: I really loved this series and I liked this one quite a bit but just not as much as the other books in this series. I liked the MC's and they were very cute together but there was just a little something missing for me. Could be that I'm not a big fan of he "i can't date you because you are my friend's sibling" trope. It was done really well in this book though. This is definitely an author that is on my auto buy list and so far I have enjoyed everything they have written.
Completion post - week 2Spot 14
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
How it fits: Standalone
Rating: 5 stars
Review: This book starts off with Giovanni building a home in the woods. A man and a woman running through the wood give him their child for safekeeping, alluding to them being followed or hunted. That child, Victor, grows up with Giovanni as well as 2 robots. One of them is a med bot named Nurse Ratched, who I absolutely loved. She brought a lot of comic relief and broke up some of the tougher parts of the story. The other is a roomba named Rambo. The trouble starts when Victor finds another android and tries to bring it back to life.
There is a lot in this book that made me laugh, cry and think. For instance, can robots think and feel? What happens when the robots become smarter and sentient? Although this is touched on, this isn’t the main plot. This was a very touching story about love and forgiveness. There are some deeper themes that you could pull out of this book as well, including some moral questions, which is probably where I’m having a harder time organizing my thoughts. I didn’t care for the romantic interest between human and robot. I think the story would have been fine without it.
This book comes at a time when the world is trying to optimize AI. Because of that, it was hard for me to read this without drawing parallels to real life. This was probably part of the point the author was trying to make, and ultimately why I loved the story. It's rare that a book will force me to think about the themes after I have put it down, but this one did.
COMPLETION POSTWeek 2, Spot 14
My Choice: Everyone But Myself by Julie Chavez
Pages: 240
How it Fits: standalone
Date Read: 2/28
Rating: ★★
Review: I am not sure why but I expected this to be wittier but it was really kind of dull. It wasn't very long but I struggled to get through it. Normally I avoid self-help books unless it is written with humor. Despite my boredom the book did have a lot of good advice on how to live with anxiety. The protagonist was quite a hot mess in the beginning of the book. By the end she learns that with the right medication, the right therapist, and the support of good friends & family you can't cure anxiety but you can learn to cope with it. Having anxiety doesn't have to stop you from living life. Good lessons to learn it's just too bad the writing wasn't more engaging
I will have my book done by tomorrow. I haven't forgotten.
Completion Post Week 2 Spot 14
by Cali MellePages 326
How it fits - 1st in the series and counts for the bonus Points
Rating ★ ★ ★ ★
Read 2/23/24
Review
I've been on a hockey kick recently so I had to check this one out. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Harper and Nico it was the instant sizzling undeniable connection. It never ends well when you try to hide a relationship which is exactly what happens but it works out in the end. It was a quick fast paced story that I devoured in just one afternoon. I'm planning on continuing the series as I enjoyed it. I do admit that I'm not a huge fan of calling someone Love but it grew on me as the story progressed.
Week 2 - Spot 14Alternate - M in the title
Christina - In the Lives of Puppets ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Review
Denise - The Bluest Eye★ ★ ★★ ★ Review
Krissy - Everyone But Myself★ ★ Review
Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) -Waking the Dreamer ★★★★ Review
Danielle Gypsy Soul - The Inconvenient Love★★★.5 Review
Mandy - Meet Me in the Penalty Box★ ★ ★ ★Review
Bonus Points - 1 for my book fit dice roll and starts with M
Completion postSpot 14
The Bluest Eye
Standalone
Red February 29th
I picked this up for block history month. It have been on my TBR list for a long time and I'm glad I finally got to it. I enjoyed it a lot but was slightly confused by the jump around between the different characters. It all made sense in the end but while reading it it wasn't quite making a lot of sense.
Five stars
Awesome someone want to roll for us and i'll get us posted.
Previous Spot: 14Roll: 4 +3 = 7
New Spot: 21
● Standalone
●1st in a series
●2nd in a series
●21st in a series
●Alt: Europe
Tempting Olivia by Clare Ashton
Pages: 404
How it fits: Book 2 in the 'Oxford Romance' series
I'll probably decide what I want to read tomorrow. However, I just realized that I will be on vacation the last week in March (24-30th). If possible, I would like to be exempt from that week. I don't know how much time I'll have to read. Thanks!
Mod
Sure thing! :)
Week 3 Selection Post - Spot 21
New World: Made for Me by Lily X.
Pages: 309
How it fits: Book 2 in the 'New World' series
Week 3 Selection Post Spot 21 
A Curse of Blood and Wolves by Melissa McTernanPages 356
How it fits: 1st in series.
I'm reading Starter Villain by John Scalzi for this week. It is a standalone. Considering this is a series challenge, I might want to think about doing more of those, but I'm at least enjoying nocking a few things off my TBR for the moment. :-) 
Week 3 Selection PostSpot 21
Shadow of Doubt by Hailey Edwards
Pages: 259
How it Fits: #1 in The Potentate of Atlanta
Week 3, Spot 21
New World: Made for Me by Lily X.
Date Read: 3/3/24
How It Fits: Book two in the 'New World' series
Pages: 309
Rating: ★★★★
Review: I'm glad that I finally continued on with this series because I liked this one even more than the first. We got a lot more world building in this book and action in this which I loved. The writing is smooth and the pacing made this a quick and addictive read.
The characters were awesome. Kit and Ana have a bit of a rocky start. Kit is on the run from a mad scientist and she gets captured by Ana who is a hunter. I loved the bantering between them and they had really great chemistry. The spice is fantastic and I enjoyed the slight D/s elements between them. That was fun. I thought they were perfect for each other and their different personalities balanced each other out really well. I loved how once Ana learned what had happened to Kit she was determined to protect her. I swooned hard. Minus some minor plot holes I had a great time with this.
SELECTION POSTWeek 3, Spot 21
My Choice: The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
Pages: 219
How it Fits: Feminine Pursuits #1
[*book:The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics|42117380]
Completion postStarter Villain by John Scalzi
5 stars
Qualifies as a standalone.
336 pages
Review: While this book is technically a sci-fi book, to me it was more of a comedy. I laughed through a good portion of this book. There are some scenes in here that were truly absurd, like funeral arrangements with "Suck it motherfucker" engraved on the vase. The sci-fi elements were there, but they weren't overly technical. I would definitely recommend this book to others, even if they aren't sci-fi fans.
Week 3 Completion PostSpot 21
Shadow of Doubt by Hailey Edwards
Pages: 259
How it Fits: #1 in The Potentate of Atlanta
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: It's been forever since I read the series that this spins off of so it took me a bit to really remember the MC in this book and it's probably good that it's been awhile since I'm pretty sure I did not like her and she was a villain in the first series. But hey, I really don't remember it and she's looking for a new start so it's easy to be okay with that. I really enjoyed this book and liked the MC quite a bit. She's set on atonement and doing right and she's passionate about it. She's tough but you also get to see her emotions. The plot was interesting and you can see a romance in the making. Although TBH I was rooting for Ford over Midas but it isn't to be. I like Midas well enough I just liked Ford more.
COMPLETION POSTWeek 3, Spot 21
My Choice: The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
Pages: 219
How it Fits: Feminine Pursuits #1
Date Read: 3/06
Rating: ★★★
Review: This could have been a five star audiobook. It had everything going for it. Amazing narrator, good writing, unconventional MC, beautiful romance between bisexual widow & a younger nerdy lesbian, perfect amount of steam, absolutely STUNNING cover..... Unfortunately the middle portion bored me to tears. I was literally nodding off while driving. The last 25% or so picked up and I breezed right through it. That still didn't make up for that dull middle. I think the issue might have been that too much time and detail was spent on the science aspect of the story. I'm sure there are people who love reading that kind of hibbity jibbity but I ain’t one of them 🤷♀️ I will say this, that small twist at the end? *chef's kiss*
Completion PostWeek 3 Spot 21
The Risk
Pages 132
How it Fits: 1st in the Mindf*ck series
Date Read 3/4/2024
Rating ★★★★★
Review: I've had this one sitting on my kindle for years but never got around to it till this week. I loved Lana her story is tragic but it's beautifully done. I ended up devouring all 5 books in just a couple of days because I couldn't put them down. This is a dark twisted female serial kill romance that may just be the best book I read in 2024. I loved them! Highly recommend checking it out if you like dark romance.
Completion postSpot 21
Illuminations
Read 3/7
4 stars
This book has been recommended to me multiple times, so I had to pick it up. I loved the way it started and it dragged me in quite quickly. I really am glad that it was brought to my attention. I really enjoyed it.
Week 3 - Spot 21Alternate - Europe
Christina - Starter Villain ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Review
Denise - Illuminations★ ★ ★★ Review
Krissy - The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics★★ ★ Review
Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) - New World: Made for Me★★★ Review
Danielle Gypsy Soul - Shadow of Doubt★★★★ Review
Mandy - The Risk★ ★ ★ ★★Review
Rolled....I'm so unlucky! Previous spot 21
Roll 1+1 = 2
New Spot 23
2nd in series
3rd in series
23 in series
23. Cover Item: Book
Selection PostWeek 3 - Spot 21
Heart of Fire by Lisa Edmonds
Pages: 366
How it Fits: #2 in the Alice Worth Series
Hers to Keep by Anna Stone
Pages: 244
How it fits: Book #3 in the Irresistibly Bound series
Ya Mandy, that was an unlucky roll. 🤣 oh well, time to find a book 🏃♀️
Week 4, Spot 23 selection postShelter Mountain, book 2 of the Virgin River Series
SELECTION POSTWeek 4, Spot 23
My Choice: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Pages: 304
How it Fits: Alt: Cover Item- book
[*book:The Wishing Game|62926992]
I don’t think I can read Shelter Mountain. Very emotional… and I don’t think I want that at the moment. I’ll let you know when I find something else.
Selection PostWeek 4 Spot 23
My choice
2nd in series
Completion PostWeek 3 - Spot 21
Heart of Fire by Lisa Edmonds
Pages: 366
How it Fits: #2 in the Alice Worth Series
Read: 3/9
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: I am really enjoying this series and Alice as a MC. I like that she's slowly starting to let people in her life and the relationship she has with both her ghost and her werewolf. You can see the danger lurking ahead and wonder how she will deal with her grandfather when the time comes. The plot it self in this book was good and I was surprised with what happened to Mark. I could definitely see how the hate groups would play out and it felt realistic. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
Week 4 Selection Post - Spot 23
The Bungalow Mystery by Carolyn Keene
Pages: 204
How it fits: Book #3 in the Nancy Drew series
Week 4, Spot 23
The Bungalow Mystery by Carolyn Keene
Date Read: 3/11/24
How It Fits: Book three in the 'Nancy Drew' series
Pages: 204
Rating: ★★★
Review: This started off good and had me intrigued and it was a smooth ride of a story until we got to the end of the book and had the reveals. Then I was bored. I feel like the ending kind of falls apart because there was a red herring that didn’t work and so the reveal just felt a bit convoluted which is unfortunate because this was going great until then.
An interesting mystery for Nancy to work through, some great side characters to help (and thwart) her along the way so I’ll give it three stars as it definitely wasn't anything terrible or awful or about it.
COMPLETION POSTWeek 4, Spot 23
My Choice: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Pages: 304
How it Fits: Alt: Cover Item- book
Date Read: 3/11
Rating: ★
Review: Thos was so frustrating!! We have a foster kid who becomes close to his teacher's aide. She decides she wants to adopt him. She's single, has no vehicle, has no home of her own, lives in an apartment with, like, 3 roommates, has no steady income, NOTHING. Yet, without a single thread of evidence she actually tells this vulnerable, hopeful boy that she WILL adopt him it's only a matter of saving up money. As if none of those other things matter. She took 2 years to save 2k. How the hell will she afford a kid? She actually tells the social worker that she can sleep on the floor while he sleeps in the bed and if she needs a car she can borrow her roommate's. She doesn't need all these vital things to raise a child because all she needs is LURVE. Gtfoh. Then she decides to enter this fucking weird ass contest about solving riddles just to win some book that she plans to sell. Enter some weird creepy lawyer who tried to talk her into selling it to him or something, she said no then poof he disappears and you never see him again. She also falls in love with an artist and basically the entire book was cringe and felt like it was written by a child who knows nothing about the foster system. It all end in a HEA for literally every single character in the book even the asshole character. Stupid
I'm still here! I'll get my book posted tomorrow
Krissy wrote: "COMPLETION POSTWeek 4, Spot 23
My Choice: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Pages: 304
How it Fits: Alt: Cover Item- book
Date Read: 3/11
Ratin..."
Sorry your book wasn't good - it does sound pretty stupid :)
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Finally Forever (other topics)An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good (other topics)
Defying Logic (other topics)
Heart of Shadows (other topics)
The Secret of Shadow Ranch (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Nadia Lee (other topics)Helene Tursten (other topics)
Lisa Edmonds (other topics)
Carolyn Keene (other topics)
Lisa Edmonds (other topics)
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I'll leave posting the new spot in the other thread for you 👍