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R15: SS Team 6 - Series-Us Readers

Spot: 38
Book: The Twisted Dead
Pages: 345
Date Read: 3/26
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How it Fits: #3 in the Gravekeeper series
Review: Darcy Coates writes horror so well. These books are a wonderful blend or supernatural and human villains, as well as the good guys.
3rd book in the series and she delivers. Keira is a resourceful and strong FL.
Highly recommended. Available on KU.



Pages: 234 Pages
How it fits: North Bay Pursuits #8
Date completed: 3/26/2024
Rating: ****
Review: A wonderful conclusion to this series. Beau and Dean deserve to find guys who love and understand them and their relationship. Drake and Malcolm were perfect for this.


Week 6 - Spot 38

Book: You Must Remember This
Pages: 320
Date Read: 3/27
Rating: 3
How it Fits: Title starts with Y
Review: The culprit can be easily guessed if you know the usual tropes in the mystery genre, and I think the author knows it too, because they basically revealed the culprit halfway through the book. But this didn't stop me from enjoying the book and its dual timeline and knowing the characters better.

Spot: 38

Crochet and Cauldrons by Nancy Warren
Date Read: 3/28
Rating: 3*
This is the 3rd installment in the Vampire Knitting club series. This was a cute funny cozy with a host of characters. Lucy unwittingly releases an ancient curse signifying her impending doom. Which can only be broken by killing the demon who created it. Whilst trying to uncover the demon’s identity Lucy has to deal with her parents visit as well as the endless students looking to go on the next dig with them. At least she doesn’t have to worry about the wool shop she inherited thanks to her new shop assistant, the seemingly perfect Eileen. I guessed the demon early on but did change my mind a couple of times when other suspects entered the mix.

Spot: 38
Book: Rogue Protocol
Author: Martha Wells
Read: 3/29/24
Fits: 3rd book in series
Rating: 3
Review: I feel like the book got off to a slow start for me but I still enjoyed the read. I enjoyed the relationship between Murderbot and Miki. Murderbots snarky comments are the best. He is starting to feel more human emotions. Can’t wait to see what’ll happen next in the series

Book: You, Again
Read: 3/29/2024
Fits: Y Title
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I loved this one! It's a romance built larger just around two people's interactions with each other without much other external plot driving the book. And while I am usually someone who wants that plot, the dynamic between the two main characters hit so perfectly for me that I found that this book just worked perfectly for me. Our main characters are both a little (or a lot) infuriating at times but I loved the journey they went over the years and everything in this book just felt so emotionally real to me. I hope Kate Goldbeck has something else coming out down the line!

Week 6
Cindy - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Erin - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Eunice - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Louise - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
MN Lisa - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Namita - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bonus Task Tracker:
✸ Always Alternate (Eunice) (view spoiler)
✸ Always Series (Lisa) (view spoiler)
✸ Always Series (Louise) (view spoiler)
✸ >=3 books in a series
✸ Starting and finishing a series

Week 7
Dice Roll: 2 + 4 = 6
Previous Space: 38
New Space: 44
Task: #4 in Series; #44 in Series; 44. Set in a place you've visited


Pages: 266 Pages
How it fits: Hell's Ankhor #4
Date completed: 3/31/2024
Rating: *****
Review: Mechanic Maverick lives and works at his garage, Ankhor Works. He's a trusted member of the MC Hell's Ankhor and a kind soul. Jonas is on the run from an abusive ex along with his 7 month old daughter. When his car breaks down in Elkin Lake, he finds his anchor in the storm. He learns to trust Mav and starts rebuilding his life.
While I kind of get the hot/cold from Jonas, it still really bothered me how he could do that to someone like Mav. I love that, with a little space, he was able to see what Mav was trying to do and accept him. After some hard times, they get their HEA.

Spot: 44
Book: The Hollow Dead
Pages: 345
Date Read: 3/31
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How it Fits: #4 in the Gravekeeper series
Review: Darcy Coates writes horror so well. These books are a wonderful blend or supernatural and human villains, as well as the good guys.
The suspense as she builds on the characters and the story is phenomenal. Keira is a Gravekeeper and spends her time helping the dead.
4th book in the series and she delivers. Keira is a resourceful and strong FL.


Book: The Duchess
Pages: 300
Date read: 4/3
Task: Set somewhere I've been
How it fits: set in London, I've been to London
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This one ended up being a mixed bag for me. The writing was very readable and I found myself reaching to pick it up easily. I liked both of our main characters individually as characters. I liked Valencia's friend group as well from what we saw of them. The premise was a solid one for my taste. And I liked picking up a historical romance where the female main character isn't under 25.
However there were some things that didn't quite work for me. The first was there were far too few interactions between Valencia and Rhain during the build up of their relationship. When they did interact I really liked their dynamic! But it hit a point where I checked how far into my ebook I was and was shocked it was like 65% because there just had not been nearly enough interaction between them to build a relationship that far into a standalone romance book.
I also thought the last about 10% was so out of nowhere. It could have worked with more set up or more time to actually explore the plot that got thrown in but as it was it felt very tacked on at the last minute and a little bit of whiplash that had me asking if I'd opened the wrong ebook to continue reading!
I would still be interested in giving more Sophie Jordan books a chance as I liked her writing and there were pieces of this I liked, but this one was just fine for me in the end.

Spot: 44
Book: Teague
Author: Juliana Stone
Read: 4/4/24
Pages: 223
Fits: 4th book in series
Rating: 3
Review: I think this has been my favorite book in the series so far. I loved Teague, Sabrina and the twins. This book had more of a family aspect then all the others. It was nice seeing to broken people slowly help put each other back together and grow to love one another and the twins just made everything much cuter. Took them forever to realize how they felt but glad they finally got there and got the happily ever after they both deserved

Spot: 44

Christmas at the Little Cottage on the Hill by Emma Davies
Date Read: 4/3
Rating: 3*
Review
This is the 4th instalment in the little cottage series. This was a quick enjoyable read with a host of characters from previous books in the series. I enjoyed reading about Ruby and Angus and loved how Jem adapted to his new surroundings with the gentle guidance of Angus. As this is the last in the series I now need to go and read the first 3 in the series.

Week 7 - Spot 44

Book: The Dentist by Tim Sullivan
Pages: 360
Date Read: 4/5
Rating: 4
How it Fits: Been to the UK, which is the country this book is set in
Review: As far as mysteries go, this protagonist is quite interesting and unique, being someone on the spectrum. He struggles with social interactions but greatly excels in his detective work. While we have had classic detectives who have autistic tendencies, this is the first book I've seen where the protagonist's idiosyncrasies due to his autism are extensively featured. I have no clue whether the portrayal of autism is authentic, but I didn't see any complaints among the reviews in GR. His approach to handling investigations is more meticulous and particular compared to other police procedural books that I've read, and it was fun reading through his investigation, although his awkward interactions do get a bit tiresome. While I currently enjoyed the way he elaborates on the protag's idiosyncrasies, I can see it getting old in the next books if the author goes into the same level of detail as he did in this first book. Although Cross is probably just as tired of us neurotypical people too lol

Week 7
Cindy - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Erin - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Eunice - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Louise - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
MN Lisa - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Namita - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bonus Task Tracker:
✸ Always Alternate (Eunice) (view spoiler)
✸ Always Series (Lisa) (view spoiler)
✸ Always Series (Louise) (view spoiler)
✸ >=3 books in a series
✸ Starting and finishing a series

Week 8
Dice Roll: 3 + 5 = 8
Previous Space: 44
New Space: 52
Task: #2 in Series; #5 in Series; 52. Published 2023

Spot: 52
Book: Grace
Author: Juliana Stone
Read: 4/8/24
Pages: 222
Fits: 5th book in series
Rating: 3
Review: This was the 5th book in the series and it was a good read. I liked getting to know more about Grace since she never really played any part in all the other books, she would just get a mention here and there. I liked the chemistry between her and Matt. Sometimes it seemed a little unrealistic but it was still a good read.


Pages: 175 Pages
How it fits: Timber Valley Wolf Pack #5
Date completed: 4/10/2024
Rating: ***
Review: Finn is Flynn's Twin Brother from Tucker's Trouble. Here we fall in love with Jude and Finn. They have a similar situation as Flynn and Tucker, but they don't really give much away in this story. We do learn more about their parents.
Jude, like many alphas in this series, finds his mate and "smothers" him with love and attention. I love the way these alpha's love.
We also learn more about the Fates and can't wait to read the next book.


Author: Evie Dunmore
Date Read: 4/9/2024
Pages: 432
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I was glad to finally pick up the last in this fun historical romance series! I thought this was overall a solid romance. I liked our two main characters together. I thought the plot revolving around the artifact repatriation was interesting. I enjoyed the epilogue giving a little glimpse into the future of the four women of the series a few decades down the line. I could have done without some of the chapters that switched point of view off our main couple however

Spot: 52
Book: The Dragon Who Loved Me
Pages: 383
Date Read: 4/11
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How it Fits: #5 in the Dragon Kin series
Review: These books are such a riot to read. Funny, easy to read and lot of good romance.
I enjoyed this couple very much. Vigholf the Abhorrent and Rhona the Fearless a super fun and super sexy.
I can't wait to read more.


Week 8 - Spot 52

Book: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
Pages: 483
Date Read: 4/10
Rating: 5
How it Fits: published February 28, 2023
Review: I had fun reading Amina and gang's epic rollercoaster of an adventure. Most of the main cast is easy to love, although you could say that they are in line with common character tropes. The story took a twist that I didn't expect at the beginning, but this being the start of a series made more sense after that. I anticipate seeing how the author will change it up in the next books because this book felt like it had it all. I even initially thought this was a standalone fantasy.

Week 8
Spot - 52

A Summer Wedding For The Cornish Midwife by Jo Bartlett
Date Read: 11/4
Rating: 4*
Review
This was the 2nd in the Cornish midwives series and was an enjoyable read following the relationship of head midwife Anna and her fiancé Bran as they prepare for their wedding and try to get pregnant. This was a light hearted poignant tearful read that ticked all the boxes. Have already gone back to read book 1

Week 8
Cindy - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Erin - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Eunice - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Louise - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
MN Lisa - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Namita - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bonus Task Tracker:
✸ Always Alternate (Eunice) (view spoiler)
✸ Always Series (Lisa) (view spoiler)
✸ Always Series (Louise) (view spoiler)
✸ >=3 books in a series
✸ Starting and finishing a series

Week 9
Dice Roll: 5 + 5 = 10
Previous Space: 52
New Space: 62
Task: #2 in Series; #6 in Series; 62. Author 'B'


Pages:
How it fits: A Noah & Cole Thriller #2
Date completed: 4/15/2024
Rating: *****
Review: I'm just not sure how to accurately describe the rollercoaster that is the second installment of Noah and Cole. I just loved this book and how Noah never gave up on Cole. He forced his way through Cole's shell and history and loved him all the same.
Wonderful book, wonderful series, wonderful author. Loved it!

Spot: 62
Book: Cooper
Author: Juliana Stone
Read: 4/16/24
Pages: 247
Rating: 3
Review: This was the 6th and final book of the series. I felt like it was a good end to the series. It was nice to see a different part of Coooer than we seen in all the other books of the series. I do wish there was a little more of the background of why Cooper was the way he was and what happened to him but I still enjoyed getting to know him better and learning all about Morgan
***Bonus: I started and finished this series during this challenge

Spot: 62
Book: A Fearsome Doubt
Pages: 384
Date Read: 4/18
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How it Fits: #6 Inspector Ian Rutledge series
Review:
This series is so good. Inspector Ian Rutledge is one fantastic character. He’s a consistent character with PTSD from the war.
His inner monologues are so good.
I really enjoyed this 6th instalment of the series.


Week 9 - Spot 62

Book: Serafina and the Black Cloak
Pages: 293
Date Read: 4/13
Rating: 4
How it Fits: author B
Review: This was a fun quick read. I was interested in the premise and the setting of this book, and I hope that her character and background will be further explored now that Serafina has met her real mother. The adults are dumb/useless which is typical of a middle-grade book.


The Housemate's Secret by Freida McFadden
Date Read: 4/18
Rating: 3.5 stars
How it fits: #2 in The Housemaid series
Review: A little bit of mixed feelings on this one. It had a slow start where it kind of just felt like a rehash of the first book to an extent. Once the plot really picked up though I was sucked in a lot more. I had some mixed feelings on the ending though. It initially felt pretty unearned and left me feeling a little like "wait that's how it's ending". And then the very, very end dropped some additional knowledge that if it had just been presented as it happened would have been a fine ending but it ended up just feeling like she wanted to get in one last gotcha and it just didn't work smooshed at the end like that

Spot: 63

Texas Outlaw by James Patterson
Date Read: 4/19
Rating: 4*
How It Fits: #2 Rory Yates
Review
This is the second in the Rory Yates series which follows on a few months after the events of Texas Ranger. In this instalment he finds himself in a Texas town to investigate the possible murder of a local councillor. He comes up against fierce opposition including the local Sheriff who insists the death is accidental. When more deaths occur Rory has to go rogue to uncover what is really happening in the small Texas town. Fast paced, this is exactly what I expect of a Patterson novel

Week 9
Cindy - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Erin - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Eunice - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Louise - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
MN Lisa - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Namita - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bonus Task Tracker:
✸ Always Alternate (Eunice) (view spoiler)
✸ Always Series (Lisa) (view spoiler)
✸ Always Series (Louise) (view spoiler)
✸ >=3 books in a series
✸

Week 10
Dice Roll: 4 + 5 = 9
Previous Space: 62
New Space: 71
Task: #1 in Series; #7 in Series; 71. Cover: Orange

Spot: 71
Book: A Time to Die
Author: Lurlene McDaniel
Read: 4/22/24
Pages: 192
Rating: 3
Review: The first book of the series was a quick easy read. I liked getting to know Kara and seeing her personality and positive outlook on life even though she’s fighting for every breath and living with an incurable disease. I like how she decided what to do with her gift. I started reading this author when I was in middle school, and I feel like it’s geared more towards that age range but still a nice easy read


Pages: 232 Pages
How it fits: Silver Oak Pack #1
Date completed: 4/23/2024
Rating: ****
Review: Another wonderful shifter storie. Golden Eagle Ore flies through the warding of the Silver Oak Pack in Kansas and is confronted by Panther Enforcer Cash. Only Ore doesn't know how he got there, where he came from and passes out right after they meet. Turns out, they are mates, but Silver Oak doesn't allow outsiders, especially if they are not cat shifters.
This was a beautiful story of re-gaining memories, love winning over all others and the wonderful world of mates. I loved seeing characters from The Mobster's Mate and the Kincaid Pack and can't wait to read more.

Beginner's Luck
Date Read: 4/24
Task: #1 in series
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I'm a big Kate Clayborn fan having started reading her with Love Lettering and loved all her releases since so I wanted to go back to her earlier books but this one was just fine for me. The couple got together too early into the book for my taste and left me bored for most of the second half. And I was not into the conflict in this one as it felt like a big over reaction based on nothing. I did enjoy some of the non romantic storylines going on in the background.

Spot: 71
Book: Beyond Scandal and Desire
Pages: 384
Date Read: 4/25
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How it Fits: #1 Sins for All Seasons series
Review:
A great start to a new series. Well, new to me. Lorraine Heath is a wonderful storyteller.
I love how she combines beautiful love stories with mystery, a bit of suspense and some heartbreaking moments.


Spot: 71

The Inn by James Patterson
Date Read: 4/24
Rating: 3*
How It Fits: #1 The Inn
Review
This was not one of Patterson best works it was muddled at best. Former detective has taken over the running of an inn in a small town. A series of deaths in the town lead him to investigate putting himself and the residents of the inn in the firing line of a drug ring which has deadly consequences. The only redeeming feature of this book was the fast pace style that is Patterson

Week 9 for me did that.
Task: #2 in Series; #6 in Series; 62. Author 'B'
Book: The Grave Between Us
Author: Tal Bauer
How it fits: A Noah & Cole Thriller #2
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Week 10 - Spot 71
Book: The Seven Year Slip
Author: Ashley Poston
Read: 4/26
Pages: 352
How It Fits: Orange cover

Rating: 5
Review: This book brought out both the tears and the fangirl in me. The start didn't pique my interest. It was only when Clementine met Iwan in the past that I began to get engrossed in the book. At that point, I knew this was going to be a happy ending, and I kept on reading in anticipation of that, except I didn't expect the tears along the way. So good, even for someone who doesn't like romance all that much like me.

Week 10
Cindy - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Erin - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Eunice - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Louise - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
MN Lisa - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Namita - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bonus Task Tracker:
✸ Always Alternate (Eunice) (view spoiler)
✸ Always Series (Lisa) (view spoiler)
✸ Always Series (Louise) (view spoiler)
✸ >=3 books in a series

Week 11
Dice Roll: 2 + 6 = 8
Previous Space: 71
New Space: 79
Task: #7 in Series; #9 in Series; 79. School/College/University setting
Books mentioned in this topic
Garnet Academy: School of Elites (other topics)Somebody's Perfect (other topics)
Twelfth Knight (other topics)
Made to Be Broken (other topics)
Releasing Death (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Kallypso Masters (other topics)Robert White (other topics)
Ashley Poston (other topics)
Tal Bauer (other topics)
James Patterson (other topics)
More...
Week 6
Dice Roll: 3 + 4 = 7
Previous Space: 31
New Space: 38
Task: #3 in Series; #8 in Series; #38 in Series; Title 'Y'