Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP Bookin' through the Pages (T5)
Vicki wrote: "just curious what the broken link does..."Speaking as a Captain in other challenges, its a huge help 'cos it means the Captain doesn't have to search for the book to insert it when they create the tracking posts each week. They also know they have the correct edition of the book that you have posted :)
Jane (PS) wrote: "Vicki wrote: "just curious what the broken link does..."Speaking as a Captain in other challenges, its a huge help 'cos it means the Captain doesn't have to search for the book to insert it when ..."
Oh, OK, thanks, Jane. :)
Are our books due each Thursday or Friday?
Vicki wrote: "Are our books due each Thursday or Friday?"Books are due on Friday, technically before the next call (usually evening US time) but Jane gives us a grace period with this challenge. As long as a player isn't more than 2 books behind at the time of the call, we are all good. That means for this week's call #2, if you aren't finished with your book, it's okay. But by next week's call #3, you have to have finished at least one of week 1 or 2's books.
Does that make sense?
Completion Post: 🌟Week 1🌟Option 1
[*book:Beyond That, the Sea|60784759]
🌟Read: 9 April 2024
🌟Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I loved this book that took me through about 40 years. It began with little Beatrix (Bea, Trixie) being sent off to the USA to live with a family in Maine because she lived in London where bombs were beginning to drop. When she arrived at the home of Nancy and Ethan, she fit right in with the family who only had two boys: William and Gerald. The boys were polar opposites and Bea was slowly but surely becoming Nancy's daughter in her heart since she'd never had a little girl. They became a family to Bea the longer she was there, to the point she almost didn't like the idea of going back to London 5-6 years later.
The two families were in many ways like one but in other ways the mothers were almost in competition. However, their journey became a great story of love, belonging, forgiveness, sharing, and learning to deal with difficult times in life.
Looks like i'm the lone hold-out for completions this week! I should be done early tomorrow. I had a crazy work week and didn't get to read as much during the day as I usually do.I'll be out this evening for dinner with my son who is home visiting, so may not see Jane's call right away. But I'll post here for easy reference once I'm back.
Hope you're reading week was good!
LaurLa wrote: "Looks like i'm the lone hold-out for completions this week! I should be done early tomorrow. I had a crazy work week and didn't get to read as much during the day as I usually do.I'll be out this..."
I love that LaurLa. I have a son who lives about 325 miles to the south of me and a son who lives about the same distance to the north of me, so I value those moments that are far and few between. Enjoy!!!
Week 2Link to Jane's post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 1
11. Mainland Europe
Read a book set in mainland Europe
Mainland Europe does not include the UK. Please ask if you aren't sure.
For all the location/setting tasks, the book does not have to be solely set in that location; it simply needs at least one scene set there. The usual precise, main page, tag or list will need to be provided to show how the book qualifies.
If you aren't sure how to insert links in your posts, please read these instructions in the Q&A thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 2
Key date: 6 October 2023
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Option 3
Pass
A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.
Selection Post🚦Week 2Option 1
Call🚦11. Mainland Europe
Task🚦Read a book set in mainland Europe
Book🚦Changing Nature
Pages🚦400 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🚦from the precis: Saira and her friends emerge onto the gloomy streets of Paris in 1429 to find it besieged by marauding wolves.
[*book:Changing Nature|27406008]
Selection PostWeek #2
Option 1
[*book:Lost in You|43891615]
Pages: 324
Qualification: Per description on goodreads: “Joining him on the mission to Munich should be the perfect opportunity to test their skills and cement their relationship.”, “While they chase dark secrets across Europe…”
✈️ Selection Post ✈️Week #2, Option 1
Task: Read a book set in mainland Europe
[*book:Racing the Sun|25914878]
Page count: 338 pages
Qualification: Setting is Capri, Italy according to the precis: "...a young woman who becomes a nanny in Capri and falls for her charges’ bad-boy brother... There are worse places to be stuck than the gorgeous coastline of southern Italy, but the only job she manages to secure involves teaching English to two of the brattiest children she’s ever met."
Selection PostWeek #2, Option 1
Task: Read a book set in mainland Europe
[*book:Love & Gelato|25756328]
Page count: 386 pages
Qualification: Set in Italy as listed as setting on the books page
Selection Post: 🌟Week 2🌟Option 1
🌟Call: 11. Mainland Europe
🌟Task: Read a book set in mainland Europe
🌟Book: The Keeper of Hidden Books
🌟Pages: 416
🌟How it Fits: Set in Poland. MPG Poland. From précis: But the closer Warsaw creeps toward liberation, the more dangerous life becomes for the women and their families—and escape may not be possible for everyone.
[*book:The Keeper of Hidden Books|62054146]
Completion Post🚦Week 1Option 1
Call🚦14. Tourist destination
Task🚦Read a book set in one of the following cities - London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong
Book🚦Death in Kew Gardens
Pages🚦302 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🚦book's main page lists London as setting
Date Read🚦04.13 ★★★★
Review
Such a tame series compare to the author's other series but I love Kat and her band of friends. This is very much a murder mystery series with just a hint of romance, but it's enough to keep us addicts reading more. I do enjoy the perspective of the story-telling from under the stairs and it's interesting that the rules of propriety and class distinction are more pronounced in the 'servant' class than in the upper classes. Don't know how accurate that is but it is definitely something to think about.
It was so lovely and easy to paste everything for this week's selections into the tracking post... thank-you all for having the broken link and all of your qualifications added correctly! Happy weekend and I hope it's filled with lots of reading!
I'm glad we all remembered and made it easier for you!
Completion PostWeek #2
[*book:Lost in You|43891615]
Read: 4/15/24
Rating: ✶✶✶✶
Review:
I was looking forward to reading Robert’s and Ariel’s story, and it definitely did not disappoint. There was plenty of heat between these two. And there were some real surprises about Robert and Ariel’s past. I like that we also got to read about other characters as well. The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger, and really has me wanting to read more!
Completion PostWeek #2, Option 1
Task: Read a book set in mainland Europe
[*book:Love & Gelato|25756328]
Date Read: 4/17
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review:
Now I want to travel to Italy and eat gelato with cute half-italian guys. It's a good clean YA romance.
Completion/Selection Post🚦Week 2Option 1
Call🚦11. Mainland Europe
Task🚦Read a book set in mainland Europe
Book🚦Changing Nature
Pages🚦400 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🚦from the precis: Saira and her friends emerge onto the gloomy streets of Paris in 1429 to find it besieged by marauding wolves.
Date Read🚦04.17 ★★★★
Review
This is a very interesting series with time travel at it's core. I don't usually like YA fantasy, but I am enjoying Saira, the MC - she is smart and resourceful and doesn't angst over what she can't control. The time travel thing can be a little hard to follow when they are popping back and forth in time, especially only a few months apart. In this book, you can't be in the same time as your historical (or future) self, so when someone who has died shows up in the past, changes things so he doesn't die... what happens to the timeline? That's really what the book is about - how do we know the history we know is the 'real' history? Are we part of an alternative time stream? Interesting questions!
This week has been rather busy, but I am now at 70% in my book and should be done some time tomorrow 😊
I will be posting my book sometime tomorrow or possibly the next day, Saturday.
Thanks for the updates! Hope the weekend is kind to your reading efforts!
🗺️ Completion Post 🗺️Week #2 , Option #1
[*book:Racing the Sun|25914878]
Date read: 4/19/24
Rating: 3.75★
Review: The heroine was likable and her feelings of being lost and unsure of her future are very relatable for me personally. I was rooting for her on her journey to find herself and her dreams.
As for the hero, ehhhh.... It's great the story puts a spotlight on mental health and depression, but I'm sorry to say, this guy just had a LOT of issues to work through and placed far too much of the burden of "fixing" them on the heroine. No wonder the poor gal ran for the hills. Yes, I totally saw that third act breakup coming. (And I loathe third act breakups.) Luckily it only lasted a chapter, lol.
I saw the mixed reviews so I was honestly a bit apprehensive when I started reading, but it turned out to be a really emotional rollercoaster of a book in the best way!
✈️ Selection Post ✈️Week #3 , Option 1
Task: Read a book with 8 and 0 in the publication date of the book's first Kindle edition
[*book:A Princess in Theory|35828223]
Page count: 389 pages
Qualification: first Kindle edition published February 27, 2018
Selection PostWeek #3
Option 1
[*book:Consort of Fire|123521649]
Pages: 398
Qualification: 1st edition kindle published November 28, 2023
Week 3Link to Jane's post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 1
16. Around the World in 80 Days
Read a book with 8 and 0 in the publication date of the book's first Kindle edition
For all the location/setting tasks, the book does not have to be solely set in that location; it simply needs at least one scene set there. The usual precise, main page, tag or list will need to be provided to show how the book qualifies.
If you aren't sure how to insert links in your posts, please read these instructions in the Q&A thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 2
Key date: 13 October 2023
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Option 3
Pass
A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.
Selection Post🚦Week 3Option 1
Call🚦16. Around the World in 80 Days
Task🚦Read a book with 8 and 0 in the publication date of the book's first Kindle edition
Book🚦Fragments of Ash
Pages🚦263 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🚦linked edition is first kindle edition published in October 1st 2018
[*book:Fragments of Ash|40997573]
Selection Post ~ 🌟Week 3🌟Option 1
🌟Call: 16. Around the World in 80 Days
🌟Task: Read a book with 8 and 0 in the publication date of the book's first Kindle edition
🌟Book: The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
🌟Pages: 352 (GR Kindle, linked edition)
🌟How it Fits: The edition linked above is the first kindle edition first published April 18th 2023 or 4/18/2023 so it has a 0 and 8 in its publication date.
[*book:The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder|61854923]
Completion Post🚦Week 3Option 1
Call🚦16. Around the World in 80 Days
Task🚦Read a book with 8 and 0 in the publication date of the book's first Kindle edition
Book🚦Fragments of Ash
Pages🚦263 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🚦linked edition is first kindle edition published in October 1st 2018
Date Read🚦04.21 ★★★★
Review
There were some definitely darker elements to this book, most of it off page thankfully, but a couple of somewhat graphic scenes were on page, so I was glad there was a trigger and subject matter warning in the blurb. But for all that, the story was sweet. Smexy times, yes, but the love story was sweet - no big misunderstandings or over-angsting over things they should just talk about. That was good because with the love story easy, it allowed us to focus on the female MC's arc of being a scared, sheltered and emotionally, if not physically, abused girl to learning her voice and how to own and overcome her feelings of abandonment and rejection by her family.
Geri wrote: "Selection PostWeek #3
Option 1
[*book:Consort of Fire|123521649]
Pages: 398
Qualification: 1st edition kindle published November 28, 2023"
I've got my eye on this one! Though I'll probably wait until the second book is out first before diving in just in case there's a cliffhanger ending.
minnemoo wrote: "I've got my eye on this one! Though I'll probably wait until the second book is out first before diving in just in case there's a cliffhanger ending.."LOL Probably a good plan. I’m about halfway done and enjoying it so far.
🗺️ Completion Post 🗺️Week #3 , Option #1
[*book:A Princess in Theory|35828223]
Date read: 4/22/24
Rating: 4★
Review: This was just super cute and fun, especially in the beginning. Couldn't stop giggling at Prince Thabiso's "fish out of water" moments trying to blend in with us regular folks 🤣 I liked the character development of both the hero and heroine. Ledi was quite stubborn with her need to push people away, so it was nice seeing her gradually open up and realize she wasn't alone anymore.
While the first half was the chef's kiss, the second half was a lot more rushed, especially the subplot of the mystery/epidemic, and there was not much closure (imo) about Ledi's backstory. I also wanted to read more about the country of Thesolo, but that could just be my fantasy worldbuilding nerd speaking lol.
Geri wrote: "minnemoo wrote: "I've got my eye on this one! Though I'll probably wait until the second book is out first before diving in just in case there's a cliffhanger ending.."LOL Probably a good plan. I..."
Nice! Looking forward to your review :)
Selection Post ~ Week 3Option 1
Task: Read a book with 8 and 0 in the publication date of the book's first Kindle edition
Of Secrets and Wolves by Alice Winters
[*book:Of Secrets and Wolves|56689609]
Pages: 345
Qualification: First published January 28, 2021
Completion PostWeek #3
[*book:Consort of Fire|123521649]
Read: 4/23/24
Rating: ✶✶✶
Review:
This was my first book by Kit Rocha. I enjoyed some parts of this book more than others. I liked the romance. It was a slow burn, polyamorous romance (FMF). It was seductive and sexy. And Ash, the dragon God, surprised me. He wasn’t the stereotypical alpha male. What I didn’t like as much was the world building. It could have been better. And the pacing of the fantasy and romance aspects of the story weren’t well balanced. So things felt a bit disjointed to me. Not sure yet if I will continue the series.
Completion Post ~ 🌟Week 3🌟Option 1
[*book:The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder|61854923]
🌟Read: 9 April 2024
🌟Rating: 5 stars
I tend to love pirate books and historical fiction but not so much nonfiction; however, the cover and it being a ship, murder, and history, I figured I'd give it a try and I'm glad that I did.
The setting takes place in 1740 on the Wager, a ship that sailed with a fleet of five to confront the Spanish as well as find gold and silver. The Wager had just been restored after having been a merchant ship. They first needed to gather a crew, but as sad as it is that sometimes priorities such as safety are not taken. In this case, the crew that was hired was not of the caliber needed, and thus the eventual demise of the ship and crew. They were attacked by typhus and later, when in Brazil, another plague pounded them: scurvy. Unfortunately, even more men lost their lives to this disease than typhus had. Eventually, even the captain of the ship lost his life so Lieutenant Cheap took over but he wasn't so experienced. There were other disasters along the way, but once the ship wrecked, some men survived and made it to land. That piece of land was named Wager Island after the ordeal. There's a lot more to the story, but I've already given enough spoilers. It was really well-written, but I must add that there were a few editing issues.
Looks like we're in great shape! I will be away Friday when the call is made but I'll post it here as soon as I can. I know you all navigate to the announcement on your own, but I still like to post here for easy reference.@vicki - have I missed your completion post for Week 2 or are you still working on it?
Completion Post ~ Week 3Option 1
Task: Read a book with 8 and 0 in the publication date of the book's first Kindle edition
Of Secrets and Wolves by Alice Winters
[*book:Of Secrets and Wolves|56689609]
Date Read: 4/24
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review:
What I really liked was Winters approach at world creation. In her universe shifters are out, maybe always coexisted but they are 2nd class citizens suffering from sever injustice and each one copes differently. It's a dark world and no sass or banter can really light those shadows only friendship and love might make it bearable. No wonder the events which start the mystery are possible.
LaurLa wrote: "Looks like we're in great shape! I will be away Friday when the call is made but I'll post it here as soon as I can. I know you all navigate to the announcement on your own, but I still like to pos..."I also haven't seen Vicki's week 2 completion post :). I'm sure its on its way...
LaurLa wrote: "Looks like we're in great shape! I will be away Friday when the call is made but I'll post it here as soon as I can. I know you all navigate to the announcement on your own, but I still like to pos..."I was still working on it. lol I had to read my week 3 book first because it was due back today.
Vicki wrote: "I was still working on it. lol I had to read my week 3 book first because it was due back today."No worries! I get it, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing it or that it didn't accidentally get deleted or otherwise lost in cyberspace!
Selection PostWeek #4
Option 1
Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman
Pages: 400
Qualification: Has letters BUS in title and author name.
[*book:Christa Comes Out of Her Shell|191728113]
✈️ Selection Post ✈️Week #4, Option 2
[*book:Twisted Love|55817097]
Page count: 360 pages
Read by: Christene Paula
Date read / Rating: Read on February 11, 2024 and rated 4 stars
Week 4Link to Jane's post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 1
15. BUS
Read a book with the letters B, U and S in the name of the title, series and/or author
For all the location/setting tasks, the book does not have to be solely set in that location; it simply needs at least one scene set there. The usual precise, main page, tag or list will need to be provided to show how the book qualifies.
If you aren't sure how to insert links in your posts, please read these instructions in the Q&A thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 2
Key date: 20 October 2023
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Option 3
Pass
A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.
Selection Post🚦Week 4Option 1
Call🚦15. BUS
Task🚦Read a book with the letters B, U and S in the name of the title, series and/or author
Book🚦Blasphemous
Pages🚦403 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🚦letters of BUS in title
[*book:Blasphemous|18868742]
Selection Post Week #4, Option 1
Book: Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu
Pages: 416
How it Fits: All letters BUS in title and author's name combined
[*book:Peach Blossom Spring|58231775]
Completion PostWeek #4
[*book:Christa Comes Out of Her Shell|191728113]
Read: 5/1/24
Rating: ✶✶✶
Review:
I really loved The Bookish Life of Nina Hill. So I was looking forward to this book. I enjoyed this book. But it wasn’t as great as the other book. Christa was a little quirky. I checked at her a few times. The romance between her and Nate was low key and sweet. Mostly, though, this was a family story about Christa’s father returning to his family over 20 years later, when the family thought he was dead. The surprise at the end about Christa’s father wasn’t very surprising. A solid 3 star read.
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Week #1, Option 1
[*book:The Butterfly Collector|123266584]
Date Read: 4/8/24
Rating: 3.25★
Review: The last third of the book was sadly a letdown. After the buildup of the mystery, all the secrets were revealed through coincidental meetings with people who just so happened to have been involved in or by some other way were connected to the events over fifty years ago. One chance meeting...sure, I can suspend disbelief. Multiple times? That's when I started shaking my head. It was all too conveniently wrapped up, yet I still had questions.
Even so, the author has a nice, lyrical writing style that drew me into the story, and I couldn't stop turning the pages, eager to know what happened next. This is the second book I've read by Tea Cooper, and I certainly would be interested in checking out more.