Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP Passport Pages (T7)
Option 1 – Week #3 PTP 16. Around the World in 80 Days
A Picture Perfect Christmas
A Picture Perfect Christmas by Candee Fick
135 pages per GR
First published November 12, 2018 per GR
Danielle wrote: "Selection Post - Week 3 - Option 1
Just a Bit Wrecked
Page count: 200
How it qualifies: First Published December 10, 2020"
Danielle, this book does not qualify for this theme. You need to have both 8 AND 0 in the first edition Kindle publication date. The date you are using only has 0. Sorry. 😞
Completion postWeek 2
Dark Prince by Christine Feehan
Rating: 4⭐️
Review: I first read this book 9 years ago. With this ocazion I give the series a second chance and I may continue it. Is a classic Vampire Romance book relased 25 years ago and the plot was complete with all: action, love, drama, fantasy.
Selection post~Option 1~
Week 3
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
Page numbers: 348
How the book qualifies: 1st Kindle Published on June 28th 2022
Completion – Week #3PTP 16. Around the World in 80 Days
A Picture Perfect Christmas by Candee Fick
A Picture Perfect Christmas
Ratings: 5 Stars
Review:
Even though Liz and Ryan’s beautiful story really hit me hard emotionally, I absolutely loved the book. Having been disowned by my father and facing the possibility of not having either of my parents at my wedding was heartbreaking, so I could relate to Liz’s feelings of abandonment and longing. Fortunately for Liz and myself, our fathers had a change of heart, fences mended, and our families reunited. I loved the simple examples of how God loves us and answers our prayers was woven into the story. Also, the lesson of forgiveness, though not an easy thing to do, reiterated how worthwhile it was to forgive. I definitely plan to read more of Ms. Fick’s books.
Week 3: 16. Around the World in 80 Days.Completion Post
Payback in Death by J.D. Robb, 364 p. per GROption 2: #57 in series, #3 in series on teammate R~wka's read shelf, read March 5, 2024, rated 5 stars.
Completed 4.21.2024 *4+ Stars*
This one didn't pack the emotional punch that the last one did, but it still grabbed me and didn't let go. Except at the beginning - that was emotional and so sweet! Eve and company seemed to be spinning their wheels investigating this case, but she kept coming back to one conclusion. I couldn't see why and really thought it was just a red herring. I loved how it all came together in the end, but by then I think I was as exhausted as the characters! As usual, Susan Ericksen's narration was wonderful!
Selection Post - Week 3 - Option 2
Immortal in Death
Page count: 324
How it Qualifies: R~wka rated 5 stars. Read Mar 5, 2024.
Completion Post - Week 3 - Option 2
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
I like that we're slowly building the cast of characters and getting to know Mavis and Peabody better. Mavis is a much more mature character than I first thought. She handled being a murder suspect way better than Roarke ever did. Him I'm still on the fence about.
Tracking updated - this is where we stand!Weeks 1 & 2 - Complete!
Week 3 - All Selection Posts made. Missing 2 Completion Posts - it is only Wednesday though!
Week 3: CompletionMasquerade in London
Read: 4/24
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Very engaging story. But unimaginative plot. I enjoyed the banter between the MCs, and am excited to read the romantic angle in the next book.
Hey all, I will be away when the new theme is called today. Keep an eye on the Q&A thread in a couple of hours for the new theme! (I just checked and it is even later than I thought - so it could be called in as little as an hour... 🙄)I've been putting off grocery shopping as long as I possible, but I really hate doing it over the weekend, so today it is.
Completion postWeek #3
The Measure
Rating: 4⭐️
Review:
The book has an unique plot. Knowing the lifespan is a good or bad thing? There are various POVs in this book.
Not really of my taste but liked it.
NEW THEME!Week 4
Option 1
15. BUS
Read a book with the letters B, U and S in the name of the title, series and/or author.
If you aren't sure how to insert links (book-link or list/shelf/tag-link) 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.
Week 4: 15. BUS.Selection Post
In Bed with the Duke by Christina Dodd; 393 p. per GR'B' in Bed, 'U' in Duke, S in Governess Brides (series name).
Selection post~Option 1~Week 4
Blood & Honey
Page numbers: 536
How the book qualifies:
B from Blood (title)
U from Shelby Mahurin (author)
S from Serpent & Dove (series)
Week 4 - option 1 (how is it week 4 already??) An Impossible Impostor by Deanna Raybourn
325 pages
B and U from author name and S from title
Option 1: Week #4 – 15. BUS
The Duke’s Bride, by Erica RidleyNumber of Pages: 200 per GR
Tags: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Christmas
From precis on GR:
Single father and confirmed bachelor Jack Skeffington is the mastermind behind an international smuggling ring, yet unable to control his rambunctious ten-year-old twins. What he needs is a stern, experienced, no-nonsense governess. What he gets is his business partner’s untouchable sister, whose delectable body Jack yearns to pull close.
PurpleLadi wrote: "Option 1: Week #4 – 15. BUS
The Duke’s Bride, by Erica RidleyNumber of Pages: 200 per GR
Tags: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Christmas
From precis on ..."
You need to include your qualification in your selection post. For this theme, the word BUS needs to be spelled out in the title, series title and/or author's name.
In your case, it is all in the book title. You can see how some of us have done that above. You do not need to include the tags or anything from the precis. What is needed to qualify is included in each theme.

[*book:Halfway to the Grave|1421990]
Page count: 384
How it Qualifies: MountainKat rated 4 stars book #8. Read Nov 2, 2023. Reading book #1 in the series.
Submission CorrectionOption 1: Week #4 – PTP 15. BUS
The Duke’s Bride, by Erica RidleyNumber of Pages: 200 per GR
How it qualifies: The B, U, and S are found in the book’s title.
Completion – Week #4PTP 16. BUS
by Erica RidleyRating: Three Stars
Review:
This book was a quick read. I enjoy reading historical romance and was expecting to really enjoy this book, but was disappointed. Overall, it was a cute storyline, but it did not grab my attention right away. Way too much back story, and it kept being repeated throughout the book. Also, the passion between Jack and Désirée was evident, but their actual declaration of love seemed rushed, almost like an afterthought. Frankly, it was the twins’ antics and their interaction with Désirée that kept me engaged in the story.
MountainKat wrote: "PurpleLadi wrote: "Option 1: Week #4 – 15. BUS
The Duke’s Bride, by Erica RidleyNumber of Pages: 200 per GR
Tags: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Christ..."
Thanks. Submitted correction.
Week 4 - option 1 - Completion PostAn Impossible Impostor
Read: 4/29
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed all the twists and turns in this one! The unexpected relationship drama was a fun touch. Can't wait to see how these two make up in the next one!
Week 4: 15. BUSCompletion Post
In Bed with the Duke by Christina Dodd; 393 p. per GR'B' in Bed, 'U' in Duke, S in Governess Brides (series name).
Completed 4.30.2024 *Somewhere between 4- and 3+ Stars*
This was VERY slow to start for me!! I didn't care about the story. I didn't care about the characters. I was not at all invested. Until the last third of the book, then I cared. I was rushing to the end, mostly to just finish the book, but then I actually did want to know what happened and how it all worked out in the end. Overall, it was too little too late to redeem my thoughts but I was happy for how it ended. Though the tie in to the rest of the series felt like a stretch. Well narrated though by Karen Cass - especially with the many different accents necessary in this story.
I've updated the tracking:Weeks 1 through 3 - Complete!!
Week 4 - All selections made, still 2 completions outstanding.
Great job staying on top of things team!!
My book's a DNF I read enough to post it but I'm going to try to read something else instead. Not going to make a new selection post incase I don't finish!
Danielle wrote: "My book's a DNF I read enough to post it but I'm going to try to read something else instead. Not going to make a new selection post incase I don't finish!"Aww, you didn’t like the book? I remember the series being pretty good. But I read it 15ish years ago, so who knows if I’d still like it! Some books do age poorly.
There's something about the 2000s and their love of exclamation marks that just doesn't do it for me anymore. Lots of reviews compared it to BDB and it's also a series I couldn't get behind so I should have known :(
Selection Post - Week 4 - Option 1
[*book:Baden|58428947]
Pages: 364
How does it qualify: B U S in PittSBUrgh Titans (Series name)
Hi Danielle, just a tip. If you use goodreads one your phone, set it on desktop mode (on the bootom on the page you have a "Desktop version". I enter often from my mobile on goodreads and this way I use the site like in my laptop 😊
I almost finished my book. I hope to have some minutes latter this day to wrote the review, because from tomorrow to Monday I'm full 😅 (we have the Easter)
Completion postWeek 4
Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin
Rating: 4⭐️
Review:
The first book was much better than this one, at least for me. In places I found it as a filler book. Lately I've started to like this type of books, Romantasy, and waiting to read the last one to finish the trilogy (and because that ending...).
R~wka wrote: "Hi Danielle, just a tip. If you use goodreads one your phone, set it on desktop mode (on the bootom on the page you have a "Desktop version". I enter often from my mobile on goodreads and this way ..."I feel blind as a bat when I try it on desktop mode. I've been using the app but that doesn't have any functionality! Whatsoever. They really need to figure out how to allow you to post book links from the app at a minimum.
Completion Post - Week 4 - Option 1
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
Why is it that Baden and Sophie have a conversation about her being too scared to go to his hockey games in one chapter and in the next one she's going to the first game of the season with Frankie? Not a single instant of doubt is mentioned.
This needed an extra 25-50 pages to really tie Sophie's recovery together, Right now, it's jumping all over the place.
Danielle wrote: "I feel blind as a bat when I try it on desktop mode. "Oh my gosh me too lol! It's the WORST. It is often easier to make the effort to start up my laptop again.
Wow, if I couldn't work with the browser in desktop mode on my phone I would have so much trouble managing challenges! I use it all the time and I know I will be using it again this weekend.
Aiswrya wrote: "Danielle wrote: "I feel blind as a bat when I try it on desktop mode. "Oh my gosh me too lol! It's the WORST. It is often easier to make the effort to start up my laptop again."
I've tried the app and found it useless... Sadly that they don't update it to a better version.
NEW THEME!Week 5
Option 1
3. The Americas
Read a book set in a country in North America or South America
..https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America..... if you are unsure, please check on wiki for the countries included.
If you aren't sure how to insert links (book-link or list/shelf/tag-link) in your posts, please read these instructions in the Q&A thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Option 2
Key date: 27 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.
Well, I was waiting for the call to help me decide what to read next - this one didn't really help! I have several options, so I am going through and seeing if some of them fit other themes before deciding. I need to figure it out soon though, I finished my last book this morning!
Week 5: 3. The AmericasSelection Post
Name From a Hat Trick by L.A. Witt, 396 p. per GRTagged set-in-the-usa 1x on top shelves page 3 bottom of first column.
Selection Post - Week 5 - Option 1In the Pines
335 pages
"overrun the small town of Eagle’s Nest, Oregon" in precis
Books mentioned in this topic
A Gamble at Sunset (other topics)A Gamble at Sunset (other topics)
The Duke's Desire (other topics)
The Highland Guard and His Lady (other topics)
Under One Roof (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
S.E. Babin (other topics)Cindy Stark (other topics)
S.E. Babin (other topics)
S.E. Babin (other topics)
Cindy Stark (other topics)
More...




Completion Post - Week 3 - Option 1

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
If anyone has made it this far into the Straight Guys series, you know you're getting improbable situations and OTT heroes. The problem sometimes is they're a little too OTT or too improbable.
I'm glad everyone went to therapy that helps, but I don't think Andrew ever got his bearings back after the Island incident. The return to "real life" needed to be teased out a whole lot more to make it make sense.