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PtP R23 - Dough Go Breaking My Heart (8)
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Hazel
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Oct 19, 2024 12:24PM
I had planned a book for this task but on double checking the author has a book before 2020. Now looking for an alternative.
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🥨Week 3🥨Selection post: Option 1
Book:
Sadie BosquePages: 350 kindle edition
How it qualifies: To Fall for a Duke by Christmas first book published Dec 2020
Week #3, Option #1
Book: Hello, Transcriber
Author: Hannah Morrissey
Date read: 19 Oct
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:
I'm not sure how to rate this dark thriller, probably because I'm not sure the author fully understood what she was trying to do. Hazel and her abusive husband have moved to Black Harbor, a small Wisconsin city along Lake Michigan infested with crime, to search for jobs. She ends up as a transcriber for the police department and becomes fascinated with the cases and obsessed with Nic, a detective on the PD. They start on an affair almost immediately, without really knowing much about each other. She doesn't even know if he's married. I'm not sure if the author meant for it to be romantic, but I found it to be the opposite. Yes, Hazel certainly doesn't deserve to be in her horrible marriage, however this dark affair isn't the answer either.
This is Morrissey's debut novel and I will move onto the next one, hoping to see her improve. She did an excellent job of creating a dark, cold, unforgiving atmosphere. And Angela Daws was an excellent choice for narrator - her no nonsense delivery covered some of the excessive flowery language.
Lots of CWs here: Suicide ideation (and suicide off page); descriptions of extreme violence; infidelity
🥨Week 3🥨Completion post: Option 1
Book:
Sadie BosquePages: 350 kindle edition
How it qualifies: To Fall for a Duke by Christmas first book published Dec 2020
Read: 21 October
Rating: 3⭐️
Review: I enjoyed this one, I didn’t love it. Julie plans to run away and elope with the non titled boy next door. Her brute of a father forces the boy into the army by buying him a commission and arranges a marriage for Julie. Julie makes a deal with the Earl to include rescuing her sister who is termed as simple minded (author explains she has Down syndrome) from an asylum.
Other than a character with Down Syndrome, I didn’t feel as though this book had anything which set it apart from other historical romances.
Oh, thanks so much for checking! I'll find another book.
Week 3Selection post: Option 1
Book: Silence of Deceit
Author: Cara Devlin
Pages: 236
How it Qualifies: Cara Devlin's first novella was published January 28, 2020.
Completion PostWeek #3, Option #1
Book: Silence of Deceit
Author: Cara Devlin
Date read: 21 Oct
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: The third installment in the Bow Street Duchess series is all about the slow burn. There's lots of chemistry-laden pining between Hugh and Audrey. The mystery was secondary and adequate, but I'm not a fan of characters & motives that are not introduced to the reader until close to the end.
Hazel wrote: "Sorry Heather, Hannah Morrissey published 
as an ebook in 2013."Luckily a book I finished yesterday also works!
This was a tough call but I need to change my book for Week #3 :( I was very thrilled to read my selection and even started it, but one chapter in and I can already tell it's a dense story that I will need to absorb more slowly. At the pace I'm reading these days when I have ten million other things to balance, I'm afraid I won't be able to finish 500+ pages in time even with more than a week left.
I'm on track to finish Week #2 book before Friday, but it looks like I'm the last one again. Sorry for being so slow, everyone!
Week 3🥨SELECTION POST Option 2🥨
[*book:The Mistake|45756920]
Page count: 283 paperback
How the book qualifies:
🥨 ~ Hazel read on 5/8/24 and rated 4.5 stars
Week 3: Completion Post - Option 1Bad Wrong Things by C.P. Harris
Pages: 361 pgs
How it Qualifies: CP Harris debut novel Surviving the Merge published 5/26/2020
Read: Oct-23
Rating: 4 stars
Was their relationship a little bit toxic? Yes. But was it worth it in the end? Most definitely. The first chapter had me reeling, then I was in whiplash for the rest of the book, wondering how it was all going to end. I loved that Raven and Clint were never easy on the other, but they also weren’t the worst thing to happen to each other. It was an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end, with plenty of fiery moments.
🥨COMPLETION POST🥨Week 2
[*book:Storm of Desire|58143414]
Date finished: 10/23
How it qualifies: MPG setting - Iceland
Page count: 369 Kindle edition
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: A little frustrating and angsty in the beginning with the back and forth between Ardis and Haakon, but there's a reason I always love a good angsty romance when it's good. Ardis and Haakon finally coming together, fighting together for each other, was so worth it. Only some logic holes regarding the plot of the "evil queen" kept this from being a full five stars.
Week 3 - Completion PostStuck with You by Ali Hazelwood
Read: (10/20)
Rating: ★★★★★
I find myself really charmed by Ali Hazelwood's writing. She's a new discovery for me, but is fast becoming a favorite. I appreciate her writing strong women who work in STEM as her protagonists. They are intelligent and dedicated to their work, but that doesn't mean that they can't find love with a man who appreciates just how awesome they truly are.
This was a little insta-lovey for me, but it was kinda fun that that instalove is also what led to the misunderstandings as they really didn't know each other well and thus the miscommunication was bound to happen. Of course the assumptions on Sadie's part were only ever going to lead to things not really being what they seemed. Erik was a lovely patient giant and was adorable in his horror over the misunderstanding.
I'm loving this series of novellas and look forward to the next one.
🚨Early call🚨🥨Week 4🥨
Option 1
17. Eat it straight away or freeze for another day
Read a book from one of the following lists:
Best Seasonal Romance_Christmas & Winter
Comtemporary Christmas Winter Romance
Best Gay Winter'ish Holiday Romance
Best Gay Winter Themed Romance
If you use this option, your book MUST be on one of these lists. Please note which list you have used.
Option 2
Key date: 26 April 2024
Week #3 - Option 1Book: Catch the Sun by Jennifer Hartmann
Pages: 448 (Paperback)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: I had such high expectations for this book because I had read great review but it took me almost a week to read it because I had to stop every now and then. I like emotional romances but I felt this was over the top at times. Bad things kept happening to the main characters and it felt a bit too dramatic and unrealistic. I had previously read another book from this author and I had loved it so I thought I would love this as well. There were definitely things I really enjoyed (for example Max, the MC was an amazing guy) but overall the story felt too long, sometimes boring and there was too much unnecessary drama.
Week 4Selection post: Option 2
Book: Cross Her Heart
Author: Melinda Leigh
Pages: 327
How it Qualifies: Hazel read it on 7 June 2024 and rated it 4 stars.
Week 4: Selection Post - Option 1The Omega's Christmas Wish by Alex Miska
Pages: 183 pgs
How it Qualifies: #434 on Best Gay Winter'ish Holiday Romance
Week 4🥨SELECTION POST Option 1🥨
[*book:How the Dukes Stole Christmas|41792723]
Page count: 477 ebook edition
How the book qualifies:
🥨 ~ #272 on Best Seasonal Romance {Christmas Winter}
Completion PostWeek #4, Option #2
Book: Cross Her Heart
Author: Melinda Leigh
Date read: 25 Oct
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: An excellent beginning to a series. The mystery & suspense we well done and I especially liked the characters. I'm looking forward to the next books and watching how Bree and the family adjust to their lifestyle changes. And of course it always helps to have a very good doggo in the mix!
Week 3🥨Completion POST Option 2🥨
[*book:The Mistake|45756920]
Date finished: 10/27/24
How the book qualifies: Hazel read on 5/8/24 and rated 4.5 stars
Page count: 283 paperback
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Review: Grace sticking to her boundaries and putting people in their places, like her so-called best friend and even John/Logan the hero, was a breath of fresh air that I'd love to see more of in these kinds of books. Loved that she made Logan work to win her the second time around. I am, unfortunately, getting a little too old for the college drama shenanigans.
Week 4: Selection Post: Book: Grinch Kisses - 212pgs/GR
How Fits: #362 on Best Gay Winterish Holiday Romance
All posts look good to me. I will update my formal tracking post hopefully tomorrow. The weekend has run away with me as my son just got back on Friday from a school trip to Spain so been catching up with him and unpacking and laundry!!
Week 4 - Completion PostGrinch Kisses by D.J. Jamison
Read: (10/27)
Rating: ★★★★½
Yay for feel good Christmas stories. I needed a sweet happy story this weekend adn this fit the bill nicely. Griff and Logan were adorable together. I liked the sort of slow burn lead up to their relationship as Logan was stuck in the situation since Griff thought he was Griff's sisters boyfriend. The final reveal of everything was amusing as well as I loved both phone calls with Jess. Honestly the sex in this story almost took me out of it. The switch to some hot and steamy after such sweet cheeky flirty swung a little harder than I wanted it to.
I loved the guys interactions and how Griff's family just slowly pulled Logan in and gave him the hope of a family he never thought he'd have. This story is pretty low angst and just leaves you with a lot of feel good holiday cheer. I'm excitedly looking forward to returning to such a charming town in Christmas Falls.
Week #4 - Option 1 – SELECTION POSTBook: The Holiday Ex-Files by Jennifer Peel
Pages: 310 [Kindle Edition]
How the book qualifies: #1073 on Best Seasonal Romance {Christmas, Winter}
🥨Week 4🥨Selection post: Option 1
Book:
Pages: 362 kindle
How it qualifies: number 358 on the Contemporary Christmas/Winter romance
All posts good. Only a few completions for this week that are outstanding, so that’s perfect ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Week 4: Completion Post - Option 1The Omega's Christmas Wish by Alex Miska
Pages: 183 pgs
Read: Nov-1
Rating: 3 stars
This was a cute shifter omegaverse short, but I had a hard time getting into the beginning. Once I did, I enjoyed the snark and humor and the sweet story. It was a great story to get the holiday season going for me.
Week 5Option 1
2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC
* Read a book with MPG historical.
MPG = main page genre.
This means the genre must show up on the book's main page on GR. You can click on 'more' but you can't go to the full page of tags (once you click on 'show all')
Option 2
Key date: 3 May 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Option 3
Pass
Week 5: Selection Post - Option 1What a Duke Desires by Merry Farmer
Pages: 272 pgs
How it Qualifies: MPG Historical
Week #4 - Option 1- COMPLETION POSTBook:The Holiday Ex-Files by Jennifer Peel
Pages: 310
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: Cami and Noah have been good friends for 10 years because he is her ex-husband best friend. The divorce has been very traumatic for Cami and she lost her sparkle: she doesn't believe in love anymore, she made a career as a photographer cropping exes from people's pictures and she refuses to even say the C word out loud (Christmas!). But now, three years after her divorce she finally realizes it's time to bring her old self back and Noah decides to help her with that. However the truth is that Noah has been in love with her since the day they met and now he hopes it's finally his turn to be with her. I loved the family dynamics and the children were all adorable but overall this was just an ok read..really cute but a bit too cheesy for my liking.
Week 5Selection post: Option 1
Book: The Lady Who Came in from the Cold
Author: Grace Callaway
Pages: 208
How it Qualifies: MPG Historical
🥨Week 4🥨Completion post: Option 1
Book:
Pages: 362 kindle
How it qualifies: number 358 on the Contemporary Christmas/Winter romance
Read: 3 November
Rating: 3.5⭐️
Review: I enjoyed being back in the world of the Reeds ranch and seeing how all the sisters were getting on. This story seemed and was an add on as it was about a friend of the sisters finding her happy ever after on the ranch. It was an ok story but didn’t have the pull or the hint of excitement or drama that was present in the other books in the series.
🥨Week 5🥨Selection post: Option 1
Book:
Pages: 384
How it qualifies: MPG Historical Romance
Week #5 - Option 1 – SELECTION POSTBook: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Pages: 594 (paperback)
How the book qualifies: MPG: Historical Fiction
Ugh, sorry, I totally almost screwed up my posts! I meant to copy and paste my recent callout post from Week 4 to do Week 5 and ended up saving the original with Week 5. I edited it back. Sorry! I'll blame it on my shot emotional state with the recent election. I hope I didn't mess up any tracking :/I'll post Week 5 selection below.
Week 5🥨SELECTION POST Option 1🥨
[*book:A Wallflower Christmas|3050104]
Page count: 213 hardcover edition
How the book qualifies:
🥨 ~ MPG Historical Romance
Completion PostWeek #5, Option #1
Book: The Lady Who Came in from the Cold
Author: Grace Callaway
Date read: 6 Nov
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I liked the MCs, but found the story to be very light on plot.
jewelee wrote: "Ugh, sorry, I totally almost screwed up my posts! I meant to copy and paste my recent callout post from Week 4 to do Week 5 and ended up saving the original with Week 5. I edited it back. Sorry! I'..."Don’t worry you managed to fix it. I have deleted posts before by accident.
I’m struggling to do the tracking at the moment. I do it all on my phone so small buttons and fat fingers! I’m getting my nails done today is much is a relief as they are so long that I keep tapping the wrong letters.
Team StatusWeek 4 outstanding
Completion post for jewelee
Week 5 outstanding
Completion posts for everyone except Heather.
Option 111. Its not ready until there are bubbles through the dough
* Read a book with the title or series name starting with the letter 'B'.
You can ignore The, A and An if they are the first word in the title.
Option 2
Key date: 10 May 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Week 6Selection post: Option 1
Book: Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance
Author: Ruth Emmie Lang
Pages: 352
How it Qualifies: The title begins with B
Week #6 - Option 1 – SELECTION POSTBook: Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
Pages: 887 (kindle edition)
How the book qualifies: The title starts with the letter B
Week 6🥨SELECTION POST Option 1🥨
[*book:Bred by the Barge|211518709]
Page count: 110 Kindle edition
How the book qualifies:
🥨 ~ The title starts with B
Week 6🥨Completion POST Option 1🥨
[*book:Bred by the Barge|211518709]
Date finished: 11/9/24
How the book qualifies: The title starts with B
Page count: 110 Kindle edition
Rating: ⭐⭐.5
Review: I've read one other Omegaverse book in the same series from this author so I already knew what I was in for. Which wasn't much. Very little plot, thinly developed characters, and pretty much the same formula as the other book. The dub con was a little more sketchy in this one because the heroine still had some trauma from her sister's assault at the hands of some other alpha, but that seemed to be quickly forgotten with enough "gentle" healing from the hero. Trying to keep an open mind here, but I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that Omegaverse isn't really my thing.
Week 6: Selection Post - Option 1Blue Skies by Marie Sinclair
Pages: 271 pgs
How it Qualifies: Title starts with B
Week 4🥨Completion POST Option 1🥨
[*book:How the Dukes Stole Christmas|41792723]
Date finished: 11/9/24
How the book qualifies: #272 on Best Seasonal Romance {Christmas Winter}
Page count: 477 ebook edition
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: I took a bit of a break from Regency romance so reading this was mostly a good reminder of what I've missed about those kinds of stories. Mostly. Tessa Dare's first story was just okay but nothing spectacular, and the last two were a struggle to get through. This anthology was connected by "magical shortbread" and dukes. It was Sarah MacLean's second chance Christmas romance that I truly enjoyed, enough to shed tears. It took me until the end to realize the hero, Eben, was basically an "Ebeneezer Scrooge" in his story who gets a happy ending with the love of his life. Aww.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Sloane Kennedy (other topics)Lila Rose (other topics)
A.J. Sherwood (other topics)
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Lila Rose (other topics)
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