Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
>
PtP R23 - Dough Go Breaking My Heart (8)
🥨Week 5🥨Completion post: Option 1
Book:
Pages: 384
How it qualifies: MPG Historical Romance
Read: 9 November
Rating: 3⭐️
Review: I enjoyed this story but I didn’t realise it was a spin off series. There are a lot of characters and I found it confusing for a lot of the book to get my head round who was who.
🥨Week 6🥨Selection post - option 1
Book:
Pages: 315 kindle edition
How it qualifies: Series starts with B - Book 4 in the Bree Taggert series.
🥨Week 6🥨Completion post - option 1
Book:
Pages: 315 kindle edition
How it qualifies: Series starts with B - Book 4 in the Bree Taggert series.
Read: 12 November
Rating: 4⭐️
Review: This series is quite easy to listen to (not the biggest audio reader). A historical murder is uncovered on Bree’s family land and happened roughly at the time her father murdered her mother which brings him into the picture as a potential suspect.
I like how Bree operates and love her growing romance with Matt and the bond she is developing with her niece and nephew. This story keeps you wondering what is going to happen and flows well. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Completion PostWeek #6, Option #1
Book: Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance
Author: Ruth Emmie Lang
Date read: 12 Nov
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Quirky and magical. I wanted to love it and I did not. But I did like it very much.
Week 5: Completion Post - Option 1What a Duke Desires by Merry Farmer
Pages: 272 pgs
Read: Nov-12
Rating: 4 stars
I cut my romance teeth on historical romance and it’s hard to find good historical MM romance that’s not paranormal or fantasy. But this was just my cup of tea. I loved the forbidden romance between Wentworth and Jack as they embarked on the journey to find out what the crazy inheritance George left him. Caruthers was a major annoyance, but the perfect villain for this story.
Week 6 - Completion PostTwisted Truths by Rebecca Zanetti
Read: (11/12)
Rating: ★★★★★
Very satisfying conclusion to this series. I really enjoyed Noni and Denver's story. The past history between them made their relationship development stronger as you already knew there were feelings there. Denver never left because he didn't care, that's been obvious in the previous books. This was always going to be a case of can he keep himself away from her long enough to protect her in his own way. With Dr. Madison and Sheriff Cobb closing in the brothers lives are more dangerous than ever.
Of course Noni has a problem of her own that she is trying to solve, and maybe dragging Denver back into it her life to help isn't a great idea. But she'll do anything she needs to to save her foster sisters baby and provide her with a safe life in the future.
This was pretty much action packed from the jump as everything spirals tighter and tighter until we finally get the confrontation we've been waiting for. I enjoyed seeing all of these characters again and was looking forward to their HEA's as well as seeing the Grey brothers settled as well. I loved this world and these characters, it's great to see them without a threat looming large.
Week 6: Completion Post - Option 1Blue Skies by Marie Sinclair
Pages: 271 pgs
How it Qualifies: Title starts with B
Read: Nov-13
Rating: 4 stars
This was, hands-down, one of the most romantic books I have ever read. I loved the ace rep and the way that the intimacy between Holden and Greg was handled, between Greg’s asexuality and his HIV status. Because asexuality is such a spectrum and is different for everyone, it can be a beautiful romance when it’s done right. And this was. I loved how their relationship built when they were together and the respect they had for each other.
Week #6 - Completion postBook: Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
How the book qualifies: title starts with the letter B
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: I’ve seen this book a lot, especially on booktok and everyone was enthusiastic about it, so obviously I thought it would be a solid 5 stars. However, I liked it but I didn’t love it. I felt very sorry for Shannon and for everything she had to endure, both in her old school with the bullying and at home. She surely didn’t deserve any of it. Some parts of her story hit close to home so it wasn’t an easy read for me. On the other hand, unfortunately I didn’t like Johnny very much..he was very protective of Shannon and this was admirable, but he also had a hot and cold behavior towards her. I get that rugby was very important to him and I admired his commitment and focus, but I felt it was a bit too much. I loved his best friend Gibs and I think this character lightened up a story that was very heavy.
My main issue with this book is that it was unnecessarily way too long..there were a lot of internal monologues where the main characters kept repeating the same concepts over and over. It was a good story, definitely a slow burn but it would be better if it was shorter and I honestly don’t get all the hype I’ve seen on social media about it. I will definitely read the next book in the series cause I want to know where the story goes..hoping it will improve.
jewelee wrote: "Chiara wrote: "Week #6 - Option 1 – SELECTION POSTBook: Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
Pages: 887 (kindle edition)
How the book qualifie..."
Hey! It was good..very emotional at times since it deals with heavy topics for me,. But I think it could have been a lot better if it was 200 pages shorter! Unfortunately it felt repetitive sometimes and this made me lose my focus. I will definitely read the second book in the series soon!
💰Ok - so I just have completions for week 5 outstanding for Shelby, Chiara and jewelee. Is that right?
Jane (PS) wrote: "💰Ok - so I just have completions for week 5 outstanding for Shelby, Chiara and jewelee. Is that right?"
That’s what I have outstanding.
🚨 Early Call🚨🥨Week 7🥨
Option 1
6. Including the starter, sourdough is made of only 3 ingredients - flour, water & salt
* Read a book with a title comprised of 3 words.
You must include A, An or The in the count if they are in the title.
Option 2
Key date: 17 May 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Week 5 - Completion PostGilded Cage by K.J. Charles
Read: (11/15)
Rating: ★★★★½
I enjoyed this story a lot. It was nice to see the Lilywhite Boys all finally settled down respectable like. Or at least as respectable as they can stomach. James Vane, aka Templeton Lane, has never seen an opal he can resist, but stealing one wasn't supposed to result in him wanted for murder. Especially a double murder that he had nothing to do with. With his friends questioning his story he's left with just one option to turn to, and she likely won't be happy to see him.
I really liked Susan Lazarus. She's fiesty and independent, but at her core she cares about the truth. She's comfortable walking on the grey edges of the law, but isn't ever going to be an out and out criminal. Her job as a detective is to catch those guys. Her past relationship with James throws all of that into turmoil, but she believes him when he says he didn't kill the guys. I loved how fast her brain worked and how quickly she could put together that things were a little to perfect to be reality.
James and Susan are great compliments and his adoration of how strong she is, that he sees her true core and not just the outside package was lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these two figure things out and put the pieces together to give James a chance to, not only escape a murder rap, but to reclaim his life and have a second chance with the woman's he's pretty much always loved.
Week 7: Selection Post - Option 1Can't Say Goodbye by Eden Finley
Pages: 330 pgs
How it Qualifies: 3 word title
Week 7Selection post: Option 1
Book: Mr. Nice Spy
Author: Tiana Smith
Pages: 368
How it Qualifies: Three word title
I've been scrambling to get ready for a craft fair that my workplace is hosting for employees, so this week's going to have to be another shortish book choice. Now to find one... Hmm.
Chiara wrote: "jewelee wrote: "Chiara wrote: "Week #6 - Option 1 – SELECTION POSTBook: Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
Pages: 887 (kindle edition)
How t..."
I do weird gravitational pull towards angsty/emotional type books so this sounds like it's right up my alley, but 200 extra pages of unnecessary fluff? Oh dear! I'll just have to see when I have time to pick it up! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!
Completion PostWeek #7, Option #1
Book: Mr. Nice Spy
Author: Tiana Smith
Date read: 15 Nov
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This romantic suspense was more suspense than romance. The pacing was a little off - the middle dragged quite a bit. And I'm not sure I particularly liked Andee. In my world you don't accidentally mention that your father is a movie star unless you want to deal with your co-workers' comments. And I wasn't impressed that she created an unauthorized fireworks display ignoring her co-workers own work. But I liked Chan - a great book boyfriend!
Week #7 - Option 1 – SELECTION POSTBook: Stay with Me by Nicole Fiorina
Pages: 359
How the book qualifies: Title has 3 words
Week 5🥨COMPLETION POST Option 1🥨
[*book:A Wallflower Christmas|3050104]
Date read: 11/17/24
How the book qualifes: MPG Historical Romance
Page count: 213 hardcover edition
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: I'm getting annoyed by the double standards, especially in these Regency romances, where men being rakes gets brushed off as "just men being men as usual." This is not just strictly a Regency/historical thing and definitely still permeates in modern patriarchal cultures, but that whole rant is definitely for another space. Anyway, had to get that off my chest first.
All that aside, this book quickly became a cute Christmas tale that I'm definitely going to reread later. Even better, I finally found out where this uber sensual and romantic quote that I've been seeing all over Pinterest came from:
"If only I could visit you as a foreigner goes into a new country, learn the language of you, wander past all borders into every private and secret place, I would stay forever. I would become a citizen of you."
Wowee, that was one scorching letter, Rafe Bowman!
It was nice to play a little catch-up with the original Wallflowers and now I might be intrigued enough to go back and check out Lillian and Marcus's book (which I had skipped).
Week #7 - Option 1- COMPLETION POSTBook: Stay with Me by Nicole Fiorina
Pages: 359
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: This book went from a solid 5 stars to a 3 in the last 30%...what a disappointment! I don't even know what to say about it..It tells the story of Mia, an American girl who is sent to Dolor, an academy in England for troubled people with mental issues and Ollie. Mia has been detached from her emotions for 10 years because something traumatic happened to her. She has forgotten what it was, so then only way to start felling again is to remember. Ollie, on the other hand, has EI (emotional intensity) so he feels too much. They form an immediate bonding that transforms into love once Mia start healing. However, at some point the story went downhill and too many crazy (and unbelievable) things started to happen.. I thought this was a standalone but realized too late it's a trilogy, so now I'll have to read the next chapter in the series even if I really loathed the last part of this book!
Week 7🥨SELECTION POST Option 1🥨
[*book:Dare to Stay|54049905]
Page count: 235 Kindle edition
How the book qualifies:
🥨 ~ Three word title
🥨Week 7🥨Selection post - Option 1
Book:
Pages: 300 kindle edition
How it qualifies: Dead Against Her - 3 word title
Team Check inPrior to tomorrows call this is the current status
Week 5 outstanding
Completion from Chiara
Week 7 outstanding
Selection from Shelby
Completion from all except Heather and Liza
Week #5 - Option 1- COMPLETION POSTBook:The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Pages: 594 (paperback)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: It took me quite a while to read this book because it's not an easy read at all. That being said, the story is set in France during World War II and is about two sisters, Vianne and Hannah, who are very different from each other. As we all know, history is usually told by men and is about men and we often tend to forget the important role that women have. So it's refreshing when we can read a story about women and how much they did and how much they endured during those troubled times. This story was very moving and heartbreaking, it's about war and love, about sacrifice and strength and it's especially about the extraordinary lengths people go to in order to protect and preserve what they love.
Week 7: Completion Post - Option 1Can't Say Goodbye by Eden Finley
Pages: 330 pgs
How it Qualifies: 3 word title
Read: Nov-22
Rating: 5 stars
I think this is my favorite Eden Finley book to date. Brady knows that he’s gay, but something is missing. Turns out, it’s that he’s not just gay, he’s poly and a one night stand with two Navy SEALS cements this in his mind. What is supposed to be a one night stand turns into an ongoing arrangement between the three of them spanning years and the entire country until they can figure out their HEA. This was such a sweet and emotional story and I loved every second of it. Plus all the cameos from other books really made me smile. Just what I needed to read!
🥨Week 8🥨Option 1
13. When shaping, the dough is often referred to as either a 'boule' or 'baton'
Read a romance featuring a sporty MC or a law enforcement MC.
Please show how the book qualifies, using the main page (eg precis/blurb/MPG), lists or shelves/tags. All evidence must be on goodreads and something that can be easily checked and accessed.
Option 2
Key date: 24 May 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Week 8: Selection Post - Option 1Stupid Dirty by Erin Russell
Pages: 335 pgs
How it Qualifies: MPG Sports Romance
Oh my god you guys. I’m so sorry! I swore I had posted my selection days ago. This week has been nuts. I just jumped on to see new categories. I’m going to try to post from my phone. Hope I’m not too late to keep us out of the doghouse
I’ve read my book too I just haven’t had a chance to write up a review. I will post that later tonight when I get home from work.
Week #8 - Option 1 – SELECTION POSTBook: Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh
Pages: 938 (kindle edition)
How the book qualifies: MPG: Sports Romance
Week 8Selection post: Option 1
Book: Drown Her Sorrows
Author: Melinda Leigh
Pages: 312
How it Qualifies: From the précis: When Sheriff Bree Taggert discovers the body...
Week 7 - Completion PostOrigin in Death by J.D. Robb
Read: (11/20)
Rating: ★★★★★
This may be one of my favorites in this series. I loved the twists in this story. Right and wrong isn't as clearly black and white in this one as murders usually are for Dallas. The more she finds out about this case the more things slide to the grey. Murder is never ok, but the hidden secrets these murder victims were hiding and perpetrating on others was truly reprehensible.
Dallas, Peabody and the rest of the team are on the case of a murder where the murderer was as brazen as can be. She walked in and out of the office in clear sight of everyone and yet she's a ghost they can't seem to find. One of the things I love about this series is the fact that it's just far enough into the future where you can press the science and the potential can become reality. These murdered doctors playing god leave the entire team horrified and left a little unsure of what the best course of action is.
I loved all the twists in this one and I liked that for once our murderer wasn't just a truly reprehensible person that you were just waiting for Dallas to take out. Add in Roarke and Dallas dealing with family and potential babies and you add another layer of fun with two of my favorite characters.
Week 8: Selection Post: Book: Bunny and the Bear - 164pgs/GR
How Fits: MC is an agent for the Fur United Coalition a shifter law enforcement agency tasked with investigating crimes and keeping shifters secret from humans
Week 8 - Completion PostBunny and the Bear by Eve Langlais
Read: (11/24)
Rating: ★★★★
I enjoyed Chase and Miranda. Admittedly grumbly bear shifters are some of my favorites. Miranda's bouncy bunny tactics were amusing as they ruffled the fur of her bear. For all that this is a quite compacted story the suspense elements worked. I loved that Miranda is such a badass and can kick butt. She's a damn good agent and her shifter side is awesome.
Of course this is an instalove story, but it still worked for me. There's an immediate draw between these two and every interaction they have actually builds on the one before. I'm not left questioning why these two are together. They're fun and it's easy to see how Miranda gets under Chase's skin.
This was fun and I'm curious to see where the series goes.
Week 8🥨SELECTION POST Option 1🥨
[*book:Stealth|54868035]
Page count: 220 Kindle edition
How the book qualifies:
🥨 ~ Tagged law enforcement 3x on pg1, col 1
Week 8: Completion Post - Option 1Stupid Dirty by Erin Russell
Pages: 335 pgs
How it Qualifies: MPG Sports Romance
Read: Nov-25
Rating: 5 stars
This book completely ripped me apart. From generational trauma to DV and substance abuse. Silas and Cade have seen it all in their short lives. This was such an emotional and intense story, moving from enemies to lovers and a double bi-awakening. Once they started seeing each other in a different light, it got REAL intense real fast! This ended on a HFN and I am glad to see that there are more stories on their way!
🥨Week 8🥨Selection post - option 1
Book:
Pages: 312 paperback edition
How it qualifies: features a law enforcement MC. From précis ‘Lieutenant Sam Holland ’
Week 7🥨COMPLETION POST Option 1🥨
[*book:Dare to Stay|54049905]
Date read: 11/28/24
How the book qualifes: Three word title
Page count: 235 Kindle edition
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: Solid three stars. I've read a few other titles in Carly Phillips' Dare and Kingston Family series and this was pretty much cut from the same cloth - Nothing too special but entertaining enough here and there. I enjoyed the budding sisterly bond between Willow and Aurora (revealed to be a Kingston). There was more telling than story and I wasn't too sold on the romance between Willow and Braden. Definitely rolled my eyes at the minor "stalker" drama with the jilted ex/fellow coworker.
🥨Week 7🥨Completion post - Option 1
Book:
Pages: 300 kindle edition
How it qualifies: Dead Against Her - 3 word title
Read: 29 November
Rating: 4⭐️
Review: I’m enjoying listening to this series. I really like the narrator Christina Traister. This installment of the Bree Taggert series has Bree investigating the murder of one of her deputies which she then becomes implicated in. At the same time her face has been used on pornographic images which causes a media and political frenzy.
Tracking is up to date.Shelby message 187 is meant to be completion post for week 7 and message 189 is meant to be completion post for week 8. I have logged them correctly in my tracker.
Outstanding completions for week 8
Everyone except Shelby and Liza
We are all good at the moment team 😄
🥨Week 9🥨Option 1
5. A sourdough starter is a live fermented culture of fresh flour and water
* Read a book that has been 'fermenting' on your bookshelf for at least 12 months. (Added to your shelves at least 12 months ago.)
Please state the date you added it to your shelf.
If you haven't been tracking books on GR for 12 months yet, then select a book that was added to your shelves in the first month.
You can also reread a book but it must have been originally added at least 12 months ago.
Option 2
Key date: 31 May 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Week 9: Selection Post - Option 1Pretty Toxic by J.R. Gray
Pages: 246 pgs
How it Qualifies: added to my list 8/3/2023
Week 9🥨SELECTION POST Option 1🥨
[*book:The Child Thief|6308379]
Page count: 483
How the book qualifies:
🥨 ~ added to my shelf August 6, 2020
Hazel wrote: "Tracking is up to date.Shelby message 187 is meant to be completion post for week 7 and message 189 is meant to be completion post for week 8. I have logged them correctly in my tracker.
Outstan..."
Ugh I'm failing these days.🤪 Fixed them.
Completion PostWeek #8, Option #1
Book: Drown Her Sorrows
Author: Melinda Leigh
Date read: 26 Nov
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: This is the story of a Very Good Dog. Oh, and also a well-written mystery with some fun twists and turns. Excellent series so far!
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
The Child Thief (other topics)Dead By Midnight: An I-Team Christmas (other topics)
Dead By Midnight: An I-Team Christmas (other topics)
Finding Forgiveness (other topics)
Coyote (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Sloane Kennedy (other topics)Lila Rose (other topics)
A.J. Sherwood (other topics)
T.J. Klune (other topics)
Lila Rose (other topics)
More...
Book: Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
Pages: 887 (kindle edition)
How the book qualifies: The title st..."
Chiara, I've had Binding 13 on my Hoopla TBR list for a while. Can't wait to see what you think.