Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Pass The Parcel (Team Challenge)
>
PtP R24 - Wedding Between the Lines (3)
You're welcome and we usually do a new post, but what you did works for me.
Selection Post ~ Week 1Option 1
Book: Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey
Author: Abigail Wilson
Pages: 336
How it Qualifies: Lady in evening dress on cover
Completion Post ~ Week 1Option 1
Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey
Read: 20 April
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This is the first and only book I've read by this author, Abigail Wilson. I loved that the book was a Christian romance/historical fiction book and that the romance was sweet and not over the top. I was surprised at how well-developed the characters are and that there was such a complicated plot. There was a little of everything in this book and I could hardly put it down. There are deep, dark secrets, betrayal, love, suspense and so much more.'
One regret: I read this book (#3 in the Regency Mysteries series) without reading books 1 and 2 because I got this book from NetGalley back in 2020 and didn't realize when I requested it that it was book 3 in a series. So, I will most likely read those first 2 out of order because I liked this one a lot.
Update Until Next CallEveryone has made their selection posts. Yay!!! Below is what we have for Completions as of today.
💍💐Completion Post Tracking💐💍
☑️= complete
🍾 = currently reading
☑️Shan A: Option 1 | Beauty and the Bachelor | 234 pgs | ★★★☆☆ | https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
🍾Michelle: Option 1 | Miles Ever After | 236 pgs | Rating | Link to Post
🍾LaurLa: Option 1 | Love Thy Enemy | 245 pgs | Rating | Link to Post
☑️Vicki: Option 1 | Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey | 336 pgs | ★★★★☆ | https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
☑️Catsalive: Option 1 | The Irish Rogue | 216 | ★★★☆☆ | https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
🍾Jamie TRR: Option 1 | The Second Chance Summer | 175 pgs | Rating | Link to Post
Completion PostWeek #1
Option 1
Book: Miles Ever After by T.L. Swan
Page numbers: 236
How it fits: Man in suit
Finished: 4.23.25
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review: This is book 5 of the Miles High Club Series and the most perfect way to wrap it all up in a bow. It features the epilogues of the eight couples: The Stopover- Jameson and Emily, The Takeover- Tristan and Claire, The Casanova-Elliot and Kate, and The Do-Over: Christopher and Hayden.
--Jameson and Emily Miles: Jameson is super irritated and stressed at work and it’s effecting their marriage and their efforts to conceive. Emily convinces him to take some time off- he reluctantly agrees- and thinks Emily booked a relaxing vacation in Thailand. When they arrive at a wellness retreat for a 21-day stay with no electronics, alcohol and meat, Jameson loses it and wants to go home. She convinces him to By the end of their stay, Jameson is (for the most part) stress-free and when they arrive home from their trip, Emily finds out she’s pregnant. She gives birth to James Miles 8 months later. Five years have passed and now they have 3 kids and another on the way.
--Tristan and Claire Miles: If there was ever a book boyfriend, Tristan would be mine. This man…
Back story: He falls in love with Claire who is a widow with 3 boys. Claire owns a media company that is failing. Tristan takes over with the intent of passing the business to Fletcher, Claire’s oldest son who is very involved. Today: Claire is pregnant, and she and Tristan are getting married. Tristan is absolutely hilarious trying to wrangle 3 boys to get ready for the ceremony. One tried shaving and cuts his face, one didn’t put on deodorant, and the third’s suit is 3 sizes too small. In the end, they get married, have a baby girl and Tristan adopts the 3 boys.
--Elliot and Kate Miles: (Trigger Warning: Infertility) Kate is as artist. Elliot had been obsessed with her painting before he ever knew who Kate was. He outbids everyone at every exhibit. In The Casanova, it’s implied that Kate has a history of fertility issues but doesn’t go into further detail. After a year and a half of marriage, Kate wants to try for a baby. Elliot says he is content with the way things are, doesn’t need a kid, and isn’t ready. He’s afraid it won’t work, and it would crush Kate. Reluctantly, he agrees to try IVF for 3 years, but it doesn’t work. Emily proposes she be their surrogate. Kate and Jameson welcome a baby girl, Faith.
--Christopher & Hayden Miles: While backpacking in Europe (where he met Hayden), he befriends a homeless boy named Eddie. They took him back to the States and now live with them. Christpoher leaves his NY penthouse life to buy a farm/farmhouse for Hayden.
They meet the neighbors and come home with 2 puppies and 2 kittens. Christopher is having a mental breakdown. They marry at Hayden’s parents’ farm, adopt Eddie and have a baby girl three years later. 5 years later, Eddie is trained up to management level at Miles Media in NY. 10 years later Eddie has 4 siblings.
I will most likely not get my book done by the call this week - hopefully by early next week. For sure by the call next week so no worries on me falling behind more than the allowed.
Shan ~A~ wrote: "Update Until Next CallEveryone has made their selection posts. Yay!!! Below is what we have for Completions as of today.
💍💐Completion Post Tracking💐💍
☑️= complete
🍾 = currently reading
☑️Sh..."
Hi Shan - I have everyone done for the week except LaurLa :). Jamie finished her book quite early on...
Thanks, Jane! I completely overlooked Jamie's book. I'll get everything updated later today.
Week 2Option 1
5. The ceremony follows well established rituals
Read a book with the MPG 'Magic'.
This must be on the main page and not after you extend the genres to a full page list.
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: 25 October 2024
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.
How do you find search a MPG "magic" book? That is way outside my normal. lol
Michelle wrote: "How do you find search a MPG "magic" book? That is way outside my normal. lol"Try this https://www.goodreads.com/genres/magic
In Q&A Jane said she'd also accept magical realism to try this https://www.goodreads.com/genres/magi...
Selection PostWeek #2
Option 1
Book: Resting Witch Face by Juliette Cross
Page numbers: 365
How it fits: MPG Magic
Just remind me how option 2 works. Can I read a book from the same series? If someone has read book 10, can I read book 3 to satisfy the requirement?
Catsalive wrote: "Just remind me how option 2 works. Can I read a book from the same series? If someone has read book 10, can I read book 3 to satisfy the requirement?"The series rule does apply for option 2, so that would work.
Thanks Shan. Yes Cats - you can read another book in the same series that someone else has read and rated (3 stars or more) in the last 6 months.The series rule only applies to Option 2 ~ in the event we have lists to select from, which we don't in this round :)
Week 2 selection - option 2
Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
Pages: 292
Qualification: Sookie Stackhouse #3
Shan~A~ read Sookie Stackhouse #10 (Dead in the Family) on 3 Apr, 2025 & rated it 4★
Completion Post - Week 2
Foxfire in the Snow by J.S. Fields
Finished: 4/26/25
Rating: ★★★
Review: Very low three because this was a slog to get through. The writing wasn’t bad technical wise but it was not engaging at all. I kept getting distracted and bored. I found myself putting my kindle down more than anything. The world building was good and I do like the mc Sorin, they’re pretty interesting but this felt too long for such a thin plot. I’ll probably read book two but I’m in no rush to get to it.
Selection Post ~ Week 2
Book: Black Woods Blue Sky
Author: Eowyn Ivey
Pages: 306
Qualification: MPG Magic Realism
Selection PostWeek #2
Book: Assistant to the Villain
Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Pages: 342
Qualification: MPG Magic
I'll get our tracking posts updated tonight.
This theme is absolutely killllling me. I can't get into this genre of book. I can't get past page 12. If nobody takes a pass the the entire challenge do we get more "points"? I won't let my team down so if that's the case, I will do my best not to gouge my eye balls out with this one to the finish. If it doesn't affect the "points", I would really like to take that pass this week. :(
Michelle wrote: "This theme is absolutely killllling me. I can't get into this genre of book. I can't get past page 12. If nobody takes a pass the the entire challenge do we get more "points"? I won't let my team d..."If MPG Magic is not great, you can use option 2 or use a pass.
I believe you should be able to still change your selection since we're still in the week it was called.
Assistant to the Villain wasn't what I thought it was going to be either.
Shan ~A~ wrote: "Assistant to the Villain wasn't what I thought it was going to be either."it lost me at the talking frog. I did look at others read list yesterday and nothing "called to me" lol. I'll give it another shot.
Michelle wrote: "Shan ~A~ wrote: "Assistant to the Villain wasn't what I thought it was going to be either."it lost me at the talking frog. I did look at others read list yesterday and nothing "called to me" lol...."
We aren't penalized if you decide to use the pass. Just remember:
* Each member can only use that pass once each 5 weeks.
Selection Post ❱❱ Week 2 ❱❱ Option 1Call ❱❱ 5. The ceremony follows well established rituals
Task ❱❱ Read a book with the MPG 'Magic'
Book ❱❱ Devil's Gate
Pages ❱❱ 103 (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits ❱❱ mpg magic
Selection PostWeek #2
Option 3- PASS
Book: Assistant to the Villain
Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Pages: 342
Qualification: MPG Magic
Status Ahead of Week 3 CallWeek 1 ~ Completion Needed
🍾LaurLa: Option 1 | Love Thy Enemy | 245 pgs | Rating | Link to Post
Week 2 ~ Completion Needed
🍾LaurLa: Option #1 | Devil's Gate | 103 pgs | Rating | Link to Post
🍾Vicki: Option #1 | Black Woods Blue Sky | 306 pgs | Rating | Link to Post
🍾Catsalive: Option #2 | Club Dead | 274 pgs | Rating | Link to Post
*Pass used in Week 2
Completion Post ❱❱ Week 2 ❱❱ Option 1Call ❱❱ 5. The ceremony follows well established rituals
Task ❱❱ Read a book with the MPG 'Magic'
Book ❱❱ Devil's Gate
Pages ❱❱ 103 (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits ❱❱ mpg magic
Date Read ❱❱ 05.01 ★★★★
Review
This was great little pallet cleanser! The story was not overly intense but was involved and interesting, it didn't really advance the overall series story arc but it included references to the series universe so you didn't feel completely at a loss and the romance was sweet but spicy. I was what I would call a perfect novella for a series!
Week 3Option 1
8. Marriage is a legal contract
Read a book with a main character who is a lawyer.
This can be shown via the precis, lists or tags. Please note if the qualification is in the precis or link to the list or shelf/tag.
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: 1 November 2024
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.
Message 7 has the links to everyone's read shelf if you choose option 2 for any of the callshttps://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Selection Post - Week 3
Book: A Quiet Life by Sienna Waters
Pages: 241
Qualification: Per the precis: "When a heart attack nearly kills her, lawyer Holland Goldmann secludes herself in the country. All she wants is a quiet life.
Selection PostWeek #3
Option 2
Book: Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann
Page numbers: 314
How it fits: Read by Michelle on March 5, 2025 and rated 4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
I need clarification, please. I have week 2 that I need to post my completion for but I won't be able to get it done until Sunday, May 4. If I remember correctly, I am OK as long as I don't have more than 1 book not completed before the next one is due, right? So I will be okay posting my book this Sunday for week 2?
The rule that Jane follows is: "Important!!! If a team member falls behind by more than 2 books, they WILL be removed from the challenge" In the past, this has been interpreted that at the time of the call on Friday, a team member has 2 or fewer outstanding completions posts to make.
Not counting this week's call, if you only have one completion post to make, you are fine.
OK, that's what I thought but I couldn't find it. Sorry to inconvenience you. Thank you, LaurLa. :)
Completion PostWeek #2
Option 1
Book: Resting Witch Face by Juliette Cross
Page numbers: 365
How it fits: MPG Magic
Finished: 05/02
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This book was surprisingly spicier than the others, which I enjoyed, but we also got to see Jules and Ruben become who we always thought they should be to each other with some bad guy ass kicking thrown in at some point for good measure.
Vicki wrote: "OK, that's what I thought but I couldn't find it. Sorry to inconvenience you. Thank you, LaurLa. :)"No inconvenience at all! As I myself am late with week 1's completion, it's a good reminder for me too :-)
Completion Post ❱❱ Week 1 ❱❱ Option 1Call ❱❱ 11. There is often a dress code chosen by the couple, with many selecting to have a formal or semi-formal event
Task ❱❱ Read a book with a cover model in a suit or a flowing/formal dress
Book ❱❱ Love Thy Enemy
Pages ❱❱ 245 (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits ❱❱ female has on a fancy decorated dress (approved by Jane in Q&A)
Date Read ❱❱ 05.02 ★★★★
Review
Pretty typical strong alpha-male meets innocent beauty where he wants to possess her but instead becomes somewhat bumbling around her. It was cute, in a way, to see the big bad not always legal but always ruthless Viktor lose his ability to speak around Dominique. For her part, she blamed him for her family's demise - which she got over right quick. A little too quick and the only complaint I have about the book. But the author obviously didn't want to dwell on this conflict between them, so I was okay with that in the effort to advance the story and not get stuck on it. The story had a side-romance, just for fun, which was very smexy and I was happy to have it included. Not sure there was much in the way of series arc or story here but I still enjoyed the book as pure romantic escapism.
Completion Post - Week 3
A Quiet Life by Sienna Waters
Finished: 5/4/25
Rating: ★★★
Review: My least favorite book by Waters. The synopsis had me absolutely sold on this and the first chapter was really good and scarily intense as we see Holland’s heart attack on page but everything after that was boring. I didn’t really care for Holland or Emory. Holland was a bit more tolerable than Emory who I never grew to be a fan of. Emory was so unlikable and selfish. I also didn’t buy into the romance as I felt the two of them lacked chemistry. Honestly only giving this three stars because it’s well written, I did like some of the plot (especially towards the end), and the side characters were great.
Week 3 selection - option 2
Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
Pages: 291
Qualification: Sookie Stackhouse #4
Shan~A~ read Sookie Stackhouse #10 on 3 Apr, 2025 & rated it 4★
Selection Post ❱❱ Week 3 ❱❱ Option 1Call ❱❱ 8. Marriage is a legal contract
Task ❱❱ Read a book with a main character who is a lawyer
Book ❱❱ Friction
Pages ❱❱ 290 (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits ❱❱ from precis: "At the powerhouse law firm of Knight & Payne, winning comes first and ethics a distant second. Leary Michaels uses her female charms to daze opponents, and it’s always worked well—until now. On her most personal case yet, she finds herself going up against a defense attorney just as skilled, shameless, and seductive as she is."
Selection Post ~ Week 3Option 1
Task: Read a book with a main character who is a lawyer
Book: False Witness
Pages: 440
Qualification: From the precis: Leigh Coulton has worked hard to build what looks like a normal life. "She has a good job as a defence attorney"
Week 2 completion
Book: Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
Date: 5/5 4★
Review:
An amusing, lighthearted read, I had fun with it. Sookie to the rescue at every turn, despite having all these preternaturally strong males at her beck & call. It was a little slow moving to begin with but picked up well once we hit Jackson, better pacing than the first two books. This is my favourite so far & I'll definitely read on.
Shan ~A~ wrote: "Selection PostWeek #3
Option 2
Book: Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann
Page numbers: 314
How it fits: Read by Michelle on March 5, 2025 and rated 4 stars
https:/..."
I love this book! This is where my love for Jennifer Hartmann began!
Week 3 - Selection PostOption 1
Book: The Lawyer
Author: Marni Mann
Pages: 330
Qualification: MMC is a lawyer
"This time, he’s Mr. Dalton, my sister’s cutthroat entertainment lawyer."
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
The Uncommon Reader (other topics)Father Christmas (other topics)
Love & Gelato (other topics)
Father Christmas (other topics)
The Worst Best Man (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Barbara Metzger (other topics)Jenna Evans Welch (other topics)
Barbara Metzger (other topics)
Lucy Score (other topics)
Jenna Evans Welch (other topics)
More...
Jane's good about checking the thread, which is good because I totally missed that the first book I posted didn't work...."
I appreciate the heads up. It's the last book of the series and I have to read it so I'll be squeezing TWO books in this week. Yikes!