Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Pass The Parcel (Team Challenge)
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PtP R24 - Aisle be there for you (4)
Week #2 - Option 2- COMPLETION POSTBook: Kingdom of Faewood
Read: 5/2/2025
Rating: 3.5
Review:
Well I waited too long to write my review from when I finished reading so now I don't remember exactly what I wanted to put here. I do know I was overall pleasantly surprised at the story. Especially as the beginning has 13 pages of glossary and terms and a map. That was an overwhelming start.
I liked the FMC up until maybe the 50%ish mark. She just ended up being such an idiot. Making stupid choices, not seeing what was right in front of her face, etc. It got old quick. Luckily the MMC and his bandit crew kept me interested in the book. Well I will say the FMC's abilities kept me interested as well.
The story ends on a cliff hanger which not sure why I was surprised by that? Also there is literally not even a kiss in this book. We couldn't have at least gotten a kiss?? Geez.
According to other reviews there is more "heat" in the 2nd book. I am intrigued enough to continue reading the series.
Week 3 - Selection Post Option 2
Key date: 1 November 2024
Book: Mile High
Pages: 490 pages
How it fits: Amber Rose read it on 3/24/2025 and rated it 4 stars.
CB wrote: " Week 3 - Selection Post Option 2
Key date: 1 November 2024
Book: Mile High
Pages: 490 pages
How it fits: Amber Rose read it on 3/24/2025 and rated it 4 stars."
Ohhhh! I hope you like this one!
Selection Post, Week 3Lawyers
Champagne Spiced Omega by Susi Hawke
118 pages
How it Fits: per precis - "...Ian’s entire adult life has been spent climbing the ladder to partnership at his law firm..."
Week 4Option 1
3. There is a public declaration by an official (Minister, celebrant etc.)
Read a book with punctuation in the title and/or series name.
These are: full stop (aka period), question mark, exclamation mark, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, brackets, braces, parentheses, apostrophe, quotation mark and ellipsis.
A combined 'title: series' name will work. The proof can be on the main page of GR or on the bookcover. Please link to the page or include the bookcover.
It must be limited to the actual title and/or actual series name. Tangential sentences to the title or series will not work.
Option 2
Key date: 8 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
Amber wrote: "CB wrote: " Week 3 - Selection Post Option 2
Key date: 1 November 2024
Book: Mile High
Pages: 490 pages
How it fits: Amber Rose read it on 3/24/2025 and rated it 4 stars."
Ohhhh! I..."
So far I am! I can see why people have complained about the MMC but I feel like the FMC makes up for his faults haha. I really like her character.
Week #4 - Option 1 – SELECTION POSTBook: Hush, Hush
Pages: 417 (kindle edition)
How the book qualifies: comma in the title
Week #4 - Completion 
Book: Blaine's Beast
Pages: 220
How the book qualifies: Apostrophe in title
Date Read: 10th May 2025
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Review:
"Maybe we are monsters. You just made me realize that's not always a bad thing."
I adored Blaine and Beast, I wish had been more time spent with them seeing the relationship develop. It's rather interesting how lust & attraction he has with Rohan, while then builds emotional connection and falls in love with him as the Beast instead. I enjoyed this book, but it went of the rails towards the end.
Week #4 - Option #1 - SELECTION POSTBook: By Sin I Rise: Part Two by Cora Reilly
Pages: 268 pgs
How It Fits: Colon in title
Selection Post, Week 4Read a book with punctuation in the title and/or series name.
Best Present Ever? by M.A. Innes
159 pages
How it Fits: "?" in title
Completion Post, Week 4Read a book with punctuation in the title and/or series name.
Best Present Ever? by M.A. Innes
159 pages
How it Fits: "?" in title
Read: 11 May
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
Very sweet. It's been years since I've read an M.A. Innes romance, and Best Present Ever? is definitely exactly why I've always enjoyed this author in the past.
I liked the "mystery" aspect of the story, and holiday romances are always the best any time of year :).
Week #4 - Option 1- COMPLETION POSTBook: Hush, Hush
Date Read: May 13th
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: This book came out in 2009 and I'm probably one of the few people who still hadn't read it (probably due to the fact that I'm not a huge PNR reader!). This story took me back to the first time I read Twilight many years ago because it has a similar vibe. It tells the story of Nora and Patch, who is a fallen angel. This is the first installment in a series that tells the love story between Patch, a fallen angel and Nora, a mortal. The story is packed with action and suspense and it took me by surprise so much that I couldn't put it down! It wasn't perfect and there are many things I didn't like about it and the fact that it was written 16 years ago it shows, however I've already started book #2 in the series and I cannot wait to see where the story goes!
Tracking posts updated up until here :)
Week #4 - Option #1 - COMPLETION POSTBook: By Sin I Rise: Part Two by Cora Reilly
Date Read: 5/13/25
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: I was a little disappointed on how the book ended. It was part two and I really enjoyed part one, but it seemed rushed and the characters had an "its okay" attitude when dealing with conflict. There should have really been a part three lol. But overall I enjoyed the Mafia/biker gang aspect of this story, which I have never read before. My star rating is based on reading part one and two as a whole. But alone, I would probably give this book a 3.25/3.5 stars.
🦆Outstanding:
Week 3 - CB & Trio completions
Week 4 - CB's selection (& completion)
Please let me know if I've missed a post!
Jane (PS) wrote: "🦆Outstanding:
Week 3 - CB & Trio completions
Week 4 - CB's selection (& completion)
Please let me know if I've missed a post!"
Hi Jane,
yes everything is correct :)
That's correct for me - I still need to read my book from last week. It's a short one so I'll try and get to it tomorrow.
Week 4 - Selection PostOption 1
Book: Wolf.e
Pages: 416 pages
How it fits: There is a period in the title.
Sorry y'all. I am reading my week 3 book but it's just been a busy week as I'm about to go on a 2 week vacation to Europe. So haven't been able to read as much. I'm about 60% done so should hopefully have it completed this weekend! Then i'll immediately start book 4. I hope to no longer be behind by next week. If it's alright with everyone can I call Option 3 - Pass for week 6? That's when I'll be traveling.
Week 5Option 1
7. A wedding takes extensive planning
Read a book:
* with a character who is a wedding planner OR
* from a series of more than 5 books.
Qualification:
* For the wedding planner option, please state HOW it qualifies through the precis/blurb, or with an appropriately named shelf or list. Please advise the shelf/list and provide a link to that page.
* For the series option, please link to the series page.
Half books etc will count toward the 6 or more books in the series, but they must show on the series page that is linked to in the selection post. Eg. Aster Valley
Option 2
Key date: 15 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
Week #5 - Option 1 – SELECTION POSTBook: Ricochet
Pages: 265 (kindle edition)
How the book qualifies: book #2 in the Addicted World Series (total 10 primary books) https://www.goodreads.com/series/3019...
Selection Post, Week 5Option 1. Read a book:
* with a character who is a wedding planner OR
* from a series of more than 5 books.
Wild Scottish Gold by Tricia O'Malley
354 pages
How it fits: #7 in series
Week #5 - Option #1 - SELECTION POST Book: Sin & Spirit by K.F. Breene
Pages: 386 pages
How It Fits: book #4 of 6 in the Demigods of San Francisco series
Week 3 - Completion Post Option 2
Book: Mile High
Date Read: 5/19
Rating: 4/5
Review:
This was so cute. I loved seeing Zanders character growth! Might be the best character growth I've ever read for a manwhore. I found Stevie's character very relatable. It was super hard for me to read about a white mother being so cruel to her mixed child. Man that was tough as I can never ever imagine treating my child like that ever (who is also mixed). Her mother can rot and honestly her father has no backbone. How he allowed his wife to continuously treat Stevie like that is beyond me.
Week #5 - Option 1- COMPLETION POSTBook: Ricochet
Date Read: May 19th
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: I've started reading this series in 2016 but then, even if I was loving it, I stopped when I was about to start reading book #8 out of 10. I probably quit because Rose and Connor were my least favorite couple and I didn't feel like reading another book about them. However, during the years I kept thinking about this story and all the characters and I knew I wanted to revisit it and finish it. So this challenge was a great opportunity to do it. Lo and Lily are my all time favorite couple..I love their flaws and how profound is their love for each other. Unfortunately they're apart for the whole book but you can still fell their connection and their love, even when they're struggling separately to fight their demons. I cannot wait to continue reading the series and then move to their children's story.
I'll be cutting it close with my selection, sorry been chaotic last week term so haven't got round to picking up book. So will start tomorrow and get in before the next task 😊
Week #5 - Option #1 - COMPLETION POSTBook: Sin & Spirit by K.F. Breene
Date Read: 5/22/25
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: I'm glad I continued on with this series even though the last book sort of irked me. Finally we are starting to get some answers into who Alexis' father is and why she is so powerful. There was also a new spirit introduced in this book who is witty and charming, which I adore. He is also training Alexis on how to hone in on her powers and I liked the overall teacher/student aspect of that. I will 100% read the next book because it left off on a cliff hanger.
Week 4: Completion PostOption 1
Book: Wolf.e
Date Read: 5/22
Rating: 5/5
Review:
Well this was the PERFECT introduction for me to Paisley Hope's writing/books AND to MC romances. It's basically mafia but they are on motorcycles and religiously wear leather. I think this is my favorite book of the year, so far. I don't see myself forgetting this book, ever. The level of Gabe's obsession for Brinley was so delicious. He pretty much from the moment he see's her/meets her is a goner but in the hottest possible way. There's no 3rd act breakup and it's so well done! Watching their relationship grow stronger and not have it end in some miscommunication was A+. They were mature, communicated, were straight up with their wants, feelings, etc and it was the best.
This is 100% a reread book for me and the cover is so hot I'll be purchasing a physical copy.
Completion Post, Week 5Option 1. Read a book:
* with a character who is a wedding planner OR
* from a series of more than 5 books.
Wild Scottish Gold by Tricia O'Malley
354 pages
How it fits: #7 in series
Read: 20 May
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
What a lovely story! I've enjoyed all of Tricia O'Malley's The Enchanted Highlands books, but Wild Scottish Gold is my favorite so far! I just really clicked with these wonderful characters, and I love how O'Malley weaves the magic into the story.
The audio version of Wild Scottish Gold is beautifully performed by AmyLandon and Will Watt. They do an marvelous job with this one!
Week 5: Selection Post Option 1
Book: Hell Hath No Fury
Pages: 351
How it fits: There are 6 primary works and 10 total works in the series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/2190...
Week #5 - Selection 
Book: Reckless
Pages: 400
How the book qualifies: #12 in a Series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/3707...
Tracking posts updated up until here! Below you can find a recap:WEEK 1
Complete
WEEK 2
Complete
WEEK 3
Completion post from Trio is missing
WEEK 4
Complete
WEEK 5
Completion posts from CB and Trip are missing
As you all know, for week #6 CB has already requested to use option 3 "pass" 'cause she'll be traveling.
Have a nice weekend everyone :)
oh my gosh, I completely forgot about that week 3 book! I'll try to get to it today, sorry about that!
Trio wrote: "oh my gosh, I completely forgot about that week 3 book! I'll try to get to it today, sorry about that!"no worries :)
Week 6Option 1
16. And they lived happily ever after
Read a book tagged 'hea'.
Please include a link to the page where the tag appears (or to the tag specifically). (The shelves are accessed after clicking on the 'more' on the genres for the book page.)
Option 2
Key date: 22 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
Week #6 - Selection 
Book: The Retreat
Pages: 301
How the book qualifies: tagged hea x2, page 2, Column 1
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Week #6 - Option #1 - SELECTION POST Book: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Pages: 464 pages
How It Fits: tagged hea by 11 people on page 5
Week #6 - Option 1 – SELECTION POSTBook: Dark Lover
Pages: 490 (kindle edition)
How the book qualifies: tagged HEA by 12 people (page #6 first column)
Week #6 - Completion
Book: The Retreat
Pages: 301
How the book qualifies: tagged hea x2, page 2, Column 1
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Date read: 28th May 2025
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Review: “I like it too. For the first time, I feel like maybe I’m not alone against the world.”
This book surprised be me in all the best ways, I was charmed instantly by Owen & Colin and I adored seeing these two fall in love. I'd been excited from the glimpses of them in the first book, but this one swept me away and I loved their story so much.
I enjoyed the married in Vegas and fake relationship aspect, how it benefits them both and how they blend their lives together even before they start to realize. Colin & Owen are so fitting for one another, the ways they support and care for each other.
Selection & Completion Post, Week 6tagged HEA
Of Paper and Wood by Amy Bellows
198 pages
How it Fits: tagged HEA by 1 reader on the 3rd page
Read: 29 May
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
I'm not super familiar with the writing of Amy Bellows, I think this might be the second book of theirs I've read? Of Paper and Wood is actually a sweet new adult love story about two virgins from opposite ends of the tracks. Forbidden love, royalty, magic, that kind of stuff.
I listend to the audio version of Of Paper and Wood and fell in love with the narrator, Tom North. I really enjoyed his performance! I'll definitely be looking for more of his books.
Week #6 - Option 1- COMPLETION POSTBook: Dark Lover
Date Read: May 30th
Rating: ⭐⭐.5
Review: This book has been on my TBR for ages and I always thought it was some kind of masterpiece about vampires. But I was definitely wrong...it took me ages to read it and I loathed every moment!! I don't know if it's because it's written in third person (which I really don't like) or if it's because it's quite old and the writing style seems a bit outdated. Or simply this author or this story is not for me.. I don't know what to say about this story beside that is was really boring and very insta-lust (which I don't like). I will definitely NOT continue with this series unfortunately (I'm saying unfortunately because a few years ago I bought 7 books thinking I would love this series!!)
Since tonight a new theme will be announced, I've updated the tracking posts up until here. Below you can find a recap:WEEK 1, 2 and 4
Complete
WEEK 3
Completion post from Trio is missing
WEEK 5
Completion posts from CB and Trip are missing
WEEK 6
Completion post from Amber is missing
Have a nice weekend everyone :)
I wanted to thank you all for your patience with me, but I'm going to be dropping out of the challenge. As I've come to the confirmed realisation that I'm rubbish at pre selecting books and my mood reading habits these days don't work here.I wish you all luck and happy reading! ✨
Week 7Option 1
10. Popularised by Queen Victoria, the bride will often wear white.
Read a book with a character who is considered royal or rules a country, eg monarch, king, queen, emperor/ess, prince/cess, ruler of a country
OR
Read a book with a mainly white cover (at least 50%).
'Pop' or 'business' royalty etc or equivalent will not count.
Please post the bookcover is you select the 'white' bookcover choice.
Option 2
Key date: 29 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
Completion Post, Week 3Lawyers
Champagne Spiced Omega by Susi Hawke
118 pages
How it Fits: per precis - "...Ian’s entire adult life has been spent climbing the ladder to partnership at his law firm..."
Read: 30 May
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
Susi Hawke's omegaverse stories are like a little taste of candy, super easy to take and very sweet. They're all the same, but every so often I just need to listen to one.
The audio version of Champagne Spiced Omega is nicely performed by Drew Bacca.
Week #7 - Option 1 – SELECTION POSTBook: Bittersweet Always
Pages: 408
How the book qualifies: the cover is mainly white
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
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How to Honeymoon Alone (other topics)
Bitter Truth (other topics)
Blue Notes (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Shira Anthony (other topics)E.M. Forster (other topics)
E.M. Forster (other topics)
Louise Bay (other topics)
Louise Bay (other topics)
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WEEK #1
COMPLETE
WEEK #2
COMPLETION: CBCOMPLETE!WEEK #3
SELECTION:
CB, TrioALL DONE!COMPLETION: CB, Trio
Have a nice day everyone :)