Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Pass The Parcel (Team Challenge)
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PtP R24 - We Do Take Thee Trope (8)
Hi Karen - just quietly update your msg 151 post above to Completion :)
Completion post: Week #8Option:1 PTP 1. A wedding unites 2 people
Read a book from a 2-book series (duology) or read the 2nd book in a series. A series that has only 2 books to date may be used. https://www.goodreads.com/series/3144...
Star Rating: 5
Review:
Twisted Games was an excellent continuation to the Twisted series. This book focused on Princess Bridget and her bodyguard Rhys forbidden romance. Their story contained action, treachery, heartbreak, illegitimate children, and plenty of heat. I am looking forward to continuing this series with Twisted Hate; Jules and Josh’s story.
Week 8 - Selection PostOption 1: Read a book from a 2 book series (duology) or read the 2nd book in a series. A series that has only 2 books to date may be used.
Unloved by Peyton Corinne
Pages: 449
How the book qualifies: The Undone #2
Week 8 - Completion Post
Unloved by Peyton Corinne
Rating: 2 stars
Review
I really liked the first book and while I think I still liked the main characters here just as much, I didn't like that this book happens at the same time as that one (so it was kind of limited in what events could happen and most events from that book seemed vague since they weren't directly relevant to Matt and Ro) and I definitely needed more of the side characters.
Jane (PS) wrote: "Hi Karen - just quietly update your msg 151 post above to Completion :)"LOL! It wouldn't be PtP if I didn't do that at least once!
Jessica, don't forget you need to make a selection post - either a book or a pass - before the next theme is posted! 🙃
Selection Post: Week 8Option 1
Read a book from a 2 book series (duology) or read the 2nd book in a series. A series that has only 2 books to date may be used.
Dead Reckoning by Pandora Pine
Pages: 260
How it fits: Cold Case Psychic #2 https://www.goodreads.com/series/2192...
Completion Post: Week 8Option 1
Read a book from a 2 book series (duology) or read the 2nd book in a series. A series that has only 2 books to date may be used.
Dead Reckoning by Pandora Pine
Pages: 260
How it fits: Cold Case Psychic #2 https://www.goodreads.com/series/2192...
Date read: 10-June
Rating: 5 stars
Review: This is now a new favourite in the suspense/crime genre. I even liked this better than book 1. It's high intensity and high stakes which I love.
Tennyson is again visited by the ghost who wants him to solve their murder. This time it's a teen boy who was turning tricks after his parents kicked him out. We find out this ghost was actually victim 11 and so starts the hunt for a serial killer.
At the start of the book Ronan and Tennyson haven't spoken for 15 days due to a fight and an ultimatum given by Tennyson. This case brings them back together again and leaves them stronger.
Week 9Option 1
9. A wedding is generally a pretty expensive event
Read a book with a wealthy character.
Qualification may come from the precis, an appropriately titled list or a relevant tag. Examples of a character that is 'wealthy' include other tags such as 'rich', 'millionaire', 'billionaire', 'moneyed', 'affluent'.
Please ask in the Q&A if you aren't sure.
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: 13 December 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 9 - Selection PostOption 1
Fantasy in Death by J.D. RobbPage count: 368
How the book qualifies: Tagged 'billionaire' by 3 people on page 4 of tags
Selection PostWeek #9 Option: 1
PTP 9. A wedding is generally a pretty expensive event
Read a book with a wealthy character.
Spilling The Tea by Brenda Jackson (Madaris Series)
Spilling the Tea Spilling the TeaNumber of pages: 350 per GR
How the book qualifies: Chancellor is a member of the wealthy and powerful Madaris family.
From precis on GR:
Ninety something Mama Laverne is determined to find all of her great-grandchildren their perfect match before going home to glory. So far, her success rate is 100 percent—and she intends to keep it that way.
After sustaining injuries in Iraq, Chancellor Madaris was told he’d never walk again. Chance credits his great-grandmother Mama Laverne with giving him the will to heal and prove the doctors wrong. He has a healthy respect for her meddling ways and knows he’ll eventually end up next on her matchmaking list.
When Zoey Pritchard was eight, she survived a car accident that took the lives of her mother and father, and was sent to live with her great-aunt who refused to speak about her parents. Zoey has no memory from before the crash, but she’s been having the same dream over and over…
Searching for answers, Zoey travels to Houston, where she uncovers a scandal involving her parents and the wealthy and powerful Madaris family. Her trail leads her straight to Chance’s door. The dislike and intense attraction are instant and simultaneous. But to help Zoey restore her memory, he grudgingly introduces her to his great-grandmother…
PurpleLadi wrote: "Selection PostWeek #9 Option: 1
PTP 9. A wedding is generally a pretty expensive event
Read a book with a wealthy character.
Spilling The Tea by Brenda Jackson (Madaris Series)
[bookcover:Spilling..."
PurpleLadi, will you please change your page count to 352 to match your linked edition? Thanks!
Week 9 Selection Post: Option 2
SOS Hotel: Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous by Adam Vex
Pages: 172
How it fits: Read by Eugenia on 30th April 2025 and rated 3 stars
SelectionWeek 9: Option 2
Unseen by Karin Slaughter
401 pp
How it fits: Read 5/29 by KarenH, rated 4 stars (series rule: Will Trent)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
COMPLETION Week 7
Option 1: 10. Read a book with a mainly white cover (at least 50%).
The Empusium: A Health Resort Horror Story by Olga Tokarczuk
320 pp
How it fits: Mainly white cover
Read: 3 June
3 Stars
Ugh. This was tough to finish. It wasn’t the book, I just wasn’t in the mood and an audiobook wasn’t the best choice for this novel. Why? There were many names: German, Czech, Polish, Slavic, etc. These proved difficult to parse out since there many characters. I also got tired of the repeated verbal subjugation (in discussion) of women by the men. The horror did t really come about until way into the book an by then, I didn’t really care about it.
Week 9 - Completion PostOption 1
Fantasy in Death by J.D. RobbRating: 5 stars
Review: I'm not sure what it is about this particular installment in the In Death series that strikes a chord with me, but for some reason it's among my favorites. Classic locked door murder mystery with a twist, and with Eve, Roarke and the rest of the crew working their magic to solve it. Wonderfully narrated as always by Susan Ericksen.
COMPLETION Week 9: Option 2
Unseen by Karin Slaughter
401 pp
How it fits: Read 5/29 by KarenH, rated 4 stars (series rule: Will Trent)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read: 6/16
4.5 Stars
This is such a great series!! The narration is always fabulous despite the myriad of characters. This one takes us back to Grant County and we find Lena embroiled in another case that goes tits up. I hate her and like her. I don’t know if that makes her a great or an annoying character. TW: sexual abuse, torture
Completion post: Week #9Option: 1 PTP 9. A wedding is generally a pretty expensive event
Read a book with a wealthy character.
Spilling the Tea by Brenda Jackson (Madaris Series)
Spilling the TeaStar Rating: 5
Review:
Spilling the Tea was an appropriate title for this book. It is sad but not surprising how all those secrets lead to heartache and pain. This book was a definite page turner. Mrs. Jackson captured my attention from the first page and kept it to the last word. I Enjoyed visiting with all the Madaris family members and their friends. I love how Mrs. Jackson weaves her stories so we can catch up on their lives. Great story!
Week 9 - Selection PostOption 1: Read a book with a wealthy character.
Forget Your Morals by Sarah Blue
Pages: 315
How the book qualifies: Tagged billionaire 5 times - middle column, 14th
Week 9 - Completion Post
Forget Your Morals by Sarah Blue
Rating: 1 star
Review
I didn't think that this was completely awful, but at the same time, there wasn't really anything that I liked about this book. The main characters are cousins but aren't blood related (Penny was adopted) and yet the way it was written felt weird. Not much happens in this book apart from Lincoln and Penny sleeping with each other anonymously, then they find out and Penny wants to stop so she doesn't lose her family (which is made worse by news about her biological mother) while Lincoln is shocked but wants to keep exploring what's between them. The rest of the book is just them struggling to reveal their relationship to their family (mostly their parents).
~KarenH~ wrote: "PurpleLadi wrote: "Selection PostWeek #9 Option: 1
PTP 9. A wedding is generally a pretty expensive event
Read a book with a wealthy character.
Spilling The Tea by Brenda Jackson (Madaris Series)
..."
Thanks, I will.
~KarenH~ wrote: "PurpleLadi wrote: "Selection PostWeek #9 Option: 1
PTP 9. A wedding is generally a pretty expensive event
Read a book with a wealthy character.
Spilling The Tea by Brenda Jackson (Madaris Series)
..."
I made a correction of the page count from 350 to 352.
Selection Post
Week #9 Option: 1
PTP 9. A wedding is generally a pretty expensive event
Read a book with a wealthy character.
Spilling The Tea by Brenda Jackson (Madaris Series)
Spilling the Tea Spilling the Tea
Number of pages: 352 per GR
How the book qualifies: Chancellor is a member of the wealthy and powerful Madaris family.
From precis on GR:
Ninety-something Mama Laverne is determined to find all of her great-grandchildren their perfect match before going home to glory. So far, her success rate is 100 percent—and she intends to keep it that way.
After sustaining injuries in Iraq, Chancellor Madaris was told he’d never walk again. Chance credits his great-grandmother Mama Laverne with giving him the will to heal and prove the doctors wrong. He has a healthy respect for her meddling ways and knows he’ll eventually end up next on her matchmaking list.
When Zoey Pritchard was eight, she survived a car accident that took the lives of her mother and father and was sent to live with her great-aunt who refused to speak about her parents. Zoey has no memory from before the crash, but she’s been having the same dream over and over…
Searching for answers, Zoey travels to Houston, where she uncovers a scandal involving her parents and the wealthy and powerful Madaris family. Her trail leads her straight to Chance’s door. The dislike and intense attraction are instant and simultaneous. But to help Zoey restore her memory, he grudgingly introduces her to his great-grandmother…
Was it chance, or Mama Laverne’s plan, that threw this pair together?
🌺 Just Jessica's completion for the current week outstanding.Looking good :)
Week 10Option 1
15. A honeymoon trip will generally mark the beginning of the couple's married life.
Read a book tagged 'holiday' or 'vacation'. These are the only tags that will work.
So this can be a genre on the main page or on the book's shelves. A list will not work.
Please ask in the Q&A if you aren't sure.
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: 20 December 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.
Selection PostWeek #10 Option:1
PTP 15. A honeymoon trip will generally mark the beginning of the couple's married life
Read a book tagged 'holiday' or 'vacation'.
Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday
Duke, ActuallyNumber of pages: 400 per GR
How the book qualifies
Tagged Holiday: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Eugenia wrote: "Is this the last week?"It looks like we have one more week after this one.
Selection Post Week 10 Option 1: Read a book tagged 'holiday' or 'vacation'.
Winter Dreams by Marie Sexton
pages: 296 GR
How the book qualifies: MPG Holiday
Week 10 - Selection PostOption 1
Darling Girls by Sally HepworthPage count: 365
How the book qualifies: Tagged 'vacation' by 4 people on page 6 of tags
Week 10: Option 1
15. Read a book tagged 'holiday' or 'vacation'.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
427 pp
How it fits: tagged ‘vacation’ 3x, page 14, column 1 https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Completion post: Week #10Option:1 PTP 15. A honeymoon trip will generally mark the beginning of the couple's married life. Read a book tagged 'holiday' or 'vacation'.
Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday
Star Rating: (4)
Review: Dani and Max’s story delt with some serious issues, like alcoholism, abuse, and low self-esteem in a respectful, yet lighthearted manner. We tend forget that famous/ rich people and nobility are normal people with problems, dreams, and flaws just like everybody else. I appreciated how the author gently reminded the reader that the grass is not always greener on the other side. It was a good read.
Week 10 - Selection PostOption 1: Read a book tagged 'holiday' or 'vacation'.
Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings
Pages: 320
How the book qualifies: Tagged vacation-traveling once - 3rd column, 7th from the bottom
Week 10 - Completion Post
Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings
Rating: 2 stars
Review
I liked reading about what having autism and ADHD meant for Oliver and Tilly, but it felt like all the other elements of the story lacked the detail that that aspect had. For example, they are travelling to multiple countries, but there weren’t any details to make you feel like they were actually there, especially near the end when they were exploring the towns they were living in. They’re working for Mona and her partner, but that was kind of vague, especially the meetings that felt like they were only there so Oliver and Tilly could be left on their own or to show that Tilly had valuable inputs. There was supposed to be tension between Tilly and Mona, but there were only a few arguments that happened between them and then it was over. Also, Tilly’s problems with her parents (although her father becomes non-existent by the end) as well as finding a job are solved very quickly in a chapter or two at the end.
This was a quick read, which wasn’t for me because it focused on Tilly’s struggles with what to do next and showing autism and ADHD, while everything else was vague or underdeveloped.
Eugenia wrote: "Selection PostWeek 10: Option 1
15. Read a book tagged 'holiday' or 'vacation'.
Great Big Beautiful Life by [author:Emily Henry|139..."
Eugenia, your link to the page of tags is broken AND it now has 4 tags instead of 3 so the page number is wrong (it's on page 10 now). Will you please correct so it's easier for Jane to check? Thanks!
Well, it’s no longer on page 10. I do t know where it is now. I’ll have to pick another book. It’s fine, I started it and am bored by it.
Week 10 - Completion PostOption 1
Darling Girls by Sally HepworthRating: 4 stars
Review: Sally Hepworth is a new to me author, and after reading this book I will have her on my radar for more. There were things about how the investigation unfolded that I found very unrealistic, but for the most part I was able to ignore those things because I enjoyed the way the story played out. I can suspend disbelief when it seems that the inconsistencies are story driven rather than just laziness on the author's part...it is fiction, after all! I had something of an idea reasonably early on what the solution to the mystery was going to be, but not completely...there were some twists and turns that I definitely wasn't expecting.
Eugenia wrote: "Well, it’s no longer on page 10. I do t know where it is now. I’ll have to pick another book. It’s fine, I started it and am bored by it."Weird, I'm still seeing it on page 10 - https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve.... If you're changing your book anyway it doesn't matter, but I hate it when the tags play hide and seek...it can be so frustrating sometimes!
🐝Outstanding:
Week 9 - Jessica
Current week - Jessica's completion & Eugenia's decision & completion :)
Eugenia wrote: "Well, it’s no longer on page 10. I do t know where it is now. I’ll have to pick another book. It’s fine, I started it and am bored by it."I can see the tag on page 10, Eugenia :). Up to you if you still want to change the book or just copy Karen's link into your selection post.
SelectionWeek 10: Option 2
After That Nightby Karin Slaughter
432 pp
How it fits: Read 5/29 by KarenH, rated 4 stars (series rule: Will Trent)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
COMPLETION POSTWeek 10: Option 2
After That Nightby Karin Slaughter
432 pp
How it fits: Read 5/29 by KarenH, rated 4 stars (series rule: Will Trent)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read: 26 June
4.5 Stars
Review: Rape, rape, and more rape. This installment in the Will Trent series is not for the faint of heart. We go back to Sarah’s time in med school in Grady, and flip to the present day. I won’t spoil it, but this one is very graphic (not like other books in this series aren’t), and I thought I had it all figured out, only to find I was missing the key piece of the puzzle. Well done, Karin Slaughter, well done.
Completion Post Week 10 Option 1: Read a book tagged 'holiday' or 'vacation'.
Winter Dreams by Marie Sexton
pages: 296 GR
How the book qualifies: MPG Holiday
Date read: 26-June
Rating: 4 stars
Review: What I loved most about this was how unapologetic Dylan was about the worst aspects of himself. He sleeps with anything walking and willing and even says he'd sleep with a director for a part in a movie. He doesn't hide who he is which makes the romance even sweeter.
I also loved the idea of a magical island trying to grant wishes. The part where Connor tells Dylan he dreamed his whole life if he were to go back to his ex was quite emotional. I loved these two together and glad it lived up to the first book.
Week 9 Selection Post: Option 2
SOS Hotel: Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous by Adam Vex
Pages: 172
How it fits: Read by Eugenia on 30th April 2025 and rated 3 stars
Date read: 26-June
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I liked this better than the first book but barely. I think my problem with it is a lack of emotional substance. It's very surface level when it comes to characters personas, dialogue and behaviours. The love triangle is hot but I just don't care about these characters. It's not a bad book but think I'll end the series here.
Jessica wrote: "Week 9 Selection Post: Option 2SOS Hotel: Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous by [autho..."
Jessica, will you please correct this to 'Completion Post' instead of 'Selection Post'? Thanks!
We're all completely current going into the last round! 😃 Our final task should be posted in a couple of hours or so...I hope everyone is ready! Below is a reminder post from Jane that was posted in the Q&A thread a couple of days ago:Friday's call is the last one of this round, so please try to get your reading done in preparation for the final task.
For the final call, Option 2 will not be available from bookshelves within your team. I will allocate the team you can select from once I announce the final task.
You can also not use a pass in the final week.
I've posted a link to the status of the teams in msg 1 of this thread.
Here are the remaining possible themes for this week in case anyone wants to do any last minute "advance" planning!2. Rings are exchanged
Read a book with a ring on the cover. Any type of ring ~ eg wedding ring, smoke ring, donut. It must be round and have a clear empty middle.
4. Music is played ~ before, during or after
Read a book with an MC who is a musician or music composer/lyricist. Not a poet.
6. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly across cultures, religions and social groups
Read a book set in a country outside the USA.
The country must be stated in the precis or on the main page.
12. At the end of the vows, the couple will kiss
Read a book with a kiss on the cover by the models, or with the word 'kiss' in the title.
13. Traditionally parents paid for the wedding
Read a book tagged with 'parent'.
I will also accept 'dad', 'mum' or related variations that fit the task & do not contradict its intent.
14. Family and friends are invited to attend the ceremony
Read a book from a series where each new book is centred on a different couple.
A couple may be repeated in another book in the series, but only once. A compilation catch up, eg a Christmas book with multiple couples is fine.
Is the minimum length 100 or 150 pages (I can’t seem to keep all the different challenge requirements straight in my head)?
It's 100 pages for this one.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Christmas Angel (other topics)Christmas Angel (other topics)
SOS Hotel: Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous (other topics)
After That Night (other topics)
SOS Hotel: Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Adam Vex (other topics)Marie Sexton (other topics)
Karin Slaughter (other topics)
Karin Slaughter (other topics)
Emily Henry (other topics)
More...
Option 1
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I tend to enjoy time-travel stories, and so far this series is working for me. A modern-day Canadian (female) police detective is somehow thrown into the past and into another woman's body when she is attacked in the same location (and in the same way) as the other woman was, exactly 150 years earlier. By the second book in the series she has settled in, the people closest to her know who she really is, and she is able to work with the police and her undertaker/medical examiner boss, helping to solve crimes, while also continuing to perform the duties of the young housemaid whose body she now inhabits. The audiobook narration was very well done by Kate Handford, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.