Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
The Amazing Race Team Challenge
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TART12 - Curl Up & Read Between the Lashes (11)
COMPLETION POSTTask 4 - 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones.
Book/cover link: Craven Manor by Darcy Coates
Pages: 300 Kindle first edition (see link above)
How it Qualifies: It is a standalone
Date Completed: 11 October 2025
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I'm not into horror too much but this one was all right. I didn't find the characters to be believable and they were just stagnate characters, one dimensional. If I can't buy into the characters, it's super difficult for me to buy into the plot because it just doesn't seem feasible, which is what happened to me for this book. I did think the writing itself was good and I would try another horror book by the author but not too soon.
Eeeekkk...you're waiting on me! I'll be done with my book tomorrow. Sorry!
Completion PostTask: 4 - 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones.
Book/cover link:
The TherapistB.A. ParisPage numbers with source: 352 pages for 1st Kindle edition
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: stand alone book
Date Completed: 10-12-2025
Rating/Review: 3⭐️
Curl Up & Read Between the Lashes (11) Completion PostTask: 4 - 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones.
bamaace83: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Vicki: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Michelle's Empty Nest: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Sunflower Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
bamaace83 wrote: "COMPLETION POSTTask 3 - 5. Read 4 books first published within the last year
Book/cover link:
Pages..."
Unfortunately, this book is nonfiction and books are required to be fiction for this challenge. So this book does not qualify. 🙁
I am going to assign your next task (Task 5) anyway, but this book will have to be made up before I will assign the following task (Task 6). The book can be made up by any teammate, but if anyone other than Anna makes it up, she will need to use her pass for this round.
Michelle's Empty Nest wrote: "Completion PostTask: 4 - 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones.
Book/cover link:
The TherapistB.A. ParisPage numbers with so..."
Please correct to the first edition Kindle page count (368). Thanks.
Here is your next task!Task 5 - 2. Each player reads the first book in a series, can be same or different series - no pass for this task.
Every teammates reads a book numbered 1 or lower in a numbered series listed on GR. Teammates can read the same or different series. Please include the series and number in your completion posts.
Oops! That was 100 percent my fault. I'll make it up. I was so focused on paying attention to copying the right page counts over that I didn't pay attention to the MPG's. I finished a book this morning that works.
COMPLETION POSTTask 3 - 5. Read 4 books first published within the last year
Book/cover link: Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
Pages: 378 pages Kindle edition
How it Qualifies: standalone book
Date Completed: 10-13-25
Rating: 4
Review:
This book was on my holds list forever and a day at the library. I really liked the interactions between Sasha and Joni. It was a really cute fast romance story with some added magical things. I also liked the fun coffee drinks that they would drink. I think the author did a good job of describing scenes so that we felt we were there. It was a fun story.
Completion Post: Page Count CorrectionTask: 4 - 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones.
Book/cover link:
The TherapistB.A. ParisPage numbers with source: 368 pages for 1st Kindle edition
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: stand alone book
Date Completed: 10-12-2025
Rating/Review: 3⭐️
COMPLETION POSTTask 5 - 2. Each player reads the first book in a series, can be same or different series - no pass for this task.
Book/cover link: The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King
Pages: 302 Kindle first edition (see link above)
How it Qualifies: It is #1 in The Hundredth Queen series
Date Completed: 13 October 2025
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This book took me right into a world where power, destiny, and defiance collide. Kalinda's transformation from a sickly orphan to a fierce fighter kept me turning pages, even when the palace politics and spiritual trials felt heavy. It's part fantasy, part feminist awakening, with themes of control, faith, and freedom woven throughout. While it leans more on adventure than deep character development, I still found myself rooting for Kalinda's courage and heart. A strong start to the series, especially if you like heroines who rise against impossible odds.
Curl Up & Read Between the Lashes (11) Completion PostTask: 5 - 2. Each player reads the first book in a series, can be same or different series - no pass for this task.
bamaace83: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Vicki: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Michelle's Empty Nest: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Sunflower Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Hey Vicki, when you have time will you correct your post where it says standalone and put 1st in series and what series? We've been the problem children, me included, so trying to keep us from being in time out again, lol.
Lol Oh, jeez...what is wrong with me!!! OK, I'll fix it. Thanks, Anna. :)
Task 5 - 2. Each player reads the first book in a series.Completion Post
Team - Curl Up & Read Between the Lashes (11)
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole MaehrerPage count: - 425 pages
How book qualifies: Series Assistant to the Villain (#1) Assistant to the Villain
Date Completed: 10/14/25
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This was a cozy fantasy with quirky humor, light mystery, and a super slow (but clean) romance. It’s cute and great for fall but the cliffhanger at the end totally caught me off guard. 🙃
Task 5 - 2. Each player reads the first book in a series.Completion Post
Team - Curl Up & Read Between the Lashes (11)
Book/Cover Link:
Page count: - 352 kindle addition
How book qualifies: Series Silver Springs Book 1
Date Completed: 10/14/25
Rating: 2 stars
Review: Okay, I didn't really like this book that much. Lily grated my nerves because of just not truly accepting help and standing up for herself. Gunner tried to always be the hero but didn't even tell his friends when things changed. It was okay but I'm not sure if I'll continue this series. I just had to find a first book but ehh.
Completion PostTask: 5 - 2. Each player reads the first book in a series.
Book/cover link:
Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia HastingsPage numbers with source: 304 pages for 1st Kindle edition
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: 1st in Dear Miss Hermione series
Date Completed: 10-15-2025
Rating/Review: 3⭐️
Here is your next task!Task 6 - 19. Each teammate reads a book another teammate read and rated 4 Stars or higher in the last 3 months. No pass for this task.
Books selected for this task need to have been read by a teammate on or after July 15, 2025 and rated at least 4 stars. (Series rule applies.) Please include a link to the teammate's review or read shelf showing the selected book in your completion post.
It was hard to narrow down but I'm pretty excited to read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna- a 4 star read from Vicki's list. 🤗
I'm also going with one of Vicki's 5⭐️ books...The Forest of Vanishing Stars. It sounds really good!
I was so busy yesterday that I haven’t looked at anyone’s shelf, but I will do that shortly.
Vicki wrote: "I hope you like it, Sunny."I'm on chapter 7 and completely hooked!🤪🧙♀️ The story pulled me in right from the start, and the narrator is so good she's a perfect match for the vibe of the book.
Completion PostTask: 6 - 19. Each teammate reads a book another teammate read and rated 4 Stars or higher in the last 3 months. No pass for this task.
Book/cover link:
The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin HarmelPage numbers with source: 384 pages for 1st Kindle edition
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Vicki read it and rated it 5⭐️ on 9-19-2025. https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Date Completed: 10-16-2025
Rating/Review: 4⭐️
Curl Up & Read Between the Lashes (11) Completion PostTask: 6 - 19. Each teammate reads a book another teammate read and rated 4 Stars or higher in the last 3 months. No pass for this task.
bamaace83: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Vicki: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Michelle's Empty Nest: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Sunflower Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Task 6 - 19. Each teammate reads a book another teammate read and rated 4 Stars or higher in the last 3 months. Completion Post
Team - Curl Up & Read Between the Lashes (11)
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu MandannaPage count: - 301 pages
How book qualifies: a 4 star read off Vicki's shelf from September 17, 2025. https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Date Completed: 10/17/25
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: Scrumptious. 😙🤌
I also went off Vicki's list and am going to read The Reading List. I might not have mine done until tomorrow.
Completion PostTask: 6 - 19. Each teammate reads a book another teammate read and rated 4 Stars or higher in the last 3 months. No pass for this task.
Book/cover link: The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Page numbers with source: 380 kindle edition
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Vicki read it and rated it 4 stars on 10-24-24 https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Date Completed: 10-18-2025
Rating/Review: 4 stars
Such a cute book. I loved the character of Mukesh. He's just trying to find his purpose after his wife dies and finds books. I love that To Kill A Mockingbird was mentioned. I grew up in Alabama and that book will always have a special place in my soul. I also need to make sure that I read all those books on the reading list. I kind of want to write a reading list and place it inside a library book to be found. That's just a fun idea.
Vicki, were you able to find a book for this task?
Not as of right now, but I'm looking at the lists. Sorry, I've been super busy since Thursday.
OK, I'm going to read We Are All Guilty Here from Anna's list. She read it on October 18. I'll get it read today.
No worries...or rush. Was just wanting to check in. 😊
OK thanks. :)I'm so frustrated. Not sure if it's MY computer or Goodreads but I every time I put in a book on the search books bar it comes up with this: Application error: a client-side exception has occurred while loading www.goodreads.com (see the browser console for more information). Plus I can't login in to my bank from my phone which is how I always do my banking. I'm about to blow a fuse! lol
I read somewhere today that several big servers are down and causing widespread issues.
Hi Team, hi Vicky, how is it coming along?
I will have my book done in a few hours. I have an appointment this morning that will take me a couple of hours, then I'll get busy on finishing my book. I'm so sorry, team. I got messed up the day that GR and all kinds of other apps were down!!! I forgot about this one as a result until Anna nudged me and then I still didn't get to it. I had to basically save finishing it until today for another challenge. But I WILL get it finished & posted today...promise! :)
Completion PostTask: 6 - 19. Each teammate reads a book another teammate read and rated 4 Stars or higher in the last 3 months. No pass for this task.
Book/cover link: We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughters
Page numbers with source: 400 kindle edition (see link above)
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Anna (bamaace83) read it 18 October https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Date Completed: 25 October 2025
Rating/Review: 4 stars
Review: I love Karin Slaughter. This book was no different and didn't disappoint me; however, compared to some of her 5-star books I've read I gave this one a 4-star rating. Two girls go missing and one of them is the daughter of the MC Emmy's best friend, Hannah. That causes friction between them as one can only imagine. Then, we find out much later that there is a lot of family friction and secrets are divulged around 60%-70% in. There are quite a few suspects and to predict who was involved in the girls' disappearance and many other girls who'd been murdered was pretty much not happening for me.
Yay, I'm glad all is well, Vicki, no worries. 😊
Looks like we're ready for the next task.🤗
Here is your next task!Task 7 - 29. Read over 750 pages in books about the same profession, teams decide which profession.
Professions such as LEO, military or musicians are ok. Just don’t try to pass off a rancher and a chef as both being in the food industry - they are simply not close enough. Please include the selected profession in your completions post and to let me know how you know the book qualifies - title, precis, tags or lists, including links and any other necessary information. I need to know where to look to confirm your books. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count.
Please note that private investigators/private detectives, CIA and military (with the exception of military police) are NOT considered law enforcement officers.
if we each read a book with a minimum of about 188 pages, we should meet the 750 total pages requirement... but what profession do you think?I think LEO, military, medical health professionals, food/hospitality industry workers might be easier to find.. what do you think?
I think there are a lot of cozy mystery books that include the food industry workers and they generally have fewer page numbers for anyone who wants to read fewer pages for this task. I think LEO is probably the easiest to find if we all pick a mystery or thriller book. My vote would be for LEO.
Okay, I'll find a LEO but has to be a cop right? It might take me a day or two but I should be able to find that one.
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Task 3 - 5. Read 4 books first published within the last year
Book/cover link:
Pages: 224 pages Kindle edition
How it Qualifies: standalone book
Date Completed: 10-11-25
Rating: 3
Review:
So, I needed a non-fiction book and this one had my favorite bagel, lox and cream cheese on the cover. I thought it was a quick read and really interesting to learn about his family history and culture and see a little glimpse of what NYC is like for them. I don't know much about the Jewish culture so that was nice to learn a little bit about. It was an okay book and earned a 3.