Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Pass The Parcel (Team Challenge)
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PtP R25 - Yule Be Mine (1)
1. Introduce yourself to your team. Let your team members know where you are from. This is a 'nice to know' when categories are announced and when team-mates can expect other members to post their book choices.2. Linguist (Captain) - reserve a couple of posts in this thread tracking your team's book selection and completion. (Alternatively they could convert a chat comment to the tracking post/s.)
3. Name your team. Using this round's theme, come up with a fun name. Given we are an open/public group with no age limit, so please make sure any chosen name is smart, not smutty ;)
Please PM your name to Jane(PS) by 6 November
4. If you have a private profile, please 'friend' your team-mates. This is really important, because without this, your team-mates can't see your shelves to select a books under option 2. (It will also help with one of the categories in this round!)
5. Please post your book selections/completions in the format provided below. (This format is also posted in both the Q&A and Sign-Up threads.) We need to know the week that each book corresponds to, the page numbers, and how the book qualifies including links to lists/shelves (where applicable), etc. I can't stress this enough. When in doubt - link it*!
* don't link to your review in your completion post - reviews in your completion posts should be included in full in that post.
You don't want to start reading a book and then find it doesn't meet the requirements because some information (eg page count or theme link) was missing from your original post.
I will be monitoring this and your book will not be considered complete until I am satisfied that your selection and completion posts comply with the format rules of the challenge.
Remember - you can ONLY change your book selection in the week that the theme is called.
6. You MUST check in with your team each week, ideally once the theme is announced. Please let your team know if you expect to have spotty communication or are on holidays or having an operation, etc.
7. When you post the completion of your book, you must post a review; enough for us to know you have actually read the book. Please don't link to a review. You must post the review in this thread.
8. Re-reads are allowed but you can't read the same book twice within this challenge.
9. There is no prize for the winning team - bragging rights only :)
10. Each week, the theme will be announced in the Q&A | Announcements thread. The full list of themes announced during this round will be maintained in msg 1 of that thread.
The Rule on the Pass Option
* Each team can only have ONE member using their pass each week.
* Each member can only use that pass once each 5 weeks.
* This means that one or two team members (dependent upon the size of your team) will miss using a pass in each 5 week block.
* No-one can use the pass option in the last week of the challenge.
* In the final week Option 2 has altered and I will be allocating each team another team from which their book selection must be chosen :)
Key selection and completion post information. You must have ALL elements in your book posts.For selection post Option 1 you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies - please note which qualifying bookshelf/list you are using or the tags that justifies that it works.
If the theme is based off the bookcover, post the cover. If there is a letter count in the title, publication date etc, please note these details.
For selection post Option 2 you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
Name of the team-member, their star rating, the date they read the book.
For selection post Option 3 you must have:
Week #
PASS
For the completion post you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Rating (1-5)
Review
Please DO NOT CHAT in these selction/completion posts. It needs to be super clear.
If you 'waffle' about your decided book - please REPOST your selection once you decide. DO NOT go back and edit your waffling post.
IF YOU NEED TO CORRECT A POST FOR MISSING INFORMATION or because the didn't qualify etc, please REPOST this information in a NEW post, particularly when the request is more than a day old. Its difficult to find older posts when going backwards in the threads.
Themes Called:
Week 1: 18. New | Knew - read a book first published in 2025.
*Please use the date on the main book page.
Week 1: 18. New | Knew - read a book first published in 2025.Selection Posts
MountainKat: He Falls First by Jill Shalvis message #47
JL: Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs; message #59
Diane: The Paternity Puzzle by Aimee Nicole Walker message #51
Mrsgeo: Little Bunny by Lynn Hagen; message #53
Elizabeth: A Bargain So Bloody by Vasilisa Drake; message #48
Caipi:
Completion Posts
MountainKat: Completed 11.10.2025; message #58
JL:
Diane: Completed 11.8.2025; message #54
Mrsgeo: Completed 11.8.2025; message #55
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Week 2: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Completion Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Week 3: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Completion Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Week 4: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Completion Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Week 5: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Completion Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Week 6: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Completion Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Week 7: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Completion Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Week 8: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Completion Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Week 9: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Completion Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Week 10: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Completion Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Week 11: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Completion Posts
MountainKat:
JL:
Christine:
Diane:
Mrsgeo:
Elizabeth:
Caipi:
Team Name Ideas:
Cheeky Chapters
Wooed by Words
Main's Squeeze
The Write One/Spark
Yule Be Mine
Kissmas Krew
Hi everyone! Looking forward to finding out who will be my teammates this round! (Also looking forward to a good round!)I'm Kat. 😊 I live in the mountains in Southern California. (So Pacific Time.) There is no 'town' where I am, just a small tourist store, a post office, a state park and an observatory. So everything we need or do is an hour away - thank goodness for audiobooks! It is just me and my hubby most of the time - but over the holidays things will get crazy!! 🎄🎅🏻🎄 I feel like all of December is already booked, winter performances for the high school grand-not-so-little, Nutcracker for our little ballerina and then our youngest and his fam will be visiting from Georgia! ❤️ In the mean time, I am busy trying to get some holiday gifts made - again thank goodness for audiobooks!
As for my reading tastes, I read almost exclusively romance with a mix of sub-genres every month. Hopefully my shelves will be helpful if you need/want to use Option 2. 😊
Our first task as a team is to come up with a team name... The theme this round is Homophones. I am trying to come up with something. I'm playing with the idea of Red/Read - seems fitting with us all being readers and then this challenge running over winter/holidays. I haven't quite come up with something that works yet though. I will keep thinking...
Oh and before I forget - remember to click the 'notify me' be box above the comment box so that you get notifications for this thread!! You should also do this on the Q&A thread where Jane will announce the new tasks and answer question.
Hey checking in! Im Elizabeth/Liz but have no preference. I live on Long Island in New York. Currently a caregiver to my mom and my two nephews.As the cold settles in, I am usually by the fire reading romantasy or dark romance. My shelves are a mix of light and dark romance. Would definitely say more of the latter, so please check triggers if going for option 2.
Im obsessive about organization. Have a list already with books for each prompt. 🙈 With the exception of - read a book with a non-alpha MC. So I may have to skip if it comes up. My account is public but feel free to friend me regardless, look forward to this challenge!
MountainKat wrote: "Our first task as a team is to come up with a team name... The theme this round is Homophones. I am trying to come up with something. I'm playing with the idea of Red/Read - seems fitting with us..."
A few ideas to play around with Cheeky Chapters, Wooed by Words, Main's Squeeze, The Write One/Spark, Yule Be Mine, Kissmas Krew.
Hi all, I'm Diane & live in Northeast Ohio with my husband of 39 yrs. I am a mother of 2 and a grandmother of 3, one of which is a very spoiled male cat named Skylar. I read mostly MM, leaning towards the paranormal. I am excited to just sit back & read this go around. I have been on teams with most everyone and can't wait to get started. I am horrible with names, but I am really liking Yule Be Mine
Hi Elizabeth and Diane! I will get your team name suggestions added shortly. Elizabeth, I sent you a friend request. 😊Diane are you Eastern Time Zone or Central? I always get confused where the lines are around your part of the country! It is always nice to see other long married couples- we had our 42nd anniversary over the summer.
MountainKat wrote: "Hi Elizabeth and Diane! I will get your team name suggestions added shortly. Elizabeth, I sent you a friend request. 😊Diane are you Eastern Time Zone or Central? I always get confused where the l..."
Added you! Just an FYI I won't be around tomorrow. Going to a football game in Jersey.
Elizabeth wrote: "MountainKat wrote: "Hi Elizabeth and Diane! I will get your team name suggestions added shortly. Elizabeth, I sent you a friend request. 😊Diane are you Eastern Time Zone or Central? I always get ..."
Have fun! I'll be watching several games from my couch. 🏈
Hi, everyone. I'm Sheena, a retired geography teacher from Scotland (GMT or UTC). I'm waiting not-so-patiently for a knee replacement op, so reading, mostly MM romance, is my main activity these days. I like Yule Be Mine as it fits well with homophone theme and I'm already looking forward to Christmas.
Hello, team! I'm Caipi from Germany, Central European Time Zone. I've been happily married for 31 years and have three grown children. Besides reading, I love cooking and gardening, recently took up knitting again, and also enjoy watching NFL games with my hubby. I read MM romance novels, with a few exceptions here and there. Usually I try to read a mix of contemporary, mystery, and paranormal stories. Not a fan of young adult, historical, or very dark books.
I also like the name Yule Be Mine.
Mrsgeo wrote: "Hi, everyone. I'm Sheena, a retired geography teacher from Scotland (GMT or UTC). I'm waiting not-so-patiently for a knee replacement op, so reading, mostly MM romance, is my main activity these days."Hi Sheena. Been there, done that - twice! My best advice is to get as strong as you can before your surgery. That helped me so much especially after the second - I didn't let that knee get as bad. And after - ice! I seriously used the 'ice machine' anytime I was not up and moving. (Not sure what it is really called but it pumps ice cold water around the joint.) If it is an option, the best physical therapy I did was in water. But whatever type you do, do it! It has been 14 years for my first and 6 for the second - still going strong! (Other stuff is dragging me down, but not my knees. 😊)
And it looks like Yule Be Mine is a favorite - it was mine too. 😊 I will wait to hear from the others before I let Jane know.
Hey all! Jillian here to check in. I'm from West Michigan, I have two sons and two dogs. I just got a promotion at my job! So Yay! I've done a couple rounds of PTP so far, I also love the UNO challenge. I read mostly Romance, but I do like a good horror or murder mystery. Looking forward to starting this challenge. I'm horrible with coming up with names but I did like the Cheeky Chapters, Wooed by Words, or Yule Be Mine.
MountainKat wrote: "Hi Elizabeth and Diane! I will get your team name suggestions added shortly. Elizabeth, I sent you a friend request. 😊Diane are you Eastern Time Zone or Central? I always get confused where the l..."
I'm Eastern :) 42, that is freaking awesome!
Hi Jillian! And Caipi - didn't realize I missed you earlier. 😊
Well, Christine hasn't checked in yet but it seems that we have a favorite for team name. I will let Jane know. 😊
Jane posted that is all the teams get their names sorted out we might get an early start! If not, we will start on Friday. Early is always better in my book!I wanted to add a couple of tips I've found helpful for this challenge, even though I think you have all played before.
✱ You can only change your book in the week the theme is called. Once the next theme is called, it is set in stone and you will have to read it even if you don't like it. For that reason, I always recommend that you at least start your book so that you know the characters or writing style aren't off-putting.
✱ Please attempt to keep us informed if you are going to be away or if you have connectivity issues. Jane is pretty understanding, but she does need to know what is going on. If you are having problems posting because of problems, she will usually allow captains to post/repost.
✱ Remember you can only get two books behind. It is definitely easier to stay on top of this and not get behind at all. It is especially important to have everything completed before the last theme call if we want a chance to win!
I am not a big planner and mostly fly by the seat of my pants in this challenge. Well, to be honest - most challenges. 🤷🏻♀️ Do you all plan things out in advance? Or just wing it like me? I can't wait to get started!
MountainKat wrote: "Jane posted that is all the teams get their names sorted out we might get an early start! If not, we will start on Friday. Early is always better in my book!I wanted to add a couple of tips I've ..."
I plan ahead but give some leeway because you never know. Too much of a mood reader but Ive learned to give in. Works out better for me. I go back to the planned reads eventually.
As much planning as I do is to create my M&G shelf! And that leads to using Option 2 a lot towards the end of each round. I will try to save a M&G book if it fits a specific theme - that will almost guarantee that theme won't get called though! 😂The one time I do plan is for the last week. I always want to have a short option ready to go so that our team will have a chance to win. 📖
MountainKat wrote: "Jane posted that is all the teams get their names sorted out we might get an early start! If not, we will start on Friday. Early is always better in my book!I wanted to add a couple of tips I've ..."
I like to say I'll plan ahead, but that never happens and I always end up flying by the seat of my pants.
MountainKat wrote: "As much planning as I do is to create my M&G shelf! And that leads to using Option 2 a lot towards the end of each round. I will try to save a M&G book if it fits a specific theme - that will almos..."Definitely have a few on the list that overlap thankfully. Im far behind for M&G this round.
Elizabeth wrote: "Definitely have a few on the list that overlap thankfully. Im far behind for M&G this round."I have 7 books left after I finish the one I'm reading. Should be done tonight or maybe tomorrow morning. I'm never sure how easy it is going to be to fall asleep or stay asleep. 😴 But I just plug in the earbuds and set the sleep timer over and over again until it eventually happens. 🤷🏻♀️
I am not a planner - I'm another fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal :D
I don't plan ahead either. Instead, I always try to choose something that fits in with my other challenges right at the moment. 🙈😂
I'd say Christine forgot that she signed up for the challenge. I'll leave her in the list, in case she does pop in, but your team size is the same as half the others, so all good :)
Jane (PS) wrote: "I'd say Christine forgot that she signed up for the challenge. I'll leave her in the list, in case she does pop in, but your team size is the same as half the others, so all good :)"Thanks Jane!
First Theme!!Week 1
Option 1
18. New | Knew - read a book first published in 2025.
Please use the date on the main book page. If there are a few editions, click on 'Show all xx editions' to work out the first date of publication to ensure it fits the task.
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: 2 May 2025
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.
I am so glad I started the book I did last night! I nearly started the book that works for this theme.
Week 1: 18. New | Knew - read a book first published in 2025.Selection Post
He Falls First by Jill Shalvis, 372 p. per GRInitially published August 5, 2025.
Selection PostWeek #1: 18. New | Knew - read a book first published in 2025.
Book: A Bargain So Bloody
Page Numbers: 498
How It Fits: Original publication 17 May 2025
MountainKat wrote: "I am so glad I started the book I did last night! I nearly started the book that works for this theme."The one I started yesterday would have worked and Im flying through it. Luckily I have buddy reads too.
Yay, I'm happy we got our task early! Won't be posting my book until Monday though, as I'm already on my way to the Black Forest. We're visiting my family over the weekend. :)
Happy reading, everyone!
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Blind Date with a Werewolf (other topics)Blind Date with a Werewolf (other topics)
Little Bunny (other topics)
He Falls First (other topics)
Little Bunny (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Patricia Briggs (other topics)Lynn Hagen (other topics)
Lynn Hagen (other topics)
Aimee Nicole Walker (other topics)
Aimee Nicole Walker (other topics)
Linguist
🎤MKat
Listeners
🎧JL
Christine
🎧DianeD
🎧MrsGeo
🎧Elizabeth (acon)
🎧Caipi