Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Completion Post-Week 2:

Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty
★★★★
Review: I really liked this book...soap opera meets suspense. It would have been 5 stars had it not had a slow start...took me about 25% to really start enjoying it.
The underlying theme for this story if bullying. The characters are all parents...mostly of a new kindergarten class that's just started. It takes place in Australia where their school sessions begin in January which was interesting.
I hate writing summaries with risk of giving anything away so I'll just say that the MCs are mostly amusing. I enjoyed the method of writing where the interviews with the police in intertwined throughout...it made you wonder 'who done it' and 'who died' and I totally guessed wrong...the end was a surprise!
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys chick-lit with an added thrill.

Beth wrote: "Right -- Katherine I wasn't warning you off, just gnashing my teeth that I missed the chance to read a book higher on my TBR pile. I thought it was interesting that we grabbed the same book!

Sadly..."


That's fine Beth, I know what you meant before so don't worry, and yeah I did look at the list given because I wasn't reading any books at the moment with what the task needed. Those lists are life savors. :)

Welcome Beth!!!

Sorry to be MIA all week Team - I promise I'll have my book picked and read on time. :-)

Just a few more weeks and tax season will be over!!!

SandyL wrote: "Welcome Beth!!!

Sorry to be MIA all week Team - I promise I'll have my book picked and read on time. :-)

Just a few more weeks and tax season will be over!!!"

no worries...it just needs to be picked...at this time in the challenge it's a-OK to be a bit behind!

Week 2 - Selection Post
Option 1 - 7. Snow white was 'fair' - read a book with an MC with blonde hair and/or fair skin.


Dr. NEURO by Max Monroe
Pages: 241
How it fits: Pg 13 " 'Oh,' she hummed, turning to close up her soft-leather briefcase in the seat of her vacated chair, her blond hair falling down in front of her face in a cascade."

I think everyone successfully answered all questions posted this week but to recap:
* If its on the posted lists, regardless of whether if actually fits, it fine.
* Min page number is 100pp (any edition)

Week 2 - Completion Post
Option 1 - 7. Snow white was 'fair' - read a book with an MC with blonde hair and/or fair skin.


Dr. NEURO by Max Monroe
Pages: 241
How it fits: Pg 13 " 'Oh,' she hummed, turning to close up her soft-leather briefcase in the seat of her vacated chair, her blond hair falling down in front of her face in a cascade."
Completed: 3/21/18
4 Stars
Review: This was another fun story in the St Luke's Docuseries series, although it wasn't my favorite. Nick Raines is the dad of Lexi, and ex-boyfriend of Winnie (from Scoring the Billionaire) and he's been working hard at improving his relationship with the daughter he abandoned when she was a baby. He doesn't have much time between his job as head of neurosurgery at St Luke's and spending time with Lexi, and now he's got a camera crew following him around thanks to Will (Dr OB.) He meets Charlotte Hollis when she tries to recruit him for a job in another hospital, and although he turns down the job, he somehow can't turn down Char. I loved Nick and Char and there was a really interesting twist from Char's previous life, but the story could have used a little bit more conflict. Overall I really enjoyed it, and liked the narrators on the audiobook.

Completion Post
Week #2: Fairest of Them All
Booklink: Pretty as a Peach by Juliette Poe
Rating: ★★★ (23/03)
This was a pleasant, nice and easy read. I've enjoyed this series about the Mancinkus siblings and the youngest brother, Colt, meets his match with fellow farmer Darby. Darby moves to Whynot not only for her PhD but also to start over. The book was about her starting again with her seven year old daughter, while trying to finalize her divorce. Her soon-to-be ex was a piece of work. Colt is looking to save his farm, and what was supposed to be a hate relationship with Darby turns out to be something else all together. Surprisingly there were no sexy times in this book. Just a simple and typical new beginnings relationship. I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Hi All! I have my book finished for this week, but haven't had a chance to write a review. I will work on that this evening or tomorrow for sure! =)

☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Hi All! I have my book finished for this week, but haven't had a chance to write a review. I will work on that this evening or tomorrow for sure! =)"

No problem Kathy...we should have our next week’s challenge posted here in a bit,,,

...and here we go...

Week 3

Option 1
3. Read a book with a 5 AND 3 in the book publication date and/or the page numbers (any combination) on the GR page for the book you choose. You cannot substitute a month for a number (3 = March; 5 = May).

Please note how this qualifies in your selection post.


Option 2
Key date: 22 September 2017


Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.

Selection Post-Week #3
Option 1

New Moon, Stephanie Meyer
Page numbers: 563
How the book qualifies: 3 and 5 in page count

Week 3
Selection Post – Option 2

, Sawyer Bennett
Page Numbers ➔ 224
How the Book Qualifies ➔ Read by Sandy on 12/27/17 – ✮✮✮✮✮

☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Week 3
Selection Post – Option 2

, Sawyer Bennett
Page Numbers ➔ 224
How the Book Qualifies ➔ Read by Sandy on 12/27/17 – ✮✮✮✮✮"

I am reading this series presently...liking it...glad to know I can option 1 for future on this series...yeah!

Option 1
Week #3: 5 and 3
Booklink: Roomies by Christina Lauren
Page numbers: 368 (Kindle Edition)
Qualifies: Has a 3 in the page count and was published on the 5th of December 2017

Selection Post-Week #3
Option 1

A Call to Arms by David Weber and others
Page numbers: 357
How the book qualifies: 3 and 5 in page count

Completion Post-Week 3:

New Moon, Stephanie Meyers
★★★★ 3/25
Review: I'm enjoying re-reading this series. The first time I read the series I hadn't seen the movies yet. It's fun reading the differences, especially knowing the author was involved in the movies as well.
The details regarding visiting the Voltori are quite different from getting to the 'royal' chamber and afterwards while they wait to be allowed to leave.
It's difficult not to picture the characters and I continue to believe the books are much better than the movies.

Completion Post – Week 2

(reread), J.R. Ward – 3/20/18 – ✮✮✮✮✮
Review — I...LOVE...RHAGE! Enough said! While this is a reread for me, it was no less enjoyable to meet Mary and get to know Rhage again. These two are amazing characters on their own and are a beyond words. Both Rhage and Mary have struggled to gain footing in their lives and it makes them both fighters!

☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Completion Post – Week 2

(reread), J.R. Ward – 3/20/18 – ✮✮✮✮✮
Review — I...LOVE...RHAGE! Enough said! While this is a reread for me, it was no less enjoyable to me..."

I love this series! And fully concur about Rhage. But I'm absolute favorite was Zsadist.

Nicole wrote: "☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Completion Post – Week 2

(reread), J.R. Ward – 3/20/18 – ✮✮✮✮✮
Review — I...LOVE...RHAGE! Enough said! While this is a reread for me, it was no les..."

Zsadist is a very close, pretty much a tie, second! =)

☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Completion Post – Week 2

(reread), J.R. Ward – 3/20/18 – ✮✮✮✮✮
Review — I...LOVE...RHAGE! Enough said! While this is a reread for me, it was no less enjoyable to me..."

There's a new one coming out in April...and I still need to read the SS Dearest Ivie...library says it's almost my turn! Yeah!

Completion Post – Week 3

, Sawyer Bennett – 3/26/18 – ✮✮✮✮✰
Review — Finally, I got to know Van!!! I’ve been eager to read his story for a while. His previous appearances in Cold Fury books left a lot to ponder. He certainly wore his broodiness well, but Simone is a force to be reckoned with and she bulldozed straight over Van! Van’s history is just heart wrenching. In a million years, I never would have seen that one coming. It certainly made sense why he would be so closed off, but I appreciated how little by little Simone was able to crack his defenses. For her part, I felt Simone was a little two-dimensional. She is a fun character and a great match for Van, but I felt she lacked depth. I will say it was fun to see a bit of the family love between the Fournier siblings, but I missed having Max! I wish he would have played into the story more

Tammie wrote: "There's a new one coming out in April...and I still need to read the SS Dearest Ivie...library says it's almost my turn! Yeah!"

After reading Vishous I kinda stagnated because I was so furious with what happened to him. I'll have to get back into it sometime.

Week 2:
Completion Post


Bookcover/link: Air Awakens
Rating: 1 star

Review:

I just can't... so unoriginal and so dumb! The hero of the book is a dumb 'intelligent' woman - what? THIS is what I hate about YA fiction, THIS is why I stay away from 'teen romance'. *insert a long suffering sigh*

Vhalla discovers her hidden powers in a world where magic is feared. So she's a natural talent (or what we call a merry sue) and she and everyone else believe she's so smart but anyone with any intelligence will recognize a weak, childish, whiny stupid little girl that knows no better. I'm sorry of my harshness but I must be honest and I call what I see/read. Vhalla's always doubting herself and refused to embrace her powers only because sorcerers are rumored to be evil, (because of course she doesn't connect the dots that SHE herself is sorcerer and SHE knows for sure that she's not evil, so that makes magic not evil in essence), oh and she also cries a lot.

And Aldrik is a self-centered 28 year-old guy who decides to push the MC over a cliff and he doesn't apologize - but don't worry because are MC is so smart and so intelligent that she incidentally forgives him for nearly killing her! Because that sort of thing is ok in this universe it seems... well if this is one of the most 'intelligent' people in this world - well I don't what to live in that world. Just saying.

Oh no!

At least tell me it's not in first person.

Nicole wrote: "Tammie wrote: "There's a new one coming out in April...and I still need to read the SS Dearest Ivie...library says it's almost my turn! Yeah!"

After reading Vishous I kinda stagnated because I was..."

...then you’ll love The Beast...if you love this genre, I recommend to continue...awesome series!

Katherine wrote: "Week 2:
Completion Post


Bookcover/link: Air Awakens
Rating: 1 star

Review:

I just can't... so unoriginal and so dumb! The hero of the book is a..."

...I’m sorry it was a horrible waste..,look at it this way...you saved the rest of us from ever reading it!

Beth wrote: "Oh no!

At least tell me it's not in first person."

Thankfully no, its in third person. So its all she, her, like a camera view so it was more tolerable for me than first person with books I don't enjoy. :)

Tammie wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Week 2:
Completion Post


Bookcover/link: Air Awakens
Rating: 1 star

Review:

I just can't... so unoriginal and so dumb! The hero..."

Very positive view you have there Tammie but I'm glad I've read it now as its not on my TBR anymore and now I can read more enjoyable books from now on.

I'm still looking at my to-read pile to find a book for this weeks task - why is it so hard to find a book with a 3 and 5 in it?!! This should be easy for me!!! *throws my toys out of my pram at my fail*

Katherine wrote: "Tammie wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Week 2:
Completion Post


Bookcover/link: Air Awakens
Rating: 1 star

Review:

I just can't... so unoriginal and so..."

hehe...You can always do Option 2!

Week 3 - Selection Post
Option 1
3. Read a book with a 5 AND 3 in the book publication date and/or the page numbers


Reward of Three by Kelly Jamieson
Pages: 135
How it fits: 3 and 5 in page count

Week 3:
Selection Post - Option 1

Book: Wit, Wisdom and Timey Wimey Stuff: The Quotable Doctor Who

Page numbers: 352 pages
How the book qualifies: The book has a 3 and a 5 in the page count.

Doctor Who always saves me in my hour of need, yay! :)

Week 4...posted early...I hope you all have a chance to enjoy your holiday weekend...



Option 1
2. Read a book with the main page genre 'historical'.


Option 2
Key date: 29 September 2017


Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.

Selection Post-Week #4
Option 1

The Pirate Bride, Kathleen Y'Barbo
Page numbers: 256
How the book qualifies: MPG 'Historical'

Disregard this Selection...the copy I had was a preview...didn't realize until I finished and it wasn't done...arg!

Week 3: Completion Post

A Call to Arms by David Weber, Timothy Zahn, Thomas Pope
Fits: 357 pages
Rating: 3 stars

Review:
Again, I'm in the book for Trevor, who seems to get even less page time as the book also wanders around several other ships, the king, the politicians trying to shut down the navy, etc. It is fun sometimes to recognize the constraints the authors are working with; for example, Trevor keeps getting denied important medals for trivial reasons, but in a Doylist sense it's because no one in the future really knows his name -- those books have already been written. So it's fun to see the puzzle pieces the writers are juggling.

Hi Team
I'm so sorry I'm behind for week 3 - I'll get caught up by Sunday and pick my week 4 book as well. Only a couple more weeks and things will be back to normal for me!

Option 2
Week 4: Historical
Booklink: Sure Thing by Jana Aston
Page numbers: 272 (Kindle Edition)
Team Member: SandyL ★★★★ (05/11/2017)

I'll be done with my week 3 selection by tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Happy Easter 🐰

Week 4
Selection Post – Option 2

, Sawyer Bennett
Page Numbers ➔ 224
How the Book Qualifies ➔ Max was read by Tammie on 3/1/18 – ✮✮✮✮✰

Selection Post-Week #4
Option 1

The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker by Cynthia DeFelice
Page numbers: 151
How the book qualifies: MPG 'Historical -> Historical Fiction"

Completion Post
Week 3: 5 and 3
Booklink: Roomies by Christina Lauren
Rating: ★★★ (31/03)

I generally enjoy the duo-authors Christina Lauren but this book was just meh. I love a marriage of convenience trope and this one had great potential, but the female MC Holland was the main problem for me. Told all from her perspective, which I HATE in a book, she lacked self-esteem/assuredness/belief and was most certainly a supporting character in her own life.

Completion Post
Week #4 (option 1)
The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker
Rating (1-5): 3
Review:

Lucas had some bad breaks and then some better ones, and it was interesting watching him come around to the idea of scientific thinking. The author slanted things a bit his way though. Fun historical fiction with the spice of zombies.

Selection Post-Week #4

Option 1
One Pink Rose, Julie Garwood
Page numbers: 150
How the book qualifies: MPG Historical

Week 4:
Selection Post - Option 1

Book: The Crystal Cave

Page numbers: 252 pages
How the book qualifies: MPG 'Historical'

Sorry I didn't get a chance to post my week#3 book - I'll do that tonight when I get home from work as well as my week #4. I'm not usually behind, so I apologize and promise once tax season is over I'll be on top of things!

Week 3 - Completion Post
Option 1
3. Read a book with a 5 AND 3 in the book publication date and/or the page numbers


Reward of Three by Kelly Jamieson
Pages: 135
How it fits: 3 and 5 in page count
Completed: 4/2/18
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Loved this series! Kassidy, Chris and Dag thought they had the kinks worked out of their relationship (no pun intended!) But when Kassidy finds out she's preggers, things change and they all realize their are still things that can test them and insecurities start coming out. I loved how this story progressed and then was resolved - I'm just bummed it wasn't longer!

Week 4 - Selection Post

Option 1
2. Read a book with the main page genre 'historical'.


Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas
Pages: 384
How it fits: MPG of Historical

We're all chosen through week 4...sounds like book 'likes' this last week are all over the board. Mine's right down the middle...will post my completion tomorrow.

Completion Post
Week 4: Historical
Booklink: Sure Thing by Jana Aston
Rating: ★★★★ (03/04)

This was an absolute delight! Despite the lies and lack of communication, it was fun and entertaining. Violet and her identical twin have done a switcheroo. Violet is needing a huge change in her life and decides she needs to channel her fun sister. She has a hot, one-night stand with a deliciously sinful hot British guy...who just happens to be a client in the week long tour she is guiding. Violet's inner thoughts were hilarious and cute, just like Violet who was real and as honest as she could be. Jennings, with his British terms (which Jana Aston got spot on) was all kinds of wonderful, and not just because of his skills in the bedroom ;) I enjoyed this thoroughly!