Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Maggie wrote: "Mony wrote: "Hey, tgif! any plans for the weekend?

☀️🏖️🍸☕️🧁📚🍷👩🏻‍🍼😴 🚴🏼‍♀️🏃🏻🚙 😎"

My migraine finally broke!! This weekend it's a cup tournament for the son's soccer team (we'll still go to watch ev..."

Maggie,
Glad to hear that your migraine has passed...they really suck.
Sounds like you had a lovely family & apple day.
You're very lucky to live in your hometown with your family & old friends as part of your daily life and support network (and vice versa)! Very envious. Hope you have a lovely w/e!

Maggie you are awesome!!!

If you go to the book page on amazon it has an option to loan the book.

My email address is [email protected]

I appreciate this so much.

𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭

𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝟓 - 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.


A Deal With The Devil by Elizabeth O'Roark

𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬: Read by Mony on September 11th 2021 - She rated it a 4.5 rounded to 5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: Kindle Edition, 237 pages

Maggie wrote: "Selection Post

Task: Task 5 - 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.

[..."

I hope you like it, Maggie!

M wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Selection Post

Task: Task 5 - 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.
[bookcover:The Lies We St..."

M & Maggie, I almost changed my book when I read the blurb for The Lies We Steal LOL

M wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Selection Post

Task: Task 5 - 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.
[bookcover:The Lies We St..."

Thanks! It's an ARC I was sent ... that got caught in my back log of "I'm so far behind from being sick" Thank you for rating it highly so I have an excuse and reason to read it this week!

Mony wrote: "M wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Selection Post

Task: Task 5 - 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.
[bookcover:The ..."

I'll let you know. I really loved this author's hockey series that she published last year. And I love reading dark/bully romances this time of year. They're my version of "scary" books

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Maggie you are awesome!!!

If you go to the book page on amazon it has an option to loan the book.

My email address is [email protected]

I appreciate this so much."

Not a problem! I just sent the email over. It will come from [email protected]

Let me know if you don't see it.

Completion Post

Task 5 - 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.

Stuck-Up Suit by Vi Keeland
Qualifies: Read by Maggie on Aug. 1/21 & rated 4 Stars
Shelf:https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Date Completed: October 3/21
Page Count: Kindle Edition, 328 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I think this might be my third read of this enemies-to-lovers beauty - a favourite. 🤦‍♀️ It's a good thing my memory isn't what it used to be. It ticks off all my trope boxes - grumpy harsh alpha suited guy, a snarky strong tatted woman, a slow burn romance. Sure there were cliches left and right (although VK's writing helps), but what made it a fun book was Soraya's take-no-bullsh*t attitude and Graham's transformation, revealing a heart of gold and willingness to change for a unique woman with whom he falls in love. Yup, another book boyfriend. *sigh*

I just want to say that since this challenge has started I'm adding lots of new books to my TBR list. You guys have great shelves! 📚☺️

Maggie wrote: "Mony wrote: "M wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Selection Post

Task: Task 5 - 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.
[b..."

LOL, I looked up the rest of the author's books and have already TBRed a couple of her hockey books. :)

Mony wrote: "I just want to say that since this challenge has started I'm adding lots of new books to my TBR list. You guys have great shelves! 📚☺️"

I need to stalk your shelves!

Maggie wrote: "Mony wrote: "I just want to say that since this challenge has started I'm adding lots of new books to my TBR list. You guys have great shelves! 📚☺️"

I need to stalk your shelves!"

LOL!

I'm behind on my reading, but I should be done before tomorrow night. I'm really liking A Deal with the Devil. I'm really digging the characters.

Mony, did you read Alpha CEO? Hayes is giving me Julian vibes.

Maggie, I just saw the email. Thank you!

We made it home from Arlington tonight, then I had to do my daughter's hair (blowout/flat iron). She has a ton of hair and that takes forever.

Anyway, thank you again for the book.

M wrote: "I'm behind on my reading, but I should be done before tomorrow night. I'm really liking A Deal with the Devil. I'm really digging the characters.

Mony, did you read Alpha CEO? Hayes is giving me ..."

Yes, I did read some of Alpha CEO (need to go back) and both MMCs are class A assjerks! LOL Actually in Deal with the Devil, I think Hayes tops that category. (view spoiler)[Uh, those morning afters - really? Takes the cake. (hide spoiler)] Tali's snark was awesome. Glad you're enjoying it!

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Maggie, I just saw the email. Thank you!

We made it home from Arlington tonight, then I had to do my daughter's hair (blowout/flat iron). She has a ton of hair and that takes forever.

Anyway, th..."

Hope you had a good time ShanA!

COMPLETION POST

𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝟓 - 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.


A Deal With The Devil by Elizabeth O'Roark

𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬: Mony read on September 11th 2021 and rated it 4.5 rounded to 5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: Kindle Edition, 237 pages
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝: 10/4/21
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 4 stars
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: This was a sweet boss/employee read with lots of fun banter. Hayes and Tali were something special. Together they had a very baggage filled past. They both were trying to work though it in their own ways... one by working too much and sleeping around, safely/only once and the other by never saying no, never putting self first and trying to be the savior when it came to other people's problems. Tali was like a breathe of fresh air to Hayes. She helped him learn to slow down and enjoy life a little more. I found myself smiling and saying "awwww" often while reading this. They were tons of fun together. I do feel like the end was a bit rushed. They built something strong through friendship for almost 70% of the book and it truly felt real. I wished the end and epilogue had that same feel. Over all it was a really good read though.

I’m going to finish my read tonight - but I would like it noted that I require trigger warnings for snakes!! Uuuuggghhhh. Love this author but have had to put this book down a few times. She’s crazy good with details. But they are the details I’m typically not okay with. I should have known when I saw the dedication to Stephen King 🤣 Monty - The Lies We Steal is a solid 5 star read for plot, story development, detail, sucking the reader into the writer’s world, and the characters. It is far from fluff. As in…I had to FIND fluff to read as a cleanser in order to get a few of the scenes that Monty Jay wrote OUT of my head.

Maggie wrote: "I’m going to finish my read tonight - but I would like it noted that I require trigger warnings for snakes!! Uuuuggghhhh. Love this author but have had to put this book down a few times. She’s craz..."

Maggie, I think you should take 2 points off the rating for having snakes in the story 😲🤭
Btw, I just read a book and you would not have liked where those snakes were coming from...ooh, PNR book. 🥴

I did have a good time Mony, but I feel completely out of sorts because I missed 2 full days of reading.

I so used to having a bit of time for either reading or listening to a book. That didn't pan out this time though.

I'm starting my book tonight. I apologize for getting so far behind.

Shan ~A~ wrote: "I did have a good time Mony, but I feel completely out of sorts because I missed 2 full days of reading.

I so used to having a bit of time for either reading or listening to a book. That didn't p..."

You're so funny about not reading for 2 days. I feel the same way. It's like zenning. I ask my husband to please not talk to me for the first 30 minutes of my day + coffee. ☕️
All's good about getting the next book in. :)

Hey, I'm going to be travelling for a bit today. If you're the last one posting your completed book, could you please send all four to MKat via Tracking/Q&A/Announcements thread? Thanks!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Completion Post

Task: Task 5 - 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.

The Lies We Steal by Monty Jay
Qualifies: Read by M on 9/30/2021. She rated it 4 stars. Link to her review.
Page Count: 398 pages per Amazon.
Date Completed: 10/4/2021
Rating: 5 stars
Review: This was an ARC read for me, so my official review will be longer and will appear on my profile later today. I can update and link to it here if needed. The short version for TART - I don't even know where to start with this book. For some trigger warnings - it IS detailed, gory graphic in some places, brutal and violent in others, and well, snakes. It is absolutely not a read for those under 18. I'd picked this book up thinking it would be a dark twisted psychological thriller read - which at it's very base, it is. The story line runs so much deeper than though. The author wraps so so much into this story under the guise of "dark romance" there is the exploration of bounds of loyalty and how far a human will go for another. She tests the outer edges of how far twisted love will push a child into what they morph into as they reach adulthood. Even the name of the school Hollow Heights has this incredible overshadowing taint to the entire plot as you grapple with what Hollow really is. Is it evil? Or is brutal violence in response to the harm that Hollowness has wrecked upon those who aren't Hollow. Overall, this isn't a book I'd normally read. I had to put it down a few times, and I actually had to skim a few scenes as they were so graphically written (gory details) that I couldn't read them. Yet, I'm anxiously awaiting the next in the series. I'm really anxious for Thatcher and Silas' stories the most. How do you unravel a blank soul? And what happens to a boy who has had his lode stone ripped from him ... by a person who supposedly loved him? Lyra ... I keep waiting for a twist in her. She's too clean. Even with the bugs. Where's her dark and twisted? The plot in this book, the long arc plot, the characters, they are just amazing, well researched, jump off the page detailed. You can feel the emotions and the atmosphere of the school as well as the town that the author has created. You learn just enough about the Hollow boys to keep you hooked, even knowing the dark and bloody trail they've already started.

Shan ~A~ wrote: "I did have a good time Mony, but I feel completely out of sorts because I missed 2 full days of reading.

I so used to having a bit of time for either reading or listening to a book. That didn't p..."

I feel the SAME way about not reading! I typically have a paperback, my ereader and my phone with me at all times. My kids know that if we are stuck anywhere for more than 5 minutes, one of those is coming out and I'm getting a page or two in. I've been like that since childhood. My husband teases me that all the characters running around inside of my head are my "extra personalities"

I hope you're liking Varsity Dad! The book went in a direction I didn't expect it to, but I wound up liking it for the better because of it. If not - no worries. Not every book is for every person.

🏕 Well, arrived at the lake to shut down our little cottage/campsite for the winter. Moving docks, old boats, adirondacks, tents & canoes. (Oh, that is, hub is doing all that LOL) My job is to make food and clean. I wish our kids were here to help as they spent weeks hanging out this summer- but never here in the fall... ha! 🤷‍♀️
No sound but the loons, leaves are crimson 🍁, lake like a mirror...very cool.

Mony wrote: "🏕 Well, arrived at the lake to shut down our little cottage/campsite for the winter. Moving docks, old boats, adirondacks, tents & canoes. (Oh, that is, hub is doing all that LOL) My job is to make..."

That sounds like super busy day, but relaxing too. The way you described the lake makes me what to grab a chair, my kindle and cup of coffee to relax in while sitting by said lake.

M wrote: "Mony wrote: "🏕 Well, arrived at the lake to shut down our little cottage/campsite for the winter. Moving docks, old boats, adirondacks, tents & canoes. (Oh, that is, hub is doing all that LOL) My j..."

We don't get a nice fall like this often but it's a great one.
I think you're near a beach, right?

By the way, I PM'ed ShanA to see if everything is ok...

Mony wrote: "M wrote: "Mony wrote: "🏕 Well, arrived at the lake to shut down our little cottage/campsite for the winter. Moving docks, old boats, adirondacks, tents & canoes. (Oh, that is, hub is doing all that..."

I am. We have the beach, the redwoods and rivers within minutes of us. I live in Northern California. Way north.

Hope everything is ok with ShanA.

Completion Post

Task 5 - 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/Author: My Lucky #13 by Piper Rayne

Qualifies: Maggie read 08/16/2021 and rated 5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Page Count: 224 (Kindle Edition)
Finished: 10/06
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Why I can't find a man who is so comfortable with his feelings. Well, now I have. I loved Aiden and how much he had no problems expressing his feelings for Saige, he just couldn't actually act on them openly for a bit. Still, you could feel them in all the things he did or said when he was with her.

I can't wait until we get to Maksim and Ford though. I see a lot going on for those two.

RL sucks, but I also ended up changing my book choice.

Sorry for the delay

yay! sent to kat

Here is your next task!

Task 6 - 14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG.

Contemporary and Romance do not have to be combined and may be combined with other words, MM Romance for example, but BOTH must be MPG (Main Page Genre)! Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count.

So this may be 4 or just 3 of us, depending on how long our books are.
I have 3 or 4 books around 400-425 pages I've been really wanting to read.
If someone is really busy we can go with 3 people.
Any thoughts, women?

I have one that I'll read at 333 pgs (kindle edition)

Shan ~A~ wrote: "I have one that I'll read at 333 pgs (kindle edition)"

right on the dot...waiting to hear from Kat to confirm if we can go down to 3, or we can all read shortish books...

Alrightee...Kat says we all have to read a book.
A good strategy might be for the 3 of you to read shortish books. Under 200 or so, maybe?
I can read a long book. I'm a very quick reader. I'm looking at one of these:
- 578 pages
or
- 440 pages.

Thoughts?

Hi ladies! Sorry to be silent. Like ShanA --- RL was not playing nicely this week.

Looking at my TBR shelves, I have three really long ones - two of which I need to read prior to November.

I have the following:
519 page book MPG Contemporary Romance*
428 page book MPG Contemporary Romance
392 page book MPG Contemporary Romance*

The two that are starred are the ones I have a deadline for.

Maggie wrote: "Hi ladies! Sorry to be silent. Like ShanA --- RL was not playing nicely this week.

Looking at my TBR shelves, I have three really long ones - two of which I need to read prior to November.

I ha..."

Maggie, Great, so go with 392 page book MPG Contemporary Romance so you can meet your deadline.

I'll wait for others to respond about their shorter books. :)

The book I mentioned is also for another challenge, so that's the one I'm going with. I have to make them match as much as I can.

My problem wasn't that I can't read fast enough, it was that I didn't have as much time as usual, plus I started one book, then switched since I couldn't get into the first choice.

That being said I appreciate you being willing to do that for us, to make this quicker.

My book is an audio this time around, so I should finish it while at work or on the commute, and post a completion as soon as I get home tomorrow.

Mony wrote: "Alrightee...Kat says we all have to read a book.
A good strategy might be for the 3 of you to read shortish books. Under 200 or so, maybe?
I can read a long book. I'm a very quick reader. I'm loo..."

I have an open day tomorrow, and Saturday is a lot of down time on a soccer pitch.

The books I listed above (in order) are:

- 519pgs
- 428 pgs
- 392 pgs


My other TBRs are as follow for page counts:

Kiss and Don't Tell - 450pgs
Scoring Beauty - 440 pgs
Writing Dirty - 402 pgs
Rise -357 pgs
Southern Playboy -354 pgs
Pressure Point - 325 pgs
Doctor Scandalous -320 pgs
Just Drop Out - 304 pgs
The Bonds We Break -270 pgs
Faked -259 pgs
Broken Hearts -249 pgs
Bad Influencer -230 pgs
Hitting Xtremes - 200pgs

Shan ~A~ wrote: "The book I mentioned is also for another challenge, so that's the one I'm going with. I have to make them match as much as I can.

My problem wasn't that I can't read fast enough, it was that I di..."

sounds good ShanA!

Mony wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Hi ladies! Sorry to be silent. Like ShanA --- RL was not playing nicely this week.

Looking at my TBR shelves, I have three really long ones - two of which I need to read prior to N..."

Done!
Let me know if you need me to switch. I listed out my other TBRs for October and November that meet the Contemporary Romance.

and YAY!!!! KAY AND MASE REREAD 💖💖

Maggie wrote: "Mony wrote: "Alrightee...Kat says we all have to read a book.
A good strategy might be for the 3 of you to read shortish books. Under 200 or so, maybe?
I can read a long book. I'm a very quick re..."

Maggie, I'd say go for the shortest possible book that works the best for you.

Am I reading this wrong?

We have to read a minimum of 1000 pages, correct? So we won't be penalized if we go over.

Or

Do we only suppose to read exactly 1000 pgs?

Shan ~A~ wrote: "The book I mentioned is also for another challenge, so that's the one I'm going with. I have to make them match as much as I can.

My problem wasn't that I can't read fast enough, it was that I di..."

I'm sorry Varsity didn't work out for you. I know it was a bit of a crazy start to the book and then once they figured out who Poppy belonged to it settled in.

It read like she was going to make it into a series without actually making it into a series.

There were also some characters that popped up later in the book that apparently were cameos from a different book of hers.

I liked the premise and I liked how she stressed parenting over the student athlete and the chances of actually going pro. She wrote it as if this kid had to face real life. But it was a fun read for me. Not a lot of real meat. I wanted more out of the goth chick roommate. And the weirdo brother.

Maggie, I had high hopes, and I had been wanting to read it before this challenge.

It may have been my head space, so I'm going to give it another go before it returns to you, but I just didn't want to force it.

I appreciate you for allowing me to borrow it.

I have an arc of The Psycho and it's actually listed mpg romance- contemporary romance. Amazon has it listed with 354 pages.

I plan to read that unless it won't work page wise. I can find something shorter if I need to.

We definitely can go over 1000 pages! So we've landed on this:

Maggie - 392 pgs (Looking to Score) or any book
ShanA - 333 pgs
M- 354 pgs (Psycho)
Mony- TBD- will post today 308 pages- Mr. Perfect

Go for it team...and happy reading! ☕️😎

Selection Post
Task 6 - 14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG

Mr. Perfect by J.A. Huss

Qualifies: Contemporary Romance on MPG - 80 users
Page Count: 308 pages