Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Pass The Parcel (Team Challenge)
>
PtP R24 - The Book Affair (6)
Fabulous! I've updated the tracking through here. :-)
Theme CallWeek 5
Option 1
7. A wedding takes extensive planning
Read a book:
* with a character who is a wedding planner OR
* from a series of more than 5 books.
Qualification:
* For the wedding planner option, please state HOW it qualifies through the precis/blurb, or with an appropriately named shelf or list. Please advise the shelf/list and provide a link to that page.
* For the series option, please link to the series page.
Half books etc will count toward the 6 or more books in the series, but they must show on the series page that is linked to in the selection post. Eg. Aster Valley
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: 15 November 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.
I'm a mood reader and don't really pay attention to the themes in advance, so I had a mini heart attack when I first read this week's theme and then a had a sigh of relief when I saw the or 🤣🤣
I will also be using the OR. I’m probably going to read the second Dungeon Crawler Carl book. I’ll post tomorrow after I charge my laptop.
Selection Post - Week 5Option 1
7. A wedding takes extensive planning
Read a book:
* with a character who is a wedding planner OR
* from a series of more than 5 books.
Kiss of Snow - Nalini Singh
Pages: 418
How it Fits: #10 in Psy-Changeling series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/4145...
Week 5 Selection Post
Book Barbarian's Hope
Page #: 175 (Kindle Edition)
Qualification: #10 in Ice Planet Barbarians Series
Selection Post - Week 5Option 1
Last Breath by Rachel Caine
Pages: 447
How it Fits: #11 Morganville Vampires
Completion Post - Week 4Option 1 - 3. Read a book with punctuation in the title and/or series name.
Buster Midnight's Cafe - Sandra Dallas
Pages: 277
How It Fits: Apostrophe in the title
Rating: 4 stars
Read: 5/16/25
Review: Whippy Bird and Effa Commander were 5 years old when they saved May Anna Kovacks from falling in a ‘glory hole’(a deep water filled mined out pit) in Butte, MT. After that they were the best of friends their whole lives. May Anna becomes Marian Street, movie star in the 30s and 40s while the other two lived their lives in Butte. Author Hunter Harper wrote an expose about May Anna after her death and spends his days in the former Buster Midnight’s Café telling his tales until Effa decides to write the truth and this is her story. The last page of this book is the perfect ending.
This is Sandra Dallas' debut novel and has her signature quirky characters. It is written in her now standard folksy honest style with touches of pathos and humor. I've read much of her work and finally got around to her first one.
Selection PostWeek 5
Option 1
Truth or Dare by M.A. ComleyPages: 230
How it fits : Book 8 in Sally Parker series
Completion post Week 4
Option 1
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Pages: 368
Date read: 17.5.25
Rating: 3*
Review: This is my kinda book in the sense it’s about an online presence. Firstly she has an affair with her professor and ends up pregnant and due to this Margot's money problems starts and decides to set up an only fans account after losing her job and her flat mates move out. Due to this she has to find a way to provide for herself and her baby so this is her way. Emotions run high, drama happens. To find out what happens you gotta read it.
Week 5Selection Post
Option 1
Pages: 364
How it fits: There are currently 7 published books, with at least one more listed.
Series page: Link Here
Week 5 Completion Post
Book: Barbarian's Hope
Rating: 🧊🧊🧊
Review: I liked it better than I thought I would, but it still had some issues. I did like getting Clare's point of view and it kept us updated with what was happening with everyone else. I'm just conflicted on Asha. I feel like there was some serious retconning going on with her and I just don't think it worked. (view spoiler)
📅Week 5 - Selection PostOption 2 - 🔖Key Date: November 15, 2024
📚Book: Two Twisted Crowns
✍️By:Rachel Gillig
📃Page Numbers: 437
🗝️How the book qualifies: Christina rated this 4 stars, and finished on March 16, 2025. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
✅Completion Post - Week #5Two Twisted Crowns
Rating (4.5) ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Review: I loved this series! There is a reason it gets high praises. I am excited to continue to read this author for sure. The conclusion follows Ravyn's POV as well as Elsbeth's so that is a change from the first book. Prince Hauthe is a loathsome POS and I am so glad he got it in the end! The Providence Cards + The Shepard King's sacrifices are clearer in this book with a focus on his family as well. I liked that this was a duology and not dragged out unnecessarily. Would definitely recommend.
Completion Post - Week 5Option 1
Last Breath by Rachel Caine
Pages: 447
How it Fits: #11 Morganville Vampires
Date Read: 5/19
Rating: 4*
Review
For a little while this series lost its way but it is well and truly back on track with this novel. When a runner from a neighbouring vampire town turns up with a letter for the founder with just one word on it “Run” it has Emilie scared. There is a lot of tension in this book, with Emilie refusing permission for Michael and Evie to get married, the resistance rising and both vampires and humans disappearing, the founder is running scared of what is coming. Claire, Shane, Evie and Michael find themselves in the thick of it as they try to discover what is going on. The final chapters of the book throw up some surprises with an ending that I wasn’t expecting. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
Completion Post - Week 5Option 1
7. A wedding takes extensive planning
Read a book:
* from a series of more than 5 books.
Kiss of Snow - Nalini Singh
Pages: 418
How it Fits: #10 in Psy-Changeling series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/4145...
Read: 5/20/25
Rating: 5 stars
Review: This is maybe my favorite of the series so far. Each book has featured a main couple that have a serious conflict to overcome, often based in their childhood. Multiple issues is both Sienna’s and Hawke’s early years make them who they are and have embedded the fears that they bring to their relationship. As they grow and trust each other over time they fight their personal demons. The climax is not only a battle for the survival of the Snow Dancer Pack but a realization of each of their strengths and what they bring to each other and the Pack. The secondary relationship between Walker and Lara was a beautiful story. And, of course, all the scene stealing by Sasha and Lucas around the birth of their baby was so humorous. Great book!
Grace wrote: "Week 2 Completion PostBook: Barbarian's Hope
Rating: 🧊🧊🧊
Review: I liked it better than I thought I would, but it still had some issues. I did..."
Grace - I think you mean this is week 5's completion post.
Christina wrote: "Grace wrote: "Week 2 Completion PostBook: Barbarian's Hope
Rating: 🧊🧊🧊
Review: I liked it better than I thought I would, but it still had some..."
Fixed it...copy and paste failure there.
Week 5Completion Post
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is the second book in a series that has a minimum of 7 books. These are like being sucked into a video game (or D&D game). The events are always over the top and Carl and Donut (his Feline Companion) usually survive by the skin of their teeth. There are a few heartfelt moments in this book where you might tear up, and there was even a political discussion at some point, which surprised me a little given the first book. Overall, I did enjoy it and it is set up for a third book quite nicely. Lots of laughs, especially if you like listening to audiobooks.
Week 6Option 1
16. And they lived happily ever after
Read a book tagged 'hea'.
Option 2 Key date: 22 November 2024
I didn't this week 6 had been posted yet.
📅Week 6 - Selection PostOption 1
🔖Task 16. And They Lived Happily Ever After Read a book tagged 'hea'.
📚Book: Dark Notes
✍️By:Pam Godwin
📃Page Numbers: 493
🗝️How the book qualifies: Tagged as 'hea': tags-page 1
Christina wrote: "I didn't this week 6 had been posted yet."It’s strange she’s put it in the top but haven’t given specifics about it.
Week 6Selection post
Option 1
Book tagged as HEA.
Pages: 400
How it qualifies: Page 7 tags
.... i have been holding this book from the library for a while now :-)
Week 6 - Selection postOption 1
Book tagged as HEA.
People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry
Pages: 364
How it qualifies: tagged HEA 22 times - p7c3
Week 6 Option 2
Selection Post
The Legacy by Elle KennedyPages: 339
How it’s justified: Louise read the first book the deal 31st December 2024 and i’ll be reading 5th book in same series
Selection Post - Week 6Option 1
Cherry Beats by Vicki James
Pages: 427
How it Fits: Tagged HEA pg2
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Week 6 Selection Post
Book Beautiful Exile
Page #: 402 pgs
Qualification: tagged "hea" 2 times on page 3
Hi Beautiful People. I'll have my book within the next day or 2. I've updated the selection and completion posts. I had to split them up since I was running out of space. weeks 1-5 are here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Weeks 6+ are here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Hope everyone had a good week!
I won’t manage this week so I’ll pass Selection Post
Option 3
Week 7Option 1
10. Popularised by Queen Victoria, the bride will often wear white.
Read a book with a character who is considered royal or rules a country, eg monarch, king, queen, emperor/ess, prince/cess, ruler of a country
OR
Read a book with a mainly white cover (at least 50%).
'Pop' or 'business' royalty etc or equivalent will not count.
Please post the bookcover is you select the 'white' bookcover choice.
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: 29 November 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.
✅Completion Post - Week #6Dark Notes
Rating (3) ⭐⭐⭐
Review: I really love Pam Godwin's writing. I have yet to read a book by her that I would not recommend to other readers. This is definitely on the darker side, so check TW before progressing. I have had it on my TBR for so long, and decided I needed to tackle this. Not the best teacher/student book in my opinion, it felt a little weird she was only 17..if it had been college I wouldn't have cared at all. I think Lessons in Sin is better.
Jessica,You posted your Week 7 selection post in the Q&A post. Can you post it here when you get a chance.
Thanks!!
Week 7 Selection Post
Option 1
Pages: 450
How it fits: Cover is mostly white (with a paper tiger).
Although this is a collection of short stories, I will be reading the entire collection.
Kat - did you intend for your pass to be for week 6 or 7? I just realized that it was posted prior to week 7's theme post. Can you update your post with the week to make it clearer? Thanks!
Christina
🍀 Outstanding completions:Week 3 - Kat
Week 5 - Kat
Week 6 - Christina, Louise, Grace & Linda
(I assumed Kat's Pass was for last week as otherwise she is more than 2 books behind. Let us know Kat :)
Kat - you will need to post a completion before the end of the week.
Finished my week 6 book and will post tomorrow.
Week 6 Completion Post
Book: Beautiful Exile
Rating: 🎨🎨🎨🎨
Review: Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the narration was topnotch. It follows Cowles normal formula lots of angst and some suspense. Her suspense plots are pretty formulaic, but I don't mind that usually but this time I think it needed a little less. (view spoiler)
Week 7 - Selection PostOption 1
10. Popularized by Queen Victoria, the bride will often wear white.
Read a book with a mainly white cover (at least 50%).
Brave Companions: Portraits in History - David McCullough
Pages: 240
How it Fits: 83% white per Tineye
It was for week 6 I’d be reading a book but wouldn’t finish in time. Option 3
Pass
Week 7 Selection Post
Book King Sized
Page #: 112
Qualification: Precis states "The world may call me a King and a gentleman, but there’s nothing gentle about me."
Week 7 Completion Post
Book: King Sized
Rating: 👑👑
Review: It was short and very smutty and fit the challenge, so I could read it quickly. Not really much plot and wasn't really a fan of a world were kings and princess are a dime a dozen and everyone has their own kingdom.
📅Week 7 - Selection PostOption 1
🔖Task 10. Popularised by Queen Victoria, the bride will often wear white.Read a book with a character who is considered royal or rules a country OR Read a book with a mainly white cover.
📚Book: The Frostbound Queen
✍️By: Amy Pennza
📃Page Numbers: 358
🗝️How the book qualifies: From precis, "As heir to the Winter Court, I must be ready to take my father’s place and keep the realm safe under a blanket of frost…Now I’m caught between two men with conflicting desires. As battle lines are drawn and secrets are revealed, I’m determined to claim my crown. My freedom—and my kingdom—hang in the balance. But as passions heat up, I’m not sure the ice I’ve built around my heart can endure."
✅Completion Post - Week #7The Frostbound Queen
Rating (3) ⭐⭐⭐
Review: Amy Pennza does MMF so well! This started off a little too similar to another book of hers, Bitten and Bound (vampires). Two male love interests, a world split/divided in two. I still think I liked bitten and bound better, and I feel like the relationship between the two MMC's was a little forced, it almost was an after-thought. It was enjoyable, and fast-paced, but probably not a re-read for me.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Midnight Stage (other topics)Sunfire (other topics)
Run, Rose, Run (other topics)
Rockstar Valentine (other topics)
Midnight Stage (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lynne Connolly (other topics)Dolly Parton and James Patterson (other topics)
Sheridan Anne (other topics)
Jojo Moyes (other topics)
Jenny Han (other topics)
More...
Option 1
Her Heart for a Compass by Sarah Ferguson
Pages: 576’
How it Fits: Formal dress on cover
Date Read: 5/16
Rating: 5*
Review
Who knew that the Duchess of York could write, this was obviously semi autobiographical, which author admits in the interview at the end. Nonetheless this was highly enjoyable and definitely a page turner. Set in Victorian England this novel charts the story of Margaret as she makes her way in the world. Margaret is strong-willed with a heart of gold who goes out of her way to improve the lives of the poor children of Lambeth and New York. The characters were well rounded and the happenings at court were rich in detail. Looking forward to reading the 2nd in this series.