Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Team Members

Tour Guide (Captain)
🛺 Shandrea

Guests
🚲 bamaace83 (Anna)
Monica
🚲 Bailey
🚲 Nistha

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. Tour Guide (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 4 April

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/Announcement 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. Its difficult to find older posts when going backwards in the threads.

Tracking Week 1-3


Week 1 - Theme: 14. Tourist destination 🏙️🧳
Read a book set in one of the following cities - London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong

Selection Post
Shandrea ✈️ - The Earl Next Door - Option 1 - Message 22
Bamaace83/Anna 🚌 - King of Wall Street - Option 1 - Message 27
Bailey 🏍️ - Romancing Mister Bridgerton - Option 1 - Message 35
Nistha 🚂 - A Curious Beginning - Option 1 - Message 26

Completion Post
Shandrea ✈️ - The Earl Next Door - Option 1 - Message 36
Bamaace83/Anna 🚌 - King of Wall Street - Option 1 - Message 32
Bailey 🏍️ - Romancing Mister Bridgerton - Option 1 - Message 42
Nistha 🚂 - A Curious Beginning - Option 1 - Message 40




Week 2 - Theme: 11. Mainland Europe 🏝️⛲️
Read a book set in mainland Europe (aka Continental Europe). Mainland Europe does not include the UK or Ireland.

Selection Post
Shandrea 🏰 - One Italian Summer - Option 1 - Message 39
Bamaace83/Anna 🏝️ - The Marriage Contract - Option 2 - Message 44
Bailey 🗺️ - What Feasts at Night - Option 1 - Message 43
Nistha ⛲️ - The Rules of Magic - Option 1 - Message 41

Completion Post
Shandrea 🏰 - One Italian Summer - Option 1 - Message 48
Bamaace83/Anna 🏝️ - The Marriage Contract - Option 2 - Message 55
Bailey 🗺️ - What Feasts at Night - Option 1 - Message 57
Nistha ⛲️ - The Rules of Magic - Option 1 - Message 65


Week 3 - Theme: 16. Around the World in 8️⃣0️⃣ Days
Read a book with 8 and 0 in the publication date of the book's first Kindle edition

Selection Post
Shandrea 💙 - I Could Never - Option 1 - Message 49
Bamaace83/Anna 🩵 - It All Comes Back to You - Option 1 - Message 56
Bailey 💚 - Pass - Option 3 - Message 54
Nistha 💛 - Butcher & Blackbird - Option 1 - Message 51


Completion Post
Shandrea 💙 - I Could Never - Option 1 - Message 73
Bamaace83/Anna 🩵 - It All Comes Back to You - Option 1 - Message 72
Bailey 💚 - Pass - Option 3 - Message 54
Nistha 💛 - Butcher & Blackbird - Option 1 - Message 76

Tracking Week 4-6

Week 4 - Theme: 15. BUS 🚌🚍
Read a book with the letters B, U and S in the name of the title, series and/or author

Selection Post
Shandrea 🚌 - Ensnared - Option 1 - Message 68
Bamaace83/Anna 🚐 - Not Quite a Husband - Option 1 - Message 67
Bailey 🚍 - Sign Here for Horns - Option 1 - Message 58
Nistha 🚎 - Bad Summer People - Option 1 - Message 66


Completion Post
Shandrea 🚌 - Ensnared - Option 1 - Message 79
Bamaace83/Anna 🚐 - Not Quite a Husband - Option 1 - Message 78
Bailey 🚍 - Sign Here for Horns - Option 1 - Message 64
Nistha 🚎 -Bad Summer People - Option 1 - Message 90




Week 5 - Theme: 3. The Americas 🌎🗺️
Read a book set in a country in North America or South America

Selection Post
Shandrea 🔵 - Behind the Net - Option 1 - Message 74
Bamaace83/Anna 🟢 - Wild Love - Option 1 - Message 77
Bailey 🟡 - Camp Damascus - Option 1 - Message 75
Nistha 🟠 - Know My Name - Option 1 - Message 71

Completion Post
Shandrea 🔵 - Behind the Net - Option 1 - Message 116
Bamaace83/Anna 🟢 - Wild Love - Option 1 - Message 91
Bailey 🟡 - Camp Damascus - Option 1 - Message 83
Nistha 🟠 - Know My Name - Option 1 - Message 104




Week 6 - Theme: 8. Country 🚜🌾
Read a book set in the country e.g. farm, ranch
For all the location/setting tasks, the book does not have to be solely set in that location; it simply needs at least one scene set there. The usual precise, main page, tag or list will need to be provided to show how the book qualifies.

Selection Post
Shandrea 🐷 - Bucked Off - Option 1 - Message 86
Bamaace83/Anna 🐴 - Cowboy Summer - Option 1 - Message 84
Bailey 🐔 - Rein Me In - Option 1 - Message 85
Nistha 🐮 - Pass - Option 3 - Message 81

Completion Post
Shandrea 🐷 - Bucked Off - Option 1 - Message 103
Bamaace83/Anna 🐴 - Cowboy Summer - Option 1 - Message 93
Bailey 🐔 - Rein Me In - Option 1 - Message 97
Nistha 🐮 - Pass - Option 3 - Message 81

Tracking Week 7-9


Week 7 - Theme: 2. UK & Ireland 👑🍀
Read a book set in the British Isles

Selection Post
Shandrea 🍀 - Twisted Love - Option 1 - Message 96
Bamaace83/Anna 👑 - Twisted Love - Option 1 - Message 100
Bailey 🏰 - The Monstrous Duke and I - Option 1 - Message 98
Nistha ☕️ - Open Water - Option 1 - Message 95

Completion Post
Shandrea 🍀 - Twisted Love - Option 1 - Message 123
Bamaace83/Anna 👑 - Twisted Love - Option 1 - Message 107
Bailey 🏰 - The Monstrous Duke and I - Option 1 - Message 99
Nistha ☕️ - Open Water - Option 1 - Message 118


Week 8 - Theme: 13. Vehicles ~ plane / boat / motorcycle / train / car / truck / bus
Read a book with a vehicle on the bookcover (any edition). 🏍️🚂

Selection Post
Shandrea ✈️ - Dear Aaron - Option 2 - Message 112
Bamaace83/Anna ⛵️- Pass - Option 3 - Message 108
Bailey 🏍️ - Ready or Not - Option 1 - Message 115
Nistha 🚃 - Under Locke - Option 1 - Message 106

Completion Post
Shandrea ✈️ - Dear Aaron - Option 2 - Message 113
Bamaace83/Anna ⛵️- Pass - Option 3 - Message 108
Bailey 🏍️ - Ready or Not - Option 1 - Message 129
Nistha 🚃 - Under Locke - Option 1 - Message 136


Week 9 - Theme: 9. Small town
Read a book set in a small town

Selection Post
Shandrea 💜 - Things We Hide from the Light - Option 1 - Message 124
Bamaace83/Anna 🩷 - Dark Eyed Devil - Option 1 - Message 133
Bailey 🩵 - Protecting You - Option 1 - Message 128
Nistha 🤍 -How to Solve Your Own Murder - Option 1 - Message 122

Completion Post
Shandrea 💜 - Things We Hide from the Light - Option 1 -
Bamaace83/Anna 🩷 - Dark Eyed Devil - Option 1 - Message 134
Bailey 🩵 - Protecting You - Option 1 - Message 141
Nistha 🤍 - How to Solve Your Own Murder - Option 1 -

Tracking Week 10-11


Week 10 - 12. Glasses / gloves / hat / bag / phone / watch
Read a book with one of these items on the cover.

Selection Post
Shandrea - Handsome Devil - Option 1 - Message 144
Bamaace83/Anna - A Little Ray of Sunshine - Option 1 - Message 142
Bailey - The Revenant's Heart - Option 1 - Message 137
Nistha - Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers - Option 1 - Message 138

Completion Post
Shandrea - Handsome Devil - Option 1 -
Bamaace83/Anna - A Little Ray of Sunshine - Option 1 -
Bailey - The Revenant's Heart - Option 1 -
Nistha - Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers - Option 1 -

(view spoiler)[

Week 11 - Theme:

[Selection Post]
[Completion Post]


(hide spoiler)]

Hey everyone!!
My name is Shandrea, I am from Southern Idaho (MST). I am 32 years old with four children from 13-7 years old. My husband and I have been married going on 13 years and he's been in the army for a couple of years more than we've been married.
I started doing this challenge in 2017, it was the first challenge I had ever done on Goodreads. I couldn't have picked a better challenge for myself to do first with the busy life I had. I was welcomed with warmness by my team members and I have loved doing this challenge ever since.
This will be my first time captaining a team. I'm pretty confident I will be a good captain but if you see something that I missed please feel free to help me out :)

As for a team name.. I am usually terrible at naming teams. I will try to come up with some team names, but I encourage everyone to share ideas :). We need to have our team name in by Thursday.

The first theme will be called on Friday. If you have not done so, please click the link to be notified if someone comments on this discussion - I always change it to *notifications only*.

Hey everyone! I'm Anna and live in Southern Indiana (eastern time). I'm married and we have one dog. I work a normal Monday through Friday job and am around usually in the evenings and on weekends. I have done this challenge multiple times and I always enjoy this one. I'm not the best with team names either. I'm looking forward to reading and getting to know everyone!

Hi friends! 👋🏼 I’m Bailey. Currently living in upstate NY but am moving soon to DC (maybe during this challenge!!) so I’m in EST. I live with my husband who is finishing up law school and our fur-child Bobby who is a mini Aussie. I read a little bit of everything but I’ve been loving para and sci-fi romance lately. This is my favorite challenge to do and I think I’ve participated 5 or 6 times now!

Some name ideas:
Planes, Trains, and E-readers
A land far, far away
Heavy packer (lots of books)
Wandering Bibliophiles

Another name idea: On the Read Again

Hi all! I am Nistha and this is my first year playing this challenge. I love team challenges and finding new books through them. I am Indian but live in London. Currently, I am on a trip to Italy with my husband. We have been married for around 4 months and are having a long-distance marriage. I read almost everything but love romance and thrillers.

Some name ideas from me:
The Passport Posse
The Delayed Departures
The Punny Pilgrims
The Snack Pack Shackers

I like The Snack Pack Shackers because I usually always have a snack around my books. Heavy Packer is fun too.

We are waiting for Monica to check in, we’ll see what she likes :)

Shandrea wrote: "We are waiting for Monica to check in, we’ll see what she likes :)"

Go ahead and select your name without Monica in case she doesn't turn up :)

Can someone explain what a shacker is? I’m only seeing stuff about one-night-stands when I google it!

Alright we need to get our team name in, so what is everyone thinking?

I liked Wandering Bibliophiles

I’ll second Wandering Bibliophiles!

I like Wandering Bibliophiles as well!

Alright! I will send it in for us! :)

Okay Team! We have our first task!!

Week 1

Option 1
14. Tourist destination
Read a book set in one of the following cities - London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong.

For all the location/setting tasks, the book does not have to be solely set in that location; it simply needs at least one scene set there. The usual precise, main page, tag or list will need to be provided to show how the book qualifies.

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 September 2023
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.

Week 1 - Selection Post

Option 1
14. Tourist destination
Read a book set in one of the following cities - London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong


The Earl Next Door by Ashtyn Newbold

Pages - 326
Qualification - Precise notates an incident happening in London

I have a book (A curious beginning) in my mind already set in London. Will go back home and post to add the link. We need to read this by this week right?

Not necessarily, you need to make a selection post each week and you cannot be more than two books/weeks behind. So this week, you need to select a book and post your selection (like mine above), and you could finish it next week.
If you were to make a selection this week (and make a selection post), you would only be able to change your selection this week. Changes can only be made in the week of that theme call.

Great thanks! Let me make the selection so I can start reading the book

Week 1 - Selection Post

Option 1
14. Tourist destination
Read a book set in one of the following cities - London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn



How it fits? Main page Setting London

Week 1 - Selection Post

Option 1
14. Tourist destination
Read a book set in one of the following cities - London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong

King of Wall Street by Louise Bay



How it fits? Set in Manhattan, NYC, NY according to GR main page

Nistha wrote: "Week 1 - Selection Post

Option 1
14. Tourist destination
Read a book set in one of the following cities - London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong

[book:..."

Hi Nistha - for the qualification, you need to say how you know its set in London, eg Main page setting, precis/blurb, tagged as London etc. It needs to be something that I can verify without actually having the book myself :)

Please add how you know it's setting to your selection post :)

Ah sorry for not being clear, the main page setting is London.

Nistha wrote: "Ah sorry for not being clear, the main page setting is London."

Will you edit your selection post and add it to that post please? :) thank you

All done :)

Week 1 - Completion Post

Option 1
14. Tourist destination
Read a book set in one of the following cities - London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong

King of Wall Street by Louise Bay



Date Read: 4-10-24
Rating: 3 stars
How it fits? Set in Manhattan, NYC, NY according to GR main page

Review:
This book wasn't that bad but it wasn't that great either. Max was okay but Harper got on my nerves. She has major family insecurities and it really showed at pivotal parts of the book. I really liked the moodiness of Max and his boss/his home alter egos. His relationship with his daughter, Amanda was really good. Harper was okay at times but really I wanted to just shake her a couple of times. Overall, it wasn't terrible because of all the other characters in the book.

Bailey - make sure you post your book selection before the next call. Its about 48 hours before the next week's theme is posted.

Selection Post: Week 1, Option 1

Book: Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Pages: 370
Qualification: In synopsis "But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad..."
Main page setting in London

[*book:Romancing Mister Bridgerton|56947799]

Sorry for the delayed posting, guys! Haven't had my laptop all week and couldn't figure out how to post with html on the app. Should be better on time for the remainder of the challenge

Week 1 - Completion Post
Option 1
14. Tourist destination
Read a book set in one of the following cities - London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong


The Earl Next Door by Ashtyn Newbold

Pages - 326
Qualification - Precise notates an incident happening in London
Rating - 4 stars
Review - This book was a little slow for my liking. I did like the storyline and the plot of the romance but it felt like it just dragged on for such a short book.

All right! Here is our second task!

Week 2

Option 1
11. Mainland Europe
Read a book set in mainland Europe (aka Continental Europe)
Mainland Europe does not include the UK or Ireland. Please ask if you aren't sure.

For all the location/setting tasks, the book does not have to be solely set in that location; it simply needs at least one scene set there. The usual precise, main page, tag or list will need to be provided to show how the book qualifies.

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: 6 October 2023
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 option

Looks like Monica is definite bust :( I've removed her from your team list...

Week 2 - Selection Post
Option 1 - 11. Mainland Europe
Read a book set in mainland Europe (aka Continental Europe)
Mainland Europe does not include the UK or Ireland


One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

Pages - 268
Qualification - Main Page Setting listed as Positano, Italy

Week 1 - Completion Post
Option 1
14. Tourist destination
Read a book set in one of the following cities - London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn
Pages - 339
Qualification - MPG setting London
Rating - 3 stars
Review - A delightful historical fiction with a very slow-burn romance - This book revolves around our curious MC Veronica and her bodyguard Stoker. Their chemistry and banter are great in the book. I like a smart MC like Veronica and the grumpy sunshine of Stoker. Having said that, the mystery part of the novel was not very engaging. I also think they did not spend a lot of time on it. I am excited to go on with the series because they have set up great characters.

Week 2 - Selection Post
Option 1 - 11. Mainland Europe
Read a book set in mainland Europe (aka Continental Europe)
Mainland Europe does not include the UK or Ireland
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

Pages - 364
How it fits- Main page setting Paris

Completion Post: Week 1, Option 1

Book: Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Pages: 370
Qualification: In synopsis "But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad..."
Main page setting in London
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Review:
I'm so glad that I picked this book since season 3 is coming out so soon! It was even better than I remember. Colin and Penelope are the BEST friends-to-lovers portrayal (imo)! I love to see Penelope really come into her own and see her worth. And Colin is just dreamy in this one. I can't wait for the first episodes to drop!!

Selection Post: Week 2, Option 1

Book: What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
Pages: 151
Qualification: Set in Gallacia, Spain
in synopsis "they find themself heading to their family hunting lodge, deep in the cold, damp forests of their home country, Gallacia."


[*book:What Feasts at Night|127306440]

Week 2 - Selection Post
Option 2
Key date: 6 October 2023
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars



Pages - 338
Qualification - Shandrea read it on 3-12-24 and gave it 4 stars.

Bailey wrote: "Completion Post: Week 1, Option 1

Book: Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Pages: 370
Qualification: In synop..."

I am eagerly waiting for the new season as well! The trailer has hooked me in

Nistha wrote: "Bailey wrote: "Completion Post: Week 1, Option 1

Book: Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Pages: 370
Qualific..."

Me too!!! I recently started reading the books also

Alright here is our next task!

Week 3

Option 1
16. Around the World in 80 Days
Read a book with 8 and 0 in the publication date of the book's first Kindle edition

If you aren't sure how to insert links (book-link or list/shelf/tag-link) in your posts, please read these instructions in the Q&A thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


Option 2
Key date: 13 October 2023
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

Week 2 - Completion Post
Option 1 - 11. Mainland Europe
Read a book set in mainland Europe (aka Continental Europe)
Mainland Europe does not include the UK or Ireland


One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

Pages - 268
Qualification - Main Page Setting listed as Positano, Italy
Rating - 5 stars
Review - liked (not loved) this book, I feel like it could've been better..

Week 3 - Selection Post
Option 1 - 16. Around the World in 80 Days
Read a book with 8 and 0 in the publication date of the book's first Kindle edition


I Could Never by Penelope Ward

Pages - 302
Qualification - Published August 19th, 2023

Shandrea wrote: "Week 2 - Completion Post
Option 1 - 11. Mainland Europe
Read a book set in mainland Europe (aka Continental Europe)
Mainland Europe does not include the UK or Ireland

[bookcover:One Italian Summer..."

I felt the same when I read this book. I found the MC very annoying haha.

This is what I had in my review