Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP R24 - Novel Nuptials (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. Wedding Planner (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 16 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/Calls 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.
ThemesWeek 8
Read a book from a 2 book series (duology) or read the 2nd book in a series. A series that has only 2 books to date may be used.
Please link to the series page.
2. Rings are exchanged
Read a book with a ring on the cover. Any type of ring ~ eg wedding ring, smoke ring, donut. It must be round and have a clear empty middle.
Week 4
Read a book with punctuation in the title and/or series name.
These are: full stop (aka period), question mark, exclamation mark, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, brackets, braces, parentheses, apostrophe, quotation mark and ellipsis.
A combined 'title: series' name will work. The proof can be on the main page of GR or on the bookcover. It must be limited to the actual title and/or actual series name. Tangential sentences to the title or series will not work.
4. Music is played ~ before, during or after
Read a book with an MC who is a musician or music composer/lyricist. Not a poet.
Week 2
Read a book with the MPG 'Magic'.
This must be on the main page and not after you extend the genres to a full page list.
6. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly across cultures, religions and social groups
Read a book set in a country outside the USA.
The country must be stated in the precis or on the main page.
Week 5
Read a book with a character who is a wedding planner or from a series of more than 5 books.
Please link to the series page.
Week 3
Read a book with a main character who is a lawyer.
Week 9
Read a book with a wealthy character.
Week 7
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%).
Week 1
Read a book with a cover model in a suit or a flowing/formal dress.
12. At the end of the vows, the couple will kiss
Read a book with a kiss on the cover by the models, or with the word 'kiss' in the title.
13. Traditionally parents paid for the wedding
Read a book tagged with 'parent'.
14. Family and friends are invited to attend the ceremony
Read a book from a series where each new book is centred on a different couple.
A couple may be repeated in another book in the series, but only once. A compilation catch up, eg a Christmas book with multiple couples is fine.
Week 10
Read a book tagged 'holiday' or 'vacation'.
Week 6
Read a book tagged 'hea'.
Tracking Post Weeks 1-5Week 1:
✅ Christy - Ever Mine - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Jill (rox) - Prince Cheating Charming - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Logan - Bombshell - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sally - The Winter Duchess - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sassafrass - Business Not As Usual - Selection Post - Completion Post
Week 2:
✅ Christy - Quarterback Keeper (Option 2) - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Jill (rox) - Heart Of Destiny - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Logan - Two Twisted Crowns - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sally - Magic's Fate - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sassafrass - The Gilded Ones - Selection Post - Completion Post
Week 3:
✅ Christy - Well Traveled - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Jill (rox) - Convincing Arthur - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Logan - Practice Makes Perfect - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sally - PASS
✅ Sassafrass - Do You Take This Man - Selection Post - Completion Post
Week 4:
✅ Christy - Last Chance Cowboys: The Outlaw - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Jill (rox) - Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Logan - Love, Theoretically - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sally - The Farmer's Bride - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sassafrass - Aisha & Gage: Wedding Special - Selection Post - Completion Post
Week 5:
✅ Christy - The Sheriff Catches a Bride - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Jill (rox) - SOS Hotel: For a Supernaturally Safe Stay! - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Logan - Devoted in Death - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sally - Marrying Mr. English - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sassafrass - Mister Librarian - Selection Post - Completion Post
Tracking Post Weeks 6-11Week 6:
✅ Christy - The Friend Zone - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Jill (rox) - Hillbilly Rockstar - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Logan - PASS
✅ Sally - Secrets of a Summer Night - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sassafrass - Passion: The Arranged Hearts Series - Selection Post - Completion Post
Week 7:
✅ Christy - To the Rude Guy in Apartment Five - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Jill (rox) - Before He Was Her Headmaster - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Logan - The Hunting Party - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sally - Alien With Benefits - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sassafrass - His Royal Highness: Elite Alliance - Selection Post - Completion Post
Week 8:
✅ Christy - The Right Move - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Jill (rox) - Saddled and Spurred - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Logan - Hook, Line, and Sinker - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sally - The Lonely Sheriff’s Mail Order Bride - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sassafrass - Revive Me, Part One: The Act - Selection Post - Completion Post
Week 9:
✅ Christy - When in Rome - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Jill (rox) - Tangled - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Logan - The Berry Pickers - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sally - Born to be Bad - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sassafrass - The Millionaire Boys Club: Koda - Selection Post - Completion Post
Week 10:
Christy - Wild Love - Selection Post
✅ Jill (rox) - The Pumpkin Spice Café - Selection Post - Completion Post
Logan - Great Big Beautiful Life - Selection Post
✅ Sally - Witching You a Charmed Christmas - Selection Post - Completion Post
✅ Sassafrass - Higher Love - Selection Post - Completion Post
Week 11:
Christy
Jill (rox)
Logan
Sally
Sassafrass
Option 2 Dates and Team’s Read ShelvesChristy
Jill (rox)
Logan
Sally
Sassafrass
Week 10
Key date: 20 December 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Reserved
Hi team! I’m Logan and I live in Denver, Colorado, which is US Mountain Time (GMT-6). It’s been awhile since I last did PtP but it’s one of my favorite games so I’m excited to play again!
I’m married, no kids, 2 dogs - a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix and a Boston Terrier. I work from home so I’ll be able to check in frequently.
I read a little of everything and I’m in a bit of a reading funk so I’m happy to have some prompts to get me going again.
Please share any team name ideas you have! I am so bad at names.
Hi allI’m Sally and I live in Australia about 2 hours inland from Brisbane on the East coast.
I am married (our 48th anniversary coming up soon) we have 2 grown up daughters and 3 grandchildren
I am retired and thought I’d have more time for reading - but my social life is very busy!
I love PtP and play it every year.
Suggestions?
The Bride Tribe
Something Borrowed
Petals and Pearls
Satin and Silk
The Veil Vixens
The wedding Crashers
Jill - I’ve sent you a friend request as you’re the only team member I’m not friends with yet 😀
Hi all, I'm Jill. I live in NYC with my daughter and cat Mr. Darcy who will be going off to college this fall (the daughter not the cat lol). I'm a pretty voracious reader and will read most anything for a challenge. My main genre however is romance and all its sub genres. PtP is one of my favorites especially since it's just one book a week so it's my chill challenge amongst my others where quantity matters.
Potential team names:•Bridal book Bouquets
•Novel Nuptials
•Tales down the Aisles
•Tying the Literary Knot
•Happily Ever Chapters
•Wedding Spells and Book Spells
•Booked and Betrothed
•Happily Hitched
Or if we want to incorporate our team #:
•To Be the One
•You're Still the One
Hey all! I'm Sassafrass and I live right outside of Philadelphia - Go Eagles 🦅! I read pretty much anything but I've been reading African American Romance exclusively over the last year.
My husband and I have been married for 25 years, we have two kids - one of which is in his 3rd year of college and the youngest will be heading off to college in the fall. We have 1 furry child - a 9 year old Belgian Shepherd named Brownie.
I run a busy urgent care center so I am not able to check in most times during the weekdays but I listen to audio in the car and will have no trouble with reading the necessary 1 book per week.
I think there are some great names that have already been given. I really like Novel Nuptials
Sassafrass wrote: "Hey all! I'm Sassafrass and I live right outside of Philadelphia - Go Eagles 🦅! I read pretty much anything but I've been reading African American Romance exclusively over the last year.
My husb..."
Have you read Ja'Nese Dixon? I love her books.
Novel Nuptials is a great name - combines theme and books perfectly!
Jill wrote: "Have you read Ja'Nese Dixon? I love her books."No, but I've added her to my TBR, thanks for the recommendation!
Looks like Novel Nuptials is the winner. I’ll let Jane know!
Hi All! I'm Christy, and I live in Georgetown, TX, outside of Ausitn, with my small dog, Corbin. I work from home as an e-commerce manager. I mainly read romance, though on rare occasions I'll branch out.
Looking forward to PtP again!
Welcome Christy! We are glad to have you.
Almost time for first call!I’ll be leaving shortly for a hair appointment so I may not see it right away. Feel free to share here or check the announcement thread if you’re ready to get started.
Week 1 - Selection postoption 1
11. There is often a dress code chosen by the couple, with many selecting to have a formal or semi-formal event
Task: Read a book with a cover model in a suit or a flowing/formal dress.
Book:
The Winter Duchess by Jillian EatonPages: 121
How it fits: Female cover model in a flowing dress
Copying for reference:Week 1
Option 1
11. There is often a dress code chosen by the couple, with many selecting to have a formal or semi-formal event
Read a book with a cover model in a suit or a flowing/formal dress.
[From Wiki: Semi-formal wear or half dress is a grouping of dress codes indicating the sort of clothes worn to events with a level of formality between informal wear and formal wear. The typical interpretation for men is black tie for evening wear and black lounge suit for day wear, corresponded by either a pant suit or an evening gown for women.
In addition, equivalent versions may be permitted such as ceremonial dresses (including court dress, diplomatic uniforms and academic dress), religious clothing, national costumes, and military mess dress.]
I will be looking for tuxedos or suits (with tie/bowtie), organza, silk and flow/long dresses. Pant suits are also acceptable, along with military dress etc. per above. Men in shirts that are open-necked/undone will not work.
If there are multiple cover-models, only one needs to be dressed per above.
Please show the cover of your book in your selection post.
Selection Post - Option 1 - 11. There is often a dress code chosen by the couple, with many selecting to have a formal or semi-formal eventWeek #1 Task: Read a book with a cover model in a suit or a flowing/formal dress.
Book: Prince Cheating Charming
Pages: 145
How the book qualifies:
Selection Post - Week 1 - Option 1Book: Ever Mine by Laura Pavlov
Pages: 270
How it fits: Formal dress on cover
Week 1 - Completion postoption 1
11. There is often a dress code chosen by the couple, with many selecting to have a formal or semi-formal event
Task: Read a book with a cover model in a suit or a flowing/formal dress.
Book:
The Winter Duchess by Jillian EatonPages: 121
How it fits: Female cover model wearing a flowing dress
Read: 21/04/25
Rating: 5★s
Review: A wonderfully sweet historical romance - with just a touch of bedroom action. Caroline (Caro) was forced into marriage with Eric, Duke of Readington, by her overbearing mother. But she truly believed he would fall in love with her, she was not expecting a groom who appeared to utterly hate her. Eric just wanted a bride to give him an heir so he could leave her in the country while he cavorted with mistresses in London. His terrible mother had him assuming all wives were mean, demanding and conniving. Caro tried to prove she is different but Eric refuses to listen. With Christmas coming can Caro make him love her? Of course she can - this is a romance so there is a happy ever after - but the story to how they get there is really lovely.
Week 1: CompletionOption 1
Business Not As Usual
Pages: 320/GR
How it fits: male has on suit and tie
Date completed: 4/22/25
Rating: *4 STARS*
This was cute and quirky. I thought that Dreamy was bit off with her dream of winning the lottery (I mean, not the dream but how committed she was to it), but hey, whatever works.
I did think, however, that she was exactly what Karter needed! I loved their interactions. I was not a fan of his family but hers was hilarious.
I enjoyed their journey. The two of them certainly had some growing to do, but I enjoyed the way they learned each other.
This was my first book with this author but it won't be my last. I look forward to reading Karter's sister's book next.
Looks like the spam has been deleted. Sorry - was busy with a work trip...
Jane (PS) wrote: "Looks like the spam has been deleted. Sorry - was busy with a work trip..."I did report it as well - so maybe Goodreads deleted it 😀
Completion PostWeek #1
Book: Prince Cheating Charming
Read: 04/22/25
Rating: ⭐⭐
Review: This one didn’t quite live up to my expectations, which weren't high to begin with. While the concept had potential, the execution felt lacking. The choices made often left me frustrated, and the character development didn’t resonate with me. I struggled to connect with the storyline, as it seemed uneven and lacked emotional impact. Although there were a few moments of humor or redemption, they weren’t enough to redeem the overall experience for me. It’s not a book I’d revisit, but it might appeal to someone looking for a light read without high stakes.
I’m almost finished with my book but will be after next call today. I love Sarah MacLean so I’m savoring this one. 😁Who’s excited for next pick? I know I am! I have nothing on my calendar this weekend and I am in the mood to read.
Week 2Option 1
5. The ceremony follows well established rituals
Read a book with the MPG 'Magic'.
This must be on the main page and not after you extend the genres to a full page list.
Week 2 - Selection postoption 1
5. The ceremony follows well established rituals
Task:Read a book with the MPG 'Magic'.
Book:
Magic's Fate by Sela CarsenPages: 124
How it fits: MPG of Magic
Week 2: CompletionOption 1
The Gilded Ones
Pages: 432/GR
How it fits: MPG Magic
Date completed: 4/26/25
Rating: *5 STARS*
This was so good. I love reading high fantasy with main characters of color. But I loved even more that while there was obviously racism in this book, when the alakey (I was listening to this on audio so I have no idea how to truly spell this) came together, they knew that that the differences in their skin tone meant nothing to fight that they were brought together for. They were all one. And honestly once Deka's blood ran gold, her skin never was an issue again. It was a very interesting point and one that was very welcomed.
Deka's self-discovery was amazing. And the fact that she seemed dot find a true partner --one who could support and wasn't intimidated by an extremely strong woman-- was something to behold.
Honestly, I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book. I knew there was going to be something big that was going to come out the book, but I had no idea how big. I can't wait to continue this series. I have to know what is going to happen next.
Logan wrote: "I’m almost finished with my book but will be after next call today. I love Sarah MacLean so I’m savoring this one. 😁Who’s excited for next pick? I know I am! I have nothing on my calendar this we..."
I was waiting for the call. I didn't want to start a new book since I knew the call would be coming! Happy Reading!
Completion Post - Week 1 - Option 1Book: Ever Mine by Laura Pavlov
Pages: 270
How it fits: Formal dress on cover
Date Read: 4/27/25
Rating: 4 Stars
This was the 2nd book in this series, and I surprisingly enjoyed it more than the 1st entry. Hawk and Everly had dated throughout high school and been friends since they were very young. They broke up when Hawk went into pro hockey right after high school, and this is the story of them reconnecting. I loved the emotional aspects of this, with Ever being forced to face the fact that she hadn't moved past her mother's death, and the fact that even though she had become a therapist, she was still working on her emotional health. Hawk and Everly have great chemistry, and were a joy to read about. Looking forward to the next entry in this series.
Selection Post - Week 2 - Option 2Book: Quarterback Keeper by Lacey Black
Pages: 111
How it fits: Read by Jill on 3/18/25, rated 3 stars
Week 2 - Completion postoption 1
5. The ceremony follows well established rituals
Task:Read a book with the MPG 'Magic'.
Book:
Magic's Fate by Sela CarsenPages: 124
How it fits: MPG of Magic
Read: 28/04/25
Rating: 4★s
Review: I first met Rodion in his sister’s story “Magic’s Song” now he has his own story. He was injured in his duties as a magical border patrol agent (the border in question being between the human and fae world's) stopping a border jumper but is not healing as well as he should. Rodion’s neighbour is Carina who has her own powers. The two are attracted to each other but have reasons why the y are not following through. On their way back from having a coffee the evil wizard father of the now dead border jumper want to exactly revenge and curses Carina to turn into a living statue unless 3 tasks are completed and the shards of a magical sword are returned to him. Trouble is the shards are imbedded in Rodion's body - their existence is whats blocking Rodion’s healing. What follows is adventure and love as the two work together on the quest - Carina cannot be far from Rodion without the poison in her body spreading, so the couple must work together to harness the evil wizard. With lots of heartstopping moments of danger, and help from friends - kindness and love overcomes evil in the end. There are two more stories in this Nocturne Falls universe series which I plan on reading.
Week 1 Completion PostOption 1
Book: Bombshell
Pages: 395
How it fits: Formal gown on cover
Date read: 4/28/25
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: Sarah MacLean is my favorite romance author so I had been looking forward to this one. I loved Sesily and her girl gang taking down the jerks of the ton. In the author’s note she tells about the real life inspiration for the group and I love that once again we get brash heroines who can fight for themselves.
Sesily and Caleb are so perfect for each other and I was glad they came together without much drama. The main antagonist to their love story was wrapped up in the plot and secrets and was well done.
Selection Post - Option 1 - 5. The ceremony follows well established ritualsWeek #2 Task: Read a book with the MPG 'Magic'.
Book: Heart Of Destiny
Pages: 160
How the book qualifies: MPG Magic
Week 3 - Selection postoption 3
PASS
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Wedding Planner
🔔Logan
Partiers
🍾Christy
🍾Jill (rox)
🍾Sally
🍾Sassafrass