Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
The Amazing Race Archive
>
TART11 - 4 Layers of Fun (4)
The Amazing Race Team Challenge - Round 11April 26, 2025 through June 22, 2025
Run hard. Eat cupcakes!
Tracking:
Task 1 - 0. Read a book honoring Earth Day. 4.26.2025 - 5.3.2025
Task 2 - 1. Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task. 5.3.2025 - 5.13.2025
Task 3 - 6. Read 4 books with fewer than 500 reviews. 5.13.2025 - 5.15.2025
Task 4 - 22. Read
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. 5.21.2025 - 5.24.2025
Task 6 - 23. Each teammate reads a book that has been read by one of the RRRC moderators. No pass for this task. 5.24.2025 - 5.29.2025
Task 7 - 27. Read a minimum of
Task 8 - 3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this task. 5.31.2025 - 6.5.2025
Task 9 - 28. Each teammate reads a book from a teammate's to-read shelf, no pass for this task. 6.5.2025 - 6.8.2025
Task 10 - 67. Read 6 5 books by an author whose first or last name begins with A. 6.8.2025 - 6.12.2025
Task 11 - 71. Pick another team and each member reads one book that was read by a member for this challenge. No pass for this task. 6.12.2025
Information required when posting your completion/s:
Task
Book/cover link
Page numbers with source
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary.
Date Completed.
Rating/Review.
**Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count only! If your page count comes from a Kindle edition published on the initial publication date on the editions page, it will count. If your page count comes from a Kindle edition labeled '1st edition', it will count. If your page count comes from the earliest dated English language Kindle edition, it will count. I am looking for one of those three things when confirming your books! As long the page count you list is correct, I will accept any link to the book. Ebook page count will be acceptable if no Kindle page count available. The acceptability of other page counts will be made on an individual basis.**
Please note that a rating is now required in your completion posts! A small review is also welcome. 😊
I think most of you know each other, at least a little, but feel free to introduce yourself again. Please give any relevant information, especially time zone as that helps know when it is best to communicate. 😊Please select a team leader to help keep track of where your team is in any given task. And as necessary guide discussions for task decisions. Any teammate can report your completions though. I will use the team leader as a point of contact if needed.
Remember, it is the team's responsibility to notify the host (me) if a teammate fails to complete the task in a timely manner or otherwise goes missing! I am not checking all the team threads regularly to notice and may only check when notified a task is complete.
PS - If you want to be known as anything other than Team 4, you are free to come up with a team name. 😉
Hi team! It looks like we are ready to get going in a couple of days. I'm Kendra from Connecticut. I'm excited to do this challenge. I've never done it before, but it sounds cool. And a bit daunting, maybe, but I'm sure we will be great. Depending on my schedule and need for challenges, I typically read between 2-6 books a week. Hopefully that works for you guys.
Have you ever done this before? What is the best way for us to communicate and plan? Are you all spreadsheet lovers? Who wants to captain? Also, any thoughts for a cool name? I have none. lol
Hi everyone! I'm so glad we're all together! I have done this challenge before and it can be fast paced, since it's pretty much move at our own pace instead of waiting for weekly calls. I am in Massachusetts. I'm comfy with captain on this one and I LIVE for spreadsheets lol. I will work on getting it set up today so we can input choices for Team picks for when they come up. I'll post it as soon as I get it done. As for names... 4 Layers of Fun is all that comes to mind right now lol
Hi Liza. I'm thrilled you love spreadsheets. YAY!! 4 Layers of Fun is cute.
Okay, these are the tasks for this round. As soon as I finish the spreadsheet, I'll link it here. It'll have a spot for your picks for each team-related task and that'll help with determining our reads when those tasks come up! Tasks:
1. Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task.
2. Each player reads the first book in a series, can be same or different series - no pass for this task.
3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this task.
4. Read 4 books tagged/shelved as PNR or fantasy.
5. Read 4 books first published within the last year.
6. Read 4 books with fewer than 500 reviews.
7. Read 4 books that are stand alones.
8. Read 4 books with a beach on the cover.
9. Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task.
10. Read 4 books by authors' who write under more than one name (Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb).
11. Read 4 books in continuing series, one that has not been completely published.
12. Read a book recommended to you by a teammate - no pass for this task.
13. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as sports.
14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG.
15. Read a minimum of 600 pages in books with an audio edition.
16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children.
17. Read 4 books written by a male author.
18. Read over 750 pages in books tagged/shelved with 'favorite'.
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.
20. Read 4 books 300 pages or longer.
21. Each teammate reads a book with a night sky on the cover, no pass for this task.
22. Read 4 books #5 or higher in a series.
23. Each teammate reads a book that has been read by one of the RRRC moderators. No pass for this task.
24. Read 6 books on RRRC's bookshelf, the books can not be added by anyone on your team within the last year.
25. Read 4 books by one of the 2022 FACs. (A different time frame may be given when assigned.)
26. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books featuring shifters.
27. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books published in any one year prior to 2020, team picks the year. (Year may vary when assigned.)
28. Each teammate reads a book from a teammate's to-read shelf, no pass for this task.
29. Read over 750 pages in books about the same profession, teams decide which profession.
30. Read 6 books with nekkid man chest on the cover.
31. Read 6 books rated over 4.0.
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.
33. Read 6 books in the same sub-genre, teams decide.
34. Read 6 books first published between 2000 and 2010.
35. Read 6 books first published between 2011 and 2020.
36. Read 6 books with animals on the cover.
37. Read 6 books set in the US.
38. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with a non-English language edition.
39. Read 6 books set outside of the US.
40. Read 6 books with over 500 reviews.
41. Read 6 books with over 10,000 ratings.
42. Read 6 books featuring best friends.
43. Read 6 books published in June. (A different month may be used when assigned.)
44. Read 6 books by authors who use initials in their name.
45. Read 6 books with 3 word titles. (A different number may be used when assigned.)
46. Read over 1000 pages in books written by duo authors.
47. Read 6 books set in a major city.
48. Read 6 books featuring cowboys.
49. Each teammate reads a book published in the same month and year, teams decide. No pass for this task.
50. Read 6 books set in the same location, teams decide the location.
51. Each teammate reads a different book by the same author, no pass for this task.
52. Read 6 books with the same color cover, teams decide color.
53. Each teammate reads a book set in one of your teammates' home town (born in, raised in, currently live in - all work), teams decide. No pass for this task.
54. Read 6 books set on a beach or in the mountains, teams decide which.
55. Read 6 books set in the same country outside the US, teams decide country.
56. As a team, pick a list with over 100 romance books on it, each member reads a book from that list. No pass for this task.
57. Read over 1000 pages in books that are MPG Romance.
58. Read 6 books published in the year one of the teammates joined RRRC, teams decide which teammate.
59. Read 4 books that are NOT MPG Romance.
60. Read 6 books with MPG Historical Romance.
61. Read 4 books rated over 4.5 on GR.
62. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books written by an author whose first or last name begins with the first letter of a teammate's screen name.
63. Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books tagged 'magic' or 'magical'.
64. Read 6 books not set on a continent of a teammate. Space does not count - must be a real continent.
65. Each player reads 2 books in a series, teammates can read the same or different series.
66. Read over 1000 pages in books with Mystery or Suspense as MPG.
67. Read 6 books by an author whose first or last name begins with A. (A different letter may be used when assigned.)
68. Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books with one word titles.
69. Read 6 books that have won/been nominated for an award.
70. Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books of the same sub-genre, but by different authors.
71. Pick another team and each member reads one book that was read by a member for this challenge. No pass for this task.
72. Read 4 books published in the decade of a teammate's birth, team decides which teammate.
73. Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books by the same author, teams decide author.
74. Read 6 books published in a teammates' birth month, you may not use your own month.
75. Read over 1000 pages in books that start with the same letter (no articles), teams decide letter.
76. Read 6 books with a specific item on the cover, team selects item.
77. Each teammate reads a book that the teammate after them alphabetically has rated 5 stars. No pass for this task.
78. Read 6 books with alliteration in the title or author's name.
79. Read 6 books that have the same romance trope, teams decide which trope.
80. Read 4 books initially published in different decades.
81. Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books with a dog/dogs on the cover. (A different animal may be used when assigned.)
82. Each teammate reads a different book from the same series.
83. Read 8 books with a white flower/s on the cover. (A different color may be used when assigned.)
84. Pick a category from the current RRRC Monthly Challenge and read 6 books for that category. Reader's Choice is exempt from this task.
85. Each teammate reads a debut book by an author. No pass for this task.
86. Read at least 1500 pages in books with a hat on the cover. (A different object may be used when assigned.)
87. Read 8 books set in NYC. (A different city may be used when assigned.)
88. Read 6 books with a boat, plane, car or motorcycle on the cover, teams decide which.
89. Read 8 books tagged with 'wedding' or 'proposal'.
90. Each member reads a book published in sequential months, i.e. June, July, August and September 2019. Teams decide which months. No pass for this task.
91. Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages. For example, teammates were born in 75, 83, 87 and 94 - each teammate reads a book at least 339 pages long. No pass for this task.
92. Read over 1500 pages in books set in the future or the past - teams decide.
93. As a team, pick a Romance List from GR Listopia with less than 100 books on it, each teammate reads a book from that list. No pass for this task.
94. Read 6 books published in sequential years, teams decide years.
95. As a team, select an animal. Read 8 books tagged with that animal.
96. Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which.
97. Read 8 books by authors with more than 10 letters in their name.
98. Read 8 books with fewer than 10 letters in the title.
99. Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them.
100. Read 8 books with more than 10 letters in the title.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Spreadsheet is done and ready for your picks!
Thank you Liza for being the team leader. It is mostly organizational in this challenge and occasionally a point of contact. Any teammate can post in the Q&A when you are ready for a new task. 😊
Hi guys! I'm excited for this challenge :) These prompts are encouraging to finally finish some of the books that have been on my TBR for a while
Has anyone heard from Christina? I sent a message yesterday, but she hasn't checked in yet.
Well, if Christina doesn't check in you will go forward as a team of 3. I hope that doesn't happen, she has participated before. But I will give you the usual spiel just in case.If you are a team of 3, your tasks will be adjusted as necessary. I will warn you now - I will forget, likely more than once! If you notice that a task with a minimum page count or number of books not being adjusted, please reach out!
Hey all. We have our first task!Task 1 - 0. Read a book honoring Earth Day.
Signups for this round closed on Earth Day. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 every year. It is a worldwide event to raise awareness for environmental issues and encourage protection of the planet. To honor Earth Day, read a book with a 22 (combined, not separated) in the initial publication date OR read a book with both green AND blue on the cover, teams decide. If using the publication date option, make sure you use the initial publication date. If there is a date at the top of the editions page - use it! Otherwise, I will be looking for the earliest dated English language edition regardless of format for the qualification. Please include the initial publication date in your completion posts. If using the cover option, the qualifying covers need to have both blue AND green on the cover. They do not have to be the primary colors, but both must be present. You can use any edition’s cover as your qualification. Please include the qualifying cover in your completion posts. If in doubt, please ask.
So as a group we have to pick either a cover that has any amount of BOTH blue and green, or a book with publication with a 22 in it (2022 or the 22nd of a month).Thoughts?
Also, did we want to finalize our name as 4 Layers of Fun?
Liza wrote: "You just beat me, Kendra lol"JINX!!! lol
No other names were brought up, so I say yes. And as for this task, I’m leaning towards 22 because that leaves all of 2022 wide open for easy picks.
I'm good with that. That seemed to be a good year for lots of choice
So 22 it is for this task! Unless Tori has any objections.
I'm here. Sorry I was out of town and didn't think to let you all know. Soooo sorry. I'll start a 22 book ASAP.
Welcome, Christina!!! So glad you are joining us!
22 works for me :) I've got a few books that work perfect for that actually
COMPLETION POSTTask 1 - 0. Read a book honoring Earth Day
Team chose to read a book with a 22 (combined, not separated) in the initial publication date
Empty Heat by Wendy Rathbone
202 pgs
How book qualifies - first published 8/23/2022
Completed 4/27
3.75 stars
I liked this much better than the first book in the series. It was a more developed novel that gave us the story of Callum and Lev. Callum had a bad experience for his first time, and combined with physical challenges, he has struggled with being able to find a relationship or have sexual relations. Omega Island was a cool place, and Lev was a great support for him. I loved how they dealt with issues of trust after royally screwing things up for Callum.
COMPLETION POSTTask 1 - 0. Read a book honoring Earth Day
Team chose to read a book with a 22 (combined, not separated) in the initial publication date
Book: Roman by Grae Bryan
Pages: 273
How book qualifies - first published 6/13/22
Completed 4/27
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: An interesting vampire/fated mate trope. I loved Danny. So sweet. The perfect partner for a someone who calls their vampire part a demon. Honestly, I'm more intrigued in the bad guy though. Lucien is a super complex character and I'm really looking forward to his story. I listened to this at my typical 2x and it worked well. Michael Ferraiuolo is one of my favorite narrators.
Completion Post: Task 1 - 0. Read a book honoring Earth DayTeam chose to read a book with a 22 (combined, not separated) in the initial publication date
Mortal Skin by Lily Mayne
Page numbers with source: 359 pgs/GR
How book Qualifies: first pub 1/28/22
Date Completed: Apr-28
Rating: 4 stars
Okay, now high fantasy and fae usually aren't my thing, but this one blew me away!! Wow! And that ending will definitely bring me back for more. I am glad this is the first book of Lily Mayne that I have read because I am now a fan! I loved the intrigue and the building relationship between Ash and Lonan. There were points I knew what was going to happen and then there were things that completely made my head spin. But I was completely invested!
How's everyone doing? Are we feeling Amazing yet? lol
Liza wrote: "Completion Post: Task 1 - 0. Read a book honoring Earth DayTeam chose to read a book with a 22 (combined, not separated) in the initial publication date
Mortal Skin by [author:Lil..."
I love Lily Mayne's monster books. I have this one in my TBR. I keep thinking I should give it a go.
Just a reminder that this is a go at your own pace challenge, not a weekly call challenge, so as soon as you finish, post your completions so we can move on to the next task!
I'm sorry guys, I was struggling with finding a good read. I've got one I'm finishing up soon.
No worries, Tori. Just wanted to check in on you!
Completion Post: Task 1 - 0. Read a book honoring Earth DayTeam chose to read a book with a 22 (combined, not separated) in the initial publication date
Book and Author: Jilted: Jaren by Nora Phoenix
Pages: 386/GR
Date Read: 5/3/25
How it fits: Published March 4, 2022
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Aw I just love Jaren. I've said this before, but I'll keep saying it every time it happens. Jaren is so easy for me to relate to. I really understood him on a personal level, and he really just broke my heart. It was such a wholesome and healing journey to watch him fall in love with Reid. I can't wait to read this one again
Here is your next task!Task 2 - 1. Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task.
As a team, select an author. Every teammate reads a book by the selected author. Please include the selected author in your completion posts. Pseudonyms are allowed, but if used please include a link to the author’s page or website showing it is the same as the team selected author. No pass for this task.
COMPLETION POSTTask 2 - 1: Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task.
Read a book by NR Walker
Finders Keepers by N.R. Walker
220 pages
how it fits: NR Walker is chosen author
Completed 05/05
5 stars
Review: This was such a lovely, feel-good story. I loved getting to meet the characters, and the dog was an adorable little sidekick. It was a great premise, and I loved how comfortable the writing, the story, and the love between these guys was. NR Walker is one of my favorites, and this is another book to put on that favorites shelf.
Completion Post: Task 2 - 1: Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task.Read a book by NR Walker
Bossy by N.R. Walker
Page numbers with source: 277 pgs/GR
How book Qualifies: team chose NR Walker
Date Completed: May-5
Rating: 5 stars
There is rarely a NR Walker book that doesn't bring me to tears at some point, usually sappy romantic tears. This was no exception. Bryson and Michael were hot as hell together, but oh so sweet and romantic, as well. I loved their banter and the simple predictability of their story while still being completely entrance and hooked from the beginning. It's just so easy to fall in love with these characters and their story.
Hi all. Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Hope your week is going well
I finished my book just haven't had time to post yet. Sorry. I'm off to say goodbye to a long time friend's daughter. She's not expected to make it through the weekend. I'll try to post before I go to bed tonight.
COMPLETION POSTTask 2 - 1: Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task.
Read a book by NR Walker
Book:EWB: Enemies With Benefits N.R. Walker
Pages: 366
How it fits: NR Walker is chosen author
Completed 05/08/25
4 stars
Review: This book was not a favorite of mine by this author. There was too much hate sex through the first half of the book with no tenderness and romance. It wasn't really until the last 1/3 that brought the book to a 4 stars for me. When Valentine showed Marshall his trauma responses from years of neglect and emotional abuse from his parents and Marshall's refusal to let Valentine push him away, I got teary eyed which is what NR Walker often does to me. I did like the follow ups after the story ended...I think they were called Boyfriend With Benefits and then Husband with Benefits. It was a nice follow up to the story. I liked that it was a sports romance as well and that it revolved around rugby instead of the same old football or hockey.
I’m sorry to hear about your friends daughter. 😢❤️
Thank you Kendra. I sat with her for a couple of hours. She slept the whole time which is good. She's on a lot of pain meds to keep her comfortable. I'm hoping she'll hang on until after Monday. I don't want my friend to lose her daughter on Mother's Day.
Has anyone heard from Tori? It’s been 9 days since she last checked in with us.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
A Little Christmas: Aster (other topics)Like Water Catching Fire (other topics)
Tequila Kisses (other topics)
Skeletons in the Closet (other topics)
Your Lonely Nights Are Over (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Della Cain (other topics)E.M. Lindsey (other topics)
T. Ashleigh (other topics)
Nicky James (other topics)
Adam Sass (other topics)
More...
April 26, 2025 through June 22, 2025
Run hard. Eat cupcakes!
Team:
★ Liza
✓ Kendra
✓ Tori✓ Christina T