Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Pass The Parcel (Team Challenge)
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PtP R25 - Sleigh All Day (3)
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. Linguist (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 6 November
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 | Announcements 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.
Weekly Themes
Week 1
Selection/Completion Posts - Weeks 1-4Week 1 - Complete
✔KarenH - He Falls First - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔Ariel - Beautiful Exile - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔Amanda E - Alchemised - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔Janeylou - All of Us Murderers - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔Liza - Simi - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔Vi - Hidden Nature - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔Yvonne - Taste of Blood - Selection Post / Completion Post
Week 2
✔KarenH - Closer Than You Think - Selection Post / Completion Post
**Ariel - I'm Watching You - Selection Post /
✔Amanda E - A Court of Thorns and Roses - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔Janeylou - Alpha Chef - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔Liza - The Sinner - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔Vi - Assistant to the Villain - Selection Post / Completion Post
✔Yvonne - Control - Selection Post / Completion Post
Week 3
KarenH - Leverage in Death - Selection Post /
Ariel -
Amanda E - Dark Matter - Selection Post /
Janeylou - Unspeakable Words - Selection Post /
Liza -
Vi -
Yvonne -
Week 4
(view spoiler)
Selection/Completion Posts - Weeks 5-8Week 5
(view spoiler)
Week 6
(view spoiler)
Week 7
(view spoiler)
Week 8
(view spoiler)
Selection/Completion Posts - Weeks 9-11Week 9
(view spoiler)
Week 10
(view spoiler)
Week 11
(view spoiler)
Team's 'Read' shelves for Option 2:*KarenH - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Ariel - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Amanda E - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Janeylou - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Liza - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Vi - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Yvonne - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Team Name Suggestions
The Knighmares...due to spooky season
Know Knightmares aloud
Preying four mail mussel / praying for male muscle
The Gifted Ones
Catch Me If You Can
Passionate Parcelers
No Strings Attached
FedUp Express
Passaholics Anonymous
Team Fragile (Handle With Care)
The Ho Ho Handlers
The Gobble Gang
Team Sleigh All Day
Hi all 👋👋Im Janine from England ..looking forward to this one
Hey everyone!It's nice to see a mix of people I've teamed up with before and those I haven't! I've sent friend requests to everyone I wasn't already friends with.
I'm Karen, and I live with my 60 lb. "lap dog" in a small town in the northwest corner of Washington state, so I'm in the Pacific timezone. I read mostly romance, with a bit of mainstream mystery/suspense thrown in. Within the romance genre I read a little of almost everything. I'll read just about anything from sweet to super spicy, MF or MM (or whatever other combinations might come up). The only sub-genres I tend to avoid are YA and Inspirational/Christian, but even those I'll read if recommended by someone whose taste I know are similar to mine, or if I need it for a challenge. 😁 Currently I'm reading more Romantic Suspense than anything else, but I make a point to read a variety every month so hopefully my shelves will be potentially helpful to just about anyone.
Our first priority is to come up with a team name. I'm horrible at names, so I hope some of you are better in this area than me! Even if you come up with something you don't really like or think is silly, still post it. Sometimes even the silliest names can be edited a bit and turned into something great!
The only other thing I can think of is a reminder to check the 'Notify me' box at the bottom of both this thread and the Q&A thread to be sure you get notifications for them.
I can't wait to get started!
Something like The Knighmares...due to spooky season
Know Knightmares aloud
Preying four mail mussel / praying for male muscle
Hi everyone! I'll do a more thorough introduction a bit later today but I just wanted to check in real quick before I forget ❤️
Hey everyone! I know some of you but not others. I'm Vi, I live in Netherlands so roughly 6 hours ahead of East Coast. I'm married with 2 kids. I read mostly MF romance and fantasy, most sub-genres except Dark, RH or Inspirational. I've started back on reading and challenges after a long break so I'm trying to branch out more.
I'm horrible at names too. I like The Knightmares.
Hi all, Im Yvonne from the UK. This will be my first group challenge, so a bit nervous. I read MM but as I have no triggers I read any. My babies are both grown up, so it is just me and the dogs. I work FT and read when ever I can. As for names, I am rubbish as choosing so will go with the majority
Great name suggestions, Janine!Of the ones listed so far I really like Know Knightmares aloud (since we all want happy endings with our romance, right?) 😀
Hi everyone, you can call me Amanda or Mandy. I live in the U.S. in Washington, D.C., so I am on EST. I read mostly literary fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, & psychological thrillers. The romance I read is mostly a subgenre within those but sometimes I do just read a straight-forward romance lol I usually prefer darker books or those with significant psychological or emotional depth, but I also enjoy a fun, cheesy book as a palate cleanser.As for names, I'm not really good at that either but I tried to think of some that fit the "pass the parcel" theme:
- The Gifted Ones
- Catch Me If You Can
- Passionate Parcelers
- No Strings Attached
- FedUp Express
- Passaholics Anonymous
- Team Fragile (Handle With Care)
that's all I can come up with rn lol
Hi everyone! Glad to see a few familiar names and a few new ones! My name is Liza and I live in the US, in Massachusetts, so EST for me! I read mostly MM, but I will read ANYTHING that catches my eye! As for names, I kinda like The Knightmares!
Hello everyone! For those I haven't met before, I'm Ariel. I'm from south FL so I am in the EST. I read just about anything - I am always willing to read a new book. I like the No Strings Attached and Know Knightmares Aloud.
Yay, we're all checked in! We have some pretty great name options (listed in msg #9), and so far the ones that people have specifically mentioned as favorites are:
The Knightmares
No Strings Attached
Know Knightmares Aloud
If anyone has any additional ideas, or other favorites from the existing list, be sure to post them, otherwise we can use the shorter list above and try to narrow it down even more.
Jane just posted a nudge in the Q&A thread for teams to finalize their names, so we need to come up with something - any input will be appreciated! 😃
I saw that's why I came & posted something 😂If we wanted to do some holiday-inspired ones:
The Ho Ho Handlers
The Gobble Gang
Team Sleigh All Day (I kinda like this one lol)
But if no one responds, we could probably just do the Knightmares since that was the most popular, or you can make the executive decision lol
I like Team Sleigh All Day but will go with the majority
I like sleigh all day , its got the homophones and its festive 😁
I like Sleigh All Day too...looks like we have a winner!! Thanks everyone!
Re the week 1 task - I'm reading a 2025 book now
:)
I will be out of town this weekend just FYI I might not be on as often, but i'll be back on Monday!
Week 1Option 1
18. New | Knew - read a book first published in 2025.
Please use the date on the main book page. If there are a few editions, click on 'Show all xx editions' to work out the first date of publication to ensure it fits the task.
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: 2 May 2025
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.
Amanda wrote: "Re the week 1 task - I'm reading a 2025 book now :)"Amanda, your book for this task must be read in its entirety after the task is announced, so if you were already reading it when Jane posted the task, it won't qualify. Sorry! ☹️
~KarenH~ wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Re the week 1 task - I'm reading a 2025 book now :)"Amanda, your book for this task must be read in its entirety after the task is announced, so if..."
ahh okay damn I should have waited I'm only 30 pages in lmao and its 1000 pages but oh well!
Amanda wrote: "When does week 1 technically start?"Each week the task begins as soon as Jane posts it...generally Friday afternoon-Saturday morning (depending on your timezone), but if all teams are ready Jane will sometimes post the first task a bit early, as she did today. Since there's no rush to be the first team done (except for the final week) it's not much of an issue if she posts it early, so that will also happen occasionally if she has a personal conflict that interferes with the scheduled posting time.
Amanda wrote: "~KarenH~ wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Re the week 1 task - I'm reading a 2025 book now :)"Amanda, your book for this task must be read in its entirety after the task is..."
I have been known to restart a book when I'm just barely into it and it works for a challenge. Not saying you should do this, but if you want to, it is allowed!
Week 1: Selection Post - Option 1Simi by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Pages: 327 pgs
How it Qualifies: Pub 2/25/2025
Week 1 - Selection PostOption 1
He Falls First by Jill ShalvisPage count: 352
How the book qualifies: First published August 5th 2025
Selection Post Option 1
Taste of Blood
by A.J. Church Page count 352
How it fits published 13/10/2025
Amanda wrote: "Re the week 1 task - I'm reading a 2025 book now :)"Is this a Dramione fanfic being published? Was it on wattpad or something? Either way, I'm very interested in your review.
I haven't decided my book yet - I will do a selection post once I find one that works with my other challenges.
Week 1 Selection post Option 1
All of Us Murderers
K.J. Charles
352 pgs
Fits ..published 7 October 2025
Vi wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Re the week 1 task - I'm reading a 2025 book now :)"Is this a Dramione fanfic being published? Was it on wattpad or something? Either way, I'm very..."
SenLinYu made this a standalone based off of the fanfic Manacled bc she couldn't published that without copywriting so Alchemised is sort of the same story (so I've heard I haven't read Manacled) but she took out all of the HP elements and made a whole new world, magic system, and characters! So The FMC in Alchemised (Helena) would have been Hermione in Manacled
~KarenH~ wrote: "Amanda wrote: ."okay I will do that honestly then lol bc I'm kinda confused anyways so it wouldn't hurt to start over
Week 1: Selection Post
Option one
by SenLinYuPages: 1030
How it fits: Published September 2025
Week 1: Completion Post - Option 1Simi by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Pages: 327 pgs
How it Qualifies: Pub 2/25/2025
Read: Nov-7
Rating: 5 stars
Wow . . . Simi has always been a favorite character of mine. I have been waiting for her story for a long time and this did not disappoint. We've gotten glimpses throughout the Chronicles of Nick and I knew it would be a great story, but I wasn't prepared to cry as much as I did. This brought us back through a few of the key moments in Dark Hunter history, this time from the Simi's perspective. Hearing it all in her special way of speaking is great. This really is one of my favorite worlds to get lost in.
Completion Post: Week 1Taste of Blood
by A.J. ChurchPage Count: 352
Read 08/11/2025 4*
How it fits: Published 13/10/2025
Review: 10 years ago Cord walked out of Asher's life. Asher is a successful businessman, Cord still works as an enforcer for Dante's organisation. So opposite but perfect for each other.
I loved this mafia style world, with the city ran by Clans. Vampires walk among the humans, not everyone knows about them, there are rules to follow. Whilst we follow Asher and Cord rekindle their relationship, we slowly learn what torn them apart. Asher who was not afraid to get what he wanted and Cord whose loyalty was still to Dante. But this was not the only story, there is a mystery that Asher and Cord get thrust in the middle of, someone is targeting the clans in the city.
This story was full of action and violence blended with tender moments and I was drawn in and even though I knew that the story continues I was still shocked when I got to the end. December cannot come quick enough
Week 1 - Completion PostOption 1
He Falls First by Jill ShalvisRating: 4+ stars
Review: Jill Shalvis is pretty much an autobuy author for me, and this newest book, the start of a new trilogy, didn't disappoint. I loved the characters, both main and secondary, and as usual the animal(s) steal the show at times...in this case a talking bird obsessed with bodily functions. 😄 Both MCs had a lot of baggage from the past to overcome, and worked to help each other do so.
The narration by Lila Winters and Sebastian York was excellent, and I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Amanda wrote: "~KarenH~ wrote: "Amanda wrote: ."okay I will do that honestly then lol bc I'm kinda confused anyways so it wouldn't hurt to start over
Week 1: Selection Post
Option one
[bookcover:Alchemised..."
Hi Amanda,
No need to make any changes this week since Jane has already checked our thread, but for future weeks she has requested that we have no extra comments in our selection/completion posts. It makes it way too easy to miss something, so if you have a comment about the post (as you did above) please make a separate post for it. Thanks! 😀
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Sarah Madison (other topics)
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Linguist
🎤KarenH
Listeners
🎧Janeylou
🎧Vi
🎧Ariel
🎧Amanda E
🎧Liza
🎧Yvonne