Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

RRRC’s Cornhole Team Challenge
Hole in One!
February 7, 2026 through April 11, 2026

Team 3 Members:

✓ Captain - Jessica S

✓ Emily
✓ bamaace83
✓ Amanda
✓ Gabi

RRRC’s Cornhole Team Challenge
Hole in One!
February 7, 2026 through April 11, 2026

Welcome to RRRC’s version of Cornhole! This is the reading version of the classic lawn game where instead of tossing beanbags, you will be attempting to get your book in the hole.

Challenge Dates:
Signups open until Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 6 PM US ET.
Teams Allocated January 31st after signups close, please allow several hours.
First Inning Begins on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 6 PM US ET.
Last Inning Ends on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 6 PM US ET, completions will not be accepted after this time.

RRRC’s Cornhole Team Challenge is a 9 week team challenge. Each week you and your team will be playing an inning of Cornhole. Innings will run from Saturday to Saturday at 6 PM US ET. Each player will need to read one book per week. Each inning 3 prompts will be given. Prompts will build in detail. Prompts must be compiled in order - the book has to fit the first prompt before you can add the second and must fit the first and second before adding the third. Second and third prompts can’t be done separately. Books must be completed within each inning, there is no carryover. Points will be tallied at the end of each inning. The teams with the most points at the end of the 9 innings wins.

Scoring for each inning:
On the Ground: Your selected book meets the first prompt - 1 Point.
On the Board: Your selected book meets the first and second prompts - 3 Points.
In the Hole: Your selected book meets the first, second and third prompts - 5 Points.

RRRC’s Cornhole Team Challenge
Hole in One!
February 7, 2026 through April 11, 2026

Information required when posting your selection:

Inning Number and Task.
Book/cover link, please include the author.
First Edition Kindle page count.
How book qualified for first prompt, with links or cover as necessary.
How book qualified for second prompt, as above if necessary.
How book qualified for second prompt, as above if necessary.


Information required when posting your completion:

Inning Number and Task.
Book/cover link, please include the author.
First Edition Kindle page count.
How book qualified for first prompt, with links or cover as necessary.
How book qualified for second prompt, as above if necessary.
How book qualified for second prompt, as above if 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.**

RRRC’s Cornhole Team Challenge
Hole in One!
February 7, 2026 through April 11, 2026

I will be tracking each team's completions and using the captains' tracking to confirm before tallying points at the end of each inning.

Captains, anything you can do to help is appreciated! Simply listing the completions with message number is great - links are not required, but always appreciated. 😊

RRRC’s Cornhole Team Challenge
Hole in One!
February 7, 2026 through April 11, 2026

Captains, please reserve a few spaces for tracking.

Introduce yourselves to your teammates. Let then know where you are from, what your interests are in life and in books! Consider friending each other, that makes it easier to follow the goings on.

Your first task as a team is to come up with a team name. The theme is Hole in One and your team name should relate to that. Captains, please post your team name in the Q&A thread when you have decided.

Week 1

Jessica
Completion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Number of prompts: 3
Amanda
Completion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Number of prompts: 3
Emily
Completion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Number of prompts: 3
Gabi
Completion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Number of prompts: 3
bamaace83
Completion https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Number of prompts: 3

Total Points: 25

Week 2
Jessica
Completion:
Number of prompts: 3
Amanda
Completion:
Number of prompts: 3
Emily
Completion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Number of prompts: 3
Gabi
Completion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Number of prompts: 3
bamaace83
Completion
Number of prompts: 3

Total Points: 25

Reserve

Reserve

Reserve

Checking in

Checking in!

Whata bout " A (w)Hole lot of Reading" for a team name?

or Holy Moly!

Or from google:
Baggin’ & Braggin’
Fleetwood Sack --a favorite for me lol
The Hole Enchiladas

Like Fleetwood Sack

Hi Team!

I like Holy Moly! and the The Hole Enchiladas

What about

The Definition of Precision
or
Shots Fired

Hi, Team! I'm new to the Group and these kind of challenges, so I'll mostly follow your lead.
I don't have any preference for the name, so whatever you decide is fine by me.

Gabi wrote: "Hi, Team! I'm new to the Group and these kind of challenges, so I'll mostly follow your lead.
I don't have any preference for the name, so whatever you decide is fine by me."

Hi Gaby!

Nice to have you on the team.

Please make sure to tick the notify me box, and let me know if you have any questions at all.

Hi! Sorry it’s been a week. I’m Anna and looking forward to hanging out with y’all for this challenge. I’m around more on the weekends and during the week it’s on and off. I’m good with any of the team suggestions. I’m on my phone at the moment but will be on my computer later today.

Prompt Announcements for the 1st Inning

This inning begins on February 7th at 6 PM US ET and ends on February 14th at 6 PM US ET. No posts will be accepted after this time.


First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.

Books selected for this prompt need to be MPG Historical Romance. 'Historical' and 'Romance' do not need to be combined and can be combined with other words like 'MM Romance', but both must be MPG.

Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US.

Books selected for this prompt need to meet the qualifications for the first prompt and be set in the US. You can use the book details on the main page, title, precis, tags or lists as your qualification. Remember to let me know how you know your books qualify, I need to know where to look to confirm you books! Please include any necessary links and information in your completion posts.

Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.

Books selected for this prompt need to meet the qualifications for the first and second prompts and also be published in a language besides English. Please include a link to the non-English language edition in your completion posts.


Please remember books can't be started before the inning begins and must be finished before the inning ends! Please ensure that your selection and completion posts conform to message #3 of your team thread. There is a 100 page minimum for books (first edition Kindle). Players may read the same or different books than teammates for each inning, but each player can only read a specific book once during the challenge. Books do not have to be romance, but must be fiction

Selection Post 1st Inning

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian
383 Pages
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical Romance
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US
How it fits: MPG Setting New York
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
How it fits: Italian Edition - We could be so good

Amanda wrote: "Prompt Announcements for the 1st Inning

This inning begins on February 7th at 6 PM US ET and ends on February 14th at 6 PM US ET. No posts will be accepted after this time.


First Prompt - Read a..."

Thanks Amanda!

Selection Post 1st Inning


Sweetwater by Lisa Henry
Pages: 228
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical and MPG MM Romance
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US
How it fits: Set in Wyoming
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
How it fits: Italian edition - https://www.goodreads.com/work/editio...

I'll find my book tonight. I'm going to have to a little searching.

Hey, guys, what does MPG mean?

Hey! Sorry, I was busy at work. It means Main Page Genre so it needs to be listed on the books main good reads page. :)

Selection Post 1st Inning

Book: The Keeper of Stars by Buck Turner
Pages: 298 kindle edition
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical Fiction and MPG Romance
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US
How it fits: Set in Indiana per main goodreads page
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
How it fits: Italian edition : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Completion Post 1st Inning

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian
383 Pages
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical Romance
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US
How it fits: MPG Setting New York
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
How it fits: Italian Edition - We could be so good
Date Read: 2/9
Rating: 4.5
Review: I loved book 2 in this series so I was so hopeful while starting this one and it blew right past all my expectations. It's one of those books where the characters are the story and these are such rich amazing characters. I loved how Nick was trying so hard to be a standoffish grump and the very second he meets Andy he is absolutely smitten and would do anything for him. MULTIPLE times he says "I would never do this in any other situation but...Andy" with hearts in his eyes. And I had hearts in my eyes the whole time too. I love them, I love that I feel like I was transported to Midcentury NYC and I'm so happy that these two found love and way to live as authentically as possible.

Jessica wrote: "Selection Post 1st Inning


Sweetwater by Lisa Henry
Pages: 228
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fit..."

Please correct to the first edition Kindle page count (240) and repost. Thanks.

Selection Post 1st Inning
image:

Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne
356 Pages
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical Romance
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US
How it fits: MPG Setting Denver, Colorado
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
How it fits: Italian Edition - Tutto cambierà

😊

Selection Post 1st Inning


Sweetwater by Lisa Henry
Pages: 240
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical and MPG MM Romance
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US
How it fits: Set in Wyoming
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
How it fits: Italian edition - https://www.goodreads.com/work/editio...

Completion Post 1st Inning


Sweetwater by Lisa Henry
Pages: 240
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical and MPG MM Romance
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US
How it fits: Set in Wyoming
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
How it fits: Italian edition - https://www.goodreads.com/work/editio...
Date read: 10-Feb
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: I love a good historical western MM romance anyway, but this was top tier. I completely forgot Lisa Henry used to write darker more taboo books, and this is definitely that.
Elijah Carter is almost deaf due to the Scarlet Fever he had as a child. When he recovered, he found the rest of his family had died, and he was adopted by the town doctor who had lost his wife and child years before.

I loved the relationship between Elijah and his adopted dad, but Elijah feels like a burden and a disappointment due to his disability and sexuality.

Elijah starts a sexual relationship with the town Saloon and brothel owner Harlan Crane. This was difficult to read. It is not a good relationship but Elijah keeps going back for more.

Brady is a cattle thief who has been eyeing Elijah every time he comes to town and ends up being there for Elijah is a time of need.

This was unlike any book I've read before and may be my favourite Lisa Henry book so far.

Selection Post 1st inning
by Joanna Shupe
Pages: 346
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical Romance
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US
How it fits: Set in New York
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
How it fits: Spanish Castillian edition

📚

Ok, here's my update (Completion Post)

Apperantly, I still can't do that cover thing (sorry for the missing picture)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne
356 Pages
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical Romance
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US
How it fits: MPG Setting Denver, Colorado
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
How it fits: Italian Edition - Tutto cambierà


Date Read: 11/02
Rating: 4 stars
Review: OK, so I'm not a big fan of historical romances, especially after the first Bridgertons. And to be honest with this beginning it was really cementing that thought for me.
But, my oh my, was I wrong. When I continued reading, this book transformed so much. It blossomed to something amazing and it was a great parallel to the fmc and her life. It made me laugh, made me cry and was just the perfect kind of sappy.
If not for the beginning it would have been a 5 star read for me. It really made me appreciate that I'm living in the 21st century if that was really how families formed before.

Ps: Oh, and the mmc's brother deserved better.

Gabi wrote: "Ok, here's my update (Completion Post)

Apperantly, I still can't do that cover thing (sorry for the missing picture)

Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne
356 Pages
First Prompt - Read a book that is M..."

Gabi, I cannot check your book without a link. It doesn't have to be pretty but it has to be included. Simply open the book page and copy the URL from your browser, then paste it into your post. Or you can edit your selection to open it and copy what you had before. Then simply change it from selection to completion, and add your rating and review.

Completion Post 1st Inning

Book: The Keeper of Stars by Buck Turner
Pages: 298 kindle edition
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical Fiction and MPG Romance
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US
How it fits: Set in Indiana per main goodreads page
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
How it fits: Italian edition : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Date Read: 2-12-26
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
A simple love story type book that wasn't too spicy. I gave it a three because I liked the characters. Ellie was my favorite. I wish we had more of her Astronomy career in the book because I picked it because of the cover and the blurb about her being a professor but I felt that wasn't really what the book ended up being about. It was an easy read and a cute love story.

Thanks Gabi!

Completion Post1st inning
by Joanna Shupe
Pages: 346
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
How it fits: MPG Historical Romance
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US
How it fits: Set in New York
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
How it fits: Spanish Castillian edition
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Read 2.13
5 Stars
What a delight. Justine Greene is a do-gooder who was raised in a privileged home, Jack Mulligan was raised around everything that is wrong with the world and fought his way to the top. When Justine approaches Jack about making one of his men do their duty and pay his wife for the children he abandoned Jack is intrigued with the woman who is not intimidated or fawning over his rakish looks. Instead she is up in his face, calling him out like no one does and making herself an obsession to him. Reminded me a lot but steamier of Anne Perry and a few others that I have read in the past but with the spirit of The Devil in Winter. Really a fun read.

Amazing job team! 25 points for week 1 :)

😊

Prompt Announcements for the 2nd Inning

This inning begins on February 14th at 6 PM US ET and ends on February 21st at 6 PM US ET. No posts will be accepted after this time.


First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Fantasy.

Books selected for this prompt need to be MPG Fantasy. 'Fantasy' can be combined with other words, but must be Main Page Genre.

Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is over 300 pages, first edition Kindle page count.

Pretty self explanatory. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count!

Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and features a child in the story.

To qualify for this prompt, the title, précis, list or tag would need to include the words 'infant', 'baby', 'child/ren' or 'kid/s' or the equivalent. A child would need to be a minor, grown children would not qualify. These words need to be in context, 'baby, it's cold outside' does not work. 'Childrens' as in children's books (books written for kids) is specifically excluded from this prompt. 'Childrens' will not be an acceptable qualifier even if the book is clearly not a children's book.


Please remember books can't be started before the inning begins and must be finished before the inning ends! Please ensure that your selection and completion posts conform to message #3 of your team thread. There is a 100 page minimum for books (first edition Kindle). Players may read the same or different books than teammates for each inning, but each player can only read a specific book once during the challenge. Books do not have to be romance, but must be fiction.

Selection Post 2nd Inning

Knot Just Their Nanny by Eve Newton
432 Pages
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Fantasy.
How it fits: MPG Fantasy
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is over 300 pages, first edition Kindle page count.
How it fits: 432 Pages
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and features a child in the story.
How it fits: baby/baby daughter in the précis

Completion Post 2nd Inning

Knot Just Their Nanny by Eve Newton
432 Pages
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Fantasy.
How it fits: MPG Fantasy
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is over 300 pages, first edition Kindle page count.
How it fits: 432 Pages
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and features a child in the story.
How it fits: baby/baby daughter in the précis

Date Read: 15/02
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I liked the book. It was nice. And the baby was really well integrated to the story, not like some where they use it for the plot, but not actually mention it that much.

I didn't like the pace of the book - everything happened so fast, but that's kind of normal for omegaverse. The other thing is that even though there's a pov for each main character, I didn't see much of their life outside of the love story. I can't tell you what any of the mmc-s work despite the fact I just read it. There's no info on the girl and her friends or her life before she moved (except the ex, and just a mention of her parents' passing). So I guess they all just feel two dimentional.

Anyways, I was really excited because the book is set in the Lake District, where I visited a couple years ago and was in awe of the beauty of the place and that surely bumped up the rating.

😊

Selection Post 2nd Inning

Mate by Piper Scott
380 Pages
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Fantasy.
How it fits: MPG Fantasy
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is over 300 pages, first edition Kindle page count.
How it fits: 380 Pages
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and features a child in the story.
How it fits: Italian Edition - tagged "books-with-kids" 1x on P. 4 of tags

✔️

1st Inning Scoring: 25 Points

Jessica - 5
Emily - 5
bamaace83 - 5
Amanda - 5
Gabi - 5

Selection Post 2nd Inning

The Things We Water by Mariana Zapata
718 pages kindle edition
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Fantasy.
How it fits: MPG Fantasy
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is over 300 pages, first edition Kindle page count.
How it fits: 718 pages
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and features a child in the story.
How it fits: Tagged children 4 times and tagged single parent 33 times

Selection Post 2nd Inning
by Eve Newton
432 Pages
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Fantasy.
How it fits: MPG Fantasy
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is over 300 pages, first edition Kindle page count.
How it fits: 432 Pages
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and features a child in the story.
How it fits: baby/baby daughter in description

Completion Post 2nd Inning
by Eve Newton
432 Pages
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Fantasy.
How it fits: MPG Fantasy
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is over 300 pages, first edition Kindle page count.
How it fits: 432 Pages
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and features a child in the story.
How it fits: baby/baby daughter in description
Read 2.17
3 stars
Review: Zara just got a job as a nanny to a sweet baby girl Mia whose Alpha father was rejected by his mate. Benjamin is not pleased with having a nanny but it is that or lose his job, house and everything else. Henry is his close friend and makes moves to help Benjamin keep his house and his nanny who he has a feeling is his mate. Liam moves in as well and is head over heels for Zara but can the three men come together as her Alphas?

This one was different than others I have read. Chemistry wise Liam and Zara hit it but the other two were not quite as sizzling. I think for me Benjamin just never really came off as an alpha and while I get there is much more going on with that, I just struggled with it.