Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
RRRC's Cornhole Team Challenge
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CTC - Heated Cornholery (1)
RRRC’s Cornhole Team ChallengeHole 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 ChallengeHole 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 ChallengeHole 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 ChallengeHole 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.
TrackingInnings 1 - MPG Historical Romance
🧙♂️ Jane (PS) - The Doctor - S msg 41 | C msg 54
🧙♂️ Becky - Tightrope- S msg 44 | C msg 47
Shandrea - The Widow of Rose House - S msg 56 |
🧙♂️ Katie - When Strangers Marry - S msg 37 | C msg 51
🧙♂️ Krista - Caden's Vow - S msg 43 | C msg 58
Innings 2 - MPG Fantasy
🧚♂️ Jane (PS) - Soar - S msg 68 | C msg 78
🧚♂️ Becky - Raven: Part Two - S msg 69 | C msg 84
Shandrea - S msg xx | C msg
🧚♂️ Katie - Mortal Skin - S msg 66 | C msg 77
Innings 3 - MPG Small Town Romance
Jane (PS)
Becky
Shandrea
Katie
Reminder rules:First Inning - starts Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 6 PM US ET.
Last Inning - finishes Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 6 PM US ET.
New themes - each Saturday 6 PM US ET.
Weekly requirements:
* read (complete) 1 book each week
* no pass available
* if you miss posting a book for a week, you must then post for every week thereafter. Two strikes and you are out.
* MIN 100 pages, based on the first edition Kindle
* selection and completion posts must match the page count for the first edition Kindle version
* please include the broken link to your book in the selection post.
* please follow the selection and completion format in msg 3
Cornhole Inning PromptsPlease note only the first prompt will be revealed before the inning begins!
1st Inning:
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance.
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is set in the US.
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has a non-English language edition.
Details: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
2nd Inning:
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Fantasy.
Second Prompt -
Third Prompt -
3rd Inning:
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Small Town Romance.
Second Prompt -
Third Prompt -
4th Inning:
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Suspense.
Second Prompt -
Third Prompt -
5th Inning:
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Shifter.
Second Prompt -
Third Prompt -
6th Inning:
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Sports Romance.
Second Prompt -
Third Prompt -
7th Inning:
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Urban Fantasy.
Second Prompt -
Third Prompt -
8th Inning:
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Paranormal.
Second Prompt -
Third Prompt -
9th Inning:
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Contemporary Romance.
Second Prompt -
Third Prompt -
**Prompts will be explained in detail when each inning begins.**
Welcome to this new challenge!!As this is the first time we are playing this game, all of us will be learning the game and rules. I've outlined the key requirements in msg 9. The template selection and completion format is in msg 3 of this thread. If you have any questions, please ask, but it may also need to be asked in the Q&A thread :)
Please introduce yourself and let us know where you are in the world, so that we know when you are likely to be online :)
We also need to come up with a team name, so please let us know any options you devise!
Hi everyone - I'm Jane and I live on a cattle property in the northeast of Australia. Its stinky hot here at the moment, so thank heavens we have air-con!!I work part-time and sometimes have to travel with work so I can be a bit unavailable during my travels since we live 6+ hours from my 'work', so I can't check my phone or computer for big blocks of time during these jaunts.
Due to the time differences, tasks will start and finish early in the morning for me. Please feel free to post new tasks to the thread :)
I'll have a go at some names this evening :)
Team name options (Theme: Hole in One)* The Golden Bears (a nod to Jack Nicklaus, golfer, aka the Golden Bear ;)
* 1 + 1 = WON
* Heated Cornholery
* Cornhole Queens
We're number one! We're number one!Hey, everybody! I'm Becky. I live in Indianapolis, which seems like it should be Central, but is actually in Eastern. My only team name idea so far is the Cornhole Queens, but I'll keep thinking.
Are we all m/m readers? It would be fun to do something with Heated Rivalry. My first thought is Heated Cornholery, but that feels a bit graphic. We might need to workshop that one.
Becky wrote: "Are we all m/m readers? It would be fun to do something with Heated Rivalry. My first thought is Heated Cornholery, but that feels a bit graphic. We might need to workshop that one."Heya Becky!!
I don't think we all do read MM but nothing to stop us using Heated Rivalry references ;). Its certainly topical. I like Heated Cornholery - no worse than Cornhole really... (not that I know the game)
Jane (PS) wrote: "Becky wrote: "Are we all m/m readers? It would be fun to do something with Heated Rivalry. My first thought is Heated Cornholery, but that feels a bit graphic. We might need to workshop that one."..."
It's just bean bag toss. I remember playing it as a kid, but I don't remember hearing anyone call it Cornhole until maybe 10 years ago.
Hi everyone! It's been a minute since I've been on Goodreads and even longer since I've done a challenge. I'm looking forward to participating in this one, though! Hi Jane!!! Long time, no see, huh?My name is Katie and I'm in Michigan in metro Detroit (EST). I'm not very particular about team names, so whatever you all like the best works for me. I have 2 kids and that takes me away from as much reading as I'd like. I'm pretty sure I can handle 1 book a week, though. :)
Katie wrote: "Hi everyone! It's been a minute since I've been on Goodreads and even longer since I've done a challenge. I'm looking forward to participating in this one, though! Hi Jane!!! Long time, no see, huh..."💃 Katie!! So long since we have chatted and played together! Feels like its been a decade! How old is your first child now? I feel like they might be 11?
Hello everyone, my name is Shandrea. I live in Southern Idaho, which is in the northwest of the USA. I am in MST. I enjoy the name Heated Cornholery, haha!!
Jane (PS) wrote: "Katie wrote: "Hi everyone! It's been a minute since I've been on Goodreads and even longer since I've done a challenge. I'm looking forward to participating in this one, though! Hi Jane!!! Long tim..."About that, yes! Impressive memory. My oldest is 12 now and my youngest is 10.
Hi Becky and Shandrea! It's so nice to meet you both!
I was taking a look at the prompts...I guess we'll get my least favorite out of the way early. Maybe you guys can give me some good historical recs.
Hey Shandrea! Almost all here ~ just Krista to join us :)
At this stage it looks like Heated Cornholery is our name but we'll see if Krista has a preference or other name options...
I think we'll go with the name Heated Cornholery. I'll let Kat know.Hopefully Krista will turn up soon, and we will be set to start playing.
Our first task will be announced (your time) on Saturday 6pm ET which I think suits all of you pretty well. It will be Sunday morning for me, and unfortunately I'm away for the weekend and won't have my computer.So please post the task in the thread, whoever is able :)
I'll check it from my friend's place on my phone and see if I can find a book to cover all tasks, but it may have to wait until I get back.
I suspect you all understand how this works but just in case ~
* Find a book with the MPG tags 'historical' and 'romance'. This can be combined or as separate tags.
* When the game starts, Kat will let us know what the second two sub-tasks (prompts) are that we can try to find in a book that covers the first task. These additional tasks give us additional points (2 and 3 points respectively).
Basically, we need to read the MPG Historical Romance to keep playing. The additional prompts are for fun and points :).
Let's see what the prompts are, but I don't expect us to 'burst our boilers' trying to find the additional prompts each week. If you can find them, fantastic. But the main thing is to enjoy your book!
Katie wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Katie wrote: "Hi everyone! It's been a minute since I've been on Goodreads and even longer since I've done a challenge. I'm looking forward to participating in this one, though! H..."Hi, Katie! I don't read a ton of historical, but I might be able to recommend something. What kind of stuff do you like? Any favorite tropes?
Hey Becky! I do read m/m, but I find that I really dislike historical m/m, so I'd prefer to stick with m/f for this category. I love some humor in my books...Julia Quinn is a favorite.
I'll be trying to find a historical MPG in a fantasy book I think. That's my preferred way to read historical but I'll also have a go at the additional prompts so I may veer into m/f ;)
Katie wrote: "Hey Becky! I do read m/m, but I find that I really dislike historical m/m, so I'd prefer to stick with m/f for this category. I love some humor in my books...Julia Quinn is a favorite."Have you read any Gail Carriger or Tessa Dare? Carriger writes steampunk comedies of manners, with vampires and werewolves. There are a couple of connected series, but Soullessis probably the best place to start.
Dare writes more conventional historical romance, but there are often shenanigans going on behind the scenes. In Romancing the Duke, the heroine has to deal with rabid fans of her deceased mother's books. They like to dress up as the characters, and if I remember correctly, basically attempt to have a fan convention on her lawn.
I haven't read Puck and Prejudice yet, but it sounds too wacky to not mention. A hockey player (one review calls him a hockey playing himbo) is somehow transported to Regency England and encounters a woman who longs for the freedom of widowhood without the messy husband part. So they decide to marry, and then when they figure out how to send him back to his own time, she'll be free. Anything this bonkers has to be funny.
Great recs, Becky! Thanks so much! I'll go check them out and hope they fit the extra prompts, too. :)Historical fantasy is a good idea, Jane. What are your favorites?
Just to make sure, it's only one book per week right? We can't read more to get more points?
Shandrea wrote: "Just to make sure, it's only one book per week right? We can't read more to get more points?"Correct. Only one book per inning/week. Easier for you and me! 😊
Hey guys!! I’m so new at this and didn’t realize I needed to check in!! So sorry! Excited to get going!
Welcome, Krista! No worries. This is the inaugural round of Cornhole, so we're all newbies together!
Prompt Announcements for the 1st InningThis 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.
A few books that hit all three prompts off the top of my head:the Burning Cove series by Amanda Quick, starting with The Girl Who Knew Too Much
We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian- the title for all editions are in English, but there's one labeled as an Italian edition
Snowball in Hell by Josh Lanyon- also has one that's listed with the title in English but labeled as an Italian edition
The Loyal League series by Alyssa Cole, starting with An Extraordinary Union
And You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian works for prompts one and two, but no foreign language edition so far.
I'll keep thinking, and if you have any other ones, shout them out! At this point I'm thinking the third Burning Cove book for myself, because it's the only 5 pointer here I haven't read yet. But I'm not 100% set on it.
Inning Number: Inning 1 - Selection
Book/cover link, please include the author:
by Lisa KleypasFirst Edition Kindle page count:
400 pages
1st Prompt: MPG Historical Romance
When Strangers Marry - MPG Historical Romance is listed first
2nd Prompt: Set in the US
Set in Louisiana as listed on the book page. When Strangers Marry
3rd Prompt: Has a non-English language edition
Italian Edition
I’m thinking One Wore Blue, by Heather Graham? It’s set in Virginia, and has editions in other languages?? You guys think that will be good for all points?
Krista wrote: "I’m thinking One Wore Blue, by Heather Graham? It’s set in Virginia, and has editions in other languages?? You guys think that will be good for all points?"Welcome to the team Krista! Sorry, I've been away all weekend, but finally home again :)
Yes, this books works.
When you post your selection, please follow the format in msg 3 above. For each prompt, make it clear how it fits. It needs to be clear for Kat to check on the GR main page or in shelves (if that's needed).
For this week's task, make sure your book that you provide the page count for the first edition Kindle version, refer to the main page genres that meet prompt 1, that is shows that it is set in the US (prompt 2) and provide the book link to the non-English edition :)
Inning Number 1 - SelectionThe Doctor by C.S. Poe
Pages: 255
* 1st prompt - MPG 'Historical' & 'MM Romance'
The Doctor
* 2nd prompt - per precis
Gillian believes that violence, chaos, and certain death will befall New York City if this criminal isn’t apprehended...
* 3rd prompt - French edition
À la recherche du Docteur: De Magie et de Vapeur, T3
[*book:The Doctor|57616747]
Becky wrote: "A few books that hit all three prompts off the top of my head:the Burning Cove series by Amanda Quick, starting with The Girl Who Knew Too Much
We Could Be So Good..."
Thanks Becky! And thanks for posting the first innings!
I found one that I had lined up a couple of months ago and didn't get to :). The whole series counts...
Inning 1 - SelectionCaden's Vow by Sarah McCarty
Caden's Vow
First Edition Kindle page count = 382
How book qualified for first prompt : MPG Historical Romance
How book qualified for second prompt: Set in Kansas as per book description.
How book qualified for third prompt : Available in Spanish, La promesa de un beso
La promesa de un beso
Inning Number: 1 SelectionBook/cover link: Tightrope by Amanda Quick
First Edition Kindle page count: 319
How book qualified for first prompt: MPG Historical Romance
How book qualified for second prompt: set in California per book details
How book qualified for third prompt: Въжеиграчката- Bulgarian
Hi teamiesFor your selection posts each week, could you please put a broken link in your post? It makes a huge difference for me when I'm updating our progression :)
Eg. [*book:Quicksilver|217536270] ~ insert the * in the link which breaks it
(Don't worry about going back to fix up this week's posts ~ I have them ;)
Inning Number: 1 CompletionBook/cover link: Tightrope by Amanda Quick
First Edition Kindle page count: 319
How book qualified for first prompt: MPG Historical Romance
How book qualified for second prompt: set in California per book details
How book qualified for second prompt: Въжеиграчката- Bulgarian
Date Completed: 2/10
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Very standard Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz. Hero and heroine meet and are immediately a committed couple. A bad guy who turns out to be the character who was mentioned once in the first few chapters and then never appears again until the big reveal. Another bad guy who pops up at the last minute to kill the heroine, but who is quickly and easily defeated. If you've read any other book from this author, you've read this book. Her work from the 90s had a charm that Tightrope lacks. But if you're in the mood for exactly what this author writes, it's an acceptable way to pass the time.
[*book:Tightrope|41136665]
Becky wrote: "Inning Number: 1Book/cover link: Tightrope by Amanda Quick
First Edition Kindle page count: 319
How book qualified for first prompt: MPG Historical Romance
How book qualified for s..."
No need to repost, but please add 'Selection' and 'Completion' to your respective posts. Thanks.
Katie wrote: "Inning Number: Inning 1
Book/cover link, please include the author:
by Lisa KleypasFirst Edition Kindle page count:
400 pages
1st Prompt: ..."
Hi Katie - could you please also add 'selection' to this post?
Thanks!
Jane (PS) wrote: "Katie wrote: "Inning Number: Inning 1
Book/cover link, please include the author:
by Lisa KleypasFirst Edition Kindle page count:
400 page..."
Done!
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Hole in One!
February 7, 2026 through April 11, 2026
Team 1 Members:
✓ Captain - Jane (PS)
✓ Becky
✓ Shandrea
✓ Katie
✓ Krista- Withdrew