Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

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

Team 4 Members:

✓ Captain - Liza

✓ Michaele
✓ K.C.
✓ Vicki
Madeline

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.

Inning Prompts:

Please 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 - Set in US
Third Prompt - Has Non-English Language Edition

2nd Inning:
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Fantasy.
Second Prompt - Over 300 pgs
Third Prompt - Features a child

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.**

Inning Points and Completions

Inning 1:
Liza:
Selection: MSG #31
Completion: MSG #37
Michaele:
Selection: MSG #36
Completion: MSG #42
K.C.:
Selection: MSG #41
Completion: MSG #39
Vicki:
Selection: MSG #50
Completion: MSG #51
Total Points: 16

Inning 2:
Liza:
Selection: MSG #55
Completion: MSG #67
Michaele:
Selection: MSG #54
Completion: MSG #57
K.C.:
Selection: MSG #53
Completion: MSG #56
Vicki:
Selection: MSG #65
Completion: MSG #74
Total Points:

Inning 3:
Liza:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Michaele:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
K.C.:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Vicki:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Total Points:

Inning 4:
Liza:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Michaele:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
K.C.:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Vicki:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Total Points:

Inning 5:
Liza:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Michaele:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
K.C.:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Vicki:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Total Points:

Inning 6:
Liza:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Michaele:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
K.C.:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Vicki:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Total Points:

Inning 7:
Liza:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Michaele:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
K.C.:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Vicki:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Total Points:

Inning 8:
Liza:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Michaele:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
K.C.:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Vicki:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Total Points:

Inning 9:
Liza:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Michaele:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
K.C.:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Vicki:
Selection: MSG #
Completion: MSG #
Total Points:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Hi everyone! I'm excited for this new game! My name is Liza and I live in Massachusetts, in the Eastern time zone. I'm a stay-at-home mom to a pretty amazing teen who's in virtual school, so that makes our schedule insanely flexible. I have been an avid reader my entire life and read mostly MM romance with a side of whatever catches my interest!

Hello team! I am Vicki and I live in Central Valley California; however, I am currently on vacation in Kona, Hawaii for my birthday which was Jan. 27. I'm in the PST zone.

I am a retired high school English teacher. I taught 25 years of freshman English/English Honors, 18 years of yearbook, and 5 years of multicultural literature. I LOVED my students and (not bragging) but they loved me too, so I still have a connection with many of them. I've been to weddings, showers, births, and met up for dinners to catch up. :)

I am married and we have 5 children, 22 grandkids and 8 great grandkids. We also have a two-year-old Havanese dog named Daisy but we call her Crazy Daisy. She's a blast!

I love historical fiction, psychological thriller, mystery, and for some reason I tend to like books about pirates and dragons.

I'm looking forward to this challenge, especially since it is something new. Plus, the only person on this team that I am already friends with is Michaele, so I am excited to get to know the rest of you.

K.C., what in the world is micro-histories?

I have friend requested everyone except Michaele. :)

Liza, will we get a SS?

First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance. So, I assume we can begin to look for this genre and if it says Historical or Historical Fiction and Romance is listed separately and not in one place as 'Historical Romance' it will still count?

Then if we get lucky we can hopefully fit the second and third prompts.

Team Name Ideas:

Booked for a Hole-in-One
Hole Lotta Reading
The Final Inning Readers
Shhh...We're Scoring
Quiet Please...We're Winning
The Plot Holers
Toss First, Read Later

Just some fun ones but totally OK if anyone else has ideas! I am super flexible.

Vicki wrote: "Liza, will we get a SS?

First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Historical Romance. So, I assume we can begin to look for this genre and if it says Historical or Historical Fiction and Romance is ..."

It's me, so of course we'll get a SS! Lol. I'll work on it tonight and post it tomorrow!

YAY! I'm so glad. They really do help me, so I appreciate you and thank you!

Hello - I'm Michaele (pronounced like Michael). I currently live in Utah so MST.

I read mostly MM contemporary, but I am usually willing to try something new. Currently I am reading a lot of memoirs, not that that will help here :).

I work a ton- I have 2 jobs, but i am very lucky I can listen to audiobooks at both jobs.

I like all of the name suggestions, Maybe Hole Lotta Reading? I'd be happy with any of them.

I posted a SS above. It's pretty simple. I'll add the prompts for ach inning and you just check if your book meets those prompts and write the points at the end or I can total it for you and the sheet will give us a team total for each inning. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

It's a view only. I think it looks great though. :)

I read a ton of historical fiction, so I can definitely cover 1st Inning, First Prompt. I will be checking that box if nobody minds.

Vicki wrote: "It's a view only. I think it looks great though. :)

I read a ton of historical fiction, so I can definitely cover 1st Inning, First Prompt. I will be checking that box if nobody minds."

I will fix that right away.

Liza wrote: "Vicki wrote: "It's a view only. I think it looks great though. :)

I read a ton of historical fiction, so I can definitely cover 1st Inning, First Prompt. I will be checking that box if nobody mind..."

Thanks :)

haha Microhistories are just histories with a very narrow focus or scope i.e. Salt: A World History, Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World: A History, A Cultural History of Twin Beds, The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell, Rust: The Longest War, Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World, Coal: A Human History, etc. My most recent read in that space was Empire of the Sum: The Rise and Reign of the Pocket Calculator. It may sound dry (admittedly some are) but I love when the author loves whatever it is they are geeking out on/infodumping as I can very be easily swayed by enthusiasm/passion/good vibes😂. In my soul I am a bandwagon fan and I am just waiting for people/authors to invite me to get on board with whatever they are excited about.

I read mostly romance last year and that is my default genre these days! I am truly open to any subgenera or trope! (Predictably My pivot back to fiction followed me reading fourth wing et al 😂 but I often have issues with moderation)

Liza, Thank you for the very sharp looking SS! This should be fun. I love the vibes of all suggested team names so I will leave it to your discretion! At first blush Toss First, Read Later

I am excited for the first inning. Glad to have Vicki take the initiative! I recently started checking out some of Georgette Heyer's work and it has somewhat [re?]galvanized my love of historical romance, so I am sure there is plenty to pick from! I have very all over the place taste and I love a challenge so I can volunteer to read whatever is most strategically beneficial!

Okay, we're getting close to our first inning and we need to nail down a name! So far we have Toss First, Read Later and Hole Lotta Reading in the running. I am good with either one, so we can wait for Madeline to check in or come.to a consensus by tomorrow night to submit a final choice!

Last call before I flip a coin for our name lol It is between Toss First, Read and Hole Lotta Reading.

How about Toss First, Read Later?

Souns good to me, I'll lock it in!

Sounds good! Let the game(s) begin!

Madeline has been removed and you are officially a team of 4. 😊

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.

I can do prompt 1 or 2.

Okay, so for this inning, for 1 point, it has to be a MPG Historical Romance. For 3 points, a MPG Historical Romance set in the US. And for 5 points, a MPG Historical Romance, set in the US, with a non-English language edition!

A book has to meet prompt 1 to count, then build from there. Hopefully it won't be too hard to find a book to enjoy this week!

Selection Post: Inning 1
These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

463 pgs
Prompt 1: MPG Historical fiction and Romance
Prompt 2: set in 1970s Pittsburgh per précis
Prompt 3: Te brutalne rozkosze

I am still searching but I am excited to find something that works!

😊

I am sorry about to finish Wolf Hall but I realize I started it before the so it won't count. My next read will be How Much of These Hills Is Gold which should count for all three!

K.C. wrote: "I am sorry about to finish Wolf Hall but I realize I started it before the so it won't count. My next read will be How Much of These Hills Is Gold which should count ..."

Just make sure and post your selection post like mine that shows gow it Qualifies and that jazz!

Selection Post: Inning 1


Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride
296 pgs
Prompt 1: MPG Historical Romance
Prompt 2: from precis, "The year is 1860. Robby Riverton is a rising star on the New York stage. But he witnesses a murder by a famous crime boss and is forced to go on the run--all the way to Santa Fe."
Prompt 3: french ed Robby Riverton : promise par correspondance

Completion Post: Inning 1
These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

463 pgs
Prompt 1: MPG Historical fiction and Romance
Prompt 2: set in 1970s Pittsburgh per précis
Prompt 3: Te brutalne rozkosze
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
There are some books that defy explanation and this is one of them. It's a book about obsession and what you're willing to do for that person you love, almost a folie à deux. But that ending had me reeling. This was never going to be a HEA for Paul and Julian, but I was expecting something concrete. I did love the inner turmoil of it all.

😊

Completion Post: Inning 1
The Women by Kristin Hannah
472 pages, Kindle Edition (St. Martin's Press)
Prompt 1: MPG Historical Fiction, Historical and Romance
Prompt 2: Coronado, California listed as Setting
Prompt 3: Kvinnorna

2/10 - 4.5 stars
Review: I think I might have to sit with my feelings before completing a more "proper" review, because I was not fully expecting the emotional punch this book packed. I can say was skeptical right off the back at first because the way Hannah gave the emotional exposition of Frankie, her feelings about feminism and the war seemed [flat maybe?] but by the end I was convinced it was an effective choice. War, trauma and grief can be such emotionally wrought topics, but I think Hannah deftly dealt with the subject matter in a way that was respectful and interesting.

K.C. wrote: "Completion Post: Inning 1
The Women by Kristin Hannah
472 pages, Kindle Edition (St. Martin's Press)
Prompt 1: MPG Historical Fiction, Historical and Romance
Prompt ..."

Selection Posts are required. You will need to make a selection post to receive credit for this book.

In the future, please post sure to make your selection prior to your completion. Thanks.

Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa!
{Retroactive] Selection Post: Inning 1
(in connection with message 39)
The Women by Kristin Hannah
472 pages, Kindle Edition (St. Martin's Press)
Prompt 1: MPG Historical Fiction, Historical and Romance
Prompt 2: Coronado, California listed as Setting
Prompt 3: Kvinnorna

Completion Post: Inning 1


Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride
296 pgs
Prompt 1: MPG Historical Romance
Prompt 2: from precis, "The year is 1860. Robby Riverton is a rising star on the New York stage. But he witnesses a murder by a famous crime boss and is forced to go on the run--all the way to Santa Fe."
Prompt 3: french ed Robby Riverton : promise par correspondance
Date Completed: 2/10
Rating: 5 stars
Review: This is a reread for me, but it has been years since I read it - it was fun to revisit. My dad loves westerns, so it feels like they were the backdrop to my childhood, this was such a fun take on the genre. Even though you expect a hea, the book was not predicable.

We're just missing a selection and completion from Vicki and we'll be set for the week! Please remember that all books and posts must be posted AND finished before the next inning starts, which is at 6PM EST on Saturday.

📚

I really miss the personal messaging option because there's no way to check in and remind Vicki that tomorrow is the last day to post her finished book! Stupid Goodreads!

Liza wrote: "I really miss the personal messaging option because there's no way to check in and remind Vicki that tomorrow is the last day to post her finished book! Stupid Goodreads!"

Agreed!

I agree too!!! No worries! I will have my book posted.

Vicki wrote: "I agree too!!! No worries! I will have my book posted."

Thank you!! I was worried and I hate that there's no way to check in anymore since Goodreads took our messaging away.

Liza wrote: "Vicki wrote: "I agree too!!! No worries! I will have my book posted."

Thank you!! I was worried and I hate that there's no way to check in anymore since Goodreads took our messaging away."

I am SO sorry to have worried you! It sometimes is my main issue with challenges. I get them posted last minute due to not only my busy schedule but arthritis in both my hands. That being said, I LOVE being nudged and now nobody can nudge me. I HATE the changes...not to be negative but it makes it so much more difficult.

Selection Post ~ Inning 1


Book: Alchemy of Secrets
Pages: 328, Kindle first edition
Prompt 1: MPG Historical fiction and Romance