Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
RRRC's Cornhole Team Challenge
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CTC2 - Bean There, Read That (13)
RRRC’s Cornhole Team ChallengeRound 2 - Don't Spill the Beans!
July 11, 2026 through September 12, 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 Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 6 PM US ET.
Teams Allocated July 2nd after signups close, please allow several hours.
First Inning Begins on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 6 PM US ET.
Last Inning Ends on Saturday, September 12, 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 ChallengeRound 2 - Don't Spill the Beans!
July 11, 2026 through September 12, 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 third 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 third 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.**
🌽 Selection Posts are required. And should be posted prior to your completions. Both Selection and Completion Posts must be made before the inning ends.
🌽 There is a 100 page minimum for books (first edition Kindle), rereads and audios allowed. There must be an English language edition for a book to qualify for this challenge. Books may only be used once per player during the challenge. Players may read the same or different books than your teammates for each inning. Books cannot be started before the inning begins. Books do not have to be romance, but must be fiction.
🌽 If corrections are requested, reposts are required.
🌽 I need to know where to look for you qualifications. If it is in the precis, let me know. If it is in the book details, say so. If it is in the title, point that out. And so on… If you are using anything not included on the main book page as a qualification, a link needs to be included even if that request is not included in the prompt details.
🌽 Please do not delete messages for any reason. You may strike through a comment using <*s> and <*/s> without the asterisks if desired. Once I start checking posts, I keep track of the last message I've checked. If you delete messages, I may miss something and I would hate that!
RRRC’s Cornhole Team ChallengeRound 2 - Don't Spill the Beans!
July 11, 2026 through September 12, 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 ChallengeRound 2 - Don't Spill the Beans!
July 11, 2026 through September 12, 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 this round is Don't Spill the Beans! 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 CompletionsJessica https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Hazel https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Melissa https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Avigail https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Week 2 Completions
Jessica
Hazel
Melissa
Avigail
Week 3 Completions
Jessica https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Hazel https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Melissa https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Avigail https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Week 4 Completions
Jessica https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Hazel https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Melissa https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Avigail https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Hi Team! I'm just popping out so will introduce myself later.Hazel thank you for the friend request and reminding me this was happening 😂
Hi all! I don't think I've teamed with any of you before so that's exciting. My name is Jessica, I'm from the UK and a mum of two little ones. I mostly read MM romance but will read anything for a challenge.
Team name ideas based on theme 'hole in one':
Bullseye Bandits
Perfect Shooters
Hey everyone. I’m Hazel from Scotland, UK. I have a 17 year old son and 2 fur babies (one dog, one cat). I enjoyed this challenge last time. I’m heading on holiday in 10 days so trying to get everything ready to go in the suitcase. I am an MF readerJessica, I’m not sure the theme is hole in one, maybe that’s a typo from the last round. I thought it was don’t spill the beans??
I had thought of
Booked beans
Bean there, read that
Bean flickers (don’t know if that’s too much? Cornhole and flicking pages of books)
Hazel wrote: "Hey everyone. I’m Hazel from Scotland, UK. I have a 17 year old son and 2 fur babies (one dog, one cat). I enjoyed this challenge last time. I’m heading on holiday in 10 days so trying to get every..."Ah you're right, she hasn't updated it from last round. I love Bean there, read that.
Jessica wrote: "Ah you're right, she hasn't updated it from last round. I love Bean there, read that."Just another of many things that didn't get updated... 🤦🏻♀️
Hi! Melissa here from the US. I have three boys (12,10 and 7). I usually read MF, but I've made a lot of odd choices for challenges. I love the Bean there, Read that as a name choice. I participated the last go round and enjoyed it.
Hi, my name is Avigail, and I am from Israel, and I read whatever falls into my hands. Reading challenges make my TBR in a different way, and I pick books I never thought about. I will third or fourth the name Bean there, Read that.
I’m looking forward to playing this round. I’ll be home for the first call this week and then away for the next 2 so hoping I can still find books that fit the 3 prompts.What’s everyone reading at the moment?
Hazel wrote: "I’m looking forward to playing this round. I’ll be home for the first call this week and then away for the next 2 so hoping I can still find books that fit the 3 prompts.What’s everyone reading a..."
Sometimes I enjoy hunting for books more that actually reading them 😂 That's why I love this challenge. I'm very competitive so will be aiming for full points every week.
I'm current reading a Sci-fi romance for MM Bingo
I just finished Playing the Pucking Game just for fun. If you're looking for steamy romance, sports romances are where to look. I am starting UnEnchanted to go with a Fairy Tale challenge. I have a ton of books on my TBR lists and yet I find a bigger thrill in looking for books to fit the challenges. My TBR list is never going down. :)
I know that feeling. I also like the hunting for books. I managed to get all 3 prompts for ever task last time. I have the whole week to find and read while I’m away so I should be good. My TBR is huge but I tend to pick first from my MnG picks list - they are ones picked from the MnG challenge that I haven’t managed to cross off yet. That and arcs are my first point for searching.
I’ve just finished
book 32 in this series. I love it!
Prompt Announcements for the 1st InningThis inning begins on July 11th at 6 PM US ET and ends on July 18th at 6 PM US ET. No posts will be accepted after this time.
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Contemporary Romance.
Books selected for this task need to have 'Contemporary Romance' as a Main Page Genre. Contemporary and Romance can be alone or combined, but both must be Main Page Genre.
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and has a couple embracing on the cover.
Books selected for this prompt need to meet the qualifications for the first prompt and be show a couple embracing on the cover. I do not need to see full bodies, but the cover must show enough to see that there are at least two people hugging on the cover. You can use any edition's cover to qualify. Please include the qualifying cover in your selection and completion posts.
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and was published in the last year.
Books selected for this prompt need to meet the qualifications for the first and second prompts and also be published on or after July 11, 2025. 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 qualification.
Inning 1 Selection Post
Bend Him Break Him by M.N. Bennet
Kindle 1st page count: 369
How it fits:
First prompt: MPG Contemporary Romance
Second prompt:
Third prompt: Published September 15, 2025
Selection Post - Inning 1Book: Darling Daffodils Farm by Brittanee Nicole
Pages: 411
Prompt 1 - MPG Contemporary Romance
Fits: Contemporary Romance is listed together and separately as MPGs
Prompt 2 - Embracing on cover
Fits:
Prompt 3 - Published after July 11, 2025
Fits: Published March 17, 2026
SELECTION POST - INNING #1 - Read a book that is MPG Contemporary Romance
Book: Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
Pages: First Kindle Edition, 354 pages
How It Fits - 1st Prompt: Contemporary Romance MPG Contemporary Romance
How It Fits - 2nd Prompt: The book has a couple embracing on the cover.
How It Fits - 3rd Prompt: A book was published in the last year. The book was published September 30, 2025
Selection post - Inning 1Book: Pinch Tia Louise
Pages: 371 kindle edition
How it qualifies:
1. Contemporary Romance - MPG Contemporary and Romance
2. Couple embracing
3. Published in last year - published October 16th 2025
Completion post - Inning 1Book: Pinch Tia Louise
Pages: 371 kindle edition
How it qualifies:
1. Contemporary Romance - MPG Contemporary and Romance
2. Couple embracing
3. Published in last year - published October 16th 2025
Read: 14 July
Rating: 4⭐️
Review: This was a 2nd generation romance. Ive only read one book from the first generation but i dont think i missed anything. Hadley and Gavin have a history but when he becomes her new roommate, neither of them can avoid the chemistry. I loved the interaction between Gavin and Hadley but also with Hadleys cousins Gigi and Maverick who also live with them. There are cute dogs and hockey, a surprise pregnancy and a lot of humour. I enjoyed it and will definitely read more in this series.
Completion Post - Inning 1Book: Darling Daffodils Farm by Brittanee Nicole
Pages: 411
Prompt 1 - MPG Contemporary Romance
Fits: Contemporary Romance is listed together and separately as MPGs
Prompt 2 - Embracing on cover
Fits:
Prompt 3 - Published after July 11, 2025
Fits: Published March 17, 2026
Read: 7/15/26
Rating 4 stars
Review: This was a light and fun read. I loved the characters and their interactions. And there are plenty of characters left off to pair up in sequels. I wouldn't mind a trip back to Hope Harbor.
Completion Post - Inning #1 - Read a book that is MPG Contemporary Romance
Book: Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
Pages: First Kindle Edition, 354 pages
How It Fits - 1st Prompt: Contemporary Romance MPG Contemporary Romance
How It Fits - 2nd Prompt: The book has a couple embracing on the cover.
How It Fits - 3rd Prompt: A book was published in the last year. The book was published September 30, 2025
Date read: 07/16/26
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Review I picked up Soul Searching for a reading challenge, as it fit two of my prompts: a contemporary romance and a book published in 2025. I went in completely blind, expecting a straightforward romance, so I was pleasantly surprised by the paranormal twist. Rather than dominating the story, the supernatural elements added charm, mystery, and emotional depth while complementing the romance.
Set in a cozy small town with wonderful autumn vibes, the story follows Collins and Brandy as they slowly build a meaningful relationship. I appreciated that their romance wasn’t rushed. They communicated honestly, supported one another, and took the time to earn each other’s trust. As they learned to leave their ghosts—both literal and emotional—behind or face them head-on, they created a relationship that felt genuine and enduring, reminiscent of the loving partnership shared by Collins’ parents.
The writing is engaging, balancing humor, heartfelt moments, and just enough paranormal intrigue to keep the pages turning without ever overshadowing the emotional journey. The blend of romance, self-discovery, and supernatural elements made for a comforting and uplifting read that felt cozy rather than spooky.
Overall, Soul Searching was a delightful surprise, and I’m already looking forward to the next installment to discover Clarke’s love story.
When we get the paranormal romance prompt you can read Soul Searching by Lyla Sage.
Inning 1 Completion Post
Bend Him Break Him by M.N. Bennet
Kindle 1st page count: 369
How it fits:
First prompt: MPG Contemporary Romance
Second prompt:
Third prompt: Published September 15, 2025
Date read: 18-July
Rating: 4 stars
Review: A nerd/jock enemies-to-lovers story is always going to be a winner for me, but even though its playing with a lot of tropes, this story felt original and really tugged on my heartstrings. I did feel like Isaach didn't give Colton as hard a time as he should, but loved the story. Also it's a stunning cover.
Kat, I'll track completion posts in message 6/7. Let me know if you need me to do anything else
Jessica wrote: "Kat, I'll track completion posts in message 6/7. Let me know if you need me to do anything else"That is fine. The only other thing is tracking selections, but I can always ask if I missed something and can't find it. 😊
Prompt Announcements for the 2nd Inning
This inning begins on July 18th at 6 PM US ET and ends on July 25th at 6 PM US ET. No posts will be accepted after this time.
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Mystery.
Books selected for this prompt need to be MPG Mystery. 'Mystery' can be combined with other words, but must be Main Page Genre.
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and has an animal on the cover.
Books selected for this prompt need to have an animal on the cover, real or mythical. Any edition’s cover can be used to qualify. Please include the qualifying cover in your completion posts. If the animal is small or partially hidden, please point out where to look. Shifters count, but must be in animal form on the cover. The depiction on the cover needs to represent the actual animal - so a dragon on the cover works, a statue or tattoo of a dragon does not.
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and has won or was nominated for a literary award.
Books selected for this prompt need to have won or been nominated for an award that is listed under 'Literary Awards' in the book details on the main book page. Please include the award/nomination in your completion posts, if there are multiple awards you only need to list the first one.
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 pages 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 - Inning #2 - Read a book that is MPG Mystery
Book: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Pages: First Kindle Edition, 386 pages
How It Fits - 1st Prompt: Mystery MPG Contemporary Mystery
How It Fits - 2nd Prompt: Animal on the cover.
How It Fits - 3rd Prompt: A book won or was nominated for a literary award. The book won the following awards:
1. Agatha Award for Best First Novel (2009)
2. Barry Award for Best First Novel (2010)
3. Macavity Award for Best First Mystery Novel (2010)
4. Dilys Award (2010) and many more...
Inning 2 - Selection PostBook: Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
Kindle Pages: 336
1st Prompt: MPG Mystery
Fits: MPG Mystery
2nd Prompt: Animal on cover
Fits: Small dog on cover
3rd Prompt: Won or nominated for a literary award
Fits: won several awards and was nominated GR Choice for Mystery and Thriller in 2021
Selection post - Inning 2Book: First Grave on the Right Darynda Jones
Pages: 321 kindle edition
How it qualifies:
1. Mystery - MPG Mystery
2. Animal on cover
bird on this edition cover3. Literary Award - RITA Award by Romance Writers of America Winners for best first book and nominee for novel with strong romantic elements (2012)
Completion post - Inning 2Book: First Grave on the Right Darynda Jones
Pages: 321 kindle edition
How it qualifies:
1. Mystery - MPG Mystery
2. Animal on cover
bird on this edition cover3. Literary Award - RITA Award by Romance Writers of America Winners for best first book and nominee for novel with strong romantic elements (2012)
Read: 20 July
Rating: 5⭐️
Review: I’ve wanted to start this series for a long time after seeing a lot of people recommend. I have been putting it off as i wanted to finish some of the other series I have on the go but it met the requirements for this challenge. I really enjoyed it. Charley is a grim reaper that works as a PI and a consultant to the police. When you can talk to the dead people and find out what happened to them it makes things easier. I loved all the quotes at the beginning of each chapter and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
Such a good series Hazel!!
MountainKat wrote: "Such a good series Hazel!!"I know I really enjoyed it. I’ve been meaning to get to it for ages but there are just so many books and not enough time! Now I have to wait a few weeks to read the next one as it’s on my MnG list for August/September.
I’m rereading the ACOTAR books and have the new first family book preordered so that will be my holiday reading other than next weeks challenge book.
Inning 2 - Completion PostBook: Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
Kindle Pages: 336
1st Prompt: MPG Mystery
Fits: MPG Mystery
2nd Prompt: Animal on cover
Fits: Small dog on cover
3rd Prompt: Won or nominated for a literary award
Fits: won several awards and was nominated GR Choice for Mystery and Thriller in 2021
Read: 7/21/26
Rating: 4/5
Review: This was a fun cozy mystery. The MC is from an immigrant family trying to make their restaurant successful when a food critic who posts negative reviews dies in their establishment. The MC is the prime suspect and takes it upon herself to figure out why the critic was so against so many restaurants in the neighborhood. There is plenty of humor and enough intrigue to keep the plot moving along, with a splash of romance thrown. This book is a part of a series I would not mind getting back to.
1st Inning Scoring: 20 PointsJessica S - 5
Hazel - 5
Melissa - 5
Avigail - 5
Selection post - Inning 2Book: Passions of a Papillon by Tara Lain
Pages: 270 kindle edition
How it qualifies:
1. Mystery - MPG Mystery
2. Animal on cover
3. Literary Award - Rainbow Award for Gay Romantic Comedy (2021)
Completion post - Inning 2Book: Passions of a Papillon by Tara Lain
Pages: 270 kindle edition
How it qualifies:
1. Mystery - MPG Mystery
2. Animal on cover
3. Literary Award - Rainbow Award for Gay Romantic Comedy (2021)
Date read: 21-July
Rating: 3 stars
Review: At first this book felt a little bland but it kept getting better and better. The clean freak lawyer welcoming in this little dog and bonding with it was cuteness overload. Then we got this criminal conspiracy, fake identities, kidnappings and a happily ever after. It definitely made a fun afternoon
Completion Post - Inning #2 - Read a book that is MPG Mystery
Book: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Pages: First Kindle Edition, 386 pages
How It Fits - 1st Prompt: Mystery MPG Contemporary Mystery
How It Fits - 2nd Prompt: Animal on the cover.
How It Fits - 3rd Prompt: A book won or was nominated for a literary award. The book won the following awards:
1. Agatha Award for Best First Novel (2009)
2. Barry Award for Best First Novel (2010)
3. Macavity Award for Best First Mystery Novel (2010)
4. Dilys Award (2010) and many more...
Date read: 07/23/26
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: I had heard so many good things about The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, and I truly wanted to love it more than I did. A cozy historical mystery is exactly the kind of genre combination I usually enjoy, and Flavia de Luce is certainly a unique and memorable protagonist.
The novel is clever, witty, and built around an intriguing mystery, but it didn’t fully work for me. The pacing felt uneven at times, particularly in the middle, and the detailed chemistry discussions often went over my head rather than pulling me deeper into the story. Instead of eagerly flipping the pages, I occasionally found my attention drifting.
I was also puzzled by the dynamics of the De Luce family. Each family member seemed isolated in their own world, and I struggled to understand how Flavia was given so much freedom to conduct chemistry experiments and investigate a murder largely on her own. While her intelligence and resourcefulness are impressive, it sometimes stretched believability that an eleven-year-old could take on so much responsibility, especially when trying to clear her father’s name.
Although I admired the clever writing and appreciated the blend of mystery and historical atmosphere, I never felt fully immersed in the story. In the end, it was an enjoyable read with a memorable heroine, but one that didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped.
Jessica wrote: "Selection post - Inning 2Book: Passions of a Papillon by Tara Lain
Pages: 321 kindle edition
How it qualifies:
1. Mystery - MPG Mystery
2. Animal on cover [bookco..."
Please correct to the first edition Kindle page count (270) and repost. Thanks.
This also applies to Completion Post - please correct and repost. Thanks.
Completion post - Inning 2Book: Passions of a Papillon by Tara Lain
Pages: 270 kindle edition
How it qualifies:
1. Mystery - MPG Mystery
2. Animal on cover
3. Literary Award - Rainbow Award for Gay Romantic Comedy (2021)
Date read: 21-July
Rating: 3 stars
Review: At first this book felt a little bland but it kept getting better and better. The clean freak lawyer welcoming in this little dog and bonding with it was cuteness overload. Then we got this criminal conspiracy, fake identities, kidnappings and a happily ever after. It definitely made a fun afternoon
Prompt Announcements for the 3rd Inning
This inning begins on July 25th at 6 PM US ET and ends on August 1st at 6 PM US ET. No posts will be accepted after this time.
First Prompt - Read a book that is MPG Magic.
Books selected for this prompt need to be MPG Magic.
Second Prompt - Read a book that fits the first prompt and is written by an author who uses initials in their name.
Examples would include J.D. Robb, Jennifer L. Armentrout or T.J. Klune. Include the author's name in your completion post as your qualification.
Third Prompt - Read a book that fits the first and second prompts and features a law enforcement official.
To qualify, the book has to feature a law enforcement officer. This needs to be evident in the precis, title, series, tags or list. Words such as 'law enforcement', 'law enforcement officer', 'cop', 'police officer', 'detective', 'sheriff', 'deputy', 'constable' or 'FBI agent' would qualify. That list is not inclusive. Combo tags will be checked closely! If your qualifying tag is 'police-fireman-paramedic' and all other tags or precis indicate that the book is about a fireman or paramedic, your book will not qualify.
Please note that private investigators/private detectives, CIA and military (with the exception of military police) are NOT considered law enforcement officers.
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 - Inning #3 - Read a book that is MPG Magic
Book: The Medici Manuscript by C.J. Archer
Pages: First Kindle Edition, 280 pages
How It Fits - 1st Prompt: Magic MPG Magic
How It Fits - 2nd Prompt: The book is written by an author who uses initials in their name. C.J. Archer
How It Fits - 3rd Prompt: A book with a character who is a law enforcement official The book has been tagged 6 times as Detective
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Round 2 - Don't Spill the Beans!
July 11, 2026 through September 12, 2026
Team 13 Members:
✓ Captain - Jessica S
✓ Hazel
✓ Melissa
✓ Avigail