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Completion Post

Week #2
Book: Penalty Kiss
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This one was fine. The MCs were likable and there was a large cast of supporting characters to make everything more entertaining. I do feel that the development of the main relationship was uneven at times. They hated each other and then they were eating dinner together. They went on their first date, and then the next chapter they had been together for 3 months. I just felt like I missed some important bits somewhere.

Week 1: Home Cooking
📙Selected, Not Read: UC Beppy (note from above read, but not yet posted)

Week 2: Coming Home
📕 Not Selected: Michaele
📙Selected, Not Read: MN Lisa, Jamie (AL), Stacey, Louise
UC Beppy (note from above read, but not yet posted)

**I am starting Lars in like 30 minutes.

MN Lisa wrote: "Week 1: Home Cooking
📙Selected, Not Read: UC Beppy (note from above read, but not yet posted)

Week 2: Coming Home
📕 Not Selected: Michaele
📙Selected, Not Read: MN Lisa, Jamie (AL), Stacey
UC Beppy..."

See messag 50, I’ve had to reselect as my original book didn’t have the right criteria blurb/shelf wise.

Louise wrote: "MN Lisa wrote: "Week 1: Home Cooking
📙Selected, Not Read: UC Beppy (note from above read, but not yet posted)

Week 2: Coming Home
📕 Not Selected: Michaele
📙Selected, Not Read: MN Lisa, Jamie (AL),..."

Thanks!

Selection Post - Week 2
Option 1


An Irish Bookshop Murder
Pages: 299
How It Fits: Set in Ireland

[b*ook:An Irish Bookshop Murder|215004541]

Sorry my selection was so last minute!

My week got away from me, but I'm hoping to catch up this weekend or early next week.

Week 3

Option 1
9. After mixing, let it rise
* Read a book from a popular new author. Their first published book must be from the year 2020 or later.
Please note their first published book , along with its date of publication, in your qualification. You do not need to note how/why they are popular.

Option 2
Key date: 19 April 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars

Option 3
Pass

A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.

Week 3: Selection Post - Read a book from a popular new author. Their first published book must be from the year 2020 or later.

Black Ties & White Lies
418pgs
How it fits: Debut book The Consequence of Loving Me, was published in 2020

[*book:Black Ties & White Lies|63336417]

MN Lisa wrote: "Week 1: Home Cooking
📙Selected, Not Read: UC Beppy (note from above read, but not yet posted)

Week 2: Coming Home
📕 Not Selected: Michaele
📙Selected, Not Read: MN Lisa, Jamie (AL), Stacey, Louise
..."

I finished my week 2 book. Its message 51 above. :)

Stacey wrote: "MN Lisa wrote: "Week 1: Home Cooking
📙Selected, Not Read: UC Beppy (note from above read, but not yet posted)

Week 2: Coming Home
📕 Not Selected: Michaele
📙Selected, Not Read: MN Lisa, Jamie (AL),..."
Thanks. I've updated my tracking.

Completion Post
Week #: 2
Book: Lars by Aleksandr Voinov
Date Completed: 10/18/2024
Rating: ***
Review: IDK. It was good. Hearing about the Norse Gods was different, but it was just kinda ok for me. I'd give it another shot at another time and probably read book 2 as well.

Selection Post
Week #: 3
Book: Demon's Captive Omega by Sera Bishop
Pages: 350 Pages
How it fits:
Demon's Captive Omega
First published May 1, 2023

Completion Post - Week 2
Option 1


An Irish Bookshop Murder
Pages: 299
How It Fits: Set in Ireland
Read: 10/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review: A decent cozy mystery, this held my attention. I liked the setting and the cast of characters were fun. If more of the series came out on audio I would likely read more.

[b*ook:An Irish Bookshop Murder|215004541]

Completion Post
Week #: 3
Book: Demon's Captive Omega by Sera Bishop
Date Completed: 10/19/2024
Rating: **
Review: Angels and Demons, Fated Mates and Mating Bonds, War. These are some of the key words. Rone and Vasia are Demon and Angel and are bonded during a healing process. Its at that point that I stopped really understanding what was happening.

Selection Post

Week #2
Book: City of Ruin
Pages: 506
How it Fits: Charissa Weaks is a popular new author in my world with her first book - The Witch Collector - published in 2021.

Selection Post - Week #: 3


Book: The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer
Pages: 188 Pages
How it fits: Jennifer Cody earliest book I could find Bishop to Knight One was published in 2020

[*book:The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer|59831154]

Selection Post - Week 3
Option 1

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Pages: 487
How It Fits: Elena Armas debut novel published February 23 2021

Completion Post

Week #3
Book: City of Ruin
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I'm so frustrated by this series so far. I like the idea and there was an interesting twist at the end of this one, but it was soooo long, and not much really happened. I also feel like the sexy times and talk about sexy times took up way too much space in the situation that these characters were in -- but I'm a little old school with that. :)

Completion Post - Week #: 3


Book: The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer
Pages: 188 Pages
How it fits: Jennifer Cody earliest book I could find Bishop to Knight One was published in 2020
Read: 10/22
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is a fun book even if the violence and gore is over the top. The MC is refreshing and it's nice to get the other MC's POV in the end of the audiobook (I think it was originally published separately. I would be hesitant to recommend it, except maybe to Alice Winter fans - similar vibe with slightly less snark.

[*book:The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer|59831154]

Week 3: Completion Post - Read a book from a popular new author. Their first published book must be from the year 2020 or later.
Option 1

Black Ties & White Lies

[*book:Black Ties & White Lies|63336417]

Finished: 10/23/24
Rating: 4 ★★★★
Review:
I loved this one! There was definitely a lot of pull between Beck and Margo. It was there from the first chapter. It was also very obvious that there was a history here between these two. It wasn't until around the 50% mark that we get the past interaction between these two.

I love the fake romance trope. It was so clear from the beginning for me that this wasn't fake for Beck. He was so protective of her, and I loved it.

This would've been a five star read for me if it Margo's reaction at the end wouldn't have happened. It was so clear how Beck felt towards her, and the fact that she put any stock into what her lying, deceiving ex said to her, made me mad with her. None of that needed to happen.

They do get their HEA though, so I was happy about that.

Week #2: Completion Post - Read a book set in Africa or Europe.
Option 1

Mr. Bloomsbury

[*book:Mr. Bloomsbury|209520953]

Finished: 10/23/24
Rating: 4 ★★★★
Review:
I really enjoyed this one. It was the perfect grumpy/sunshine, office romance.

I loved how Sofia just barrelled herself into Andrew's life. She didn't take his crap, but she also took the time to get to know him.

I absolutely loved these two together. They were exactly what each other needed. However, I didn't care for the third-act breakup. I'd love it, if just for once, instead of breaking up, they could actually work out their issues together.

The epilogue was nice. I still wanted more with them.

Louise wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Louise wrote: "Selection Post - Week 2
Option 1

The Son-in-Law by Jane E. James
Pages: 300
How It Fits: Set ..."

Sorry - and thanks!

Hi beppy - you need to get a selection in for this week and finish a book before the call in a couple of days :)

Jane (PS) wrote: "Hi beppy - you need to get a selection in for this week and finish a book before the call in a couple of days :)"

Don't worry, Jane and teammates! I'm all over it.

Completion Post: Week 1

Georgie, All Along
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:

Georgie returns home after her job as a personal assistant ends unexpectedly. She's not thrilled about it, because she was kind of seen as the town flake when she was growing up. (The town was fairly judgmental, because most people would see it as spontaneous, which is not a bad thing.) Georgie doesn't know what she's going to do after her job, and wants to be a grown up and have a plan. When she discovers a fiction that she and her best friend wrote, Georgie is determined to experience the plans she made as a teenager. The town pariah, Levi, aids her in her goals. As Georgie continues on her quest, she finds out that maybe she isn't aimless after all.

In spite of this book being really popular (which usually means that I will wonder what the fuss is about), I enjoyed it. The writing was engaging, and Georgie was sort of clueless and wandering without being annoying. Levi and Georgie worked together well, and I liked all the secondary characters.

[*bookcover:Georgie, All Along|60604190]

Completion Post: Week 2

The Mismatch
Rating: 4 stars
Review:

Soraya has just finished uni and inexperienced. To that end, she engages Magnus, a popular rugby player who was in some of her classes to at least give her her first kiss. Because her family is so strict, Soraya doesn't really want to go beyond kissing, and only wants to practice before finding an appropriate man. Soraya is also searching for a job, with little luck. She does not want to move back with her family, since she likes the freedom. As Soraya continues practicing with Magnus, she comes to realize that it might be more than just casual.

This was so much more than I expected, with part of the story taking place in late 70s Iran with Soraya's mother, to explain how her parents got to be the way they are, and how they formed their children. For me, the interesting parts were the Iran parts, with the attitudes and changing attitudes, because it's not something that is really touched on. I liked that Soraya started seeing a therapist, just to kind of talk things out.

Selection Post: Week 3 - Let it rise

Love, Theoretically
Pages: 389
How it qualifies: debut novel by Ali Hazelwood published Sept 14, 2021

[*bookcover:Love, Theoretically|61326735]

Back to work today. My head is kind of spinning with all the work there is to do.

I've read week 3 book, but I've taken enough time away from work, so I will post it tomorrow.

Week 2: Coming Home
📙Selected, Not Read: Louise

Week 3: New Author
📙Selected, Not Read: Louise, UC Beppy

Early call ~ I'm not sure whether I can get this posted early tomorrow...
Week 4

Option 1
17. Eat it straight away or freeze for another day
Read a book from one of the following lists:
Best Seasonal Romance_Christmas & Winter
Comtemporary Christmas Winter Romance
Best Gay Winter'ish Holiday Romance
Best Gay Winter Themed Romance

If you use this option, your book MUST be on one of these lists. Please note which list you have used.

Option 2
Key date: 26 April 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars

Option 3
Pass

A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PAS

Selection Post - Week #: 4


Book: The Humbug Holiday
Pages: 144 Pages
How it fits: #488 on best gay winter'ish holiday romance

[*book:The Humbug Holiday|63911732]

Week 4: Selection Post
Option 1

The Christmas Deal
250pgs
How it fits: #154 on Best Gay Winter'ish Holiday Romance

[*book:The Christmas Deal|48695309]

Selection Post

Week #4
Book: Northern Lights
Pages: 560 pages
How it Fits: #214 on the Contemporary Christmas/Winter Romance List.

Completion Post - Week 2
Option 1

The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary
Pages: 414
How It Fits: Set in England and Scotland
Date Read: 10/20
Rating: 4*

Review

This is one of those books you will either love or hate. This was a re-read for me and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time round. Addie and her sister are on their way to their friends wedding teain Scotland along with a random guy also going to the wedding. An accident leads them to have to continue to the wedding with Addie’s ex and his best friend. What follows is a roller coaster ride as they not only have to overcome obstacles in their way as they try to get to the wedding on time but also have to face the past. This novel has light hearted moments amongst the angst and turmoil that is uncovered as the various characters come to terms with the past so that they can move forward. Definitely one of those authors I enjoy and already have more on my tbr

Selection Post - Week 4
Option 1

Christmas in Silver Bell Falls by Samantha Chase
Pgs: 214
How it Fits: #75 Contemporary Christmas Winter Romance

Completion Post - Week #: 4


Book: The Humbug Holiday
Pages: 144 Pages
How it fits: #488 on best gay winter'ish holiday romance
Read: 10/25
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This book was a a decent holiday read - but grumpy/grumpy as opposed to the more common grumpy/sunshine. I was a little bored by it and it wasn't very memorable, hence the 3 stars.

[*book:The Humbug Holiday|63911732]

I attempted to read this, but just couldn't get into it.

Selection Post
Week #: 4
Book: Old Loyalty, New Love by Mary Calmes
Pages: 306 Pages
How it fits:
Best Gay Winter Themed Romance: 88th out of 257 books

Selection Post RE-SELECTION
Week #: 4
Book: Only One Bed by Kiera Andrews
Pages: 121 Pages
How it fits:
Best Gay Winter Themed Romance: 206th out of 257 books

Week 4: Completion Post
Option 1

The Christmas Deal

[*book:The Christmas Deal|48695309]

Finished: 10/28/24
Rating: 2 ★★
Review:
I love the fake dating trope, but this one wasn't great. I felt like there were just holes in this story.

Within a week or two of Seth and Logan falling into this fake relationship, they are throwing out the I love you's. It was super cheesy and cringy. Then when they say the love yous, the next line is "Well...heck. I guess we're in love." LOL

This was my first book by this author, and I'm actually nervous to read anything else if they are anything like this.

Week 4 - Completion Post
Title: Only One Bed by Keira Andrews
Pages: 121 Pages
Date completed: 10/28/2024
Rating: ****
Review: Cute, quick read books about BFFs who find they love each other, even though one has always thought it was straight.

The Only One Bed trope is a fave of mine as the close proximity causes feelings to come out. I love the family dynamic and how quickly things were accepted by them.

Completion Post: Week 3

Love, Theoretically
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:

Elsie is a theoretical physicist and an adjunct professor. She's also a fake girlfriend for hire to help pay her bills. When both her worlds collide, Elsie doesn't quite know what to do.

Well. I don't know what it is about this author, but both books that I've read hit me right in the sweet spot. The women are smart, relatable women. The men are smart, maybe a little withdrawn, but so, so supportive, even if the women don't realize it. It might actually be the relatable part. Because, to me, it seems as though Elsie had problems that people could relate to. They weren't manufactured, just problems and issues arising from everyday life. I think that might be it. Jack and Elsie and everyone else in the book felt like real people who you could meet anywhere, and even though I am nowhere near academia, I could understand and feel as though I am through the characters and their experiences.

Jamie wrote: "Week 4: Completion Post
Option 1

The Christmas Deal

[*book:The Christmas Deal|48695309]

Finished: 10/28/24
Rating: 2 ★★
Review:
I love the ..."

This one is not my favourite by this author, and I can't actually remember it that well to say how it compares to ones that I like better.

Selection Post: Week 4 - Eat or freeze

The Magician's Angel
Pages: 108
How it qualifies: #189 on Best Gay Winter'ish Holiday

[*bookcover:The Magician's Angel|42931806]

Completion Post: Week 4

The Magician's Angel
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:

Christopher is a magician and is performing in a small town for a couple of days before moving on to a make-it-big performance in a couple of days. Unfortunately, his plans are potentially derailed by a dead body in one of his stage props. He and one of the theater owners, Edward, work together to solve the murder so that Christopher can chase his dream.

I really enjoyed this. Yes, I wanted more, because I was enjoying the story and the characters, but I didn't feel like anything was missing. The mystery is fairly simple, but I do believe in Edward and Christopher and that they both helped each other grow, even in just a couple of days.

Week 3: New Author
📙Selected, Not Read: Louise

Week 4: Eat or Freeze
📙Selected, Not Read: Louise, Stacey

Week 5

Option 1
2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC
* Read a book with MPG (Main Page Genre) historical.
This means the genre must show up on the book's main page on GR. You can click on 'more' but you can't go to the full page of tags (once you click on 'show all')

Option 2
Key date: 3 May 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars

Option 3 - Pass

A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.

Week 5: Selection Post - Read a book with MPG (Main Page Genre) historical.
Option 1

The Scottish Prisoner
518pgs
How it fits: MPG Historical

[*book:The Scottish Prisoner|8533018]

Ugh, it's been a crazy week here -- I'm starting my Week 4 book today. Be back with my selection for Week 5 in a bit.