Casee: I went about this challenge all wrong. Holly explains it perfectly below. Considering the fact that I loved (almost) every book I read in this challenge, I (almost) feel awful for the books that I chose for Holly. I overcame my aversion to first person in the last couple of months and I am so proud of myself, I could pat my own back. I actually have time or two. I was incredibly happy with all the books, but one on my list. Here are the links to my reviews.
The Year We Hid Away by Sarina Bowen
Sustained by Emma Chase
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
All but two of these books were in first person. Go me! So my least favorite read was The Year We Hid Away. It was too melodramatic for me. I just didn’t see in it what Holly and Rowena saw. I wish I did because I know that they adored that book. My favorite book is a tie between The Deal by Elle Kennedy and Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews. They were both such amazing books. I don’t usually do comedy in my books, but omg, The Deal was so funny and I loved every word. In Burn for Me, you have such a strong heroine, it’s impossible not to love the book. Overall, this challenge was a huge success on my part because I was introduced to two new authors and a series by Elle Kennedy that I would never have tried because it was first person.
Holly: Our Summer Reading Challenge has come to an end. It seems there was some confusion about how exactly the challenge books should be chosen. While Rowena and I chose books we thought our blogging partners would love, Casee chose books she thought we wouldn’t have read otherwise, whether she thought we’d love them or not. While I didn’t end up loving the books she chose for me, I can’t deny she pushed me to read outside my comfort zone. Below are links to my reviews.
Raphael by D.B. Reynolds
The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
The Trouble with Love by Lauren Layne
Satisfaction by Lexi Blake
My favorite read of the challenge was The Kiss Quotient. It was such a sweet, fun, often angsty read. I just fell right into it. My least favorite was probably Satisfaction by Lexi Blake, though I’d give a dishonorable mention to Raphael. The heroines in both books were awful. I couldn’t finish The Bourbon Kings, but I really did enjoy the writing, which isn’t something I ever thought I’d say about JRW.
Rowena: I’ll be honest and let everyone know that I’m surprised that I actually finished this challenge. I was not at all interested in reading several of the books on my list but I’m happy to report that both Casee and Holly chose well for me because I enjoyed every single book that I was assigned to read. Whether they chose books they thought I’d love or books I never would have read if not for this challenge, I’m happy with all the books on my list.
Untamed by Pamela Clare
Beyond the Night by Colleen Gleason (Joss Ware)
Coming Undone by Lauren Dane
In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks
Midnight Rainbow by Linda Howard
My favorite read of the challenge made me laugh because I dragged my feet the longest to read this book. I just wasn’t in the mood nor was I even interested in reading a book set in this time period and quite frankly, I forced myself to read this book and I ended up really liking it. That book was Untamed by Pamela Clare. It had a Last of the Mohican feel to it and that’s not something I thought I was interested in reading. Boy was I wrong.
My least favorite read of the challenge goes to Beyond the Night by Colleen Gleason/Joss Ware. I actually enjoyed the book but I enjoyed all of the other books on my list just a smidge more.
Did you participate in any summer reading challenges? How did you do? Have you read any of the books on our challenge? What are your thoughts on them?
You guys are both welcome. 🙂 Hahaha.
It’s been fun to see you three making your way through the challenge. Here’s what I posted originally with some updates in CAPS.
I’ve read all of the books that were suggested for Casee; I liked them all but my favorites would be those by Patricia Briggs. GLAD YOU HAD SUCH FUN CHOICES TO READ!
I haven’t read any of the recommendations for Holly though I did try The Bourbon King and set it aside. (Maybe you’ll have better luck than me with that one, Holly! NOPE. YOU ALSO DNF.) I do want to read The Kiss Quotient. STILL DO. I’M CLOSER NOW AS I HAVE A LIBRARY COPY ON HAND.
Of the Rowena recommendations, I’ve read the books by Lauren Dane and Maya Banks. For all that I’ve read many books by Pamela Clare and Linda Howard, I haven’t read the two that were selected. Nor have I read that Colleen Gleason book. NO UPDATES HERE.
I hope you’ll one day try my recommendations which I’ll repost here:
For Casee ~ Marie Force’s Fatal Affair or start with One Night With You: A Fatal Series Prequel Novella which is STILL currently free.
Actually, I think you’d all like the above series.
For Holly ~ Anne Cleeland’s Murder in Thrall
For Rowena ~ Written in Red by Anne Bishop
I was just about to reply that I’ve got your recommendation cued up next. I’m looking forward to it.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, Holly.
Hi Kareni, I will definitely read your pick and let you know what I think. Thanks for sharing your picks!! Let us know if you end up reading any of the books we read in the challenge. 🙂
I’m definitely interested to hear what you think. I suggested the first book to my husband (who generally doesn’t have much reading time) earlier in the summer, and he read the entire series.
That’s a solid recommendation then, I will download the book onto my kindle this weekend. Thanks again, Kareni!
Good Articl
Thanks Book Bings