2021 Reading Challenges

 

In 2020 I tried my hand at the PopSugar Reading Challenge. I can't lie, it was difficult for me. I did alright having completed 30 of the 50 prompts, but I obviously did not finish. Still, I consider the 30 prompts completed as a decent attempt. I will say that after looking at the prompts for 2021, I decided to skip it as it was too out there for me. The PopSugar 2021 challenge would have me stepping far outside my norm, and from experience I know that leads to a reading slump.

So what challenges am I participating in for 2021? 

First up is the Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge hosted by DollyCas. 

Simply put, you are reading the alphabet. Just start with the first main word of the title. You can stick to your preferred genre, your preferred format, and call it good. So I'm in. I will be tracking my books via this link, or up in the header.

Next is the A to Z Challenge hosted by Bookstacks and Golden Moms. 

Similar to the Alphabet Soup challenge by DollyCas, but this time we are adding in some monthly mini challenges. I'm all about that, and if I can do the mini challenge I will. Consider joining me! You can find my tracker via this link, or up in the header. 

Since those two are very similar, I am going to add to the difficulty a bit by not doubling up on my titles. I know. I know. But I feel that it is necessary. Let's see how I do!

My third, and final (as of now), challenge is the Creating and Co Reading Challenge. 

Paige has put together 24 prompts to get you through the year. One of the more difficult prompts, for me, will be the re-read. I rarely re-read, so we'll have to see on that. I should add that Paige often adds mini seasonal challenges as well, and I am going to do my best on those as well. My main focus will be the original 24. My tracker can be accessed up in the header, or through this link.

What reading challenges are you participating in for 2021?

Happy Reading,

Weekly Wrap Up

 

I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season! I cannot believe that Christmas is over, and that we are about to start a new year. I'm ready though. So ready. Yes, 2020 had it's not so good moments, but I sincerely hope that there was some good for you as well. 

Last week I read some decent books. I discovered a new to me author in Katie Graykowski, and have now devoured her Lone Stars series. Yes it is romance, and yes it is sports romance. More specifically football romance. 

First up I read Perfect Summer, which is obviously the first book in the series. Now these are standalone books, so you don't have to read them in order, but I personally think it's best to do so. After all it gives you a back story on other characters, and you may be seeing those characters in future books. Also, I think Perfect Summer could qualify as enemies to lovers. So if that's your trope, this book might be for you!

Perfect Summer introduces us to Summer Ames. She is a high school teacher who just won Teacher of the Year! How awesome is that! Oh except the prize that's given every year isn't the prize that Summer will be receiving. Instead she gets professional football player Clint Grayson as a mentor for her classroom. Say what? Oh and Clint is there to help his image. There was a news story about him that was 100% false, but of course that retraction never came. So there's that.

In Perfect Summer we also get to know Summer's mother, Lillian. They do not have the best relationship and that's putting it lightly. Lillian has a secret or two that she's keeping, and well Summer (and us) find out what they are! So be prepared as the storyline goes back and forth between telling the two stories. 

Next up was Saving Grace. I consider this to be a workplace romance. So if that's your thing, then happy reading!

Grace Kelley is well known for a wardrobe malfunction on a popular TV show. She may have singing talent, but that wardrobe malfunction took away her chance for a broader success. So here she is singing on a street corner trying to earn money to pay for the assisted living place her Uncle is currently at. Then fate steps in. A young girl is in a not so good situation, Grace helps out, and drives her home. That little encounter leads to a nanny job for Grace. This job is a blessing, as she will definitely be able to afford her Uncle's living arrangement now! What Grace wasn't expecting though was to fall for Chord Robbins. Chord is the coach for the Austin Lone Stars, and it is his 3 kids that she is nannying. 

Can Chord work through his issues to trust Grace? Will Grace ever learn to ask for help? Or better yet, accept it? Also, what is the story with Clementine (the dog)? I can't imagine what that poor pup has been through in his life.

Changing Lanes was my third book for the week, and it is a second chance romance. 

Imagine meeting your soul mate as a teenager, only to then lose touch with them for 14 years. You wonder if you'll ever run into them again. After all it happened at summer camp, and you only knew each others initials (DJ & EJ), so how could you keep in touch? Well in Changing Lanes will will see how Devon and Laney end up meeting once again. We also see if they can get to know each other again, and maybe just maybe fall in love. 

Oh and there's a good chance you'll fall in love with the Lone Stars, as well as Sweet Louise. They are just amazing people, and I know I'd love to have them in my corner. (also, if you're an emotional person like I am, consider having tissues on hand for when it comes to the parts about Lara.)

The Debra Dilemma is another second chance romance. If you've read the any of the first three books, you may recognize Debra. You may also think you know the kind of woman that Debra is. And if you read Changing Lanes, you know that there is history between Debra and Warren. In the Debra Dilemma we find out what happened, and see if they can make their way back to each other. 

Side note: If you are a person who has gone through child loss, I want to put a trigger warning on this book for you.

Many years ago Debra and Warren had been a romance that wasn't suppose to be. Debra's family was quite wealthy, and well Warren was the pool boy! Gasp! Something happened though, and Warren accepted a substantial amount of money from Debra's father. Accepting that money meant he had to walk away from Debra.

Flash forward many years, and Debra is a frequent sight on the arms of many Lone Star players. She is trying to become this woman that she isn't, and it's only hurting herself. Meanwhile, Warren owns the team and so he has to see his ex (aka the woman he loved) date his players. It's killing him each and every time. 

Can Debra get over the hurt from the past? Can she forgive Warren? Will Warren find out the secret that Debra has been keeping all these years? Also, what is Debra's dad hiding in that safe in his office? 

The fifth book in the Lone Stars series is Charming Coco! When I saw that Coco had her own story, I was so excited! I had high expectations as Coco Robbins seems like an awesome young lady. (We first met Coco in Saving Grace. Coco is the daughter of Chord Robbins, and is ultimately the reason why Chord and Grace met.) After finishing The Debra Dilemma, I had a feeling who the love interest would be for Coco, and I was correct. 

In Charming Coco, we've flashed forward quite a few years, and Coco is an orthopedic surgeon who has just returned from working with Doctors without Borders. She's nervous about returning home though as she can't get a certain NFL quarterback off her mind. After all, he's why she felt the need to leave for college, and eventually go overseas. How do you face the person that you kissed, said you loved, and had them shut you down? 

Seth Charming is keeping a secret or two of his own. He's known where Coco has been this entire time, and he would do (and has been) anything he could to keep her safe. What Seth wasn't ready for was competition for Coco's heart. Turns out Coco met someone while overseas, and that man could be her perfect match. How can Seth compete with a Royal? Can Coco and Seth reconnect to get their HEA? Or is Coco meant to be with the Prince?

I was so excited for Coco's love story, but ultimately something was missing. Honestly the story felt "off" from the moment Coco arrived to her parents house. I stuck with it, and while I'm happy with the ending, this book was just missing the mark. 

It's time for, what I presume is, the final book in the Lone Stars series. Sage Advice introduces us to Chloe Caldwell. She is a child psychologist, relationship advice blogger/podcaster, and a soon to be published author! Except no one knows she is behind the Sage Advice blog and podcast. Chloe has chosen to keep that private. However with her upcoming book release, that little tidbit will be made known. Oh and there's one slight issue regarding her book release. Chloe told her publicist that she has a fiancee. So naturally he needs to be at her book release! Now the hunt is on for someone to become her fake fiancee.

Chloe makes the call to Sweet Louise, and asks Sweet Louise to set her up on a blind date. Sweet Louise chooses Pierce Rogan. He is the tight end for the Austin Lone Stars, and Sweet Louise thinks he'll be perfect for Chloe. Now Pierce is a bit of a player, and often "dates" women who look like models. When he picks up Chloe for their date, he isn't interested at all. But something happens on their date, and the world now believes that Chloe is his sister.  After all, there is no way he could have been on a date with her!  How will Pierce react when he learns that Chloe is the person behind Sage Advice? He has disliked the romance blogger/podcaster since his ex-fiancee had sent her a message for advice. That advice was the reason he was single! 

So those are the books that I read this week. Yes, I devoured an entire book series. It was worth it. Part of me wants to ask Katie Graykowski if Noah and Lucy are going to get their story! I really feel that they had a connection, but maybe I was just reading into it and prepping myself for another story. Also, what ever happened with Lily and Davis from Perfect Summer? I need an update on them! One more thing, where does one find a mentor like Sweet Louise? 

What did you read this week? Anything you'd recommend? 

Happy Reading my fellow book lovers,

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Year in Review

As 2020 winds down, I thought it would only be fitting to take a look back at my year in books. Oh what a year it has been. The Kindle Paperwhite that my husband gifted me last Christmas has been well used. I don't think a day goes by that I don't use it. Which is also why it has to be charged every 5 days or so.

For my stats, I have been utilizing Goodreads for the entire year, so that keeps track of my quantity of books, my average rating, and also lets me know how many pages I have read this year. One of the questions below is most read genre. I think it's safe to say there is one genre that has dominated the year, but we'll get to that in a bit.

Let's get started shall we?

The first book that I read in 2020 was Green Tea Latte to Go by Aven Ellis. It is such a cute rom-com, and of course it has an HEA. Picture it a blogger and a veterinarian for exotic animals. Although the pig may steal the show. 😉

My current read is Changing Lanes by Katie Graykowski. It is a second chance romance, and the romance is between a football player and a pediatric oncologist. Let's just say that this book could also fall into the "made me cry" category. Oh the tears.

At the time I am writing this, I have read 300 books. I still have a few more days before the year ends, so I see that number increasing just a little bit. My original Goodreads goal was 100. I will say that reading is pretty much my only hobby, so that helps my number to climb the way it has. 

As of today my page count is 77,655. That makes my average book length about 259 pages. Again, this will increase though, as I still have about a week. I plan on doing an official Goodreads wrap-up at the beginning of the year.

There were so many wonderful books this year that I cannot select just one! My top 5, in no particular order, were:

• Grip by Kennedy Ryan
• Little Lies by H. Hunting
• Securing Kalee by Susan Stoker
• The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
• Southern Sunrise by Natasha Madison

In no particular order:

• Aven Ellis
  
• Natasha Madison
• Kennedy Ryan
• Helena Hunting
• Piper Rayne
• Susan Stoker

Do we even need to discuss this one? 🤣  It's romance.
Should we talk sub-genre? If so it's probably sports romance (hockey is the winner), with military being a close second.

My least read genre is definitely non-fiction. Without looking at Goodreads, I believe I've read 2 non-fiction books this year. One being The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur, and the second being What Unites Us by Dan Rather.

There were so many books that made me cry. To be fair though, I am a pretty emotional person. So what makes me cry, might not make another.

Let's name some names, shall we.

• Southern Sunrise by Natasha Madison
• Grip and Still by Kennedy Ryan
• The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
• Ridden Hard by Kim Loraine
• and many many more

Again, there were so many! I love a good rom-com, and many of them made me laugh. Some made me literally laugh out loud. Here are 5 that had me laughing.

• Stud in the Stacks by Pippa Grant
• Kiss my Cupcake by Helena Hunting
• Royal Icing by Aven Ellis
• A Favor for a Favor by Helena Hunting
• InstaCrush by Kate Meader

If you know me, you know that I LOVE a good book series. It's actually what I gravitate towards. Don't get me wrong, a single book can be good, but if I can stay with my people for a while, I will. Even if those initial characters are now secondary.

Top 5:

• Corrigan & Co by Crystal Perkins
• Southern by Natasha Madison
• Seal of Protection by Susan Stoker
• Brides of Chance Creek by Cora Seton
• The Baileys by Piper Rayne

My main goal is to read 150 books. I know that I read 300 this year, but let's be honest, that isn't a pace I can necessarily keep up. So I figure if I bump up my goal from 100 to 150, that should be attainable.

I would also like to complete the yearly reading challenge that Paige from Creating & Co hosts. It is 24 prompts, and it might require me to read a little outside my usual. That is completely fine though. I tried the PopSugar Reading Challenge this year, and did okay. The prompts for next year though I cannot make work for me, and I know if I push myself too much it will lead to a reading slump. So I'm skipping PopSugar for 2021.

My last goal is in regards to this space here, as well as my socials. It is my goal to post three times per week here on What Laura's Reading. My Facebook goal is once a day, whether that is sharing a meme or posting a blog post, or a crossover from Instagram. My Instagram goal is 3 photos a week at a minimum. If that all becomes too much though, I will drop Instagram.

Tell me about how your reading went this year! Also, what are your reading goals for 2021?

Happy Reading,

*Amazon links are affiliate links and I may earn a commission on products sold.

January Releases I'm Excited About

Oh my goodness, 2021 is right around the corner! I am in denial about this. Wasn't it just March, and we were learning about this pandemic? Weren't my kids and I just figuring out distance learning? Wasn't I kicking off my blog, and then promptly setting it to the side because of my kids school schedules? No? Well, okay then. Regardless, somehow 2020 flew by, and I think the majority of us are okay with that. 

So with 2020 almost behind us, let's talk about some new books that are releasing in January! The plan is to kick off 2021 with some (hopefully) amazing reads. I have 8 books that I am anticipating, and if you know me at all, you already know they are romance related. 

Starting off the month, we have Confessions of a Curious Bookseller by Elizabeth Green. Now full disclosure, I downloaded this book for free through the Amazon First Reads program. It was my December 2020 pick, and no I haven't read it yet. But I'm going to, as it sounds really cute. It is screaming rom-com at me, and the blurb I've read is giving me major You've Got Mail vibes. And again, if you know me at all, you know that You've Got Mail is one of my absolute favorite movies. Seriously, top 5. Here's a little bit of the blurb for Confessions of a Curious Bookseller. 

Without question, Fawn Birchill knows that her used bookstore is the heart of West Philadelphia, a cornerstone of culture for a community that, for the past twenty years, has found the quirkiness absolutely charming. When an amicable young indie bookseller invades her block, Fawn is convinced that his cushy couches, impressive selection, coffee bar, and knowledgeable staff are a neighborhood blight. Misguided yet blindly resilient, Fawn readies for battle.

So tell me, are you going to read it? 

There are two releases today, well two that I'm aware of at least, and I want to read them both. Like as soon as possible.

 

The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams is the first book in the It Happened in Nashville series. Based on the snippet I've read, this is a new adult rom com. Also, it is a fade to black romance (aka closed door). So any sex that may happen in the story, you'll read little to none about. For those who prefer less steamy scenes, this may be perfect for you. 

I have found rock bottom. It’s here, moving in with my older brother because I’m too broke to afford to live on my own. It’s okay though, because we’ve always been close and I think I’m going to have fun living with him again.

That is until I meet Cooper…

Turns out, my brother has very strong opinions on the idea of me dating his best friend and is dead set against it. According to him, Cooper is everything I should stay away from: flirtatious, adventurous, non-committal, and freaking hot. (I added that last part because I feel like you need the whole picture.) My brother is right—I should stay away from Cooper James and his pretty blue eyes. He’s the opposite of what I need right now.

Bring it on Sarah Adams, bring it on. I cannot wait to dive in. Also, I'm curious as to how many books are in this series? (and I am guessing it is a standalone series where each book will follow a different character.)

The Strike Out by Meghan Quinn also releases this day! Now full disclosure, I know very little about this book, and I cannot find it on Amazon yet. I do know the author said it will be available on Kindle, so I'll just have to be patient. Based on the title, I'm thinking it is going to follow the love life of a baseball player. And well, we know how I feel about sports romance. It's also sounding quite steamy. So there's that. Here's the blurb that I read on Goodreads:

It started with one night out with the boys.

She was the hot diner waitress putting herself through school.

I was the rich, arrogant player everyone misjudges.

On paper we didn’t match.

Yet all it took was one day. One single day to change her mind.

She wasn’t planning to spend her day off with me.

She wasn’t supposed to fall for my charm.

But one day, one smile, turned into several nights of her calling out my name.

I’m not the guy she should end up with. I’m jealous, possessive. Not here for a long time - just a good time.

She’s changed me.

But, for some reason, I feel her slipping through my fingers and no matter what I do, I fear I’m going to strike out with the one and only girl I’ve ever fallen for.

I will be reading this book. I will be! It will also be my first Meghan Quinn book. So I'm curious to see if she ends up becoming a go to author for me. Have you read any of her other books? If you have, which do you recommend I read?

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BOOK SINCE SEPTEMBER!  My jaw dropped, after finishing Only One Kiss, when I learned that Manning's book was the third in the series. I darn near cried. The way Manning has been included in the first two Only One books, has made me want to know so much more about him. Now I finally get that opportunity. On January 5 I will be busy reading devouring Only One Night by Natasha Madison. 

Only One Night is the third book in the Only One hockey series, and this time we get to know the Captain. So we know from previous books that Manning is married, and that his wife comes across as a horrible person. He's miserable. I'm curious to see what we learn about his marriage, and how that plays out. There's a love interest for Manning. How will things work out with Manning and Evelyn?

Who is ready for a YA rom com? I know I am! You Have a Match by Emma Lord sounds like a cute story. Imagine being a teenager and finding out that you have an older sister! Not only that, but that older sister is an influencer on Instagram. 

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it's mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie...although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn't know she's a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it's hard to believe they're from the same planet, never mind the same parents ― especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby's parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp's co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

I preordered the Happily Ever After boxed set back in August after Piper Rayne announced they had a book included in it. I don't think I've read books by any of the other authors, but that's okay. I'm going to give it a go, and maybe just maybe I'll find a new to me author. What's this boxed set about? No clue, but I do know we get 21 stories, and they all have a HEA. That right there makes me smile.

These heroes and heroines are lost without each other ... but obstacles stand in their way. 

Inside the pages of this steamy, limited edition boxed set created for you by your favorite romance authors, you’ll find sexy, funny, heartwarming, and red hot romance reads, where characters navigate their love through all the twists, turns, and ups and downs required to reach a happily ever after.

Which passionate romance will be your favorite? The enemies turned to trusted lovers or the rock stars who know exactly what they want? Best friends who wish they could be more, forbidden love, or second chance at forever?

No matter what you love - enemies to lovers, second chance romance, a forbidden tale, vacation fling, opposites attract, comedy, or contemporary romance - every story in this limited edition boxed will deliver the satisfying end you crave. 

Are you a fan of the enemies to lovers trope? How about just enjoying a good ole rom com? If so, Shipped by Angie Hockman could be the perfect read for you! Plus a cruise in the middle of January sounds wonderful. A perfect escape, especially for those of us who live in a cold, snowy climate.

Between taking night classes for her MBA and her demanding day job at a cruise line, marketing manager Henley Evans barely has time for herself, let alone family, friends, or dating. But when she’s shortlisted for the promotion of her dreams, all her sacrifices finally seem worth it.

The only problem? Graeme Crawford-Collins, the remote social media manager and the bane of her existence, is also up for the position. Although they’ve never met in person, their epic email battles are the stuff of office legend.

Their boss tasks each of them with drafting a proposal on how to boost bookings in the Galápagos—best proposal wins the promotion. There’s just one catch: they have to go on a company cruise to the Galápagos Islands...together. But when the two meet on the ship, Henley is shocked to discover that the real Graeme is nothing like she imagined. As they explore the Islands together, she soon finds the line between loathing and liking thinner than a postcard.

With her career dreams in her sights and a growing attraction to the competition, Henley begins questioning her life choices. Because what’s the point of working all the time if you never actually live?

 Last, but certainly not least is Connectivity 2.0 by Aven Ellis. Aven is an author that I found in late 2019 (thanks BookBub!), and I've been hooked ever since. Every book she's released, I've read and loved. If you love rom-coms and happily ever afters, then please check out her books! Aven has been teasing the book in her FB group, and every single time I am begging for more. I'm a bit greedy like that. 

Connectivity 2.0 returns us to London, and of course we will get to visit with MK and William. But we also will be meeting Lauren and Oliver. I can't wait to see how their story plays out.  Is it January 27 yet? Also, I can't wait to see what the cover is going to look like! I look forward to Aven doing a sneak peak for that in the group. Onto the blurb for 2.0

Recent college graduate Lauren Charleston heads to London for a prestigious media graduate internship that is part of a well-laid plan for career success.

Falling for a playboy billionaire with the nickname of Icky Ollie? Not part of said plan.

Tech developer Oliver Pratt makes tabloid headlines for his wild ways, seen with a myriad of women—including a princess. He’s exactly the type of man Lauren detests—especially in light of her past with men.

But Lauren might find exactly what she needs in Oliver if she can see beyond the surface—and face her own past, too. Will these two opposites find a certain connectivity, as their career mentors did? Or will this romance short-circuit before it begins?

 

So out of these 8 books I've shared, which one do you think you'll check out? Will you read it in January? Or will it just be added to your TBR? Three I already have pre-ordered, so I don't need to worry about those. 😉 For the others, I think I'll be checking my local library to see if they'll have copies available.  Did I miss any must read romances? If so, let me know!

Happy Reading!

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