Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Synopsis
First date à la Maggie: Take one lovelorn diner owner (me), a generous helping of nosy local gossips, a dollop of envy at married sister's perfect life, a splash of divine intervention (my matchmaking priest). Combine ingredients with one adorable puppy, add a strong but silent lobsterman with a hidden heart of gold and watch the sparks fly

      ~ Buddy Style Reads ~
    Three Ways to Enjoy a Book!

At NRBC we use three styles of buddy reads. These will be indicated in the thread title as “Buddy Read”, “Relaxed Buddy Read” or “Informal Buddy Read”.

A “Buddy Read” has a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book. More information about these types of reads is below. An example is here, showing a reading schedule here.

A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers. An example is here.

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

A “Read and Watch Buddy Read” may be set up as any of the above, but we will also watch the movie or T.V. series - or even go to a play! - and make comparisons, discussing what has been left out or changed as well as the actors and actresses. There is a long debate of what one should do first: read the books or watch the movie? We usually read first, but it isn’t essential. Also, if you would like to join in, but don’t want to watch the movie, show, or play, but only read the books, that is fine, too. An example is here.


MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

“Buddy Reads” (“BRs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and occasionally group members
   who help one of us out. If you want to be a Discussion Leader, let us know.

• If the book is really long, we'll plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
   conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
   sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
   book.

• We find the buddy style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
   sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
   rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
   set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
   jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
   we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
   free books!

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
   or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
   think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
   You can do so at the end of the buddy read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
   before you comment like:

   **************BEWARE! SPOILER FOR THE END OF THE BOOK**************

   Or insert a (view spoiler)[spoiler (hide spoiler)]. If you do NOT know how to do so, just check out our
   GoodReads 101 explanation on how to Insert a Spoiler.

• If you are looking for a reading buddy, post an inquiry in our Buddy read requests thread. Use that thread, if you want to have a repeat read of a BOM
    or buddy read, too.

• Have fun! We always do when more than one person joins in. And we look less silly
   if someone else discusses a book with us. (hide spoiler)]

My book came in at the library, so I will join this Buddy read. I'm looking forward to a light summer read.

I'm planning to join in as well!

I hope to join you also!

I see I am a day early, but I just listened to this one today since I had to return the copy I had checked out. Anyway, I thought that parts of this book were really cute, but then other parts kind of wore on me. I was getting really tired of the (view spoiler)["I'm in love with the priest" aspect. I felt like Maggie just kept trying to make something happen where it couldn't/wouldn't. (hide spoiler)] I did find Maggie's dating failures to be rather humorous. Then having her priest help set her up made it a little funnier. Of course, it was obvious from the beginning which couple would end up together. I did love the very end when (view spoiler)[Malone gave Maggie the puppy. It was such a sweet gesture. I'm also glad that it was also the moment when he finally told her his first name. That was driving me crazy for some reason. (hide spoiler)].

I'm curious to see how others feel about the book. It was a nice diversion for a summer afternoon.

Nothing wrong with being a day early!

My copy has a boat on the cover - it is cute, but not as cute as the cover above with the puppy :)

I'll be joining this one since Audible had it on audio :) Perfect for food prep tomorrow!

Yay Cathy - I'm so glad we get to read some books together this summer!

And I'm glad you said something about audible - I have that romance package too - I downloaded this on kindle from my library, but I'm going to get the audio as well since my current listen is almost done.

Me too Suzanne!!!!! :D

Yep I love that Romance pkg, get so many more books "read" because of it! I'm heading to the store to buy a couple things and then starting my food prep. Fun times!

The prologue made me laugh - nice embarrassing set of circumstances :)

Suzanne wrote: "The prologue made me laugh - nice embarrassing set of circumstances :)"

The prologue is great. I love how it just seems like another day in Maggie's life and she is always doing embarrassing things.

Amy "the book-bat" wrote: "I see I am a day early, but I just listened to this one today since I had to return the copy I had checked out. Anyway, I thought that parts of this book were really cute, but then other parts kind..."

I agree with both of your comments. Ending: (view spoiler)[The ending was very cute. And I also was bothered that we didn't know Malone's first name for so long. I would be upset about that just like Maggie. I really liked that he got her a puppy. He really seemed to care about Colonel. I'm a dog person and that really was the turning point for me. I think if Farther Tim had been a little more interested in Colonel I might have liked him more as a character. As it was I didn't much care for him. I did like Malone because of how he interacted with Colonel. (hide spoiler)]

I sat down and read this in one sitting. Very typical for me and cute books like this. Let me just say that Colonel, Maggies dog, is what really first got me. Although I also found the opening to be funny.

Middle of the book Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[Colonel's death is absolutely devastating. I'm not sure why but have a dog die in a novel and I'll cry. Not much else gets me. Malone is really there for Maggie when Colonel dies and this is also the point in the story where I started disliking some of the other characters: Father Tim and Maggie's mom. They didn't seem to get how hard this was for her. (hide spoiler)]

End of the book (view spoiler)[By the end of the book I didn't really feel like I cared about Father Tim he seemed like he had lost some of his importance to the story. I'm not sure why he left the town but he did, that felt a little unanswered to me. I'm still not sure why Malone didn't want to eat Maggie's cooking. That also felt strange to me and unanswered. However, the ending of the book was satisfying in many ways Malone giving Maggie a puppy and his first name seemed important. I also like that they aren't hiding their relationship anymore. That seems like an important step. (hide spoiler)]

Overall I liked the humor in this novel and the story was fun.

Suzanne wrote: "The prologue made me laugh - nice embarrassing set of circumstances :)"

Ouch, so embarrassing. Poor Maggie. She had a week to tell practically everyone in town about the new guy, so they could all witness the humiliation.

So far I like it, its cute! Definitely light-hearted and funny, perfect for today.

Thru Chpt 5 - (view spoiler)[I love her family. Wish mine was close like that.

Her date was hilarious, I was dying! Thinking he's like a pet psychic and the lobster & butter. Felt bad for her when she sees Skip again with his kids. What an asshole for dumping her like that!

I sort of like not knowing who she will end up with but her crush on the priest is killing me. (hide spoiler)]

ch 2

(view spoiler)[What an awful date. The food thing is weird and possibly cute to the right person, but the animal psychic thing on top of it was just over the top. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 3 -4

(view spoiler)[ OMG, the first boyfriend is a complete jerk. To bring another girl to a parade in front of entire town as a way of breaking up? What an a$$.

Then to have the conversation about Malone in the bar and for him to be there. She just can't escape embarrassment.
(hide spoiler)]

Oh. My. God.

Chpt 19 - (view spoiler)[Colonel's death - was hoping that wasnt where it was going. One minute I'm laughing and cutting up chicken for dinner, the next I had to stop because I was crying so hard. The hubby thought I hurt myself! If you've ever had a pet you know that pain and I was heartbroken for Maggie.

How sweet was it that Will asked for her blessing to marry her sister!

Not yet sure I really like Malone though... (hide spoiler)]

ch 5- 12

Spaghetti Dinner (view spoiler)[Poor Maggie. To get up on stage and announce her love for Father Tim. But he was very nice about it and wants to help her find a man. (hide spoiler)]

Dates (view spoiler)[She doesn't have much luck, especially with bowling man, and then she is stood up and Skip and wife show up and join her. Then Malone takes pity on her and pretends to be her date.

I find it hard to believe that Malone is mystery in such a small town. Usually everyone knows everything about everyone. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[ Ha - I know I'd be a sucker for an Irish accent, so no wonder Bible study is so well attended :)

And the blind date was indeed truly awful! A bit over the top but it was funny. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 12

Malone (view spoiler)[ I've had the feeling since the prologue that he is who she'll end up with, and I'm now thinking I was right. But we shall see! Diane you are right that it's weird he's such a mystery in the small town. (hide spoiler)]

Dates (view spoiler)[ Aaah - bowling man.....boy she's not having much luck so far. (hide spoiler)]

Skip (view spoiler)[ what a jerk! He definitely had time to tell her he was dating someone else - since his parents, the mayor, etc. knew. What a horrible way to find out! (hide spoiler)]

Starting this evening. I'm hoping to get a few chapters in before I fall asleep.

Just finished the prologue. Is Malone interested in her?

Chapter 19

(view spoiler)[I can’t believe I’m blubbering like a baby because a dog in a book died! (hide spoiler)]

Just starting chapter 24

(view spoiler)[Did Father Tim get Chantal pregnant? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26

(view spoiler)[Never mind my previous comment. The father is Jonah, right? (hide spoiler)]

Most of us are part of a TT so I wanted to check and see what others thought. Do you think this book is fluffy? I know it is chick-lit. I'm on the fence for fluffy because of chapter 19. What do you all think?

Annalisa wrote: "Most of us are part of a TT so I wanted to check and see what others thought. Do you think this book is fluffy? I know it is chick-lit. I'm on the fence for fluffy because of chapter 19. What do yo..."

I'd say yes to fluffy chick-lit!

Finished last night -

(view spoiler)[I really enjoyed this book! I loved Maggie, her family, her community. I've mostly lived in big cities so living in a small town like that seems so charming!

Maggie's mom - she was a bit much. She said some awful things but in the end, I totally got her, I grew up with a strict Korean mom so things that she said/did felt a little familiar. She did love her children but was generally unhappy. But at the end, I was almost hoping for her and Maggie's dad to stay together. With some counseling.

Malone - LOVED that he got her that puppy at the end! How sweet was that?! BUT at the end I still felt like he didn't speak enough, we didn't see enough of him. He was just this big mystery all the way to the end. Sure we got glimpses but he was so closed off. Frankly I wanted more... (hide spoiler)]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 5- 12

Spaghetti Dinner [spoilers removed]

Dates ..."

You are so right, that is odd!

Laura wrote: "Chapter 19

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I was the same way. Heart broke... (hide spoiler)]

Cathy M. wrote: "Oh. My. God.

Chpt 19 - . ..."

(view spoiler)[I saw it coming and I still couldn't stop crying.
The only good thing about it was she finally told her mother off. I am seriously disliking that woman (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "Just starting chapter 24

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I'm thinking it was the Fire Chief, but Father Tim being the father would make sense of his recent ramblings. (hide spoiler)]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 2

[spoilers removed]"

I agree the dates were maybe my favorite part. So funny.

Laura wrote: "Chapter 26

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[That is what I was just thinking, if it isn't the Chief or Father Tim that really only leaves Jonah. (hide spoiler)]

My copy just became available in overdrive, so I'm going to start today

Cathy M. wrote: "Finished last night - -..."

I agree with pretty much everything you said. (view spoiler)[I don't think we (or Maggie) got to know Malone enough to fall in love (vs lust). He had a few good moments (after Colonel died, the fair and giving her the puppy) but otherwise it was just sex or he was practically ignoring her. I'm not sure she's found her HEA (hide spoiler)]

Annalisa wrote: "Most of us are part of a TT so I wanted to check and see what others thought. Do you think this book is fluffy? I know it is chick-lit. I'm on the fence for fluffy because of chapter 19. What do yo..."

I say yes to fluffy.

Finished this afternoon. I really liked it. I do agree with the comments that say (view spoiler)[we didn't get to know Malone enough. It seems like this one of those series with a different couple in each book. I'm hoping that we would see more of them in future books. Hopefully we would get to experience growth in their relationship. (hide spoiler)]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 2

[spoilers removed]"

Yep - a bizarre date! I'm not happy with Father Tim! (view spoiler)[ He knows how Maggie feels about him, and yet he continues to get her to volunteer for things and help out at the church - it kinda seems like he's using her! (hide spoiler)]

SandyL wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 2

[spoilers removed]"

Yep - a bizarre date! I'm not happy with Father Tim! [spoilers removed]"

I felt the same way as you did.

Laura wrote: "Chapter 19

[spoilers removed]"

It's always always (view spoiler)[ the dog dying that gets me crying in books. Your not the only one who was crying. from reading other spoilers it looks like we were all in good company. (hide spoiler)]

Cathy M. wrote: "Finished last night -

(view spoiler)[I really enjoyed this book! I loved Maggie, her family, her community. I've mostly lived in big cities so living in a small town like that seems so charming!

Maggie's mom -... (hide spoiler)]"

I agree with what you said about (view spoiler)[wanting to know more about Malone. He still felt like a mystery at the end. I liked the ending and I really enjoyed the book. It would have been nice to see more of him. I've been reading a lot of books where you switch between the male and female perspective and I think that might have helped with our feeling like we didn't know him. However, I do think part of the resolution is know that he is going to try and share more with Maggie and he wants to share with her. (hide spoiler)]

Just finished Chapter 8 where Maggie went (view spoiler)[ on her date and gets stood up. I couldn't understand why Skip was such a jerk - he's the one who dumped her!! And then to be so passive aggressive at her. I loved what Malone did, though! (hide spoiler)]

Sandy (view spoiler)[ I wonder if it is because Skip feels kind of guilty? But who knows - he sure is a jerk. (hide spoiler)]

And from all the spoiler comments, I knew something was coming up in Chapter 19. (view spoiler)[ sniff....so as soon as Colonel started not feeling well/eating I thought oh no! Gah having beloved pets die is the worst! (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "Finished this afternoon. I really liked it. I do agree with the comments that say [spoilers removed]"

Not really spoiler but (view spoiler)[Yea I was a little bummed the rest of the series has completely different characters :( I was hoping it would be someone we've already met, feel affection for. (hide spoiler)]

SandyL wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 2

[spoilers removed]"

Yep - a bizarre date! I'm not happy with Father Tim! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[You know I didn't really think of that but you are so right! It's like he sort of took advantage of her affection for him. (hide spoiler)]

Suzanne wrote: "Sandy [spoilers removed]

And from all the spoiler comments, I knew something was coming up in Chapter 19. [spoilers removed]"

Chpt 19 - (view spoiler)[That totally reminded me of our convos about our pets passing on :( Still hurts 2 years later. *Hugs all around*

BUT oh my god I saw this clip on the news last week (News link) & told the hubby we NEED to try to adopt this cat! Def won't happen but just look at that cat :D He wants a dog, I prefer cats. Perfect mix of dog & cat!!! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ Wow, I've never seen a cat that big! My parents adopted a huge cat "Mr. Big", but he's not nearly that size. :)

That chapter reminded me of our conversations too - the worst part of owning pets is they don't live as long as people :( (hide spoiler)]