2-3-4 Challenge discussion

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
5. Overall summary of your reading month?

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in 1 series: The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (#17).

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I did not start any new series this month.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in 1 series: The Lucy Kincaid series by Allison Brennan (#5).

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
4 five stars reads this month:
Owl's Outstanding Donuts by Robin Yardi (fun and entertaining)
Battle Ground by Jim Butcher (action non-stop)
Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham (humorous, fun and informative)
Stalked by Allison Brennan (surprising who done it)

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
6 more books down and closer to my yearly goal. I've been doing well keeping up with my numbers.

Congratulations, Melissa! I’m happy for you that you’re on target to meet your goal. And, with four 5-star reads this month, you’re loving what you read. Nicely done!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in four series;
Cobra Elite by Pamela Clare
Devil You Know by Kerrigan Byrne
The Lairds Most Likely by Anna Campbell
Silver Springs by Brenda Novak

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes, I started three series:
Morgan Dane by Melinda Leigh
Her by Toni Anderson
Boston Classics by Karen Grey

I plan to continue all three.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in four series:
Lucy Kincaid by Allison Brennan
Detective D. D. Warren by Lisa Gardner
The MacGregors by Nora Roberts
DI Kim Stone by Angela Marsons

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I had four 5-star books this month! The Great Alone, The Nothing Man, Hard Line and The Highlander’s Christmas Lassie in Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal were all wonderful and hard to put down.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
This was my best reading month this year, with 16 books read and so many highly rated books among them. I had a great time and am pleased with my series progress.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I finished Michael Connelly's Jack McEvoy series and Sarah McLean's Bareknuckle Bastards series.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started Melinda Leigh's Morgan Dane series and I plan to continue it.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in five series:
Ginger Gold series by Lee Strauss
FBI series by Tess Diamond
Lucy Kincaid by Allison Brennan
D.I. Kim Stone by Angela Marsons
Graveyard Queen by Amanda Stevens

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I read two 5-Star books:


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
October was a great month for me. I finished 13 books and all of them were pretty good.

Way to go, Robin! You had a great month.

I’m trying to fit in Night Swim so it’s good to see your 5-star rating. I’m also taking a look at that Tess Diamond series.

Jonetta wrote: "Way to go, Robin! You had a great month.

I’m trying to fit in Night Swim so it’s good to see your 5-star rating. I’m also taking a look at that Tess Diamond series."

I think you will love The Night Swim. The audiobook was great.

Melissa wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in 1 series: The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (#17).

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Wi..."

It sounds like you have a great month. Congrats on all of the 5-Star books!

Jonetta wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in four series;
Cobra Elite by Pamela Clare
Devil You Know by Kerrigan Byrne
The Lairds Most Likely by Anna Camp..."

Wow! You got up-to-date on so many series this month. Nice job!!!

Thanks, Robin!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Nope
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Nope
3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in two series;
Lisa Gardner - FBI Profiler series
Mollie Cox Bryan - Cumberland creek Mystery

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I love The Third Victim - it was a great suspense story. Best book of the month 4/5

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
Great reading month. I read 4 books! Which is a lot of books for me so I was happy about that.

Jonetta wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in four series;
Cobra Elite by Pamela Clare
Devil You Know by Kerrigan Byrne
The Lairds Most Likely by Anna Camp..."

Best month for the years says it all. Always a great feeling.

Robin wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I finished Michael Connelly's Jack McEvoy series and Sarah McLean's Bareknuckle Bastards series.

2. Did you start any new series..."


Well done on the 13 Robin. Looks like you had a very productive month

Viki wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Nope
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Nope
3. Did you move forward in any series (that ..."

👏 👏 👏 Viki. You really did have a good month.

Melissa wrote: "6 more books down and closer to my yearly goal. I've been doing well keeping up with my numbers

That's fantastic! I am sure you will meet your goal no problem :)

Jonetta wrote: "This was my best reading month this year, with 16 books read and so many highly rated books among them. I had a great time and am pleased with my series progress.."

That is wonderful, Jonetta!
You are making excellent progress with your series this year.

Robin wrote: "October was a great month for me. I finished 13 books and all of them were pretty good.."

Fantastic progress Robin!
I must say that Sarah MacLean's Bareknuckle Bastards was more miss than hit for me. I'm interested in her new series though.

Viki wrote: Great reading month. I read 4 books! Which is a lot of books for me so I was happy about that."

Congrats on doing so well, Viki!

Thank you, Lauren!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed Yes 1
Green Creek - TJ Klune

Up-to-date Yes 3
Ippos king - Grce Draven
Nature of desire - Joey W. Hill
The Miles high club - T L Swan


2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started a few.:
~This would be better to say I've found a new author. So yes I'll be continuing with both.
MR. & The Miles high club by T L Swan.
~I started this but honestly I landed up reading only bits and pieces of the three book. Mostly because it was predictable and the journey wasn't all that better either. Licks of leather by Jenna Jacob's


3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
(This question has slightly changed. Or have I always looked at it wrong🤔)
Yes. In death by JD Robb.


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I don't know what happened to my month. Was a slow month. Only managed 14 books. Most of them solid 4 - 4.5* reads. Ended the month with an anthology that has more that 2 authors I wanted to readi think I was underwhelmed by the books I'd been waiting years for. And that just blew the rest of the month. Know that feeling of waiting and waiting for book and it finally is released and...? It's good but not brilliant. THat happened to me twice this month that just put a... I don't know what into my reading mind space.

Anyway I just saw a few new releases of author that I wasn't aware of. Add to that new authors to binge. It can only get better.

Viki wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Nope
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Nope
3. Did you move forward in any series (that ..."

The Third Victim was such a great book. Actually, I think Gardner's Quincy & Rainey series is my favorite of all of her series.

Lauren wrote: "Robin wrote: "October was a great month for me. I finished 13 books and all of them were pretty good.."

Fantastic progress Robin!
I must say that Sarah MacLean's Bareknuckle Bastards was more miss..."

I'll have to check out her new series. The Bareknuckle Bastards series just kind of fizzled out.

Michelle wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed Yes 1
Green Creek - TJ Klune

Up-to-date Yes 3
Ippos king - Grce Draven
Nature of desire - Joey W. Hill
The Miles ..."

Fourteen books is still great! It looks like most of them were great reads.

1.Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I started and completed The Jack and Jill series by Jewel E Ann and Gray Springs University by Ella Fields

I started and got current with the Made series by Danielle Lori
and got current in Want You by Lorelei James.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue? Yes to all Lie For A Lie is spin-off of Pucked. Lots of crazy Violet here which was a pleasant surprise

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many? 1 This is a romantic suspense series which I am enjoying.


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?

Arranged marriage. This has become my favorite LJ Shen book.

All by Jewel E Ann All fantastic. If you haven’t read her do it. I’m hooked. Undeniably You second chance romance and probably my favorite of the month. The Jack and Jill series is so different. Witness protection sort of. Very suspenseful. One is a spin-off and must be read after.

Mafia arranged marriage so great

These take place simultaneously with the different characters and so addicting.I read this trilogy on a weekend. Second chances, addiction, mistaken situations etc. I’m loving this author

This is light easy read that had me laughing out loud. The heroine was ridiculous but she cracked me up. I read a lot of angsty reads so this was welcome.
5. Overall summary of your reading month?
22 Books with 5 DNF.
I’m happy with my books which featured many of my favorite authors so I couldn’t go wrong.

Looks like you had a brilliant month Laura. Think I'll add the Lorelei James. I've read a few of her other series. What genre is Jewel E Ann? I now you recommend her and it sounded good.

Actually lots of your books looked good. 😉😂You always have something that catches my eyes. I wonder why I'm still surprised by this.

Michelle wrote: "Looks like you had a brilliant month Laura. Think I'll add the Lorelei James. I've read a few of her other series. What genre is Jewel E Ann? I now you recommend her and it sounded good.

Actually ..."

About Lorelei James this is the same family as Need You series. I’d do that first if you haven’t already. Not sure why she just didn’t add on to that series.
I’d say Jewel E Ann is contemporary romance although some have suspense. too. Jack and Jill series has spin-offs One, Look The Part and her recent release Out Of Love, so don’t read those before Jack and Jill. I didn’t know that and read Look The Part last year. Now I feel like I should re-read it.
And an FYI That Zoe Blake book, is 4 1/2 stars. Russian Mafia if that’s your thing. Wasn’t sure it was mine, but it is now.

Michelle wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed Yes 1
Green Creek - TJ Klune

Up-to-date Yes 3
Ippos king - Grce Draven
Nature of desire - Joey W. Hill
The Miles ..."

You had a lot of 4-4.5 star books so that’s good. Sorry you were disappointed by the others.
I’m glad you liked TL Swan I need to binge her. ( after I climb out of the rabbit hole I fell into of Jewel Ann.) I hear her Stanton series is good too.

Jonetta wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in four series;
Cobra Elite by Pamela Clare
Devil You Know by Kerrigan Byrne
The Lairds Most Likely by Anna Camp..."

Congrats on your great month! Quality and Quantity, you can’t ask for much more. Also lots of great authors!

Laura wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Looks like you had a brilliant month Laura. Think I'll add the Lorelei James. I've read a few of her other series. What genre is Jewel E Ann? I now you recommend her and it sounded..."

Thanx Laura I have read the Need you series. I think🤔. I'll use it for the in between binge read.

Ooohh thanx. Now I really have to read that Zoe Blake. I've got Toxic on my TBR shelf.

Don't know when I'll start Jewel Ann books. And thanx I'll make sure of the order before I start. Maybe leave her for next year... I'm having too much fun with T. L. Swan.

Laura wrote: "Michelle wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed Yes 1
Green Creek - TJ Klune

Up-to-date Yes 3
Ippos king - Grce Draven
Nature of desire - Joey W. H..."

Stanton is next on my list of her books to read. I'm reading Mr Spencer at the moment. It's just meh. Don't know if Tha because of my headspace(read slump) or if it really isn't as good as the others. I think it's a bit of both

Enjoy the rabbit hole.

Michelle wrote: "Laura wrote: "Michelle wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed Yes 1
Green Creek - TJ Klune

Up-to-date Yes 3
Ippos king - Grce Draven
Nature of desi..."

Lol, maybe you need to switch to Netflix or Prime whatever you binge watch on.

Michelle wrote: "Laura wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Looks like you had a brilliant month Laura. Think I'll add the Lorelei James. I've read a few of her other series. What genre is Jewel E Ann? I now you recommend her ..."

If you want to try Jewel Ann and not commit to 5 books, Undeniably You is standalone.

Laura wrote: "1.Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I started and completed The Jack and Jill series by Jewel E Ann and Gray Springs University by Ella Fields
bookcover:The Jack & J..."

Okay, okay. You had an outstanding month, really!!! Kudos to that, Laura💜

Now, let’s talk some of these books. A friend of mine is a big Jewel E. Ann fan so I actually own two of her books, Look the Part and End of Day. What is it that you love? Same for L. J. Shen.

Any you’d highly encourage me to add to my shelf? I already plan to put the two Jewel E. Ann books on my Laura shelf.

Laura wrote: "Congrats on your great month! Quality and Quantity, you can’t ask for much more. Also lots of great authors!..."

Thank you! You’re right, I couldn’t ask for a better month.

Viki wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Nope
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Nope
3. Did you move forward in any series (that ..."

Can you see me doing cartwheels, Viki?!? You moved forward in three series, had a standout read and read 4 books! Big congratulations💜

Jonetta wrote: "Laura wrote: "1.Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I started and completed The Jack and Jill series by Jewel E Ann and Gray Springs University by Ella Fields
bookcover..."

I just click with both of their writing styles. I can’t really explain it.
Jewel Ann reminds me of Colleen Hoover Christina Lauren if that helps. Just good story telling and deep complex characters. Lots of twists and angst. End Of Day starts Jack and Jill. Look the Part features the best friend of one of the characters in this trilogy, whose book is the spin-off Onethat I just finished. I loved Look the Part and it totally stands alone, but I would have loved it even more if I was reading it right now since I just finished One. Confused?

LJ Shen just writes raunchy A-hole heroes. They all do great grovels though. Not sure if that’s your thing but it is mine. Sometimes when reading her, I’m like wow I can’t believe she just went there,If you have kindle unlimited all her books are there to try her out. Her most popular series Sinners of Saint rich A-hole bullies that rules the school and town. All Saints High features their kids.
Older character books Dirty Headlinesit’s stand alone work place romance.I’d start with that probably.
The Kiss Thief that I posted above,
Sparrow which is the parents of the heroine in The Hunter her new series that I am impatiently waiting for book 2.

Thank you, Laura! You had me at Hoover & Lauren💜

Sometimes the heroes you describe for Shen work for me (particularly the serious groveling) but if cheating is part of the equation, I don’t seem to ever be able to get past that. I’ll give her a whirl.

Jonetta wrote: "Thank you, Laura! You had me at Hoover & Lauren💜

Sometimes the heroes you describe for Shen work for me (particularly the serious groveling) but if cheating is part of the equation, I don’t seem t..."

I knew mentioning CH and CL would do it. 😊

Oh, you know me well💜

Jonetta wrote: "Viki wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Nope
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Nope
3. Did you move forward in any ..."

Thank you Jonetta. I was very proud of myself for reading that many books.

Robin wrote: "Viki wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Nope
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Nope
3. Did you move forward in any ..."

I agree. I am really loving the series. So well written.

Seems I posted in the wrong thread last month 🤦‍♀️

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Yes. Completed 1 and am up to date on another.


2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes 1 - I am so proud of myself ;) - I will continue with it as it has a very unique take on classic fairytales.


3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes, 11 (Read 2 book in the same series though) -


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
Only one 4.5 star read - and I also really enjoyed .

5. Overall summary of your reading month? I read 18 books. I enjoyed most of them and even got a couple of stagnated series back in play - Midnight Breeds, Women of the Otherworld and the Ravenels.