Can you believe the year is already half-way done? You know what that means, right? It’s time to check in on how you’re doing with your Romanceopoly 2024 reading challenge! I’ve personally done pretty good I think and I’m here to share with you the challenges I’ve completed, the books I read and what I thought of them. Hopefully it can give you some inspiration if you’re stuck on any of the prompts. Let’s dive in!
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Romanceopoly 2024 Reading Challenge Mid-Year Update
Hey everyone! It’s time for our mid-year update on the Romanceopoly Reading Challenge! We’ve been diving into a ton of amazing books, exploring different sub-genres, and meeting all sorts of unforgettable characters. Whether you’re a long-time Romanceopoly fan or just joining us, this update will give you a glimpse into our latest reads and the challenges we’ve tackled so far.
We’ve read through historical romances, contemporary romances, and even thrown in some paranormal and fantasy. Some of these have been unforgettable winners and others maybe not so much. This post is packed with mini-reviews of our recent reads to help you find a book for a prompt you’re stuck with.
1. The Wife Before by Shanora Williams
Challenge: Sleuth Street
Shanora Williams takes us on a thrilling ride with The Wife Before, where a woman navigates a seemingly perfect relationship with a renowned golfer until she discovers his first wife died under mysterious circumstances and he was the principal suspect. With a mix of sleuthing and unraveling dark secrets, this book is perfect for a laid back summer mystery read and for the romance reader that wants to dip their toes into mystery/thrillers. 4 stars.
Grab this book on Amazon or read our The Wife Before by Shanora Williams book review
2. The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller
Challenge: Killer Crescent
Channeling Agatha Christie vibes, this book delivers old-school sleuthing with a focus on antiques. Although it doesn’t quite reach Christie’s level, it’s an entertaining mystery set outside the U.S. If you love antiques and slow-burn mysteries, this one’s for you. 3 stars.
3. American Demon by Kim Harrison
Challenge: The Library
Returning to the Hollows world, Kim Harrison’s American Demon is a continuation rather than a spinoff. Fans of the series will enjoy the intensity of the story and familiar characters. An easy 5-star read, it picks up seamlessly from where the Hollows series left off, making it a must-read for urban fantasy lovers. But I recommend you start with book 1.
4. The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy
Challenge: The Bar
Elle Kennedy’s The Graham Effect is a new adult sports romance featuring second-generation characters from the Off-Campus series. With a strong sense of friendship and plenty of hockey action, this book is a hit. Both main characters are hockey players with solid friend groups, making it an endearing and hot read. 4 stars.
5. For You and No One Else by Roni Loren
Challenge: BFF House
Roni Loren’s contemporary romance features a geeky hacker hero and a psychologist heroine building a YouTube channel and co-working at the same office space. With elements of digital minimalism and a strong friends-to-lovers arc, this book offers character growth but also a younger hero trope. This series as a whole is a great entry to Roni Loren’s work, and this book felt relatable and with endearing characters. 4 stars.
6. Forged by Magic by Jenna Wolfhart
Challenge: The Library
Forced by Magic is a cozy fantasy romance with a female ORC assassin on an assignment seeking her freedom and falling for a fae blacksmith. She finds herself in the middle of magical games and dragon hunting, this adorable story captivates with its unique characters and setting. A delightful, lighthearted escape. 4 stars.
7. Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Hogle
Challenge: Farmer’s Market
This magical realism romance features a heroine with a flower-based magical ability and a second-chance romance in this wedding-themed story. It’s a soothing, fast read with elements of fake dating (not the main characters) and whimsical magic, perfect for spring or summer reading. A charming and fun-filled romance. 4 stars.
8. Body Check by Elle Kennedy
Challenge: The Gym
Elle Kennedy’s reissued adult hockey romance, Body Check, blends the hero’s pursuit of the team owner’s daughter with steamy encounters and a push-pull dynamic. Fans of hockey romances will enjoy diving into this one and if you’re a fan of Ms. Kennedy’s work, you can’t miss her adult hockey as well. 4 stars.
9. Dane’s Mark by Lora Leigh
Challenge: The Library
Dane’s Mark by Lora Leigh is a long-awaited installment in the Breeds series. This paranormal romantic suspense features a billionaire hero and a fated mates plot with a dash of sci-fi. It’s wild, intense, and fulfills its promise after years of anticipation. A solid 4-star read.
10. I Wish I Would’ve Chosen You by Whitney G
Challenge: Coffee Shop
Whitney G’s student-teacher romance, I Wish I Would’ve Chosen You, is a forbidden, taboo tale that’s addictive and hard to put down. Despite its controversial premise, the plot and characters are utterly captivating. 3.5-stars.
11. Earl’s Trip by Jenny Holiday
Challenge: Spring
A historical romance with a vacation twist, Earl’s Trip features childhood friends to lovers with a mix of humor and adventure. Though it feels contemporary, it’s a sweet, lighthearted read perfect for spring vibes. Enjoy the gentleman’s only trip turned rescue mission. 3.5 stars.
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Earl’s Trip by Jenny Holiday book review
12. The Backup Bride Proposal by Jaci Burton
Challenge: Summer
A celebrity romance set in a vineyard. Forced proximity, heroine plays a stand-in role for a movie star, and also a bit of a wedding theme makes this a charming and sweet read. 3.5 stars.
13. Off the Beaten Path by Madison Wright
Challenge: Flirts Corner
A small-town, closed-door romance with a single dad, neighbors to lovers, and enemies to lovers tropes. It’s sweet, lighthearted, and perfect for a quick, fun read. Available on Kindle Unlimited. 4 stars.
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Off the Beaten Path by Madison Wright book review
14. When We Lied by Claire Contreras
Challenge: Amour Ave
A romantic suspense featuring a bad boy hockey player and a basketball player. This steamy, angsty read involves solving the mystery of the hero’s sister’s death. It’s gripping, with a touch of danger and intense romance. 4 stars.
15. Wake Me Most Wickedly by Felicia Grossmann
Challenge: Courtship Row
A historical romance with a heroine involved in organized crime. Despite its dark premise, it’s a sweet, class differences romance with some mystery. Lighthearted and enjoyable, it’s perfect for fans of unconventional historical heroines. 3.5 stars.
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Wake Me Most Wickedly by Felicia Grossman book review
16. Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana De La Rosa
Challenge: Past Eaves
Set in England, this historical romance features a Mexican heiress and a politician fighting to abolish the Atlantic slave trade. Their understated, seductive romance makes this a compelling read you won’t want to miss. Plus you just have to meet the adorable Luna sisters. 4 stars.
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana De La Rosa book review
17. Legacy of Temptation by Larissa Ione
Challenge: The Vault
A paranormal romance featuring demons, this book is the first in the Demonica Birthright series, a spin off the Demonica world. The hero, son of one of the Four Horsemen, works with an organization that’s historically been trying to kill him. It’s intense, old-school paranormal romance and an easy 5-star read.
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Legacy of Temptation by Larissa Ione book review
18. Remedial Magic by Melissa Marr
Challenge: Ever After Street
A Sapphic romance with a mix of cozy and high-stakes urban fantasy. I found that it struggled a bit with that but offers magic, witches, and a bit of romance. In the end, for me it falls flat. 3 stars.
19. The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
Challenge: Rainbow Row
This story features two romances. A main sapphic romance and a gay side romance, with a touch of magical realism. It features witches, bees, and a forbidden love. It’s a quick, cozy read with a historical paranormal setting, perfect for a laid-back reading session. 3 stars.
20. XOXO by Christina Lee
Challenge: Lover’s Lane
A new adult male-male romance set in college, featuring a football player and a dancer who reconnect after surviving childhood cancer together. It’s a sweet and heartwarming story, perfect for fans of second-chance romance. 3.75 stars.
21. Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison
Challenge: Action Avenue
Kim Harrison’s new urban fantasy series starts strong with a heroine reminiscent of Rachel Morgan. This book is packed with magic, action, and a bit of romance, making it a must-read. 4 stars.
22. The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score
Challenge: City Lane
For fans of Darynda Jones, The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score is a psychic mystery-romance. The heroine develops her abilities while investigating her neighbor’s murder. With ghosts, supernatural elements, and plenty of humor, this fun read is perfect for those who love a mix of mystery and the paranormal plus looking for a good laugh. 4 stars.
23. Stealing Home by Grace Reilly
Challenge: Campus Corner
This new adult sports romance set in college features a baseball player hero, reverse grumpy/sunshine and a sweet, steamy romance. 4 stars.
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Wow! Right on track to get them all. Loved seeing your picks for the prompts. Appreciated the help on a couple of my prompt picks.
You’re also killing it! And always happy to give a rec 🙂