Published by Random House Publishing on July 2, 2013
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Rating:
Goodreads
In this utterly charming debut — one woman sets out to complete her old list of childhood goals, and finds that her lifelong dreams lead her down a path she never expects.
1. Go to Paris
2. Perform live, on a super big stage
3. Have a baby, maybe two
4. Fall in love
Brett Bohlinger has forgotten all about the list of life goals she’d written as a naïve teenager. In fact, at thirty-four, Brett seems to have it all—a plum job at her family’s multimillion-dollar company and a spacious loft with her irresistibly handsome boyfriend. But when her beloved mother, Elizabeth, dies, Brett’s world is turned upside down. Rather than simply naming her daughter the new CEO of Bohlinger Cosmetics, Elizabeth’s will comes with one big stipulation: Brett must fulfill the list of childhood dreams she made so long ago.
Grief-stricken, Brett can barely make sense of her mother’s decision. Some of her old hopes seem impossible. How can she possibly have a relationship with a father who died seven years ago? Other dreams (Be an awesome teacher!) would require her to reinvent her entire future. For each goal attempted, her mother has left behind a bittersweet letter, offering words of wisdom, warmth, and—just when Brett needs it—tough love.
As Brett struggles to complete her abandoned life list, one thing becomes clear: Sometimes life’s sweetest gifts can be found in the most unexpected places.
Brett was mentally preparing herself for all the ways she expected her life to change following her mother's death, but she was thrown for a loop at the reading of the will to find her mother had other plans for her. Her challenge was to complete the life list she created over twenty years ago. Initially, Brett could not believe the way her mother was turning her life upside down, but as she worked through the list, she found clarity, happiness, and rediscovered her spirit and passion.
You know how you get an email when you return a book, and it contains recommendation? This book was on a one of those recent emails. The author was new-to-me, but my daughter had watched the adaptation and said it was good. I am so glad I gave this book a go because it was the type of up-lit story I love.
I won't lie, I was a little frustrated with Brett's mother at times. I didn't understand why Brett had to relinquish the lifestyle she was accustomed to in order to take this personal journey, but I suppose that which does not break us makes us stronger. Regardless, this was an incredible journey filled with so many new and enlightening life experiences. Brett was definitely pushed outside her comfort zone, time and time again, and I liked that everything was not obvious.
I had fun comparing the notes with my daughter. They made a LOT of changes for the adaptation, and one involved the romantic subplot. Now that I have finished the book, I have no idea why they changed that because it was fantastic! Absolutely loved where the author went with that. I uttered, "This is so much better!," when it was revealed.
This is my bread and butter. I love a healing journey, and this one was filled with so much emotion. The letters from Brett's mother were such a beautiful touch, and I liked that they delivered advice and encouragement to Brett while also allowing me to get to know her mother a bit.
Brett's life changed vastly over the year she spent trying to complete her life list. Her source of strength came from her mother, herself, and a bunch of people who were new or back in her life. Her world grew as she grew, and there were a ton of feel-good moments for me to celebrate with her. Overall, this was a lovely story that tugged at my heartstrings and made the happy tears flow.
Published by Four Petal Press on November 16, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
Two old friends, a snowed in cabin, and a mission to save Creekville’s Christmas…Taylor Bixby is content running her café and watching her customers fall in love, even though she’s dodged Cupid and mistletoe for years. It helps that the love of her life—her best friend—has no idea how she feels. he’s been gone for four years reporting from war zones, so she’s never had to risk him finding out.Until he walks into her café without warning.Levi Barrett is back in Creekville to fix what he broke four years ago. Even though Taylor doesn’t share the feelings he’s fought since college, he misses his best friend too much to let their friendship fade. Small she's going to sitcom level lengths to avoid him. But he sees his chance to make things right when catastrophe threatens the town’s most beloved holiday tradition.It’s simple. They just need to outrun the blizzard of the decade to wrangle eight grumpy rental reindeer…and escape a snowbound cabin in a forest riddled with absurd amounts of mistletoe. Oh, and restore a little boy’s faith in Santa.Christmas needs saving, but is Taylor willing to try when it means risking her secrets for the only man to ever break her heart?Revisit charming Creekville in this standalone Christmas novella full of the angst and hilarity that only happens when two best friends fall in love...
It had been four years since Taylor saw her best friend Levi, but he was back in town and old feelings resurface as Taylor sets out to save Christmas for her nephew and the town of Creekville.
This book was such a gem! This is exactly what I want in a holiday book. Fun and festive and sweet and adorable. I spent a lot of time in a giddy state with a stupid grin on my face as I listened to this book. I loved Taylor and Levi's history, their meddling families, and all the holiday antics that ensued. The storyline involving Taylor's nephew was heartwarming and precious, and I simply had a wonderful Christmas time with everyone in Creekville.
Overall, I had a wonderful first visit to Creekville, and I plan on returning there soon. This book was filled with warmth and humor which kept me laughing and smiling throughout.
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