Poppy Maysen carries a journal in her purse. Its pages were filled long ago by a man who craved adventure, lived life to the fullest and never failed to make her laugh. The journal is his birthday list—one she vows to complete.She’ll do the things he wanted to do most. Because maybe, just maybe, if she can finish his list, she can start to live again. Poppy expects going through the birthday list … through the birthday list will be hard. She expects it to hurt. But what she doesn’t expect is Cole. Could the man who watched her heart shatter be the one to put it back together again?
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5 stars is not enough!! How lucky is Poppy to find love twice in her life? My emotions were all over the place with this book!
Once I read the blurb, I knew I was going to have to read this novel. I went in expecting it to be an emotional cryfest of a book. While it was emotional, it was much more about overcoming an impossible loss and learning that you can live again.
This is my 3rd book by Perry and it was much different than Gypsy King and Riven Knight yet, it still pulled me in which I am learning is just how good this author is.
After suffering from the loss of her husband Poppy is determined to finish the birthday list he started. A list compiled of adventures he wanted to complete every year for his birthday. Poppy sets off to finish this list in the hopes it will let her start to move on from the man she has held on to for five years. Poppy is on a mission to complete Jamie’s list when she has a chance encounter with Cole, the police officer who changed her life forever one night five years ago. She feels this instant connection with Cole, but Poppy isn’t ready for that feeling just yet.
The Birthday List gives you all the feels! I laughed in some parts and deeply felt Poppy’s loss in others. This slow burn will leave you wanting to read more novels like this. A five-star story of learning to live again.
The Birthday List is the one Devney Perry book I always recommend. It holds a special place and it remains a favorite, even after years.
The emotional journey Poppy undergoes is beautiful, despite the torrential tears. She is left to pick up the pieces of her life after her husband died during a robbery. She is filled with guilt, yet she needs to find the strength to continue living. She is strong yet vulnerable, and it’s simply mesmerizing. Poppy’s dreams are blurred with her former husband and she will embark on a journey that will lead her to meet Cole. And he is simply perfect.
The Birthday List is an epic love story about second chances, finding yourself, and relearning to live. As Poppy says, “Maybe I didn’t have to be strong enough to banish the pain away all by myself. Maybe being strong meant learning to lean on those who would take some of the pain away.”
Such a good book. You get to see the aftermath of loss and learning how to piece yourself back together. Loved cole. He was amazing and so patient even though he loved poppy he never pushed. He was just always there for her. He was a shoulder to cry on and a friend in time of need. He was just her support. Loved all the way he showed he loved her without saying it. And then when they finally came together. Wow. So hot. Loved it.
The Birthday List was a fabulous slow burn and friends to lovers to romance. The story centered around the widowed Poppy who’s trying to move on, remembering and letting go of her deceased husband. It was beautifully executed all thanks to a birthday list.
I absolutely adored every character in this story. From Poppy to the amazing Cole the cop, to her brother Finn and her sister in law Molly just to name a few.
The friendship and romance between Poppy and Cole was fabulous and delivered all the feels. A beautiful courtship.
I felt Poppy’s struggle with herself about all that comes with accepting and letting go of a loved one. Also Cole who’s so understanding and wanting to the right thing and taking it slow with Poppy. The pace of the story was just right when it comes to the topic it takes on.
The epilogue left me happy and also very intrigued with the Molly’s book. I’m definitely going back for more at The Maysen Jar.
4 In a Heartbeat Stars
Melissa Moran and Jeremy York really brought this book to life! Their voices fit Cole and Poppy so well, I had no trouble envisioning them in my mind.
As for the story..You can never go wrong picking up a Devney Perry book. She tore my heart a part and pieced it back together. Her books always contain well rounded characters that add to the already perfect setting and makes you feel like you’re in Montana. The Birthday List is the second book in the Mauser Jar series I have read and can’t wait to start on my adventure by reading the next book in the series.
The Birthday List is a story of loss and new beginnings. I can see how some might find it inspirational. When life deals you a devastating blow, it’s easy to wallow in grief. The fact that Poppy is motivated to get back up and push through her pain is wonderful.
Cole is amazingly supportive of Poppy and so patient. Most of the items on the birthday list are fun, and the way Poppy and Cole work together as a dedicated team to check off all the items is nice. I also really enjoyed the concept of Poppy’s clever restaurant, The Maysen Jar. Randall, her grumpy loyal customer, is a hoot.
The story is super slow, though, and I admit I grew tired of the list. Also, the romantic aspect is too sappy for my taste. Cole’s dialog, in particular, seems overly sweet and unnatural. He lays it on thick with the constant “my Poppy,” and “beautiful Poppy.” I think the narrator’s delivery contributes to the saccharine nature even though his voice is pleasant. The female narrator enunciates every syllable. It makes her easy to understand, which is a good thing. It’s just that rather than being absorbed in the plot, I was reminded that I was listening to someone read a book.
It’s a nice story, but it didn’t give me all the feels. I tend to be a picky audiobook listener, so perhaps I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind to truly enjoy this book.
Most likely my favorite book of the year. I’m so in love with Cole.
sweet story
nie balance between dram, grief, friendship and romance.
It was nice that it was straight forward without any crazy twist.
Loved this book. Great characters and unusual situation.
Really enjoyed this book!
Well done – birthday list aids in grieving process and moves the story along nicely
Sweet, not totally realistic relationships…but I rooted for main characters. Enjoyable, light read.
Loooooooved this book! Couldn’t put it down! 🙂 Emotional yet happy read.
It was a good read. I enjoyed it and the story was well put together.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was unique and seeing the story unfold through my home town was really fun.
Fun book
Tedious and boring.