The Birthday List

I’m super excited to read this story!

OMG! What did I just read? You know when a book hits you so hard you can’t stop thinking about it? The hardest thing for me is to write a cohesive review when I absolutely loved a book, so here I am, struggling.

The Birthday List gave me the first hangover of the year. This book is touching, fun and sexy. I can’t put into words the love I feel for those characters. All of them have a special place in my heart.

This is one of those novels you know you will reserve a moment to reread every year because it has the power to fulfill all your romance reader needs.

Make yourself a favor and get it. This was my first Devney Perry Book and I will be reading EVERYTHING by her from now on. Excuse me while I get ready to binge!

The Birthday List is the best book written by Devney Perry. I instantly fell in love with this book and gave me some serious feels. I was so hooked to the story that I never wanted to put this book down. It was addictive, heartfelt, sad, bittersweet, funny, and had so much charm and heart.

Cole and Poppy were such wonderful characters that I absolutely loved with all my heart. Poppy was a wife grieving years after her husbands death and was finally ready to take steps to move forward with her life. She was so great and I empathized with her. I loved that she was determined to finish everything on her husbands birthday list. Then we have the sexy cop, Cole. Cole only met Poppy once before, on the worse day of her life, but he can’t deny that years later he an undeniable attraction to her. I loved how easily he slipped into Poppy’s life. He was so supportive of her plan to complete the birthday list, was helpful, and understanding. Basically he is the perfect book boyfriend and exactly what Poppy needed.

I fell so hard for this amazing story. It took my breath away and blew my mind. I was very apprehensive going into this book because I have not been a fan of her Jamison Valley series, but I’m so glad I gave this book a try because I loved it right away. It even has its funny moments that had me laughing out loud. Randall and Jimmy are two hilarious characters. This book is so worth reading and it is one of my favorites. I will definitely be reading this book again.

My only issue with this book that made me slightly annoyed was the fact that Poppy was too into her brother Finn and his ex-wife/Poppy’s best friends relationship. I didn’t think it was her place to act like what Molly did wasn’t so bad because Finn was caught up in work and ignored wife. She even acted like Finn was in the wrong for not forgiving her and getting back with her. I get that’s her family and they were great together as a couple, but it wasn’t her place to get involved in their relationship after their divorce.

Anyways I highly recommend this book. Especially for those who may not have loved her Jamison Valley series and are hesitant about this one. It is really worth the read. Devney Perry is a very talented writer.

Devney Perry has perfected sweet and sexy storytelling. The Birthday List had been recommended to me by multiple people for quite some time and I’m so glad I finally took their advice. This book will leave you misty, swooning and also with a smile on your face.

Loss…..it is consuming and drains you of your sanity at times. For Poppy Maysen – the last five years have been spent just going through the motions of day to day life. The reason that Poppy is struggling to put one foot in front of the other? The death of Poppy’s husband Jamie, a profound and unexpected occurrence. The two were just getting started living out their hopes and dreams. Now – Poppy must find the drive to live without the man of her dreams.

In line with Jamie’s carefree spirit, he created a list that was casually named the Birthday List. A catalog of events that Jamie wanted to complete during his time on Earth. With Jamie’s sudden death, there were items on the list that he never completed. Determined to keep Jamie’s memory alive, Poppy decides to complete the items on the list. A chance for Poppy to honor the man she loved and give herself a chance to heal the hole left upon her heart.

Nothing prepares a police officer for the hard parts of the job. For Cole Goodman – the night he had to notify Poppy that her husband has died has stuck in his mind for years. Time may have passed, but the memory remains. When Poppy and Cole crossed paths again, Cole couldn’t help remember how the memories of that fateful night touched his soul. As fate would have it, Poppy ran into Cole while tackling an item on the Birthday List. Cole couldn’t explain how that affected him, but his desire to help Poppy kicked into high gear.

One never knows how fate will play a part in life. For Poppy and Cole – the task to complete the list will lead them on an adventure of a lifetime. Can a tragedy from the past lead to a lifetime of new memories?

First let me start off by saying I paused at reading the Birthday List when it first came out. While I love Devney Perry books, I was scared that this would be an epic tear jerker that my heart couldn’t take at the time. Staring at that cover was torture. As a lover of gardening….the siren’s call of that Poppy just ‘spoke’ to me. Tempting me to open the cover and just read!!

What I discovered when diving into the Birthday List was definitely nothing like I expected. It was a story that gripped me from the first chapter, and kept me locked to the words upon the pages. Poppy’s loss was significant, and played a huge part in where her future would lead. This was an emotional read that inspired your soul while leading you on a journey of angst, second chances, and inspirational moments.

Everything about the Birthday List ignited my soul!! The feelings that these characters bring to the novel are truly inspirational. The feeling of losing yourself in the writing of Devney Perry will captivate you from the very first page! Definitely one of my top reads of the year!!

*4,5 stars*
This author has been on my tbr list for a while now and after being recommended this book, I finally got a chance to read it. I really enjoyed it and the story really made you feel all of these emotions that makes you want to grab some tissues. You can’t help but loving this story and the sentiment that is behind the words. This definitely won’t be my last one from this author 🙂

Poppy has lost her husband in a tragic way and is trying to deal with it the best she can. Even when time has passed, she still finds it difficult to move on. Now after realising one of their dreams and working with her best friend, she decides to do all the things that her husband wrote on a birthday list. Taking it step by step and day by day to check everything from the list.
The day Cole steps back into her life, she starts to feel again and he helps her in so many ways.
Will she be able to do all the things her husband never got to do? Will she ever know who killed the person she loved most? And will she and Cole get a chance for love?…

It was after I devoured The Coppersmith Farmhouse in a matter of hours, then proceeded to binge-read the rest of the Jamison Valley Series just in time for the release of The Bitterroot Inn, that I knew I had found a new favorite author in Devney Perry. Her books were reminiscent of Kristen Ashley’s, with this effortlessly cool vibe as well as storylines and characters that tugged on your heartstrings. After the reading the blurb for her newest release, The Birthday List, I was particularly excited to get started on this book for its unique premise, which led the heroine on a quest to fulfill her deceased husband’s version of a bucket list. The Birthday List is a heartfelt journey about grieving, healing, and starting over, but it’s also a swoon-worthy, hopelessly romantic love story that’ll make you believe in the power of fate. This combination makes for an emotionally compelling, riveting page-turner that’ll keep you hooked from start to finish.

When Poppy Maysen first met Cole Goodman, he was the officer delivering the devastating news of her husband’s murder. It isn’t until five years later that the two meet again, this time drawn together by fate and Poppy’s determination to complete her husband’s birthday list before her self-imposed deadline. Each chapter in the book brings new challenges for Poppy as well as Cole, a willing participant in her mission to accomplish every goal on the list, no matter how silly, bizarre, or boundary-pushing. It’s through this experience that the two forge a bond of friendship with the potential for something more. With their potent chemistry and undeniable spark of attraction, a romance between Poppy and Cole would seem like a foregone conclusion. Their situation is much more complex, however, leading to a slow-burning romance rife with conflicting emotions.

What starts as an effort to give herself closure after her husband’s death turns into a journey of self-discovery for Poppy. Her journey brings moments of happiness and heartache, as well as moments of hope and despair. The narrative is weighted and intense at times, evoking so many heartbreakingly beautiful and gut-wrenching emotions, but there’s also a lightheartedness to the story that’ll bring a smile on your face. And what would a great romance novel be without a swoon-worthy hero? Cole breathes life and energy into every chapter, making readers fall in love with the strong, capable Alpha-male with a gentle, giving, compassionate side. The man effortlessly evokes sighs and swoons with every word he utters and every move he makes. Cole is the perfect counterpart to Poppy, handling her with care even as he bulldozes his way into every aspect of her life.

With The Birthday List, Devney Perry continues to impress me with her brilliant storytelling abilities. Every character, big or small, has a purpose, enriching the story with their appearance, however brief it may be. The writing is so beautifully descriptive, you feel like you’re wandering the streets of Bozeman alongside Poppy and Cole, and so powerfully evocative, it’s impossible not to become emotionally invested in these characters and their story. The Birthday List is a must-read and is sure to be on my list of top favorites of the year.

*complimentary copy provided by author for an honest review

The Birthday List is such beautiful, emotional, heartbreaking and powerful story! I love the journey that the author took us on with Poppy & Cole, as she truly started the healing process of moving forward after her husband’s death. I can’t say enough good things about this story as it really was incredible.

And the book was set in Montana…….being from the state myself, how could I not love it? She captured the feel of the town perfectly – absolutely made me miss home and everything about the area.

This was my first book from this author…..and it will not be my last. I cannot wait to read more from her in the future!

What a beautiful, heartfelt story!! Where was this story when I was widowed at 31 years of age? I could have used a great book to read instead of the lack of compassion in the world. The author put into words a struggle that can be so difficult that brought on empathy.

How could she not fall for Cole. He oozes maleness filled with compassion and understanding. WOW!!!

The Birthday List is the struggle to say goodbye while honoring Poppy’s late husband. He had put together a list he wanted to accomplish before his birthdays. Poppy took on the challenge learning to say goodbye and acceptance along the way. A definite must reread!!!!

I only discovered Devney Perry’s writing a few months ago, and fell in love with her – so was super excited at the opportunity to read an ARC for this new book.

I adored these characters – all of them. But Cole was completely and utterly swoon worthy.

My heart broke for Poppy. Being married, I can’t even begin to fathom losing my husband. How to function with half of you missing. Devney’s writing really gives you an understanding of Poppy’s grief and strength in trying to overcome such a tragic loss.

The character of Cole is absolutely beautiful, and is most definitely my favourite character in the book. I would be more than happy to read an entire spin off book, of just Cole! He is a sensitive, romantic and gentle soul. But even with these traits, Devney is also able to make him come across very much an alpha male.

My only reason for not rating it 5 stars was that I think it took too long to get to Cole’s “angst” in the story line. I don’t want to write more than that, as I don’t want to put in a spoiler, but I personally would of preferred for this section to have somehow be written earlier into the book.

Aside from this, I loved this book. It has reaffirmed why I am so pleased to have discovered Devney Perry.

* I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy for Reading Tigress *