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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The Birthday list was phenomenal. There are so many emotions that this book brings out sadness, love, happiness, joy. It makes you think, you laugh you cry it just reaches your inner core. It is beautifully written. It will definitely be a book I will read again and again. Devney is such a phenomenal writer you just don’t want the book to ever end. As with Devney’s other books this one is a definite must read. I highly recommend this author and this book.
Another amazing read by Devney Perry!! Everything she writes is great but this book surpassed my expectations, very emotional and well written story. You will have all the feels
This was a stay-up-all-night read. I one-more-chaptered myself until 3 am in the morning because I couldn’t bear to put it down without finishing it in one sitting. Simply beautiful and a story that I will be thinking about (and rereading) for a long time to come. I may even have to make my own birthday list.
This story was both heart wrenching and heartwarming. Devney masterfully weaves together grief and joy as Poppy learns to live again after losing her college sweetheart and husband. While uniquely her own, Poppy’s journey from heartbreak to healing to happiness is one that anybody who has ever lost someone can relate to and learn from. Great pacing has you swiping page after page, brilliantly fleshed out characters draw your full emotional investment (including the supporting cast who are entertainment in their own right), and the powerful language does Poppy’s story justice.
After reading all five of the Jamison Valley books, I was not quite reading to leave those characters but this book was worth the departure from Prescott. While still carrying her unique and powerful voice, this book is a more deeply emotional journey that Devney’s other books that will have you smiling through your tears. And it is worth every one of them. It also cements that I will one-click and read anything that Devney Perry writes in the future without hesitation.
I’d read it again “in a heartbeat.”
I won’t lie- I was nervous to start something completely new from Devney. The characters that I had grown to love over the past five books from the Jamison Valley series weren’t going to be in this book. It was taking me out of my element.
But I dove in with an open mind, and finding myself falling head over heels for this book. It was a story about love, healing, finding yourself, family, friends, dreams and one epic “bucket list.” And in Devney fashion, she pulled me in from the first chapter. Poppy was a character that you couldn’t help but feel for and relate to. Cole was patient, caring and extremely sexy. I wouldn’t mind if he came to my local dojo sometime soon! Devney is one of my absolute favorite authors out there and this books has jumped up to be one of my favorites for 2018. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. Highly recommend it to all!
I also expect two new books to come out of this one. I need more now. 😉
Oh my gawd!!! This book! This absolutely beautiful, heartfelt book! There are really no words to describe how amazing it is or how it made me feel as I moved through the story. I am not a writer but it is at times like this that I wish I had the talent to express how incredible a story is and how it touched my heart and my soul.
After the death of her husband, Jamie, Poppy is struggling to find some closure even as she lives with the heavy weight of guilt upon her shoulders. Before his death, her husband made a list of things he wanted to do each year prior to his birthday. Taking the task upon herself, Poppy sets out to fulfill the list, knowing it may take her years. The first is opening her own restaurant.
Cole is one of the good guys. He believes in second chances much as someone in his past extended another chance to him. When he meets Poppy he is instantly drawn to her. He acknowledges that the look in her eyes is from a deep sadness and he’d like nothing more than to help chase the sorrow away.
Learning of Poppy’s determination to check off items from her husband’s list, he offers her his help. He hopes that along the way she will come to trust and rely upon him, smile with true delight at him, and dare he hope, grow to have feelings for him.
I have without question fallen irresistibly in love with Cole Goodman. I cannot recall another hero that has ever taken over my heart as quickly nor as thoroughly as Cole. His sole dedication once meeting Poppy was to help her to move on. And yet, he never expected to replace Jamie in her heart. He was so patient and caring, tender and giving. How could you not fall in love with such a man who’s every moment was centered on the heroine in some manner?
Watching the strength it took for Poppy to move forward was inspirational. She may have started out broken but with each checkmark she grew in confidence toward a life that held hope.
There were so many moments that broke my heart before bringing the pieces back together assuring me that these characters were stronger with each step they took. It’s definitely a story of “incredible coincidences” that were completely believable. The secondary characters were extraordinary. They added such richness and texture to the book without stealing the focal point. While this is a bit of a slow burn, it was within reason and understandable. The journey this couple took could not be rushed. And I loved every moment of it.
If anyone should ask if you will be reading The Birthday List, you’re prompt reply can only be, “In a heartbeat!”
“Maybe being strong meant learning to lean on those who would take some of the pain away”
Wow. 5 absolutely BEAUTIFUL stars! The prologue gutted my heart but the story that unfolded after was beautiful.
Poppy is a strong female lead and the way her story unfolds is amazing. I was sad to see this story end!
I am a huge fan of Devney Perry since The Jamison Valley series, so I was super excited that she was releasing a new book. I knew it was going to be different since it was a brand new book with new characters, but I was so excited to read it. Once again, Devney didn’t disappoint. This was a beautiful book about love, loss, and healing. You will definitely feel everything about this book. Whether you’ve read a book by Devney before or not, this is one book you will not want to miss.
Poppy is so sweet. I loved her character so much. She is happily married to the love of her life, until tragedy strikes. My heart broke for her and I hated seeing her so lost. She is so in love with Jamie that she doesn’t think she could be with anyone ever again.
”Even thinking about being with another man made my heart hurt. I couldn’t do that to Jamie. Not yet. Maybe not ever.”
Poppy is determined to complete her husband’s birthday list, with the hope that it will give her some closure and she can try to move on with her life.
”I hoped that this list was his way of guiding me through the grief. I hoped that this was his way of helping me say goodbye. I hoped that this as his way of leading me to a new life. One filled with smiles. With laughter. One filled with love.”
Cole is simply amazing. He’s gorgeous and funny and smart. Cole was the one that delivered the news to Poppy about her husband. He never expected to come across her again after that night, but when he does, he’s immediately attracted to her.
”When her smile came back to me, my heart jumped in a strange rhythm- almost like it skipped a beat. I’d never felt anything like it before.”
Cole knows that he has to tread lightly with Poppy because she’s still grieving and he doesn’t want to push her away.
”Poppy was attracted to me. She felt the chemistry between us. And it terrified her. If my intuitions were right- and they usually were- i was the first man she’d been attracted to since her husband, and if I wanted the chance to explore things with her, I couldn’t spook her by moving too fast.”
I loved every single word of this book. Devney has knocked it out of the park with this beautiful story. I’m hoping that she writes another book about characters in this story because I would love to see what happens. I would one hundred percent recommend that you grab this book. I promise it will be the best decision you ever make.
5 Beautiful Stars!
Having loved Devney’s Jamison Valley series, I was excited to see what she had up her sleeve in her next book. I was simply blown away! Devney has a way of writing an emotional story that still has plenty of humor and heart. Cole and Poppy as such endearing characters that I felt myself becoming so emotionally invested in their stories. This is a beautiful story about not taking moments for granted and really living life to the fullest. It is also a story that is going to stay with me for a long time. I really can’t wait to read Devney’s next book. She has quickly become one of my must read authors.
I love it when you read a book and the author manages to create a story you wish in many ways was real.
You wish the characters were real people whom you could come into contact with and make friends with. And mainly, you wish the locations were real locations you could actually visit. Because I want to go to the Maysen Jar.
I want to go in and eat all the delicious recipes created by Poppy out of a jar. I want to sit on a stool at the bar with Randall and Jimmy. Although I don’t fancy the pool of green Jell-O!!
This story was absolute perfection and I was totally swept away by the story, the characters and the original plot line. It was sweet and romantic, with just the right amount of emotion too.
The emotion levels in this story are high at the beginning. The tears definitely flowed, but there is also so much hope and so much strength and looking forward to the future. It’s a story that felt very real.
I don’t want to give too much away or spoil anything, but this is one of my absolute MUST-READS for the year so far. You will fall in love with all of the characters, especially Poppy and Cole.
This story will break you but then heal you again. Cole is everything! His patience and understanding… His kindness and the love he has to offer…
A story that had me laughing and crying, out of sadness but also from happiness. Filled to the brim with hope, healing and moving on in the hardest of times.
Just read this book!
It was simply a beautiful and heartfelt story. A must read book. I definitely recommend this book and this author.
I will say that I was skeptical at first of this book, but only because it involves the death of a spouse. Poppy Maysen is left to pick up the pieces of her life after her husband is murdered in a liquor store robbery. Jamie Maysen was intent on making a birthday list of all the things he wanted to accomplish. Now with him gone, Poppy feels she needs to complete the list for him. Struggling with moving on and gaining closure, we follow her through the ups and downs while completing the list.
Cole Goodman, the police officer who was sent to inform Poppy of her husbands death, becomes instantly infatuated with Poppy. Drawn to her, Cole agrees to help Poppy finish the list and help her move forward with her life. I felt so bad for Poppy at times, trying to learn how to navigate her life and still feeling the pain of losing her husband to such tragic circumstances. But other times I was enamored with her strength and the way she found closure.
I felt all kinds of emotions while reading this book. There was humor mixed in with a little bit of mystery and emotions while Poppy learns to let go and open her heart up to love again. This book has been tagged as a standalone but I can’t help but hope that Ms. Perry gives us Molly and Finn’s story, 2 major secondary characters who I absolutely love and I would love to see more from.
Every so often a book comes along and it touches your heart in a way that you never expected, this is one of those books. This book is about love and loss, grieving and trying to move on with life in a way that preserves the memory, and finding a way to enjoy life and accept the possibility that love can still be found despite these changes.
Poppy loses her husband in a robbery shooting that goes unsolved. Very tragic since it was on the eve of their first anniversary. After grieving for 5 years she is determined to do the things he wanted to do before his life was stolen from him as a means to find a way to move past her grief.
Cole has always wanted to be a police officer, but the hardest thing he had to do was tell a woman that her husband had been killed. Years later their paths cross again and he is drawn to her.
Pick up this book to see what happens as Cole helps Poppy to complete her husband’s Birthday List. Even if this book isn’t your normal thing. I highly recommend you to take the chance, I can’t see how you’ll regret it.
One thing that I can say about Devney Perry, is that she gives us a well thought out, raw and emotional story that will leave you begging for more. The Birthday List is no different. I found myself gutted after that first chapter but beaming and so in love with it by the last chapter. Poppy had been through so much but I loved that she was a fighter and wanted to honor the memories of her husband via the list that he created for his birthdays. Enter Cole, who fell for Poppy so fast regardless of everything that was going on. I loved their banter. But what I really loved the most was Cole’s devotion to Poppy and keeping the memories of her husband alive. Even when things come to light, they stand by each other with little bumps in the road.
Overall, this story is an heartbreaking emotional ride. You feel what Poppy does as she navigates through breaking free from the past and finally living. I really do not know what it is about Perry but her words are just brilliant. And I cannot get enough. There is just the right amount of passion and romance mixed with an amazing back story that keeps you on your toes. If you have not picked up a book by Devney Perry, I highly recommend this one. Then hop and click her Jamison Valley series. This author’s words are pure gold.
The Birthday List is touching, heartfelt and moving . . . it’s a story of love, loss, hope, finding love again and really living! That’s exactly what Poppy is trying to do—live again.
Losing the love of her life has left Poppy sad and depressed. She’s trying to find her way back to herself—to find the happiness and joy in life, even though Jamie isn’t by her side any more. It’s taken her years to get to this point, but she’s determined to finish the birthday list Jamie’s started shortly before his death. The list is comprised of wild and crazy things that Jamie wanted to do and maybe by finishing this list, Poppy will finally really be ready to live again.
While taking on each task is difficult, Poppy’s found an unexpected assistant, one Cole Goodman. After delivering the tragic news of Jamie’s death, Cole never forgot the beautiful woman who touched his heart that day with her stoicism. A chance meeting opens the door to a special friendship with Poppy and hopefully the potential for more . . . now they just need to tackle the list.
So, I am challenged a bit by my feelings for Poppy. I struggled to connect with her. I really wanted to because her story, her grief should have dragged me down into her sorrow and pulled me out as she found her way through. But . . . err . . . I found myself getting frustrated with her and what sometimes seemed as lip service to really wanting to find her way through to a future with Cole.
But Cole. Man, I adored him and his infinite amounts of patience and care. His willingness to make whatever needed to happen for Poppy to complete the list happen. He and his big ol’ heart of gold made their romance so wonderful. He was the perfect hero in this story. And ultimately what saved it for me. ~ Missy, 3.5 stars
5 “Minute by Minute” Stars!!!
Devney Perry delivers a heart warming beautiful addictive read. I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster Poppy’s journey would take me on but oh what a ride! Just from the prologue I knew The Birthday List would be a story that would stay with me even after I’d finished it. This book broke my heart and then slowly put it back together in the best way. It’s about letting go, taking risks, and second chances. There is not a single thing I did not love about this story!
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
this is a story of a loss no one can imagine going through and learning to live again. Poppy is a widow. she hates that word. She needs to live again but doesn’t know how. until Cole shows her. I loved this story! it tugged at my heart and I couldn’t put it down.
I’m not sure a book has ever given me chills in the opening prologue but Devney Perry managed to accomplish that for me with The Birthday List. This book broke my heart and put it back together minute by minute.
This book filled me with so many emotions. My soul is happy after reading this beautiful story. Devney’s writing comes from a very special place. Her stories are so well thought out and you can feel her passion when you read them. The Birthday List will stay with me forever.
I already adored Devney Perry’s writing. I’ve been devouring every book she’s written the second they’re released since I read her debut novel. But The Birthday List is by far the most incredible book Devney Perry has written yet. Beautiful, emotional, powerfully moving. The Birthday List is an absolute must read.
I’ll warn you now, you’re going to need tissues for this one. Poppy and Cole’s story is quite an emotional journey. Dealing with loss, grief, healing, and overflowing with love I was constantly reaching for the tissues while reading this. Devney’s incredible writing brings these characters to life in a way that makes you feel like you’re side by side with them on this journey. I was thoroughly wrapped up in all things Poppy and Cole from the very first page until the beautiful end.
Poppy is one of my favorite characters of all time. Devoted, kind, incredibly strong, and so real. It was easy to become completely lost to her story while reading. Cole was just as amazing himself. His unending gentleness and kindness made him impossible to not fall in love. Their emotional journey to happiness surrounded by amazing friends and family is one that will forever remain on my favorites list.
This book has all the feels!!! Poppy has lost her husband. She knows she needs to move on and sets out to complete her husband’s birthday list. A list of things he would like to do by certain birthdays. The first on the list is karate. While there she runs into Cole, who was the young cop who originally came to her house to tell her about her husband’s death. Cole is the perfect hero and is so patient. The only thing he wants is to spend the rest of his life with Poppy. But first, he is going to help her complete Jamie’s list. Get ready for Devney Perry’s quirky characters who you will fall in love with. A case in point is Randall, the grumpy old man who patronizes her restaurant, The Maysen Jar. This is a book you definitely do not want to miss!! 5 stars all the way
In A Heartbeat!
Poppy’s a young widow deciding to fulfill her late husband’s Birthday List. A list of things he wanted to do by a certain birthday.
Cole the police officer who had to bring her the news of her husband’s death now 5 years later he’s the man to help fulfill her husband’s list and hopefully help her move on.
I loved this story so full of emotions and showing an amazing way to show love that we need to let go of so we can move on to a beautiful story. Devney brought a great story to life!