When Andrew Craig dies, he leaves his brother Jason a list of places that he wanted to visit but couldn’t. Attending a school reunion, London, Stonehenge, these are all on the list and Jason is determined to cross everything off and work through his grief at the same time.Closeted soap actor Mark Wesley is shocked when a blast from the past looks him up, and devastated when he realizes he will … he will never have a chance to make things right.
Together Jason and Mark agree to work on the list. But what happens when Jason and Mark grow closer, when passion and even love begins to grow?
Was this what Andrew wanted to happen all along between his brother and his friend?
NB: Originally a short unfinished blog story, readers of RJ’s blog insisted the story be expanded and finished and she listened to them. With twenty five thousand words added, expansion of the story line, and more scenes set in the UK, this story is very different to how it began.
Word Count: 42,000
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This is a heart-wrenching, romantic and interesting story. When Jason’s brother Andrew dies he begins doing the things that Andrew had put on a bucket list for Jason to do for him. Beginning with seeing their childhood friend Mark, a man that disappeared on them when he and Andrew were 15, and convincing him to attend the 15 year high school reunion coming up. Mark is happy to see Jason, but devastated to learn of Andrew’s death. Mark agrees to go with Jason to the reunion, but only for Andrew. He feels guilty for never having gone back to his hometown to see them and explain why he left. Mark hates that school, having been bullied and humiliated it’s a place he never thought he would never step foot in again. Things don’t go well, the bully is still a bully, and he won’t leave Mark alone. After that disaster he agrees to still continue with the list. First stop is England. While on this trip Mark starts to develop feelings for Jason, while Jason realizes that he never got over his crush on Mark. Mark’s acting career forced him to hide the fact that he is gay, but he finds it harder and harder to try to keep pretending. Their trip is intensely emotional, they cry and they laugh, and fall they in love. I cried throughout the book for all 3 of them. Add this one to your TBR list.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
Jason’s brother, Andrew, died of cancer. Before he died he made a bucket list that he wanted Jason to fulfill. Andrew also wants Jason to go and get his best friend from high school to go with Jason to fulfill his bucket list. Mark hasn’t seen Andrew since high school. He’s a soap star now. He agrees to go with Jason to fulfill the bucket list. I enjoyed this book.
********Contains Spoilers********
I loved this book. I loved the thought of the dead brother and best friend bringing them back together after his death with instructions to complete his bucket list together since he never got to do it. I loved that even though Andrew and Mark hadn’t spoken or seen each other in 18 years he still followed Mark’s career from a far, and that he knew that him and his brother Jason could be great together or at least be friends since he knew that Jason used to have a big crush on Mark, and that Mark never minded that Jason was always hanging around and following them when they were younger. I also liked that when Mark decided to come out to the world it was his idea for the lady who recognised him and took photos of them, she came up to them and told Mark that she’d never release the photos without his permission since she knew that he wasn’t out and he told her that it was totally okay for her to post the photos of them. I also liked that that he came out without all the angst that’s usually written about when someone coming to terms with their feelings and coming out to the world especially when they’re not ready to come out and are forced out of the closet. I’m glad that there was minimal angst as it’s just what I needed to read a slightly sad but heartwarming read. I’d recommend this book and author to anyone.
I loved the premise of this story. What a unique and interesting way to work through grief. And if you reconnect with an old friend and find love along the way? Priceless! What a fitting tribute to his brother.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
RJ Scott pens a wonderful heartfelt story that will leave you breathless as the last page is read. THE BUCKET LIST is sweet, and you cannot help but feel for Jason and Mark as they try to work through their grief over Andrew’s passing. The story flows smoothly and the reader gets a sense of who Jason, Andrew and Mark are and as Jason and Mark deal with their grief and do Andrew’s bucket list items, the reader is rooting for these two to fall for one another and find happiness with each other. I love this author’s work and THE BUCKET LIST does not disappoint. With her trademark writing style, the author delivers a story that touches the heart and delivers a satisfying romance that will leave you clamoring for more from this author.
Meet Jason and Mark. Jason’s brother was terminally ill and made a bucket l ist for Jason to do for himself and Andrew’s son, Harry. What Jason finds is more than even he imagined as he touches base with Mark Wesley left me on the edge my seat as sparks fly fast between these two men. The author delivers a set of main characters that even as one is not physically in the story, Andrew figures prominently throughout the entire book in some shape or form. The characters are well written, and I enjoyed reading about Jason and Mark a lot.
Secrets, chemistry and more are abounded in THE BUCKET LIST and I love how the author delivers on so many things within the story. If you enjoy a heartfelt story that will steal your heart right off the bat, then you need to get this book. Be prepared to cry a few tears and smile a lot as you root for Jason and Mark to be together. I love RJ’s writing style and look forward to seeing where this author goes next.
Jason has promised Andrew that he would find Mark and try to bring him to the reunion. Jason and Mark work on Andrews bucket list. Will Mark and Jason be able to get through the list? This is a very emotional time for Jason. Will Jason find out what really happened? Why Mark left with no word? What will happen when Mark steps back in the town he left a long time ago? How will people react to him?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jason Craig and Mark Westley meet because of a dying wish from Jason’s older brother and Mark’s friend Andrew. There’s a bucket list of things to do and places to go that they were to have shared, and with Andrew gone, it’s up to these two men to fulfill his dying wish and hit every point of the list. What follows is a new-friends-to-lovers tale as well as a coming-out tale. It is bittersweet and poignant, not the usual expectation for a romance, but it works for the way this story has been set up. I love how they become reacquainted in the story and how they help each other weather the grief over Andrew’s passing. It’s a great way to build a relationship on which something deeper can grow and allowed the writer to make their story less about insta-love, though the way she had them exploring their attraction began and continued rather awkwardly as far as I was concerned. A slow burn, low angst story.
The story of Mark and Jason is the kind that will stay with you for a long time afterwards. I love the author’s clever way of weaving a moving story while tackling difficult subjects such as grief management and bullying. I look forward to reading more of her works.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An angel among us
RJ Scott is well-known for sensitive, steamy and beautiful M/M love stories – deservedly so. The Bucket List is a prime example. It starts with a boy – Andrew – who is loyal to his best friend Mark, and to his younger brother, Jason the science nerd. He stands up for them when they are bullied. He keeps their confidences. He hurts when Mark moves away and doesn’t stay in touch. But Andrew grows up, forgives his absent friend, champions his brother when he comes out, marries the woman he adores, and has a little son. Then Andrew dies. He leaves behind a “Bucket List” for his brother Jason – all the things he wanted to do and see, and share with his son. He wants Jason to do these things in his stead, to keep his dreams and his memories alive for his widow and little boy. First item on the list? Find Mark, and the two of them are to attend Andrew’s high school reunion in his place. A grieving Jason begins, reluctantly, to fulfill his brother’s last request. That list proves to be a life-altering catalyst, bringing love, hope, and justice to him, to Mark, and to others in their one-horse boyhood hometown. It’s a sad-sweet story that feels solid and real, and one that deserves to be read and read again.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It’s not often that a book brings tears to my eyes, but this one did from the get go, bring lots of tissues its going to hit you were it hurts. The Bucket List was a wonderful heart filled story, that was well written and a brilliant plot. The main characters were well thought out. Loved it, loved the idea of Jason trying to fulfil his brothers bucket list.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Andrew leaves much not yet done with his death.
intriguing chance for Mark and Jason to live out their lives and love – and make up for some of the things they all missed out on.
intense and emotional m/m romance!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Uplifting! Andrew Craig left his younger brother, Jason his bucket list when he died from cancer. When they were younger, Andrew and Mark were best friends. He had told all his secrets to Andrew. Then Mark abruptly left and eventally becamse a soap opera star. Jason’s initial approach to Mark was interesting but so ill planned, what was he thinking? He finally gets his meeting. Andrew wanted Mark to attend their 15 year reunion where Mark suffered a humiliating event. Mark abruptly left town, Coopers’s Yard after turning 15. When he got old enough, he re-invented himself. He did not know he still had a chance to retain Andrew’s friendship and was devestated to learn Andrew had died. Jason is out and persistent.When he was 12, Jason had a crush on Mark. That is when he realized he was gay. The journey from the reunion to the rest or their lives was cathartic. Did Mark come out? Did he sort through then set down his baggage? Did he find his truth? Great story! I received an ARC from Booksprout for a review.
Jason is on a mission to find Mark, his deceased brother’s childhood best friend, to complete a bucket list that Jason’s brother left. The two reconnect and rediscover their friendship from long ago. Revealing past hurts and secrets, the two go from old acquaintances to friends to possibly more. This story was well written, and written in such a way that the reader could feel the characters’ pain. Jason was a lovely character to see go from dealing with the pain of losing his beloved brother to a stronger and more assertive version of himself. His strength is what helps Mark be strong in a time of pain and conflict. The story was both mildly heartbreaking (reliving Jason’s pain at losing his brother) to emotionally fulfilling.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After the death of his brother, Jason is left with the task of completing Andrew’s Bucket List. One of the items is to locate an old friend Mark who is now a celebrity and bring him home to attend the HS reunion. From the grave Andrew sets the two men up to confront the bullies of the past and find new beginnings with each other. The keeper of the secrets opens closets and brings out love, acceptance and a chance at happiness. This was an emotional journey not only for the characters but for the reader as well. Beautifully written characters and an honest and true coming out storyline make this another great read from RJ Scott.
I have to say that even though I read the blurb and expected the emotions to run high, I was NOT prepared for how the story would hit me. The waterworks were on from the very start and I am really not exaggerating.
There is nothing I didn’t like about the book. A great read plain and simple.
I would rate this 4.5 stars.
Jason contacts Mark about the death of his brother Andrew. Andrew and Mark had been best friends when they were young, but didn’t keep in touch after Mark left town at 15. Now at 33, all the memories Mark buried away are back. It was Andrew’s last wish that Jason complete his bucket list of things he wanted to do and Mark is made a part of it with his 15th high school reunion. Throughout this book they both face grief of a life lost, lost chances, and regret for bad decisions and might have beens. This is tapered with some of the best memories of their lives. Questions of all the missed years are painful. At first, both have things they are hiding; watching them earn those secrets is an emotional rollercoaster. The flashbacks they both have keep the emotional punches coming.
This was a bit unexpectedly triggering for me. Be advised much of this is about child abuse and bullying. The grief and shared history gives them something to bond over initially, but it is being together daily that makes it mean more, letting their relationship blossom. This book come across as very real to me with enough sweet and sexy parts to make it believable they can make it work and not just as a vacation romance. I liked the honest communication between them, both about the past and what they are feeling for each other as it happens. This is about righting old wrongs and really living because life is short, not revenge or comeuppance, although the reader gets a bit of that too.
The Bucket List is an amazing and emotional piece of work by R.J. Scott. Jason’s brother Andrew has passed away and he has to fulfill his bucket list as his dying last request of him. The first order of business is to find his childhood friend Mark – as Mark and Jason begin it’s a matter of facing bullies and realizing that maybe Andrew put this together so Mark and Jason could find love in one another.
The author has written a bittersweet, beautiful, engaging, powerful, grab-you-by-the-feels, sexy, and totally awesome tale.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The title says it all without saying anything. It’s almost like a rabbit hole. This author has an amazing way to word things that keeps you turning pages. I love it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Each page of The Bucket List brought out a new emotion tugging at my head. Jason and Mark’s journey, both literally and sentimentally, is rough and gut-wrenching. I loved how they supported and comforted each other while making Andrew’s last wishes a reality.
The bond between Mark and Jason is so sweet. When they’re most vulnerable they find strength in one another and soon ,a connection born out of shared memories, affection and overpowering grief turns into something so much more binding: love.
The Bucket List is an incredible story:beautiful characters, raw and intense feelings, passion and love. I loved everything about it and I can’t recommend it enough!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.