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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
medium-paced
The Birthday List by Devney Perry (narrated by Melissa Moran and Jeremy York) is a heartfelt masterpiece that had me hooked from the very first chapter. Poppy’s journey of grief, healing, and second chances is beautifully brought to life by Melissa’s emotional depth and Jeremy’s swoon-worthy charm.
The premise of a journal filled with unfulfilled dreams is both bittersweet and inspiring, and Cole’s determination to help Poppy heal makes this love story unforgettable. From laughter to tears, this audiobook is an emotional rollercoaster you won’t want to end. Devney Perry’s words + the perfect narration = pure magic. Highly recommend for fans of small-town romance and soul-stirring character growth.
The premise of a journal filled with unfulfilled dreams is both bittersweet and inspiring, and Cole’s determination to help Poppy heal makes this love story unforgettable. From laughter to tears, this audiobook is an emotional rollercoaster you won’t want to end. Devney Perry’s words + the perfect narration = pure magic. Highly recommend for fans of small-town romance and soul-stirring character growth.
Tragedy, Grief, Coincidence and Hope.
Those are the 4 words I would use to describe this book.
It pulled on my heartstrings so much, i was in tears just finishing the prologue.
Poppy & Cole are such a beautiful pair. I’m not even sure how to make a review without spoiling it.
I can’t wait to read Finn & Molly’s story next.
I’ll finish this off by saying…
“In a heartbeat.”
Those are the 4 words I would use to describe this book.
It pulled on my heartstrings so much, i was in tears just finishing the prologue.
Poppy & Cole are such a beautiful pair. I’m not even sure how to make a review without spoiling it.
I can’t wait to read Finn & Molly’s story next.
I’ll finish this off by saying…
“In a heartbeat.”
4.25-4.5 stars. This was a really good book for me! This was my first read by Devney Perry and I don't know why I waited to read her books. This is Poppy and Cole's book. Poppy was married to Jamie for two years when he was murdered in a robbery. Cole was the police officer who came to her house to inform her of his death. He sat with her for hours that night as she cried and informed her family. Now five years later, Poppy is still recovering from her loss. She has opened her own restaurant and is trying to begin the very slow process of moving on. The birthday list is a list her husband made before he died of things he wanted to do before his next birthday. Things like going to a karate class, swimming in a pool of green jello, and hiking to a lake nearby. Poppy decides to start doing the things on Jamie's list as a tribute to his life. She goes to do her first item on the list and comes face to face with Cole. They both remember each other and feel a connection to each other because of the evening of Jamie's death. Slowly they begin spending time together and Cole volunteers to help her check off the items on her list. Along the way, they fall for each other and begin a new journey towards love together.
Poppy had gone through so much with her husband's death. It had been 5 years when the book began and she was still very depressed and full of grief. I thought she might should have been farther along in her healing process. When Cole met her and started spending time with her, he saw her as charismatic and charming, while I didn't see that at all. I wondered why he liked her so much when it was obvious she was still grief stricken. But gradually I began to feel their connection. As Poppy began to heal and grow, I grew to like her character more and more. Cole, I liked from the beginning. He was pretty much perfect. Protective, a good guy, patient and understanding. He let Poppy set the pace in their relationship. This book was slow burn (first kiss at 58%), but it suited the circumstances and didn't bother me at all. Cole even knew he loved her before they first kissed. They had spent so much time together, becoming friends first and had grown so close that their relationship progression felt very natural. Cole and Poppy were a great couple and their personalities complimented each other perfectly.
The Birthday List is a "dead ex" book and that trope doesn't always work for me. But the sensitivity shown by the author to the circumstances, the slow burn, the pretty much perfect hero who is endlessly patient and doesn't push, along with the deceased spouse not being vilified or placed on a pedestal all worked together to make this a fabulous exception. I never felt like Cole was her second choice. I felt they were equal in Poppy's eyes, even though I liked Jamie's character less than Cole's, personally, just based on personality.
Overall, The Birthday List is an emotional, heart wrenching story of a woman overcoming tragedy and finding hope for the future in new love. There are sweet, funny, sexy, and heart breaking moments. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Ms. Perry!
*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*
Poppy had gone through so much with her husband's death. It had been 5 years when the book began and she was still very depressed and full of grief. I thought she might should have been farther along in her healing process. When Cole met her and started spending time with her, he saw her as charismatic and charming, while I didn't see that at all. I wondered why he liked her so much when it was obvious she was still grief stricken. But gradually I began to feel their connection. As Poppy began to heal and grow, I grew to like her character more and more. Cole, I liked from the beginning. He was pretty much perfect. Protective, a good guy, patient and understanding. He let Poppy set the pace in their relationship. This book was slow burn (first kiss at 58%), but it suited the circumstances and didn't bother me at all. Cole even knew he loved her before they first kissed. They had spent so much time together, becoming friends first and had grown so close that their relationship progression felt very natural. Cole and Poppy were a great couple and their personalities complimented each other perfectly.
The Birthday List is a "dead ex" book and that trope doesn't always work for me. But the sensitivity shown by the author to the circumstances, the slow burn, the pretty much perfect hero who is endlessly patient and doesn't push, along with the deceased spouse not being vilified or placed on a pedestal all worked together to make this a fabulous exception. I never felt like Cole was her second choice. I felt they were equal in Poppy's eyes, even though I liked Jamie's character less than Cole's, personally, just based on personality.
Overall, The Birthday List is an emotional, heart wrenching story of a woman overcoming tragedy and finding hope for the future in new love. There are sweet, funny, sexy, and heart breaking moments. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Ms. Perry!
*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s mostly my fault for not liking this one. I read crossroads by this author and loved it so I wanted to try some of her others. Let’s just say the next two I read (this book and then tattered) were not great. I’m going to try indigo ridge and then be done with the author. Way too cheesy, no chemistry to me and just a boring book. Why did Cole love her immediately after telling her that her husband died?? The insta love was a STRETCH. The book is them doing stupid things on a list. The end.
[4.5 stars]
_________________________________
S – Setting [5.0]
P – Plot [4.5]
E – Engagement [4.0]
C – Characters [4.5]
S – Style [4.5]
_______________________________
What's up with me always coming across books where the main character's first SO passes away? Please, make it stop!
Poppy and Cole
The book starts wonderfully! Oh, so sweet and the lines make you smile as it bonds you to the couple's happiness. Until Jamie dies in a tragedy. I cried. Cole was the cop to deliver the news to Poppy, he stayed with her until she fell asleep as her brother made tough phone calls to let others know of what happened. Five years later, Poppy finds herself completing Jamie's birthday list, checking off all the things he wanted to do. My heart aches for her loss! UGH! Anyway, during her karate class, she sees Cole and they start to hang out. They hang out as friends for 3 months and then they start dating. Cole is so patient with Poppy, understanding that she may not be ready for things to come but patient enough to wait for her cues. Poppy feels guilty at first for feelings things for Cole that she either felt or didn't feel for Jamie, even though in her mind she thinks Jamie was perfect the way he way (there's nothing wrong with Jamie, it's just 5 years have gone by and she has matured).
It breaks my heart when a character dies in the beginning of a book, even though I know the growth of the other will be coming down later, it still shatters me because someone didn't get the happy ending they deserved. :(
_________________________________
S – Setting [5.0]
P – Plot [4.5]
E – Engagement [4.0]
C – Characters [4.5]
S – Style [4.5]
_______________________________
What's up with me always coming across books where the main character's first SO passes away? Please, make it stop!
Poppy and Cole
The book starts wonderfully! Oh, so sweet and the lines make you smile as it bonds you to the couple's happiness. Until Jamie dies in a tragedy. I cried. Cole was the cop to deliver the news to Poppy, he stayed with her until she fell asleep as her brother made tough phone calls to let others know of what happened. Five years later, Poppy finds herself completing Jamie's birthday list, checking off all the things he wanted to do. My heart aches for her loss! UGH! Anyway, during her karate class, she sees Cole and they start to hang out. They hang out as friends for 3 months and then they start dating. Cole is so patient with Poppy, understanding that she may not be ready for things to come but patient enough to wait for her cues. Poppy feels guilty at first for feelings things for Cole that she either felt or didn't feel for Jamie, even though in her mind she thinks Jamie was perfect the way he way (there's nothing wrong with Jamie, it's just 5 years have gone by and she has matured).
It breaks my heart when a character dies in the beginning of a book, even though I know the growth of the other will be coming down later, it still shatters me because someone didn't get the happy ending they deserved. :(
3.5 stars 🌟 oh poppy 💔😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief