blakehalsey's review
5.0
I fell in love with Spalding's character and voice in this one. THE REECE MALCOLM LIST is a great book about mothers and daughters, first love, and, of course, musicals. A former musical theater buff myself, I loved all of the detail included about rehearsing and performing a show (brought back so many memories *sniff*) and really loved Devan's journey to figure out how she fit into her mother's life. Great read!
lorathelibrarian's review
4.0
This book just made me happy. It made me forget about real life and just fall into an entertaining blissful bubble.
brokenrecord's review
4.0
4.5 stars, almost entire for the family stuff. Like, the romance was fine, but definitely not one of my favorite YA romances, and I never really understood why Sai started dating Nicole and then why he didn’t just break up with her since he clearly was into Devan and it’s not like he and Nicole had been dating for years, like, you just started dating, you’re not married, just break up with her and date the girl you really want to be with!!! Okay, so I guess I actually found the romance slightly frustrating.
But who even cares because the family stuff in this was my EVERYTHING. I liked how Reece seemed insulting and like a terrible mom at the beginning to Devan because they just didn’t know each other. And yeah, she wasn’t a perfect mom by any means, but I liked that she clearly cared and was trying in her own way. And BRAD!!!!! I adored Brad so much and his relationship with Reece, and how great he was with Devan, and really I could’ve just read an entire book solely about the three of them learning to be a family and done without the school and romance stuff. I almost feel like I would’ve liked the book even more if it had been written from Reece’s perspective instead of Devan’s??? Like, it would’ve been a very different book, and it wouldn’t have been YA, but I guess I related slightly more to her than to Devan (I am much closer in age to her than to Devan, oh god), and I just would’ve been super into that.
But yeah, anyways, the family stuff was absolutely wonderful and really made me love this book. And actually the friend stuff was pretty good too! I liked how Devan’s friendship with Mira evolved, and Travis and Lissa were great. It was just the romance stuff that fell flat, but luckily it wasn’t too big a part of the story and didn’t detract too much from it for me.
But who even cares because the family stuff in this was my EVERYTHING. I liked how Reece seemed insulting and like a terrible mom at the beginning to Devan because they just didn’t know each other. And yeah, she wasn’t a perfect mom by any means, but I liked that she clearly cared and was trying in her own way. And BRAD!!!!! I adored Brad so much and his relationship with Reece, and how great he was with Devan, and really I could’ve just read an entire book solely about the three of them learning to be a family and done without the school and romance stuff. I almost feel like I would’ve liked the book even more if it had been written from Reece’s perspective instead of Devan’s??? Like, it would’ve been a very different book, and it wouldn’t have been YA, but I guess I related slightly more to her than to Devan (I am much closer in age to her than to Devan, oh god), and I just would’ve been super into that.
But yeah, anyways, the family stuff was absolutely wonderful and really made me love this book. And actually the friend stuff was pretty good too! I liked how Devan’s friendship with Mira evolved, and Travis and Lissa were great. It was just the romance stuff that fell flat, but luckily it wasn’t too big a part of the story and didn’t detract too much from it for me.
sc104906's review
4.0
For her entire life, Devan, has lived with her father and step mother. Her parents never really seem to care too much about her, but Devan tries so hard to make them proud. Devan never knew her real mother, and only stumbled over her identity when reading one of her mother's books for school. Now Devan will get up close and personal with famous writer and mom, Reece Malcolm. Devan's father is dead and she is going to live with Reece. Devan tries not to be a burden and is desperate to know more about her mom. Devan is just trying to do what she can to navigate her new house, school, and mom.
Many of the characters were fun and interesting. All of them certainly have baggage, from Sai whose father hates him, to jealousy over who gets lead parts in musicals, to just random anger. This is a fun fluffy book
Many of the characters were fun and interesting. All of them certainly have baggage, from Sai whose father hates him, to jealousy over who gets lead parts in musicals, to just random anger. This is a fun fluffy book
tameka_young's review
4.0
From the first page of this book, I knew Devan and I were going to be besties. I loved everything about this sweet, funny, poignant, contemporary story. Devan's voice is completely spot on and relatable and I loved watching her discover the truth about her relationship with her mom, and herself. I also just have to love any book that geeks out on musical theater as much as I do.
nyo's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
weecha22's review
5.0
All I can say is that this book is fabulous. Great voice, fun characters, and boys with awesome hair. It has a little bit of something for everyone. I LOVED it (and so did Sara Zarr, Courtney Summers, Miranda Kenneally, etc).
Here are some of the AMAZING blurbs REECE has gotten:
“Moving and funny—a terrifically satisfying read.”
—Sara Zarr, author of How to Save a Life
"Funny and poignant, this lively book totally charmed us."
—Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, authors of Spoiled and Messy
"Brilliant!…Unique, honest, and quite often flat-out hysterically funny. I laughed, I cried, it was way, WAY better than Cats!"
—Miriam Shor, star of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Original Cast) and Merrily We Roll Along (Kennedy Center's Sondheim Celebration)
"Charming, heart-warming, and thoughtful…The Reece Malcolm List sings!"
—Courtney Summers, author of Cracked up to Be and Some Girls Are
"Just the right mix of humor and emotion…heartbreaking in the best way, The Reece Malcolm List is excellent YA contemporary."
—Miranda Kenneally, author of Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker
"This book has so much warmth and charm that you’ll find yourself wanting a second helping.”
—CK Kelly Martin, author of I Know It’s Over and The Lighter Side of Life and Death
Here are some of the AMAZING blurbs REECE has gotten:
“Moving and funny—a terrifically satisfying read.”
—Sara Zarr, author of How to Save a Life
"Funny and poignant, this lively book totally charmed us."
—Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, authors of Spoiled and Messy
"Brilliant!…Unique, honest, and quite often flat-out hysterically funny. I laughed, I cried, it was way, WAY better than Cats!"
—Miriam Shor, star of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Original Cast) and Merrily We Roll Along (Kennedy Center's Sondheim Celebration)
"Charming, heart-warming, and thoughtful…The Reece Malcolm List sings!"
—Courtney Summers, author of Cracked up to Be and Some Girls Are
"Just the right mix of humor and emotion…heartbreaking in the best way, The Reece Malcolm List is excellent YA contemporary."
—Miranda Kenneally, author of Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker
"This book has so much warmth and charm that you’ll find yourself wanting a second helping.”
—CK Kelly Martin, author of I Know It’s Over and The Lighter Side of Life and Death
charmaineac's review
5.0
This book makes me happy. It gives a nice dose of warmth and feel-good sunshine. It's a little fluffy, but I like how it's about the mother-daughter relationship between Devan and Reece more than anything else.