shelleyrae's review
4.0
'Where are the damn tissues?' is what I wrote when I finished Numbered by writing team Ros Baxter and Amy Andrews.
When twenty nine year old Poppy Devine finds a lump in her breast she decides to get a jump on her bucket list, and surprises herself by crossing off three items in one day - Number one: Jump out of a plane, Number ten: Have sex with a stranger, Number twelve: Eat a Mexican meal.
Numbered is an emotive story, the tragedy of Poppy's terminal diagnosis can't fail to tug at the heart strings, but it is ultimately a celebration of life as Poppy with the support of her best friend Julia and no-longer-a-stranger 'Ten' (aka Quentin Carmody) endeavour to fulfil her bucket list before her time runs out.
Most of the story is told from the alternating perspectives of Julia and Quentin. Julia is both furious and devastated when her best friend is diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and is determined that Poppy will beat it. In the meantime she will do everything she can to ensure Poppy has whatever she wants, she just doesn't think that Poppy is making a wise choice in keeping Mr-Rock-God-Surfer-Boy-Football-Legend around. Twenty two year old musician/short order cook Quentin Carmody has never had a relationship that has lasted longer than a few weeks but he's found something special with Poppy, both in and out of bed, and he's determined not to let her go.
Numbered is as much a story about they way in which Julia and Quentin cope with Poppy's inevitable death, more perhaps, than it is about Poppy's courageous last days. I loved Julia's feisty spirit and take no prisoners attitude, and the way in which Quentin sees past Poppy's illness. Both strong personalities, Julia and Quentin want what is best for Poppy but they don't always agree on what that is or how to make it happen. The bickering between them is often hilarious, providing much needed light relief, but is clearly edged with the pain and grief they feel.
Beautifully written with heart and humour, Numbered is a poignant yet life affirming novel about friendship, love, hope, grief and redemption, a wonderful read that will likely leave you smiling through your tears.
sharyn_swanepoel's review
4.0
I laughed, I cried. All signs of a wonderful book. I loved the honest frank discussions between besties and not so besties. A beautiful love story - love between lovers, best friends and family.
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